Author: Randy Slovacek

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Gareth Thomas’ Big Brother TV stint endears him to wider audience

Welsh rugby favourite Gareth Thomas is capturing the hearts and minds of the television viewing public as well – as he emerges as odds-on favourite to win Celebrity Big Brother. Thomas earned the respect of the world by coming out as gay in 2009.

Former Wales captain Thomas, known affectionately as Alfie, showed his softer side this weekend when he broke down in tears in the house diary room – after receiving a letter from his mother.

And it seems the emergence of the rugby beefcake’s softer side has won an army of new fans – with PR experts yesterday saying that it could be the start of a new chapter in the Bridgend-born star’s career.

Publicist Max Clifford said that Alfie’s appearance on the show provided him with a golden opportunity to make a name for himself outside the rugby world.

“What it does is give him a window to broaden the awareness of himself,” he said.

“A show like this gets everybody connected with him, they know him. The way that he came out took a lot of courage and gained him a lot of respect, and you can see people think he is popular.”

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Music: “Gaia” – Olivia Newton-John

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Talk about timing.

I’ve just returned from Australia where I spent an amazing few days at Olivia Newton-John’s retreat and spa named Gaia.

I just got a notice that her 1994 CD “Gaia” has been re-released in the US by Green Hill Music.  Great CD that never really got a wide release here before; for years I was under the impression that the songs were very new age due to the title and original packaging.  Wrong.

All of the songs were written by Olivia as she was coming to the end of her cancer journey.  But these are really strong pop songs (Olivia would find her New Age voice in the later, fabulous “Grace and Gratitude”).

“Trust Yourself,” “Not Gonna Give In To It,” “Don’t Cut Me Down” and “No Matter What You Do” are favorite tracks for me.

Check it out on Amazon.

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Newark Mayor Cory Booker opposes a popular vote for equal rights

While NJ Gov. Christie would like to put marriage equality rights to a popular vote, Newark Mayor Cory Booker says leaders are elected to make difficult decisions, not submit to a public referendum.

“I shudder to think what would have happened if the civil rights gains, heroically established by courageous lawmakers in the 1960s, were instead conveniently left up to popular votes in our 50 states,” Booker said in a statement.

“Equal protection under the law – for race, religion, gender or sexual orientation – should not be subject to the most popular sentiments of the day,” Booker said. “Marriage equality is not a choice. It is a legal right. I hope our leaders in Trenton will affirm and defend it.”

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President Obama feeling the beginning of ‘economic optimism’

Americans are growing more optimistic about the state of the economy and direction of the country, according to a new NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll out Wednesday evening, and President Obama is receiving better grades on his handling of the economy and job as a result.

More people said they believe the economy will get better (37 percent) in the next year rather than worse (17 percent). That’s the highest level in more than a year and a seven-point jump over last month.

And for the first time in six months, more people approve of the job the president is doing (48 percent) than disapprove (46 percent).

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Gov. Christie promises to veto marriage equality in NJ

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said Tuesday that he would veto a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, and he challenged the State Legislature instead to put the issue on the ballot for voters to decide.

Democrats, who control the Legislature, swiftly rejected the idea, accusing the governor, a Republican, of trying to punt on a politically sensitive issue.

“Marriage equality isn’t like sports betting,” said Senator Raymond Lesniak, a Union County Democrat, referring to a referendum on an amendment to the State Constitution on gambling last year. “It’s a civil right, which is already guaranteed in our Constitution. It’s up to the Legislature to guarantee these rights.”

The same-sex marriage bill is a priority for Democrats, led by the Senate president, Stephen M. Sweeney, who has said that his decision not to vote on a similar bill two years ago, when there was a Democratic governor who supported same-sex marriage, was “the biggest mistake” of his political career.

Gay-rights advocates had been hoping that Mr. Christie, who supports civil unions over same-sex marriage, might sign the legislation, or, if he vetoed it, give Republican legislators tacit approval to vote for an override.

On Monday, he nominated a gay man to the State Supreme Court, and when asked about the prospects for the marriage bill, said that he would make a decision if and when the bill ever reached his desk.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the same-sex marriage bill, 8-4.

A poll released by Quinnipiac University last week found that 52 percent of New Jersey voters believed that same-sex couples should have the right to marry, and 53 percent believed that denying them that right constituted discrimination.
(source)

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Former MTV host Dan Cortese makes shirtless appearance on “Hot In Cleveland”

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Dan is looking very, very good these days.
The synopsis for Dan’s appearance: Melanie (Valerie Bertinneli) taking Elka (White) into the Browns’ locker room following a game which they lose for her birthday. While Elka makes the rounds to feel the chests of the naked men, Melanie talks to Jimmy Armstrong (Cortese), the kicker, who is a real dunce. As Elka puts it, ”he doesn’t have much going on upstairs, but he has plenty down below!”
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Starbucks supports marriage equality

Starbucks has issued a statement of support for marriage equality in Washington state:

“Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. Starbucks strives to create a company culture that puts our partners first, and our company has a lengthy history of leading and supporting policies that promote equality and inclusion.”

Starbucks has offered domestic partnership benefits for 20 years, including medical, dental and alternative health care coverage.