Daily Loaf

Steve Kornell with Democratic Committeewoman Linda Lucas at Shackleton's.

It was a mixed bag for gay voters last night. The vote to preserve marriage equality came up short in Maine, but great strides were made in local elections — including St. Petersburg’s City Council race.

Steve Kornell, one of the most impressive candidates in any local race this season, won his St. Pete council seat by a surprisingly large margin — 59.46% to 40.54% — over his opponent, Angela Rouson. He is the first openly gay person in the history of the city to be elected to public office. Like Kevin Beckner, the first openly gay Hillsborough County Commissioner, Kornell brought qualities to his candidacy that transcended issues of sexual orientation: strong community involvement, great campaign preparation, specific ideas and a sharp mind. His election, like Beckner’s, is a heartening sign of progress — even though St. Pete voters elected a new mayor who, like Rick Baker, refuses to march in gay pride parades. (Bill Foster was making sympathetic noises about domestic partnership benefits toward the end of his campaign, though, so there may be some hope there.)

Kornell was not the only LGBT candidate making history last night. Read the rest of this entry »

Our loves holes lose elasticity with age, usage, and childbirth, which is unfortunate because the tightness of the anus and vagina contribute to sexual pleasure for both men and women. This is why it’s necessary to exercise these muscles daily.

While I was in nursing school, one of my instructors continually made negative commits about anal sex and how it destroyed the body. To give you an idea of how ignorant she was, when a gay student pointed out that not all gay men participated in anal sex she said, “Yeah right!”  I eventually dropped that class. She was either homophobic or just trying to justify why she wouldn’t let her husband do her in the ass. She was probably one of those uptight people who didn’t like sex anyway.   Read the rest of this entry »

Marvel Comics has always been known for its human touch – for its focus on continuity before capes. Spider-Man wasn’t born of Krypton, but Queens: your average boy next door. The Fantastic Four were fantastic, yes, but a family first. Before getting his act together, Tony Stark, Iron Man, drank more than my dad on a Monday. They’re human.

It’s that touch that has drawn readers (and conglomerates) to their pages for 70 years. Man before Super, Woman before Wonder.

In 1963, the X-Men blasted, flew, bounced and ice-slid into the comics world as character first – but also social commentary.

Before this, superheroes were always different – “special” – but with few exceptions, praised for it. Any minority could enjoy them next to the majority, perhaps identifying with their differences: but what about their acceptance? Could they identify with that?

Spider-Man was often looked down upon by the city he protected, but his powers were the result of circumstance. Bruce Wayne was feared for his differences – but he had elected to become Batman. (Not to mention that, by day, he was a millionaire. Tough life.)

But the X-Men – that was it. That was the key. It wasn’t choice that made them who they’d become. It wasn’t circumstance that had made them different.

It was birth. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t have any reason to think 99% of the developers who programmed, designed or otherwise helped create the new X-Box Live Arcade game Shadow Complex hate gay people. I’m assuming they don’t. But I do know that one man associated closely with the game is a talented writer and outspoken anti-gay advocate named Orson Scott Card, a man whose books I used to love and whose fevered anti-gay rhetoric I utterly despise. Shadow Complex is set within a fictional near-future America that is the setting for Card’s novel Empire. That novel is also published in conjunction with Chair, the developers of the game. Chair previously worked with Card on the game Advent Rising and their Web site state plans for future projects based on his work. Card himself has done interviews promoting Shadow Complex. I lay all this out in advance because I want to make clear that Card is firmly connected to this game, albeit at an inspirational rather than hands-on level (as far as I can tell).

The game itself is really a ton of fun. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the many happy couples who posed for CL's Gay Wedding Photo Booth.

St. Pete Pride was big and beautiful, with an estimated attendance of 80,000 and weather that cooperated quite nicely, including some welcome (and brief) showers. In keeping with the cover story of this year’s Gay Issue (which even the St. Pete Times noticed — check what the marcher is holding in this photo), CL went all out in support of same-sex wedded bliss.

As CL’s unofficial gay married couple (don’t tell our respective husbands), ad director James Howard and I practiced our beauty-queen waves from atop the CL float (aka truck), James with a wedding bouquet and me with a baseball-cap bridal veil. We stood beneath a beauteous white gay-zebo designed and constructed by Elke Lockert and her team of creative geniuses.

Our Pride booth had a wedding-reception feel, too, complete with free photos for couples (gay and otherwise) by Denis Baldwin and Samantha Goresh, and the chance to compete for a honeymoon escape at TradeWinds Resort in Treasure Island.

Stay tuned to found out who won; meanwhile, check out our couples photo gallery.

Don’t feel like getting married in one of the six U.S. states that allow same-sex marriages? Never fear! America isn’t the only place same-sex couples can marry. Gay marriage is legal in seven other countries. However, six of those countries have strict residency requirements that make it difficult for non-citizens to obtain a marriage license. But O, Canada! On July 20, 2005, the Canadian Parliament approved a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and there is no residency requirement! Good news, eh? So, Americans, if you want a change of scenery, look to our Northern neighbors. Find the info you need after the break on Canada and other countries’ same-sex marriage rules and regs. And check out Creative Loafing’s Gay Issue 2009 for links to more info on being gay in Tampa Bay — including details on how to win a Big Gay Honeymoon during the St. Pete Pride Parade and Festival. Read the rest of this entry »

Say you’re a gay or lesbian couple looking to get hitched — legally.

You can’t do it in Florida, of course. Or in the 28 other states where citizens — influenced by religious belief, right-wing propaganda, homophobia, ignorance or all of the above — have opted for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

But increasing numbers of voters and legislators have taken a more enlightened route. Apparently struck by the fact that Massachusetts has not fallen into the Atlantic Ocean, four other New England states — and Iowa! — have made gay marriage legal. So, as we enter St. Pete Pride weekend and the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the Daily Loaf is posting info on how to get married and where, starting today with these six states. We’ll also be providing details on the seven countries that allow gay marriage, including Canada, and the states where the potential for gay marriage looks hopeful. Want to find all this info in one place, and lots more about being gay in Tampa Bay (including how to win a big gay honeymooon)? Check out the Creative Loafing Gay Issue 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Disclaimer: Each self-identifying poly person has their own take on these matters. This is just one of them.

Not too long ago, I wrote about being a credit to one’s kink and the problems I have with mainstream media covering my “kinks” in particular. Sure enough, an article on The Daily Beast about triads who wish to marry caught the attention of Fox News last week. They have since turned the matter into another round of slippery slope arguments that was chronicled by Media Matters. The claims are so ludicruous that I figured I would have to ram my head against concrete for it to make sense. Kudos to Jenny Block, author of Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage, for holding her own during her appearance on Fox & Friends.

First and foremost, there is no movement among polyamorists to lobby for marriage rights. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s going to be interesting to see how a TV host, an attorney, the founder of one of the area’s largest social networking sites and a USF professor pull off <em>Regrets Only</em>, Paul Rudnick’s comedy about Manhattan trendsetters and gay marriage.

People who (for the most part) don’t usually act are going out on a limb this Saturday by performing in a play for a good cause.  Although the actors will technically be “on book,” they will also be moving around the stage, using props, wearing costumes and performing with sound and lights.

“You could call it the Sodomite community, but that only affirms the male aspect (laughs). “Homosexuality” at least encompasses men and women.” —Bill Keller

The first installment of The Devil’s Advocate with Bill Keller drew lots of traffic and more than a hundred comments. Welcome to our second Q&A. I’ll be playing the role of Devil’s Advocate.

One of our most controversial religious figures, Pinellas-based Bill Keller is known for his incendiary rhetoric and unbending view of Bible-based morality. He believes homosexuality is an abomination, abortion is murder and … you can pretty much guess the rest. Click here for a bit more detail on Keller’s ministry.

Today’s Topic: Is Bill Keller a hatemonger?

The Devil’s Advocate: Your adversaries often call you a hatemonger, or something along those lines. So I guess the most basic question is: Do you hate people who don’t conform to your Bible-based views?

Bill Keller: You know, that is probably the most laughable charge ever levied against me. If I hated people, nobody would know my name. The fact is, I love people. I love people enough to tell them the truth. If I didn’t care, if I was a hatemonger, I wouldn’t do what I do.

I don’t want to see people go through the tragedies of this life. I want people to be happy in this life and enjoy the life everlasting, and I know that’s only possible through Jesus Christ. The fact that I tell the truth isn’t an act of hate, it’s an act of love.

The way you say things about people — gays, Muslims, Mormons and the like — is often done with a harsh, judgmental tone. It doesn’t sound all that loving.
Read the rest of this entry »

A new video, in anticipation of the country-wide protests against divisive anti-gay marriage initiatives, shows Slash and his wife Perla Ferrar speaking out against California’s Proposition 8. (Well, Slash doesn’t speak as much as wail on his guitar.)

Here’s an interesting clip of Thomas Friedman talking about the green revolution. (Oh, and hardcore pushing his new book, Hot, Flat and Crowded.) Interesting how he castigates the right for the language they used to demonize “green,” but then segues into thoughts on how to better talk to those same folks. I’m wondering, if someone thinks that not living in their own shit is sissy and “European,” why bother talking to that moron at all?

• Once out of office, Bush might still be able to block subpeonas.
• How to spend the $700 bailout? Not on this crap.
• Obama loves the techies.
• TECO customers: Prepare for a serious rate hike.
• Alaska’s Ted Stevens now down by three whole votes.
• Civil rights watch: Gay marriage now legal in Connecticut.
• The Dow: How low can it go?
• Joe Maddon named AL Manager of the Year.

Thank God NBC finally got around to posting “Giraffes!”, the hilarious skit/mini-movie that ran on last weekend’s Saturday Night Live. That was the same night as the “John McCain on QVC” skit. That was very funny. This is so bizarre it’s transcendent.

• Our long, county-wide nightmare is over.
• “Sanity returns to the county.”
• Would you believe Obama’s agenda includes “Getting America back on track?”
• Obama can thank the Youth Vote, I-4 corridor, red counties, black voters, foreclosures, Hispanics for his FLA victory.
• Hillsborough GOP turmoil.
• Looks like gay marriage proponents and black people in California need to have a conversation.
• “She didn’t know the nations involved in the North American Free Trade Agreement. … She didn’t understand … that Africa was a continent and not a country.”
• Smoke up Michigan and Massachusetts.
• October consumer spending number digs six foot hole, climbs in …
• … Upon hearing the news, the Dow quickly followed suit.
• Is that Santa Claus or is it still Halloween?
• Hottest Bond girl? If you answered Grace Jones, please turn in your penis.