Washington Steps Forward, While Virginia Leaps Back In Time

The state of Washington is poised to become the seventh state to approve marriage equality, in a swift, decisive 28-21 vote by its Senate. Four Republicans joined 24 Democrats in supporting the bill, while three Democrats opposed it.

The measure now heads to the Washington House of Reps, where Democrats hold a wider majority; Democrat Governor Chris Gregoire says she will sign the gay marriage bill into law. Starbucks, Microsoft, Nike and other major corporations based in the state have also lent hearty support.

But for every good deed, it seems those opposing equal rights continue to rear their ugly heads. Virginia has flipped its middle finger in the face of equality with passage of an astonishing bill that denies most anyone an agency doesn't care for the right to adopt children in the Bible belt state, including, of course, gays.

The state House voted 71-28 to pass legislation Friday that deems it acceptable for private adoption agencies to deny placements that "conflict with their religious or moral beliefs." The Republican-led state's Senate endorsed the measure. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell can't wait to sign the bill into law.

The Virginia Board of Social Services in December adopted regulations allowing discrimination against pretty much anyone they don't like, by based on gender, age, religion disability, sexual orientation and family status. Opponents, of course, argue that the government, which contracts with dozens of private, state-licensed child placement agencies, should not sanction discrimination. *

Who Knew: The High Line Has A Homo History

I suppose it makes sense: The area along the now swanky raised park known as the High Line in the Meatpacking District (all too ironic, eh?) used to be the same nabe that offered New York's most deliciously grimy gay haunts, like Spike, the original Eagle and Roxy.

A new book, "High Line: The Inside Story of New York City's Park in the Sky," tells the storied past of the project and documents its history and the completed park in photos.

Last week, its authors Joshua David and Robert Hammond, co-founders of the Friends of the High Line, offered a discussion based on the book, "Behind the Bushes: The Secret Homo History of the High Line," which covered the historical and contemporary relationship between gay men and changing neighborhoods, preservation and design—and how the gay community has influenced and been influenced by the High Line. More about the book here. *

What Really Matters About The Super Bowl: The Cutest Quarterback

Okay, I finally discovered that the New York Giants are playing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI Sunday. The stuff that really matters, of course: As we know, the halftime show features Madonna, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.; while Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem and husband-wife duo Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will sing "America the Beautiful."

The other thing that counts: Natch, it's which team has the hottest quarterback. Let's compare and contrast New England's Tom Brady vs. the Giants' Eli Manning... Hmmm...Above is Brady and below is Manning... Uh... are you fucking kidding me? Why, there's no contest, is there? May the hottest quarterback win! *

Meet Out & Proud Singer/Songwriter Jason Utley

Back in November, Donna Mae Moose and I had the opportunity to see fabulously talented openly gay singer/songwriter Jason Utley perform live in New York.

Born in Utah and raised Mormon, he endured two years of horrible "conversion therapy" before breaking ties with the homophobic church and finding his own spirituality through the self-empowerment anthem "Stand for Something." The result: four OUTMusic Award nominations by the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts and a nod for Best Country & Folk Single Of The Year.

He's now escaped the madness of Mormon country and relocated to (the madness of) New York. His full-length Nothing This Real is out now! Learn more about the artist on YouTube here, read about him here and purchase his powerful music here.

No Doubt: Joe Manganiello Is The Sexiest Man Alive

In case there were a shadow of a doubt that Joe Manganiello is indeed the Sexiest Man Alive, our Smoking Nun Man of the Year in 2011 graces the covers of two February 2012 magazines: Da Man and August.

Meanwhile, season five of his series True Blood (with fellow Nun fave hottie Ryan Kwanten) debuts on HBO in June. In the mean time, Joe guested with his longtime buddy Matt Bomer (they're both starring in this summer's Magic Mike) this past Tuesday on the latter's USA Network series White Collar.

And this Saturday, Joe will participate with buddy Bomer, Chace Crawford, Jordin Sparks and others in DIRECTV’s annual Celebrity Beach Bowl in Indianapolis as part of Super Bowl Weekend, where celebs and NFL athletes will grunt and compete in a game of flag football on 1+ million pounds of freshly poured sand at Victory Field. The free event is open to the public (and followed by a concert from The Fray, who have an upcoming album Scars and Stories). Wow, there's finally a reason to go to Indianapolis, huh?

And finally, ever wonder what Joe-boy eats to look so damn sexy? Take a look here.

And Here She Is: Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin'"

Spanking new... Madonna sings "Mickey"?

Oh What A Night! | Tinatin & Chris Neil

Heaven... I'm in heaven... After my pal Tinatin and I had another interview session for the upcoming book we're working on together, we joined songwriter & producer Chris Neil on the Upper East Side for a nice leisurely sit-down over drinks.

Chris, of course, is the auspicious talent behind launching Sheena Easton's career as the producer of "Morning Train," "Modern Girl" and "For Your Eyes Only"; as well as producing Celine Dion's first English-language hit "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" and her European breakthrough "Think Twice." I'm absolutely giddy... *

Isn't That Ironic: A Clown Then, A Clown Now...

Now isn't that ironic? One day after posting this vintage 1960's clown standing on a NYC subway platform—and commenting that there remain plenty of clowns on New York transit today—I come across this idiot Thursday night at Lexington and 59th. WTF, dude?

Brooklyn Heights Neighbor Björk Releases "App Album" "Biophilia"

Warbling Icelandic recording artist and my Brooklyn Heights neighbor Björk, who bought a pad just two streets away with filmmaker hubby Matthew Barney in 2009, has released new album Brooklynphilia. No, wait, that's not right: It's Biophilia. She appeared on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" January 31 to rap about the project and perform tracks.

According to USA Today, the recording is—historically—the "first app album," in collaboration with Apple. Its iTunes link explains that Biophilia comprises "a suite of original music and interactive, educational artworks and musical artifacts," and is released as 10 in-app experiences accessed "as you fly through a three-dimensional galaxy that accompanies the album’s theme song 'Cosmogony.'" Say what?

Perhaps you can figure out what that means as Björk attempts to explain it to Colbert via clips at USA Today's Pop Candy blog here.
(This post originally appeared on the Brooklyn Heights Blog)

Super Bowl Sunday: The One Reason I'll Be Tuning In

Madonna's halftime set list for this Sunday's Super Bowl between the New York Giants and some other team has been mysteriously "leaked." Wow, how could that have happened, given that she has a brand new single and upcoming album?

She'll be performing spanking new "Gimme All Your Lovin'" (please tell me it's a horrible rumor that she'll be joined by M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj), along with classics "Ray of Light" and "Vogue," with murmurs that "Music" and "Holiday" may also make the list. Madge has all of 12 minutes to pack it all in, which begs for a possible montage... Add to that the appearance of scene-stealing Cee-lo Green and it sounds like a potential hot mess.

As much as I adore vintage Madonna, I've seen her live enough times to know that singing in such a setting as the Super Bowl spells impending disaster. This is one occasion where I hope to hell she has the good sense to pre-record her vocals.

Of course, in the case of Nicki Minaj, it matters not whether she's pre-taped or live. She sucks wind no matter how you slice it.

Below: Madonna's NBC commercial for halftime... *

The Pride Of Goochland County, Virginia... Lickinghole Creek

Now isn't this cute? This map from the mid-1800s shows an adorable stone arch bridge that once ran across, uh, Lickinghole Creek in Goochland County, Virginia. As if Goochland isn't bad enough (remember, I'm from Virginia, cool cats, so I know Gooch), did someone really have to name the body of water that strays off the James River Lickinghole?

To make matters worse, some brilliant land-planner actually maintained the unfortunate name for a couple streets in lil' Crozet, Virginia. How would you like to list your beautiful 6-bedroom home for sale at 1185 Lickinghole Road? *

Good Morning, New York!

1960s... not that there are plenty of clowns riding the New York subway today... *

New York City's Ever-Evolving Panorama: 1876, 1952, 1988, 2015(?)

How about this awesome graphic of New York City from the same perspective over the course of more than 100 years: showing 1876, 1952, 1988 and a projection for 2015, though I can say with certainty that first of all, the new World Trade Center will not be fuschia—nor will it likely be completed... especially considering the news Wednesday that a design flaw in the loading dock will add millions to the final cost of the ever-bumbling project. As a result, the WTC has the pathetic superlative of becoming the world's most expensive structure, at $3.8 billion, $700 million more than the last estimate in 2008. *

Is It Just Me, Or...

Is this slightly... odd... or am I reading more into this than I should? *

Happiness Is: Temps Tickling 60 Degrees... This Is February?

Walking around Brooklyn Heights Tuesday was a simple joy, as temperatures reached the upper 50s. I wandered around for a good hour, passing through Cadman Plaza Park, which was mobbed with day-timers and their strollers, kids playing and... the sun! By the time I made my way down to the Promenade, a beautiful sunset offered the ideal finale. And Wednesday, we're supposed to tickle 60 degrees. Suddenly, February isn't such a dirty word. *

First Gay Crush: Robert Conrad

What exactly was this strange fascination with Robert Conrad in Wild Wild West? No doubt, since the "James Bond on a horse" Western series originally aired from 1965 to 1969, I was catching it in afternoon reruns... but I recall eyeing Jim West in his form-fitting royal blue costume and those painted-on britches with an inexplicable appeal. Why, it was almost as if I had a crush... on a man.

I don't know a gay man who doesn't have a similar story, whether it was Batman & Robin or Shaun Cassidy or Sam Elliott or Rock Hudson... that ignition of a curious but powerful feeling... and suspecting that this isn't something the other boys feel. Now, of course, we know "It Gets Better." Oh yes, it certainly did. * (Photos: Daveland)