This is the Helios Resort in Palm Springs where much of the work was done and where, late Saturday night and into early Sunday Morning, older men with flashing plastic toys attached to their pubic hairs and other assorted sexual innovators participated in a Palm Springs sex party. (To the tattooed Latin guy with the flat top? Call me.)
This is a partial shot of a giant, outdoor-slash-indoor inflatable Lubricant ad. You'll notice how Baby Star poses himself: For him, it's more than just a latex-compatible lube in another publicity shot. It's a penis.
The Pride festival was small, probably 100-150 vendors. Smaller than what I'm accustomed to, I should say, but still a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that which makes us different. It was weird, though, talking with Denise who was working at this one jewelry display and who got married last year to her current wife, knowing that I can't legally marry the person I chose. Very Kafka-esque.
This is Tab Hunter, a "teen idol" from the early sixties and one of Palm Springs' native sons. He was in over forty major Hollywood features and probably had as many actors in him. This is Tab featured at the future site of the Wellwood Murray Memorial Library. (Because gays cruise libraries.)
Thin-leg sensitive patios at the Courtyard Marriott on Tahquitz Boulevard, Palm Springs, California.
There's more, of course: Judy Shepard, the achingly hot Indian guy in the elevator who I initially mistook for Latino (I asked, he told), the boy who asked me for a dollar for a bus but wouldn't take a ride instead, the biracial, anorexic guy with the huge flaccid penis at Helios Resort who seemed less a vacationer and more an escapee, Gerald Ayres. It goes on. It was fun. You should go next time.
I’m a Mainer and I’ve got to say that I’m tired of voting on this issue. My perspective is that this referendum item is directed at dividing the state, which it nicely accomplished. I voted “no” in hopes that it would settle the issue once and for all. Unfortunately, the law was overturned and it looks like this resolution is going to come back again, which means another opportunity for the forces that be to divide this state. It’s weird because I’m used to a more Canadian style of politics up here where the last thing wanted is division. In my opinion,
"The view from rural Maine: Yes on 1 people talked down to us with emotional, personal arguments (”I’m a Korean War vet and my son ….”) and didn’t talk with us. Yes on 1ers didn’t engage with people one on one. The No folks did - and the countryside was littered with No on 1 signs. Auto-phonings and glossy mailings don’t make up for door to door, one on one talk. No on 1 had god on their side; gay people had high toned abstract discussions about legal rights. No contest. Finally, someone has to kick the Christers out of politics. The same sex people seem to be afraid to take on those folks with imaginary friends. At least we made progress on dope smoking."
"I live in Maine and saw the barrage of TV ads explaining how our children would be taught explicitly about gay sex were the referendum defeated. I think these ads got the job done for gay marriage opponents. It’s important to remember that Mainers are Americans — deeply stupid people best inspired by fear."
"Writing from rural Maine–Somerset County, which has been abandoned for the second time by the gay rights campaign here in Maine–William Jefferson Jr. has it right. All the blogs miss the point–as did this campaign, and in the same way as this campaign. My sources now confirm that a deliberate decision was made–in Portland–to avoid rural Maine with this campaign. Here’s why I knew this decision had been made, again, even before it was confirmed for me, and how I knew that we would lose again. Driving the roads of rural Maine, as I do in both my private and work life, the “YES ON 1″
"The little dog's name is actually Sugar," said the Mattel spokeswoman. "That's where the name comes from. He's Sugar's daddy, as a reference to the dog."
"Gay Porn performers are usually categorized as being either "tops" or "bottoms". The "top" usually assumes the dominant role and performs the act of penetration."
"Refuse to allow any of our fellow Americans, President Obama or our allies to view this as a political issue who time hasn't quite come. America is in the process of creating a system of Gay Apartheid. We will not quietly sit and accept it. All over the place, this nation is creating one set of laws for LGBT Americans and another set for all other Americans. That is the classic definition of Apartheid. Either our political allies are for Gay Apartheid or against it. If they are against it, they must fight with us and no longer duck like President Obama did in Maine and Washington. There is no half way in fighting Apartheid..."