Members of the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences will carefully review the finalists’ tweets and fill out an anonymous survey with their choices for winners. Academy members are not allowed to vote on categories in which they are finalists or have conflicts of interest.

To determine the winner in each category, the Academy’s choices will be combined with the popular vote. – Via ShortyAwards.com

To me, and other tweeps, this is a big deal. Mega-Frakin’-Huge! The winners go to the star studded awards ceremony in New York. Where they get their “prize” and give their 140 character speech. Last year it was featured on CNN…

Well how do I vote for you, since you are the best?
All you gotta do is tweet the message below. Be sure to replace ‘ADD YOUR REASON’ with your witty reason ;)

I nominate @BadEvan for a Shorty Award in #politics because… ADD YOUR REASON

How are you doing so far?
I’m kickin’ some arse right now. I’m in 10th place out of 377 people. I’m beating out the REAL twitter profiles for Taegan Goddard, Markos Moulitsas, Erick Erickson, Matt Lewis, West Wing Report, Media Matters, Air America Media, buzzflash, The Young Turks, Daryl Cagle. I’m even beating out Hal Sparks, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Rachel Maddow, Joe Scarborough, The White House, Barack Obama! (Again… these are their REAL Twitter acounts!)

You can follow my standing and read “The Shorty Interview with BadEvan” on my ShortyAwards Profile page. You can see how I’m stalking up against the other nominees in Politics Category.

Who are the brilliant people who’ve voted for you?
Glad you asked ;) These are the AWESOMENESS tweeps that have voted for me in #politics. (list will be updated daily)

Debbie Lane aka @wisdomhypnosis
Heather Weaver aka @GeekMomMashup
Tommy Geraci aka @teeco71
Billy Warhol aka @BillyWarhol
Drew and Skip aka @gayscifinerds
CaroL MacieL aka @moopoint
Øyvind aka @atrais
Amanda Hoffman aka @finnrose
Chris Bede aka @cbede
Aaron G. aka @Airrun
Lincoln McCardle aka @Canucklehead_ca
Jessica Gottlieb aka @JessicaGottlieb
Andrea Verdura aka @AndreaVerdura
Wicked Gay Blog aka @wickedgayblog
♥☆Lipstick☆♥ aka @LipstickNYC
Cecilia Sherrard aka @OhioAgent
joshua aka @thejoshuablog
Drew Bennett aka @BenSpark
PlotDogPress aka @PlotDog
Saphrym aka @Saphrym
kristinebrite aka @kristinebrite
Joe Tech aka @joetech
jenwag57 aka @jenwag57
Kevin Jones aka @UncleKevin
Travis Hodges aka @TRAVSocialMedia
A Concerned Citizen aka @2ndClssCtzns
Ross M Gould aka @mnrmg
Peggy Pendleton aka @UTsavage

Thanks to everyone who has voted, RTd and begged their tweeps to vote for me…. You are all AWESOMENESS wrapped in SWEETNESS!!!

In the US District Courts there has always been a ban on cameras, cell phones, laptops and PDAs. The proceedings, while normally open to the public, can not be viewed outside of the courtroom. This is true for most state courts and the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). But the Hon. Judge Walker saw the national impacts of this trial and the millions of people it would effect… and thought they should be involved. He also saw that technology has changed, while court’s rules haven’t. Technology can, with very little effort, connect all interested parties to the trial. Now you can know what’s going on instantly, and we do love Instant.

In consultation with other judges and the litigators Judge Walker has opened up the doors and pulled back the curtains. Allowing in PDA’s cell phones, laptops and room for thousands of viewers. The room for viewers comes from the decision to allow “remote” live broadcasts of the trial to waiting areas in the Court House. But even more than that, the trial will be broadcast to waiting areas in other US District Courts. Five other Court Houses will be carrying the broadcast for public and media viewers.

Some rules still apply here. Like, no one is allowed to record in any way these broadcasts. So, no audio tapes, pictures, videos or any other medium can be made which includes even a side shot of the monitors. “They” will be watching and you will get in trouble. So don’t do it!

For the media, they have set up special conference rooms and even built onto the new Permanent Press room. There will be special areas for tv/radio journalists to hold interviews. They have even wired the building with direct fiber optic lines that run out of the building to the satellite/broadcast truck area. That way there wont be miles of cords and cables running throughout the building.

But what about non traditional journalists, like bloggers. Well Judge Walker thought of us, too. For the first time, they will allow the gallery (public and media in the court room) to use their laptops. They even get to use their Blackberry to sending emails. Walker has also ordered that you can text message from the court room! Some deep thought had to have gone into this. Seeing that even traditional journalists are turning to technology to reach deadlines and crack stories. I was floored though when I was reading the “Media Guide”, provided by the court. It states :

Cell phones, pagers and other devices may NOT be used except for text functions and must be turned off or set to vibrate mode in the courtroom. “Tweeting” is a permitted form of texting. Cell phones may be used in the hallways outside the courtrooms and other public areas. A public phone is available on the second floor of the San Francisco federal building

OMG! You can Tweet from the court room! My only thing here is… Whose gonna be “that guy” who forgets to put his phone I silent. I wish I could be there to report on his lame ringtone.

Now, event though these items are allowed in to the court room, there use is strictly defined. You can NOT take pictures, capture video or audio. That is a No No that will land you in the Marshall’s office. So again. don’t do it!

But what if you don’t live within range of one of these remote broadcast? Have no fear… the Wise Judge Walker has thought of you, too. The trial will be broadcast on YouTube. Yes, mother-fraking YouTube! We are now there people… The Revolution Will Be Televised…

The Court has been testing out how to do this. Right now they have three cameras set up. One on the judge, the witness and the council. Walker will need to be able to cut off parts of the broadcast from time to time. Like when the two councils approach the bench, there should be no audio of that. Or if a witness is to be “shielded” there will be no video. They posted a test run of their system the other day, you can view it here.

One down side to the YouTube broadcast… it will be on a one day delay. I know there is legal argument for this… but I have no idea what it was/is. But hey, we can wait a day to get the videos, right? I mean we will have people tweeting and live blogging from the inside. Here is the United States District Court of the Northern District Of California’s (USDC-NDC) YouTube Channel.

Here are the two people I recommend you follow for all the in-court news.

@TheAdvocateMag -
@NCLRights -

List of remote sites -

Richard H. Chambers U.S. Courthouse Pasadena, California
James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse San Francisco, California
U.S. States Court of Appeals Pioneer Courthouse Portland, Oregon
William K. Nakamura U.S. Courthouse Seattle, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt U.S. Courthouse Brooklyn, New York

*** Update *** SCOTUS Stays YouTube & Remote broadcasting!
As of noon today, Monday January 11th, The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has blocked the USDCNDC from uploading videos of the trial to YouTube and of simultaneous broadcasts to other US District Courts. They can still broad cast within the San Fransisco US District Court Building. This order blocking the broadcast is temporary while the high court takes more time to consider it. It will expire on January 13th at 4pm Est. Supreme Court Justice, Stephen G Breyer said that he did not agree with prop 8 supporters that they would “suffer” or be targeted because of these broadcasts. For more on this check out Lyle Denniston’s post at the SCOTUSblog.

This to me is a big pile of BS. So, you are afraid that you will be targeted and discriminated against because you support DISCRIMINATION?!? They bought that?!? If you truly believe in what you are fighting for… why hide. We aren’t hiding. We stand strong and proud in our convictions. Cowards!

*** Update *** No More YouTube!
Tuesday, January 12th – Judge Walker has pulled the plug on the YouTube pilot program. Instead he is moving to have the video broadcast on the USDC-NDC website. But, the SCOTUS stay is still in effect until tomorrow at 4pm Est. SCOTUS, the Judicial Council, the Judicial Conference Executive Committee, Ninth District Court and the Prop8 supporters are all fighting this out.

The JCEC is saying that remote broadcasting of the trial to other District Courts violates their standing rules on public dissemination. The Ninth District Court, with Judge Walker, are saying it’s not the JCEC’s place to make such rules. The Prop8 supporters are saying that switching from YouTube to the Court’s website is basically the same thing. People will be able to copy and re-broadcast the videos. ** No they wont. That would be “ripping” or illegally downloading copyrighted and protected content for a federal court. No journalist or blogger would be some dumb as to download and post that video. You would get in MEGA trouble.

SCOTUS will have to weigh all of this. Does the JCEC have the authority to dictate how the District Courts can operate… For a more in depth and, way more knowledgeable, article go check out Lyle Denniston’s post at SCOTUSblog.

A few people who think they’ve got what it takes to blog for BadEvan. If you make the cut, then you can get all the perks that go along with being a blogger. I’m told there are perks. I have no idea what they are, but ProBlogger says that there are…

You gotta be funny, snarky, clever and poetic. People can go to Out or the Advocate for “news”. They come here for the witty commentary on current topics. Yes, it’s gotta be news worthy… just not all Walter Cronkite.

You need to be able to commit to writing 2 articles, in your category, per week. Don’t worry, I’ll help you find your topics. You should also be willing to do a video post, every now and then.

These are some of the categories that you could write;

1. LGBT/Political News
2. Music/Movie/Book Reviews (Out Now and DVD)
3. Queer Sports (I really need help with this one, lol)
4. Bitchy Rants (Must be on something current / One per month)
5. Ask A Dyke (Like Dear Abby but for lesbians)

Why should you do this? Well, Google gay blog, yeah… that’s BadEvan right there in the top 20. Out of 40+ MILLION other listings! I get a ton of visitors, link-backs and props from other queer bloggers/writers. You could be in there with me. Posts on BadEvan routinely get picked up by other traditional queer media outlets.

So, if these topics and/or benefits interest you… hit me up with your info and I’ll send you the “application” ;)

Much Love,
BadEvan

PS, There will be “compensation” for those who become staff writers.

So, here I am at his lecture at IU, listening to this God among men answer secret ballot questions on sexuality and equality. Watching his every move, yes I was swooning. After going through the written questions he opened the lecture up for more. I built up the courage to throw my hand up. Wouldn’t you know, through the sea of eager people, he called on me. I stumbled in asking something along the lines of his opinion on the positive or negative aspects of the Hanky Code.

“Wow. Really? The hanky code? Does any one really use that?” I put my hand up, I thought there would be others, but no. I was the lone hanky coder. “Congratulations on being the last guy to use the hanky code. I don’t mean to piss all over you, unless you’re wearing a yellow hanky…”

I was fraking mortified! Not only was I the sole queer who rocks a hanky, but here the sexpert is saying I’m the only one. Damn it! Even in the gay community I’m a “freak”. I guess mother was right.

After the lecture was over, I dug down deep and found the courage to go and get my copy of ‘Skipping Towards Gomorrah‘ autographed and do the interview of my dreams. The fates must hate me… cause even with all the questions asked and books signed, when I walked up to his table, clutching the book like a tween death-gripping a picture of Zak Efron, he looked up and said… “Oh, the hank code guy!” FML! Seriously? He even autographed the book “To the king of the hanky code!”

After all the books had been signed and the other adoring fans had left with desire in their eyes… We got down to the interview. Standing in a room, alone, with the object of my wet dreams. I could barely find my thoughts. The long list of thought provoking questions had vanished from my mind. All I could think about was this hot stud taking me, right there on the table next to the stacks of his many books. I could feel him nibbling on my shoulder as he embraced me from behind… See! Even now he is THE masturbatory thoughts. This is why I couldn’t focus.

The questions I ended up asking were…well, lame. I had asked better questions when I wrote for my high school paper. Granted I didn’t bust out the classic…”What’s you favorite color?” or “What was your worst subject in school?“. I may not have asked those questions, but the ones I did ask where just as pathetic. Like asking about his family and when he started the column… all covered in his bio and also things that any one who was a real fan would already now. Which I did.

The big moment for me was when he stopped me and said “I keep wanting to check out your ass.” Holy Shit! Really? My ass? I turned quick so he could get a gander. Could my dream be fulfilled here at the Indiana Memorial Union? Nope. “I just want to know what hanky you’re wearing…” The god damn hanky code again! But then I thought… I wonder what hanky he would want me to wear? What dirty things would he want to do to/with me?

It was at that point I needed to sit. I was well beyond half-mast! It was a good thing I was wearing tight briefs and skinny jeans (yes, that can help you hide an erection). Do you have any idea how difficult it is to conduct an interview while your hiding an erection and unable to shake hardcore sexual thoughts about the subject? It’s not fraking imposable. I give my self credit for not drooling and whipping my little fella out…

The one thing from all my lame ass questions that I can impart to you the eager reader… is this. I asked what he would like to say to my young lgbt readers (in hindsight that sounds so fraking arrogant)? Savage responded, “It’s your time now. Do something with it.”

So, the next time I’m in Seattle I will beg him to let me re-interview him. I promise to beat-off before hand… that way I can stay focused and on point. Afterwards, we can go back to making all my dreams come true ;)

Much Love,
BadEvan

Be sure to check out Dan Savage’s Columns, Books, Podcasts, Videos and FaceBook page.

First Name: Adam, (Friends call him Sunny, because he looks like Justin from QAF… you know… Sunshine)
Sign: Scorpio
Turn ons: I get turned watching another guy get turned on when I give him massages.
Turn offs: Belly buttons creep me out.
Fav band/song: I really like Madonna’s What It Feels Like for a Girl – it has a rebellious statement that goes way beyond the simple identification as a victim of prejudice. It says we need to stand up and fight back. Too bad the video was banned from TV.
Fav movie/show: My favorite movie is What Dreams May Come – I believe in soulmates and that create our own Heaven or Hell right now in how we live. And that at the end of the day, all we really have is those we love.
Fav color: Periwinkle Blue.
Fav food: I’m so not picky when it comes to eating – I really like a good grilled cheese, though.

Perfect guy: My perfect guy is someone who I can have an open and honest conversation with – a guy who is also like my best friend. Loyalty is very important to me.

Perfect date: A perfect date wouldn’t be perfect – dates are always best when something little goes wrong, like spilling food on your clothes and then being able to laugh about it. Whenever I’m on a date and something like that happens to the guy I’m with (and it usually does), I always let ‘em know that it’s all in fun and not to be embarrassed. It’s more fun when you can turn little inconveniences into adventures! Like “rain on your wedding day” – if a guy can put a positive spin on things instead of getting upset, it makes him all that more attractive.

Secret ambition: If I had a secret ambition, it would be to show the gay community that spirituality is a good thing and that there are millions of individuals and countless churches of all faiths that believe that we are inherently good and that there’s nothing wrong with us.

Secret fantasy/desire: I don’t think there’s any higher aspiration than the realization of true love. I want to get married someday, too. I guess my dream isn’t anything fancy. I’ve been blessed with a relatively good life and parents who brought me up to value love, to be frank. I make all my dreams come true – we create our own destinies. Love is the only thing in this world where you need two people to make it come true.

Money, Power, Fame or Love: I’d always choose love over anything else. Is there really anything else? If I lost everything, I’d still be OK if I had love. I believe in true love and I wish more people did. I’m a romantic at heart, but I’m realistic – love takes work and it’s not always comfy or pretty. I like how Kahlil Gibran describes it in The Prophet – love simultaneously brings you warmth and shakes you to your core, forcing you to face realities about who you are. Love can be forever because it grows and changes with the people who are in love. And I have to note that love comes in many forms and isn’t limited to romantic relationships.

Quote: “The doggy fur on my clothes just shows I have lots of little friends who love me.”

Links: Adam Flanders, ME Marriage, FaceBook, YouTube, JustGuys



I think Adam is all that and a bag of chips… He’s smart, driven, fraking HOT and dedicated to advancing lgbt rights. So, what do you think about Adam?

Much Love,
-BadEvan

ps, wanna be one of the hotties on this gay blog? Drop me a line ;)

Perfect guy: My perfect guy, would be older
than me by 5 years, taller than me, dark hair,
dark eyes, sweet and mature, stable, a cuddler,
and would have to love the outdoors.

Perfect date: A romantic dinner, just the two
of us, his place or mine, in front of a fire place
on a blanket made of fleece, sweet instrumental
music playing in the background, and a surprise
present for me at the end…and I am talking about
materialistic presents, lol!!!

Secret ambition: Performing on Broadway/back up
dancer for someone famous.

Secret fantasy/desire: To wake up and never have
to worry about money ever again.

Money, Power, Fame or Love: I would have
to pick Fame, because with Fame comes Money, and
with Money comes Power, I can just work on the
whole love thing in my spare time!!!

Quote: “Let’s just run away from life,
and never grow up.”

Links: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube



So, what do you think about Greg… Pretty cute isn’t he?

Much Love,
-BadEvan

ps, wanna be one of the hotties on this gay blog? Drop me a line ;)

So, Dallas state district judge Tena Callahan ruled that two men married in Massachusetts could be divorced in Texas. Texas! Fraking Texas!

He went on to say that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violated equal protection laws. Texas of course has a voter driven constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. This opens the door for advocates to start taking the idea of an appellate overturning of the ban a little more serious. Freedom to Marry Texas or maybe Marriage Equality Texas…anyone?

Of course the Texas AG, Greg Abbott, had to piss on everyone’s parade. Typical…. He says that since the state doesn’t recognize the union, a state court can’t dissolve it. Abbott is using the old ‘if I can’t see it… then it’s not really there‘ method of law. But, as much as it pains me to say it… his logic is correct. Bigoted, but correct. Narrow minded, but correct. Douche like, but …still. You can’t dissolve something that doesn’t exist. Just ask you local atheist. So, are objective here is to prove it exists. Maybe people should start petitioning to have Massachusetts say “Texas? Sorry, we don’t recognize ‘those’ unions”…hehe.

Abbott is already working on his “swift” appeal. Expect it to hit the court docket by…what time is it?

More at The Dallas Morning News

Illinois-

State Rep. Greg Harris has been trying, for some time now, to pass a same-sex marriage bill passed in the Illinois House. There have been many, many, way to many road blocks. His two current bills had stalled a little. One was being held, forever, in committee and the other one just couldn’t get the votes…

Enter State Senator Heather Steans. As a straight ally, Steans believes that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights, protections and privileges afforded to hetero unions. So, she teamed up with Harris and introduced the Equal Marriage Act, SB-2468. I shit you not! That’s the bill’s number. Every gay blog needs to run with that name. The bill will offer FULL marriage rights to same-sex couples in Illinois.

The momentum for the Senate bill will hopefully resurrect Harris’s House bill. I think it will. Harris had this to say, “This is a mainstream position, this is a moderate position, and it’s the right position to have in the state of Illinois. We should get it done and we should get it done now.”

More at Progress Illinois

California-

I’ve been getting pretty sick of all the bad news coming out of California, in regards to PropHate I mean Prop8. But today there was an amazing victory. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker said the Protect Marriage campaign has to turn it’s records over to the lawyers of two same-sex couples that are suing to overturn Prop8.

Walker ruled that communications and memos between the campaign’s leaders and professional consultants had an evidentiary value to the plaintiffs, aka the couples. These memos, notes and emails will be used by the couples’ lawyers to show the true reasons behind these groups getting Prop8 on the ballot.

The lawyers are arguing that, if they can show that the measure was motivated and propped up by hostility and hatred for gays and lesbians, then it violates constitutional las and must be overturned. Can this really be? All they have to do is show that the people behind Prop8 fought for it because they don’t like gays… and then it’s null and void? Do need to spend more than 5 mins proving that?

So, it looks like things may be heating up in this, once thought to be a fool’s errand, case pitting conservative PACs and religious leaders against loving committed adults seeking only the right to marry. The trial is set for January 11th 2010.

More at KTVU News

Nevada-

Today, despite Governor Jim Gibbons’ best efforts, the Nevada Domestic Partnership laws went into effect. Start the cheering now. I like being able to report things like this on this tired old gay blog. The bill was past back in May…with a little…*cough*… resistance from the Governor.

Gibbons actually vetoed the bill, on May 25th, stating that voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2002 limiting marriage between one man and one woman… and “I believe that because the voters have determined that the rights of marriage should apply only to married couples, only voters should determine whether those rights should apply to domestic partners.”

Luckily, the legislation in Carson City overrode his veto just six days later. Go team!

So, now the laws go into effect. It’s not marriage… but it’s a step.

More at the Edge Boston

Florida-

Now for the crap… The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed a lawsuit field by Lambda Legal on behalf of a widowed lesbian who was denied entry into her dieing partner’s hospital room.

In February 2007, 39 year old Lisa Pond was struck down by a brain aneurysm while on vacation with her partner, Janice Langbehn, and her three adopted children. While at the hospital nurses refused to talk with Langbehn about what was happening or to get Pond’s medical history. Well that’s nothing new. That happens to LGBTers everyday… But Langbehn and Pond had set up power of attorney for each other.

The staff at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami denied the family entry into the room for the 8 hours while Pond slipped into a coma. A social worker told Langbehn that her power of attorney didn’t matter. Telling her ‘You’re in an anti-gay city and state‘. A doctor eventually came and spoke with Langbehn, telling her that Pond would die and that she could have no input into Pond’s care. Pond passed shortly after that. The children didn’t get to say goodbye. Neither did Langbehn.

It went even further. Langbehn was denied copies of the death certificate. Which she needs, to get life insurance and to file for social security benefits for their children. Anti-gay city and state, indeed!

Back to the case. The judge ruled saying that the hospital has no obligation to allow their patients’ visitors or to allow those visitors into their trauma rooms. I could agree with this IF it was a policy that was applied to ALL visitors across the board. But as the staff stated… it’s because they are lesbians.

But what about her power of attorney. Doesn’t the hospital HAVE to consult with that entitled person when deciding the care for a protected patient? Doesn’t that advocate have the right to physically see the person they are making medical decisions for?

If the hospital can do this… then what the hell is the point of a power of attorney? But here’s an even scary question… Based on the judges ruling, even if they had been legally married and that marriage was recognized by the state, at least on paper, wouldn’t the hospital still be able to keep a LGBT family from seeing their loved one before they die…

More at Southern Voice

Final Thought-

I hope that you are encouraged by all the landmark victories we had today… but moreover I hope you are inspired by our huge loss, in Florida, to keep the pressure not just on… but at the boil over point!

Much Love,
BadEvan

On this day people are asked to publicly share their “coming out” stories. By sharing these life changing events we are reaching out to so many different people and putting a face to the LGBT Civil Rights Movement.

When people outside of our community hear these stories of pain, abandonment, courage and love they get a glimpse into what it means to be LGBT. A first hand retelling conveys the impacts of intolerance, bigotry, fear and hate. Allies can and will be made.

There are many people today who feel they can’t be who they are. They fear the consequence of coming out. “What will my family say” “Will I lose my job?” “Will my church abandon me?” By standing strong and sharing the road we have traveled… we give hope and encouragement to those not yet out. We can show them that it can be hard at the beginning…but the love of self and the love around us can out weigh those hard times.

For more on the National Coming Out Day visit HRC

National Equality March

On this day people will gather as one voice. Standing strong for LGBT Equality. There will be a National Equality March on Washington. People will converge on DC to show our leaders that we are brave, that we are many and that we are resolved.

Not everyone can be in DC and our local leaders need to see us standing up at homes as well. So, across the nation at City, County and State halls we will gather to share the same message with our state and local leaders. We are many! We are resolved! LGBT Equality Now!

For more on the National Equality March visit Equality Across America

October 11th in Indiana

Bloomington, IN
Courthouse Square (corner of Walnut & Kirkwood) 2pm – 4pm
* Sharing stories, talking with local leaders and meeting LGBT advocacy groups *
After Party and Open Mic @ Rachaels’ Cafe (300 E 3rd St) 4pm – 9pm
* Performances by local musicians, artists and poets *

Indianapolis, IN
City-County Building (200 E Washington St) 2pm – 6pm
* Sharing stories, talking with local leaders and meeting LGBT advocacy groups *
More information on this event and the sponsoring group at IndyImpact
* Follow this event live via Twitter *

Afterwards, come back here and share your stories. No matter who you are, what you’ve gone through or where you are…. Your story is important!



Much Love,
BadEvan