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Gov. David Paterson Cheered at New York City Gay Pride Parade

Despite the flotillas of festive drag queens, pumped up gym boys and scantily clad pansexual young women, it seems the main attraction at New York City's gay pride parade was Gov. David A. Paterson because of his decision to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. The New York Times profiles the gay community's hero's welcome at Sunday's parade.

The drag queen dressed in a green Afro wig, a red miniskirt and candy-cane-striped stockings, had the duty of announcing the notables marching down Fifth Avenue in the gay pride march. She introduced Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and the onlookers who had gathered along the parade route politely applauded.

But when she bellowed, “Let’s hear it for the governor of New York, David Paterson!” the crowd roared.

Quinn, who is openly gay, says, "I predicted a hero’s welcome for him. And I think my expectations have been blown out of the water. Gov. Paterson is going to get a hero's welcome down Fifth Avenue. I think people feel a tremendous sense of hope because of what he did."

The Times describes Paterson as one of the "few governors [who] have made advancing gay rights as central to their policy making" and reports he "becomes the state's first serving governor to march in a gay pride parade." The governor says "he attended his first parade in 1976 at the urging of a gay friend and had walked in them on and off ever since. 'But then we learned that wasn’t cool because you couldn’t hear the music in the back. So we moved up.' "

The Daily News also profiles the governor's hero's welcome in the parade but with more gay-on-the street testimonials "He's starting a whole new movement here," says Rebecca Goodman, a 17-year-old student from Brooklyn who is "straight and came to the parade to support her gay friends." Another man, 27-year-old Xavier Rojas of New Jersey, hopes Paterson's decision will influence other states to follow his lead. "It should be recognized in Idaho, in Utah, everywhere," he said. "We all want to be treated equally."

Paterson is cheered at city's Gay Pride Parade [NYDN]
Celebrating Gay Pride and Its Albany Friend [NYT]

More DAVID PATERSON
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Paterson A "Celebrity" After Marriage Directive [R20]
Poll: NY Support Paterson's Gay Marriage Directive [R20]
Paterson Orders NY to Recognize SSM [R20]
Harlem Reacts to Paterson's Marriage Directive [R20]
Opposition Grows to Marriage Recognition in NYS [R20]
Paterson Promises Support for Same Sex Marriage [R20]
Paterson and Wife Admit Extramarital Affairs [R20]
Paterson Sworn In as NYs First Black Governor [R20]
Spitzer Implicated in Prostitution Ring [R20]
Spitzer Keeps Promise: Gay Marriage Bill Introduced [R20]
Spitzer Will Introduce Gay Marriage Bill [R20]
News: Same-Sex Marriage in New York [R20]
Court: No Gay Marriage in New York [R20]
News: Meet New York's Lt. Governor [R20]
Slim Majority in CA Want to Ban Gay Marriage [R20]
CA Supreme Court Overturns Marriage Ban [R20]
Schwarzengger: Gay Marriage Good for Economy [R20]
Clinton, Obama's Bland Statements on CA Marriage [R20]
Pope Reiterates Opposition to Same Sex Marriage [R20]
CA Poll: Majority Back Gay Marriage [R20]

Wash Post Editorial on Rise in HIV Among Young, Black Gay Men

On Thursday, Rod 2.0 reported the Centers for Disease Control's new data which show the largest increases in HIV rates nationwide are among young black gay men. An editorial in this morning's Washington Post expresses concern over the "distressing trend" of seroconversions among black gay men.

"HIV infection in young gay men rose 12 percent a year. For African Americans in that group of 13- to 24-year-olds, the annual increase was 15 percent. The safe-sex lessons that took hold after the loss of a generation of gay men during this epidemic's two-decade advance appear to be lost on the young. The stunning success of retroviral drugs for those with AIDS and HIV, the virus that causes the disease, has diminished people's fear of the disease, though it still has no cure."

Seroconversion rates among District of Columbia black gay men are even higher and District health authorities report "between 2001 and 2006 there was a 22 percent increase in infections among black men who have sex with men."

The editorial writers are on point in noting factors such as age, indifference and the success of anti-retroviral medications have fueled some of the unsafe sex practices. However, in the black community, there are larger questions around stigmata, testing, access to medical care, as well as homophobia, discrimination and a general laissez faire attitude toward HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. To complicate matters, many within the black gay community have adopted this myopic point of view and prefer not to discuss the problem. Keep moving, there's nothing to see ...

A Persistent Scourge [WaPo]

More HEALTH
More HIV
More NYC

Some Background ...
CDC: "Troubling" Rise in HIV Among Black Gay Men [R20]
GMHC's "I Love My Boo" Campaign [R20]
HIV Rates Rising Among Black NYC Gay Men [R20]
CDC Tracking "Serious" Strain of Syphilis [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Black Gay Men and "The Pill" [R20]
Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" [R20]
Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV [R20]
Do You Disclose Your HIV Status? [R20]
Primetime Reports Black HIV Epidemic [After Elton]
"Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the Down Low [R20]
HIV Rates Rise Among NYC Black Gay Men [R20]
Phill Wilson: Candidates Must Address HIV/AIDS [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the “Down Low” [R20]
"Urban Rally Against AIDS" [R20]
The ABCs of Black HIV [R20]
Suicide Tuesdays [R20]
(Virtual) Sex and the City [R20]
Murder Suspect Only "Arranged" the Crime [R20]
News: Divas Fight Crystal and HIV [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Campaign Links Viagra, Crystal Meth and HIV [R20]
Kevin Aviance Describes Recovery from Crystal Meth [R20]

Adulterers Larry Craig and David Vitter Co-Sponsor Marriage "Protection" Amendment

And now for the day's entertainment. Two United States Senators implicated in highly-publicized charges of extramarital sexual activity are among the first to co-sponsor the new marriage protection amendment that defines marriage as "only of the union of a man and a woman." Both of the names should be familiar to Rod 2.0 readers: De-closeted, anti-gay men's restroom cruiser Larry Craig and serial prostitution client David Vitter. Page One Q :

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), who was arrested June 11, 2007 on charges of lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport terminal, is co-sponsoring the amendment along with Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

Craig, who entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, was detained and charged for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a male undercover police officer. His arrest and plea became public two months later. At that time, Craig attempted to withdraw his plea and enter a new plea of not guilty. To date, his efforts have been denied by the courts.

In July of 2007, Vitter was identified as a client of a prostitution firm owned by the late Deborah Jeane Palfrey, commonly known as The DC Madam.

This isn't the first time the two disgraced adulterous senators have tried to defend marriage. Rewind to our first column in The Advocate last fall. "Vitter had also been racking up frequent-flier points in a New Orleans bordello," we wrote and "somewhere between floor speeches supporting 'traditional marriage' and cosponsoring a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage, the serial adulterer found time to call the escort service -- from the Senate Republican Cloakroom, reportedly." Only in the Republican Party can two men accused of being serial adulterers get away with such naked hypocrisy on so-called "family values." Oh, and it goes without saying the mainstream media will be slow to call them on their hypocrisy.

Full text of S. J. RES. 43 here, and, list of co-sponsors, including anti-gay former presidential Sam Brownback and anti-gay global warming denialist James Inhofe.

Craig and Vitter co-sponsor Marriage Amendment [P1Q]

More LARRY CRAIG
More REPUBLICANS

Some Background ...
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
5 Gay Men Describe Sexual Encounters with Craig [R20]
"Romney Threw Me Under the Bus" [R20]
Anti-Gay Vitter on DC Madam's Client List [R20]
Vitter Subpoenaed Regarding Prostitutes [R20]
Report: Anti-Gay Senator Patronized Brothel [R20]
Craig Inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame [R20]
Senate Republicans Knew About "Closeted" Larry Craig's "Weird Problem" [R20]
Larry Craig Vows to Remain in Office [R20]
Larry Craig Pays a Surprise Visit to Senate [R20]
News: Larry Craig Latest, David Vitter [R20]
Larry Craig Latest: "Not Guilty!" [R20]
Craig Latest: Wasn't Going to Run for Re-Election [R20]
Craig Latest: Maybe I Won't Resign After All [R20]
Craig Resigns Senate Seat [R20]
RNC to Larry Craig: Resign or Else [R20]
NY Post Runs "Are You a Gay Senator?" Quiz [R20]
Idaho's Largest Paper Calls for Craig's Resignation [R20]

Olympic Track Star Travis Padgett Bulges to the Finish Line

Over the weekend, the U.S. Olympic Trials for Track and Field athletes became must-see-tv for track and field enthusiasts, and, HDTV HQ fans of bulging track stars.

Fourth place in the 100 meter finals with 9.85 is bulge-a-riffic Clemson University sprinter Travis Padgett. The 21-year-old senior came up short by one-hundredth of a second and missed an automatic berth on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2008 summer games in Beijing. Travis will be the first alternate in the 100-meter dash on the U.S. Olympic team to the Beijing Games. The North Carolina native will be one of three additional track athletes in China to fill out the relay teams and serve in case of an injury to one of the U.S. team’s top three, Tyson Gay, Walter Dix and Darvis Patton, all of whom will be featured on Rod 2.0 this week.

More bulging photos AFTER THE JUMP.

Review 2.0

Happy pride from John McCain! Meets gay Republicans ...
And supports gay marriage bans in California and Arizona.
Arizona voters will face another marriage ban.
Tyson Beckford rips the runway for DSquared.
Did Obama inspire new Versace collection?
CDC reports "troubling" rise in HIV among black, gay men.
"Ladies and gentlemen ...it's the The Supremes."
Marion Barry supports gay marriage.
Michelle Obama speaks to gay Democratic leaders ...
And says gay rights are civil rights.
Obama flips-flops on surveillance bill.
Hotness: Gymnast Sean Golden fails to make Olympics.
Texas GOP bans racist, anti-Obama vendor.
New projects for Omarion and Janet.
Pittsburgh opens the door for domestic partners..
Report: Lesbians targeted under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
Hotness. Model Joshua Sarrazola.
McCain AWOL from Senate since April.
Cuban Catholic Church opposes gay rights and gay pride.
Blackvoices recognizes prominent black gays.
Supreme Court upholds right to bear arms ....
And gay Republicans rejoice.
Hotness. New model Courtney.
Congress holds hearings on transgender discrimination.
Transgender activists will picket HRC fundraiser.
McCain advisor: Terror attack would help campaign.
Blatino gay porn star Tiger Tyson 'smells' success.

News: Arizona Marriage, HIV, Trans Hearings, Sheryl Lee Ralph

· After breaking its own parliamentary rules and "turning off the microphone" on dissenting Democrats, "the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate late yesterday ... shut down debate and forced a vote to place a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage on the ballot." On Wednesday, a similar proposal failed to pass the Senate. Voters rejected a broader ban on both gay marriage and domestic-partner benefits in 2006.

· To combat soaring HIV rates, New York City health authorities will test every adult in the Bronx ,

· Jonathan Perry, the young writer and HIV activist, interviews (podcast) Phill Wilson and the fabulous Sheryl Lee Ralph, who explains why she created her dynamic one-woman show, Sometimes I Cry: The Loves, Lives, and Losses of Women Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS. "I heard about the disease back when I was doing Dreamgirls, nobody wanted to talk about the gay men's cancer, or something called GRID. People were getting infected and Christians were throwing the first stone—judging. Now, 20 years later, we look and learn that AIDS is about all of us."

· Report: Senate Democratic and Republican leaders report 'progress' on repealing 15-year-old ban that prohibits HIV positive visitors and immigrants.

· Super flawless Brian J. White (Stomp the Yard, The Family Stone) works the red carpet.

· Could this be the year HBO's critically-acclaimed and gay friendly ensemble drama The Wire finally gets an Emmy nomination?

· For the first time ever, Congress holds hearings to document the widespread discrimination against transgender men and women. While the subcommittee heard from a number of transpeople on the discrimination they face there—such as a former aerospace engineer who cannot find work in his field—"there is currently no legislation before the House that would protect transmen and women." Seven months ago, the House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which bars workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, but that was only after gender identity protections were stripped from the final bill.

· Reaction from the trans community has been mixed. Monica Roberts, the black trans writer and blogger, notes, "With the exception of Diego Sanchez, very other participant is white. There are no African-American transgender people testifying at this hearing ... It is mind boggling for me to see that once again, a community that claims that we are one diverse bunch and that we're all in this together, puts together a historic hearing on unemployment discrimination, an issue that we African descended transgender people are intimately familar with and not one of us is at the table giving testimony about it."

Did Obama "Inspire" Versace Collection? Yes, No, Maybe ...

The fashion world is ga-ga over Barack Obama's fashion aesthetic—the neutral muted colors, pleated slacks and open collar shirts. It was no surprise much of the news media eagerly reported the "news" that the Versace spring/summer 2009 men's collection that just debuted in Milan was dedicated to the Democratic presidential candidate. Not so fast, says a Versace rep. The four black models who walked the runway for Donatella Versace ... the open-collared and tie-less ensembles ... this wasn't "dedicated" to Obama. Only somewhat "inspired by him. Fashion Week Daily attempts clarification.

"It was the type of man Barack Obama represents that inspired the men's spring/summer 2009 collection," a Versace spokesman clarified to The Daily. "A modern man with a laid back relaxed look and attitude. Not Obama himself."

In other words, sounds like "Obama inspired us."

Donatella Versace refutes Obama as "inspiration" [FWD]

More FASHION
More OBAMA
More POLITICS

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Tyson Beckford Headlines DSquared [R20]
Paper's Obama-Inspired Fashion Editorial [R20]
Kwame by Richard Phibbs [R20]
Wendell Lissimore in British "GQ"[R20]
Is Sean John "Geared Towards Bisexual Men"? [R20]
Diddy Hires Only Black Models for Sean John [R20]
Photographer Walter Pfeiffer on Gorgeous Boys [R20]
LeBron Covers "Vogue, Not Everyone is Pleased [R20]
Tyson Beckford Does Fashion Week [R20]
Make. It. Work [R20]
Fashion Week: Diane von Furstenberg [R20]

McCain Supports California and Arizona Marriage Bans

Happy Gay Pride from John McCain!

In a move that wasn't entirely unexpected, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain endorsed Thursday the controversial California Marriage Protection Act initiative expected to go before the state's voters this November.

"I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona," McCain said in a message widely distributed via PRNewswire. "I do not believe judges should be making these decisions."

McCain also supports recent attempts by the Arizona legislature to offer an anti-gay marriage amendment to voters in the fall. That proposal was narrowly rejected this week and could be re-voted over the weekend.

Meanwhile, CNN confirms the presumptive Republican presidential nominee had an off-the-record meeting with Log Cabin Republicans, the gay Republican group, presumably to wish them a happy gay pride. Still no announcement of the meeting on the virtual Log Cabinette ... nor any mention of McCain's support for the proposed California and Arizona marriage bans. Happy pride!

McCain endorses CA Marriage Protection Act [Politicker]
McCain reaches out to gay Republican group [CNN]

More POLITICS
More JOHN McCAIN

You May Want to Read ...
McCain Secret Meeting with Log Cabin [R20]
McCain Highlights Opposition to CA Marriage [R20]
McCain to HRC: I "Was Proud to Receive" Log Cabin Endorsement [R20]
Log Cabin Defends McCain's Anti-Gay Record [R20]
HRC Blasts McCain's Gay Rights Record [R20]
"Straight Talk" for John McCain's Gay Supporters [R20]
McCain (Finally) Rejects Hagee and Parsley [R20]
McCain Silent on Hagee's Homophobic Slurs [R20]
McCain Campaigns with Singer Who Compared Gay Marriage to "Incest" [R20]
McCain to Ellen: No "Right" to Get Married [R20]
McCain in Selma, Recalls Historic Civil Rights March [R20]
DNC Debuts First Ad Against McCain [R20]
McCain Will "Criticize" Obama's "Elitist" Comments [R20]
McCain in Memphis: "Wrong" to Oppose Holiday [R20]
Republican Senators Block Stimulus Package [R20]
McCain Targets Romney with Anti-Gay Robo-calls [R20]
NH Voters Targeted by Anti-Mormon "Push Polls" [R20]
Romney, McCain Offer More Anti-Gay Rhetoric [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]
McCain Promotes Abstinence [R20]
McCain Hires Producer of Racist Ads [R20]
McCain Flip-Flops on Gay Rights [R20]

Michelle Obama at DNC Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council

On Wednesday, we announced Michelle Obama would keynote the DNC's Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council gala Thursday in New York City. Here is the update. The wife of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama received a standing ovation for her speech, which promised Obama would prioritize gay rights and compared the fight for gay rights to the civil movement. Newsday.

"Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws," she told the crowd at a Manhattan fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council. ...

"We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union," she told the group, gathered a two days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and three days before New York's gay pride parade. "The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds."

This was a great move because many in the black community, especially the churches, are unwilling to link gay rights to civil rights. She also called for a renewed effort to fight HIV and AIDS and said the black community should overcome homophobia, the same message her husband delivered at a presidential debate. "Nothing we have to do over the next four or eight years is going to be easy. There will be powerful forces who believe that things should stay just as they are, that everything is fine, and that’s where you all come in."

Michelle Paterson, the first lady of New York state, also spoke at the gay leadership gala. The gala raised raised about $1.3 million for the DNC. From Selma to Stonewall, let freedom ring.

Obama's wife says he'll fight for gay equality [Newsday]
Michelle Obama speaks to gay Democrats [Reuters]

More OBAMA
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Michelle Obama to Keynote DNC Gay Ldrship Council [R20]
Obama Camp Marches in Boston, DC and Indy Prides [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
"Christians" Opposed to Obama [R20]
Far-Right Not Interested in Disease [R20]
Far-Right Not Interested in Disease Pt 2[R20]
"Pastor Warren, Would You Let a White Supremacist Speak at Your Church?" [R20]
Obama: Not "Very Christian" to Criticize Gays [R20]
Obama Buys Ads in Gay Newspapers in TX, OH [R20]
Obama: Hospital Visitation for Gay Couples is "Not a Special Privilege" [R20]
Right-Wing Townhall.com: "Obama Would Be First Gay President!" [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
I Have a Dream ... Ticket [The Advocate]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Obama Snubs Clinton at SOTU [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Obama Addresses Homophobia and Anti-Semitism [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Obama Conference Call [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Morning After [R20]
Obama Meets the Press to Discuss Gays [R20]
Obama on McClurkin to "The Advocate" [R20]
Obama Resigns From Trinity [R20]
Obama "Outraged" by Wrights' "Ridiculous" "Rants" [R20]
NC Gov Endorses Clinton, NC/IN Polls Tightening [R20]
Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]

Take a Ride with Tiger Tyson

For the many fans who dream of riding the impressive assets of pint sized gay porn muscle boy Tiger Tyson, here is the next best thing: Taking a ride with Tiger Tyson ... every time you jump in the car with the new Tiger Tyson Car Air Freshener (NSFW). It's certainly more stylish than those pine air freshners we grew up with, and the aroma is described as a "fresh and sexy smell." Any thoughts?

Tiger Tyson cooks up this description of the air freshener at his blog (NSFW): "The smell. OMG. It smells so mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, dunno its like berrys mixed with a scent of pine. Very sweet-smelling like my balls." Umm, okay. Hopefully this is the "sweet smell" of a success.

Thanks PAT R

Did You Miss ... ?
From the Kitchen of Tiger Tyson ... [R20]
Paper Tiger [R20]
Baby Boy Takes Manhattan [R20]
News: Hillary, Adrian Fenty, Tiger Tyson [R20]