Rx Appeal

Todd Sanfield's got brawn and brains -- he's a cover model and a pharmacist!

'This Is Clearly a Hate Crime'

Gay man shot dead in Village after gunman shouted homophobic slurs: authorities

Horrific story about the murder of a 32-year-old man late Friday night, just blocks from the iconic Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. After repeatedly calling the man and his friend a litany of gay slurs, the killer pulled out a gun and said "Do you want to die here?" before shooting Marc Carson once in the cheek. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that it was "clearly a hate crime,” the 21st bias attacks in the city so far this year -- will they ever stop? up from 13 at this point last year -- and the details are chilling. At the risk of being one of those "I was almost there" storytellers, Michael and I were coming out of IFC -- saw "Frances Ha," loved it! -- moments before this must have gone down. I actually "joked" to some friends of mine that we ran into at the movie that if anyone wanted to get murdered after the film, they should head over to the McDonald's across the street, where countless violent crimes have taken place in recent years. (Ha ha.) It was a gorgeous night, so I told Michael I wanted to walk home -- directly through what turned out to be the murder scene -- but Michael said he wanted to take the subway, as he'd already walked there and it was very late. We ended up getting on the A/C/E near the Waverly Diner. How tragically things can turn just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Condolences to Mr. Carson's friends and family. When is this anti-gay violence ever going to end?

On the Rag, Vol. 251

A weekly look at what's making news in the free gay rags:

Odyssey: Bruce Springsteen isn't the hottest thing from Asbury Park -- meet Brian and Eric, from the Empress Hotel! Online edition HERE

Rage monthly is going on a brief flight. Online edition HERE.

Next: Lightly furred Ryan McNally shot exclusively by Kevin Thomas Garcia Photography. Online edition HERE.

Get Out! walks the dog with Lance Smith. Online edition HERE.

Metro Weekly: Billy Porter has many people pumped up about his remarkable, Tony-nominated work in "Kinky Boots." Read HERE.

Michael Alig Would Kill to Live With You

The former queen of the club kids and current prisoner in Elmira made me laugh with this one.

Car Writer Resigns Over Use of 'Dykes' in Headline

Small SUV Crashopalooza: Detroit Loses, Dykes Win

Via Romenesko: Writer Steve Lang resigned from The Truth About Cars in protest of this headline on a story by Bertel Schmitt about small SUVs. There was also this bit:

The best-rated Detroit trucklet is the Buick Encore on place 6 with a poor Small Overlap rating. The Jeep Wrangler brings up the rear with a truly mediocre showing. Boo, hiss, Detroit – pussy-whipped by a Japanese transgender crossover that is also known as a “vag-wag?”

The writer preemptively notes:

P.S. Before you start to tar and feather me for Detroit bashing LGBT discrimination, please be notified that according to the all-knowing Wikipedia, the term “dyke” originated “as a derogatory label for a masculine woman, and this usage still exists.” Shame on them. “However, some persons attempt to use it in a manner that they see as positive, or as a neutral synonym for lesbian,” and those persons include the Schmitts.

Do you think the writer was just having some fun -- who hasn't made a Subaru lesbian joke? -- or do you think this is over the line?

GLAAD President Herndon Graddick Resigns

I just hung up with Herndon, and while he is not giving any interviews right now, he seems happy with his decision -- and is looking forward to a summer at the beach before embarking on his next career challenge.

From a statement:

GLAAD Board of Directors Chair Thom Reilly:

“GLAAD is very grateful for Herndon’s work championing LGBT rights, especially his work on behalf of the trans community On behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish him the best.” 

Graddick said:

“I'm proud to leave GLAAD with a stronger, more efficient organization and an incredibly talented and experienced Board and staff. I'm happy the role I was able to play in advancing the need for our community to fully support the rights of our transgender brothers and sisters. Our movement is benefited by the leadership not only of heroes like Evan Wolfson, Chad Griffin, Mara Keisling, and Kate Kendell, but of the necessary and vital blogger and grassroots communities. I look forward to returning to a private life and supporting the fight from behind the scenes.” 

Chief of Staff Dave Montez is serving as Acting President.

Andrew Sullivan: Noonan Just Loses It

I see I'm not the only one who's incredulous about Peggy Noonan's claim that we are "in the midst of the worst Washington scandal since Watergate."

Andrew Sullivan writes:

"Can she really believe this? Has this president broken the law, lied under oath, or authorized war crimes? Has he traded arms for hostages with Iran? Has he knowingly sent his cabinet out to tell lies about his sex life? Has he sat by idly as an American city was destroyed by a hurricane? Has he started a war with no planning for an occupation? Has he started a war based on a lie, and destroyed the US’ credibility and moral standing while he was at it, leaving nothing but a smoldering and now rekindled civil sectarian war? So far as I can tell, this president has done nothing illegal, unethical or even wrong."

Something Tells Me It Is All Happening at the Zoo

Hot Zookeeper ‘Streaks for Tigers’ in the London Zoo 

 I sure hope there was a "petting" section set up. Read HERE.

'Frances' and Bernard

My lover and I are planning to see "Frances Ha" tonight. (Has anyone seen it?) Although I'm uneasy with (my hero) Noah Baumbach's separation with Jennifer Jason Leigh -- they were the perfect couple for me! -- and his taking up with "Frances" star and cowriter Greta Gerwig. (I did enjoy "Greenberg.") But I'm intrigued by the storyline -- and especially costar Mickey Sumner, who just happens to be Sting's daughter. (Isn't another one I Blame Coco?)

Are You a Gay Nerd?

Then Nerdvana is the place for you:

Calling all self-identified queer nerds and geeks! Come out to Easton Mountain for a beautiful weekend of nerddom bliss! 

Geek out with like-minded men and celebrate your adorkable self. We will have a plethora of activities to keep you stimulated–from a scavenger hunt and trivia night, to a sci-fi talk, a comic book presentation by Geeks Out, and a dance party. There will also be free time to enjoy socializing with other queer nerds, hanging out by the pool, hiking up the mountain, or generally enjoying the beautiful land here. Join us as we create community together in this nerdvana paradise! 

Hosted by Adam Cohen and Wil Fisher 

Complete details HERE.

Attention cheap nerds:
KIT212 readers can receive a 20% discount with the code NERDALERT.

'Bloodbath' at Village Voice

More depressing news from the world of print media: Michael Musto, Robert Sietsema, the Village Voice's longtime food critic, and Michael Feingold, the paper's theater critic were all given pink slips today. This comes after the alt weekly's top editors quit rather than layoff more employees a week ago. Read HERE. Of course, the Village Voice says they're HIRING!

Friday Flashback

I'm familiar with this pose, kid. Served me well in AOL chatrooms ... a DOZEN YEARS AGO!