The Dooryard

My column on Christine Daniels

I wrote a column I'm very proud of that I wanted to share with you all. It's called "A woman behind the words," and it's about Los Angeles Times sportswriter Mike Penner's revelation last week that he is transgender. I actually heard from Christine Daniels (Penner's new monicker), and she said, "It did my heard good." I actually heard from other transgender people and other sportswriters that they loved the column. It felt good writing it.

For years now I have been a vocal advocate of trans equality. I think I've somehow "suffered" as a gay man? I don't know suffering, compared to what trans people have to go through in this culture. And a sportswriter? Forget about it. He's got balls. So to speak.

The column.

Thank a black gay guy for "Barack the magic negro"

Should Rush have done this? Probably not. I wouldn't have. But, to me, it was fair game . . .

Oh, the liberals are licking their chops over this one. About a week ago, Rush Limbaugh played a parody song called, "Barack the Magic Negro" (thanks to Towleroad). They're calling for his removal from the air. Of course, they're just being reactionary and using limited information to misguide the public. What they're not mentioning is that "magical negro" is a term coined by BLACK Spike Lee, and it was BLACK gay columnist David Ehrenstein who called Barack Obama specifically a "magic negro" in a Los Angeles Times column last month. In the column he said:

"But it's clear that Obama also is running for an equally important unelected office, in the province of the popular imagination — the 'Magic Negro.'" He then goes on to explain what the "magic negro" is and how Barack Obama is one. The song parody specifically quotes the column.

Limbaugh prefaced his comments and the parody by talking about Ehrenstein's column. But, of course, the divisive liberals who are calling for Rush's head aren't saying that. They're withholding that information to try to get support for booting Rush.

So there's the whole truth. Now you can decide how you feel about it.

Should Rush have made the parody? Again, probably not. I wouldn't have. I find it hard to defend something like this, which was in bad taste. But, you can't allow some people to say a term in one way, and then have someone else use it in THE SAME EXACT WAY and tell him he needs to be fired for it. And you can't say it's OK for racists like Al Sharpton to run around saying racist things and racial terms, but get upset when someone else says a word, especially in a parody.

HK's new club

I went to what is being called a hot new spot last night. HK is a restaurant at 39th & Ninth, and they've opened up a two-level club next door. It's pretty fancy inside, I must say. It looks beautiful. Last night was one of those 20-something-hotties parties (a friend invited me - 20-something hasn't described me in a while) where everyone stands around and models and watches everyone else. Believe it or not, one of them engaged me in a discussion of whether U.S. government (my position) or English Parliament (his position) was a better form of government. It felt like he was trying to impress and confuse me, talking as fast as he could as he rattled off a bunch of stuff. But, I appreciated his effort.

What soured (quite literally) the evening were the bartenders. Neither of them spoke anything better than incredibly broken English, and neither of them knew what they were doing. I ordered a "lemondrop martini" from the first one. I watched him add lime juice and vermouth to it, which seemed odd. But, I figured, he must know what he's doing. No such luck. It was terrible. I asked the other bartender (who, I was told, is better) to remake them. He used lime juice - and triple sec. I guess a lime and an orange make a lemon in Brazil.

I don't know as I'll be headed back anytime soon. Too bad, really, because the place does seem nice. And BTW, this is how to make a lemondrop:

2 oz vodka
2 oz limoncello 
1 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 oz simple syrup

Combine over ice. Shake. Pour into sugar-rimmed glass. Enjoy.

Spitzer introduces NY marriage bill

The sky must be falling, because I'm going to post my second straight positive post about a Democrat in one day! Deservedly so.

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer promised to put forward a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. And today, he is doing so. He has a lot of integrity, he is really a man of the people, and I think he is VERY fair. I could see this guy as president some day. This Republican is a BIG fan of this Democrat!!!

Unfortunately, it's the leaders of the two houses in New York that are the problem. Sheldon Silver (a Democrat) is the head of the Assembly, and gay Democrat politicos have told me that, while he hasn't said so publicly, he strongly opposes gay marriage (he is an Orthodox Jew). Both he and State Senator Joseph Bruno (a Republican) will likely block votes on this; and if those two guys don't want to vote on something, they have the power to stop it, which is a crappy rule.

But again, kudos to Spitzer!! Finally, a politician who stands up for marriage rights and does what he says he'll do!

Is Giuliani flip-flopping on civil unions?

Rudolph Giuliani is being raked over the coals by many gay people today. It seems someone in his campaign stated that Rudy does not support the specific civil unions law in New Hampshire, despite the candidate saying over and over again, as recently as last month to Sean Hannity, that he does support the rights behind domestic partnerships and civil unions. I'm curious to see how Rudy handles this splitting of hairs in the coming days and weeks.

Giuliani's Web site says: "Rudy Giuliani believes marriage is between a man and a woman. He does not - and has never - supported gay marriage. But he believes in equal rights under law for all Americans. That's why he supports domestic partnerships that provide stability for committed partners in important legal and personal matters, while preserving the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman."

Here's my observation. First, I don't think Giuliani has truly changed his mind on this, though he could certainly clear that up by saying so publicly. Second, even if he did, why in God's name should he support gay rights? The loudest gay-rights activists are in a war with Republicans, and most gay people have made it perfectly clear that they will never vote for a Republican in the next election. If I was Giuliani, and I had a group of people telling me they hate me, hate my party, and would never vote for me, I might back track a little too.

Unfortunately, in all of that, he'll lose the support of someone like me, and the many members of the Log Cabin Republicans, who have tied themselves to Giuliani's ship.

I'm curious to see how this plays out.

Dodd on marriage

I saw on Towleroad a little snippet from the Democrat get-together last night about gay marriage. And I have to say, this is one of the best answers about gay marriage I have heard from a presidential candidate, if not anyone in the Senate. Sen. Chris Dodd's (D-Conn.) answer is thoughtful and caring, though I disagree with his ultimate conclusion that gay people shouldn't have the right to marry. Still, it's the best we're going to get from any presidential candidate this time around.

BRIAN WILLIAMS: Senator Dodd, the state of Connecticut has legalized civil unions for gay people. Tell me, is there a difference between gay marriage and civil unions?

SEN. CHRISS DODD: Well, I always begin this question, Brian, by asking people to consider what they would do in the case of their own children. I have two very young daughters who one day may have a different sexual orientation than their parents, how would I like them treated as adults? What kind of housing, what kind of homes, what kind of jobs, what kind of retirement would they be allowed to have? I think if you ask yourself that question, you come to the conclusion that I hope most Americans would: that they ought to be able to have those loving relationships sanctioned. I'm proud of the fact that my state has done so. I'm proud of the fact that Governor Lynch in New Hampshire is going to sign legislation which makes that possible. I believe that civil unions are appropriate and proper. I don't support same-sex marriage. And the distinction there, I think, is one of more what's available, what the traditions are, and the -- over the years. But basically that's a distinction I make -- strongly support those civil unions.

774-253-1962

A while ago a kid named Ryan in Massachusetts posted this Youtube video (left). It's just him asking people to call his phone number. I didn't think much of it until I saw his second video (below), in which he talks about some of the people who have called him. Some people are claiming that he's received over 100,000 calls.

I can't claim to have some intimate knowledge about his reasons for doing this. It seems kind of crazy. But, I can't help but think I wish I thought of it first. The idea of people just calling to say hello, ask your advice - the opportunity to help other people and make the whole world feel a little bit smaller. That's the beauty of media and mass media. And I think it's really neat that Ryan has decided to do this.

Some people are saying it's a scam. It doesn't feel like it to me. I suppose it could be. I called the number and it rang once and went to a very nice voicemail, asking me to call back. If you've got a problem, might as well call. It can't hurt.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled program

Thank God for lawyers. Rosie O'Donnell is leaving The View because she couldn't come to terms with ABC over a one-year contract. One of the most divisive voices in America is finally off the air. This is reason for everyone to rejoice.

Yay sun

I haven't posted this much in one day in a long, long time. It's the weather, methinks. Right now it's 68 degrees and sunny in New York. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ Almighty in the heavens above.

Guest host

Last night I guest-co-hosted Derek & Romaine on Sirius OutQ with my friend Derek Hartley (right). Derek is a GREAT guy. I met him four years ago when they were just launching their show and he wanted to have someone come talk about sports. We struck up a friendship from there.

It was four hours, which is a long time to talk if you haven't done it before. But I got to talk to some really cool people from all over the country who had such positive attitudes and seemed so fun. There was one guy from Philadelphia (or was it Jersey?) who insisted on asking us Broadway musical questions - and I somehow got two of the three right!

The highlight for me was talking with Chad Allen (left, from chadallenonline.com). I had a huuuuuge crush on him when I was younger. I met him about 10 years ago in the Roosterfish in Venice, Calif. He wasn't out at the time, and I nearly spilled my beer (which I drank at the time) when I saw him walk in the bar. I had heard then that he was struggling with alcohol, and he joked about it last night. What a cool guy. He even SCUBA dives, which made me love him even more.

Kim Stolz from America's Next Top Model was in last night, too. She really impressed me. Very smart, very fair, very together. She wants to host political radio and TV shows, and I think she will be some day.

I just love the medium of radio. It allows so many people to share so many stories and ideas. I've been a guest on many dozens of radio shows, but hosting was more amazing than I had anticipated. Derek said he may have me back again this summer while Romaine is on maternity leave. I hope so.