Elton John Plays Anti Gay Russia

As promised Elton John kept his December 6th & 7th concert dates in Moscow & spoke out against Russia’s anti gay policies. At his sold-out performance in Moscow on Friday he dedicated the show in the memory of Vladislav Tornovoi who was the 23-year-old Russian killed in a horrific homophobic attack earlier this year. Probably the most famous gay celebrity John stated, “You took me to your hearts all these years ago & you’ve always welcomed me with warmth & open arms every time I’ve visited. You have always embraced me & you have never judged me. So I am deeply saddened & shocked over the current legislation that is now in place against the LGBT community here in Russia. In my opinion, it is inhumane & it is isolating. People have demanded that because of this legislation, I must not come here to Russia. But many, many more people asked me to come & I listened to them. I love coming here. I want to show them & the world that I care & that I don’t believe in isolating people. Music is a very powerful thing. It brings people together irrespective of their age, their race, their sexuality, or their religion. It does not discriminate. Look around you tonight. You see men, women, young & old, gay & straight. Thousands of Russian people enjoying the music. We’re all here together in harmony & harmony is what makes a happy family and a strong society. The spirit we share tonight is what builds a future of equality, love & compassion for my children & for your children. Please don’t leave it behind when you leave tonight. Each & every one of you please, keep this spirit in your life & in your heart. I wish you love & peace & health & happiness.”
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Mandela Supported LGBT Equality

With the passing of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first post-Apartheid President, we mourn the loss of an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality. During his presidency he appointed an openly gay judge to South Africa's High Court of Appeal & South Africa became the first nation in the world to constitutionally prohibit sexual orientation-based discrimination. Mandela will be remembered for his social justice activism & commitment to equality for all people. Gay activist Peter Tatchell stated, “Nelson Mandela was an African liberation hero & a supporter of LGBT human rights. He continued the liberation struggle pioneered by Kwame Nkrumah & ranks with Mohandas Gandhi & Martin Luther King as one of the world’s great humanitarians. His government supported LGBT equality & ended legal discrimination against LGBT people. Mandela was a political & moral giant. He led the victorious liberation struggle against apartheid, & then pioneered the peaceful transition to multi-racial democracy. He was the first African leader to embrace LGBT rights. His extraordinary compassion & forgiveness led to reconciliation with his former white supremacist oppressors. For all these reasons, he is a global icon & a gay icon. Few people in history can match his moral stature.” However, Tatchell added that Mandela was not without his shortcomings. His presidency didn’t do enough to tackle poverty, HIV & Mandela also failed to speak out against Mugabe’s tyranny & homophobia in Zimbabwe.
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The Sound of Music Live Rocked

The live NBC telecast of Executive Producers Craig Zadan & Neil Meron’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC was fabulous. The 3 hour live televised musical starring country music star Carrie Underwood as Maria von Trapp & True Blood's Stephen Moyer as Captain von Trapp based on the original Broadway production was riveting in a way that only live television could achieve. The production was presented live on 4 soundstages in Long Island. THE SOUND OF MUSIC was directed & choreographed for the stage by Broadway veteran Rob Ashford & TV direction delivered by Beth McCarthy-Miller (SNL). It was a major accomplishment that hopefully will be become an annual XMAS presentation for NBC the way Peter Pan was presented starring Mary Martin during the Golden Age of Television. The casting was impeccable including Audra McDonald as Mother Abbess, Christian Borle as Max Detweiler, Laura Benanti as Elsa Schrader with a new generation of talent playing the von Trapp children. Sure there were a few mishaps that can only happen on live TV but it was all part of the thrill. The voices were spectacular & we hope this production will encourage more live drama & musicals on TV. It does come with a hefty price however, according to The Hollywood Reporter the live show cost in the neighborhood of 9 million dollars but with their sponsor being the likes of Walmart who's already selling the CD & DVD what’s 9 million to recoup. If you missed it Comcast already has it on-demand & there’s a possible encore performance on NBC TBA. All we can add is…Thank You Craig & Neil!!  BRAVO!! :)
For More Info: nbc.com
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Gay Dads Take On Reality TV

We have a new gay reality television show going into production starring gossip blogger Perez Hilton entitled “Gay Dads of New York” by the producers of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” producer Bunim/Murray Productions & OMG Productions. As you know Hilton recently became the father of his first child, Mario Armando Lavandeira III, born on February 16, 2013, conceived with a donor egg & carried by a surrogate mother. What we didn’t know was he also relocated to NYC. The concept is how a group of single & married gay dads support each other through the ups & downs of raising children. A casting call is underway for gay fathers who want to join the support group with Hilton. Perez claims that the series that currently in development will not be “trashy or boring” & will offer viewers a glimpse of the “real” Perez Hilton. Hilton stated, “What is your typical American family like? These days, it looks a lot like mine! I am honored & excited to bring to television a show that will be filled with love, humor & drama. What will it not be? Trashy or boring! Up until now, people know me more for my opinions than who I am. This show will give viewers the opportunity to get to know the ‘real’ Perez Hilton & my family, as well as some other really dynamic gay dads & the women that make up their support system.”
For Gay Dads Casting Call… 
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37th Annual Aspen Gay Ski Week

Aspen Gay Ski Week is the nation’s largest & oldest gay ski event, which is returning for its 37th year from January 12th to 19th. Mario Cantone the fabulous comedian from Sex in the City & The View will perform at Belly Up as part of the nightly events throughout the week. Proceeds from the event will benefit Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund, which has promoted tolerance, understanding & diversity through education, community action & service since 1996. Kevin McManamon, Co-Chair of Aspen Gay Ski Week stated, “World-famous Aspen plays host to a week of epic skiing, après-ski events at The Limelight Hotel & exciting nightly events. Back for a third year is the ‘mountaintop party,’ accessible only by a moonlit gondola ride up Aspen Mountain, to an elevation of 11,000 feet. On Saturday, we are excited to add ‘All For Love,” a group civil union ceremony, which we hope will be the highest elevation group ceremony in the U.S.—if not the world. There is something for everyone at Aspen Gay Ski Week, especially for the non-skier. Aspen offers visitors world-renowned restaurants, award-winning spas & first class shopping. We broke attendance records in 2013 & we expect to do the same in 2014, helping us to continue to be the premier GLBT winter travel event.” Each afternoon during Aspen Gay Ski Week, Limelight Hotel is the site for après-ski parties from 3P to 7P attracting up to 1,000 daily. Sponsored by Bud Light & Svedka, these events feature DJ entertainment, free gifts from sponsors, a hospitality suite, heated pool & two hot-tubs. Miss Richfield 1981 will be hosting the popular annual Downhill Costume Competition on Friday afternoon. Contestants can be seen skiing down Aspen Mountain in riotous costumes, such as Madonna, St. Paulie girls & water skiers. Aspen Gay Ski Week is a great way to kick off 2014.
For More Info: gayskiweek.com 
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Gay Marriage Hawaiian Style

At the stroke of midnight marriage equality became legal in Hawaii early Monday morning as 6 gay & lesbian couples tied the knot. The Sheraton Waikiki resort hosted mass ceremonies for anyone wanting to sign up while a group of clergy who pushed for the new law hosts a wedding for an openly gay Unitarian minister at a church near downtown Honolulu. Maria Gallo, a Honolulu resident who married her partner, Beth Creary, at the Sheraton Waikiki midnight event stated, "It's just exciting & historic & we wanted to be a part of it. This is like a confirmation with a group of people here who are sharing our joy.” Michael Golojuch Jr., chairman on Honolulu Pride & one of the organizers of the midnight weddings at the Sheraton added, "We started this battle 23 years ago & we get to finish it tonight. They opened up their doors to us, their hearts to us. That's what we're seeing with a lot of the business community that understands that $217 million is what our economy needs to keep on going." A University of Hawaii study estimates that Hawaii will get a $217 million tourism boost over the next 3 years as a result of gay marriage. Hawaii's marriage laws allow couples to register for a license & be married the same day. Couples can actually sign up for a license online & then be verified by any license agent throughout the state.
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World AIDS Day 2013 (AUDIO)

World AIDS Day is an opportunity not only to spread awareness about the ongoing impact of HIV & AIDS has had on our LGBT community & allies but also to commemorate those who have died from this horrific epidemic. The best way to foster understanding, compassion & hope is education as we continue to fight & prevent it. World AIDS Day encourages people to join the efforts to combat AIDS, a mission that begins by increasing your knowledge of the disease & spreading awareness. It’s also crucial to practice safe sex & get tested. World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 39.6 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. I have lost many friends & family to AIDS. It is important to take a moment & remember them & think about what a better world this would be if they were still around. Listen to this exclusive audio byte with gay activist & historian Cleve Jones who talks about how AIDS affected our LGBT community. Jones has been an AIDS activist for over 30 years. After working with Harvey Milk, Cleve conceived the idea of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
 
For More Info: worldaidscampaign.org 
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