Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Some Things Gay... Silly and Serious

So gay in every way...

Photographer Reinvents the Pin-Up 

with Manly Men


Men-Ups

Imagine if men did pin-up poses...

When 26-year-old Florida photographer Rion Sabean began his latest project — a series of photographs of men in classic pin-up poses — he had no idea the reaction they'd inspire in people. Sabean's "Men-Ups" casts men in classically masculine configurations (the bearded, the burly, the blue collar) and positions them in Vargas-style poses that are usually reserved for the ultra-feminine women. The result, which he's hoping to turn into a calendar by year's end, is thought-provoking, riveting, and amusing. The Advocate talked with Sabean about his "Men-Ups."
RION SABEAN PIN-UP MEN YELLOW X560 | ADVOCATE.COM
What inspired the project?
In essence, the project was something that I knew for a long time had to happen, but I just hadn't worked out how I would achieve it. I know around the time that I did start formulating it all, that I was taking a feminist literature class that was really triggering these really great reactions with me that probably pushed my creatively even further. 
RION SABEAN PIN-UP MEN RED X560 | ADVOCATE.COM
How have men and women reacted to the images? Differently? What is the typical reaction?
I would say that in general the response has been pretty positive on both sides. Females tend to really enjoy the focus being taken away from them for once, while males seem to think that it's more comical. I would say the overarching reaction people cling to is that they're fun and just beautiful to look at. But then it gets murkier depending on sexual orientation, because I've noticed that a lot of older straight males that I know, that while they don't seem to dislike the works, have said "I don't get it."
RION SABEAN PIN-UP MEN BASEBALL X560 | ADVOCATE.COM
When is the calendar going to be available?
The calendar will be ready by December, come hell or high water! I'm working with a very small company and am currently going to submit an unfinished mockup to check the quality and make sure it's acceptable. 
RION SABEAN PIN-UP MEN GREEN X560 | ADVOCATE.COM
You play with gender binaries, clearly. Is that something that’s has personal relevance?
I wouldn't fully say that it feels personal, so much as pertinent. I just know that there are very specific things that society has always said, and still says, that males should and shouldn't do — and females too — and that doesn't bode well with me. I just live by the mantra that these rules are so minuscule that they don't even matter. They're constructs and completely baseless, so why should be ascribe to them?
RION SABEAN PIN-UP MEN BLUE X560 | ADVOCATE.COM
Are you gay, straight, bi?
I am gay. Although, not all my models are, and a decent amount automatically assume that they are, either because they're posed like that, or possibly by association with me. I always thought that was interesting. 
RION SABEAN PIN-UP MEN RION X560 | ADVOCATE.COM
You posed yourself for one of the Men-Ups. How awkward did you feel? Did you channel your inner Vargas girl?
It was only awkward to the extent that I was alone in the studio, trying to achieve this almost impossible pose, while sitting atop a toolbox, making the right face at the right time, and then trying to take the photo all at the same time. It was pretty insane, and actually really pushed the idea of these poses being far-fetched even further, because I was having issues even replicating it, as were other models I had worked with. Beyond all that, I did do research solely on poses before I even began shooting any of the models. So, they really helped to have a standard, or reference.

Actor Zachary Quinto attends the premiere of 'What's Your Number?'

Zachery Quinto 

Comes Out in a Big Way

Those in the entertainment industry who have "come out" need the continued support 
of the LGBTI community.
In mid October (2011), actor  Zachary Quinto came out amid a growing number of LGBT teen suicides. The tragedies have sparked national reactions as many offer what they can to help. For some, like Quinto, their best pledge is coming out of the closet.

And, thankfully so. Seeing role models succeed as out professionals builds hope among questioning gay, lesbian, bi and trans teens. This is what makes celebrity coming outs so important. The impact is widespread and those that benefit are many, even if their voices are rarely heard. 

However, in light of Quinto's groundbreaking announcement, some say the true significance of his revelation has yet to be realized. James Mason at Dot429 Magazine writes: 

"While this is an important and unprecedented moment in entertainment that we should all celebrate, we must also not allow ourselves to become complacent. Quinto's revelation is just the start of the final showdown between whether things are going to change, or the status quo is going to remain in place." 

Mason foresees a showdown between the Hollywood establishment and gay and lesbian actors, where control over an actor's career shifts from the hands of few to the many who support the industry. I agree. Success will come when the coming out of actors and entertainers isn't groundbreaking at all, but commonplace within an industry that's survived on LGBT contributions since its inception. 

What does this mean for us Hollywood outsiders? Mason gives his own call to action. He says that Quinto's move should be met with a fierceness of support that circumvents any chance of Hollywood drying up Quinto's call sheet.

"We must do everything we can to ensure that Quinto succeeds and that his career is not hindered in any way by his sexuality," Mason writes. To start, Quinto stars in the new Wall Street drama Margin Call alongside Stanley Tucci and Kevin Spacey. Our support for him there sends a message to Hollywood and other LGBT actors. 

Visibility is key. "There are many stars who have yet to come out, and we have yet to see a young out gay actor succeed from the very beginning," Mason goes on. Still, an even larger opportunity lies in the hands of the many LGBT writers, producers, stage personnel, editors, and execs whose coming out would shake the industry and spread hope to LGBT and questioning audiences everywhere. Where there is one there are many. The missing piece is our support once they take the first step. 
Ramon Johnsonby Ramon Johnson About.Com


About.com Gay Life contributing writer Jeremy C Bradley.

GAY - from Happy to Homosexual

by Jeremy C Bradley

I have a problem when it comes to the labels gay men are given by the media, by politicians, and sometimes even by members of our own families. 

The term "homosexual" has come back into popular usage to describe gay men. And while the words that we use to describe ourselves have changed over the years, the word "homosexual" just doesn't sit right with me - especially when its coming out of the mouth of someone who is anti-gay rights. The word drips with disdain and comes out sounding more like an indictment than a clear description.
In order to get to the bottom of why I personally hold these feelings about the word "homosexual" as well as to explore how the word "gay" went from meaning happy to homosexual, let's talk about the evolution of labels.
Victorians in 19th century England first used the word "homosexual" to describe same-sex attraction and behavior as moral and mental deficiencies. People who exhibited same-sex indicators were thought to be unethical, crazed, and all-around ill. Eventually, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) included homosexuality as a mental illness (that has since been reversed).
What's In A Word?: Playwright changes "queer" to "gay," opera goes on.
As gay men and women gained ground and a voice in society, we began to call ourselves "gay" to avoid being labeled mentally or emotionally ill. Since the popular definition of gay meant "happy" at the time, it was an adequate choice of words: happy is the opposite of being subdued or wrought with mental illness, as the Victorians suggested. The idea was that "we are gay, we are happy about it." Other terms like "fag" and "queer" were thought to be derogatory, even though its common to hear these words within the community of gay men and lesbians.
Because of the Victorian definition and the way in which the word "homosexual" is still used by the right-wing to undermine gay rights causes, many people now find the term homosexual to be objectifying and insulting. Despite this fact, the term is stil widely used in scientific studies to categorize all LGB people. In fact, however, the terms "gay man", "lesbian", and "bisexual wo(man)" are, more practically speaking, relevant terms. With these broader distinctions in mind, I believe that we can move away from the use of words like "homosexual" that have a negative stigma attached to them.
In contemporary usage, gay is now an adjective that is used to describe both gay men and lesbians. However, all of us have heard the word gay used as a phrase to belittle or demean others: "man, that's so gay." This use of the word on an inanimate object implies that no matter which term we use to describe ourselves, people will bastardize it to our chagrin.
What's clear to me is that there is no easy line to draw indicating which words are appropriate and which aren't. I'd like to think that everyone will adopt basic phrases like "gay man", "lesbian" and "bisexual wo(man)" for use in everyday language. In reality, I think we need to clean up other phrases before this holistic approach is possible. Euphemisms like "he's a bit funny", "friend of Dorothy", "batting for the other team", "light in the loafers" and "wearing comfortable shoes" are just as demeaning as the word "homosexual" or "fag." We must root out the ignorance in all forms of language if we want "gay" to really mean "happy being me" again.     
Text via About.Com

This next item is gay 

in the old sense of the word...
The Dahlings Hit all the Right Chords

Image via Arts Blog
The Dahlings is a musical trio specializing in 1940s-style close harmony vocal music. 
Influenced by the Andrews Sisters and the quintessential essence of Diva, these three actresses are reviving jazz music and giving it a brand new jacket.
Having met in South Africa's relatively small professional performing arts industry, they put their electric mixers together and whipped up something that smells of apple crumble, looks like Dior and sounds like nothing else. 

The Dahlings 

If you missed Cinema Wow earlier in the year, you have another chance to catch this absolutely boffo musical history tour through the 1940s right on up to the present. The Dahlings again appear in Cinema Wow at the Joburg Theatre November 25 through December 4. Don't miss it! 
Just for the fun of it, visit The Dahlings' website.

Seven things you probably never knew about Freddie Mercury

See more about Queen and other Famous Gays

Singer Freddie Mercury singing during a Queen concert in Stockholm, 10th June 1986.There's a little queen in all of us. Namely from the legendary influence of rocker Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of 70s band Queen.

You may know the out singer from classic tunes likeBohemian RhapsodyDon't Stop Me Now, and We Are the Champions, which still live on as some of the most iconic hits of all time. Like many great artists, Freddie died young in 1991 at age 45. This week would've been his 65th birthday.

To commemorate his legacy and his birthday, Google launched a special Freddie Mercury Google Doodle full of web pyrotechnics.

Regardless of age, chances are you've heard a Mercury track on the radio, in a movie, or at the stadium. (That's him on the left rocking in 1986 at a Stockholm concert.) But, there are a few things you don't know about Freddie Mercury, which makes his achievement all the more legendary and his death the more tragic. 

Born on September 5, 1946, Mercury was a singer, songwriter, and lead vocalist of Queen, a rock band sure to be remembered for as long as there is music to listen to. Hits included Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, and We Are the Champions among many, many more. 

Although British, Mercury spent the first 15 or so years of his life growing up in India after being born in Zanzibar. He learned to play the piano at 7, formed his first band called The Hectics at 12, and then at 17 he moved to England with his family where he studied art. The art skills he gained ultimately helped him design the crest/logo for Queen. 

After being a part of several bands that never really saw success he formed Queen with Brian May and Roger Taylor, signalling the start of Mercury’s real musical success story and what has ultimately made him one of the most memorable and loved  musicians of all time. 

Unfortunately, Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in the late 80s and his last on-camera appearance was in May, 1991 for the music video These are the Days of Our Lives. From June to November of that year his health deteriorated until he started refusing his medication and died on November 24 at the age of 45. 

Google’s Doodle celebrating the date is an animated journey through his musical career. It’s both an uplifting and well thought out piece that sees Mercury riding on the back of a tiger, driving a racing car through the universe, and portrayed as the King (Queen?) of rock. 

As well as a doodle, Google also asked Brian May to do a guest post about Mercury on the Official Google BlogIt’s well worth a read for Queen and Mercury fans alike.                    Via Geek.Com 
Image Via WalYou

I can resist everything but temptation

– Oscar Wilde

Forget about the perfect man.
He's living in San Francisco 
with is boyfriend.

Via Littleonejade's Blog 


Image via Undergear Photos

I bought a pair of these undies. 

Why don't I look as good in them?


Image via Darkamelot 

For a good time call...

Imma' Give Them A Call Right Away!

Image Via Damn LOLSurprise!       Image Via Darkamelot

WHY: Is this girl shaving?
Image Via Bore Me

To add your comments, click on 

links to this post 

here or below. It will take you to a stand-alone copy of this page. There, you will find the comments box, so feel free to let 'er rip.

Spooooky Reading...

Evil Little Stories: A Collection
 

Buy it here
What lies beneath...

GLEE Season 3: Celebrates a Milesone:Author: DonovanFiled under: DonovanTV Shows
Who knew a show about a bunch of musically-inclined high school misfits would become such a huge hit? “Glee” has become a force to be reckoned with, not only on television but in the music industry as well. With over 36 million songs digitally downloaded and over 11 million albums sold worldwide you can see why. Over 50 percent of the songs released have charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart including the anthem hit “Don’t Stop Believin’”, the iconic rendition of “Vogue” and the pop phenomenon “Teenage Dream.” Pretty impressive, don’t you think? On November Tuesday 15, “Glee” will reach a milestone - it’ll air it’s 300th musical performance.
Before I reveal what the 300th performance will be, I’m going to share some tidbits on upcoming shows. So far this season, we’ve only seen one of the four “The Glee Project” kids pop up on the show. Lindsay Pearce showed up as Rachel Berry’s doppleganger Harmony. She’ll return on Episode 8 and will compete against New Directions. When “Glee” returns next week, co-winner Damian McGinty makes his debut as Rory Flanagan, an Irish exchange student. Runner-up Alex Newell will play Mercedes’ younger brother who has an affinity for cross-dressing. Lastly, co-winner Samuel Larsen won’t appear 'til 2012 in either Episode 10 or 11. I can’t wait for all of them to pop up. I wonder if any will make the cut for Season 4.

So which song gets the honor of getting covered for this momentous milestone? It’s actually a mashup of two of Adele’s hits- “Rumor Has It” and “Someone Like You“. Considering Adele is one of today’s biggest artists, I say good choice. It’s only fitting Mercedes steps up to belt the Adele number out. Here’s a fun fact. Mercedes’ rendition of “Respect” is the first song ever sung on “Glee”. Joining Mercedes on the milestone track will beSantana and Sugar Motta. According to Ryan Murphy, Adele has heard the cover and gave it her seal of approval.

O
n the heels of Chord Overstreet returning to reprise his role of Sam Evans comes word of another alum coming back. As you can see above, it’s none other than Jonathan Groff. Last time his character, Jesse St. James, appeared on the show, he “coached” New Directions as they prepared for Nationals. Once again he’ll be doling out advice. This time, however, he’s working with their rival, Vocal Adrenaline. I guess this means Cheyenne Jackson is out as their coach. For fans of Groff you’ll be happy to know his return won’t be a brief one- he’s signed on for 10 episodes.

300 Songs Performed on Glee

Just in case you were wondering what 300 songs have appeared on “Glee,” here’s the complete list. How many of these musical performances do you remember? If my life depended on it, I think I could only name about 50 off the top of my head. 
1. Respect
2. Where Is Love?
3. Mr. Cellophane
4. I Kissed A Girl
5. On My Own
6. Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat
7. You’re The One That I Want
8. Leaving On A Jet Plane
9. Can’t Fight This Feeling
10. Rehab
11. Don’t Stop Believin’
12. Le Freak
13. Gold Digger
14. Push It
15. I Say A Little Prayer
16. Take A Bow
17. This Is How We Do It
18. For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow
19. Poison
20. Mercy
21. La Camisa Negra
22. Bust Your Windows
23. I Wanna Sex You Up
24. Single Ladies
25. Taking Chances
26. Tonight
27. Star Spangled Banner
28. Maybe This Time
29. Don’t Stop Believin’
30. Alone
31. Last Name
32. Somebody to Love
33. Mash-up: It’s My Life – Confessions
34. Mash-up: Halo – Walking on Sunshine
35. Hate On Me
36. No Air
37. Ride Wit Me
38. You Keep Me Hangin’ On
39. Keep Holding On
40. Bust A Move
41. Thong Song
42. Sweet Caroline
43. I Could Have Danced All Night
44. Dancing With Myself
45. Defying Gravity
46. Proud Mary
47. Endless Love
48. I’ll Stand By You
49. Mash-up: Young Girl – Don’t Stand So Close To Me
50. I Saw Red
51. Crush
52. Having My Baby
53. Lean On Me
54. Bootylicious
55. Papa Don’t Preach
56. You’re The One That I Want
57. Mash-up: Crazy In Love – Hair
58. Imagine
59. True Colors
60. Jump
61. Smile
62. Smile
63. And I Am Telling You
64. Proud Mary
65. Don’t Stop Believin’
66. Don’t Rain On My Parade
67. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
68. My Life Would Suck Without You
69. Hello, I Love You
70. Gives You Hell
71. Hello
72. Hello 12, Hello 13, Hello Love
73. Highway To Hell
74. Hello, Goodbye
75. Express Yourself
76. Mash-up: Borderline – Open Your Heart
77. Vogue
78. Like A Virgin
79. 4 Minutes
80. What It Feels Like For A Girl
81. Like A Prayer
82. Fergalicious
83. Fire
84. Mash-up: A House Is Not A Home – One Less Bell
85. House Is Not A Home
86. Beautiful
87. Home
88. Ice Ice Baby
89. Run Joey Run
90. U Can’t Touch This
91. Physical
92. Total Eclipse Of The Heart
93. The Climb
94. Jessie’s Girl
95. Lady Is A Tramp
96. Pink Houses
97. The Boy Is Mine
98. Rose’s Turn
99. One
100. The Impossible Dream
101. Daydream Believer
102. Jimmy Original
103. Piano Man
104. Big Spender
105. Dream On
106. Safety Dance
107. I Dreamed A Dream
108. Dream A Little Dream
109. Another One Bites The Dust
110. Tell Me Something Good
111. Loser
112. It’s A Man’s World
113. Good Vibrations
114. Give Up The Funk
115. Funny Girl
116. Bad Romance
117. Shout It Out Loud
118. Pokerface
119. Beth
120. Magic/You Raise Me Up
121. Faithfully/Anyway You Want to/Loving Touching/Don’t Stop Believing
122. Bohemian Rhapsody
123. To Sir with Love
124. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
125. Empire State Of Mind
126. Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
127. Getting To Know You
128. Billionaire
129. Telephone
130. Listen
131. What I Did For Love
132. I’m A Slave For You
133. Best That You Can Do
134. Me Against The Music
135. Hit Me Baby One More Time
136. Stronger
137. Toxic
138. The Only Exception
139. Only The Good Die Young
140. I Look To You
141. Papa Can You Hear Me
142. I Wanna Hold Your Hand
143. Losing My Religion
144. Bridge Over Troubled Water
145. One of Us
146. Lucky
147. River Deep, Mountain High
148. Sing
149. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
150. Le Jazz Hot
151. Get Happy/Happy Days
152. Born Again
153. Science Fiction/Double Feature
154. Over At The Frankenstein House
155. Dammit Janet
156. Saturday Night
157. There’s A Light
158. The Time Warp
159. Sweet Transvestite
160. Toucha, Toucha, Touch Me
161. One Love
162. Teenage Dream
163. Living On A Prayer/Start Me Up
164. Stop In The Name Of Love / Free Your Mind
165. Forget You
166. Make ‘Em Laugh
167. Nowadays
168. Singing In The Rain/Umbrella
169. And All That Jazz
170. Conjunction Junction
171. Ohio
172. Marry You
173. Dance Rehearsal
174. Bridal Chorus
175. Sway
176. Just The Way You Are
177. Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
178. The Living Years
179. Hey Soul Sister
180. Time Of My Life
181. Valerie
182. Dog Days Are Gone
183. The Most Wonderful Day of the Year
184. We Need a Little Christmas
185. Merry Christmas Darling
186. Baby It’s Cold Outside
187. You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch
188. Last Christmas
189. Welcome Christmas
190. Need You Now
191. Zombie Dance Lesson
192. She’s Not There
193. Bills, Bills, Bills
194. Thriller/Heads Will Roll
195. Fat Bottomed Girls
196. Pretty Young Thing
197. When I Get You Alome
198. My Funny Valentine
199. Firework
200. Silly Love Songs
201. Baby
202. Baby at Bat Mitzvah
203. Somebody To Love
204. Take Me or Leave Me
205. This Little Light of Mine
206. I Know What Boys Like
207. Sing
208. Blame It on The Alcohol
209. My Headband
210. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
211. Tick Tock
212. Don’t You Want Me
213. Do You Want To Touch Me
214. Animal
215. Kiss
216. Landslide
217. Afternoon Delight
218. Misery
219. Only Child
220. Blackbird
221. Back In My Arms
222. Trouty Mouth
223. Big Ass Heart
224. Hell To The No
225. Jesus Is A Friend of Mine
226. Candles
227. Raise Your Glass
228. Get It Right
229. Loser Like Me
230. One Night In Bangkok
231. All By Myself
232. I Follow Rivers
233. Turning Tables
234. Ain’t No Way
235. Unpretty/I Feel Pretty
236. Loser Like Me
237. I Gotta Be Me
238. Somewhere Only We Know
239. Born This Way
240. Fondue For Two
241. It’s 10 AM and I’m Drunk
242. Dreams
243. Nice To Meet You, Have I Slept With You?
244. Don’t Stop
245. Go Your Own Way
246. I Don’t Want To Know
247. Never Going Back
248. Songbird
249. Rolling In The Deep
250. Isn’t She Lovely
251. Friday
252. Jar of Hearts
253. Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend
254. Dancing Queen
255. Back To Black
256. Some People
257. Try A Little Tenderness
258. My Man
259. Pure Imagination
260. I Love New York / New York, New York
261. For Good
262. Bella Notte
263. As Long As You Are There
264. Pretending
265. Light Up The World
266. Pain
267. My Cup
268. Anything Goes/Anything You Can Do
269. Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead
270. It’s Not Unusual
271. We Got The Beat
272. You Can’t Stop The Beat
273. Chopsticks
274. Big Spender
275. Somewhere There’s A Place For Us
276. I’m The Greatest Star
277. Booty Camp
278. Something’s Coming
279. Spotlight
280. Run The World
281. Cool
282. It’s All Over
283. Out Here On My Own
284. Fix You

285. Being Green
286. Last Friday Night
287. Candy Man
288. Waiting For A Girl Like You
289. Take Care Of Yourself Tonight
290. Uptown Girl
291. A Boy Like That
292. America
293. One Hand, One Heart
294. Hot For Teacher
295. You and I/You and I
296. Hit Me With Your Best Shot/One Way Or Another
297. Oklahoma!
298. Hall and Oats Mash-Up
299. Mash-up: Rumor Has It – Someone Like You
Phew, that was a long list!    Via HomoRazzi
  And down further...

Image Via Happy Place

No comments:

Post a Comment