Downtown Train

You Don't Say ...

Ricky Martin defended the right of pop stars to come out of the closet, saying he felt solidarity with Christian Chavez of Mexican band RBD, who recently said publicly that he is gay."Life is too short to live closed up, guarding what you say," said Martin. Christian "has to be free in many aspects. I wish him much strength."

Now Ricky has certainly been free in discussing his foot fetish and his fondness for water sports, strangely he never seems to mention who he likes to play with. (AP)
Previously:

Livin' La Speedo Loca

Further Tales From the Speedo Diaries

Iran Hostage Cutie Crisis

While Iran's foolish decision to hold 15 Brits hostage is liable to spark yet another U.S.-led attack, I can't help but think how fun it would be to hold this sailor captive for at least a few hours. (NYT)

Eric Balfour: Deja Culte

(Photos by Milan Vukmirovic)

A few more after the jump. --->

Previously:

Crack Addict: Eric Balfour

Suits Him Fine

Page 1 Consider (03/30)

Women With Balls: Tennis legend Billie Jean King has endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton. "What I learned when I first met Hillary, and what I know now, is that she is qualified to lead this country," King, 63, said in statement. "As a young woman, mother, advocate, first lady and senator she has continually shown us she is passionate about improving family issues, health care, equal pay and the challenges that people all across this nation face on a daily basis." (AP)

One-Upping Tim Hardaway: Gay slurs not enough for ya, sports fans? Albany Patroons coach Micheal Ray Richardson was suspended by the Continental Basketball Association on Wednesday for calling a fan a faggot and making anti-Semitic comments. Kudos for punishing this one, but I would have suspended him for the way he spells his first name. (AP)

Mistaken Identity: I'm glad I'm not the only one who confuses Dick Cheney for Jaclyn Smith. (ConnPost)

Northern Exposure: ECanada Now sure knows how to pick artwork for a story about prostate cancer. (eCanadaNow)

Game of "Love": Singer Michelle Branch says she has a stalker. I'd have thought she'd be thrilled just to have someone show up at her show at all. (AP)

Up in Smoke: Researchers say smokers make unproductive workers. I wonder how they were able to study them, though. They're always on a smoke break out on the sidewalk. (IH)

'October' Symphony

I was flipping the channels last night and caught the last 10 minutes of ABC's new drama "October Road." I couldn't really make heads or tails of it, but with guys like George Stults and Bryan Greenberg onboard, it definitely looked like something worth checking out again.

Photo Flashback: 1986

That's my best friend from Arizona, Greg, on the left, and my onetime French tutor in my childhood bedroom on West Kiva. (And no, that isn't an omelet on my head, technically.)

Crack Addict: Henry Cavill of "The Tudors"

See what the sexy addiction is all about after the jump. --->

Page 1 Consider (03/29)

Contestants' Row: Ever wonder what it's like to be a would-be contestant on "The Price Is Right"? If he's done shoving old ladies who got to "Come on Down" instead of him then my friend Keith can tell you all about it. (KneeDeepInMud)

The Mysteries of Detroit: Now the authorities in Motown are saying Andrew Anthos, the gay man whose death became a cause for gay rights advocates, died of natural causes, not from being beaten? How could there be such a huge discrepancy? '"There's no evidence that an assault occurred," police spokesman James Tate told The Detroit News. (AP)

Is He Kidding? Who knew "Blades of Glory" was such a brilliant social commentary on homosexuality? (MSNBC)

Casualties of War: I happened to talk to my college sweetheart back in Arizona last night and he told me how upsetting he found it that the late Pat Tillman is in the news constantly, yet thousands of other brave men and women who also lost their lives serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan are never mentioned again. Sure, he know why (money, fame, America's obsession with football). But working in the funeral industry he is more directly reminded that every dead person was someone's father, mother, brother, sister. I couldn't agree with my friend more, and luckily news organizations like the NY Times feel this way too. Check out their Faces of the Dead page that offers individual photos of these American heroes, analysis, and their personal stories. (NYT) (Our phone call would have been perfect if he hadn't ended it by confessing his undying love for Sanjaya Malakar!)

Lawless Lovers: A 65-year old Honolulu man has pleaded guilty for helping to arrange a marriage for his Chinese lover so that the man could remain in the U.S. Federal officials alleged that Bob Loren agreed to pay a woman and her daughter $6,000 for the daughter to marry Hang Duan. Loren met Hang Duan, 20 at the time, while Loren was teaching English in China. When Loren returned to Hawaii, Hang entered the country on a 90-day visa. The things we do for love -- and to get around this country's arcane immigration policy. Somebody get Soloway on the horn, quick!! (365Gay)

100 31 Years of Solitude: Broken, at last. (NYT)

Gold-Plated Bats in the Belfry: What kind of idiots spend $500,000 to redo their attic? Oh, rich ones. (NYT)

Miami Heat: Rafael Nadal got knocked out, Andy Roddick pulled out with an injury and Serena Williams kept crushing the competition. Welcome to Key Biscayne. (Ticker)

Thursday Ad Watch

Blond dude begging for a Hickey and Matt Leinart sports an IceLinkWatch.Gant updates its image with a handsome young man, and former Madonna boytoy Tony Ward gives Angela Lindvall something to hold onto in this Adriano Goldschmied ad. (Oddly, I saw Carlos Leon and his glamazon gal pal walking down Eighth Avenue yesterday.)
Four handsome guys looking ready for action in Clairborne, above; and if that's Tony Ward above, might Jack Victor be using another '90s sexpot for its new ad campaign? JV's new model sure bears a striking resemblance to "Powertool 2" star Lex Baldwin, below left.

This week's eye-catching advertisements.

The Family Guy

It's gorgeous spring days like this that I miss living near my family the most. How I wish I could live in New York but be able to go to the playground with my cuties A.J. and Ally at the snap of a finger. So adorable!!!!!! Can't wait for my next trip home ...

VOTE FOR PEDRO KENNETH!

March Gayness continues and my blog has made it to the final 8. I'm up against some stiff competition in Outsports.com, so all loving is greatly appreciated.

The ballot is here!

Taylor Kitsch Goes to the Beach

"Friday Night Lights" hunk Taylor Kitsch looks great with his lady friend wearing the latest in men's swimwear. GQ says the boxer-style trunk is in -- "not those droopy, oversize surf shorts" -- but somehow I think Taylor would look good in just about anything ...

(Photographs by Carter Smith)

More Taylor here, here, and here.

Page 1 Consider (03/28)

Crush Groove: Sorry, folks. It doesn't matter how many times respected publications write this imaginary "men having crushes on men" story, it still doesn't make it true. Get your gay fantasies somewhere else, Adam Rapoport. (GQ) See also: The Man Date (NYT)

Redecorating the Frat House: New York University’s Inter-Greek Council has allowed Delta Lambda Phi, a gay and bisexual fraternity, to be recognized on campus after a three-semester trial period. (NYP)

Southern Style: The bill to bar gays and lesbians from adopting or being foster parents to children was posed to the Arkansas House of Representatives Judiciary Committee twice on Tuesday, and both times failed. Finally, the smart people rule! (ArkansasBlog)

Diagnosis: Karma: I would never wish bad health news on anyone, but if someone has to have a recurrence of cancer, White House spokesdick Tony Snow sure seems like a fair choice. (WP)

Your Cheatin' Pedophilic Heart: Big girl Wynonna Judd filed for divorce on Tuesday after her husband was arrested on what police said were sexual battery charges involving a child under 13. Is it just me or does it seem 50 percent of all men want to have sex with children? Oh, well: it sounds like someone's got a hit song in the making on her hands. (Reuters)

Hangman: Are we supposed to feel something for a kid who has reformed himself since nearly dying playing a self-choking game? (NYT)

Area Satirists Launch TV Show: The Onion is one of the funniest things I've ever read. But will a online TV version work? (Newsweek)

Virginia Is for (Gun) Lovers: Wouldn't it be more surprising if someone from Virginia weren't carrying a loaded handgun into the U.S. Capitol? (WP)

Don't Cry for Him, Argentina: First David Nalbandian had Roger Federer's number and now it appears Guillermo Canas has it. The steroid-abusing Argentine stunned King Roger for the second time in 15 days, 7-6 (7- 2), 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) in the fourth round Tuesday at the Miami Masters. Meanwhile, Serena Williams humiliated Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-1, in a match that looked remarkably similar to this year's Australian Open final. Naturally, Serena hasn't played a tournament since and was no worse for the non-wear (or something) (AP)

Does This Sperm Count? For the love of Valerie Cherish, I did not need to see this. (Reuters)

Victoria's Understatement: A man who was charged with theft and burglary after police said they found 93 pounds of women's panties, brassieres and other underwear (more than 1,500 items) at his home says he has "a problem." Gee, do ya think?? (AP)

Glazed and Confused: Is this why there's a lot more Rachael Ray again these days? (PRN)

The It Boy

While you'd never guess it by my school-girl crush on Brody Jenner (have you noticed he's back on "The Hills"?), I actually rarely go for such youngsters. My getting up in age has begun to tilt this tendency a bit, but something tells me that Brody Jenner at 31 will be even hotter than he is now. Until then ...

Closet Cases

My pal Jack E. Jett caught up with John Amaechi (former NBAer), Esera Tuaolo (former NFLer) and Billy Bean (former MLBer) to discuss the pros and cons of an athlete's life in the closet. You can check it out here.

Since coming out of the closet in February, former Utah Jazz center John Amaechi sure has gotten around. Clockwise from top left, with Martina Navratilova, Lance Bass, Andy Towle and yours truly.

Jake Outtake

Here's an outtake from the GQ spread of Jake Gyllenhaal last month.

I forgot to blog this, but Michael and I went to see "Zodiac" a few weekends ago. We both enjoyed it. Jake's character is pretty one-dimensional (they never really explain why his cartoonist character becomes so obsessed with the case), but Mark Ruffalo is outstanding as Inspector David Toschi, and it was great seeing Anthony "I have more hair now than I did in Top Gun" Edwards on the big screen again as his partner. (Why wasn't there ever a sequel to "Gotcha!"?) Although the film is a good two and a half hours long, it really didn't feel like it to me. But then again, I sit at home and watch "City Confidential," "American Justice" and "The First 48" on my DVR for hours on end sometimes and never seem to get bored.

"Zodiac" is a highly accurate re-enactment based on actual case files of one of the most notorious "unsolved" serial killings ever, and is definitely worth checking out.

Dead Wood: Steve McQueen

They don't make 'em like they used to.

Matt Leinart Does Post Magazine

Matt Leinart's officially a dad now, but he's always been a daddy to me.

Previously:

Bad Day at the Office

Sporting Wood: Matt Leinart

Foot-ball Man

Page 1 Consider (03/27)

Too Fresh 'n' Fruity? Two lezzies claim they were thrown out of an IHOP in Grandview, Missouri, after sharing a simple peck on the cheek. The restaurant's management maintains that the couple's "bold displays of affection" were "repeated in a number of locations in the restaurant." Mmmm. It's hard to guess what IHOP means by "bold displays," but you just know those gals ordered the Ruby Fruit Jungle breakfast. (AP)

Tommy Lee Does Dudes: Well, their feet, at least. (Bang)

Charmed, I'm Sure: Did you read about the racist and homophobic e-mails U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. Marcia Ramode sent to Corey Andrew of Jersey City when he informed her that he was gay? (I wonder if he's the recording artist of the same name.) In an ongoing exchange, she told Andrew that "being gay is disgusting and immoral." In another e-mail, Ramode wrote, "You must be a total idiot and so stupid to presume that you do not know what gender you are." Ramode added that Andrew should be more grateful to the military for defending his freedoms, but that as a gay man "he should leave the United States." (How's that for freedom?!!! --kw) By this point the insults were flying both ways. Andrew criticized Ramode’s vocabulary and poor spelling and, after finding out she was Native American, wrote: "So take that to your next rain dance."(SNAP --kw) In response, the enraged sergeant said in graphic language that Andrew, who is black, should "GO BACK TO AFRICA AND DO YOUR GAY VOODOO LIMBO TANGO AND WANGO DANCE AND JUMP AROUND AND PRANCE AND RUN ALL OVER THE PLACE HALF NAKED THERE.""IF YOU ARE GAY WE DON’T TAKE YOU. YOU ARE CONSIDERED UNQUALIFIED." What a class act we have representing our country. Let's hope the U.S. military disposes of this one right quick. (EDGE)

Butch Camp: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued a warning to gay officers not to sway their hips or display suggestive behavior while on duty or they risk losing their jobs. If they sway their hips while marching, or if they engage in lustful conduct, I think that will be ground for separation" from the service, Pagdilao said. Gee, so nice that the land of Imelda Marcos is so forward-thinking. I hope the straights don't rape women, scratch their balls excessively or spit, either. (PS)

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: This week's Advocate wants to know who's gayer, Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton? (Somewhere, Gennifer Flowers is answering this question, but it has nothing to do with anyone's stance on the issues.) The Advocate says, "They're politically correct on gay issues, but what to they really think of us?" (Advocate)

Creep: Why am I just certain that Scott Weiland deserved to have his clothes torched by his wife, Mary? (AP)

Outsports: According to a new national survey, 72 percent of heterosexual adults say their feelings toward their favorite male professional athlete would not change if the player revealed he is gay. (Advocate)

Artsy Fartsy: A year in Manhattan without toilet paper? This Fifth Avenue family wants to show they can live a Walden Pond-like lifestyle for one year, yet they still have a fucking cleaning woman. (NYT)

Courtside Hate Speech: A heckler was ejected from the tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, yesterday after making a racist remark to Serena Williams. 'The guy said, 'Hit the net like any Negro would.' I was shocked," Williams said. "I couldn't believe it. I had to do a double take. I think I hit a double fault on that point." How sickening is that? Maybe he thought he was at a NASCAR event. (AP)

The $131 Million Woman: Socialite Brooke Astor's 12-room duplex apartment on Park Avenue is worth about $24 million -- $2 million per room. Her 65-acre estate in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., is valued at $17 million -- nearly $20.5 million if you include the personal property inside. She holds an estimated $23.5 million in stocks, and the jewelry she keeps in New York City has been appraised at around $1.3 million. But I've got way more in my Citibank checking account than she has in hers. (NYT)