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Big September issues of fashion mags are coming, which means a 9,397-page issue of Vogue (and that's during this recession; usually the thing has 37,842 pages!) and also nice big issues of the men's fashon mags.
Football season is coming, too... So Details is celebrating this sporty occasion and the oncoming return of flannel-wearing season with their September issue. Yep, they've got big hot man-pony (and Gisele-accessory) Tom Brady on the cover. He looks dreamy, if a bit cardboard somehow... Not that I'm complaining.
More pics after the jump! Touchdown! Pics via NY Post PopWrap.
Continue reading "Hot QB Tom Brady Shows Us His Details: Nice New Pics!" »
 
From left: Spain's Fernando Verdasco is currently ranked #8; Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro is #5 in tennis-land. And the both look rather nice, don't ya think?
A shameless post on a nice summer morning: Hot Male Tennis Players shirtless (and then some)!
We're just stealing a post from our pals at AfterElton; go there for lots more nice pics of athletic tennis lads looking cute, in honor of the French Open and all. This batch of guys may introduce you to some raquet-swingers you didn't know, and it's always good to be educated, right?
And yes, we haven't forgotten the obvious ones: Roddick, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Blake... Enjoy!
-- Stunt Double from AfterEllen.com
Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. If you are still unsure about how to spend your Sunday evening, look no further. AfterEllen.com has constructed a fool-proof, flow-chart-based guide to help you choose the best option available to you.
What will you be watching?
Face it, Sports Fans! The Super Bowl is kicking The Oscars' ass!!! Meaning, how come the Super Bowl gets all the good (bad) food -- chili! wings! beer! -- and the good commericals, and the ridiculous half-time show mania!???
These are the questions plaguing Liz Dahmen and John Polly this week in their Best Supporting Vlog! Industrious Liz gets her football shoulderpads on to figure what the froofy gay Oscars can learn from all the guy-powered Super Bowl sound and fury.
For starters... Beer Cozies! T-Shirts!
 
Continue reading "The Super Bowl Vs. The Oscars: Best Supporting Vlog, Episode 5" »
Rodeo men on the road, from the NY Times Magazine. Photos and video by Collier Schorr. The cowboy way looks pretty good indeed...
A quick Saturday morning post that I had to share... I was just perusing the New York Times site and came across a video feature (which is a sidebar to a style feature and a gorgeous photo essay by Collier Schorr in tomorrow's Sunday Magazine) that chronicles the lives of young rodeo cowboys on the road.
Now, these fellas certainly seem straight, but you can't help but be charmed by their "aw shucks" demeanor, their scrappy good looks and sweet dispositions. And yes, they all share hotel beds, talk about bareback riding (ahem! it's actually almost jarring and refreshing to hear that term used in it's traditional sense), getting into "pickles," and living in a "world without women." And they sure like to show off their belt buckles.
Just watch the video "Cinderella Motel" and you'll see what I mean.
So, who wants to go to the rodeo with me?
 
Broadway's gods and goddesses will bare their heavenly bodies -- all for charity!!! -- this Sunday in NYC. Hallelujah!
This Sunday night, the hottest men and women of Broadway dance around nearly naked for charity. Yep, it’s Broadway Bares time again. Here’s some nice eye candy (with commentary!).
AND...
This Rufus Wainwright vs. Anderson Cooper gymcentric slapfest has prompted a new debate: Which is the gayest gym in New York City? (Er, aren’t they all gay?)
Whoa... This whole “Eeek! Is my husband gay?” mania has gotten way out of control. (Thanks Mrs. McGreevey and Terry McMillan.) Even the Barnes & Noble in Chelsea is in on the act.
Paper Magazine’s Mr. Mickey is a smart chatty fellow. And now he offers sartorial (and lovelife) advice online! Tidbits: Straight frattish boys like lacey panties! And to be fabulous? Just be yourself.
The Village Voice’s Michael Musto serves gay dish on Lily Tomlin, Tom Cruise, Anne Heche... But, like, fun new stuff!
Ouch. Maybe tennis players should wear cups?
Annette Funicello never looked like THIS... Meet Jessica, Melissa, Gingi, Erin, Michele and Vanessa of CURL GIRLS.
Hear the crash of the waves? Smell the cocoa butter? Getting a whiff of some soon-to-be-drama? What you're really hearing and smelling is savoring is what may just be the foxiest new show of the summer. Or at least the sunniest. It's the new lesbian surfer reality series, CURL GIRLS, which is coming in a couple of weeks, on Logo (starting Monday, June 18th at 10pm). (I'd link to the show's site, but it's not live yet. File it under "Coming Soon!" Like, tomorrow.) I'm hoping this series is gonna be hawt; as of yet I haven't seen any of it, but I did get to meet an couple of the women in April at the GLAAD awards and they were fun, and funny and friendly and wildly cool.
And it's soooo time for queer women to have a cool, foxy reality show on their own terms. And they look amazing in bikinis, but not the least bit airbrushed or boob-a-licious. They're just real and sporty and surfing and awesome-looking. What's not to love!???? More Curl Girls -- and VIDEO -- after the jump!
Continue reading "Look What Washed Ashore: Curl Girls!!!" »
The two classiest celebs of all on the stage during the GLAAD Awards in L.A. this past Saturday? Easily it was the pair of former pro athletes who've moved on to become powerful voices of gay activism in the sports world and far beyond.
John Amaechi talks the good talk onstage at GLAAD. First up was recently out former-NBA star John Amaechi, who may just be the most well-spoken, elegant and kindest-seeming out celebrity fighting the fight today. Amaechi took the stage to announce that he'll be working with GLAAD on a new outreach program that the organization has planned to curb the rampant homophobia prevalent in the sports world. Amaechi's a natural speaker (sure, his dulcit British accent doesn't hurt either), and his moving message onstage becomes even more impressive when one learns that he wasn't reading from a schlocky teleprompter speech. He was speaking from the heart. You can see it when the GLAAD Awards airs on Logo this coming weekend... Anyway, what a guy!
And here's a shot of Amaechi at the post-awards party with his friend (boyfriend maybe?) Joey. The two were embracing outside while chatting with friends. (They opted for a more casual pose for this pic.) They were great looking together. Awwwww...
John & Joey, chillin' after the show. The other legendary class act at GLAAD. Not surprisingly, Martina Navratilova, who's always been a valiant fighter for LGBT rights (since coming out waayyyyy back in 1981). She was funny and powerful and insistent on how gay rights are her personal passion. She may have retired from tennis but, when it comes to gay rights, Navratilova said "I will never retire until we have full equality." She was awarded the Stephen F. Kolzak award for her years of activism. Laughing about the video montage shown of her as part of the show, she cracked: "That video, those hairstyles! Sanjaya's got nothing on me... But at least I can play tennis." Ouch!
 
Martina, gracious onstage... And backstage, too! Anyway, big props to these two athletes/gay legends. We're lucky to have them.
New Zealand rugby hottie Dan Carter wants to show off his new Jockey undies line. But he's too shy.
This just in from New Zealand... Dan Carter, star of the New Zealand rugby union team, the Canterbury Crusaders and for the All Blacks (I have no idea what those things mean), is quickly becoming the Southern Hemisphere’s answer to David Beckham. He’s hot, a superb sportsman, and he’s modeling undies. And, er... he’s hot! Earlier today, Carter hosted a press conference unveiling his new line of sporty man panties for Jockey. Weirdly, he was too shy to undress and show off his skivvies at the press conference, but there are lots of pics online of him peddling his wares.  
Carter up top. And all over. And the underwear is apparently revolutionary, with “3D Innovation!” As the PR info sez: “What makes Jockey 3D innovation so exceptional is that it’s dimensionally engineered, so it exactly follows the shape of the body.” Evidently the Jockey folks anatomically researched 11,000 men to make sure the briefs would fit just so. And it’s got “8-way stretch design” (who knew your crotch and butt could stretch 8 ways?) which eliminates “twisting and bunching.” Whoa. I think I need a shower. 
Just go here and here to see Dan in his drawers. And check out this site where Dan does sit-ups for all enternity. Stretchy!
Introducing starting quarterback, Karl Lagerfeld... (more on this below)
Hey sports fans! Here’s a run down of some athletically supportive headlines...
Peyton Manning’s hosting SNL next weekend (on March 24th). I think he’s kinda funny already... Carrie Underwood will be the musical guest that week. Which means the show will be very, very white.
Lots more after the jump...
Continue reading "Sports Buzz Bits: Peyton Manning “Live”, Chanel Plays Ball, and Gay Jocks Score Ad $$$" »
 
Former NBA player John Amaechi is coming out! Welcome to openly gay-land, sir!
Okay, I should really say FORMER NBA player comes out, since John Amaechi retired from his last stint with the Utah Jazz in 2003 (he also played with the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers), but nonetheless, it’s kinda cool. He’s the first NBA player ever to come out as a gay. (Plus, he’s big, tall, good-looking and has a cool British accent. What’s not to love?)
Amaechi shoots for the English team at the Commonwealth Games a few years back.
Amaechi tells his story in Man in the Middle, to be published by ESPN books and which hits stores on February 13th (or on Feb. 20th; reports are conflicting). Turns out that the British b-baller is really frank about his life as a closeted pro athlete. And it’s cool to report that’s he’s very graceful, smart, self-deprecating and witty in how he tells his tale. Turns out that after his initital post-collegiate stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Amaechi spent three years playing basketball in Europe, where he dated and had a regular boyfriend in England for a while (awwwww...). He came back to the NBA in 1999, and remained celibate until he joined the Utah Jazz. Then, as Outsports writes:
His guaranteed contract with the Jazz set his mind at ease, and it was there that he began venturing out to gay establishments and building a mostly gay circle of friends (the first wide circle of friends of his life, according to the book).
"Those grumpy social conservatives who continue to insist that gay life is lonely and unhappy have obviously never met my friends," Amaechi wrote.
In fact, it turns out that Amaechi has been in touch with OutSports’ Cyd Zeigler for the past few months, and Zeigler even helped him hook up with publicist Howard Bragman, who also steered the coming out process for other pro jocks like WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes, NFL-er Esera Tuaolo and golfer Rosie Jones.
This is gonna hit bookstores in the next week or so. Get it!
You can hear more from Amaechi directly this weekend. He’ll be the subject of ESPN's weekly talk show "Outside the Lines" this Sunday, February 11th at 9:30 a.m. ET. The book will also be excerpted next week on ESPN.com and in the next issue of ESPN: The Magazine.
Does this mean we can expect bad puns on the term "swish"??? (Which usually references the sound a ball makes when it goes through the net...) Oooof.
Congrats, Amaechi!
Drenched Colt Dallas Clark beams after Indy's big rainy win at the Super Bowl last night.
Quick thoughts on watching the Super Bowl last night...
I was happy the Colts won. Yep, I too am a sucker for America’s Sweetheart, Peyton Manning, mainly because of those funny MasterCard commercials. (I loooove it when the kid shrieks when he gets spritzed in the face with the latte steam. Cracks me up every time. Durrrr...)
Peyton Manning and Colts coach Tony Dungy endure the throngs of media types and well-wishers following their big win.
But I also love the Bears running back, Thomas Jones. We both went to the same high school and college, and he’s a super-cool, classy athlete. Still, I was glad to see the Colts turn it out. (Maybe I just like blue-and-white more than black-and-orange?)
The Bears' Thomas Jones: All wet at the end of the big game.
Frankly, the highlight of the game for me was Prince’s halftime show. I thought it rocked, and I love seeing the androgynous superstar—who seemed to turn on his fey charms last night, bigtime—seizing the focus for a fun, splashy and sassy musical throwdown at this traditionally patriarchal sports-fest. Also, that back-up singer in white with the tamborine charging around the stage was fierce. As where the two long-haired back-up dancers. And the phallic guitar silouette moments were hilarious! Plus, the grand finale with “Purple Rain” served up all-anthemic like in a rainstorm, while marching bands wearing glow-in-the-dark piping on their uniforms strutted around was just killer. Go Prince! Best halftime show, ever!
Prince reigns in the rein last night during the Super Bowl's fiercest halftime show, like, ever.
Who doesn't love a big quasi-phallic Princely bit of shadow dancing during halftime, eh?
But what’s with that Snickers ad where the male mechanics accidentally kiss—then have to uncomfortably re-assert their “manly” status? I mean, it wasn’t unconscionably offensive, but it was uber-lame. And I always thought two guys kissing was twice as manly...
At first, I was surprised by this ad’s boldness—the two guys munching on the same candy bar was pretty suggestive... But then it wussed out and retreated to its weird version of quasi-homophobic immaturity. And if you go to the Snickers site, you see other possible endings, which are also kind of offensive. And the video of the players reacting to the ad is a weird little showcase of unpleasantness. And hello--I expect Snickers knew they'd get a bad reaction from the athletes, and still chose to run the clips of them being grossed out by two guys kissing. What's that about? As, Andy at Towleroad mentioned about all of this, no wonder pro athletes stay in the closet. Let me know what you think.
Also, not sure of any further reports about Colts’ coach Tony Dungy’s involvement in this Focus on the Family event. Sounds creepy.
Anyway... Here are some choice Super Bowl pics from last night... Including a shot of the always festive Johnny Knoxville hitting the Playboy Super Bowl party in Miami (with Alyssa Milano).
Johnny Knoxville and Alyssa Milano: Say cheese!
Happy Colts Dallas Clark and Robert Matthis get frisky with the big Vince Lombardi trophy after the Colts win the big Bowl game last night. Or maybe they're trying to re-create that Snickers ad?
Colts Reggie Wayne and Anthony McFarland also got all excited last night. Awwwwww...
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri beams in the locker-room post-game.
Towel-clad Colts players celebrate the post-game way in the locker room with their coach--and about a zillion reporters.
Meanwhile, a bummed-out Bear, Hunter Hillenmeyer, takes it all in as Chicago loses. Better luck next year, dude.
Figure skating champ Johnny Weir. Sure, he's flamboyant. What's wrong with that? Read on...
So there’s a video clip from Nancy Kerrigan’s "World of Skating" show wherein Kerrigan and commentors Lou Tilley, and openly gay skating maven Mark Lund all have a snarky meow-fest tearing Johnny Weir a new one. Ouch!
Why they gotta be mean to a fun, flam-glam skating diva like Weir? It’s like kicking a My Little Pony!
First, they show a video clip interview of Weir, which is genius. Weir says he’s got a “stronger look” in mind these days, and that he’s planning a skating routine “loosley based on Jesus Christ” (!!!!) Sounds genius. It’s bound to be way more fun to watch than say, The Passion of the Christ, yo.
 
Mark Lund & Nancy Kerrigan: Gettin' together for a Johnny Weir-bashing party...
Then Mark Lund, who's credited as “Founder, International Figure Skating” (which is a magazine) then turns all skater-commentator-hater on Weir saying petulantly: “I’m sorry—I don’t think he’s representative of the community that I want to be a part of. And who designs these outfits?” Meow! Lund then goes on about Weir’s mention of Jesus: “You can not compare yourself to the Lord Savior as a figure skater! I mean... (gasp! fume!)”
The trio then gush about up-and-coming skater, Evan Lysacek, who may herald the next generation of skater. Which is cool. He’s way cute. But then Lund says that Lysacek has a “classic elegance and masculinity on the ice that we need to see in male figure skating. I’m sorry, I don’t need to see a prima ballerina on the ice.” Hmmmm, I’m not sure people look to figure skating as a bastion of aggressively butched-out athletics, but that’s just me.
And they still needn’t all gang up Mean Girls-style on Weir? What’s their damage? Are they jealous they didn’t get to walk the Heatherette runway like Weir? Or because Weir has the fiercest website, like, ever. (Go here and check out his faves. How can you hate on a guy who’s favorite show of 2006 is The Girls Next Door?)
C’mon, people. Can’t we all just skate and be friends?
Kelly Sweet: 18, sings nicely, and not trashy. We like!
There are no shortage of eager, earnest young vocalists out there. But it’s rare that one kind of busts out in front of the crowd to make an impression. Or, at least an impression that’s not snared by screechy American Idol antics, or just skeezy behavior on reality TV.
So arriving to add a bit of class to the music world is newcomer Kelly Sweet. Yes, she’s 18 years old, but she’s got a worldly wise vibe to her. And while the Cape Cod native is poised to become the next adult-contemporary darling (her debut disc, We Are One, due in March 2007, is produced by folks who’ve cranked out hits for Josh Groban and Celine Dion), she’s got a sense of oomph to her work that lends it a bit more impact. She’s already gotten props in pubs like USA Today and Teen People; and she’s had her tunes played on the soaps “Passions” and “One Life to Live”—so yes, she’s starting to make the media rounds. Right now, she’s got a version “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” out which you can hear, too.
Sweet writes much of her own music, although she also turns out a pretty nice version of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” too. Basically, her stuff is smart and sensitive singer/songwriter pop music. Think of it as very Gilmore Girls-y.
Whoa. It looks windy out there in sensitive, wispy pop-music land!
The first single from Sweet is called “Raincoat,” which will hit radio stations in early January. And the titular ballad “We Are One” is going to have dance remixes, too.
Sweet’s even got nice, inspirational quotes posted on her blog section of her MySpace page. Here’s a part of one that she likes; it’s a quote from Martha Graham, writing to Agnes DeMille (wurk!):
“You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others."
Yep, ya gotta love that queer, divine dissatisfaction.
Go Eagles! These folks are among those making Boston College a better place for LGBT students. Cool, eh?
Todd Heustess over at OutSports (you know, the website for gay sports fans) is continuing his cross-country Tailgating Tour, and his most recent trip took him to the thriving tailgating scene at Boston College. And he had a great time.
Cookin' "out" at B.C. Get it? "OUT?"
But, what suprised Heustess this time around was the pioneering spirit, the courage and the energy of BC's young queer coeds, who are very actively working to change the way LGBT folks are perceived and treated at their school. Sure, Boston's a modern, hip city that's used to gay folks, but nonetheless, Heustess was astounded to find out that Boston College was recently ranked the "#3 Most Homophobic School in the Nation." Gulp!
Check up on his visit, and meet the very cool and impressive students working to make sure that their school is one that queer students can be proud of. Pretty cool stuff.
Go team!
Gay football fans (and tailgatin' party people) at Ohio State. Go Buckeyes!
I’m not the world’s most sporty person, but sometimes you can’t deny your roots. I was raised in a sports-loving family in Virginia (high school football, college football, baseball, golf, skiing, basketball—my brothers and I were all up in that), and so this past weekend when I headed south to Roanoke, Virginia to visit family, we made a trek to Charlottesville to attend the Virginia vs. Maryland football game. (I went to University of Virginia, so it’s a nice little time-warp trip for me to visit C’ville any old time. Check my grainy cell-phone pics below...) And yes, we tailgated, like one does. There were beverages (beer, wine, otherwise) ham and cheese biscuits, baked beans, fried chicken, cakes and everything else you could desire comfort-food-wise. What’s not to love?
 
Left, the UVA team charges the field (they're down there with the band, running through the big "V") in Charlottesville this past Saturday. And (right) a shot of the Rotunda from the university grounds.
Turns out, there are gay college football fans tailgating every weekend all over the U.S. Some do it with their friends and fans, others do it with official gay alumni organizations. Heck, maybe they even have a gay tailgating crew at your favorite school! (If you went to college, ask your alumni assocation or gay student group, if you can track them down.)
This just leads me to direct you to OutSports.com, the totally killer website clocking all things sporty and of interest to gay folks. And this fall, OutSports’ Todd Huestess is on his own Tailgating Tour (or would that be tail-“gay”-ting?), and so far he’s checked in with queer football fans whooping it up at the University of Texas, at the University of Arizona, and at Ohio State.
More gay Ohio State tailgaters!
Todd’s wrap-ups from games all over are a fun, social (and sporty!) snapshot of gay life integrated into mainstream (very mainstream) culture, and they’re fun to read. You’ll read about the “undercover lesbians” in Texas who attend the ball games thanks to the “hot chicks, big beers, and even bigger boobs.” And he hangs out with the official gay fraternity brothers in Tuscon, as well as a local gay bar owner who’s had the same choice tailgating/parking spot for years! Plus, a thriving gay alumni scene at Ohio State.
Here are some pics. And gay college football fans take note... Chances are, you could be tailgating with fellow homos somewhere this weekend. Go team!
Look! Ohio State's official LGBT group banner. Yay!
And yet MORE Ohio States fans queerin' it up.
Meanwhile, the gay folks at University of Arizona know how to throw a party, too.
You think these Arizona fans are painted all over?
These Arizona women are turnin' it out too, thanks.
And at University of Texas, it's all about longhorns and burnt orange...
...and suggestive corndog eating.
...and, duh--FOOTBALL!
See you at the game.
Four out of 5ive ain't bad. And they ain't gay, either.
OMG! The U.K. boy band 5ive are back together (sure, you’ve possibly never heard of them, but they’re big in Europe). And they all just totally came out as gay!!!! Oh wait, not really...
Dirty Sanchez isn’t just a band featuring gay performers Jackie Beat and Mario Diaz... Just ask Saved By the Bell’s “Screech,” who’s got a sex tape allegedly making the rounds. Yikes!
A British footballer is being called out for barking anti-gay slurs during a heated match last night. Paul Scholes shrieked “f***ing poof”—and the Brit gay activists aren’t having it.
Rosie: She is loved.
There are some fierce women on TV these days: Rosie, Sandra Oh, Tina Fey—and Tyra! Let AfterEllen clue you in.
Ashlee Simpson collapses onstage in London. But, hey... She meant to.
So the Scissor Sisters album is out now. But not if you shop at FYE or Wherehouse or Coconuts? Who knew record distributors were so sensitive?
Sir Ian: Lookin' (and talkin') sharp!
And you gotta love the articulate, self-deprecating, and supremely talented Sir Ian McKellen:
"It's not the greatest imposition in the world to say you cannot be a Hollywood romantic lead in his 20s if it's known you are gay. Get another job. Became a character actor like me. Become a director. Become a screenwriter. Become an agent. A designer. Become a producer. There are plenty of openly gay people in all of those jobs. What's so enduring about being the next Brad Pitt?"
Read the entire (it’s long!) and fabulous interview on AfterElton.
Can we call them "Leichen"? The boys hit the U.S. Open yesterday, just fyi...
Just in case you were wondering where Reichen and Lance were yesterday, why they were at the opening day festivities at the U. S. Open, naturally...
Meanwhile, today in Queens, the lovely, fab, and openly gay Wimbledon champ Amelie Mauresmo faces off against Kristina Barrios; and the second-ranked Maria Sharapova (love those “I Feel Pretty” Nike ads) will meet Michaella Krajicek. And among the men Rafael Nadal will battle Mark Philippoussis and James Blake (who enjoys an Evian bath center court) looks to splash around the court with Juan Monaco.
Andy Roddick defeated Florent Serra to advance yesterday. And he flashed that classic Roddick torso!
From the stands uber-legend Martina Navratilova gave a big “heyyyyy...” to the adoring crowds. But what's that woman's hand doing near her crotch?
And outside, more celeb types showed up, including another mega-legend, Billie Jean King. In fact, before the night session began, the entire U.S. Open tournament grounds were officially renamed the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. King is the only woman to win U.S. singles titles on all four surfaces. Work!
And here’s the rest of the Day One visitors.
Bebe Neuwirth's all like, "Er, I've got my ticket. Can I go watch tennis now?"
And Gayle King is totally not gay, and not Oprah's girlfriend, all right? She's just here to see some tennis, too. Yeesh!
And I'm not even gonna make a joke that goes like, "Hey--The Devil Wears a Cute Blood-Red Little Ensemble!" as Miss Wintour makes the scene. So don't even go there...
Cheers!
Happy! This medalist's smile sums up the Gay Games big finish.
The Gay Games VII wrapped up in Chicago yesterday. Medalists, participants and supportive fans gave the Games one last hurrah in Wrigley Field at the splashy Closing Ceremonies. OutSports, 365Gay and CBS News on Logo all have reports from the finale. Props to all the inspiring athletes (from figure skaters to ballroom dancers, from wrestlers to rowers) who had the courage and enthusiasm to participate.
Now, sports fans… Catch your breath because the Montreal OutGames get underway later this week, with k.d. lang, Liza Minnelli, Deborah Cox, Martha Wash and Cirque du Soleil among those entertainers ready to welcome you during the OutGames Opening Ceremonies this Saturday, July 29th.
But first, here are some parting shots from the Gay Games Closing party. And yes, Cyndi Lauper just may be gaydom’s biggest supporter ever! A rainbow-hued Statue of Liberty? Why not???
The L Word's Pam Grier hit the stage for the Gay Games Closing shindig.
Outside, anti-gay protestors were met by these warm and fuzzy anti-anti-gay signwavers.
Some kind of onstage Brokeback tribute? Okay... Sure...
And as always, Cyndi Lauper shows her gay-loving "True Colors." Let freedom ring, y'all!
Keepin' cool at the Gay Games. Photo for Gay Games VII by Edith Sieg.
Despite the sweltering temps, the Gay Games keep charging along in Chicago. Cyd and the Outsports guys bring you pics and dish from the fields. And the CBS News on Logo folks (Jason Bellini, Chagmion Antoine and Itay Hod) are running all over Chicago chatting up atheletes and gamers galore.
Among the varied offerings on tap today, you can check out the Physique preliminaries (Strike a pose! Shows us your muscles!), a concert by the Gay Games VII Band, a “Big Gay Cruise” and a Pride Pool Party. So yes, the goings-on in Chicago haven’t been all about sports. Some guys from the West Hollywood water polo crew evidently entertained club-goers by dancing onstage Sunday night at the watering hole Spin, wearing little more than hand towels! Sporty, indeed.
And a quote from one amusingly frank tennis competitor (via Outsports): ““Being used to the heat isn’t much of an advantage. me. I need Tonya Harding to come and bash my opponents’ knees if I’m ever going to have a chance to win.”
And here are some more pics to put you in the spirit of things…
The men get their volleyball on at North Avenue Beach. Spike it! Photo by Betty Lark Ross for Gay Games VII.
Beach volleyball gets huggy. Photo by Betty Lark Ross for Gay Games VII.
Diving's a pretty good way to keep cool. Photo by Edith Sieg for Gay Games VII.
Gay divers, the "stars and stripes"... Now, that's America! Photo by Edith Sieg for Gay Games VII.
Even cooler than diving (temperature wise, anyway) would be hockey! Though gay hockey's kinda hot. Photo by Jon Peterson for Gay Games VII.
And a glimpse from the DanceSport activities in Chicago. Nice ballroom, eh? Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Awww... Kinda sweet, right? Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
These women are serious dancers. And sassy! Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Getting loose and ready backstage. Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Awwww... Photo by Beth Rooney for Gay Games VII.
Soldier Field gets rainbow-hued as the Gay Games opened with glitz, this past Saturday night. Photo by Judy Rolfe for Gay Games VII.
Things are sporty—and insanely hot—in Chicago as the Gay Games VII charge ahead full-throttle. Yes, temperatures may have topped 100 degrees as Sunday’s events officially got underway, but the Gay Games officials are already taking special precautionary measures, putting hydration and medical support teams on alert. Sounds like a good time to be competing in water sports!
A participant in Saturday's Rainbow Run at the Gay Games feels the heat.
Saturday’s opening ceremonies brought talented types such as Andy Bell, Margaret Cho, Megan Mullally introducing Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Jody Watley, Kate Clinton, Frankie Knuckles, and lots more, including former NFL-star Esera Tuaolo singing the Gay Games Anthem.
All week you can expect news from the games on 365Gay.com, and Outsports’ Cyd Zeigler and his team will be delivering photos, opinionated first-person coverage, and commentary galore. Andy at Towleroad also already has some fun reports, as well as links to lots of Flickr photos pages from the Games. Plus, the CBS News on Logo team will be filing reports from Chicago daily, full of saucy video footage.
And yes, there was a streaker at the Opening Ceremonies, prompting Margaret Cho to comment: “I was so glad I got to see the streaker up close. Sitting by the field, balls whizzing by my head, oh yes, this is the Gay Games.”
Play ball, folks! And stay cool. And check out the pics from Chicago below...
Opening Ceremonies: Soldier Field gets full of gays!
Megan Mullally and Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley head up to the stage to welcome all the Gay Gamers.
The cheerleading crews hit the field to rally the gay troops.
Maggie Cho loves the gays!
So does Jody Watley!
Andy Bell does, too. And he loves Madonna.
Olympic medalist Greg Louganis took the stage to give out the Tom Waddell award for outstanding service in athletics. Nice 'stache!
The athletes grouped up to hit the field during the Opening Ceremonies. Here's Taiwan...
And some of the Australian contingent.
And the happy Irish crew...
And Papua New Guinea gets some representation, too!
A solemn moment during the festivities...
And more fireworks! Yay!
And on Sunday, sports got underway...
There were swimming events...
More swimming as part of the triathlon...
Rubdowns and triage to keep the triathletes healthy and moving...
And then more running. Go, go, go!!!
Dancers turn out the Can-Can at the annual Bastille Day bash at Les Halles restaurant in New York City.
Bonjour Mes Amis…
Today is Bastille Day in France, that lovely day when the French gays and lesbians and bisexuals and transgender folks (and the rest of the country, too) celebrate their nation’s independence. Or something like that. (Or to quote Wikipedia: “Bastille Day commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the Fête de la Fédération was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French "nation", and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.”
Sacre bleu! Here in the U.S., it’s usually an excuse for French-themed parties and such.
Is there a hunchback in the house?
A vineyard in Burgundy. Yum!
I happen to be a huge fan of France. I love Paris, the wine country and just about every place I’ve been in France. And so now, I’ll just rattle off a few other things that are great about the land of vin, fromage and Catherine Deneuve. Celebrate wherever you are, if you’d like. Or (shameless plug alert) plan a trip to Paris and check out the info on French capital on LogoOnline’s new Trip.Out travel site.
French Gay Magazines
I love the French gay magazines Tetu and Pref because they feature frank, intelligent articles about serious issues affecting gays everywhere, cool cultural coverage, and yes because they also include sexy, artful photography. And, oui, they target gay men mainly (as you can tell from the skin on their covers), but their content is worthwhile reading (albeit in French) for any smart LGBT person.
  
Vote for one of these lads (or others) to be on the cover of Tetu. Photos by Steeve Beckouet for Tetu.
Right now, Tetu has a fun stunt going online where you can vote on who gets to be one of the magazine’s cover models. These guys above are among those in the running. Go here to vote for your favorite!
And if you just happen to be in New York City tonight, you can go to a Bastille Day party at Crobar celebrating designers Nico & Adrian and Pref Magazine and NYC’s own photographer Joe Oppedisano. It’s gonna be more stylish than a shopping spree at Colette (with more drinks)!
 
 
AMELIE
Not that cutesy movie with Audrey Tautou from a few years back. I’m talking about the French lesbian tennis player who triumphed at Wimbledon last week! Sure, the Frenchies blew their chances to win the World Cup, but Mademoiselle Mauresmo is a fabulously out athlete who’s at the top of her game, so the French sports world has nothing to sob about. Plus, she’s hot!
NOUVELLE VAGUE
I love this Paris-based confab, who’ve recently been crafting delicious covers of classic New Wave or punk tunes (like The Clash’s “Guns of Brixton” or “Love Will Tear Us Apart” for the past year or so. Their arrangements veer from Brazilian bossa nova, or plonky French cabaret to strummy, almost folky, eclectic carnival tunes. Their latest release, Bande A Part, comes out in August. It features fab takes on songs like “Heart of Glass,” “The Killing Moon” and “Dancing With Myself”—and they’re all delightfully off-kilter and yet spot-on. Sip a cool rose on a terrace as you spin around in circles in your espadrilles. C’est si bon!
Jason Schwartzman, Kirsten Dunst, director Sofia Coppola, her companion, Phoenix singer Thomas Mars, and British actor Steve Coogan hit the red carpet in Cannes for the Marie-Antoinette premiere.
MARIE-ANTOINETTE
Sofia Coppola’s latest film, starring Kirsten Dunst as the legendarily capricious French monarch, opened at Cannes in May. It didn’t win rave reviews, but I’m dying to see. I can’t quite get my head around Jason Schwartzman as Louis XVI, but the soundtrack features the likes of Adam Ant, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bow Wow Wow (Yes, Marie-Antoinette wants candy!) The music was all overseen by My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, who worked so successfully on Coppola’s Lost in Translation soundtrack, so I kinda wanna see it just to experience that. And it’s bound to look gorgeous, at least. Scenes were actually filmed at Versailles!
The film comes out in the U.S. in October.
And of course there are a zillion other reason to celebrate France. Les Nubians. Gay filmmaker Francois Ozon. Camembert. Jean-Paul Gaultier. Some of the world’s best wine. And for just being fussy, freaky, fancy, foppish and fabulous.
The openly gay mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, sez: Come visit France, gays!
Sunset over the Seine. C'est magnifique.
Happy Bastille Day!
Lesbians heading to the Gay Games are going to have a busy week ahead. Sure, there are all the mad sporting events to consume, artsy endeavors and pervasive camaraderie. And yes, there are parties! For example, Curve Magazine is hosting scads of shindigs targeting the female games-goers.
There’s a Welcome Reception honoring Lambda Legal hosted by Curve and ChixMix this evening (Friday, July 14th), and next Friday (July 21st) there’s a bash called Score!, which is a ChixMix circuit party to be held, aptly enough, at Circuit nightclub. But the most fun sounds like the saucily titled Black Bra Internationale (which you know is swanky, since it’s got the “e” on the end of “Internationale”). This throwdown is promised to be “Chicago's wildest and sexiest annual dance party with thousand of sexy women sporting black bras, dancing to wild beats and live DJs, and featuring exotic dancers.” Oh my… Sounds crazier than that L Word episode when they all went to Dinah Shore in Palm Springs! For comic relief, the zinger-slinging Suzanne Westenhoefer is gonna perform, too. The Black Bra bash is on Sunday, July 16th at Transit Nightclub.
And yes, there’s also big, week-ending blowout bash to celebrate the closing of the Games on Saturday, July 22nd. Curve Mag’s Official Gay Glames Closing Party, Adrenaline, will open a can of party madness at Metro/Smart Bar. On hand will be The L Word’s newest star, Janina Gavankar, as well as Iyari Limon (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), God-Des & She (also seen on The L Word, and atop Logo’s Click List music video charts), and singer/songwriter Doria Roberts (who’s been featured on this blog!).
Of course, these female-filled smackdowns are just the tip of the lesbian iceberg. Full more party options in the Windy City, head to the Gay Games pages. And for more about these events, head to Curvemag.com.
Photo by Leslie Hahn.
Enjoy yourselves, ladies.
Amelie Mauresmo shows off her new china at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner.
Amelie Mauresmo wins Wimbledon! The French lesbian bested Justine Henin-Hardenne to take the title on Saturday. Yay! And AfterEllen has a good analysis of what it all means gay-wise.
Gay Marriage hits the courts today in California, as several gay couples see their lawsuits for the right to marry come before the California State Court of Appeal. Let’s hope this fares better than New York’s gay marriage hearings last week.
Also in Cali, Schwarzenegger’s rival says he would legalize gay marriage. This could get interesting…
Gay teens in London are picking out corsages for the U.K.’s first ever Gay Prom.
Are you a young, eager magazine type to be? Did you love The Devil Wears Prada? Want a big gay mentor? It just so happens that openly gay Star Magazine Editor-in-Chief Joe Dolce is looking for an assistant. Send in those resumes, now! "We're sure a million young gays would kill for that job..."
Dancin', dancin', dancin'! They're dancin' machines!!!
The Gay Games, which kick off in Chicago next month on July 15th aren’t only for sporty folks participating in those events one traditionally thinks of—like basketball, soccer, softball, track and field… There for all manner of skilled and talented artists. Take, for example Soren Kruse & Bradley Stauffer who are the U.K. Ballroom champs and will be traveling from London to go for the gay DanceSport/Ballroom Dancing gold in the Windy City. This smart and charming pair (They’re a couple! Yay!) are the real deal. They’ve been dancing for seven years, they compete in tournaments all over the planet, and back in their current homeland of England, they were the subject of a British TV documentary about the same-sex ballroom circuit. And when they planned their wedding last December it was written up in the London newspaper, The Guardian. Fancy!
Kruse is from Germany, Stauffer is American, and they live in London, so the two are a perfect representation of the global appeal of the Gay Games. And they’re perhaps just about the most debonaire participants traveling to the Games. So, I quizzed them about their big trip ahead (And yes, the fabulous third person tone they responded in is their own. Fierce!). And they used terms like “versatile” and “back-lead” and “top lines.” Oh my…
Names: Soren Kruse & Bradley Stauffer
Ages: Both 34
Where you live: London
Occupations: Psychologist and Theatrical Producer
That's Bradley on the left. Soren's taking the lead!
What sport will you be competing in during the Gay Games?
DanceSport/Men's Ballroom (Standard)
How did you get started dancing? How long have you been dancing?
Soren originally trained in modern dance in New York and Bradley studied theatre dance in New York. Ballroom has always been a closet interest of Bradley's and he came out as a social dancer shortly after moving to London when he realized that he was in the worldwide home of ballroom dancing and couldn't hide his feelings any longer. Soren said it was stupid and that he wasn't interested. Eventually he came along to a social dance and changed his mind very quickly.
Who leads and who follows? And how did you decide that?
Soren leads and Bradley follows. We started the other way around which matches our real personalities better, but our coaches quickly told us that with Soren being taller he would have to lead to make the partnership look right at the competitive level. Of course most high level dancers can both lead and follow (“versatile”) as it helps to know both sides of the dance. Bradley often can't resist the temptation to “back lead.”
As dancers, what are your strengths—and your weaknesses?
Our strengths are that we are the top ranked UK male ballroom couple. Our weakness is that the Germans and Dutch are better. At the moment we are working on stronger top lines and connecting them to our middle/centre. We train with the UK's top coaches and they push us very hard to create more scope to our movement.
Are ballroom dancing pairs very competitive with each other? Is it cutthroat and bitchy?
No, we all love each other... This is too small a world to be competitive. After all, it is only ballroom dancing! One of our great coaches used to say that you should only compete with yourself. That said... There is only one gold medal and we will all go for it.
Have you danced together at a non-gay event, and has there ever been any harassment about this?
We often do. We have danced throughout Europe and the US and have been made to feel welcome wherever we have danced. When you have the courage and integrity to stand on a dance floor with your partner people are generally impressed—and if you can dance they are really impressed. The closest we ever came to harassment was a dance at the Royal Opera House where Bradley danced with a woman who asked him why he had been dancing with a "fella" all afternoon. When he explained that he was dancing with his partner she said "a fella ought to dance with a lady" to which he replied "I thought I was" and left her at the next corner.
What's your earliest memory of dancing—or enjoying dance?
Bradley, age 4, to a song called "I'm a little teapot short and stout." Every dance should be full of enjoyment, why else?
Tell me about an athlete/dancer youv'e had a crush on? And how did that turn out?
Damian Woetzel from NYC ballet. Bradley still has a signed photograph of him!
And seriously, which one of you is the better dancer?
There is a tradition in ballroom which says that the gentleman is always right and the lady simply follows, no matter how wrong he gets it. Bradley therefore cannot comment. Soren would agree it is Bradley.
What do you think is the biggest value of an event like the Gay Games?
Participation. It takes great courage and dedication to follow your dreams, whatever you aspire to achieve at the Gay Games.
Look how the crowds turn out for the DanceSport! Japan loves Ballroom Dancing!
For more about the Gay Games VII 2006 in Chicago, head to the Gay Games site. Enjoy!
This little radio unit's gonna get gay--and sporty--next month!
Sirius Radio, those clever folks who snagged Howard Stern to a zillion-dollar contract and who have Martha Stewart gabbing via satellite about collecting milk glass and creating table-top place cards out of leaves from your yard, have another score on their hands. They're going to be broadcasting the Gay Games next month from Chicago! Play ball, folks!
Cool! You'll be able to hear about Gay Games winners, like these nice water polo women, on Sirius Radio. Photo by Tom Bianchi (really).
Yes, Sirius OutQ, the radio network's gay channel, has announced plans to be the exclusive radio outlet for the Games, broacasting live from the splashy Opening Ceremonies (on July 15, and featuring celebs like Andy Bell, Esera Tuaolo, Margaret Cho and Heather Small, plus lots more) as well as coverage from the sporty, artsy events all week long! The Sirius on-air hosts will provide color commentary (rainbow-hued, I'd think) and behind-the-scenes dish as well!
Cute! I remember always being stuck in the car as a kid, while my dad listened to baseball games. Now, I'm imagining lesbian soccer moms zipping about in Subarus tuning into the Gay Games softball stats. Talk about progress!
These World Cup partiers in Germany have the right idea. Ready to party in Gay Chicago next month?
As of today, the opening of the Gay Games in Chicago is officially one month away (it all kicks off there on Saturday, July 15th). And while athletes all over the world are prepping and stretching and taping ankles, practicing like maniacs and training seriously for the big competition, those non-athletes among us are getting geared up, too.
Basically, I'm excited about the breakneck party schedule that's going to take over Gay Chicago when the Games roll into town. A glance at the Gay Games site tells me that every single night during the Games, the bars and clubs in Chi-town are going to be pumping with foxy athletes and hosting majorly social events. For example, on Friday, June 14th, before the Games even begin, there are no fewer than 8 Games-related soirees throughout the city. From a bash welcoming Latino athletes to the Games, to a party for Asian participants (and their friends), or from a GLAAD-hosted bash to a party for HIV-positive participants--there are events for anyone and everyone.
World Cups fans in Seoul turn it out! I'm so collecting party appareal ideas...
I'm loving this hardcore Brazil fan/party girl who's turning it out in Hamburg. Yes!
To get your social agenda primed before you head to Chicago, you can go to the Gay Games website and check out the listings for all the parties. Sure, those competing have to focus on staying fit and being in great shape and all... But those of us who may just be happy spectators may have other priorities.
And as I learned from being in Amsterdam during the Gay Games in 1998, the infectious party vibe that engulfs a Gay Games city is worth the trip alone. Hmmm... Maybe they'll figure out a way to give out gold medals for barhopping? A guy can dream...
Just thought I'd offer this last squirty David Beckham pic as further party inspiration. Cheers!
PLAY BALL! Chicago-based women's softball team, The Nubians, huddle up!
Hey Sports Fans! It’s week two in our bloggy series which is looking ahead to the Gay Games 2006 in Chicago (which bust out of their huddle on July 15th). This summer's gonna smell like team spirit (sorry--couldn’t resist that one) as thousands of athletes, artists, partygoers and plain old sports fans head to the Windy City for a week-long blast of activities.
As part of our weekly glimpse at some of the real folks participating in this year’s Games, today we’re talking to the fierce Gina Stewart, who heads up the Chicago-based women’s softball team, The Nubians. These women are a major force to be reckoned with (they’ve already played at the Softball World Series!), and are gearing up to wow their hometown crowd when it’s time to hit the mound.
But I’m gonna let Stewart tell you more herself. Plus she’s got some insight on teamwork, some kicky cheers, the allure of women’s tennis—and a sexy shout out to Serena Williams. Sweet!
That's Gina Stewart in the center, hands raised, surrounded by her teammates! Go Nubians!
GAY GAMES Athlete Profile
Your name: Gina Stewart
Your age: 46
Where you live: Evanston, Illinois
Your occupation: Veterinarian
What sport will you be competing in during the Gay Games?
Softball
How did you get started playing? How long have you been playing?
I started in college, so I've been playing for about 20 years.
What position do you play? And what are your strengths--and your weaknesses?
1st base. My strengths? Experience, defense, team mentality. Weaknesses? I'm getting old. [laughs] Knees hurt sometimes. And I won't slide as much these days; I have to go to work on Mondays.
How did The Nubians come to be? How did the team get formed?
Some of us played on different teams and one day nine years ago I decided we needed representation in the African-American community. Someone needed to attempt to tear down the wall between the African-American gay community and the -merican community. I asked someone to coach the team; I put an ad in the African-American Gay newspaper, Blacklines and set a meeting. And the rest is truly history.
The Nubians were the first African-American league team to make it to the Softball World Series… Can you tell me about that? How did that happen? What was that like?
We competed for the spot and won it. It allowed us to experience what the negro league players years ago experienced. And it was being held in D.C. The African-American community came out to support us in D. C., and it was a sight to see. They didn't care that we were gay, they just knew we were the only women of color in the tournament and in their neighborhoods and from Chicago.
And I hear you have some unique team cheers? Can you tell me about any?
We’re a very spiritual, entertaining team. We get our fans involved and pay our respects to those that are not there and we cheer, cheer, cheer!
One of my favorites goes: “EVERYWHERE WE GO, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE COME FROM, WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND WE TELL THEM—WE’RE NEW WE'RE NUBIANS. PROUD NUBIANS!"
And just so you know, the name Nubian is derived from the first Africans in Egypt—Nubian Queens and Kings. It was important that our name signify our respect and pride for who we are.
Have you always been involved in sports? What's your earliest sports memory?
I attended college on a 4-year tennis scholarship and was semi-pro. Bad knees and a mother and father that stressed education helped me to concentrate on books and sports recreationally.
What are you most looking forward to about heading to Chicago and participating in the Games?
Representing this country!!! It's at our house. We will be playing in Washington Park, and we all grew up playing in Washington Park. We've named it, "Bringing the gold right back home"
What other sports are you into watching? And which sport is the sexiest?
Tennis, hands down. Serena Williams can ace me any day, any time, any where! Tennis women are hot.
Serena--looking good on the court, and off.
What do you think is the biggest value of an event like the Gay Games?
It shows the world we are growing in numbers and slowly but surely being accepted for who we are.
Who's your athletic idol?
Althea Gibson. She broke the color line. She paved the door for players like Serena and Venus.
What keeps you focused? What keeps you on track while pursuing your goals?
When I look at the pride in women's faces when I talk about the Nubians, when I see the pride in my teams faces, it makes it all worthwhile. I want to open the door for other African-American women, the next generation of gay women and I hope I live long enough to see that pride. Right now, I've kind of been focusing on my team goals. I've got 22 women who believe in me. I'm keeping my journal going as a project, and it will be something no one will ever forget. In 2004, at the World Series we were called "niggers" at a talent show. We all left the building and lodged a complaint. It hurt me because we don't get accepted by the African American community, and obviously not by the gay community either. That will not be tolerated and I will work as hard as I have to to change that.
Tell me about an athlete you had a crush on in high school? And how did that turn out?
My basketball coach. She was so hot. I never missed practice.
Finally… Say you win a gold medal at the Gay Games… What are you gonna do next?
First, we will win a gold medal at the Games (it's called divine order). Then we’ll go to Florida and win the World Series, and we will then come back home and I will make sure my team is recognized for their accomplishments and the barriers we break down all along the way.
For more info on the Gay Games and other teams participating, head to the official site.
The Gay Games 2006 in Chicago kick off on July 15th. And I’m stretching already! This summer's jock-tastic confab is going to drawing thousands of athletes, artists, partygoers and plain old sports fans to the Windy City for a week-long blast of activities. In addition to some classic sporting events (ya know—basketball, softball, track and field, soccer, volleyball) there are plenty of not-so-traditional events (DanceSport, darts, sailing), and lots of cultural activities (cheer teams, color guards, bands, choral concerts) and more, more, more to wow visitors.
Starting today, every Thursday here at the NewNowNext blog I’m going to give you a profile of an athlete heading to this year’s Gay Games, as a way to give you some personal flavor of what these events are going to be.
Cyd Zeigler: Sports Dude.
First up is NYC’s own Cyd Zeigler (above), perhaps one of gaydom’s most outspoken sports afficianados. Zeigler runs OutSports.com, an online super-bowl of info and news tailor-made for the LGBT sports fan. Cyd’s heading to Chicago to participate sportily, but he also plans to whoop it up all over, absorbing the full flavor of festivities.
But why don’t I let him tell you about it…
So, Cyd... What sport will you be competing in during the Gay Games?
Football. A friend wants me to run the 4 x 400 relay in track too, so I may find my way to the track on Friday.
How did you get started playing football? And how long have you been playing?
Well, oddly enough, I only starting playing football after I came out. I met a great group of friends with the L.A. Motion flag football group in 1996 and the rest is history.
What position do you play? And what are your strengths—and your weaknesses?
That's an awfully personal question. But, if you must know, I'm often the wide receiver. And let's put it this way—I on't think my boyfriend has anything to complain about.
Have you always been involved in sports? What's your earliest sports memory?
Despite there not being a looker on the whole team, it was cheering for the Boston Celtics in the 1984 NBA Championship. Green has been one of my favorite colors
since.
What are you most looking forward to about heading to Chicago and participating in the Games?
Having fun and meeting new people. Unless I'm going to get a big signing bonus for winning it all, focusing on fun is always the best policy.
What other sports are you into watching? And which sport is the sexiest?
I love all sports that don't involve a baseball bat or a soccer ball. As for the sexiest sport, it would have to be water polo; all of those guys grabbing onto each other in Speedos? Trouble!
Sexiest sportsman? "A water polo guy," sez Cyd. [Photo: Tom Bianchi]
What do you think is the biggest value of an event like the Gay Games?
That's a great question. I guess meeting new people. At this point, there are so many gay sports events that the "importance" of the Gay Games is greatly diminished. So, I think just meeting new people is the biggest plus.
Cyd throws frisbee, too. When he's not playing flag football. Or updating OutSports.com.
Who's your athletic idol?
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss. He's the most dominant player in the NFL and is so fun to watch.
Most watchable guy in cleats? The Raiders' Randy Moss.
You also run the website OutSports.com. In a sentence, what is OutSports? What is its goal?
It's ESPN for homos. (Not that ESPN isn't already for homos.) One of Outsports' goals is to give a voice to the sports fans who are marginalized by the gay community and the gay people who are marginalized by the sports world.
How will OutSports be covering/following the Gay Games?
We'll have an extensive notebook with updates from all of the sports and the most comprehensive photo gallery anywhere.
Cyd chills. Watery!
Tell me about which athlete you had a crush on in high school? And how did that turn out?
Eric Birchfield. Played on my school's baseball team. Haven't seen him since ninth grade. Grrrr.
Finally... Say you win a gold medal at the Gay Games... What are you gonna do next?
Grab my camera and head to the swimming competition!
Photo: Tom Bianchi
For more about Cyd and Outsports, head to the site!
You go to the gym (or do something involving moving around) and you like to have your tunes with you, right? Hey—when you’re racing on the treadmill it helps to have some slamming sounds to motivate you. (Although if I listen to “Groove Is In The Heart” by Deee-Lite I have a tendency to morph from jogging into serious runway sashaying. Is that bad?)
Whatevs. So as you’re grooving when you’re moving you can now keep closer tabs on your workout stats. Nike and Apple have teamed up to launch the new Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which for $29 comes with a sneaker-based sensor that boasts (according to the press info) “a wireless system that allows Nike footwear to talk with your iPod nano to connect you to the ultimate personal running and workout experience.” Sounds good. So your Nike Air Zoom Moire sneaks will talk to your iPod, delivering details to your nano about your time, distance, calories burned and pace while running. The info is displayed on your iPod screen and you can get real-time audible feedback via your headphones, too. And yep, you can expect a whole bunch of related apparel and gear to come along with this launch, too. The Sport Kit should be out within two month's time. Check it out here or here.
And yes, the Sport Kit only works with certain Nike shoes. But you probably need new ones anyway…
I'm getting stoked about the sporty summer ahead. I attended the Gay Games in Amsterdam, and had a blast soaking up the buzz and fun that enveloped that city when thousands of athletes invaded. This summer, Chicago's going to be hosting the Gay Games 2006 festivities and it's already looking to be one of the best mega-events of the year.
And it just got a bit better as Cyndi Lauper has just been announced as a featured performer at the Gay Games Closing Ceremony at storied Wrigley Field. Lauper (who's now kicking Broadway's butt in The Threepenny Opera) is slated to crank out some of her signature, power-throated tunes as the games wind down on Saturday, July 22nd.
"I feel like this is becoming sort of a tradition for me since I performed last time the Gay Games were in the States, in New York City in 1994," Lauper said. Hey... Who doesn't love jocks?
Lauper will join the already announced roster of talent at the blow-out, which also includes BETTY (singing the National Anthem), ANT, comedienne Mo'Nique, out rockers Eric Himan and Levi Kreis, popster Ari Gold, divas Kristine W. and Sharon McNight, drummer/performer Ubaka Hill, out pop duo Jason & DeMarco, comic Poppy Champlin, and dance troupe D.C. Cowboys. (Whoa. That's a big show.)
Anna Nicole Smith gets lucky with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Well, in the sense that the Supreme Court delivers the bombshell a chance to finally score some of her late hubby's fortune. Score!
Napster serves up free tunes again! But only sort of...
One reporter from the O.C. sez that Madonna was lame at Coachella. But another says she rocked! Ah, diversity...
Skinheads and old ladies--when they work together, the results can be downright hateful. Just ask gay party-goers in Moscow.
As if kicking your drinking habit wasn't hard enough... A man gets shot outside a gay AA meeting.
Marlee Matlin joins The L Word cast... Plus more gay female-focused showbiz buzz from AfterEllen.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to get the stage musical treatment. Get that "Best Costumes" Tony Award ready for 2007! (That's Oscar-winning costumer Lizzy Gardiner gussied up at the recent Priscilla press conference in Sydney.)
And busty Lara Croft is back where she belongs: Swashbuckling through tombs--and your Xbox or Playstation!)!!!
Via Towleroad's tasty nuggets today, gay-beloved jock hottie Jeremy Bloom spotted at the Eagle in Philadelphia! Oh, no wait... He's been drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Oh, fine. That's nice, too.
And fashion-wise, brown is the new black. That is if you work at Gucci. The folks at UPS never felt so chic!
A sampling of pics from events this week... Just 'cuz it's fun to mix it up.
Ricky Martin met the press in Madrid to announce his upcoming "One Night with Ricky Martin Tour 2006"--which is probably the most time one ever gets with the pop star. But it's still hard not to like the dude. And look! His hand is, like, almost on his crotch! Go Ricky! Go Ricky!
And you thought boy bands were over? Ha! Fresh from Berlin comes US5, a German-American confab of (left to right) Chris, Richie, Jay, Izzy and Michael, schemed up by boy-band maestro Lou Pearlman (the dude behind the Backstreet Boys, N Sync, O-Town, etc). And yes--the Germans are looooving them. Say cheese!
At the premiere of the new gymnastics film Stick It (think Bring It On--with balance beams), the film's star, Missy Peregrym, is flanked by Olympic vets Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci, who are, like, married. (Yes, some male gymnasts marry women!) You know, Nadia won gold medals in 1976. That's 30 years ago. She looks fierce. So there.
"He vants to suck your bloooood!" This shaggy gent is Hugh Panaro, who plays Lestat in the totally gay (that's my very unofficial take on it, anyway) new vampire musical (cleverly called Lestat) based on Anne Rice's tales. Here, Hugh's attending a cocktail party to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Dame Elton wrote the tunes for Lestat. Told ya it was gay...
Giving us some oddly auburn-hued scruff is David Fisher (aka actor Michael C. Hall) attending the Broadway opening night of Awake and Sing!, which stars his TV sibling Claire (Lauren Ambrose). Hall's new Showtime series, Dexter, will feature him as a forensics expert who kills serial killers in his spare time. Yay! Good to know he's lightening up...
If you're wondering why rugby is hot, here's one explanation. Two grown men with massive thighs grabbing at each other while wearing sporty, brightly colored short-shorts. 'Nuff said (If you care, these guys are actually Sean Long of St. Helen's holding off a tackle by Denis Moran of the Wigand Warriors during something called the Engage Super League match in the U.K.) Woof!
Another reason to like rugby.
Of course, soccer players ain't bad either. This is Frank Lampard of Chelsea. (That's a team in England; not the gay neighborhood in New York. Sheesh!) Look how cute he is!
Meanwhile, back in America, Janice Dickinson gets ready for her new Oxygen show about running a modeling agency (due this June) by screening potential male models to eat for lunch. (P.S. OMG! I'm totally wearing those same pants and belt that Janice is right now. Mad coincidence!)
Contests in the Miss Universe pageant hit the town in New York City this week. Here Miss New York USA Adriana Diaz (right) has tons of fun playing air hockey alongside Miss Tucana Dwarf Galaxy, Xanthk Pryborgwx! These gals sure know how to party!!!
Finally, a wink from Lindsay Lohan. Just 'cuz there's no place she's not at. Ha-ha, beeyotches!
Way before current lesbian tennis hottie Amelie Mauresmo (or even The L Word's Dana--may she rest in peace) gaily worked the world pro tennis circuit, and even back before the icon that is Martina swung out in a big way to become a powerfully "out" tennis player, there was Billie Jean King. Back in the day, she was the world's #1 women's tennis player after capturing Wimbledon for the first time in 1966 (she went on to nail a record 20 titles on the grass courts there), and in 1973 King captured worldwide attention when she beat former Wimbledon champ Bobby Riggs in a crazy media stunt called the "Battle of the Sexes." And yes, she's a big fabulous gay activist, too. Along the way King has also been a titan battling for gender equality and women's rights. In fact, LIFE magazine named her one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century." Work!
Anyway, the point of all this is that you should totally educate yourself and watch the kick-ass documentary coming to HBO next Wednesday, April 26th. Billie Jean King: Portrait of a Pioneer is a killer look at her amazing life. Heck, even bitchy old Elton John has said of King: “If there was a knighthood system in America…she’d be Dame Billie Jean King. She deserves that sort of accolade for what she’s done with her life.”
And who doesn't love a sporty icon in smart eyeglasses and a tennis skirt?
 Who cares if Lindsay got dissed by Vuitton? She’s got a new gig at Madame Tussaud's! (And you know if this Lindsay were real, this kid would have been run over in a minute.)
Madonna and Britney to perform in London. However, not necessarily together… But the Dome gets a new lease on life…
Maybe we should reconsider Scientology. According to Sarah Silverman, it might be right up our alley! (scroll down on link)
Our favorite redhead gets a new Bravo comedy special on May 9th, entitled, "Kathy Griffin: Strong Black Woman." Jealous?
The New England Patriots are pro-Gay. We can’t wait to buy his jersey, anyway. But we’re not sure about his…
Gay TV Pilots are coming! Should we get our hopes up? (Via Queerty and AfterElton.)
It’s "open season" on gays in Kentucky. “Wabbit Season” sounds like more fun…
England’s Prince Harry plays G.I. Joe. And looks kinda cute painted up all green.
 OK, I have to admit I’m not totally sure what “scrum” means, but I do know it does have to do with rugby guys with big meaty thighs, wrasslin’ in the mud, getting sporty and looking good (and usually kinda beefy) doing it.
And... Remember when you were in high school/college and could pull off the big, bold striped rugby shirt thing? You still can. And lucky for you, you can snag a shirt from the folks who make the real rugby shirts won by some of the sports best pro athletes. That’s because the solid sorts at the New Zealand-based Canterbury have now brought their thoroughly authentic (and thoroughly cool) line of rugby stuff stateside. And they’ve taken it up a notch, offering you killer jerseys in bold, ballsy colors. They’ve added some kicky patches and logos, but nothing to detract from the preppy/sporty/rugged vibe that you’re looking to work. You gotta wear something to this year's Bingham Cup events in NYC anyway, don't ya?
You can check out their gear in stores around the country (in decidedly sporty towns--like Austin, Bellevue, Birmingham and Salt Lake City, for starters). They’ll look great on men and women. And yep, you can even get them dirty.
Bring on the scrum.
Just to ruin your day… You could be blowing off work right now. Here in NYC, it’s about 65 degrees, totally sunny and gorgeous, and right now the Yankees are playing their home opener. Hot dogs, beer, sunshine… In fact, right now it’s pretty darn nice just about anywhere in the country. You could be in a park under a tree reading, out walking your dog, or driving with the top down along a coastline somewhere.
Don’t feel too bad. I’m in an office, too. This pic was sent from Yankee Stadium from the cell phone of a good friend moments ago.
Bitch.
Want the rundown on the 2006 Baseball Season? Let the folks at Outsports give you the scoop. They even pick which players are hot (and we’re not just talkin’ batting averages). Here are a few pics of our faves: Above, Milwaukee’s J.J. Hardy's ready to play; below, Tampa Bay’s Edwin Jackson, Baltimore’s Javy Lopez and Houston’s Brad Ausmus. Schwing!
Meanwhile, Bradford at Queerty is not having the Toronto Blue Jays at all, thanks…
Hoop girls, get ready! The big WBNA 2006 draft is this coming Wednesday, April 5th at 1pm. Watch it live on ESPN. But get prepped first!
Being out in sports isn’t easy. Being out and talking about sports is no cake walk either!
You know about this summer’s Gay Games in Chicago Gay Games in Chicago, and the Out Games in Montreal. Heads up! Next year’s gay EuroGames are gonna be in hip Antwerp, Belgium.
  
 BOSTON: Out hoopster Sheryl Swoopes and The L Word’s Sarah Shahi crank it at a party in Boston on Monday night to celebrate the NCAA Women's Final Four. Score!
DALLAS: Catch super-queer friendly bands The Sounds and Morningwood touring through Texas. They make a stop in the Big D on Saturday, and then it’s on to Austin and Houston on Sunday and Monday (respectively).
LAWRENCE, KS: Join the eye-lined collegiate masses as they check out neo-glampopsters Clear Static (ready for some “Make Up Sex”?) at The Gaslight Sunday night.
NEW YORK CITY: Dress to excess, cough up some change and experience the charitable over-the-top, old school glamour that is Night of a Thousand Gowns. Get schooled in Anal Pleasure 101. Or just go check out Gorillaz at the Apollo in Harlem.
SAN FRANCISCO: You can scrounge up and by a scalped ticket to catch Dave Chappelle at the Punch Line. Or you can go catch some seriously up-and-coming music artists (Cloud Room, We Are Scientists, Two Gallants, Jason Collett) tonight as part of the groovy Noise Pop indie music fest. Or you can just go dance with Honey Dijon at The End Up.
SEATTLE: There’s the smutty alterna-fun of Comeback, “the city’s best queer club night,” and its second anniversary.
 Last night in NYC, there was a big fat fashion party to launch a new line of sportswear from Converse. And the folks who brought the world the iconic Chuck Taylor high-top sneaker (created back in 1923!) aren’t fooling around. They’ve teamed with designer John Varvatos (pictured left with New York Doll David Johansen) to create the catchily titled line “Converse by John Varvatos”—which is a kicky batch of togs for guys and girls. Think cool hoodies, hip graphic T-shirts, sweaters, tailored jackets, skinny jeans—it’s very sports meets rock ’n’ roll.
 The launch bash was thrown in a high-school gym in New York’s Chelsea where celebutantes like Michael Stipe (pictured, snapping photos), Fabian Basabe and sassy Jay McCarroll (Project Runway’s first season champ) mingled and moshed. Tater tots were served by models/cafeteria workers, while other model types slacked off on the bleachers sporting the new duds. Later the iconic New York Dolls took to the stage to rock the high school old-school style.
Expect the duds to be in stores this fall, when your sporty/hipster boy/girlfriend will be all over them. ’Til then you can sneak a peek right here…
  
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