Pro Marriage Video Pulled by You Tube After Legal Threats

These girls have some love for each other, but the National Organization for Marriage may not approve.

The National Organization for Marriage seems to be ratcheting up its efforts to suppress the audition videos that leaked from its anti-gay-rights "gathering storm" shoot.

According to YouTube, the group has gotten a clip from MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show pulled from the site.

In the segment, which aired Thursday, Maddow criticizes the group's ad, and shows 40 seconds of the audition tapes. "We do not know how Human Rights Campaign got access to the audition tapes, but because they did, we do know that pretending to be a straight person hurt by gay marriage is apparently very, very challenging," she says.

The clip was previous available on YouTube, but now the page says "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by National Organization for Marriage."

MSNBC, of course, would have been well within its rights to demand the clip be removed. But NOM asserting a copyright interest to have a critical newscast scrubbed from the net?

That sets an extraordinary precedent.

Pro Marriage Video Becomes National 'You Tube' Parody for Gays

This is off the blog site, My Auburn, and we lift it with full credit to their creativity:

Sunday NY Times Features Same Sex Marriage Debate

And now there are four.

In the space of a week, the number of states allowing same-sex marriage has doubled, with Iowa and then Vermont joining Massachusetts and Connecticut. In California, gay and lesbian couples were exchanging vows for five months before voters put a stop to the practice in November. Californians are still talking it over, though, and loudly. New York and New Jersey may be next to debate the question.

But the proof that this is a serious issue warranting national discussion and emotional debates is reflected in today's Sunday New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/weekinreview/12liptak.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Once the tide of civil rights begins running, like water from a dam, it flows and flows. Our time has come. Courts are only bound to follow.

GOP 'Proud' Breaks Apart Gay Republicans

A dissident faction of gay conservatives has launched a rival group to challenge the traditional voice of gay Republicans: the Log Cabin Republicans.

GOPROUD, the new 527 group, will launch next week, according to a media advisory. The contact given for the group is Christopher Barron, a former Log Cabin political director who broke with the group.

"Essentially, there's no voice for gay Republicans or gay conservatives in particular in D.C. right now. Log Cabin has been completely and totally absent here in D.C. for months and months," Barron said.

"It has simply moved way too far to the left and is basically indistinguishable from any other gay left organization."

The ideological battle has been playing out in the gay media and on some blogs for a while, but who cares. Anyone that still calls themselves gay and wraps themselves up in a Republican umbrella is porous and ought to get rained on.

You can't just argue anymore that the 'philosophies' of the GOP mirror your own, not when the issues of the day are gay marriage, gay rights, gay partnerships.

Transgendered Stanton Lands New Job in South Florida

A small town just south of Palm Beach, Florida, has a new city manager today. She is Susan Stanton, the former Largo city manager who drew national media attention after being fired for announcing plans for a gender change.

Susan was selected as Lake Worth's city manager today by a 4-1 vote.

Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill said she liked Stanton's approach to marketing the city and her ability to work for such a long time in Largo."The fact that she stayed 17 years with one city through several different commissions said something to me," Mulvehill said."I thought she had the right temperament for our city and, truthfully, I learned a lot from her," Vice Mayor Jo-Ann Golden said.

Commissioner Cara Jennings said she favored Stanton because of her team-building approach to managing city staff. "She's highly motivated," Jennings said. "Also, we need someone who wants to be here for a long time." During an interview at city hall Monday, Stanton said she would work to educate city staff, spend a lot of time communicating with commissioners and would focus on the "three Ps - pride, passion and professionalism."

Note each of the comments dealt with Ms. Stanton's work performance, not her gender; her talents, not her tops. Look, any job as a city manager is tenuous at best, and to have spent 17 years at one municipality already said measures about Stanton.

Sexuality became the diversion, the ick factor her other city could not deal with. Maybe in Lake Worth she will be able to focus on her talents and expand her efforts for transgender equality simply by doing what Pericles once said of Athens thousands of years ago:

"If Athens shall appear great to you, consider that her greatness was won and purchased simply by good men doing their duty every day."

Government Says 'Nyet!' to Gays in Moscow

The Kremlin is still coming down on gays in Russia. Maybe not hanging them like in Iran but still censuring them like witches in Salem. The latest and most foolish effort found a couple of activists and gay pride organizers guilty of "popularizing homosexuality among minors and the court ruled to fine them 1,500 rubles [about USD$50] each," reports Interfax. Here is a pix off the Qweerty site showing a quiet protest for a loud injustice.

Last month they organized a public demonstration with posters reading "Homosexuality is normal" and "I am proud of my homosexuality"; a judge ordered the posters destroyed, issuing his decision from a court in Ryazan, identified as the only region in Russia where a law that bans discussing homosexuality with minors is enforced. Right out of California, circa 1978. Even President Reagan opposed that proposition.

This is just the lead up to Moscow's gay pride march on May 16, which will not proceed if Moscow's latest mayor has his way. Year-after-year, their city hall has refused to grant a marching license to organizers, but at least activists are fighting it in the European Court of Human Rights. There do not appear to be too many rights in Moscow. There are still causes to be fought in America, because each door we open here sends a message of inspiration to gays everywhere else in the world.

Vermont Legislature Vetoes Governor and Protects Same Sex Marriage

Gay marriage advocate Beth Robinson, center, holds back tears following the passage of a gay marriage bill in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, April 7, 2009. At left is Sherry Corbin and at right is Susan Murray.

Vermont has now become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage.

The state legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. Think about this folks. A state legislature not only passed a law protecting gays, it overrode its repressive governor's veto, which required a two thirds margin to do. The vote was 23-5 to override in the state Senate and 100-49 to override in the House.

Just think about this. How far we have come. What an achievement this is. Just take a deep breath. Not just to win the vote, but to win the veto, and then at 6:45 pm Eastern, have Brian Williams on NBC News announce it to the nation. You see, the fact that these decisions make mainstream news also sends a message to our nation that we have come a long, long way.

Openly Gay Zoo Director To Manage People Instead

The United States Senate today confirmed John Berry as the next Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Berry was nominated by President Barack Obama on March 4, 2009, to serve as the Administration's chief advisor on human resources issues for the nation's 1.9 million Federal employees.

Among his primary responsibilities will be improving Federal recruitment strategies and expediting the hiring process for men and women with a rich mix of talents who wish to serve America through the civil service. The Smithsonian Zoo director, Berry has lived his life as an openly gay man.

"I look forward to getting to work with the great men and women at OPM and to advancing the President's goal of ensuring that our country's best and brightest continue to be drawn into the service of our country," said Berry."

Anytime a gay man can openly serve our country because of his talents we are all enhanced and embraced. The measure of a man, Martin Luther King, pointed out, is not the color of his skin, but the content of his character. So too the measure of gay men is not recorded by who he sleeps with. It is measured by what he does for his community. John Berry's appointment sends that message to America. And the US Senate's willing confirmation is a reaffirmation that homosexuality is no longer an impediment to professional achievement.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/01/obama-to-appoin.html

Gay Men's Chorus of LA Does Cellblock Tango

Just some music for a Saturday afternoon.

Iowa Ruling Scores Another Victory for Gay Partners

The Iowa Supreme court did its job.

A unanimous Iowa Supreme Court today upheld a lower court ruling that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the equal protection clause of the state's constitution. People For the American Way Foundation, which was amicus in the case, welcomed the decision as a victory for core constitutional and American values.

"The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision is a historic affirmation of equality," said People For the American Way Foundation Interim President Michael B. Keegan. "It’s a joyous day for the Iowa families involved in the case, and for equality advocates in Iowa and across the nation. Congratulations to the courageous couples who challenged unfair and unconstitutional discrimination, and to One Iowa, Lambda Legal, and all their allies. We were glad to support their work in this case."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iHUp4BkOCwXHCaN3c1RyYj61fYTQD97BM4000

Keegan urged Americans not to be confused by expected distortions of today’s ruling from opponents of marriage equality. They will say things like your kids are about to be abducted by queers in leather on motorcycles.

"Americans rely on independent courts to uphold constitutional principles, and that’s what the Iowa Supreme Court did today," said Keegan. The State Attorney General will not appeal, so the decision kicks in to law in 21 days, if you are planning a trip.

Advocates against same-sex marriage have said they would likely not appeal a ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. They plan to ask lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment and put the issue to voters. So what else is new? Bottom line is we have won again. Another victory unfolding in the slow but certain march to permanent civil rights.

Right Wingers Propose Florida 'Pre Marital Preparation' Bill

Friends like this you do not need. An attorney who heads the conservative Florida Family Council, and who co-authored the successful Amendment 2 anti-gay marriage initiative, is taking his stance on 'traditional marriage between a man and a woman' one step further.

John Stemberger is now calling for more government involvement in heterosexual marriage, this time proposing higher marriage license fees, state-mandated premarital counseling, and more obstacles for heterosexual married couples seeking divorce.

“Basically, when we succeeded with Amendment 2,” Stemberger told the Orlando Sentinel, “we asked ourselves: What do we want to do next? We wanted to do something big.” Stemberger’s “Strong Marriages Campaign” is promoting what they call a “Premarital Preparation Bill” before the State Legislature.

The bill already has several sponsors, and Stemberger is pushing for an additional $100 marriage fee to be charged to couples unless they first complete eight hours of state-mandated premarital counseling. No word yet on whether you have to check with Stemberger on when to go shopping, when you are allowed to have sex, and which movies you can send your kids to.

The good thing about losing to bad people is that eventually they push so far they inevitably go off the deep end. This is one of those stories.

Gay Porn Performers Band Together to Send Safe Sex Message

On the heels of the gay porn awards, one more word, a congratulatory one for the porn industry on behalf of a group of young entertainers who are using You Tube to send a safe sex message.

Andy Kay, Phillip Ashton, Jayden Taylor, Krist Cummings, Jacob Wright, Zack Randall, Ryan Conners and Angel Benton said they are using the tagline "Safe Sex is Hot Sex" to make a point, and they hope other performers and studios will sign on to the effort.

It is a four and half minute video, made simply, not fancy, with an adult theme, warning you to be careful. And while I can't say I know who any of the 'artists' are, you may, your friends may, and you may want to hear what they have to say. It could keep you alive and healthy.

Castro Theater Hosts 11th Annual Gay Porn Awards in San Francisco

Now I am not going to tell you gay porn is like the equivalent of Shakespeare, but it is news, it is business and it is a multi million dollar industry. And the annual Gay Video awards were given away this past weekend at the Castro Theater in San Francisco, of all places. Parties all weekend and while there were not Hollywood A Listers, there were pleasures, porn and passion and performers of the year awarded all weekend. Jetsetmen.com, above, apparently a big winner in this year's contests.

As a lawyer who defends and represents the actors, entertainers, and producers, all this stuff is real business and real life to them. To you, the reader, the consumer, the entertained, you should know these performers put their heart and soul in these productions- and a little bit more as well, to be sure. The truth is though, it is worth commenting that the porn stars and the producers have pride in their work, and seek to win the awards they sought.

I missed this year's event so I can only tell you from past years that this is a real live industry with its own website: http://gay.avn.com/ and the GAYVN Awards are the most respected and recognized awards in gay adult entertainment history. And Margaret Cho was the host this year.

Bi-National Gay Couple Seeks to Come Home to America

U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has gone to bat for a binational gay couple, asking the Obama administration to let Genésio Oliveira return from Brazil to live with his husband, Tim Coco, in Massachusetts.

The couple married in 2005 and own a home in a Boston suburb. Oliveira was sent home in August 2007 after losing an asylum case based on anti-gay persecution he said he experienced in Brazil. He also lost a case this year in which he sought to return to the U.S. based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Kerry is a co-sponsor of a bill in Congress to extend spousal immigration rights to same-sex couples. The reality is that this couple reflects a situation dramatically impacting the lives and relationships of thousands and thousands of gay couples, and it cannot go ignored or understated without hindering the happiness and dreams of a large measure of our community. So boring though this issue may seem, it is a cause worth fighting for; an admirable task worth noting. Thank you Senator Kerry for taking the lead.

"Pedro" Premieres on MTV

“Pedro,” which premiered last night on MTV dramatizes the short, productive life of Pedro Zamora, a third-season cast member of "The Real World" -- the 1994 San Francisco season, known also for the abrasive bike messenger Puck, who was kicked out of the house, in part because of his treatment of Zamora.

As commented about in the LA Times, this was back when "The Real World" still had the air of a social experiment, making roommates of seven strangers "to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real," before it became, for a while anyway, a kind of financed spring break, a chance to live in a cool house and party and be on television.

Born in Cuba and raised mostly in Miami, Zamora -- "the first-ever openly gay, HIV-positive main character on TV," the network says -- was an inspirational figure just for showing up. But he was also an AIDS educator who saw his "Real World" tenure as a kind of platform -- in a time when Ellen DeGeneres was still in the closet and gay characters, let alone HIV-positive gay characters, had yet to become unremarkable participants in the narratives of mainstream television.

Today, he would be dancing on Ellen's show. No, if he were alive, Ellen might be dancing on his show. He had a courage that allowed others to open their own closets. It helped me make AIDS a passion.

Yet "The Real World" made the ring exchange between Zamora and boyfriend Sean Sasser the centerpiece of one of its episodes and made the enlightenment of his cast mates one of the series' main themes as well. It was bold television in its time, and the gesture still resonates.

Pedro, my young friends, was a national hero, a compelling young man, whose life ended too soon. He lived here in South Florida, and we got to meet him, share stories with him, and see his courage. We were there for his funeral on Lincoln Road. I got to speak. Thousands lined the mall. So did Fred Phelps, the ugly Kansas pastor who was protesting gay funerals back even then. Fred is still screaming uselessly outside memorials of slain gay men and US soldiers, decrying homosexuality. Screaming so loud no one pays attention to him anymore, reduced to a useless relic, a vestige of hate.

Pedro is gone, but his passion and voice echoes humanely forever, now on film for posterity.

Female Rejected as Gay Blue Ducks Threaten Survival of Species

When an article is in the Scientific American, you know it is for real. And when it is in the Scientific American, you have not read the whole thing, only the short synopsis in Reader's Digest or on some website. So we close out today's blogging with this question of note:

Why are all the good blue ducks gay?

That's what Cherry, the last remaining lass of her kind in England, may be asking herself after two male prospects that might have helped her perpetuate the species fell for one another instead of for her.

"They stay together all the time, parading up and down their enclosure and whistling to each other as a male might do with a female he wants to mate with," Paul Stevens, the warden at Arundel Wetland Center, tells the Telegraph.

The boy birds, Ben and Jerry, were introduced to Cherry, but to no avail. "Cherry showed some interest in him," Stevens told the newspaper, referring to Jerry. "She displayed typical mating behavior—she approached him and called to him, she even looked like she was nesting. We thought it was great and it was all going to happen, but nothing ever did.

"Feathers flew, however, when Ben and Jerry were shacked up together. "To our surprise, the two males really took to each other and it was obvious that they really liked each other,"

Ben and Jerry aren’t the first gay members of the animal kingdom. Roy and Silo, penguin residents of the Central Park Zoo in New York City, mated there a decade ago—among the 1,500 species that have been observed engaging in homosexual activity.

But Ben and Jerry's coupling is bad news for blue ducks in England, where the threesome is thought to be among the only such birds in the country, the Telegraph reports. Blue ducks are native to New Zealand and are threatened with extinction, according to that country's Department of Conservation. Too many damn gay ducks. Man, that is just what the guys in my fantasy baseball league say about South Beach.

Two Women Initiate Cross Country Homeless Pride Walk for LGBT Youth

Start a blog like this and you cannot cover every AIDS walk in every city in the country or every pride festival, important though they are. What you can do is salute the heroes who make a difference, mention the voices that are heard, and the people whose contributions today lead to hope for tomorrow.

Found out with Nationalgaynews.com as a website that to just publish every press release and report every pride event is to say a little about a lot. I would rather say a lot about the little efforts that lead to big things. So today a shout out goes to Jill Hardman and Chloe Noble, who beginning next month are walking across America for LGBTQ homeless youth.

They will set out on foot from Seattle, Washington traveling first to San Francisco, then east across the country to Boston, New York, and then Washington D.C. From there they will continue souththwest to New Orleans and end their long journey in Austin, Texas. Their goal is to cover 6000 miles, to raise awareness about Queer homeless youth in America. Their entire walk will be homeless, which will give them a unique opportunity to film Queer homeless youth all over the United States.

Says Noble, "We are excited for this opportunity to serve those less fortunate in the LGBTQ community. Through this walk we will be a part of something beautiful, powerful, thought-provoking, and meaningful."

Everyone who is interested can "virtually walk with them" by following their website - which will be loaded with videos, photos, and posts collected on their journey.

"Almost 40% of homeless youth in America identify as LGBTQ," says Noble, "We want to help give this incredibly diverse group of Queer youth a voice and a platform to stand on.” Let’s hope their efforts materialize. Here is their site:
http://www.pridewalk2009.org

Genre Magazine 'Suspends' Publication

Gay men's glossy Genre Magazine has 'suspended' publication, according to a statement by CEO David Unger, blaming the magazine's failure on the recession. Call it what you want, fold or suspend. It is not no more.

"We thank all of our readers, advertisers and editorial staff for their support throughout our more than 16-year history and hope that we can re-establish our relationship when times are better."

It is wishful thinking. The times won't allow for it. But Unger noted emphatically that the decision to suspend Genre will not have any impact on other publications produced by HX Media, Window Media or Unite Media, which include the Washington Blade, Southern Voice, South Florida Blade, New York Blade and HX magazine. Let's hope so. They are the heart and soul of the gay national media, reaching into diversified local communities. I am happy to say one of their most successful ventures, the South Florida Blade, formerly the Express Gay News, was my own creation, which I sold to them in 2003. Times were a lot better than for all of us.

Window Media, the parent company of Genre and a half-dozen gay publications, including the Washington Blade, is in federal receivership because of capital shortages which compromised their legal obligations under SBA loan provisions. Hopefully, their lawyers can work out new loan terms and they can work their way out of this involuntary receivership.

I chatted with Dave Unger last month. I wanted him to buck the tide and find the finances to underwrite a national gay newsweekly. On one hand, given the economic climate, he had to think I was crazy. On the other, there is a little voice inside me- and yearning to him, telling him he knows I am right.

The gay community has become straight. By that, I mean mainstream. And they are entitled to a national weekly newspaper which can be picked up at your local news stand every Sunday. Hundreds of thousands would. Just do not expect it soon.

Sadly, nor should you expect the imminent return of ‘Genre,’ or its suspended publication. Just not happening. It never experienced the ‘record growth’ that they advertised under editor Neal Boulton. It experienced instead the economic disaster 2008 in America will be remembered for.

Pope Benedict Blows AIDS Opportunity

So much for the papal outreach on AIDS in Africa.

While on a flight to Cameroon on Tuesday to begin a weeklong journey through Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said, "You can't resolve [the AIDS epidemic] with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, it increases the problem."

As a former director of an AIDS clinic, as a spokesman, as an activist, I am dumbfounded. He is just dumb. For the Pope to challenge the scientific truth that condoms prevent the spread of AIDS, especially to people who have yet to buy into his abstinence line is beyond comprehension.

He is a world leader with enormous influence sending a myopic message. He is showing just how out of touch the Church is.

The cartoonists had a field day. Ours is from the London Times, showing the Pope with a large condom hat pierced by a hatpin. As far as I am concerned, it could have been a dunce cap, and he should have been sent to the stool in the corner of the schoolroom.

Another cartoon showed Pope Benedict on a charger attacking a giant killer condom with his staff. Another had a large condom as the banana peel on his elegant Italian shoe. The Washington Post got heat for its March 21 cartoon showing the Pope in an AIDS ward blessing the sick because they did not use condoms.

Arriving in Africa, the home for so many afflicted with AIDS, the Pope could have made history. Well, he did, I suppose, but not the kind you want to write home to Mom about or see in history books years from now. It reminds me of Ronald Reagan never mentioning the word 'AIDS' in the first seven years of his administration. Total denial. Not good. Not healthy. Not smart.

Equality Forum Will Feature Choirs and Choruses

For the first time at Equality Forum 2009, a gay, a feminist, and a mainstream chorus will share the stage for a joint concert.

Join the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, Anna Crusis Women's Choir and the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia for an unprecedented choral event, featuring 300 singers.

"This unprecedented concert of gay, feminist and mainstream choral groups symbolizes inclusion and reflects Voices of Equality," stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum.

The Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, under the artistic direction of Joseph Buches, is the region's largest all-male chorus with over 100 members, and one of the nation's first gay men's choruses.
Anna Crusis Women's Choir, under the artistic direction of Jacqueline Coren, is the country's longest running feminist choir - empowering its audiences on important issues of the day.

The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, under the artistic leadership of Alan Harler, has been presenting innovative choral performances for more than 100 years.

Equality Forum 2009 Visit http://www.equalityforum.com/ for more information. The event is the first week of May in Philly, and each year it gets more impressive in its depth, diversity, and significance. I have never been invited to speak so you know that it only takes classy people.

Phil Donahue Honored Rightfully by GLAAD

Phil Donahue was amongst those honored by The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) this past weekend at the 20th Annual Media Awards ceremony in New York. A number of elites were there for the gala. A posh posh star studded event, don’t you know! Phil Donahue, let's just say he was the Oprah of his day. He would get a kick out of that. Some of you might not remember him.

GLAAD is the nation's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization. They have come under criticism from gay leaders for their focus on honoring straight celebrities and mainstream media for their efforts, sometimes at the expense of our own community’s very legitimate heroes, who allegedly are too often ignored by GLAAD’s powers that be. That’s for a later day.

One exception to that argument for sure came Saturday, as they recognized a person who has been by our side for decades, when the cause was unpopular and the numbers were few. It is therefore worthy of comment that a Special Recognition Award was presented to Phil Donahue, who was the honoree at the first GLAAD Media Awards in 1990.

Phil championed gay rights long before it became fashionable or trendy or socially acceptable. He was there in the beginning when it was gutsy and courageous to be on our side. He bucked the public tide to be supportive of homosexuals. His comments are therefore revealing and intriguing, a reminder of how far we have come:

"It's unbelievable to think about the power and the warp speed of this revolution," Donahue said during his acceptance. "Twenty years ago when I proudly accepted the first GLAAD Media Award...it was a very small crowd. There are more photographers here tonight than there were people then….And now, we look up in 2009, and [the LGBT community] is popular. The majority of the people in the nation agree with us. Our job now is to summon these people to stand up and say so out loud. To tell them to join us. To march the lavender line with us down Fifth Avenue, and to remind them, when they do join us, they're going to meet a lot of nice people."

Thank you Phil, for being there then, for being there now, and for making it easier for so many to walk that lavender line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Donahue

FBI Video Warns Boys About Homsexuality

Oh, did I forget to mention that this was made in 1961?

Well, friends, times change, slowly, with resistance, but they change.

It is nice to have crossed decades to see the new currents.

'The Tasty Torpedo' From Quizno's is the World's First Homoerotic Sandwich

Qweerty.com, once again on the cusp of all things gay, scores with this ad from Quizno's. May be worth going there just to meet the actor, though I do not suspect he will be serving up the subs. Too bad.

This homoerotic ad promoting Quizno's new homoerotic phallus sandwich 'The Torpedo' is arguably as gay as sandwich advertising can get.

'Didn't Just Kiss Her' Rapidly Becoming a Lesbian Classic Number

I am lossed over the ruckus. When I first heard Katy Perry's 'I Kissed A Girl- and Liked It,' I thought it was a coming out Lesbian song that would capture the heart and soul of the GLBT community. Well, not exactly, Mr. Prescient One. Seems that some thought it was homophobic, intimating or implying that maybe there was something wrong about a girl kissing a girl.

For sure, that is what Jen Foster, an out award winning Lesbian songwriter thought, and she has gone out and created a new retort song, declaring that "I Didn't Just Kiss Her," flat out saying she went all the way. Shows you what I know. It is not on video yet, and the vocals seem a little distorted, but here it is for you to get the fair and full context of this developing battle:

Now I come here neutrally. I think both songs are good. But just days after Jen Foster posted this song on line, it has already been played more than 20,000 times, and has been featured on radio station playlists around the country.

“I had no idea it would take off like this,” says Foster, who admits she wrote the song as a witty, sexually-charged, tongue-in-cheek response to Perry’s wildly popular “I Kissed A Girl”.

“It just seemed like there was probably more to it, you know? I thought this would be a good way to tell the other side of the story.” A club remix is in the works; a video is planned.

I don't know that the two will square off on American Idol, but it is just one more example of how Lesbians are playing a more powerful role in openly defining their identities in a positive light. Good for you, congratulations to Jen, and let the war of musical words begin! Can't wait for the video. Hope they send us a press release.

'Pride at 40' A Stunning Historical Video

Over 2,500 views already on this magical You Tube 2009 'Pride Video' Release, a Stonewall Celebration, capturing the Blly Joel 'We Did Not Start the Fire' Magic. 40 years of pride, encapsulized in these fast moving five and a half minutes.

This is the kind of energy we want to deliver daily here on Nationalgaynews.com. Pride. Gotta have pride. Power is Pride. Pride is Power.

From 'An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail,' to 'Gays are People Too,' this video is historical, accurate, and stunning, capturing Ronald Reagan's silence in the face of AIDS deaths, Disney World's wrestling battle with Gay Days, Anita Bryant, same-sex marriage, crystal meth, Rosie, and so much more. You have to see it, absorb it, lend your being to its energy. Then watch it again. It is our life, from boys in the band to Matthew Shephard.

It is not just five minutes and forty three seconds of music. It is history. It is us. It is who we were, where we were, and where we are. Should actually be played in high school classes everywhere. That's my opinion, and I am queer. For a long time now, too.