Remains of the Day (05/30)

Attitude: Gay athlete Jake Williamson breaks Hyrox world record in men’s open doubles

NBC News: Some global LGBT travelers are skipping America this Pride season

The Fight: Ryan Phillippe on playing daytime TV’s first gay teen: “I was afraid”

Parade: This "DWTS" hunk says he would strip down to host Chippendales

The Guardian: Saint Etienne on their final LP: "We want to go out in our prime"; interesting to hear Bob Stanley rank the band's first eight albums HERE.

Saturday 'Stache: About popped a wheelie in my britches when I saw Jack Innanen

Tucker Reynolds: And now a message from the first gay human: “Hey, Zog, did you make the fire today? You’re hot -- it’s hot.”

Instinct: "Glee" alum Chris Colfer turns 35 and is all grown-ed up

Pew Research: Most LGBT adults say there’s a lot of social acceptance for people who are gay or lesbian, but few say the same for those who are transgender

Boy Culture: Jacob Elordi is hotter than ever in "On Swift Horses"

GCN: A new wave of books celebrating gay spaces

Ad Watch: When Adam DiMarco reminded us that kindness is sexy -- in a bi-friendly way!

SI: Half a century ago at Roland Garros, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova faced off for the first time at a major. Today, their connection has grown into something greater.

EW: Rob Lowe shares shirtless photo with his son John Owen at the gym (I'm still peeved their Netflix show got canceled!)

Interview: Inside Ryan Murphy's new suite at the Chateau Marmont 

Dekkoo: Does your heart belong to "Daddy"?

People: Man who came out as gay at 90, once-closeted 29-year military vet share their stories in new "Late to the Party" documentary

Speedo Sunday: Jonathan Bennett bulges out of his husband's swimsuit

Hot Cat of the Day: I tried to search the origin of this photo and it might be the second coming of Brian Haugen, "star" of one of the best documentaries out right now called "Hey Beautiful." 

If you've watched, I hope you'll agree that no, this COULDN'T happen to anyone. That German woman is still completely hoodwinked $1.5 million later and giving more to a new scammer! Trailer HERE.

Two Cats in a Bag: Keep me away from Cynthia Nixon at a dinner party, folks: First I was deeply disturbed how she insisted her being gay was a "choice," And now I find this to be the entirely wrong takeaway about "Sex and the City," which premiered in 1998. Gay people were THRILLED to feel seen and recognized at the time and loved every second of it. Of course do better moving forward but it's pointless to beat yourself up about well-intentioned stuff from the past.

RIP: Loretta Swit, aka Hot Lips of TV’s ‘M*A*S*H,’ dies at 87

Busch League: St. Louis PrideFest 2025 will be charging a $10 cover for the first time ever to make up for the loss of corporate sponsors. The queers must be SO RELIEVED to not have that pink-washed money ruining everything!

ICYMI: Adding this from March because I'm just now seeing it: Desmond Burks, the man charged with killing Dr. Devon Hoover, was found competent to stand trial. The beloved Detroit neurosurgeon came from an "Amish-light family of old-order Mennonites," according to a friend of mine who grew up with him in Indiana. As such, he seemed to struggle with his sexuality and it appears he was in a paid sexual relationship with the suspect. 

Ooh La La: Arthur Fils

As I prepare for a post-Nole landscape, I think I have a potential new fave in 20-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils. See why BELOW.

On the Rag, Vol. 859

 

This week's rag 'n' mag roundup features Vlad Parker, Ashley Parker, Chasten Buttigieg, David Geffen's estranged husband, a winning OnlyFans diver and more BELOW.

Song of the Day: ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’ by Saint Etienne

Today marks the 35th anniversary of Saint Etienne's first single, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart." I remember I was driving through my West L.A. neighborhood in my convertible VW Rabbit when I first heard it on KROQ and being blown away, like I'd never heard anything that sounded like this before. That 4/4 arrangement and piano-bass-drum-section -- a dance cover of an old Neil Young song my brother Bill used to play in basement in Detroit. Who could come up with something so good and so completely unexpected? 

I immediately headed over to MobyDisc on Wilshire Boulevard to see if they had it -- and sure enough there was a copy of "Foxbase Alpha" in the used bin, the perfect price for a recent college grad making $23,500 a year as a research assistant at a newspaper. I was immediately taken by the entire album -- albeit confused why the vocalist on "Only Love" was different from the glamorous blonde pictured on the back cover (The booklet said Moira Lambert sings "Only Love").  

Fans would later figure out that Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs had envisioned Saint Etienne to be a collective, with guest singers (Donna Savage sang their second single, "Kiss and Make Up"), before hitting off so well with Sarah Cracknell (who sang the group's third single, "Nothing Can Stop Us Now") that they decided to keep her around for good. And thank God they did! 

The band would go on to become one of my all-time favorites, whom I've seen in concert more than any other and shelled out more money for re-releases, maxi singles and the lot. 

Although Sarah always sings "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" at their shows, the band has never done a proper recording with her at the mic -- which they did do for "Kiss and Make Up" for inclusion on the U.S. release of the album. They've always had plenty of tricks up its sleeve, so here's hoping my idea is a farewell gift to come. 

If they can make a new video with Sarah in it, they can make a new version of the song!

Bob Stanley:

Today marks exactly 35 years since the release of our first single on 28th May 1990. It's so long ago it feels like the days before electricity. I can still remember clear as day working in Ian Catt's bedroom studio after six -- after six! We hardly ever did that again! -- with Harvey Williams playing that ground-shaking bassline and Ian splicing the quarter inch tape. Getting a finished copy felt like we’d built a bridge, then crossed it.

Pete Wiggs:

When the elements of "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" came together it genuinely felt like some kind of magic had taken place, it had been a dream to make a record and this sounded like one.

Note: "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" ranks fifth on my list of covers that are better than the originals. See the other four HERE.

Ironically, the singer Moira Lambert refused to appear in the original video so Lucy Gillie from early '90s pop trio Golden stepped in to mime the vocals! 

Celina Nash, one of Gillie's bandmate, was the woman featured on "Foxbase Alpha" cover. 

Read why Bob Stanley thinks it's their worst album HERE.

Remains of the Day (05/28)

Out: Benito Skinner teases "Overcompensating" season 2 storylines

Gothamist: Infant's dead body used as chew toy by family dog

The Caftan Chronicles: Tim Murphy wanted to interview free-expression advocate William Johnson, who just moved to Florida to fight book bans. But William wanted to interview Tim -- so they queried each other, on everything from our first porn to living a meaningful life in dark times.

MetroWeekly: Kae Ecstatic makes Masturbation Month(!) spiritual and sexy 

Parade: This gay music star tried to sneak into the AMAs in college

HuffPost: We noticed something different about Lauren Weedman on "Hacks" the other night and now we know what it is

Wrestle Wednesday: When you can't hide how excited you are to be on the bottom

Star Observer: First out gay NBA player Jason Collins marries longtime partner Brunson Green -- congrats, guys!

NPR: How "pride" shifted from vice to a symbol of LGBT empowerment

Instinct: Ricky Martin flaunts physique ahead of two-night Las Vegas concert

The Advocate: Democrat Adam Schiff to be the first U.S. senator to participate in California’s AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride

Threads: Josh Horowitz asked Alexander Skarsgard why he’s not wearing pants in his IMDB profile photo because he believes in journalism 

People: Queen's Freddie Mercury had a secret daughter, new biography claims

Vulture: We're so lucky Matt Wolf was able to make "Pee-wee as Himself," as heartbreaking as much of it was. Let the vile homophobia Paul Reubens endured be a constant reminder that we must never let up.

People: Stripped of their royal titles, King Frederick of Denmark makes a surprise move for his nephews

PinkNews: Tom Daley opens up about body image issues

Parade: "I Kissed a Girl" singer to be remembered with "Jillith Fair" tribute concerts 

The Advocate: Lesbian journalist Victoria A. Brownworth dead at 69

Edge: "I just love the scripts," says Adam DiMarco about revealing "Overcompensating" scenes

NBC News: 17 E.U. countries sound alarm over Hungarian LGBT laws

Marcos Giron: Nothing to see here

Hot Cat of the Day: It must be love -- love, love ...

Dining Out: My pal Erik's new book about the history of gay restaurants sounds like a hoot. If you're in NYC, don't miss his Q&A at the Strand! 

Boystack: '80s porn actor Ken Colbert's survivor's tale

Tennis Tuesday: Tommy Paul

 

Suffice to say I knew this would be the subject of Tennis Tuesday the second I saw it last Wednesday. Watch Tommy Paul and his furry chest in action BELOW.

Memorial Day 2025

 

Wishing everyone a safe Memorial Day, as we salute those who have died serving our country. I’m actually off from my "day" job (unusual for a newspaperman) -- and have already posted my XL TENNIS ROUNDUP -- so I'm also taking the afternoon off from my blog to try to take advantage of what is supposed to be a beautiful day in the city. Hope you have a nice holiday wherever you are. xo 

Weekend Tennis Roundup

Titles for Djokovic, Cobolli, Rybakina and Joint. Full report plus all the ATP beef that's fit to post BELOW.

Remains of the Day (05/23)

Edge: Harry Jowsey is a "bad boy"

NYT: Life on TikTok gave trans man Sam Nordquist the illusion of love -- and a brutally sad end

NBC News: Trailblazing gay rights activist Frank Kameny honored for turning his firing from Army into lifelong mission

Injustice for All: Jerry Falwell Jr. got to diddle that hot pool boy AND got paid $15 million by Liberty University for it?

IG: Carly Simon covered Rolling Stone 50 years ago, promoting the release of "Playing Possum"

Saturday 'Stache: He's sexy as all get out -- and he can do your makeup!

Pop Rocks Radio: A nice tribute to the great Josie Cotton, who is still performing and making music four decades after "Johnny, Are You Queer?"

EW: Zachary Levi says people don't want to work with him due to his ignorance

ICYMI: Harvey Milk could have been 95 years old

DNA: Alexander Skarsgard tells Stephen Colbert about his “very graphic, kinky, gay biker film”

Us Weekly: Tommy Dorfman files for divorce from wife Elise Williams after nearly two years of marriage

IG: Hello, Big Red

The Wrap: Former editor of The Recount arrested on child pornography charges

Attitude: Benito Skinner reveals directors have asked him not to audition for straight roles

Us Weekly: Ryan Serhant sells Andy Cohen's West Village apartment for $12 million -- and he only had to slash the price $2 million(!)

NYP: Former tennis star Jelena Dokic confirms death of estranged father, Damir Dokic, at 67 

The Advocate: From trauma to triumph, will NYC Councilman Erik Bottcher become the city's first out gay mayor one day?

Speedo Sunday: Do I need to sign for that package?

Hot Cat of the Day: Buonanotte con il mio baby 🐈♥️

   

Song of the Day: After 35 years of heavenly pop, Saint Etienne have decided to call it a day. They’re not “breaking up,” per se, as Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Crackness remain great friends but they’re ceasing operations. They’re going out with a bang, one last album, "International," which will be released Sept. 13 via Heavenly. "Glad" is the first single, but something I'm not feeling about the news. 

In Public: Lovely to see Dusty Springfield honored with a statue in her hometown of West Hampstead

Reading List: While the pandemic was deadly and costly, it did give two gay men time to produce a couple cool things: Michael Hawke's Gay New York 1970s and '80s group on Facebook -- and now Marc Zinaman's "Queer Happened Here," a new book based on his fascinating Instagram account I already adore.

Municipal Art Society + Housing Works will host a book talk on June 25. Details HERE.

Meme Spirited

 

More memes that are sure to get me in trouble with my web host BELOW.

On the Rag, Vol. 858

 

This week's rag 'n' mag roundup features Jon Hamm, Benito Skinner, Luke Evans, Jonathan Groff, Kitt Williamson and more BELOW.

Tennis Birthdays: John Newcombe Turns 80; Novak Djokovic Is 38; and Karen Khachanov Is 29

 

Sending my best to 7-time Grand Slam singles champion John Newcombe -- 26 total majors including men's and mixed doubles -- and former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, who ranked No. 13 on my grossly outdated list of the 100 hottest ATP players of the open era!

Aussie heat ...

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic celebrated the big 3-8 with a win Geneva.

... and an on-court cake.

And Karen Khachanov celebrated the last year of his roaring 20s with his family -- in what looks like a hotel room. 

Happy birthday, guys!

Remains of the Day (05/21)

Vanity Fair: Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor tell a heartbreaking love story in "The History of Sound"

NYT: Corporate sponsors, who were already needlessly treated like pariahs by the queers, nervously retreat from New York Pride

Boy Culture: All of Benito Skinner and his costars' nakedest moments on "Overcompensating"

People: Connie Francis, 87, reveals hilarious response when told her song "Pretty Little Baby" was a viral hit after 63 Years

Wrestle Wednesday: This kid's just begging to be turned out

Sene Studio: Sexy Karue Sell, Naomi Osaka’s former hitting partner who recently turned pro at 30, is model material

NBC News: Three men sentenced to decades in prison for murder in NYC gay bar drugging scheme

OMG Blog!: Jon Hamm's butt stars in "Your Friends and Neighbors"

MetroWeekly: Young woman was severely beaten and robbed at a suburban Chicago McDonald’s after being confronted about her sexual orientation by two men

Queerty: Black Rose, Cher’s short-lived 1980 rock band was a notorious flop but it paved the way for her next comeback

EW: Wendie Malick -- who now plays Harrison Ford's girlfriend on "Shrinking" -- recalls how she blew her "Raiders of the Lost Ark" audition back in 1980

Salt Lake Tribune: University of Utah shuts down LGBT youth health clinic citing lawmakers’ crackdown on gender-affirming care

DNA: I thought I recognized this hot piece of ass from an old season of "The Real World"

Bergen Record: How would New Jersey's candidates for governor approach LGBT rights and abortion?

ILoveTheUWS: Farewell, Shakespeare & Co.: The Strand to take over Upper West Side location

Hot Cat of the Day: He may have nine lives, but it never hurts to have more

Broadway Bares: Mark and his blue jockstrap need your donations now

RIP:

George Wendt, Norm from "Cheers," dies at 76

Colton Ford, gay adult film star cum singer, dies at 62

Shane Doyle, founder of the storied East Village venue Sin-é, dies at 73