Writer Edmund White Dies at 85

Doing an emergency blog post on my phone to report that Brad Gooch just shared the news that the writer Edmund White has died. 

Brad writes: 

Dear Ed White (1940-2025) longtime friend and hilarious, perennial lunch buddy. You were like no one else in my life or in all of our literatures. Another world has cratered. #edmundwhite

Much more will be said and written about this influential and prolific wordsmith -- whose debut novel, "Forgetting Elsa," came out in 1973 and whose most recent work, "The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir," came out earlier this year. But for now I’ll just say: Rest in peace, you dirty old man. You will be remembered.

Mirror Man

 

Just a reminder that I'm active (for my age) on Instagram -- gym selfies and everything! -- where you can find me HERE.

Tennis Plays Final NYC Set

 

I had a realization as I stood enraptured in the sold-out crowd for the indie band Tennis's farewell concert in New York City -- with the Brooklyn and Verrazano bridges, Empire State and Chrysler buildings and World Trade Center, decked out for Pride, all within eyeshot: Music is my religion -- so if this is how others feel in their houses of worship, who is this anti-church agnostic to judge?* 

Although I still have my legacy acts -- albeit with members of them dropping like flies -- that Tennis is calling it a career after 15 years, the same year my other "current" band (Saint Etienne), couldn't be worse timing. For me to accept a group that formed in the 21st century was a huge leap(!) and their dissolution leaves a huge whole in my entertainment pipeline. 

Spoiler: The setlist felt perfect -- "I'll Haunt You," "Ladies Don't Play Guitar," "Always the Same," "Runner," "Matrimony," "One Night With the Valet," "My Emotions Are Blinding," "Weight of Desire," "Mean Streets," "Hotel Valet," "No Exit," "Glorietta/Pillow for a Cloud," "I Can Only Describe You," "In the Morning I'll Be Better," "Diamond Rings" (my personal favorite) and "How to Forgive" with "Pollen Song" and "12 Blown Tires" as the encore. Damian later mentioned "I Miss That Feeling" was his only quibble, which prompted me to retroactively crave "Need Your Love." (Was also surprised that their current album, the sublime "Face Down in the Garden," got relatively short shrift; was really hoping to hear "At the Wedding.") But since the tour is doubling as a "new release" slash "farewell" event, I think they struck just the right balance. (They have seven studio albums, two extended plays and countless singles to their credit.) 

Where we -- and they -- go from here is anyone's guess. Damian is hoping their retirement will be akin to that of tennis player Danielle Collins. At the very least, I'm hoping Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley release more music in whatever shape suits them moving forward, because as Damian said to me during the show: "There will never be another band like this, will there?" And the answer seemed pretty clear to the thousands on hand, the biggest crowd of their careers: Definitely not.

*So long as what you worship doesn't interfere in other people's lives, liberties and pursuits of happiness.

P.S. Shoutout to Beauty Queen, aka Katie Iannitello, who sang a little backup. I'm discovering she has recorded a bunch of great music I'm digging into now!

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Tennis Tuesday

My husband saw this guy and asked me if he was "Tennis Tuesday worthy." The answer was obvious, but you can decide for yourself BELOW.

Remains of the Day (06/02)

Edge: Cory Boling can't wait for Saturday 'Stache

NBC News: Trans people, local governments and educators face rising anti-LGBT hate, GLAAD report finds

Us Weekly: Further proof that "queer" as an identity doesn't seem to mean anything -- and certainly nothing that isn't covered by LGBT 

NYP: British Airways flight attendant goes missing on superjumbo A380 jet, found naked and dancing in bathroom bender

CBS News: LGBT student club bans clears Texas Legislature

NYT: Shirley Manson, the unexpected godmother of rock

THR: Not surprising but still harrowing to hear that In Touch, Life & Style, Closer and First for Women magazines all ceasing publication

HuffPost: Nathan Lee Graham reimagines a Judy Garland classic -- for a great cause

WaPo: These 7 iconic places in D.C. are key to gay history and LGBT rights

BuzzFeed: Vote which gay TV and movie couples have the best chemistry of all time?

Out: Koby Falks, gay Australian adult film star, dies by suicide at 42

GCN: Six mayoral candidates talk LGBT issues at Red Eye NY forum

PinkNews: Tom Daley "often" speaks to closeted queer athletes who don’t know what to do about coming out

The Advocate: Andy Cohen's high-end furniture sale benefits LGBT cause

Dallas Voice: Gay actor Jonathan Joss, who hilariously played Wamapo Indian Chief Ken Hotate in "Parks & Recreation,” shot to death in San Antonio

Hot Cat of the Day: You might wanna get out your crying towel for this one. xo

RIP: Very sad to hear about the death of Valerie Mahaffey, who was brilliant in everything she was ever in; Joe Hackett can finally relax

Weekend Tennis Roundup

We're into the second week of Roland Garros and the surprises keep coming. See photo highlights BELOW.

 

Must say these quarterfinals are pretty tantalizing. Thoughts? Predictions? 

Season of Pride

Went to see Tennis in concert tonight at the Rooftop at Pier 17 and must admit the World Trade Center made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, in just the way the Gays of Peloton exemplify so beautifully HERE.