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Las Vegas 2012 Pride Parade

Had a great time at the Las Vegas 2012 Pride Parade last night.

Started out the evening watching LGBT idols/allies Kathy Griffin, Joan Rivers and Margaret Cho make an appearance TOGETHER to officially start the parade. Since all three also love hunky men, they took pics with two of the world famous Chippendales.

Then headed down to watch the parade from the telecast booth mid-parade. For several years, Cox Cable has generously broadcast the parade on their channel 96. If you missed the parade, it will be available online at www.cox96.net. Or catch one of many rebroadcasts on Cox Channel 96 in Las Vegas at 8pm on September 17, 20, 23, 30 and October 4 or 6.

And what’s Pride without friends? Our ‘partners in crime’ Gordon & Alex joined us for the festivities.

Off today for the Pride Festival. Great day in Vegas – get your Pride on!

Chippendales Gavin McHale and Bryan Cheatham with Kathy Griffin,
Joan Rivers and Margaret Cho at the start of the Las Vegas Pride Parade 2012

Billboard recording artist Matt Zarley and Las Vegas news anchor Chris Saldana
prepare to host the telecast of the Las Vegas 2012 Pride Parade

Enjoying the parade with friends Gordon (L) and Alex (R)

Matt Zarley and Chris hosting the parade telecast

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Richard Renaldi – Hotel Room Portraits pt.2

Last year, I wrote about photographer Richard Renaldi’s terrific ongoing project of taking “hotel room portraits” with his partner Seth Boyd.

The project continues and I love the atmosphere and “moment in time” aspect of each photo in each locale.  I thought I’d post a quick update of some pics added to his collection

Renaldi’s simple ritual of a photographic record of his hotel stays with his partner creates a warm portait of intimacy.

To read and see more about Renaldi and his work, make sure you go to his website – www.renaldi.com.

Miami, FL

Ashtabula, Ohio

Olympic National Park

Thailand

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Poll: Gallup Poll shows big bounce for President Obama coming out of 2012 DNC

Gallup has posted its latest poll findings today and found a big bounce for Obama from this year’s convention.

They show a very strong one-day 3% hike in his approval rating to 52%–his highest mark in many months.  This means that he gained 7% in the past three days.

In addition, the new numbers show a 48%-45% lead over Mitt Romney.  That’s a change of 3% from last week. 

And that’s a 7-day poll average with only the first couple days of the DNC factored in, so it should go up a bit more over the next few days.

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Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe defends Brendon Ayanbadejo against bigoted Maryland lawmaker

Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe

Minnesota Viking punter Chris Kluwe is an advocate for LGBT rights and marriage equality. He has recorded three radio ads for Minnesotans for Equality, the group fighting a November ballot that would constitutionally define marriage as opposite sex only.

Now, Kluwe has written an open letter to Maryland lawmaker Emmett C. Burns, who this week urged Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to silence Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo from speaking his mind on gay rights.

Said Burns in his letter: “I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing.”

Here’s the closing part of Kluwe’s letter, published in full on Deadspin:

I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won’t come into your house and steal your children. They won’t magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster. They won’t even overthrow the government in an orgy of hedonistic debauchery because all of a sudden they have the same legal rights as the other 90 percent of our population—rights like Social Security benefits, child care tax credits, Family and Medical Leave to take care of loved ones, and COBRA healthcare for spouses and children.

You know what having these rights will make gays? Full-fledged American citizens just like everyone else, with the freedom to pursue happiness and all that entails. Do the civil-rights struggles of the past 200 years mean absolutely nothing to you?

In closing, I would like to say that I hope this letter, in some small way, causes you to reflect upon the magnitude of the colossal foot in mouth clusterf*ck you so brazenly unleashed on a man whose only crime was speaking out for something he believed in. Best of luck in the next election; I’m fairly certain you might need it.

Sincerely,
Chris Kluwe

P.S. I’ve also been vocal as hell about the issue of gay marriage so you can take your “I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing” and shove it in your close-minded, totally lacking in empathy piehole and choke on it. A**hole.

Read Kluwe’s full letter HERE.

Ayanbadejo says of Mr. Burns that he’d “have to thank him more than anything for bringing national attention to the issue,” USA Today reports.

Ayanbadejo expressed surprise that Burns was trying to remove someone’s free speech rights: “For somebody to try to take that away from me I was pretty surprised, from a politician especially. People get fired for saying the things that the delegate said. People lose their jobs for discrimination…I think that whoever voted for him has their right to vote for who they believe represents their values. And if he represents their values, he’s the best person for the job. If Obama represents the best values for the country, he deserves the job.”

Added Ayanbadejo: “Its an equality issue. I see the big picture.”

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This weekend – Las Vegas Gay Pride events!

It’s Gay Pride Weekend in Las Vegas!

Lots to do, so get out there and take advantage of the many events to attend and share with your friends and family!

Here’s a list of things to do this weekend:

The Gay Days Las Vegas Expo at the Tropicana Hotel Conference Center
Located in the Gay Days Host Hotel, offers an exceptional opportunity for Gay Days attendees to view and sample goods and services specifically targeting our community during their vacation. It is also perfect for locals to come and enjoy this Expo as part of Las Vegas’s newest Gay Days celebration.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday September 7th, 8th, 9th
11am-6pm – Free admission

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Gay Days Pool Party – at Tropicana Hotel Bagatelle Beach Club
Voted the “Best Las Vegas Pool” and set on almost two acres, Gay Days guests can experience the ambiance and bask in the glowing reflection of a tropical pool right in the heart of Las Vegas. With a bright, tropical setting that embodies the vibrancy of the Tropicana resort’s South Beach-inspired theme, the pool features an expansive deck with lush landscaping, waterfalls and private lounge spots.

Lounge poolside on luxurious recliners, or relax within several connected lagoons that provide the ideal place to refresh in the water. The pool also premiers a number of exclusive cabanas

Friday, Saturday & Sunday September 7th, 8th, 9th
Noon – 6pm

$15 Advance Purchase
$20 at the Door

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Las Vegas Gay Pride Parade
Friday, September 7th
Pre-show begins at 7pm
Parade begins at 8pm
The parade route begins at West Charleston Blvd. and heads north along 4th Street to Ogden Avenue. Secure your spot where the action happens early. The main stage is at Bridger Avenue just two blocks south of the Fremont Street Experience.

This year Cox Cable is proud to support Southern Nevada’s GLBT community as the official broadcast partner of the PRIDE Night Parade. Watch the parade LIVE on September 7th from 8pm – 10pm on Cox Channel 96 or online at www.cox96.net. Plus, there will be many rebroadcasts on Cox Channel 96 at 8pm on September 17, 20, 23, 30 and October 4 or 6.

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Las Vegas Gay Pride Festival
Saturday, September 8th
From Noon – 10pm
The Clark County Amphitheater features a beautiful outdoor main stage surrounded by soft, cool grass, plus a food court and convenient drink stations. There will be more than 100 exhibitors on site. You can relax on the lawn as you are entertained by the festival’s featured performers, as well as great local talent. Watch for more expansions to the festival grounds (and overflow parking at the World Market Center with free shuttle service to the festival). Pride organizers are pleased to announce the expansion of the Family Activity Zone filled with fun activities for parents and children 12 and under.

Bartenders from local GLBT bars will be will be serving water, soda, Bud/Bud Light, wine, and mixed drinks to whet your thirst. We have expanded our food court this year so you will have even more great food from which to choose.

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A Taste of Gay Days – at Tropicana Hotel Club Tower
A perfect evening event to mingle with friends while sampling beers, wines, spirits & food.

This event is 21+ Age Restricted.
Proper ID Required.

Saturday, September 8th
6 – 10pm

$25 Advance Purchase
$30 at the Door

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Gay Days Official Closing Party – Tropicana Hotel Bagatelle Beach Club
As the sun sets over the city, re-energize with cocktails served to blissed-out beats. Come nightfall, lose yourself to the music at this exclusive, full-service nightclub.

Sunday, September 9th
10pm

$20 Advance Purchase
$30 at the Door

For complete info on all the events this weekend, visit the official website for Las Vegas Pride.

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Film: Award-winning “Keep The Lights On”

Keep the Lights On, one of the year’s best LGBT-themed films, opens in several NY and LA-area theaters this weekend, with additional engagements being added around the country in the coming months.

The film follows the loving but dysfunctional relationship of an aspiring filmmaker and his meth-addicted boyfriend over the course of a decade.

Keep the Lights On chronicles an emotionally and sexually charged journey of two men in New York City through love, friendship, and addiction. Documentary filmmaker Erik (Thure Lindhardt) and closeted lawyer Paul (Zachary Booth, Damages) meet through a casual encounter, but soon find a deeper connection and become a couple.

Keep the Lights On premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year before moving on the Berlin International Film Festival, where it received the Teddy Award for best scripted feature film with an LGBT theme.

Check out the film’s official website.

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Las Vegas: 3rd Annual Pedal to the Medal – Saturday, September 8th

It’s going to be a gorgeous sunny day in Vegas tomorrow, so why not go bike riding for a great cause?

Sponsored by Gaudin Porsche, the 3rd Annual Pedal to the Medal event to support the Special Olympics Nevada will take place on Saturday, September 8, 2012.  Riders have the choice of a 25-mile or 50-mile ride.

100 percent of registration fees to benefit Special Olympics Nevada.

In addition to the bike rides, the event will also feature a free bike rodeo for rider’s family and friends. The bike rodeo will offer children and those with special needs the chance to learn safe riding practices and try out different types of bikes including adapted cycles for disabled riders.

Registration for Pedal to the Medal is $45. The registration fee includes a fully supported ride, event tee shirt, lunch, rider swag bag and a timing chip for participants riding the 50-mile course.

Participants can register to ride at www.PedalToTheMedalLasVegas.com.

Here’s the details:

When: Saturday, September 8, 2012
50-mile ride starts at 7 a.m.
25-mile ride starts at 8 a.m.

Where: West Career and Tech Academy
11945 West Charleston
Las Vegas, NV 89135

Facebook: Special Olympics Nevada
Twitter: @SONevada