Looking Back: A Month Since the Prop 8 Bomb Dropped

“It feels like a personal attack.”

I heard at least five different people say this or something similar on the night of November 4. While friends of mine rejoiced in the streets after Obama’s win, I walked glumly by.  “Yeah that’s great, but… I just lost some of my rights.”  I stayed home from work on November 5.  When I finally stumbled out of my apartment to get to class later that day, I remember glaring at people on the street.  ‘Would you take my rights away? Don’t I deserve to take care of my family?’

The major bum-iness subsided after a few days, leaving me a little hurt and a lot confused.  After spending the better part of a year working for the movement, fighting for LGBT equality, had I really accomplished anything? 

I didn’t point fingers.  Everyone was equally to blame for the passage of Prop 8.  The opposition was sneaky, well-funded (overly so, IMHO.  To quote Wanda Sykes, “The California food banks, their shelves are bare.  Instead of spending your money on hate, why don’t you buy a couple of cans of pork and beans?  Pork and beans, they stick to your ribs, they don’t fill you up like hate).†  And our side made mistakes, too.

But I’ve been overjoyed by the visibility and support from our community and allies.  I was lucky enough to attend both big rallies last month in New York City.  Here are videos of the events that I produced for GLAAD:

Sure, some might ask, “where were these public displays before November 4?”  But I disagree.  This was a wake-up call.  My generation is more involved than ever, and I’m confident for the future.  2010, here we come!

† I’ve lately had this weird food association with Wanda Sykes, ever since she was the talking apple in those Applebees commercials.  So despite the fact that I had just eaten dinner, when she started talking about pork and beans, I was starving.  Wanda, you make a boy wanna eat somethin’ now!  Love you!

In Search of the LOL, Part 2: Pugz

So, there’s plenty of things I’ve been meaning to write about.  Prop 8 passing, the ensuing rallies, the “Milk” movie.  But then I got distracted by pugs.

You do NOT understand.  You just can’t.  Pugs will take over the world with their cuteness.  I mean… those head tilts!  They’re hypnotic.

Actually important blog entries to come once these dogs’ vise-like grip on my attention has been broken.  Oh, and homework.  Should finish that up, too.

(Kudos to Rich over at FourFour for finding this garden of pugly delight!)

UPDATE: Just remembered what these dogs reminded me of.  The Kodama spirits from “Princess Mononoke”!

Welcome Back

Hello Lovelies,

It’s been a while, hasn’t it?  Yeah… sorry about that.  The past few months been a time for adjustment. Quick rundown: I’m out in Brooklyn now, right off of Prospect Park.  It’s taken some time, but I’m completely in love with my new ‘hood.  I’m back in school for one more year (Thank God.  Wasn’t Senioritis only supposed to be a high school thing?  Guess not.)  This newfound independence is … different.  But I’m more comfortable in my own skin than I’ve been for a while.

And c’mon, it’s fall, the most beautiful season of all!  Time for brisk jogs at the golden hour, fancy-schmancy pea coats and tasty pumpkin-flavored treats.  Can you feel the energy?

Speaking of which, who isn’t excited for this election?  Even if you’re waiting expectedly for it to be over, there’s so much at stake come November 4.  More on this later.  But for now, to all you Californians, No on 8 dammit!

That’s it for now.  Until next time, here’s some Adele.  Listen, love, lather, rinse, repeat.

Worth Watching: “Batman: Gotham Knight”

With everyone gearing up for the release of “The Dark Knight” (have you bought your tickets yet?), most of the hubbub surrounds Heath Ledger’s performance.  But if I could divert your attention from the late thespian for just one moment, I’d like to introduce you to “Batman: Gotham Knight.”

It’s pretty much “The Animatrix” for Batman, with six interlocking stories created by notable directors and comics writers.  Alex and I rented it last night, and we were hooked.  I’d see it again just for the “Have I Got a Story for You” chapter.

For all the gayz out there, look out for the “Ugly Betty” connection.  Ana Ortiz (a.ka.: Betty’s older sister Hilda on “U.B.”) contributes her voice to the character Anna Ramirez, a police officer and true believer in the Dark Knight.

P.S.: Kevin Conroy, please don’t ever die.  No one could ever replace you as the Voice of Batman. 

Weekend Excursion to the New Museum

With a little preview of spring last weekend, Alex and I decided to venture out of hibernation for the day. After a delicious brunch of chocolate-chip pancakes with our friend Alissa, the three of us walked from Chelsea down to the Bowery to check out the New Museum.

I’d heard some of the hubbub around the museum, especially around the ACT UP/Gran Fury neon sign and the rainbow “Hell Yes!” logo on the outside. It’s a fairly small building, compared to its more established cousins like the MOMA or the Guggenheim. But considering what it does have (chair sculptures, anyone?), you won’t be disappointed. Go on a clear day for great views on the seventh floor Sky Terrace.

Cascada!

La Mina Waterfall, El Yunque Rainforest

Puerto Rico, March 2007

AuralSex 1: Finale/New Beginnings

Let’s welcome a new feature on the blog, which I’m calling AuralSex. It’s a collection of wondrous sounds that make love to your ears. Plus, they call you the next day at work, just to see how you’re doing!

I’ll be frequently updating with new playlists, interviews and ramblings.

So pack your bags, get in the car and wave goodbye to 2007 as you drive off. It’s a new year and you are ready.

With that in mind, let’s start 2008 with some quality music all about beginnings and ends. From somber visits to a friend’s gravestone, to dreams of flying away, each song has a different answer about what it means to leave our past behind and start anew.

Download “Finale/New Beginnings” Here
Tracklist:

1. Objects Of My Affection – Peter Bjorn & John
2. Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Hearbroken – Camera Obscura
3. Forca – Nelly Furtado
4. Dreams – The Cranberries
5. Running – No Doubt
6. Cold Wind – The Arcade Fire
7. Forecast Fascist Future (IQU remix) – Of Montreal
8. The New Year – Death Cab For Cutie
9. Breathe Me – Sia
10. Wicked Little Town – The Breeders
11. If You Fall – Azure Ray
12. Oh My God Ft. Lily Allen – Mark Ronson
13. New World – Björk
14. Happy Home – Garbage
15. Little Bird – Annie Lennox

After the jump, a selection of music videos from the included tracks.

My name’s Nathaniel! I like to dance!

Yes, it’s the end of the week, and all bets are off!

Here’s a little YouTube video brought to you by E’s “The Soup.” I just can’t stop watching it.

Want more ? Check out the various “Yo Gabba Gabba” remixes that people-with-a-little-too-much-time-on-their-hands have posted. I’d highly suggest “NathanielRol’d.”

In Search of the LOL, Part 1: Incredibly Pregnant Women

A few days ago, while I was stirring the soy milk into my morning coffee, I came to an unfortunately startling realization:

I have a fucked-up sense of humor.

This isn’t to say I only laugh at “fucked-up ” situations (i.e.: black comedy, death, terrorism, outed conservative senators. . . oh wait). Instead, I have neither found rhyme nor reason to what actually makes me LOL.

And so I present a new feature to this blog. Something I’m calling “In Search of the LOL,” I’d like to find out what makes me actually laugh out loud. To determine what works of comedy, absurdity, or just general randomness tickle my funny bone, and hopefully discover some link between these seemingly independent events.

Case #1: Bonnie, the ever-present pregnant neighbor on “Family Guy.”

Bonnie: I don’t want to bring a new baby into the world with him hanging around.

Peter: Okay Bonnie, first of all, you’ve been pregnant for like six years, alright? Either have the baby or don’t.

Umm. . . HAH!

Isaiah Washington donated to Obama’s campaign

My new Advocate story!

Campaign filings show Washington gave to Obama

Political operatives are in motion sifting through opponents’ latest financial filings in the presidential race, as The Washington Post reported Tuesday. One point of interest for LGBT voters is that former Grey’s Anatomy star Isaiah Washington, a lightning rod lately for gay criticism, gave $2,300 to Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign.

The donation came on May 4 and is the maximum amount an individual can give to a presidential candidate per election. Washington used a homophobic slur against Grey’s costar T.R. Knight last year, then repeated the word at this year’s Golden Globe Awards in January; he later apologized on Larry King Live, and his contract was not renewed on Grey’s Anatomy.

Obama now faces the classic “Should he or shouldn’t he return the money?” question asked of candidates who receive funds from donors that some observers find objectionable. Kenneth Sherrill, professor of political science at Hunter College, says the Washington case is par for the course.

“Virtually every candidate gets money from people who are controversial. This is an exercise of free speech on Washington’s part,” said Sherrill, noting that Washington should be able to participate in the political process. “Under current American constitutional law, he’s got a right to give his money to a candidate. The difference here is, it’s public; we know who he gave money to.”

All three Democratic front-runners have faced check-rejection dilemmas in the past and likely will again. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Obama’s campaign gave back $37,000 to Wilmette, Ill., businessman Tony Rezko, who is fighting public corruption and business fraud charges.

During Hillary Clinton’s Senate reelection campaign in 2005, the senator returned $5,000 to the political action committee of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., after serving on the company’s board from 1986 to 1992. She believed that the company should provide better worker benefits, according to the Associated Press.

John Edwards returned $10,000 to employees of a Little Rock, Ark., law firm during his 2004 presidential bid after one of the firm’s clerks said she expected her boss to reimburse her for her $2,000 donation, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Obama campaign officials declined to comment about whether they would return Washington’s donation, instead forwarding the following statement to The Advocate: “Barack Obama strongly disagrees with the statements made by Isaiah Washington last year, but he joins members of the GLBT community in encouraging [Washington’s] efforts to seek counseling and his decision to tape a public service announcement on behalf of GLAAD.”

Washington made the PSA, in which he decried hate speech, as part of his effort to make amends for using the slur against Knight. It began airing in May.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation declined to comment on Washington’s contribution to Obama. (Padraic Wheeler, The Advocate)