The “Gay” Year in Review

By James (BestGayBlogs)

For many, this is probably their number 1 issue for 2009. From Iowa, to Maine to Mexico City and DC, it has been a roller-coaster ride for marriage equality in 2009. I’ve written much about this subject over the year as well, even though at one point, I made a conscious decision to stop writing about it. Truth is that there is no way to write about what is happening for GLBTQ America and not talk about marriage equality. But there were 4 other issues that received more hits or attention on my blog, placing this at #5 for me.

To start, let me set the record straight for anyone who doesn’t know this: I fully believe that all same-sex couples deserve the same rights as straight couples, and so I’m all for Marriage Equality, but I don’t believe it is the single most important issue facing us as the whole collective of GLBTQ communities, nor do I think passing marriage laws will substantially change life for most GLBTQ’s overnight. For me, non-discrimination laws at the local, state and federal level, an end to DADT, and the cultural shifts needed to allow gay teens to come to terms with themselves are more important than the right to get married. I believe that because the legal institution of marriage is so enmeshed with the religious institution on marriage, it is going to be a very long and challenging battle, and I think in the mean time, there are other ways to protect our relationships and our families. I’d rather achieve some rights, a bit at a time, rather than hold out for full marriage and have nothing until that happens.

More at: Thomas C Waters!

Top 5 gay TV moments in 2009

Adam Amel Rogers over at Change.org scanned his DVR for the best gay TV moments of 2009.

"Knocking on doors, phonebanking and contacting legislators are all important, but perhaps the most powerful method of advancement is through entertainment media," says Adam Amel Rogers over at Change.org.

Adam studies the impact of entertainment on society at the University of Southern California Annenberg Norman Lear Center. He scanned his DVR for best gay TV moments of 2009. Here are his top 5 gay tv hits.

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NJ Votes Today

The same-sex marriage bill has cleared a hurdle in New Jersey, passing a state Senate committee by a slim margin. It’s an historic step, but it could be a much tougher battle for the full senate.

Thirteen lawmakers sent bill 1967, a proposal that would let gays marry, out of committee. It is the farthest any bill like this has ever gone.

The path to a full vote to let homosexual couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples came after passionate pleas from conservatives.

The State Senate Judiciary Committee heard six hours of testimony Monday. Then, by a vote of 7-6, approved sending the measure on to the full Senate to vote on Thursday. (today)

Read more at: Focus On The Rainbow!

Georgia Elects First Black Lesbian

Georgia voters made history Tuesday night by electing the first openly lesbian African-American state legislator in U.S. history.

Simone Bell, who won a runoff election to represent district 58 in the Atlanta area, will become the second openly LGBT member of the Georgia State Assembly, following Representative Karla Drenner, also from Atlanta.

“The historical aspect of this was never my goal. In fact, someone only brought that to my attention midway through the campaign,” Bell told The Advocate of the milestone. “But it does mean a lot to the communities, and it’s humbling that I stand on the shoulders of greatness.”

More at Advocate.com

Challenging “Tradition”

With its December issue, Unzipped magazine defies the view of traditional family with its in-your-face cover, a take on Norman Rockwell’s famous Saturday Evening Post work Freedom From Want. The portrait, which features a gay-for-pay star as Dad, a drag queen as Mom, and the adult industry’s only monogamous real-life couple, is as American as apple pie. Or good sex…or even the GOP!

For decades the right wing has criticized as unhealthy and un-American any notion of a family that didn’t fall into its own narrow-minded conservative definition. But that claim was turned on its head last November when the American people elected a mixed-race son of a single mother to become president of the United States.

“Yes, our December cover is a bit camp,” said Rick Andreoli, Executive Editor of Unzipped Media, “but the underlying themes are not. No one should dictate what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes, and certainly no one should be denied the privileges of marriage simply because they may not conform to a narrow-minded model of what a vocal minority feel is acceptable.”

December’s issue of Unzipped tackles stereotypes as straight man Chris Rockway divulges how he became a top-tier gay-for-pay porn star, the Jarics (Aden and Jordan) reminisce about their wedding day alongside loving and supporting family, and professional illusionist Shannel challenges everyone’s view of a drag performer’s life as she talks about the gay community’s own hang-ups with gender roles.

This portrait of the modern gay community is thought-provoking, complex, loaded with sexiness, and a far cry from the demonized, hell-bound portrait that the right wing paints on a daily basis. Americans are more than just one color, one creed, and one orientation. Unzipped celebrates the diversity of Americans and most especially American values that are oftentimes in direct opposition to what the right wing likes to call “family values.”

The December issue of Unzipped will be available at newsstands on November 24. For subscriptions or more information visit www.Unzipped.net

J. Davy Kirkpatrick

WHO ELSE WANTS SOME ASIAN PERSUASION?

J. Davy Kirkpatrick’s photography career essentially began on February 13, 1988, when he shot a grad school friend who was a long-distance runner and interested in modeling. Both of them liked the results, and that emboldened him to start asking various other athletes – other runners, cyclists, and bodybuilders – if they’d be willing to pose for his camera, too. Things snowballed (in a good way) from there. He spent his early days shooting in southern Arizona, but his photography career really took off once he moved west to Los Angeles in late 1994.

Want to see more…I believe you do! Check it out at: Gay Asian Collection!

The end of DADT?

By Ramon Johnson,

The end of the military's ban on gays in the military could come as early as next year.

When human rights issues fall at the hands of defense priorities, what better way to reverse discriminatory policies than to attach it to a defense spending bill. It worked with The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Now, Rep. Barney Frank and other Congressional Dems want to try again, but this time with the controversial 'don't ask, don't tell' ban on gays in the military.

Dems plan to include the repeal as an amendment to a Department of Defense appropriations bill as early as next year... more at Advocate.com

Anal sex toys for men :: Aneros G-Spot Stimulator

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BJ and the Bear
San Francisco, CA

Aneros is a patented line of male sex toys designed to massage and stimulate the prostate for sexual pleasure. The Aneros was originally developed as a device for prostate massage, intended as an alternative means to treat a variety of prostate problems like prostatitis and BPH. The Aneros can be used by men of all sexual orientations.

The Aneros is known as the Enemagra in Japan.

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West Hollywood Gay Pride Parade 2009 - L.A. Happens eps.#103

The 39th Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender pride parade is featured in this episode of "L.A. Happens" #103 hosted by John McQuilkin.

Long Beach Gay Pride 2009-Highlights

The 2009 Long Beach Gay Pride Parade. Adam (alifelessboring)and Jason (tbossbone)at Long Beach's Pride Festival!

Proud (40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots)

Inspiring images of gay pride, gay love, gay rights and gay history set to Heather Small's song "Proud," in celebration of Stonewall's 40th anniversary. Happy Pride!!

Stonewall Inn Riots-40 years later

The Stonewall Inn Riots in Greenwich Villiage~40 year anniversary.

Top Sex Toys For Gay Men

Stock your pleasure chest this Holiday Season with these toys sure to enhance your personal or partnered pleasure...

Enhance your self-pleasure or sex with a partner with these top sex toys for gay men.

1. Lube Launcher
The lube launcher is ideal for guys that need extra lubrication during sex. The thin applicator applies your favorite lube to those hard to reach places. Comes with three applicators and a tip cover.

2. Remote Controlled Bullet Egg Vibrator
Add a game hide and seek to your pleasure chest with the latest in hands-free toys. Keep the remote, pass the egg to your partner and count to ten. The remote activates bursts of vibration from from up to 25 feet away.

3. Steel Prostate Plugs
Get the most out of your orgasm with steel p-spot massagers. The plugs are angled to hit the prostate for intense pleasure.

4. Kinky Nipple Suckers
Place the nipple suckers on yourself or your partner and squeeze the tip for light vacuum suction. The rubber pair measure 2" in height and 1.25" in diameter.

5. Top Dog Fleshlight Motion
This versatile doggy-style Fleshlight mount is designed to help you get the most out of your Fleshlight. Ideal for both hands-free pleasure and stamina training techniques.

6. Enema Syringe
Stay ready. Stay clean. Fill the bulb with water, insert into anus and feel the rapid flow of water exit the nozzle.

7. Strict Leather Blindfold
Add the element of surprise to your play time with a fur-lined leather blind fold. The elastic band is one size fits all.

Why Don't All Gay Men Have Anal?

By Ramon Johnson

A lot of people assume that having anal sex is what makes a man gay or that all gay men have anal sex. This couldn't be further from the truth...In this article we answer that old question...Do All Gay Men Have Anal Sex?

According to Steven Gregory Underwood, author of Gay Men and Anal Eroticism, roughly three-fourths of gay men have had anal sex at one time or another throughout their lives. Now, assuming these men continue having anal sex, that leaves a quarter of all gay men that have either never tried or no longer have anal. That's a lot of gay men that aren't into anal sex. Why? There could be a number of reasons:

Personal taste. Some guys may have tried anal only to discover that they find no pleasure in topping or bottoming. Those that have never tried anal may continue to have no desire to participate.

Stigma. There are stigmas associated with men who have anal sex with other men. The top is often thought to be the dominant partner while the bottom is considered the more submissive. This isn't always true. So, anal sex can pose a problem to, say, a bottom that doesn't want to be seen as or feel like the "weaker" or less dominate man.

Anxiety. There are more letters in the STD alphabet soup than any of us would like. The risk of contracting an STD, from the most treatable to the incurable, causes quite a bit of anxiety. Anal sex can be a pathway to many fears, so some feel it's better to abstain than engage.

Feelings. Anal penetration is one of our closest physical connections. Many prefer there be feelings associated with that level of closeness. So, some men abstain from anal unless they have an emotional connection with their partner.

Sex is personal. So much so, that preferences, pleasures, desires, wants and needs vary by the individual. Our sexuality, which includes all of the things just mentioned, changes as we experience and grow. What we like today may not be what we're into tomorrow.

Ultimate fighting: homoerotic or homosocial?

By Ramon Johnson

Two guys locked in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu floor work—one on top, one on bottom—each in an attempt to submit the other with impenetrable holds sounds homoerotic; but are the gladiator contests of ultimate fighting "sporno" or just rough homosocial play?

An ultimate fighter has yet to come out publicly since The New York Times, About.com's parent company, featured gay rough-house Shad Smith in the magazine last year. The sport, however, has attracted an avid base of gay and bi fighters and fans.

As a person who trains with other boxers, I'd argue that there are more gay/bi boxing and MMA enthusiasts than the notoriously homophobic boxing leagues will admit. Yet, other leagues, such the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), aren't so quick to tap out openly gay fighters.

"Any guy involved in grappling is the furthest thing from homophobic in the world," UFC President Dana White said, as reported by The Daily Beast. "I honestly think it would have no impact whatsoever with not only our fighters or our fan base."

White's gay embrace comes after a previous blast for spitting anti-gay slurs at his critics.

Could this be a new day for ultimate? Will underground gay boxing clubs start sparring out in the open? Given the historically homoerotic-yet-homophobic nature of hyper-masculine sports like boxing, it may be some time. But, with Dana White's crack in the door, ultimate could soon be the most open sport yet.

Image: Anderson Silva (R) fights Patrick Cote in the UFC Middleweight Title Bout. © Tasos Katopodis/Getty