The Sympathetic String

The Royal Family goes SEXY

2012-03-06T01:42:00.000-05:00

The Royal Family neverlooked like this before. Click on the link below to see more pictures of Kate Middleton's
Burlesque-Dancing cousin, Katrina Darling

SEE THE PICS HERE ...

Scars Run Deep - UPDATED

2012-03-04T23:42:00.000-05:00

The Atlanta man seen being viciously beaten in a harrowing viral video today called his attackers “monsters” who left him with scars that “run deeper than anyone will know.” He added that nobody should worry that they will be attacked “for just being a gay male.”

One of White’s assailants, as well as the cameraman and another onlooker, referred to him as a “faggot” on the video (WARNING: Violent content). Atlanta police are hunting for White’s attackers, while FBI agents and federal prosecutors are examining the assault to determine whether a hate crimes prosecution is warranted.

White said that the filming of the assault--and the subsequent uploading of a clip online--was his assailants’s way of trying to draw attention to their barbarism.

However, by coming forward to cooperate with authorities, White remarked, “I’m the brave one.”

FULL STORY ...

UPDATE
Seems that Police are making headway in tracking down the a-holes who attacked Mr. White.

Investigators Release Name, Photo Of Remaining Suspect Sought In Brutal Videotaped Beating Of Atlanta Man

READ THE STORY UPDATES HERE.

Abracadabra ... Mormons are now gay!

2012-03-04T01:32:00.000-05:00

Feb 16, 2012 - The discovery this week of a proposed posthumous baptism for Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel ( Romanian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, Holocaust survivor and author of 57 books ) - who is alive - has revived a longstanding controversy surrounding the Mormon Church's practice of performing "saving ordinances" on behalf of its members' non-Mormons ancestors.

After The Huffington Post broke the story, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved quickly to assure Wiesel that it wouldn't allow a baptism—before or after his death. But the incident had already dragged Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney into an escalating, semi-informed debate that's bobbed in and out of public consciousness for nearly two decades.

The practice of posthumous baptism has been part of the church's theology almost since its founding. But since Jewish leaders first expressed concern in 1995 that the ordinances were being performed for Holocaust victims—a perceived affront to Jewish pride and heritage—the Mormon Church has made efforts to keep those names out of their temples.

READ THE FULL STORY ...

As a response to this revelation - and in the wake of the Mormon Church funding the defeat of Prop 8 which made same-sex marriage illegal again in California - the following website now offers similar rites for Mormons!

Sadly, many Mormons throughout history have died without having known the joys of homosexuality. With your help, these poor souls can be saved.

Simply enter the name of your favorite dead Mormon* in the form below and click Convert! Presto, they're gay for eternity. There is no undo.

Don't know any dead Mormons? Click the "Choose-a-Mormon" button and we'll find one for you.

You're welcome!

CONVERT A MORMON HERE ...

Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock

2012-02-25T02:32:00.000-05:00

The cast of The Big Bang Theory have dinner

I have become a big Big Bang Theory fan [ WIKI ]. Maybe it's because I used to be a mathematics geek in high school, or maybe cuz it's just really intelligent (and yet still silly!) comedy.
Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock is a variation of the rock-paper-scissors game that the Big Bang boys use to decide their conflicts.

The rules of Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock are as follows:

Scissors cut paper
Paper covers rock
Rock crushes lizard
Lizard poisons Spock
Spock smashes scissors
Scissors decapitate lizard
Lizard eats paper
Paper disproves Spock
Spock vaporizes rock
Rock crushes scissors

There are ten possible pairings of the five gestures, where each gesture beats two of the other gestures and is beaten by the remaining two.

Read the Wikipedia description ...

Looking for Mr. Goodbar

2012-02-24T22:21:00.000-05:00

There's nothing like an ad for a dating service to remind you that your own love life isn't quite up to snuff. Until, of course, you watch Jon Lajoie's Dating Service Commercial.

The Montreal-based comedian has pulled together all the familiar elements we know and dread from those "I met my soulmate" ads that seem to be impossible to escape -- the soft lighting, the acoustic guitar soundtrack, the coy looks from the supposed real life users. But that's where the similarity ends.

WARNING: Some language may offend some people.

Let's go to Fogo

2012-02-24T02:07:00.000-05:00

Fogo Island Arts Corporation is a contemporary arts experiment on Fogo Island and Change Islands located just off the coast of Newfoundland [ WIKI ].

The Arts Corp sees arts and creativity as powerful means of stimulating and regenerating the islands by delivering an integrated strategy incorporating the arts, geo tourism and social enterprise.

Arts Corp activities have two intertwined strands – an international Residency Program and a Production Program, both of which engage with locally inspired as well as trans-national processes.

'Like' their Facebook page here.

Living a Gay Life

2012-02-23T02:03:00.000-05:00

Zachary Quinto

Long rumored to be gay, the actor, most famous for his roles on "Heroes" and in the recent "Star Trek" film, came out in a October 2011 New York magazine profile, saying:

"In light of Jamey's [Rodemeyer] death -- it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it -- is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality. Our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country."

Bridge the Digital Divide

2012-02-23T01:30:00.000-05:00

This man, his ideas and his implementation of them is really inspiring. He offers a snapshot of world poverty then discusses how internet can Bridge the Digital Divide.

Five billion people can’t use the Internet. Aleph Molinari empowers the digitally excluded by giving them access to computers and the know-how to use them.

Through education and technology-focused community centers, Aleph Molinari empowers the 5 billion people who cannot access or use the Internet and other technologies. Full bio »

CBC's new digital music service

2012-02-21T00:51:00.000-05:00

CBC is diving into the world of online music with the goal of providing listeners access to their favourite tunes, and a way to discover new artists and connect with fellow music fans.

The free digital service CBC Music offers access to 40 web radio stations, a vast array of music and blog posts by CBC personalities through a website and via mobile apps.

The new initiative allows the public broadcaster "to connect with listeners ... in new ways," said Chris Boyce, executive director of radio and audio for CBC English Services.

READ THE WHOLE STORY ...

Cloud tsunami

2012-02-21T00:41:00.000-05:00

Fog rolls up along the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida on Feb. 5th, 2012. Be sure to see the other pictures in the series HERE ...

Pro-Choice Protest of the Day

2012-02-21T00:27:00.000-05:00

Pro-choice Oklahoma state Senator Constance Johnson (D) introduced an amendment to the Sooner State’s pro-life “personhood” bill (SB 1433) making masturbation illegal.

Oklahoma lawmakers are currently debating legislation that would make it mandatory for women to listen to their fetus’s heartbeat before being allowed to have an abortion.

To protest the bill, Sen. Johnson sought to have an amendment added that would make “any action in which a man ejaculates or otherwise deposits semen anywhere but in a woman’s vagina…an action against an unborn child.”

Rhino escapes from Tokyo zoo !

2012-02-19T23:49:00.000-05:00

If a rhino escaped from a zoo in Tokyo, zoo keepers would know just what to do.

The Ueno Zoo in Tokyo has been practicing what they would do in the event of an animal escape with a huge paper mache rhino. Zoo keepers and police have been taking part in the drills as coworkers are draped in the rhino costume and attempt to break free.

FULL STORY ...

Ottawa's first steps to be "Suicide Safer"

2012-02-19T00:19:00.000-05:00

Hundreds of people representing more than 40 organizations gathered at Ben Franklin Place for the launch of the Community Suicide Prevention Network's three-year plan to build a "Suicide Safer Ottawa".

Billed as the city's first summit on youth suicide prevention, the event featured politicians, health care leaders, educators and young people. The goal of the event was to bring Ottawans together to talk about what was already in place and what will be needed to be in the future to help prevent youth suicide, an issue that has captured local and provincial attention in recent months.

World Class Photos

2012-02-19T00:03:00.000-05:00

View the entire collection of winning images from the 55th World Press Photo Contest. The winners were selected from over 100,000 images submitted to the contest

LINK THRU ...

Reimagine CBC

2012-02-17T23:26:00.000-05:00

Reimagine CBC is a solutions-focused community igniting a national conversation to reimagine the role of public media in the age of participation.

The CBC is in the process of conducting a major strategic review both internally and through outside regulators. The question is, who will shape the CBC of the future? We think Canadians should.

Add your ideas to the forum or make a post on social media via Facebook or Twitter. And don't forget to vote for your favourite ideas.

NOTE: Reimagine CBC is a project of OpenMedia.ca and LeadNow.ca and is not officially affiliated with the CBC in any way.

Infinite Forest

2012-02-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

NYC's West Village AIDS Memorial Park competition

Brooklyn architecture firm Studio a+i has nabbed the top prize in a design competition for a public park and memorial on a wedge of land in New York City's West Village.

Called Infinite Forest, it is devoid of statues, sculptures or plaques. Instead, the architects have proposed three separate, 3.6-metre-tall facing mirror walls that frame – and reflect – 20 white birch trees and delineate the triangular block from the surrounding neighbourhood. For the wall's street-facing sides, the design proposes a chalkboard finish that welcomes impromtu chalk-written messages from visitors and passersby.

The site was initially occupied by St. Vincent's Hospital, a facility that once housed the globe's most advanced HIV treatment programs. Below the park, the firm has proposed a wedge-shaped, learning centre, equipped to host exhibitions and performances and accessed by stairs and ramps and lit via skylights.

"The image is just so captivating. It succeeds as an urban space that is both a neighbourhood park and a memorial. I didn’t see it as an either/or," says Michael Arad, jury chair and designer of the National September 11 Memorial.

Electronic Eyes

2012-02-15T21:33:00.001-05:00

Contact lenses that help enhance normal vision with megapixel 3D panoramic images are being designed by scientists using military funding and may be available as early as 2014. For those who do not want to rely on contact lenses, future versions could involve lenses directly implanted within the eye, researchers added.

Over the decades, the video displays that everyone from fighter pilots to the general public use have grown increasingly complex. One possibility for advanced displays is a virtual reality (VR) system that replaces our view of the real world with computer-generated vistas. Another idea consists of augmented reality (AR) displays that overlay computer-generated images over real-world environments. However, these often require bulky apparatus such as oversized helmets.

SOURCE ...

Alien Brain Hemorrhage - YUMMY!

2012-02-15T21:21:00.000-05:00

Next Hallowe'en I think I will be starting the evening off with this:

Photo: Martin Williams

To make an Alien Brain Hemorrhage cocktail, fill a shot glass halfway with peach schnapps. Gently pour Bailey's Irish Cream on top. After the shot is almost full, carefully add a small amount of blue curacao. After it settles, add a small splash (or a few drops) of grenadine syrup.

SEE SOURCE ...

Djokovic tops Nadal

2012-02-15T21:07:00.000-05:00

OK, I was going to try to write some sports analysis and background profile about Novak Djokovic [WIKI] like ...

World No 1 Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in a five-hour 53 minutes match (the longest match in any Grand Slam final) at the Australian Open Men's Singles Final in Melbourne.

The 24-year-old Serb celebrated his win in style (see pics). There are reasons for special celebrations as Djokovic has now defeated his Spanish rival in three straight Grand Slam finals.

For the World No 1, this herioc battle was the greatest win of his life. ~~Djokovic's girlfriend was there to cheer the champion~~.

...but I really just wanted to post these pics!

[PICS: ibitimes.co.uk]

Is Capital Pride socially disabled?

2012-02-10T19:49:00.000-05:00

A proposed smoking ban on municipal properties such as City Hall could hurt attendance at the Capital Pride festival, say organizers who are calling for a grace period this summer if the new rules are approved.

Starting July 2, proposed bylaw amendments would issue tickets for smoking on city properties such as parks, beaches, sports fields and areas outside municipal facilities, as well Marion Dewar Plaza outside City Hall where the 2012 Capital Pride festival will take place.

In a press release, festival organizers stated that smoking rates are higher in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and queer communities, and the proposed ban could discourage many people from attending the event.

READ THE WHOLE STORY ...

O P I N I O N

OK, I am a strong supporter of Ottawa's Capital Pride, but this request to the City to extend special rules so people can smoke at Pride is ridiculous. Do they really believe that the LGBTQ Community has 'special needs' when it comes to smoking cigarettes?

I smoked for many years, and one of the best things I ever did for myself was quit 15 years ago. When smoking in bars subsequently became illegal, I breathed a sigh of relief that I no longer had to breath the fumes or go home stinking of other people's smoke.

Yet despite all the legal changes, it is still impossible to enjoy Ottawa's patios without having to wade through a cloud of second-hand smoke. Most smokers still do not abide by the rule to move 15' away from the building, so the smoke is even stronger because they all squeeze into a small space by the door.

Pride is no different. It is time for the LGBTQ Community to act like other grown-ups and stop imposing their self-destructive habit on the rest of us who wish to live without it. It's time to stop asking for special rules or nobody will ever take our community seriously.

Besides, I have no doubt that the decrease in smokers who come to Pride will be more than offset by the increase in non-smokers able to come and enjoy the smoke-free environment.

... and we welcome Washington State!

2012-02-09T15:15:00.003-05:00

Washington state lawmakers voted to approve gay marriage Wednesday, setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed.

The action comes a day after a federal appeals court declared California's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, saying it was a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples.

The Washington House passed the bill on a 55-43 vote. The state Senate approved the measure last week, and Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the measure into law next week.

READ THE FULL STORY ...

California's Prop 8 recinded and Supreme Court may not hear Appeal

2012-02-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

I suggest that Obama will resolve this question on a Federal level when he is re-elected in November with a strong mandate.

Until Tuesday, it looked like California's Proposition 8 gay marriage case would be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. But that looks less certain now.

The narrow California-only approach adopted by the 9th Circuit means the high court might choose to steer clear of the dispute.

If so, that would leave for another day — perhaps several years in the future — a national ruling on same-sex marriage.

READ THE WHOLE STORY ...

Fox is in the Muppet House

2012-02-09T14:52:00.003-05:00

A couple of months ago, Fox News decided to attack the new Muppet Movie for being anti-capitalism because their evil nemesis is an oil tycoon. Their absurd 'arguments' - which are really just 2 people's opinions - can be heard in the first video where they attack the entire Hollywood conspiracy.

Shades of Tele-Tubbie's Gay Purse!

Here is Miss Piggy's response to the whole affair. Touché MissP !

IF U CN RD THIS, shame on you !

2012-01-28T16:44:00.000-05:00

Provocative Hungarian Poster for ‘Shame’ - A Bold And Anguished Look at Addiction

The addiction is sex, a fact which elicited an NC-17 rating, though it is shown here, while unavoidably gratuitous, as no different than an addiction to booze or pills or powders. It is all-consuming and painfully unpleasurable.

2013 - 3rd World Outgames

2012-01-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

Antwerp ... city of 172 nationalities, fashion, diamonds and gay nightlife invites you to the 3rd World Outgames in 2013.