Kylie Minogue is known for some great dance songs and videos with some beautiful people in them, especially hot guys. It is only proper that a tribute to her be a group of good looking guys dancing and lip syncing to one of her songs. It is not bad on our eyes also. Enjoy!
( Click on the YouTube link and it will take you to the video and watch it)
2011 is another year where Gay rights or more appropriately equal rights for the LGBT community is still very much an ongoing cause. There definitely have been major steps in our country. It has been a painful change and there are still major hurdles ahead to overcome the deep seated bigotry that exists and is being perpetuated by right wing religious zealots, ignorance and those that simply hate.
However, the momentum has been set and in this country where every citizen deserves equal rights and where we have seen Secretary Of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declare Gay Rights as a Human Right globally, 2011 is another pivotal year where equality for LGBT people at all levels continues to be a focus.
Having recently come out, music artist Ricky Martin‘s music video capsulizes the spirit of this dream.
The Script , that wonderful music group, with their powerful songs about romance and heartbreak have resonated deeply with my personal journey. I have progressed so much, in moving pass the heartbreak of the break up of a relationship, but there are times when emotions get the best of me. My counselor says that is normal and that sometimes the period of grieving over a relationship that has been wounded or annihilated takes longer and you have to come back to it occasionally to stitch the last remaining wounds.
There are some friends who get impatient with me when I get into that funk. They always ask me what is wrong or simply tell me abruptly to get over it and move on. Some tell me to take another drink to feel better. What they are really saying is that they do not want me to rain on their parade or deal with my shit. I understand but it does not help.
I mean I look back and the first opening of my heart was to someone who lived thousands of miles away in South Africa. There were just inklings of possibilities and that person returned to his boyfriend. However, my heart actually entertained the possibility of moving on so I was grateful for the experience. It may have seemed like a silly notion to others that I would have entertained such an idea with someone who lived so far away but the heart is not limited to distance.
I have recently tried to date again and it has been interesting territory. I feel vulnerable and in a world dominated by superficiality in relationships that seem to begin and end in 24 hours, I am trying to not fall into cynicism.
When my heart broke, it was not even. My ex partner seemed so much more assured of what he wanted. I still am challenged. I know what I want. I do not want superficiality but something deeply authentic. However where to find such a thing is more of the issue.
So during those moments when tears come, I ignore the insensitive comments of some, and simply walk through the emotions , and heal the remaining wounds. I find that by facing them head on, my heart, although vulnerable, becomes more open, and with that love is possible…again.
What the first decade of this new century has definitely given both gay men and straight women a real revolution in the past time of enjoying plentiful eye candy – of scantily clad, good looking, drop dead gorgeous men. I mean one simply can peruse the internet, You Tube, the magazines and other media and find plenty of hunk and muscle to enjoy.
Music videos have exploded with more and more male hotness.
Men have become ultimately become more self conscious about their looks and appearance with the growing grooming, skin care, fitness and clothing products for the guys. It is big money!
So as the holidays approach, remember to relax and indulge in a little eye candy because Santa has certainly stuffed a lot more in the stocking ( no pun intended…well maybe
I have followed Tom Goss for some time now and blogged about him. We have become friends over time. His music and his songwriting are some of the best that I have ever heard. There is depth to his lyrics and when he performs them he puts all this energy into singing which literally takes over his small body frame.
When I arrived at the MCC in San Francisco, he was there at the reception desk helping with collecting tickets and entrance fees. He recognized me and called me by name. I met him through blogging when I first saw him perform on the Feast of Fun.
Tom Goss showing off the "The Big Spring Tour" tee shirt
He performed last, but I am going to to write about him first. Tom commands the stage when he performs. He immediately engaged us as an audience. he sang one of my requested songs, Lover. I always thought that this song needed to be a theme to a movie. It is so powerful and deserves national recognition and enjoyment.
He prefaced the song by saying that his long term partner, Mike, was able to visit him here in San Francisco while on a business trip to Sacramento. He and Mike have this great love story and they plan to get married in the fall.
Tom Goss and Fausto Fernos ( of the Feast of Fun) Photo by Nathan Adloff
His performance of Lover, Rise and Back to Arkansas were all spot on and he was able to bring the audience to cheers and some emotional moments. I also loved his rendition of “Til The End.”
He also performed the powerful song ” You Don’t Question Love.” This reflects his growing activism in the Marriage Equality issue. He recognized couples in the audience who were showcased in the video as a result of a campaign held for people to submit wedding video clips for the video.
He also told his coming out story out of a Catholic seminary. He had to find a place in Washington D.C. and during this traumatic time, he also ended up in a one night stand. That inspired his song “Stay” which he explained how he was fortunate to meet someone that night who was kind and who stayed by him through one of the worst nights of his life. He said that he is forever grateful to that person.
He spoke to me about his forthcoming album. He is so excited about this next group of new songs. I cannot wait, Tom!
Jermiah Clark at the MCC in San Francisco
This was the first time I have seen Jeremiah Clark performed live. Jeremiah is a poet songwriter whose use of words brings about images that make his songs memorable. He and Tom have been touring for five weeks in “The Big Spring Tour.” His songs surrounding love and loss were deeply moving to me.
Jeremiah Clark
Dudley Saunders
Dudley Saunders spoke to me before the concert and he mentioned to me that in the early years being an out musician was difficult and compared to the current climate. His music is earthy and soul deep, punctuated by his unique vibrato masculine voice. His artistry has been validated by his album , The Emergency Lane” winning the Best Album award at the 2009 OutMusic Awards. His songs range from a “Love Song to Jeffrey Dahmer ” -not what you think- to a range of songs going back to folk country. He has produced both edgy but deeply life descriptive
songs.
Jeremiah Clark at the MCC in San Francisco
Daniel Owens was the only San Francisco artist to perform among the four musicians. He has a great sense of humor. His songwriting is moving. He also debut a song of a musical that he is writing. It was a hymn and I found it to be truly touching. His instrumental skills on the piano and guitar are notable. His music ranges from ballads to rock medleys.
Daniel Owens and Tom Goss perform at the MCC in San Francisco
Daniel Owens
Daniel Owens, Jeremiah Clark, Tom Goss and Dudley Saunders perform in a group finale at the MCC in San Francisco
This was truly an organic show with gifted out singers and songwriters. Listen to their music and see a show if you can, if any of these performers have a gig near you. These are the artists of this generation who bring our message and voice to the world.
Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet (JAY KOH / VILLAGE THEATRE)
I knew that he was on the verge of greatness. Never did I anticipate that it would come in the form of a Tony nomination. Levi Kreis was just nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Million Dollar Quartet. The Tony Awards ceremony will be held on June 13, 2010
Levi Kreis
Levi Kreis ( over the piano) and the boys of the Million Dollar Quartet- Chicago Tribune
An independent out music artist, Kreis gained national attention in 2005 for his appearance as one of the assignments of The Apprentice candidates. This led to his songs being used in soap operas like The Days of Our Lives and The Young and Restless.
His music and albums reflect his own growth and life with love, religion, coming out as a gay man, and self discovery. His music is deeply soulful and moving.
Levi Kreis - The Out Music Artist
There is something about his music that epitomizes the genius of a real music artist that defies conventional billboard formulas. His music is enduring and will last in people’s play-lists long after the one hit wonders of today fade away.
His charming, natural southern good looks with acting chops has garnered him both film and stage roles. One of the movies he was in was the award winning independent film ” Don’t Let Go.” He also worked with Bill Paxton and Matthew McConaughey in “Frailty.“
Some of the most candid interviews with Levi Kreis from the early start of his career came from the award winning podcast Feast of Fun.
Ricky Martin’s announcement on his blog that he is gay was really not a surprise I think to most people. There have been rumors for years about it and interviews by such luminaries as Barbara Walters came as close to outing him without even him saying it.
This is the not first time a celebrity has come out and will not be the last. I am sure there will be some commentary on his timing of coming out, his upcoming book and album. Some of the criticism may come from parts of the gay community.
However, I personally believe the coming out process is a personal thing that requires courage whether you are a celebrity or an unknown- when we still live in a society where a prom is canceled because a girl wanted to take her girlfriend to it, where there is still a ” Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy” in the military, and where marriage rights for same sex couples have been denied by most states.
I mean ” Coming Out” is still news.
I saw in a recent episode of the MTV’s current show ,The Real World, where the boyfriend of a current gay cast member still is facing ostracization from his family for coming out and declaring his love for his male boyfriend.
Ricky Martin
It is unfortunate that Ricky and thousands of others like him, and those many still to come, famous or not, will be having to struggle with making the decision to come out. That is why instead of throwing stones at each other and arguing about the intent and timing of someone coming out, let us focus on the real issue. It is not Ricky Martin.
Ricky Martin
We have to continue to marshal our collective resources, time and energies to change those laws and systems that makes us live like second class citizens of this country and of this world. Until we assume full rights as LGBT people we will forever see headlines of “Coming Out.” The fight to win this war of ideas is honorable and right.
The road ahead may be rough in some places but more and more are joining the cause and one day we will light the flame of freedom and equal rights.
Ricky Martin - Proud father of two
Thank you, Ricky Martin, for reminding us that we have a lot of work to do.
“For his 5th #1 Video, Ari enlisted Chrsitopher Ciccone for his first video ballad “I Can Forgive You”. Christopher Ciccone who has notably directed videos for Dolly Parton and Tony Bennet as well as directed and designing two of Madonna’s most influencial concert tours. “I Can Forgive You” is the third single off the critically accpaimed and Award Winning album TRANSPORT SYSTEMS. It can also be found on the new maxi-single “Mr. Mitsress/I Can Forgive You” on iTUNES September 29, 2009.”
