Marriage discrimination inspired one of the most mainstream public figures in the country to come forward for equality this week: Jeanne Phillips, aka 'Dear Abby.'

Phillips, who offers advice through her widely syndicated column, said, "I believe if two people want to commit to each other, God bless 'em. That is the highest form of commitment, for heaven's sake."

Abby (as she prefers to be called), the daughter of the original 'Dear Abby,' made the comments to a reporter in relation to a "Straight for Equality" award she's to receive from GLAAD. Abby says she isn't planning to devote a column to her statement about gay marriage -- which is too bad. She has a strong record for addressing gay issues in a positive way in the advice she doles out to everyday Americans who read her, however, making her a powerful and respected voice in raising awareness of gay issues to the mainstream.

In the AP article about this which ran on AOL (and which has more on the story here), a poll shows some interesting but not too surprising reactions to Abby's gay-friendly stance: Readers were split fairly evenly on her comments, with a slight majority in favor of her position that gays should be allowed to marry.

Coming out isn't a one-time event. Once you come out to one person, you've begun a lifelong journey of little coming outs (think hotel desk clerks) and and big coming outs ("Exactly why do I like guys? Because, Mom, penises are cool."). Since coming out is something that happens all year round, and more often for each of us that one might think, it's only fitting that there's a special annual event like National Coming Out Day. It's a time to honor what it means to come out, and help those who need a push, a hand, or an inspired bit of encouragement to come out, too.

In honor of our little gay holiday, I have a couple of stories to share, and then four videos chosen just for the occasion that you might enjoy.

One of my more amusing small coming outs happened in an airplane. I was working for the national gay rights organization, NGLTF, and was on a flight from Washington to San Francisco. Seated next to me was an older woman I hoped very much wouldn't talk to me. Not that there seemed anything wrong with her, but I don't usually like talking to people on airplanes. But silence would elude me on the flight because, yep, she was a chatter. After 20 minutes or so of small talk, she said, "And what is it you do?" I cocked my head her direction and said, "Me? Oh, I'm a professional homosexual," hoping that might end our discussion. She paused, and then trumped my self-titled profession by replying, "How does that pay?" Of course I loved her for her response and we became fast friends for the rest of the flight.

Last night, Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert turned to expert-gay Dan Savage to unravel the complexities of the hate crimes bill, Larry Craig, tea room sex, mujaha-queens and more. Brilliant.

I was incredibly honored when Queersighted editor, Kenneth Hill, sent me a story he was sure only I could handle. The fact that my editor would trust me with an important story after such a short time on staff was truly humbling. I opened the article with great anticipation. Let's see, it's called ... MTV's boundary-breaking sleaze? Wow, that sound's dreadful, but I'm still humbled, and appreciative. Let me read more before I judge.

According to LA Times.com, it's "a serialized bisexual dating show starring Tila Tequila, mistress of MySpace."

I stop reading momentarily to search for an old Xanax prescription. I'm back.

"Tequila will welcome 16 straight men and 16 lesbian women into a mansion, where they'll all live for a scandalous season while vying for her affection. MTV's first serialized dating program represents a big commitment from a network devoted to the short-attention-span crowd, meaning we can expect as much squabbling, back-stabbing and pansexual make-out sessions as 10 episodes can hold."

Oh, I understand now. Richard Rothstein has passed on this and Kenny hates me. Or, Richard passed and I'm the only other writer old enough to remember MTV's humble beginnings. That's why I got this story. I'll never forget the day MTV aired the first ever music video. It was just a guy with a Victrola and some sock puppets.

In yesterday's post, Christian "Think" Tank: Isn't That Special, I pleaded with the Concerned Church-ladies of America to "lay off the church casseroles", as I find that gross obesity often gets in the way of a perfectly good message of intolerance. In response to my post, a clever reader proposed we have a winner-take-all bake off pitting "any Newfangled 'Gay' church casserole up against the 'think tank's' bland wombly pasta, mushroom soup and mayo with bread crumb topping church casserole." I immediately challenged the reader to send me a "gay casserole" recipe and was delighted when I received this response.

Gay Casserole Recipe - (From reader Red Mojo)
From the kitchen of: Rupaul Prudhomme
Fucille (pronounced: foo-silly) Boiled strained and restrained.
A couple of hot tamales made with kd langastinos
A layer of whipped goat cheese (preferably from a Billy Elliot goat)
A Degeneres portion of Condi Rice and Beans playfully tossed into a blender and pureed.
Sprinkle with Wry bread crumbs and lightly dust with sifted fairy lady powder.
Bake until completely steamed and slightly sparkley on top.
Serve with a side of passion fruit compote over
Chutney popcorn.





More proof that the creative gay mind never lingers. Thank you Josh, Peter and Justin, the Fairy Tails Cooking Queens. I'd love to play your lesbian mother in a sit-com called My Three Gay Sons. A special thanks to Red Mojo, whoever you are! Perhaps we should start our own Queer Qookbook. As with obese, intolerant church-ladies, there's no shortage of creative gay minds, so send in your recipes and I will continue to post the best of the best. Cheerio Queerios and Bone appètit!

The Concerned Church-ladies of America are here to help us. God help us! When I was growing up, concerned church ladies stayed politely within their own realm of expertise: passing judgment on other people's Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes and scaring children about masturbation. Sadly, they've branched out. The Church ladies have discovered something scarier than masturbation ... (ENDA) the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act" and in the tolerant and well-meaning spirit of Sister Mary Ignatius, they are here to explain it all for you!

"A vote is expected soon on H.R. 2015, the so-called "Employment Non-Discrimination Act" (ENDA). If passed, the bill would grant special employment rights and protected minority status to individuals who define themselves based upon chosen sexual behaviors and others who - among other things - suffer from clinical self-delusion".

Well now, I see the church-ladies have been practicing creative writing! For those of you who don't speak "church-lady", please allow me translate the highlighted portions of the above text for you.

"so-called" means that's actually what it's called but they don't like it one bit because it makes sense and seems fair.
"special employment rights" means "employment rights". The inclusion of the word "special" is bible code for "queer".
"chosen sexual behaviors" means we're really straight, but have chosen a "deviant lifestyle" just to upset them and to gain access to the many "special" rights and privileges that go along with being gay, when you're not.
"clinical self-delusion" I had to look this one up. There are two definitions: (1) pertaining to church ladies who try to explain legislation. (2) "crazy", (see Concerned Women For America).

I was beside myself. I was

There are some things I wish I didn't know. One out of four homosexuals voted Republican in 2004. Thank you, Salon.com. I thought it was just Mary Cheney. So many gays voted against their own self-interest, Salon decided to post, The gay voter's guide to the GOP. I studied it carefully, because I never tire of hearing adulterers and divorce enthusiasts pontificate about the sanctity of traditional marriage.

In fairness, they're not all divorced adulterers. Three of the Republican candidates don't believe in evolution, so when they talk, I get all tingly like a kid on Christmas morning. Then there's Mormon and Sears Catalog model, Mitt Romney. Mormon's believe that an ancient tribe of Jews lived in New York 2000 years ago until Jesus visited them and turned them into Native Americans, or something along those lines. I know it's not as weird as the Pope, but it's weird and varmint murderer, Mitt Romney believes it.

Bringing up the rear is Fred Thompson, who is also a big supporter of traditional marriage, if by traditional, you mean divorcing your first wife of 25 years so you can marry a woman younger than your daughter. Fred says "we still get our basic rights from God, not government", which is Republican code for "bend over homo". It's also general code for "I'm clearly an idiot". So, which Republican will Mary Cheney support in '08? I'm not sure, but I hear her sister Liz is supporting the idiot in the rear.

The gay voter's guide to the GOP, is a Kinsey scale for homo-hate. It starts out with the Republican candidates who really don't like you and goes down hill from there. I know Mary, Gay Republicans aren't single-issue voters; you're all about lower taxes, smaller government and a strong defense. May I talk privately with you Log Cabinettes for a moment? Without Mary? Here's the thing ... the military is busy right now and it's not really their job to defend you against the gay-bashings that are coming if your guys get elected.

Dear Queersighted readers,

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a bit long in the tooth. The only reason I can imagine that I was asked to write for Queersighted, is that they desperately needed someone who could bridge the yawning age chasm between Richard Rothstein and all the other bloggers. Yes, It's true ... you always hurt the one you love. (BTW Richard, I've never snatched any Cootchie; it has always offered itself to me freely).

I've had a few weeks now to research what younger lesbians are interested in, and notwithstanding a tourette-like affinity for the words "hot", "hottie", "chicks", "super", "boobs", "frickin" and "awesome", or combinations thereof, it appears to an aging, wildly un-hip, newcomer like me, that girl bands are a popular topic.

So, in the spirit of unity and ingratiation, here is my first and last blog about a "super hot, awesome, hottie girl band, full of hot chicks with boobs" which gays, young and old, can frickin dig. I will do my best not to age myself in the course of my review. I dedicate this inaugural blog to the incredibly insightful, wonderfully witty, and older than me, Richard Rothstein.

Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopaters - Say, here's a nifty band of musical molls for all you gay guys and gals in Queersville. I'm not sayin' I'm superficial, but check out the chassis on these red-hot tomatoes! Yowzer! There's not a bug-eyed-Betty in the bunch. These dolls hit on all sixes!

You Ethel's out there, listen up. Daphne and Josephine are Hotsy-Totsy and how! These dissimulated dames slay me, so if you're a Daddy-O who prefers Sheiks to Shebas, these babes-with-a-beat, might be right up your alley.

Lead singer Sugar Kane has the gams and the pipes, but she's a bit of a Dumb Dora if you catch my drift. Sure, she's the Real McCoy, but I like my Janes saucy and well seasoned.

For me, Sweet Sue, founder of this sue-per synched, bevy of bearcats, is the choicest bit of calico. She's a tall drink of water, and man-oh-man, am I ever dying of thirst!

Sweet Sue and The Society Syncopaters started it all, kids. So, whether you're gay, straight, young, old, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you've got to agree that this almost all-girl band has something for everyone. They're Frickin Awesome! Now how often can you say that and really mean it?

I hope you will all look for my next entry, entitled: World's Worst Gay Professions, where I will be discussing my brief career as a comedy writer for the Radical Lesbian Separatist movement.

Until next time, this is the other Sweet Sue, signing off, and reminding all you Daddies and Dad-ettes out there that every girl in my band is a virtuoso, and I intend to make sure it stays that way.

There are so many negative gay news stories we have to stay on top of all the time, it's like getting a present to come across one that we can celebrate. This story is a gift that merits sharing.

Jerry Sanders, the Republican mayor of San Diego, reversed his position on gay marriage two days ago, just before he was about to veto a City Council resolution supporting gay marriage. The resolution directs San Diego's City Attorney to join other California cities in filing a brief to the State Supreme Court asking for an end to a statewide ban on same-sex marriage.

In an emotional public announcement with his wife standing by his side, Mayor Sanders explains the reasons that led him to change his well-known position of opposing gay marriage. Citing his personal relationships with his own lesbian daughter and gay people on his staff, he said that his beliefs have evolved and that he decided he needed to "lead with [his] heart" on this issue.

Sanders went on to say, "As I reflected on the choices that I had before me last night I could just not bring myself to tell an entire group of people in our community they were less important, less worthy, or less deserving of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than anyone else simply because of their sexual orientation."

Watching Sanders speak, you can see that his public change of heart did not come easily and that it means a great deal to him. The timing of his reversal is especially admirable given that he is up for re-election.

Mayor Sanders is a man who can stand as an example to other elected officials -- especially those in his political party -- that they too have it in them to find the courage to do what is right.

Watch Mayor Jerry Sanders (Warning: Tissue Advisory)



Update:
I meant to point out a glaring example of an elected official who acted just the opposite from Mayor Sanders.
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, who had privately expressed his support for gay marriage, recently stood up for discrimination when he said publicly, "I was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman." His remarks followed this week's unfortunate Maryland high court ruling upholding a ban on same-sex marriage. Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff tells the whole story here about flip-flopping Democrat Martin O'Malley.

...I'm pickin' favorites and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Allison Robertson, the guitar player for The Donnas, is my favorite Donna, super SUPER hot, and ya know, my guitar hero. Second to Jonny Lang of course cause it's just not human the things he can do with an axe. The night I met Fairuza Balk and watched as people gawked at Morrissey, I also met Allison. It was a Donnas show, so that made sense.

One thing I noticed as I approached her is that she's somehow even hotter when you're 2 inches away from her face. But don't worry. Against my normal instincts, I didn't just stare at her while 2 inches away from her and wait for one of us to blink. I actually engaged in decent conversation. Well, it was mostly me telling her how much of a rock goddess she is and how she doesn't get the credit she deserves, while thinking "I want to have your babies" in my inner monologue. But whatevs. She couldn't have been nicer. Or prettier. Or more guitar goddessier. *sigh*

Don't believe me? Here's a wicked solo from a show I saw last week:


And here's

A music video of Mika's 'Happy Ending' just hit YouTube today.

I'm still on a Mika rush after having seen him in concert a few months ago. He's without a doubt one of the freshest and most talented performers out there right now, as evidenced by this creative imagining of what is one of the best songs from his first album, 'Life in Cartoon Motion.' Have a look 'n listen:

'Happy Ending'



By the way, Mika fans beat him to the punch by creating hundreds of their own fan videos set to 'Happy Ending' as well as the other songs from his album. Here are a couple of ultra gay-pleasing examples.

Fan Video of Skater Jeff Buttle Set to Mika's 'Happy Ending'



Fan Video of Skater Johnny Weir set to Mika's 'Any Other World'

How on EARTH did I miss this one?


(Ray Lavender & Fabolous "My Girl Got a Girlfriend")

I don't know whether to laugh or cry, but I do know that my favorite part is: "Bust in da do' and see my girl wit'a chick."

Haha...well there ya go. I could see how that could be shocking, Ray.

All of the lyrics are amazing, really. Some could argue that it's a work of art. I won't. But some could.

Oh and two snaps for mentioning my new favorite sitcom, "Girlfriends" in the first few bars.

One year ago, 82-year-old activist Frank Kameny donated a treasure trove of gay rights memorabilia to the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. His picket signs, buttons, letters, and scores of important documents -- 70,000 of them -- are among the items he entrusted to the two institutions.

Last week, select pieces from what are officially known as The Kameny Papers went on display along with 150 artifacts of Americana curated by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The special exhibit is housed at the Air and Space Museum while the American History's building is closed for a two-year renovation project.


Gay rights artifacts now sit in a place of honor in one of our country's most-visited museums, a spot where tens of thousands of everyday Americans will come face to face with historic items that bear witness to the prejudices imposed upon gay people over the past few decades.

Imagine the profound message that is sent when visitors see these items laid out among the most iconic objects of American identity. A circa-1965 picket sign that says "First Class Citizenship for Homosexuals" sits in a room that includes the hat Lincoln was wearing the night he was killed, George Washington's uniform, and the "whites only" Woolworth's lunch counter from Greensboro, North Carolina. And don't even get me started on the fact sharing the stage with Jackie Kennedy's inaugural gown and Dorothy's ruby slippers is a 1968 political button reading "Gay Is Good," a phrase coined by Frank Kameny.

What does this mean exactly? While those working to