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McCain Solicits Letter from Service Chiefs Seeking DADT Repeal Delay

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told graduating Air Force Academy cadets they must support a "changing" military—which the Associated Press and some media are interpreting as a coded reference to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The admiral told the cadets: "Few things are more important to an organization than people who have the moral courage to question the direction in which the organization is going—and then the strength of character to support whatever final decisions are made."

At the same time the Joint Chiefs Chairman was making this speech, the chiefs of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines sent letters to Congress solicited by Sen. John McCain, reports The New York Times.

"[T]he chiefs said they wanted Congress to delay voting on the issue until after Dec. 1, when the Pentagon is to complete a review of how the military should carry out the changes. Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, told Mr. McCain in his letter that “repealing the law before the completion of the review will be seen by the men and women of the Army as a reversal of our commitment to hear their views before moving forward.” Gen. James T. Conway, the commandant of the Marine Corps, said in his letter that 'I encourage the Congress to let the process the secretary of defense created to run its course.'"

The Arizona Republican, who previously said he saw "no need" to ask gay troops about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, told Roll Call he would do "everything" in his "power" to block repeal.

After the service chiefs sent their letters in "a last-ditch effort" to torpedo the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili fired back. Shalikashvili—who pushed for DADT in the Clinton Administration and came out for repeal in 2007—sent his own letter to the Hill. According to General Shalikashvili, "It is not only preferable, but essential that [the law] be repealed in order for the Service Chiefs to retain the very authority they require to do their jobs effectively." Shalikashvili wrote a weekend Washington Post op-ed that urged "delayed implementation".

Admiral Mullen says he is "comfortable" with the proposed Levin-Lieberman Amendment. You may recall the Admiral's fantastic testimony against the military's ban on open gays and lesbians in February, if you missed it before watch AFTER THE JUMP ...

Black Gay Iraqi Vet to Joint Chiefs of Staff: I'm Not Worthless

Does protocol demand the Joint Chiefs of Staff remain impassive and unemotional during presidential addresses? Joe Jervis notes thePentagon brass "lept to their feet to applaud" the president's threat to destroy Iran's nuclear ambitions (below) while they remained grim-faced during the mention of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (above).

Rob Smith is a black gay Iraq War veteran. Writing at the Huffington Post, the New York City-based writer and After Elton contributor say it was "incredulous" the "supposed military leaders watched our president with absolute revulsion as he announced his steps to end" the failed policy.

I'm a gay Iraq war veteran, and I believe President Obama has been the greatest ally to LGBT people and gay veterans that we've ever had in a President. The risks he takes by simply including us in his plans to move forward with America continue to be vastly underestimated by most people, though I believe he will do much more, as evidenced by his words last night. To those supposed leaders of the United States military who watched our president with absolute revulsion as he announced his steps to end this, to those men whose faces brought back the memories of every time I was called a "faggot" while I served and forced to keep any affirmative response bottled up, thus "out" myself and lose all that I had risked everything for, I have this to say: gay veterans aren't worthless. I'm not worthless. The blood I shed was the same as every other soldier's, the tears I cried were the same, the bullets that I dodged the same; the life that I risked is the same. I'm not worthless or perverted or sick, and neither is any other gay person in this world, veteran or not. I was a gay soldier.

In 1999, at 17, I entered the United States Army from a small town in Ohio, needing to find both a way in life and a way to finance the college education I so desperately needed to rise above my lower-middle class roots. My burgeoning sexuality was but a small thought in my mind, not really knowing what "gay" was, let alone whether it really described me, but that question would be answered in my mind during my formative years, which just so happened to be spent in the U.S. Army...

I'll tell you what serving in the military under DADT did to me: It made my sexual orientation a secret shame which was never to be discussed under threat of dishonorable discharge and revocation of my benefits. It kept me distant from my fellow soldiers, for if I were to slip up and say a little too much about the real me for even a second, I couldn't trust that they wouldn't turn me in and end my career in a matter of weeks. It stunted my emotional and sexual development as a gay man so much that I was in my mid twenties before falling in love for the first time, something that happens for most people in their late teens. It sent me into the wrong places looking for the romantic affection that my heterosexual fellow soldiers were able to openly practice, discuss, and experience without the threat of disciplinary action. Most hurtful of all, being constantly reminded through DADT that my sexual orientation was bad, wrong, and perverted instilled a feeling of worthlessness in me that took years to undo following my honorable discharge from the military.

Smith, who previously was on VH1's I Want to Work for Diddy, co-hosts the After Elton's Mocha Lounge vlog.

Gay Fave "Ugly Betty" Prepares to Leave the Prime Time Catwalk

The critically-acclaimed television series Ugly Betty, once described as "arguably the most queer-friendly program in the history of broadcast television", has been canceled by ABC. The show will end its four-season run in April, reports Variety.

Show still has four episodes left to produce this season—and series exec producer Silvio Horta now plans to use that opportunity to tie up loose ends and wrap things up. "We've mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty's final season, and are announcing now as we want to allow the show ample time to write a satisfying conclusion," Horta and ABC Entertainment Group chairman Steve McPherson said in a joint statement. "We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series, and felt it was important to give the fans a proper farewell. Decision to end "Ugly Betty's" run doesn't come as a huge surprise; the show narrowly avoided cancellation last year—but was moved from its longtime Thursday home to a rough Friday night berth this fall. More recently, the show has joined ABC's hot Wednesday night lineup, bowing earlier this month in the 10 p.m. slot.

Based on the Columbian telenovela "Yo Soy Betty La Fea", the series stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, a fashion-challenged editorial assistant. Out actor Michael Urie is also in the cast, as well as gay faves Pattti Lupone, Judith Light, and Vanessa Williams, who plays the scheming Wilhelmina Slater to delicious perfection. Mark Indelicato was cast as the fashion-obsessed, showtune-singing pre-teen Justin (below), endearing himself to America and promoting LGBT acceptance in Latino communities. Rebecca Romijn plays a transgender character Alexis Meade and her character and sex re-assignment surgery storyline was a breakthrough.

After Elton's Michael Jensen described one typical episode: 

So in one episode, Middle America witnessed a coming-out, two parental rejections based on sexual orientation and transgender issues, a defense of a swishy pre-adolescent, heard the praises sung about one's chosen family, and delivered a message that being honest about who you are is nothing to be ashamed of. You can't get much more queer —or freaking fabulous—than that.

Fans Flee Tracy Morgan's Raunchy, Homophobic Carnegie Hall Show

Tracy Morgan's raunchy Carnegie Hall performance in New York City over the weekend was reportedly marred by numerous walkouts. The Daily News, the first to report the story, says many in the audience "walked out in disgust" only minutes after the 30 Rock comedian's homophobic, XXX "comedy" routine:

"People seemed to not be laughing at his jokes, but more because they were shocked and appalled with what was coming out of his mouth,” reports one audience member. Morgan talked trash about homosexuality (saying it’s “a choice,” which drew gasps), drugs, pornography and what he calls “politricks” — far edgier subjects than what his alter ego, Jordan, gets air time for. "There was a continuous flow of people getting up and leaving throughout the show," our spy reports, adding that many in the crowd clearly didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. Middle-aged women were the most flabbergasted when he started ­mimicking explicit sex acts on stage.

The Huffington Post adds a little more color, describing Morgan's routine that included highly scatological "jokes" involving rimming and buying a glass coffee table to "watch" his wife do Number 2. One HuffPo reader writes: "I'm an aspiring standup and I went to the show cause I love Tracy on SNL, 30 Rock, etc. To call it a disappointment would be THE understatement of the century."

In 2005, Morgan played a cross-dressing, effeminate, gay inmate in the remake of The Longest Yard. Clay Cane has described that as one of the all-time gay roles by straight actors "we could have lived without".

James Brown III Has the Right Stuff in "Mr. Broadway 2009"

If you had the good fortune to see The Little Mermaid or The Color Purple, you could not help but notice James Brown III. Here is your chance to see much more. Brown strips down and shows off his bod for the Third Annual Mr. Broadway 2009 Beauty Pageant. The pageant benefits the Ali Forney Center, which provides housing and much-needed services for homeless LGBT youth.

JB has the right stuff, no?

AFTER THE JUMP, more James Brown III in the buff.

"Gladiators" David McIntosh and the After Elton Hot 100

Have you cast your vote for the After Elton Hot 100?

Voting ends tonight at midnight. Need inspiration? For the second year in a row, the editors at AE have published our own personal list of the ten hottest men. (Last year's list here.)  Gladiators' David Mcintosh, the Royal Marine Commando known as Tornado, is the number one stunnner on the hot list. The last time you saw him he was practically nude ...

Much more Tornado hotness ON THE FLIP SIDE.

News: After Elton Hot 100, Darian Aaron, Colorado, Maryland

· Everything you always wanted to know about Queerty.

· The After Elton Hot 100 returns. Who are the 10 hottest men on the planet? Will Demps, Tyson Beckford and LL Cool J made our list last year.

· Gay rights advances in Maryland. Partners and dependents of gay state employees will receive health, dental and prescription drug benefits for the first time. Meanwhile the Senate votes to exempt domestic partners who jointly own homes from inheritance taxes. Legislation to "add gender identity to state laws barring discrimination" stalls in committee.

· Dark and lovely Pierre Woods covers British GQ. Photographer Tarrice Love: "This is big because magazines are notorious for selecting celebrities, athletes, and politicians to appear on their covers. This is an even bigger accomplishment for a black male model in this industry."

· Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) signs  Designated Beneficiary Law, which allows unmarried adult couples— including same-sex partners—"some of the legal rights afforded to married couples, expanded rights in inheritance, medical decisions, and hospital visitation."

· Darian Aaron discusses the black gay blogosphere with popular YouTube vlogger Nvncyble.

·Legislation to protect transgendered persons advances on both coasts. "The New Hampshire House approved by one vote a bill that would amend the state’s anti-discrimination law to include trans people. In the state of Washington, the House has approved a Senate bill adding 'gender expression or identity' to the state’s hate-crime law. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for signing."

· Yahoo and Microsoft consider pooling advertising.

· Customers camp out overnight to buy Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy sneakers.

· Pharrell Williams debuts Bionic Yarn, a new eco-friendly fabric brand made of recycled plastic bottles that can be turned into anything. Says Pharrell: "We want to do everything from high-end luggage to high-end denim, to university caps and gowns to Parks Department uniforms."

After Elton's Best and Worst Dressed (Mostly) Gay Men

Michael Jensen at After Elton asked for our input in the latest Best. Gay. Week. Ever. This week's column wraps the Academy Awards, fashion week, and includes our list of the Top Best and Worst Dressed (Mostly) Gay Men.

Of course supermodel-actor-Rod 2.0 obsession Tyson Beckford makes the best dressed list but he is not number one. Our number one should not be surprising but some may disagree. Oh and is anyone surprised the Worst Dressed list is populated with those ridiculous "style" and "fashion" "gurus"?  Let me know what you think.

Best. Gay. Week. Ever also interviews modeling hotness Ronnie Kroell, the openly gay winner of the first season of Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel. Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth, the openly gay and HIV positive fashion designer, offers his highlights (and lowlights) of fashion week and the Academy Awards. Very flattering for After Elton to include us in the same column with Kroell and Mackenroth.

"Greek" Star Paul James Looking Forward to "French" Kissing

Last summer we chatted up twenty-one-old actor Paul James on "Greek", the new ABC Family comedy on college life and the fraternity and sorority system. Jams plays "Calvin", the only recurring black male character on the series, and, is the fraternity's resident wealthy "legacy" and a jock. His character is also gay and introducing a trendy homo aesthetic to the series. This week's episode "had more gay jokes than I could keep track of," notes our blogging buddy Shana Naomi Krochmal at Out.com's Popnography. "Including a nice shout-out to Anderson Cooper, a serious discussion about the appeal of Tim McGraw's irresistible package, and the first truly hilarious treatment I've seen of the nightmare that is so-called "conversion therapy."

There is more Paul James over at Out.com, where Shana asks the actor about his new on-screen boyfriend, "Veronica Mars" and "Ugly Betty" alum Max Greenfield, whom he describes as a personal friend for the past three years. Paul also follows up on a promise about some mouth-to-mouth action.

You didn't get any kisses last season.
No, we didn't have any! I hear that they're going to work up to it. It's funny -- the guy from As the World Turns, Jake Silbermann, is a friend of mine too. I went to college with him. I know they're getting a lot of flak for [the gay characters not kissing]. It's definitely a different situation over here. It's not a network thing, and it's not a creator thing. Sean is just making sure that it's not this event, like a marketing campaign, like, "First gay kiss!" That's cheap. He wants it to be something that happens naturally for the character.

When Max was getting cast, did you talk with him about it?
I didn't know he was getting cast until he showed up at the table read. I was like, "Max, what are you doing here?" And he said, "I'm playing your boyfriend!"

Are you close? Are you going to be cool if you end up making out?
Oh, yeah, yeah. I hope he has the proper mouth etiquette and I'll do the same. He's easy to work with.

Last year, the actor said he would have "no problems" kissing another man on screen. "A lot of times, the well-written roles for black actors are gay roles. They have some depth, something beyond I'm a thug on the street. I have no qualms about it at all as long as the material is good which it is ... "It's real important to me [to] show little kids who are gay that you don't have to be afraid of who you are. You can be happy.".

Don't you love this guy?

Exclusive: Greek's Family Values [Popnography]
Greek's Family Values [Out.com]

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Shemar Moore: "I'm Not Gay" [R20]
Rodney Chester of "Noah's Arc": "I'm Still NOT Gay" [R20]
R&B Singer Tyrese Will Ban ALL MEN [R20]
No Big Deal Playing Gay [R20]
Jason Steed on Homophobia [R20]
What Does the Future Hold for Noah's Arc? [After Elton]
Deal or No Deal? [Rod 2.0]
Noah's Arc Has Sailed [R20]
Michael K. Williams and Being Gay on "The Wire" [R20]
Beyond the Sassy Sidekicks? [R20]
Michael K. Williams: Omar's Sexuality is "Fearless" [R20]
Obama: Omar is "Black, Gay, Fascinating" Character [R20]
Michael K. Williams and Being Gay on "The Wire" [R20]
Deb Price on Blacks LGBTs and Obama [R20]
All Up in Omar's Game [Popnography]
The Parts You Can't Make Up [Popnography]
Best Gay Sex Scenes on TV [After Elton]

After Elton on Breakthrough Film Roles for Black and Latino Gay Men

With the exception of Maurice's Jamal's soon-to-be-released independent feature Dirty Landry—which we profile in the next (?) issue of The Advocate—the cinematic landscape for black gay men has been practically barren. "It’s barely a landscape," notes veteran television producer Kevin E. Taylor at a comprehensive new analysis at Logo-owned After Elton. "It’s a window garden at best."

The editors After Elton asked us to survey and analyze the more important roles for black gay men and Latinos on the big screen. The piece went live last last week and has caused a strong buzz in comments and across the e-telligentsia. Was Brother to Brother more important than Patrik-Ian Polk's PUNKS? Should Isaiah's role in Get On on the Bus be reevaluated give recent developments? Rev Kev, director Maurice Jamal and critics such as Keith Boykin ,J. Brotherove, and author Fred Smith express cautious optimism.

On the other hand, several Latino voices say they have even fewer choice and are largely unimpressed with their portrayals in Hollywood, including the well-received Quinceañera, seen above. "There are actually very few instances where Latino gay life has been depicted in American film,” says Andrés Duque, the well-known New York City-based advocate for Latino LGBT issues at Blabbeando, Repoter and novelist Johhnny Diaz and poet Emanuel Xavier agree, saying some of the most complex portrayals of Latino gay men are seen in Spain and Almodóvar movies. “It's interesting that countries supposedly plagued by religion are putting out the most provocative cinema [for gay Latino roles]," adds Xavier.

After Elton's Breakthrough Black and Latino Roles on the Big Screen is easy to read, but, clocks in at some five jump pages. Grab your morning coffee (or two) and enjoy the article. It's important issue and thankfully is getting some much-needed recognition.

More After Elton HERE.