OHIO/CINNKY: Cincinnati ranked as...

...#7 most lustful (tied with Columbus)

...#8 most murderous.

...#11 most obese.

(Columbus, btw, also ranks as the #8 greediest. Indianiapolis, Memphis, and Louisville also scored some big ones, btw.)

This is all according to the Forbes article, America's Most Sinful Cities . I mean I have some questions about how the data is collected ("most vain" is ranked based on how many plastic surgeons per 100,000 persons; lustful is based on contraceptive purchasing practices... and why do they suddenly jump to the "Top 20" for gluttony and sloth?), but it's kind of fun.

But, you can also couple Cincinnati's lustful ranking with it being the gonorrhea (400+ cases per 100,000 population) and chlamydia (800+ cases per 100,000 population) queen of the state. . . well, you get the idea. Hey, at least we are the lowest in syphilis and HIV!

CINCY GAY SCENE: Local Queer Bloggers

Because I'm a big supporter of my sistah's... I want to announce the newest local queer blogger, my dear friend Jazmine (you may know her from a variety of my blogs as "TY").

Welcome to the Vinyl Polis

She joins (from what I've noticed)

Juliet and Juliette
Penny Tration
QCityNews
Queen City Survey (even if he's not, he posted a blog about a drag show... I'm making you an honorary queen, darling)

Are there any other local queer bloggers that I'm missing? Does anyone know of anyone else? Any willing to come out?

ELECTION 2008: Male Genitalia

Every time I see John McCain I think of the line from Legally Blonde: The Musical ...

Phallocentric war machine

Hrm.

John Seiler (the source of the picture to the left) seems to think that there's a possibility of the draft coming back.

They've been saying that for years.

And, besides, I turn 26 in October, I become no longer eligible unless they get in REAL dire straits with the draft.

WHOO HOO!!

Oh, but much sadness to all you poor under 25's tuning in.

LOL -- "Queer? You're a queer? Well, here's a gun, there's front line, try not to die."

GAY STUFF: Greeting cards

(from Dean Morris cards via the Jockhomo blog)

GENERAL STUFF: Darth Vader

"Don't Mess with Darth Vader, cuz he'll get ya!"

And now he'll get you.. from above!!!

(from the Kanye West blog! -- NOTE: Kanye West is pompous, arrogant ass... and I don't like that his latest hit -- Stronger -- features the line "I'd do anything for a blonde dyke" -- but his blog is actually kinda cool)

ADVENTURES OF: The Jewish Troll

I got this really neat feature installed on my computer where I can just take the card out of my phone, stick it in the computer and HEY! There are pictures.

In the great tradition of "having too much time" and "having unlimited access to digital resources..." QitC is going to start something new.

This...

Is my Jewish troll. I found her one day, attached to a tag that had the flag of Israel, in the snow one day several years ago in Oxford while drunkenly stumbling home one night. She's been with me ever since.

Two amazing things:

1) That she made it home with me that night.

2) That she's stuck with me since then through... five? addresses. But the flag of Israel is lost. Now she just has a Star of David to remind us of her heritage.

But she's been on many adventures with me, and I thought I might start documenting some places she goes with me. (For those that have been in my car, she's been in the back, in the mess, for MONTHS.)

Anyways, so this is her, at my computer (the new one... isn't fabulous???) with my cigarettes. Doing much the same thing I am doing... wishing I could smoke in my house.

But she also matches my cigarettes! It's meant to be!


And this is me and her watching Margaret Cho: Assassins.

We think she's funny.

(And, I just realized that I have officially lost my mind. I am not only the cat lady... I am now Mimi from the Drew Carey Show... with my troll. Wonderful.)

Anyways, let's see if this lasts, or if I wake up this afternoon and realize, "God, that was the dumbest thing I've ever done" and then delete this post. LOL.

BUT! If you have a name for the Jewish Troll, share and we'll take ideas!!!!

OHIO/CINNKY/ELECTION 2008: Bill Cunningham

(picture of Bill Cunningham, WLW 700 conservative radio hostess, pic via CityBeat -- ha! in 1996, he was rated as the number one "person to go" amongst Cincy personality by CityBeat's readers)

The point of this story is fun. I'm sure you've heard by now about the non-story that is Bill Cunningham "warming up the crowd" here in grand ol'Cincinnati where he referred to Obama as "Barack Hussein Obama" something like 16 times. It's not really a story, everyone knows that right? We understand that this didn't matter right?

But what's funny about it:

1) Even though John McCain distanced himself from Cunningham immediately following, guess what? Obama's middle name is back in the media. In a big way. John McCain doesn't take credit -- actually apologizes -- gets to throw a small town non-person under a bus, who becomes incensed at the slight (if he wasn't in it already), thus attacking Obama without hurting McCain.

2) Immediately after, Cunningham got to show up on some silliness over at Fox Noise (I love Keith Olbermann, btw), and refer to the Republican party as the "conservative party." Is it a different party now? Did I miss that at some point???

Anyways, Bill Cunningham is an ass, and the attacks against Obama has just begun. HA! And Matt Drudge cracks me up. He's so smart. He nearly took down one Clinton... (That whole Obama in a turban story is also a non-story.)

And this is the funniest picture I have ever seen... I love it (those are Hill's shoes btw).

PERSONAL: And suddenly...

...I find myself the male role model in a child's life.

I'm confused how this happened.

"When will he get to take me to school?" he asks.

BLOGGING: New Additions!

Yea! I've added new blogs to the side roll. In fact, I've added a whole new category!!!! :-)

Under "My Fav's" -- you'll find those blogs/pages I check out on a daily basis, or, at least, semi-daily. Since I last updated, I have added: Larry Lyons Experience (gay black blog), Living Out Loud (gay black blog), Jacki Danicki (mainly because she and I have a fierce Scrabulous competition going on... I swear I'm not cheating... I promise I'll tell you why I'm getting better so quickly, my dear), and Queen City Survey (I feel like I know this guy... he's started reading and commenting -- thanks DAN!)

And, the new section is the "Cincinnati Blogs" section. Well, you can check out those. Some of them are really good. The Daily Bellwether has been referenced here before... but it seems to be one of the bigger blogs in the city. One of my new favorite blogs that I just discovered today is the Black Cincinnati blog. He's an angry black activist. I'm an angry queer. I'm sure we'll get along really well.

Be sure to check out my new friends!

PERSONAL: By my 26th birthday...

...I will be debt free.*

In the past few weeks, I've started overcoming a lot of my... problems. I'm feeling better. It's like I've come out of a cloud and realized "oh shit, kid, you got some stuff to do." And the depression? It's been at least a week before it hit me.

By October 12th, 2008... I'm 95% sure I can clear up: 3 credit cars, the 2005 tax "situation," and the back payments on my student loans and gas/electric. We're talking like... thousands of dollars.

I figure that since my 25th birthday was as decadent as it was... make my 26th my responsible birthday.

:-) I will be in school by then, after all.

Oh, and I want to have lost about 40lbs by then too... to about 175-180lbs.

And have my kitchen painted, with brand new (covered) sockets.

And have a new stove.

And quit smoking.

Ok, now I'm just being crazy. Let's leave it at the first four -- the debts cleared, the weight loss, the stove, and the kitchen painted with sockets.

I'll keep you updated.

OH! And PS --> to make a political connection, I wanted to make this clear: I am done with HOPING it will get better. Sometimes you gotta work. Sorry, Obama, I can't hope anymore. When you pray, move your feet.

*There are a couple of exceptions -- my house, my car (which will only have a year and a half left by then of a 5 year loan!!!!), the computer, and the 2006 tax "situation" will not be cleared. That's stuff for once I get the free capital.

ELECTION 2008: New polls show Clinton...

...not as far behind as we thought.

NEW POLLS THIS WEEK:

----

Texas
2-26 Insider Advantage
Clinton - 46; Obama - 47; Und - 7

2-26 Public Policy Standing
Clinton - 48; Obama - 48; Und - 4

2-25 "Other Source"
Clinton - 46; Obama - 43; Und - 11

----

Ohio
2-25 Survey USA
Clinton - 50; Obama - 44; Und - 3

2-25 Ramussen
Clinton - 48; Obama - 43; Und - 9

2-25 Quinnipiac
Clinton - 51; Obama - 40; Und - 9

----

Pennsylvania
2-25 Quinnipiac
Clinton - 49; Obama - 43; Und - 7

2-18 Franklin and Marshall
Clinton -44; Obama - 32; Und - 20

2-12 Quinnipiac
Clinton - 52; Obama - 36; Und - 11

----

Rhode Island
2-23 Ramussen
Clinton - 53; Obama - 38; Und - 9

----

The other one going next week, Vermont, has Obama in a double digit lead. Regarding the March 4th primaries,

This is optimist talking:
Clinton wins: Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island
Obama wins: Vermont

This is my realist talking:
Clinton wins: Ohio, Rhode Island
Obama wins: Texas, Vermont

This is my pessimist talking:
Clinton wins: Rhode Island
Obama wins: Texas, Ohio, Vermont

If either my optimist or my realist is correct, then the Wyoming caucuses are next on March 8 -- and Obama's pretty much won ever caucus state -- then Mississippi on March 11 -- and Obama's won pretty much every Southern state. But we won't see Pennsylvania until April 22 -- almost a full month and a half until we get there. In terms of big wins after that, it's NC/IN (only slightly bigger than Ohio combined) on May 6th, and then KY/OR (about the same as Georgia or North Carolina combined) on May 20. And that's it. If my optimist or realist wins and then Clinton wins Pennsylvania...

Well. I can't believe we'll still be going well on into May because that would put then keep them in a dead heat. In fact, I predict that the total delegates received on March 4 will be within 20 points of each other. Which, if the difference goes towards Clinton, Sen. Obama will be about 70 delegates ahead. If the difference goes towards Obama, then he'll be only slightly above 100 delegates ahead. Which means, btw, for Obama to win outright, he would have to score an additional 500-600 delegates from the remaining states... of approximately 750 left to be won.

Congratulations, no matter what happens March 4, we have a contested Democratic presidential primary.

Unbelievable.

POP CULTURE: Fairly Oddparents

FLOATY CROWNY THINGS

You need to understand my obsession with this TV show.

The point I'm making is I swear there is a Cincinnati connection in the show... The superhero in Timmy's comic books is called the "Crimson Chin" and lives in "Chincinnati."

Eh, not a big deal, except in the episode The Masked Magician, where Timmy goes from being just a side-kick to the Crimson Chin (Cleft, boy-chin wonder) to his own superhero, guess where they are sitting? In a Chincinnati Chili parlor. Unfortunately, searching on wikipedia there seems to be no specific connection to Cincinnati. But it was fun this morning while watching it this morning.

Meanwhile, there is an interesting link on the wikipedia article -- well, two of them actually:

1) The depiction of mental illness in children's programs, by Otto Wahl, et al, from the Journal of Community Psychology

2) The same thing we do every night: signifying same-sex desire in television cartoons, by Jeffery Dennis, from the Journal of Popular Film and Television

I mean, I live in a homonormative world, and even I wonder if that might be stretching it -- lol, oh this is what they are talking about: "that heterosexual union is essential to the fairy godparent business: Cosmo and Wanda are ineffectual as fairies unless they combine their male and female energies."

They bring up a lot of points, but I'd also like to point out that a lot of cartoons use effeminancy as evil. Need we remember HIM

Like the article points out, HE always seemed really homophobic to me.

GAY STUFF: Another dead queer

The Rod2.0 blog is the originator of this story, but here it is in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and here it is at the local news station, News10.

Simmie Lewis Williams, 17 year old gay transvestite, was shot after an argument on the street. It's being investigated as a hate crime by the Ft. Lauderdale police.

The family was aware of Simmie's orientation (and were supportive), but not of his crossdressing.

This is getting a lot of play on blogs these days. But it still makes me angry that the gay orgs are ignoring it. And I can tell you this now: we were disappointed with the polticians' silence on Lawrence King? Ha! We'll be lucky if we hear ANYTHING from them on this one.

Another dead queer. This time, black, differently engendered. And, guess what, he was out at night.

I suppose they'll say he deserves it.

Of course, coming along with this, I found the story of Rashawn Brazell, who got very little play in the media either despite a GRUESOME murder. (Note the wonderful memorial at the Larry Lyons Experience from 2005).

They don't deserve it. They, too, need to be heard about. They, too, need their moment and their mourning.

But no one will come to their sides. They, like so many, will lie dead, and no one will remember them.

Goodbye, Simmie. I've met so many like you.

And I love you all.

Goodbye, Simmie.

Blog Reactions: ThePoliticalCat ("Is it Open Season..."), GayAlliance ("How to Kill a Transperson"), Sweet Homo Alabama (read the shit from the preacher), and, of coufse, the ever love Truth Wins Out Blog (it's a gay conversion program, if you didn't know)


(from Stickam)

GAY STUFF: Found a new blog and love it

Ray Ray -- over at the Messy American -- found that Project Runway had "accidentally" posted pictures of the winning contestant's collections online (Which, I cannot, now, find). I had heard that PR, in the past, would have the final four or five show at Bryant Park as Fashion Week happens before the final episode, which is what happened this year. In fact, not only did Chris, Christian, Rami, Jillian, and Sweet P get to show... Victorya Hong had a collection at Bryant Park as well!!!!


Sweet P!


Jillian!


Rami


Chris March


Chris Siriano

Plus, I love Ray Ray's excellent assessment of the popularity of UFC:

On the mass media front, we've experienced a resounding success with the UFC on Spike TV. Not only does the reality series provide Middle America with a buttload of man on man melodrama, but the fights themselves are breaking down Middle America's resistance to images of man on man sex by showing sexy, muscular, half-naked men (most of them straight, to be sure, but that works to our advantage) be physically intimate with one another on national television as they proceed to beat the shit out of each other. I never knew how intimate an ass-whooping could be untill I saw these fights. As an added bonus, queer boys all over the country are being provided with excellent role models who are (a) clearing up any confusion as to what two men doing it in the missionary position looks like, (b) showing the positive results of self-discipline, exercise and self-confidence, and (c) teaching gay boys (and dyke girls) how to seriously KICK SOME GAY-BAITING BULLY ASS AT SCHOOL! As an ADDITIONAL added bonus, about 90% of the men on these shows Nair the hair off their torsos, legs, and sometimes their armpits, just as any typical West Hollywood gym bunny would do. Our radical homosexual agents (posing as "stylists" behind the scenes of the show) deserve a special thank you for adding this wonderfully queer touch to an already queertastic set of shows.

And to prove his point, here's a really hot picture of man-on-man action.

GAY STUFF: Joan Rivers

It's been suggested to improve upon Kristy that I should watch Richard Pryor.

Fuck Richard Pryor.

Kristy thinks she's Joan Rivers. She looks like a fucking drag queen, really.


Do you want a tree?


Gays booing? Look at what you're wearing!


Is there a decorator in the house?


Best line: I love children, all my jewelry is made by children... little fingers set little stones.

GAY STUFF: Radical Homosexual Agenda

from the RHA website

There is this group -- called the Radical Homosexual Agenda (RHA) -- who recently protested an HRC fundraiser due to its support of a trans-exclusive ENDA. It seems that they are calling on something a little unusual, says their activist Allen Roskoff:

Jim Owles is asking members of Congress not to support ENDA in any form. We should revert to the effort originated by Bella Abzug and Ed Koch to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

(from the above story)

Why does this news story bore me so much? I mean I like their idea, and, I agree, the Civil Rights Act should be amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, rather than a specific law that, clearly, does not protect everyone and does not protect everyone FROM everything.

Maybe it bores me because the RHA is all lesbians...


(from the RHA website)

Although...


(from the RHA website)

My desire to be an activist is suddenly rising...

OHIO/CINNKY: Smoking Ban Loophole

TY got really excited over on the facebook when he found an article out of Minnesota about bar owners finding a smoking ban loophole -- saying that you are allowed to smoke if you are part of a theatrical performance. By dubbing everyone "actors," and the night a "theatre night," the bars started allowing limited smoking... apparently without problem.

The bar owners are practical -- "It increased my business," one said. Of course, the anti-smokers are already trying to close the loophole.

I think, first off, it creates some interesting philosophy of identity discussions -- aren't we all actors upon one giant stage, a la Shakespeare? But I can just see the movie scene: our well-dressed, dapper hero (think Keanu Reeves) enters a dimly lit, rural bar. Everyone is smoking. He asks the rough and tough grimy bartender (think Larry the Cable Guy, but, instead of funny, you meet him drunk in a back alley), tatoos up his hairy arms, what's happening, and the man responds gruffly: "We're actors. We're putting on a play. Can't you see?" Cue music: DANCING QUEEN.

Anyways, so I got really excited too, and went to find the Ohio smoking law (WARNING: PDF FILE), and there is not a similar loophole here. Sad :-(

The only exceptions to the smoking law are:

1) Private residences (but only if no employees are present)
2) Hotel and Motel smoking rooms
3) Family-owned businesses where all employees are family and the public is not welcome???
4) Nursing homes (somewhat -- fun story, employees of nursing homes can refuse care in smoking sections of nursing homes??? that's pathetic)
5) Pre-existing (before the law enacted) tobacco stores
6) Outdoor patios
7) Private clubs with no employees (so the freemasons...?) that are non-profit

It's actually a really tight, well written law.

GAY STUFF: Fun Craigslist posting

Ha! Found this on the Craigslist M4M listing today:

I am 49 yrs old. Rather than looking for men my own age or near it I only am
interested in 23 yr olds. BUT you must not have any tatoos on your right arm or
body but you must have one on your inner left thigh no more than 2 inches below
your groin. You cannot be shaved or live in Kentucky and you must smoke Marlboro
lights and get into bondage. You must also live no furhter than 3 blocks of
Fountain Square and have never dated a girl over 18. Other than that we should
really hit it off

Good luck, buddy. Sounds like you are looking for someone specifically.

ELECTION 2008: Barack Obama artwork.

The source of these paintings is discovered here!!!!

Artwork by CRO.

ELECTION 2008: Hillary lays the smack down

I love it. Hillary has been on the attack lately. And, good for her. I posted this site a little while ago, the "Obama Messiah" blog.

I love how Hillary spins his quote around.

CINCY GAY SCENE: Follow up to Oxford Show

People who do not have access to Facebook or Myspace have requested I post some pictures here of the most recent Oxford Show... HERE YA GO!!!!

Kristy Kay Karolina and Davey Cockett, both of the House of "O"


Davey Cockett, Mr. Magical Makeover 2008

Roman Hands

Coco Bliss, Kristy Kay Karolina, and 21st Birthday Girl (we spank -- and I will even teach you how on YouTube)

Anita Sativa, House of "O"

Kristy Kay Karolina

Clitty McPhearson -- first performance

Vivica LaCroix

Buster Hymen -- first performance

Jazmine Delicious, House of "O"

Dick Zenya, House of "O"

Kristy Kay Karolina

Kristy Kay Karolina in her favorite pose

Again, we raised $2500 for the Cincinnati chapter of PFLAG via the ISQCCBE. Thanks to all!!!

BLOGGING: That explains it

So a few days ago, we had a jump in readership and few new readers/emails. They were... well, different than what I usually expect.

AHA!!!

LOL -- I never expected to be linked to a sports blog, but, you know, whatever!

(To back up my original claim re Jason Bartlett -- the politician -- here's the Sinclair Watch post ... the original story is on the newstimes.com ... but the computer is acting weird, I'll have to post it later)

GAY STUFF: Cameron McWilliams (pt. III)

Remember when I said that here was precious little blogged about the death of Cameron McWilliams???

If you go to Google and search for Cameron McWilliams... I am the sixth link. There are three news stories (all almost identical) and two blogs ahead of me.

Really, guys. Really? Does no one care?

I guess we care less when we do it to ourselves than when others do it to us. It's been a while since I've read any studies -- but they say that gay and lesbian youth are two to three times more likely to commit suicide.

Is this a problem, as the world becomes more "accepting," that we are going to stop forgetting? To the point that a ten year old hanging himself is just passe and to be ignored by the world?

There are still battles to be won, folks.

GAY STUFF: Lawrence King (pt. III)

Thanks to the Bilerico Project for this.

Hillary's comment on the death of Lawrence King, no word on if she showed up anywhere to mourn:

I was deeply saddened by the recent death of 15-year-old Lawrence King who was killed at his school in Oxnard, CA. No one should face intimidation or violence, particularly at school, because of their sexual orientation or the way they express their gender identity.

We must finally enact a federal hate crimes law to ensure that gay, lesbian and transgender Americans are protected against violent, bias-motivated crimes. We must and a unified message that hate-based crime will not be tolerated.

Obama's comment on the same:

It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King’s death, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. King’s senseless death is a tragic example of the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It’s also an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hate crimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommit ourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, so that bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place. We all have a responsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise of equality for all.

McCain's comment on the same:

...?

Huckabee's comment on the same:

...?

GAY STUFF: Ric Weiland and his $65m donation

Ric Weiland, 1953-2006

This is strange. I had originally penned this saying that this is the third high profile LGBT related death in the last week, but that is not true. Ric Weiland, one of the first five employees of Microsoft and a major investor in PlanetOut (the largest LGBT corporation in the world -- owner of things like Gay.com), actually died in June of 2006 of a gunshot wound to the head. It is reported that he suffered from clinical depression, and the death was ruled as a suicide.

What made news was that, yesterday, Mr. Weiland left $65 million to LGBT and HIV/AIDS related causes ($65m of $160m total bequeathed of his estate), thus making it the largest single donation to LGBT-related causes ever, according to the CNN report. Nineteen million alone went to the Pride Foundation, a funding source for other LGBT organization in the US Northwest. Other beneficiaries included AMFAR, GLSEN, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Lambda Legal, Parents Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Servicemember's Legal Defense Network, and the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Seattle's local ASO.

All the usual contenders, in other words. Except... no Human Rights Campaign??? $65million would have paid for that nice building they have, wouldn't it???

Regardless of the drama, it is sad that Ric is gone, and I sympathize with his surviving partner, Michael Scaefer. But...

...thank you, Ric. Thank you for remembering.

HIV/AIDS: New method of beating the virus

HIV Virus budding

News from the fight here at LiveScience -- stating that it might be possible to destroy viruses just by vigorously shaking them through resonance by a USP (ultra-short pulse) laser, which has a low heat that does not damage surrounding cells.

I hope. For you. I am hoping.

At the risk of someone poo-pooing it because it's on a "pop science" blog...

Here it is on Wired.

Here is the announcement of the cooperative agreement between the FDA and Raydiance, Inc., the company producing the laser.

Per the creator:

"We have demonstrated a technique of using a laser to excite vibrations on the shield of a virus and damage it, so that it's no longer functional," said Tsen senior. "We're testing it on HIV and hepatitis right now."

Neither article, unfortunately, has many links to go off of.

UPDATE: FOUND THE ORIGINAL PUBLISHED ARTICLE HERE, from this site with a few other links.

Looks like it's real.

OHIO/CINNKY: Go back to Ohio

Casually passed the 100 blog mark without note.

This is a fun site... I went the other direction. I moved from Charleston, SC to Cincinnati, OH. Fun stuff. They actually provided me a map home. Thanks, guy.

GoBacktoOhio.com


Southern Hospitality at its best.

PS. Created a new "SUPERLABEL" -- OHIO/CINNKY... am going back through and editing some of the other stuff. It will include general stuff about the region that does not fall under other categories.

GENERAL STUFF: Star Wars

Via the Neatorama blog.

Star Wars, according to a 3 year old.



"Don't Mess with Darth Vader, cuz he'll get ya!"

For the Charleston crew who, reportedly, is finally reading my blog. You guys have been referenced enough. Thanks for tuning in.

OHIO/CINNKY: Penis Enlargement

This requires no comment. Thanks to the Cincinnati Dealer for this breaking story (oh, and the Enquirer, I guess lol)

Apparently, the maker of Enzyte, Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, is based out of Cincinnati. Well, a judge found the CEO, Steve Warshak, guilty of a short list of stuff. And guess what? The product doesn't work.

Is anyone really surprised???

What's funny are the strange double entendres in the Enquirer article -- his company's "rapid growth," for example.

GENERAL STUFF: Florida Manatees

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this, but I think the picture clears it up... the way that CNN presented it was "Fla. Marlins begin a all-male plus-size cheerleading squad called the Manatees."

Leave it up to me to not get the joke.

Duh. Fat men cheerleading = joke.

CINCY GAY SCENE: Oxford Show 2-22-08

Hell yea, Oxford Drag Show!

We raised $2500 for PFLAG!!! THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT IN THE AWFUL WEATHER TO SUPPORT US!!!!

GAY STUFF: Jason Bartlett

Rather than forget another milestone:

State Rep. Jason Bartlett came out this week, becoming the highest elected openly gay, black official in US history. Congratulations!

Let's hope he's not quitting, and he's just coming out... (looks to the NJ governorship)

I'm still angry, btw, at Janet Reno for not have the cajones to come out as AG and being the highest ranking out LGBT official ever in the US.

GAY STUFF: Lawrence King and Cameron McWilliams (pt. II)

I'm trolling the blogosphere for responses to these two events, and I thought I'd share some of my favorites:

This is from a fabulously angry post over at the FruitFly blog. The whole thing is just well written and well researched.

…because most feminine boys need to be bullied and kicked around once in a while, don’t they? I’m sure Superintendent Dannenberg can drive home proudly knowing that there will be one less queer kid who won’t be showing up at his school no more. And I’m sure he’ll have plans to “talk” to other students about bullying. There’ll be some student wide meetings about bullying. *yawn* Boring stuff that’s all put on to make sure everybody knows the school “cares”. But since the “problem child” is dead, the superintendent’s concern will last about seventy-two hours…maybe a few minutes more.

In a month, Dannenberg won’t even remember the kid’s name.

What does it take for a couple of professionally trained educators to see a 15 year old boy wearing make-up and girls clothes to keep an eye on the kid? Make sure he’s safe? An occasional “watchful eye” on the boy as he’s walking down the halls or out on the grounds? You can’t tell me every faculty member in that school knows which kids are living in Casa Pacifica and that those are the kids who don’t have a family to go home to. And here comes this strange little boy with fingernail polish and wearing a pair of girls high-heeled boots and their answer is to “send him to counseling”?!?!

Somewhat sappy, but nicely done over at Garyblog.

In times when a mind reels with sadness what can a person do?

well . . .I sent flowers to the church for the service tomorrow.

If I could travel on a whim I would sit on the sidewalk . . .and most likely cry my eyes out. . . but no ..I send flowers with a note from myself and my partner.

Why? Because my heart is broken. . . again.

broken for a kid who wasn't given the opporunity. . . again.

broken for a kid that will never have. . . again.

broken for a kid that didn't know. . . again.

broken for a kid who loved butterflies and bugs.

Hits into my core.

From the Kate Evans blog.

Never mind that faggot and gay are still the put-downs of choice. Never mind that even with the support of GSA's, it's very hard to be an out queer or gender-bending kid.

From the Unusual Music ("Everyman is guilty of the good he did not do...Voltaire") blog. This one, which I just discovered is a really good blog.

Tell me, how many more people will we kill with our fear and hate? How many more lives will we stunt and destroy? How much more blood will we bathe in while we turn up our noses, selfrighteously? When will we stop? Will we ever stop?

From the GenderShift blog.

If the events of the past week act as a catalyst for change there perhaps their young lives will not have been in vain, unfortunately noticing that the anti discrimination legislation due to have been enacted on December 21st has still not been represented to parliament two months later I will not hold my breath. Regrettably I suspect that a few more innocent lives will be lost before the government has the balls to tackle these problems.

There's also a great take on the British media's spin on Cameron's death here at the F-Word blog, though, for some reason, I can't copy. And there's no "one thing" I wanna post.

Overall, I've noticed two things:

1) There are far too few things being said about Lawrence King out there. The big ones are talking, and few minor blogs, but, for the most part, the blogosphere is more quiet than you'd expect.

2) Where the issue of Lawrence King is quiet -- the issue of Cameron Williams is almost silent. Perhaps because it was a suicide (his decision) versus a murder (someone else's decision), or because Americans blog more than the Brits, it just isn't out there much.

The media has been silent, but, at the same time, it happened at the exact same time as the NIU shooting, which was equally tragic. Let's just accept that this has been a hard week for kids, and let's remember everyone who died... and those who have to live, knowing others have died.

GAY STUFF: Cameron McWilliams

Wow, in my search about Lawrence King, I found this story which isn't getting much play this side of the pond.

Boy, 10, hangs himself after telling his mother: 'I want to be a girl'



copyright The Star

A BOY of 10 has been found hanged at his South Yorkshire home after telling his mum he wanted to be a girl.

Tragic Cameron McWilliams had already asked for permission to wear make-up, and been teased after he was found wearing his half-sister's knickers.

His desperate mum Kelly McWilliams told a Doncaster inquest she had bought him girls' underwear to wear in private, but had refused his requests to be allowed to wear make-up.

She said: "It was apparent he was unhappy and said he wanted to be a girl. He did like girls' things."

Mrs McWilliams told a Doncaster inquest Cameron was older than his years and had expressed an interest in transvestism.

He had been teased after once being found in his half-sister's knickers, and had asked if he could wear make-up. His mum told him he would have to wait until he was older.

Mrs McWilliams found her son hanging, with a black leather belt around his neck, in his half-sister's bedroom at the family home in Montrose Avenue, Intake, Doncaster.

"When I got in the room he was not asleep, he was standing by the window with a dressing gown on," she said.

"His head was down and I realised something really serious had happened and I screamed."

The court heard Cameron was a lonely boy with no friends outside school. He spent all his time at home listening to music, playing on his XBox and using a laptop computer.

His mother revealed Cameron had been very interested in recent reports of a spate of teenage hangings in Bridgend, South Wales.

"He was not himself but he made no mention whatsoever that he would harm himself," she said. "On that day he was happy as Larry."

She said her son was in the habit of writing her notes if he wanted to discuss something, and added: "He would have asked me questions about hanging but he never did."

Doncaster coroner Stanley Hooper told the court: "I do not know what was in the mind of this little boy. All I know ishe was an unhappy little boy and that he wore his sister's underclothing, and that would be a cause of worry to his mother and stepfather."

Referring to Victoria Beckham's famous claim that her husband David wore her knickers, he added: "If there is anything I can say to avoid similar fatalities in the future, I observe it is well-known that there is a very rich and successful footballer married to a pop singer who is known to have worn his wife's underwear."

Attempts by police to revive Cameron when he was found in the early hours last Monday were not successful, and his body was taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital for a post mortem examination. Inquiries into his death are continuing.

I'm kind of speechless. Rough day here at QitC.

GAY STUFF: Lawrence King

In memoriam, Lawrence King, 1/13/1993-02/13/2008


(Makeshift Memorial outside L.K.'s school; image from the LATimes article regarding the 14 year being charged with the shooting)

Do not stand at my grave and weep,I am not there. I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow,I am the snow on the mountain's rim,I am the laughter in children's eyes,I am the sand at the water's edge,I am the sunlight on ripened grain,I am the gentle Autumn rain,When you awaken in the morning's hush,I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight,I am the star that shines at night,Do not stand at my grave and cry,I am not there, I did not die.

To those who don't know, Lawrence King -- "Larry" -- a 15-year old 8th grader was shot in the head at his school and listed as brain dead (to those who aren't aware: it is the lack of brain activity that, clinically, leads someone to be listed as legally passed away). It has been labeled as a hate crime, as it appears the shooters were motivated by the fact that he identified as gay and was effeminant.

There is an excellent posting on the DailyKos here that sums up some of what has been written and said.

I am passing on posting on pictures of Lawrence -- it seems disrespectful somehow, but I will post some of the other excellent websites that are going up around there:

-A truly beautiful site by his family, including pictures and a vid. (The quote -- mostly attributed to Martin Frye -- above is from the site.)

-GLSEN's listing of all the vigils happening in memoriam -- Oxford's drag show, tomrow night at Balcony Bar, is now dedicated to Lawrence and will be listed there too.

-GLSEN's press release.

-The Facebook group.

-The Myspace page.

-Youtube search on the vloggers that have posted about the tragedy.

Looking at this, I feel bad posting this under something so tritely entitled "Gay Stuff." It's more than that; but, in response to everything else going on, this will not be labeled as a school shooting, it will be framed as "another queer is dead" and it will not be looked on with the same sadness as Columbine. Rather, I feel like we're going to hear all about gay panic. And that hurts me.

Update---> I did a quick Google search, and, as of yet, not a single one of the presidential candidates have said anything about Lawrence King. Shame.

GENERAL STUFF: Star Wars fandom

(via Neatorama)


(picture from... FOX News??? -- my high school journalism teacher would have a COW with this picture because, according to the laws of layout, people in pictures should be facing the INTERIOR of your newspaper page to draw attention inward... I'm not joking, ask anyone who's worked on a newspaper)

Mental_floss posted this blog regarding rabid Star Wars fans and the ongoing inconsistencies they like to point out in movies.

If you run into somebody who tells you they thought the franchise was quite enjoyable, and they very-much liked the originals as well as the prequels, and even own everything on DVD, and a few of the books, these imposters are not Star Wars Fans.

Star Wars fans hate Star Wars.

And, yes, this blog is posted exclusively for the benefit of my dear Charleston nerds.

GAY STUFF: History of Gay Bars in NYC

(via the Joe. My. God. blog)

This is a project I wanted to start here in Cincinnati -- at least, at history of Cincy's gay scene. I think it woudl be fantastic.

But this is a neat project by a blog labelled "Bitterqueen." There are abbreviated versions of a few other cities.

GENERAL STUFF: Fat Tax

I posted this link a few days ago about how obese people and smokers, in the long run, and compared to healthy people, are actually cheaper to treat medically due to a shortened lifespan, based on this study in the Dutch Journal PLoS Medicine.

Slate.com posted an article by Daniel Engber about the political applications of this study.

First of all, this reminds me of all the anti-smoking ads that show people how much smokers cost employers in terms of "smoke breaks" (legally, btw, everyone is allowed one 15 minute break every 4 hours -- Is it that much different than the amount of time you non-smokers are waisting by reading this blog right now? -- I've worked in an office, I know for a fact that no one works 100% of the time) and health problems.

The same article quotes a study that I had never heard of before, but can be found here in the American Journal of Public Health, showing that perception of body weight and body image are far better indicators of mental and physical health issues (by comparing desire to lose weight to time called off).

IE: I'm sick and it's your fault for caling me fat. I hate you.

Slate's article point is this: leave the fatties alone. They're not hurting you as much as they think they are. Let's focus on the real problems in our communities. . .

. . . the homosexuals.

BLOGGING: Renovations?

Currently trying to renovate the page now that I have the ability -- have photoshop and all :-). At the moment, however, I'm having trouble arranging stuff to my liking, so give me a few days to work out the kinks.

In the meantime, here's a preliminary view of QitC's new "symbol." It's an idea, we'll see if it goes anywhere.



What do you think? I did it myself.

Or how about this one:

I'm leaning towards the second one.

POP CULTURE: Does anyone care about the Oscars

I like the Oscars. I think they are kind of fun. But, CNN makes a good point when they ask: Does anyone care about the Oscars?

I don't really have much of a response, but I wanted to republish this list from the article.

**BEST PICTURE WINNERS IN BOLD; NOMINEES IN ITALICS**
Top Ten Blockbusters -- 1976
1. Jaws
2. The Godfather
3. The Exorcist
4. The Sound of Music
5. Gone With the Wind
6. The Sting
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
8. The Towering Inferno
9. The Love Story
10. The Graduate
Result: 5 wins, 5 nominations for the then top-grossing films

Top Ten Blockbusters -- 2008
1. Titanic
2. Star Wars
3. Shrek 2
4. ET
5. Star Wars I -- The Phantom Menace
6. Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
7. Spider-Man
8. Star Wars III -- Revenge of the Sith
9. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
10. Spider-Man II
Result: 2 wins, 2 nominations

Hm. Are the Oscars out of touch with the American viewing public, or is this the "dumbing down" of American popular media? Like the article, I don't think commercial success should be considered; though, it points out, only Juno made more than $100million of all the Best Picture nominations. OR, have we developed a separate category ... the "art film" (which would be like There Will Be Blood), which would add into the ongoing fracturing of the media. It's not enough that there are just "comedies" or "horrors" or "action pics." In fact, it's seeming like if you fall into a "genre film" category, your likelihood of being nom'd is out the window. Maybe these art films are the best of the year -- but no one is watching them. Where is the value there?

So the question is: What qualities make "The Best Picture." (There is an argument, I'm sure, that mass appeal and popular consumption should immediately indicate that it is a BEST PICTURE).

The other slightly disturbing thing: there's not a single sequel on the 1976 list. Seven of the 10 on the 2008 list are sequels. And one more is the first in a trilogy (I'm considering Star Wars I and III sequels, whereas Star Wars IV to be the first of the trilogy; I'm considering Spider-Man a sequel as it is a sequel and an addition to the Spider-Man mythos).

ELECTION 2008: Wisconsin, Washington, Hawaii

The ongoing "anti-Hillary" media blitz is getting on my nerves.

As of right now (1230AM EST), per CNN, this is the delegate count (Hawaii has not closed yet):

Obama -- 1301
Clinton -- 1239

There are 4049 delegates total that will be at the party convention (approx), 2566 (approx) delegates have been awarded, and there are 1483 delegates left.

In order to get the 2025 needed to win the Democratic nomination, Obama needs 724 more delegates, or 48% of what's left, and Clinton needs 786, or 53%. Now, I am a fierce Hillary supporter (if you hadn't figured that out yet), as I think she will do best for this country, and, though I have some questions and concerns about him (and his followers), I like Obama.

But guess what? Per the rules of the Democratic nomination process, this is still a statistical dead heat. Sure, Obama's picking up a lot of wins. But in what states??? North Dakota. Idaho. Utah. Hawaii (probably). Alabama. Alaska. With a few exceptions -- like Georgia and Illinois (which, I would argue, had Obama come from anywhere else, would have gone Hillary) -- small states that traditionally vote Republican. Now, in the long term, that little bit might be helpful as it seems that he has some sway in Republican land.

Where is Clinton winning? California. Massachusetts. New York. New Jersey. Big states that traditionally vote Democrat. In the general election, she has a firm hold in classical Dem territory. But those states are done, with the exception of a couple like Oregon and Pennsylvania (Wisconsin was a blow tonight, as was Minnesota).

This all comes of the back of a poll on the front page of MSN.com that asks: Should Clinton and Huckabee quit? I kind of know where they are coming from but 1) it's still way too early to throw in the towel for Clinton -- as she's still polling well, and ahead, in both Texas and Ohio, and 2) the fact that the vote went 61-39 for Clinton to quit as of right now.

There is still time people -- and I believe it is possible. But I'm going to say it now: I think Obama will be the Democratic nominee for President. I'm starting to feel it ... and it feels like indigestion.

(Oh, and I may have called Texas way too early for Huckabee, especially if McCain picks a running mate soon... and one that has Southern appeal, which I think, if he is smart, he will in an effort to get rid of this annoying "unite the party" crap that people are talking about. God, the media is so freaking annoying... esp when it disagrees with you.)

ELECTION 2008: Ron Paul v. Dennis Kucinich

From my new favoritest online comic. I'm posting this just for TY. I think he'll get a giggle or two out of it.



Seriously, though, it's an angry flower. Named Bob.

It's Bob the Angry Flower.

POLITICS: Goodbye, Fidel

Fidel Castro, after nearly 50 years of being "El Presidente" is stepping down from his role of authority in Cuba.

So, to honor him, QitC found funny pictures of him.

Enjoy.


I call it "L'il Presidente"


Fidel, imagine the balls are the heads of people who snubbed you in high school . And, apparently, when you're a communist dictator (who, btw, may actually have been validly re-elected to his office the few times that happened), teeth whitening and/or brushing is not required.


Here, Fidel imitates the thousands of Cuban refugees falling upon American soil for the first time. I think he broke his arm...


Ping Pong Fidel! Doesn't he look like that guy off Seinfeld?


Fidel's imitation of Bill Clinton


As young man. Now, remember, folks, when you're out chasing tail and you see that REALL good looking guy (like my "brah" Fidel in his younger years), remember, this is what he will turn out to be:

(And, in case you're wondering, his friends... well, they're gonna turn out to look like ol'Hugo there)


Excepting the clearly photoshopped background -- are they doing KARAOKE?


And this is Fidel with his brother Raoul, the new El Presidente (maybe he should be called "L'il Presidente"), looking FIERCE in matching army-chic. You know, Raoul is about 300X more unattractive to look at, but it lends much better to sultry bedroom chat. "Oh, Raoul..." (vs. "Oh, Fidel...")


NOT Fidel

And, finally, for all the nerds out there who will appreciate the irony in this...


Oh Fidel! We knew you so well!!!