L.A. Football Teams Sponsor Venice LGBTQ Pride

Some upbeat news to end your week from the Golden State.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

The Rams and Chargers are in a so-called “Fight for L.A.,” a competition that includes wooing — and accepting — new fans from all parts of Southern California’s diverse population.  

Both franchises have reached out to the LGBTQ community to help sponsor this weekend’s second annual Venice Pride celebration of diversity.  

Each sponsored a letter in the VENICE sign that will be illuminated Friday at 9 p.m. as part of a sign lighting and block party in Venice.  

The Rams committed to sponsor the letter C in early May, becoming the first NFL team to officially sponsor a Pride event, said Grant Turck, executive director of Venice Pride. The Chargers signed on later in the month to sponsor the letter N.  

“It opens a place for our community within the NFL,” Turck said. “The ultimate message is: inclusion wins. “If you choose to be inclusive, that’s the more prosperous approach, not just for the LGBTQ community but for everybody.”

Hear! Hear! And for the record, I have been a fan of L.A. football since Howie Long sported a sexy 'stache while playing for the Raiders when they were based there.

Celebrating New York City's LGBT Pride

Took a break from Gay Pride partying this year, only swinging by the Village to see the newly anointed National State Park designation on the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park -- aka the Stonewall National Monument -- then barely catching the tail end of the parade nestled away from the action on Waverly Place.

Was overjoyed to see Hillary Clinton was "with us" as much as I'm with her. 

And was tickled to see the lesbian couple who posed for one of the famous Stonewall Inn sculptures in the park found out about the bar's historic designation from a reporter! 

Watch HERE. 

I also made the acquaintance of my friend Chad's artsy pal (Anthony) A.E. Kieren, who was hired by Julius' to sketch pride revelers ...

It's not easy being green ...

President Obama Issues 2016 LGBT Pride Month Proclamation

President Obama has unveiled his final LGBT Pride Month Proclamation. Here's hoping our next leader believes in the rights of LGBT people as much as he did. I'm gonna miss this guy.

Big Apple Pride

Rebecca Smeyne's yellow taxi may be Gay Pride NYC 2014's instant iconic shot, but Boy Culture had more fun on a float with gay-for-pay hookers and the like HERE.

Happy Gay Pride Weekend, Everyone!

As you must know, we celebrate pride at this time of year because the Stonewall riots occurred this weekend back in 1969 -- on the night of June 27th/early morning hours of June 28. Thanks to all of the men and women, femmes and butches, dykes and trannies, who paved the way for us today!

Wythe Hotel to Host Pride Celebration

This image they sent is so fabulous I couldn't resist sharing. The festivities -- including special screenings of "How to Survive a Plague"and "Short Bus" -- take place June 26-29 and the details are all HERE.

Love & Pride

Via a news release:

Matinée returns to NYC Pride next week with its biggest outdoor pride party ever, MATINÉE NEW YORK PRIDE 2014. Taking place Saturday, June 28th from 4:00pm – midnight on Governors Island, the spectacular event will feature 4,000 sun-kissed men dancing to music by party king DJ Boris, Matinée Spain All-Star DJ Lydia Sanz and Matinée NYC DJ Theresa. Plus, due to record ticket sales, Matinée has added a second stage featuring red-hot rising DJs Eric Abobo, Gino Santos, Josh Whitaker, Kenneth Rivera, Kimani G, Philip Grasso, Rico Alexis, Sdot John, Sveta, Ted Bishop and Jorge Bustillos.

Tickets are available HERE.

L.A. Pride (In the Name of Lust) Part 2

What did I say about those Los Angeles boys?

L.A. Pride (In the Name of Lust)

 

 I'm not gonna lie, NYC: I've always thought L.A.'s gay pride was more fun than ours.

NYC's Pride March: The Early Years

New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center has more of these fascinating shots HERE.

And speaking of LGBT history, Roland Emmerich is currently shooting a film about the 1969 Stonewall Riots -- aptly titled "Stonewall." Read an update from the set HERE.

Pride (In the Name of LGBT Love)

I have a feeling this year's gay pride parade is going to be the most joyous one yet. The site's already up and looking great -- see what's brewing HERE!

Morning Wood

By far the hottest photo I spotted in NYC Pride's Pier Dance album!

Cher Turns Back Time at NYC Gay Pride Pier Dance

Cher, looking a fraction of her 67 years, was strong enough -- if not long enough -- at the Gay Pride Pier Dance tonight in Manhattan, dazzling her adoring fans with "Strong Enough" (complete with wig), "Believe" and her new single, "Woman's World." A full set is about the only way the boys could have been happier -- although I'm pretty confident another farewell tour can't be far behind!

(I hear that Cher's look was by Ashton Hirota of the label Ashton Michael.)

Happy Gay Pride!

Hope you're having a great pride season wherever you are!

   Watching the parade on Fifth Avenue with Michael, Frank and Craig 

Little, Medium and Big Edie T-Shirts for Sale

'Cause I know you want one, too!

Via Joe My God:

Due to popular demand following yesterday's JMG post, the publishers of the national Pride Magazine have decided to make this year's historic Edith Windsor cover available as a limited edition t-shirt, which will be shipped with a physical copy of this year's magazine. Reserve your shirt and magazine now by writing to PrideMagazine2013@Gmail.com. Just state your name and the desired size. You will be contacted for shipping and payment details shortly. The price is $19.95 for all sizes in 100% cotton.

Denver Post

Pat Robertson would probably say this storm struck Denver's Pridefest on Sunday because they're a bunch of heathens. But you gotta admire this one young couple of lovebirds, who seemed to take the whole thing in stride ...

'Matinee' Idols

The e-mail's subject said: 

NYC's Biggest OUTDOOR Pride Party is Back! 

 I don't remember it ever being "gone," but you had me at the invite photo. Info HERE.

And speaking of summer, Out has your first look at the season's hottest swimsuits HERE.

Go East, Young Men!

Further proof that gay life in Washington is worlds away from my 17th Street/Dupont Circle heyday: The gay pride parade is moving to 14th Street, a place we wouldn't have set foot on if our lives depending on it in the late '80s and '90s. (And it would have.) Read HERE.

Postcard From NYC Gay Pride

Had a great time at the Gay Pride parade yesterday, in large part because of our friends Benny, Jay and Robert -- and Robert's three visiting friends from Puerto Rico, for whom this was an extra special occasion being in town for the festivities. Running into Arpad Miklos didn't hurt matters much (I wish!) -- and if you don't know why I'm so happy to see him, you obviously haven't seen THIS (do not watch at work). Hope you're enjoying the season to be gay wherever you are, too!

With Michael, Jay and Benny

I don't know about favorite!

How Annie got her groove back ...

  Super Hero Love: Just married, together 15 years 

The Rainbow Connection: That big cardboard dong isn't what you think it is

Strike a pose

Robert and the PR guys: Marcelo, Sigfredo and Miguelangel

Now For Something More Serious...

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This post was written by guest blogger Frank Anthony Polito.)

Today's (212) News:

From MSBC: Chelsea Stops Traffic on Gay Bar Crawl

Chelsea Clinton in Philadelphia

From NME: 'N Sync's Lance Bass Speaks Out About Being Gay

Lance Bass makes PSA for Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network

From San Jose Mercury News: San Ramon Valley Students Celebrate Gay Pride Week

Students spread awareness about accepting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.