Meme Spirted

 

Read the full text of Jane Fonda's powerful speech at the Golden Globes

Marjorie Taylor Greene's Democratic challenger shares reason behind running

Hope you had a nice weekend. My stepfather called to say he and my mom are alive and well and have both gotten their first Moderna vaccine shots. From the way things look here in New York City, Damian and I are on track to get ours in June or so. At this rate,, we may end up getting married before 2021 is over! 

Speedo Sunday

 

Someone knows what his best ASS-et is.

Sign Language

 

Breakfa'st apo'strophe's.

Saturday 'Stache

 

It seems like the Tax Act hunk is just pandering to me now. More HERE.

Remains of the Day (02/26)

A salesgirl just told me she’s been watching me and on TV ever since she was a baby. That was sweet. I shouldn’t have slapped her.

— Alec Mapa (@AlecMapa) February 26, 2021

James St. James: Someone actually said to me “my grandmother used to party with you at Tunnel” —- !!!! 

Nobody has to cover CPAC.

Nobody has to give these liars and criminals an ounce of media oxygen.

Nobody needs to hear “their side” when it’s an endless stream of lies.

People who want to find it, will.

But you don’t need to air four days from the Comic-con of hate.

— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) February 24, 2021

Ron Hogan: “The Comic-Con of hate” is a perfect description of CPAC. 

CPAC 2021, everyone pic.twitter.com/qjiOfebBNK

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 26, 2021

The party of "kitchen-table issues"  

There should not be any Capitol insurrection commission if Republicans in Congress choose anyone to be on the commission.

They are complicit in the attack and the cover up/obscuring of it.

Don’t do it.

— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) February 25, 2021

Craig Unger: We didn’t invite Al-Qaeda to be on the 9/11 Commission. 

Canceling $50,000 of student loan debt would lift a huge burden from the same communities who have been hit hardest by the pandemic. President Biden can #CancelStudentDebt with the stroke of a pen. @SenSchumer and I are urging him to act.https://t.co/AGFn0HCXHF

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 25, 2021

Katie Herzog: Elderly people? 

Just in: Source confirms the US Attorney’s office is in possession of security camera footage of possible rioters being given tours before the Capitol attack — but nothing else. No visitor logs or entry records.

— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) February 25, 2021

Am told the US Attorney’s office only received security footage, in part bc formal visitor logs don’t exist for tours organized thru congressional offices with the Capitol closed as a result of coronavirus. 

Wolf jumps the shark. https://t.co/TuwKyqv61Q pic.twitter.com/h3RUiCpgum

— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) February 26, 2021

Is everyone officially nuts? 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved of an operation to capture or kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was murdered in 2018, according to a declassified U.S. intelligence report https://t.co/6rv2HvA6wf pic.twitter.com/N0AKp04xGt

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 26, 2021

Wait, I thought the U.S. position was "maybe he did, maybe he didn't"?

#BornThisWay: Freddy, Divine and Elton 

On the Rag, Vol. 647

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

DNA: Wilson Lai doesn't miss a workout

Dallas Voice: After going viral on Instagram in 2020, Leslie Jordan has a new TV show, a new book and a new album for 2021

HIV Plus: Meet Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Biden's new weapon against HIV

Lavender: Galleries reopen in Minneapolis

Q Salt Lake: Utah Gov. Cox: transgender sports bill among the most difficult this session

San Francisco Bay Times: The Equality Act: ‘Equal dignity in the eyes of the law’

MetroWeekly: 'It's a Sin' -- which apparently is either the most artful or most insulting look at the AIDS crisis, but definitely not somewhere in between -- out front 

Attitude: From coming to terms with and embracing her identity as a fiercely femme trans man to coming out to her religious family in Arizona, 'Drag Race' trailblazer Gottmik (who uses female pronouns when in drag) pulls back the curtain on her journey

LGBTQ models Reece King, Billy Langdon and Marcus Hodson share their experiences in a hyper masculine environment

Song of the Day: 'Shakeaway' by the Pop

Another discovery off the sublime Instagram page of Jake Fogelnest, who writes:

It’s The Pop with their album “GO!” and their single “Shakeaway.” I hate to admit that New Wave Dave turned me on to this. He claims he helped get them signed to Arista in ‘79. He told me, “CLIVE DAVIS THINKS OF ME LIKE A SON!” Then he asked to borrow $75?

It's my first time hearing (of) this, but I kinda like!

Page 1 Roundup (02/26)

 

The Daily News: Lady Gaga’s dog walker shot, gunmen steal two of singer’s French bulldogs: ‘We are all in shock’

NPR: Ex-Olympic gymnastics coach dies by suicide hours after being charged with human trafficking, sex crimes

Baseline: You'll never guess which comedic actress originally set out to be a tennis pro!

EW: Sorry, but not even a fully cooked Eric Nies could get me to pay for another streaming service

Boy Culture: These boys have junk in the twunk

New York Post: House passes Equality Act over GOP objections

Towleroad: Where's Rand Paul's neighbor when you need him? 

The Washington Post: Minimum-wage increase imperiled in Covid relief bill by Senate official’s ruling

Biden administration conducts strike on Iranian-linked fighters in Syria

Capitol Police chief says extremists have discussed attack on Congress during Biden’s first joint address

The New York Times: After an 18-month court battle, prosecutors in Manhattan investigating possible bank and tax fraud have seized Donnie's tax records

An Oklahoma man whose prison sentence had been commuted cut out and cooked a woman’s heart and tried to feed it to his relatives before killing two of them

Have the mysterious 1959 deaths of nine hikers finally been solved?

The Wall Street Journal: Beyond Meat signs supply deals with McDonald’s, Yum

Mitch McConnell: Yep, I'm soulless 

TikTok’s feta pasta is a thing -- and everyone is doing it wrong

Hot Cat of the Day: Honestly, I don't see how my friends Bobby and Mary get any work done with that little face in the house! 

Morning Wood

 

Remains of the Day (02/25)

If we’d only known that mean tweets were a disqualifier for public service, we could have saved ourselves 4 years of division and two impeachments.

— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) February 24, 2021

Now Republicans are offended by mean tweets? 

This is sad and I’m sorry this happened. Rep. Newmans daughter is transgender, and this video and tweet represents the hate and fame driven politics of self-promotion at all evil costs. This garbage must end, in order to #RestoreOurGOP https://t.co/gcPZ5Cu7Vr

— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) February 25, 2021

Facebook apologies to Rep. Newman for flagging video of trans flag as hate speech ... as QAnon nut shits all over the Equality Act

Parents of 105 separated children have been located, with efforts continuing for hundreds of others https://t.co/4ZU8VmQeYX

— Daily Kos (Tune in to Daily Kos' 🎙️ The Brief) (@dailykos) February 25, 2021

Efforts to locate the parents of another 505 children remain ongoing, however, with lawyers and advocates saying they’ve been unable to locate parents for 322 children because they were likely deported 

Think about this: the only law enforcement agencies at the US Capitol on Jan.6 were the Capitol Police (the only police force under the control of the legislative branch) and MPD (the city police). NO FEDERAL POLICE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH!

Trump WANTED the attack to succeed: pic.twitter.com/IMbtnbuo6Q

— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) February 25, 2021

'Decades in the making': How mainstream conservatives and right-wing media fueled the Capitol attack 

Florida Karen attacks mom and her Black daughter, telling the daughter — out of nowhere — "KaMAHla Harris is a man." Vile. https://t.co/xwducgBOR9 pic.twitter.com/laqTJ0f5BL

— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) February 25, 2021

I sure hope she wasn't late for her Mensa meeting 

It’s been two months since we lost our little girl. I miss her everyday. It doesn’t get easier. I feel blessed to have even briefly known her love. pic.twitter.com/C2TvbdipLr

— andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) February 24, 2021

Andrew Kaczynski: My baby daughter died of brain cancer. Here’s what we can do to save other kids. 

‘Mr. Potato Head’ to Get Rebrand So Kids Can Create Same-Sex Families https://t.co/kFQGLg8yTn pic.twitter.com/fWgSswmbn0

— Towleroad (@tlrd) February 25, 2021

That's Mx. Potato Head to you 

Meryl Streep, Michael Cristofer Team For Broadway Homage Film ‘Places, Please;’ As Pic Hits EFM, They Describe Their Hopes For Post-Pandemic Stage Biz https://t.co/LvmFKsN2WY

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 25, 2021

Of note to tennis fans: It was written UCLA MFA alum Elisabeth Seldes Annacone, wife of Paul Annacone!

How to cope when everything is a personal affront to you

Thursday Ad Watch

 

I'm guessing I'm not the only one wanting to get audited by the guy in this commercial for Tax Act. More BELOW.

The Literary Twist in the Bizarre (Astronaut) Love Triangle

It's been widely reported that a literary agency in Manhattan recently fired an employee for using two social-media apps favored by the conspiracy-theory set. 

“The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency was distressed to discover this morning, January 25th, that one of our agents has been using the social media platforms Gab and Parler. We do not condone this activity, and we apologize to anyone who has been affected or offended by this,” De Chiara wrote. 

“The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency has in the past and will continue to ensure a voice of unity, equality, and one that is on the side of social justice,” adding: “As of this morning, Colleen Oefelein is no longer an agent at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.”

What people aren't mentioning is that the agent, Colleen (née Shipman) Oefelein, is none other than the other woman who was "accosted and pepper-sprayed" in 2007 by diaper-wearing astronaut Lisa Nowak, who infamously packed latex gloves, a black wig, a BB pistol and ammunition, pepper spray, a hooded tan trench coat, a drilling hammer, black gloves, an 8-inch Gerber folding knife and other items before driving some 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to take out the competition. 

If the erstwhile agent's name sounds at all familiar, it's because the love triangle involved fellow astronaut William Oefelein, to whom she is now married. Colleen tweeted that she "got fired because I’m a Christian and a conservative" -- before racing to appear on “The Tucker Carlson White Persecution Hour” -- to which @CharmQuark12 responded: "No, you were fired because you pal around with people who'd like to murder anyone who doesn't look like them."

For her part, Nowak entered a guilty plea to felony burglary and misdemeanor battery in 2009 and was sentenced to a year's probation plus the two days she'd already served in jail, with no additional jail time. (She was the inspiration for the 2019 box-office bomb "Lucy in the Sky" starring Jon Hamm and Natalie Portman, who didn't even bother to don diapers.) If Nowak seemed to get off easily it's apparently in part because the prosecutors' case was hamstrung when a medical report seemed to suggest that Mrs. Gab-Parler may have lied about the pepper spray. While a plea dropping the assault charges was reached before it could be determined either way, there is one thing this nutty Parler trick proves beyond a reasonable doubt: William Oefelein has a type.

Mask4Masc

 

Hot enough to turn an anti-vaxxer straight! More men to choose from HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Alive and Kicking' by Simple Minds

I fell in love with "Promised You a Miracle" the first time I heard it, but it wasn't until I saw an episode of AXS TV's "The Top 10 Revealed" did I learn the back story behind Simple Minds' biggest hit. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" was written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff, the latter of whom was a guitarist for Nina Hagen. (He also co-wrote her biggest hit, "New York / N.Y.") Apparently the duo was a fan of Simple Minds and wrote the song with the band in mind while composing the score for "The Breakfast Club."

According to Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, the band declined the track as they were in the habit of only recording their own material: "We are Simple Minds -- we don't do songs that sound like Simple Minds." Bryan Ferry, Billy Idol and Cy Curnin of the Fixx then all turned it down. (According to Wikipedia, the record company suggested Corey Hart, who had a hit at the time with "Sunglasses at Night", but Forsey did not think Hart would be right for the song.)

But with a little prodding from their record label and Kerr's then-wife (Chrissie Hynde), the band, of course, did give it a go. According to one account, the band rearranged and recorded the song in three hours and promptly forgot about it, believing that it would be a throwaway song on the soundtrack to a forgettable movie. (The single would become a global hit and their signature song, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.)

One of the reasons they relented was because they were desperate to conquer the U.S. market, where they had never even hit the lower echelon of the charts. What I find heartening about this tale of "selling out" is that it did, in fact, jumpstart their career rather than being another "Take My Breath Away." (Look up how many hits Berlin had after that one!) Probably because "Don't You" really did capture who Simple Minds were at that moment -- for better or worse, as they were now a decade into their career -- the band wound up hitting the Top 40 again with "Sanctify Yourself," "All the Things She Said," "Belfast Child" and today's SOTD, "Alive and Kicking." 

Page 1 Roundup (02/25)

The Daily News: Healthcare groups, lobbyists padded Cuomo campaign coffers amid COVID crisis, immunity push ... and he's been accused of sexual harassment and more bullying

Twitter: Original Nine of women’s tennis, Lleyton Hewitt and Dennis Van der Meer to be inducted into Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame

AP: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter back at church after receiving Covid-19 vaccines

Greg in Hollywood: Let Christopher Atkins eat cake

 Instinct: Meet retired Air Force veteran Kevin Davis

Page Six: Inside actor Bronson Pinchot’s ‘very sad’ life as an ’80s sitcom star

Back2Stonewall: Edna St. Vincent Millay receives Pulitzer, Andy Warhol dies and Roy Cohn celebrates his birthday at Studio 54

NPR: Biden revokes predecessor's pause on green cards

The Daily Mail: UCLA runner is banned from cross country team after audio and texts showed him using the N-word when his girlfriend cheated on him with a black male student. My only question is this: Did his MOM record that conversation in the car?!!!

Just Jared: Tom Holland goes pantsless

Vulture: The 101 greatest movie endings of all time

Boy Culture: Legendary bodybuilding hunk Reg Lewis dies

New York Post: College student found hanged after telling friends she had been raped

BosGuy: Caption this photo

The Washington Post: Many of Biden’s nominees of color run into turbulence in the Senate -- although happy to see Haaland now appears to be on track for interior secretary

FDA review confirms safety, efficacy of single-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, especially against severe cases

The New York Times: South Dakota AG pushed by critics to resign over new evidence in fatal car incident: ‘He knew what he hit and he lied’

A new coronavirus variant is spreading in New York, and may weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine

Should straight actors play gay roles? A star TV writer says no

Prosecutors drop DWI, reckless driving charges against Bruce Springsteen because he wasn't driving while intoxicated or recklessly

The Wall Street Journal: ViacomCBS shortens theatrical window for Paramount+ streaming service

 Can home Covid tests solve your travel woes?

Grab nice pants -- the boss is at your door with a gift

Hot Cat of the Day: Does Phoenix have to do all the work around here????

Morning Wood

 

Remains of the Day (02/24)

When I met with Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau in 2016, I said the world needed more leaders like him. A lot has changed since then, but my sentiment remains the same. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the years ahead. pic.twitter.com/jRJH7fpm2R

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2021

You can't show up in that suit and not expect this to turn into some kind of Skype sex outing 

Why are the rich so incredibly rich?

1950 tax rate 70%

1980 tax rate 47%

Today they are only paying 23%.

The rest of us re paying about the same since 1950. Who paid for those tax cuts? The poor and middle-class.

That's wealth redistribution. In other words legalized theft.

— Scott Huffman (@HuffmanForNC) February 23, 2021

"Tax cuts pay for themselves"  

Ron Johnson is up for re-election in 2022 in a state that just elected a Democratic Governor, a Democratic Lt. Governor, a Democratic attorney general, a Democratic Senator, and a Democrat for president.

— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) February 23, 2021

Critics slam Sen. Ron Johnson for unfounded claim that ‘fake Trump protesters’ led riots: ‘It’s disgraceful’ 

"Deregulated Texas residential consumers paid $28 billion more for their power since 2004 than they would have paid at the rates charged to the customers of the state’s traditional utilities" https://t.co/6NBqPmlHSG

— Justin Miller (@by_jmiller) February 24, 2021

Rachel Maddow: Huh. It's almost like letting the energy business run itself might not be good for anyone except the energy business. (And those whose palms they grease to get treated like this).

A 'Mayor Pete' documentary is coming to Amazonhttps://t.co/W49VNt6ckI

— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) February 24, 2021

A documentary about the political rise of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, directed by Jesse Moss, has been picked up by Amazon Studios. 

Mariska Hargitay Opens Up About Feeling 'Devastated' When Chris Meloni Left Law & Order: SVU​ https://t.co/8j9ApgbwdQ

— People (@people) February 24, 2021

I can certainly UNDERSTAND why. 

Biden said to nominate two Democrats and a voting rights advocate to USPS board, increasing pressure on Postmaster General DeJoy https://t.co/JF5gdPchYa

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 24, 2021

Robert Reich: Louis DeJoy is still postmaster because he can only be fired by the USPS Board of Governors. The current Board consists of two Democrats and four Republicans. But there are three vacancies. To save the postal service, Biden must fill those vacancies and send DeJoy packing. 

I can't believe people are STILL struggling with basic Zoom etiquette. Remember:

- MUTE yourself when not speaking

- USE "raise hand" to avoid interruption in groups

- Make sure your CAT is in view

- Don't forget to tell me your cat's NAME

- Please tell your cat I LOVE them

— Celeste Labedz (@celestelabedz) February 22, 2021

Harvey101 

#Texas Man Charged With Murder Used @Grindr To Target His Victim @Star_Observer https://t.co/WLH2iLVOG9

— GlobalLGBTNews 🏳️‍🌈 (@GlobalLGBTNews) February 24, 2021

Benjamin Davis, a 29-year-old Houston man, has been charged with capital murder after using the hook-up app Grindr to target a gay man and rob him, but then murdered the man, identified as Victor Najera Betanzos, at his westside apartment. 

5.6 Percent of U.S. Adults Identify as LGBT, Up from 4.5 Percent in 2017: GALLUP https://t.co/EHg1A8zt8T pic.twitter.com/A5pHtGbZFY

— Towleroad (@tlrd) February 24, 2021

FYI: I wonder where nonbinaries fit into this, because I sit when I pee. 🤷

Related: Activists are pushing President Biden to uphold a campaign promise to add the nonbinary designation “X” to federal IDs.

Safe to say Johnny Cash had nothing to do with "The Muppets" set including a Confederate flag. Explaining "A Boy Named Sue" to today's LGBTQ+ activists might prove more difficult(!) ... CC: The estate of Shel Silverstein

Wrestle Wednesday

 

So ... what does the "C" stand for?

Song of the Day: 'First Time He Kissed a Boy' by Kadie Elder

 

A big thank-you to Steve, who alerted me to this adorable clip by the Danish duo Kadie Elder that is just one ball cat away from being the ultimate Me video!

Page 1 Roundup (02/24)

The Daily News: Tiger Woods rushed to surgery with leg injury after rollover car crash in Tracy Austin's neighborhood

THR: George Clooney to produce docuseries about Ohio State wrestling sex-abuse scandal 

Boy Culture: The HIV positively hottest moments of 'It's a Sin'

The WoW Report: Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet and owner of City Lights bookstore, dies at 101

Hot Slut of the Day: Dick Island!

New York Post: This is the SUV Tiger Woods was driving at the time of his (latest) accident

The Randy Report: Grindr poll asks how Covid-19 has affected 'social’ behaviors

The Washington Post: No officers indicted in death of Daniel Prude, a Black man pinned and hooded during mental crisis

Biden administration preparing to sanction Russia for SolarWinds hacks and the poisoning of an opposition leader

Former Capitol security officials blame intelligence lapses for deadly Jan. 6 riot

The New York Times: Man shoved by officers during protest sues Buffalo Police

With new grand jury, Justice Department revives investigation into death of George Floyd

Southern Baptists expel 2 churches for LGBTQ inclusion

The Wall Street Journal: Facebook’s tussle with Australia over news is just the beginning

The new work-from-home uniform: A business suit that’s pajamas, too

For Linda Lavin, being normal wasn’t an option

Hot Cat of the Day: These are the 10 most feline friendly cities in the U.S.

Morning Wood

 

With shirt. And WITHOUT.

Remains of the Day (02/23)

Conversation of a lifetime with an 18x Grand Slam champion.

Dinner plans sorted for next year, hey @DjokerNole? 😁 🍴 ✨@ANZ_AU #TennisHotShots #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/HHL9XhiLUu

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 23, 2021

I can see liking Roger or Rafa's game or court persona better. But could either of them be this sweet with a little kid? 

A man in Arizona faked his own kidnapping, bound his wrists, gagged himself and invented a story of treasure hidden in the desert — all to get out of work this month, the authorities said. He was arrested last week on a charge of making a false report.https://t.co/FXlvP1g6yP

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 23, 2021

Has he ever thought of calling in sick? 

Movies are a tale of the times. We don't need to ban movies as society changes 🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/oa5mIjZrHe

— Dominique Clare (@DomClare) February 23, 2021

"The article says people are also outraged of the lack of diversity and LGTBQ representation. You can't honestly expected that from a movie in the 1970's can you? Come on now. History ain't always pretty. I just don't understand why we have to pretend like the world wasn't what it was back then."

Pete Buttigieg Talks Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and His Airport Marriage Proposal with Seth Meyers: WATCH https://t.co/dnhKY27y2H pic.twitter.com/b8ExW1nxbX

— Towleroad (@tlrd) February 23, 2021

When Pete and [husband] Chasten first communicated on the Hinge app, Chasten had mentioned he was at gate B5 at the airport, so when Pete was ready to propose, he waited until the two of them were going on a vacation, and asked Chasten to show him the spot where they first “talked.” 

"The LGBTQ community remains the only community, that I'm aware of, in America that it's legal to discriminate against and that's just wrong," Rep. Cicilline says, discussing the Equality Act. https://t.co/oqBBh88lBB

— NBC Out (@NBCOUT) February 23, 2021

People don't like to hear this because of course other minorities have been targeted and oppressed in unimaginable ways for hundreds of years -- but this is true. 

Congrats — Ross Mathews is engaged! https://t.co/pEK6Y7PGvi pic.twitter.com/OelIDWjnA1

— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) February 23, 2021

Love is in the air! 

A statement from Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/xgewnzAjgt

— Alexander Nazaryan (@alexnazaryan) February 22, 2021

Rachel Vindman: There is no need to capitalize witch hunt. Thank you. 

It seems that Genie Bouchard has a new boyfriend. She and Pittsburg Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph made it official during their Valentines getaway. #waytogogirl

Tennis Tuesday: Daniel Pohl

 

Jennifer Brady came up a little short in the final of the Australian Open. But strength coach Daniel Pohl -- the self-proclaimed "1st Beast Tamer Germany" -- more than filled the bill in the players' box. 

More HERE.