News: Gloria Gaynor, Chad White, Catholic Church, David Vitter

· Disco diva Gloria Gaynor wants the many gays who idolized "I Will Survive" to now follow her lead and idolize Jesus Christ. Gaynor refused to say whether or not she thought homosexuality was a sin, only telling the BBC, "I want to lead them to Him, I want to lead them to Christ, simply, and whatever He has for them.'

· A new definition of "hyposcrisy". Tony Perkins at the right-wing Family Research Council blames Sen. David Vitter's prostitution scandal on gay rights, "homosexual newspapers, pornographer Larry Flynt and others who despise pro-family values are using Louisiana Senator David Vitter's admission that he hired an escort service and committed a "serious sin" as an opportunity to say that those who advocate for traditional moral values are hypocrites."

· Super-gorgeous Chad White speaks! Boyish-voiced Chad goes behind-the-scenes at the Spring/Summer 2008 shows with Fashion TV.

· Portland, Oregon: Police say 64-year-old real investor Gary Joseph Sparks embezzled $400,000 from clients and "burned through that money in less than four months by spending it on a male prostitute with whom he hoped to build a long-term relationship." Sparks is accused of taking the 23-year-old rentoy on extravagant shopping sprees—including spending $72,000 on a Mercedes convertible, $9,000 on a Rolex watch and $41,000 for a one-year lease on a West Hollywood apartment.

· The Washington Post favorably reviews Dark Reflections, the new novel by black gay writer Samnuel R. Delany. The protagonist is "Arnold Hawley is a black, gay poet who lives in Manhattan's East Village. Dark Reflections is a sort of love letter to that part of town, when it sheltered the homeless and the hustler in a way it no longer does." The reviewer describes Delany's novel as a "mainly tender, a loving rendition of a place that gentrification has all but obliterated, a spot-on portrait of the East Village artist as a gay black geek."

· In the largest ever settlement reported in the Catholic's church growing sex-abuse scandal, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agree to pay more than 100 victims about $1 million each in a a $660 million settlement.

Comments

[Robguy]

The Portland Ore snip is missing 000.

[Jim]

I tried, but failed, to find a picture of this $400,000 rent boy. He must be sumpin, that's all I can say...

Back in 2001, Samuel Delaney did a nostaligic and angry book on the glories of pre-Giuliani Times Square, called Times Square Red, Times Square Blue. Worth checking out, too.

[Ryan]

Chad White: Rod, were you DROOLING when you watched the Fashion TV footage? lol!

Samuel Delany: I'm so glad you mentioned his new book. Delany, along with Octavia Butler, rarely gets noticed for the sheer genius he has and produces as a science-fiction/fantasy writer. His very keen and sharp eye on the intersections of race, class, politics, and sexuality have always made him (along with Octavia Butler, RIP) and PUT HIM miles ahead of the sci fi pack.

Will have to get a copy of it soon

[Robert Jones, Jr.]

I absolutely ADORE Samuel R. Delany. His work is amazing. Hogg is the only book I've ever had to put down because I couldn't stomach it. I was simply too weak to go on.

[Derrick from Philly]

I'm hope the RevKev will have something insightful to say on this, but I hate when disco divas get religion. They start talkin' stupid.

As for Sam Delaney. He's a faculty member here at Temple where I'm employed as a clerical slave. He's adorable, and of course, brilliant.

[LaRufus]

Oh Lawdy Mr Rod, you done went and ruined my day with Gloria Gaynor and her nonsense, I had to rid my self of Donna Summer after her tripe and now the true diva is spewing? These singers need to do one thing sing, and leave that religious mumbo jumbo at the door, she had no problem getting coins from gay men and she should have known about her Jesus then.

Not knocking her faith or anyones, but her lack of common sense.

And, Ryan, finding good books by gay writers is getting easier which is a good thing for those who like a black gay perspective, but, still not that easy.

[Jim]

Derrick,

While I have seen Samuel Delany in the flesh and, yes, he is adorable is his very own way, I seriously doubt he could be as adorable as you.

At any rate, if I were visiting Temple University, I certainly know whom I would more wish to meet.

[Jim]

“is his very own way” = “in his very own way”. Sorry.

[brian]

I know this may be a stupid question, but Chad White's gay, right? I just can't lust after another st8 guy.