Handpicked News: MARRIAGE IS LIKE WATER, NOT BEER, Progressives Are Funnier Than Conservatives, NEW DOCUMENTARY

‘Daily Show’ Creator Lizz Winstead On Supporting Planned Parenthood, And Why Progressives Are Funnier Than Conservatives

On July 9, Daily Show creator, former Air America host, and comedian Lizz Winstead hit the road for a stand-up tour benefitting Planned Parenthood. She took a break from the show and finishing work on her forthcoming memoir to talk to me about what she’s learned about support for reproductive rights from her audiences; why conservative comedians aren’t very funny; how we can back up Planned Parenthood workers; and her dream television show in the post-Bridesmaids boom for women in comedy. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

SANTORUM: MARRIAGE IS LIKE WATER, NOT BEER | Rick Santorum turned more than a few eyebrows on Monday when he explained his opposition to same-sex marriage by holding up a napkin and observing that it was not a paper towel. On Friday, during a meeting with the Des Moines Register, Santorum relied on a similar metaphor to prove why society can’t “redefine” marriage: water is not beer. “It’s like saying this glass of water is a glass of beer. Well, you can call it a glass of beer, but it’s not a glass of beer. It’s a glass of water. And water is what water is. Marriage is what marriage is,” he said. Watch it:

NEW DOCUMENTARY FEATURES STORIES OF LGBTS ‘BREAKING THROUGH’ INTO POLITICS | A new feature length documentary called Breaking Throughlooks at the experiences of openly LGBT elected officials, including Houston mayor Annise Parker, Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan, Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and others. Watch the trailer:

 

Hate Groups Target GLSEN For Pamphlet GLSEN Didn’t Publish The Family Research Council and MassResistance — both anti-gay hate groups — target GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network) in a new scare-video. GLSEN is an organization that advocates for LGBT youth in schools, defending the formation of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) and advocating for anti-bullying policies. But FRC and MR are attacking GLSEN for a publication called the “Little Black Book,” describing it as “the most vile assault on teenagers ever concocted by homosexual activists”:

Celebrity Hair Ball of the Day Scruffy Jake Gyllenhaal

PSA for You Gym Bunnies, “Please Don’t Masturbate in the Showers”

Thanks!

INTERVIEW: Singer Aiden James Gives Accidental Bear the Scoop on New Album and Life

Singer, song writer Aiden James is no small town honky-tonk.  Aiden craved more than his upbringing had offered him and he took off for Philadelphia where he embraced urban life, got himself a big serving of the local music scene and found himself an audience to play for, which quickly turned into a large crowd.  Folk music and singer song writers inspired Aiden and gave him the platform to go after his musical dreams. Aiden has added a healthy dose of electronic music to his personal listening roster and says it has most definitely rubbed off onto his current projects. He leaked to me that his new album will be a pop record.

“Currently working on his 3rd studio album due out fall 2011, this self-taught musician was pulled from obscurity when his first music video “On the Run” had its television broadcast debut on Logo’s NewNowNext PopLab in Febuary 2010. A buzz quickly followed on all the big blogs like AfterElton, Joe My God and so on.. saying “Aiden James has stolen our hearts with his video for “On the Run” -AE. You can watch that on MTVmusic.com, VH1.com or his Youtube page.

Aiden added, ” I’ve written, arranged, engineered and performed everything on this new record which is a HUGE undertaking. I am psyched and blown away that I was actually capable of accomplishing.”  We see a musicians life on stage, let me do some digging for you and find out about the man behind the music.

Interview with Aiden James:

by Mike Enders

Accidental Bear: I was doing a little Aiden stalking online last night and see that you have folky roots but then starting listening to more electronic music. How would you describe the music on the new album you are working on?

Aiden James: It’s going to be a pop record. More an electronic singer songwriter kinda thing. Big hooks, catchy..cool sounds, beeps, beats, and some hot vocal stacking harmonies. Not often found in electronic music. You will still find my acoustic guitar in there ’cause after all, that’s my thing (smiles), it will still have the substance that you expect from a singer songwriter but with a very modern feel.  “po-ro-tronic” pop rock electronic (laughs)

A B: Do you come from a musical family?

Aiden: No. Most times my family would tell me to turn down my lil keyboard. So I’d go outside and play it on the rock behind my house. 

A B: As teenager, who might have you had a poster of on your wall and danced frantically to you your room?

Aiden: Well, I didn’t have any posters on my wall, but I remember doing all the Backstreet Boys choreography to like “larger than life” does that count? 

A B: Oh, busted. That totally counts. Which one of these terms described your high school years: Musical or a mosh pit?

Levi’s Vintage Clothing Double Breasted Parka

 You may have flashbacks to 90’s pea coats but give it a fresh make over of a plaid lining, corduroy collar, two side flap pockets and horn buttons. This coat is most definitely worth arm wrestling your best friend over or stealing from some trick at a bar (I didn’t say that).

(Studio Homme)

THE DESIGNER

Levi’s Vintage Clothing

Levi’s® Vintage Clothing represents the heart and soul of the American worker and is dedicated to capturing the authenticity and spirit in chronicling their origins and journeys. Levi’s Vintage Clothing is a brand developed by Levi’s® XX, an independent, creative division of Levi Strauss & Co.

Art of Manliness Manvotionals – Official Video Trailer

Trailer for our new book The Art of Manliness Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the Seven Manly Virtues.

Hits bookshelves September 2011. Pre-order it today on Amazon:http://amzn.to/k6XC81 or Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/jcgUKF

Dressing Taller: 10 Tips for Short Men brought to you by The Art of Manliness Website

Via artofmanliness.com : Good work men.

10 Tips on Dressing Taller

FYI – I put these ten tips in orders of practicality and cost.  I realize some of these are beyond some men’s resources or not options worth considering–but I lay them out there so that you can make that decision yourself.

1. Monochromatic Color Themes

Along the same lines as minimizing visual clutter, removing contrasting color from your appearance helps streamline the way you look. Keeping all your clothes within a fairly consistent color theme, especially a dark one, will create an illusion of height. Different color shades are fine–just try to keep it loosely monochrome.

When you do wear different colors or different shades of the same color, try to weight the darker colors toward the bottom half of your body. That way people’s attention starts down near your feet and travels upward. Dark trousers with a lighter shirt create a lengthening effect; a darker shirt with lighter pants shortens your appearance.

Project Runway All Stars Line-up, Minus Heidi Klum & Seal’s Big Penis References

Today’s news feed has been unusually bloody, negative and infuriating. To lighten it up a tad I will either cover you with rainbow sprinkles or play a game we gays like, Lets talk Project Runway!! The All-star line-up has spilled over into my Facebook feed and it is my civil duty to pass it on, to you, the little people. Here is a rundown of who will be participating in this fashion extravaganza. One huge FYI, this all-star season will have NO Heidi Klum or Seal’s big penis references.  Isaac Mizrahi will be one of the judges, Ick. AB

The contestants are:

• Austin Scarlett, the elaborately coiffed dandy who, during Season One, made an evening gown out of cornhusks.
• Kara Janx, from Season Two, known for her signature color-blocked wrap dress.
• Elisa Jimenez from Season Three, who marked her clothes with spit.
• Rami Kashou, from Season Four, the master of draping who lost to Christian Siriano.
• Sweet P, the tattooed retro-inspired spitfire from Season Four.
• Jerell Scott from Season Five, a huge fan of bling.
• Kenley Collins, the controversial alleged cat-thrower from Season Five, known for her vintage-y dresses.
• Gordana Gehlhausen of Season Six, whom you may remember as being very very nice.
• Anthony Williams from Season Seven, known for being hilarious and for using boid colors.
• Mila Hermanovski, the one from Season Seven who liked everything to be in black and white.
• April Johnston from Season Eight, the second-youngest contestant ever on the show.
• Michael Costello from Season Eight, the one who everyone was mean to.
• And last, but not least: Mondo Guerra, who tapdanced his way into our hearts with crazy mismatched patterns, bright colors and winning spirit.

As a reminder: Heidi Klum won’t be on this show: The part of Heidi Klum will be played by supermodel Angela Lindvall. Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman will be the judges.

Project Runway All Stars [Lifetime]

SHAME: Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Attacked in the Castro SF CA

Not Sister in the attack

Does it get any lower? Attacking a female nun. I suspect this was a lethal dose us alcohol and stupidity. None the less, worrisome that this happens in the ‘gay village.’ AB

On Sunday, July 31, a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was assaulted and called a “faggot” during an early morning attack in the Castro district. The incident happened at around 2 a.m. According to the Bay Area Reporter, this is how the alleged hate crime went down.

The Sister told police he was walking past The Crystal Way, 2335 Market Street, when he saw a woman and said, “Hello, my darling. How are you this evening?”The report says the woman responded by grabbing the Sister’s waist, pushing him, and yelling at him. The Sister was unsure what the woman said, but “does distinctly remember that the suspect called him a ‘faggot,’” the report says.

The suspect then shoved the Sister again, knocking him into the window of 2337 Market Street (the address of the restaurant Blue) and causing him to fall, according to police. The woman then either punched or used an object to break The Crystal Way’s window before fleeing.

 

The unidentified Sister went on to tell police he believed he was attacked “because of his sexual orientation and that he was dressed as a female nun.”

No arrests have been made.

In related news, the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence, along with the Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP), and Triangle Martial Arts Association (TMAA), have helped form Stop The Violence, a campaign aimed at ending increasing violence in the Castro. The project helps distribute safety whistles, conducts personal safety seminars, and “take[s] any step necessary to make our communities safer.” Go here for more details.

[BAR]

SF CA: Cops Seeking Teen Gang That Committed Duboce Triangle Hate Crime Attack

On Saturday night, three white males described as being in their “mid-teens” attacked a 52-year-old Santa Barbara man with a baseball bat near Market and Sanchez in Duboce Triangle. The teens, who yelled homophobic slurs at the victim during the attack, fled with the man’s keys and had not been found as of Monday evening.

 

No arrests have been made yet and the victim waited until Sunday to report the crime. The three boys fled on foot and were wearing dark clothing.

The case is being handled by SFPD’s special investigations divisions, which covers hate crimes, and is the second alleged hate crime to have occurred in the neighborhood over the weekend. The other attack on a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, occurred just over a block away on Market Street, although the two incidents appear unrelated.

Anyone with info on Saturday night’s incident is encouraged to call the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.

An again: the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence, along with the Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP), and Triangle Martial Arts Association (TMAA), have helped form Stop The Violence, a campaign aimed at ending increasing violence in the Castro. The project helps distribute safety whistles, conducts personal safety seminars, and “take[s] any step necessary to make our communities safer.” Go here for more details.

[BCN/Appeal]

Great America Sued Over Gay Slur in Photograph “Were (sic) Fags!

It is about time we bring back public humiliation as a punishment for heinous and hurtful crimes such as bigotry. Bring back that damn scarlet letter, but a new modern version. “California’s Great America has been sued on charges that include sexual harassment by two men who say a photograph of them was doctored in humiliating ways and then put on public display.” It was said that these two gay men’s photos was found scattered around other rides with a thought bubble added that contained the phase “Were (sic) Fags!” So, what I propose for punishment is for those involved, should have to wear large signs for a determined amount of time saying,” Ignorant Dumbass” or perhaps something more judicial.  AB

 California’s Great America has been sued on charges that include sexual harassment by two men who say a photograph of them was doctored in humiliating ways and then put on public display.

The lawsuit against the Santa Clara amusement park was filed Monday in Santa Clara County Superior Court by Craig Person and Edmund Yang, both of San Jose. It is the delayed reaction to an incident on August 17, 2008, that began with a ride on the Psycho Mouse roller coaster.

Read full story at www.sfgate.com

S.F. Gay Married Couple Loses Immigration Battle, Every Gay Loses

As gays we are always in the game of 1 step forward two steps backwards. I think it should be made mandatory to look under the ugly masks of republicans to see if they are hiding any devil horns. We all should be sickened by this story. I feel like a good old fashion Harvey Milk riot should occur. AB

via www.sfgate.com

Citing the Defense of Marriage Act, the Obama administration denied immigration benefits to a married gay couple from San Francisco and ordered the expulsion of a man who is the primary caregiver to his AIDS-afflicted spouse.

Bradford Wells, a U.S. citizen, and Anthony John Makk, a citizen of Australia, were married seven years ago in Massachusetts. They have lived together 19 years, mostly in an apartment in the Castro district. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denied Makk’s application to be considered for permanent residency as a spouse of an American citizen, citing the 1996 law that denies all federal benefits to same-sex couples.

The decision was issued July 26. Immigration Equality, a gay-rights group that is working with the couple, received the notice Friday and made it public Monday. Makk was ordered to depart the United States by Aug. 25. Makk is the sole caregiver for Wells, who has severe health problems.

“I’m married just like any other married person in this country,” Wells said. “At this point, the government can come in and take my husband and deport him. It’s infuriating. It’s upsetting. I have no power, no right to keep my husband in this country. I love this country, I live here, I pay taxes and I have no right to share my home with the person I married.”

Husband’s pleas READ HERE

Raymond Johnson Denied Federal Aid For Breast Cancer Because He’s A Man

All breasts not created equal.

via Huffington Post

A 26-year-old South Carolina man received a surprising diagnosis of breast cancer after he visited an emergency room for throbbing chest pain last month.

But what came next surprised Raymond Johnson even more: He discovered he is ineligible for the Medicaid program that covers treatments for breast cancer because he is a man, according to news reports.

Johnson is uninsured, and in order to afford the treatments, his patient advocate suggested he look into a federal program that could help. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act uses Medicaid funds to cover breast and ovarian cancer treatment costs for people who can’t afford it,The Post and Courier reported. But a stipulation lies with receiving those funds: you must be a woman.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate, so this program shouldn’t discriminate,” Johnson told The Post and Courier. MORE 

Related articles

• Raymond Johnson Denied Federal Aid For Breast Cancer Because He’s A Man (huffingtonpost.com)
• Patient Denied Medicaid To Treat Breast Cancer Because He’s A Man! (lukewilliamss.wordpress.com)

Morning Warm-ups: London Riots – Scum steal from injured boy, Skull of Trismegistus, The Ostrich Nest – Epic Meal Time

AWKWARD: The gratitude campaign (full length)

Related articles

• London riots: thugs filmed robbing injured, bleeding boy (telegraph.co.uk)