Joe Kennedy III declares his candidacy

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 1 comment

Joe Kennedy III has announced that he will run to fill the 4th District seat that Rep. Barney Frank has held the past three decades and will be vacating.  Grandson of Robert F Kennedy and son to former US Rep Joe Kennedy.

About Joseph Kennedy III

Joseph is a graduate of Stanford University, where he studied management science and engineering and was co-captain of the lacrosse team.  He also attended Harvard Law School where he served as technical editor of the Harvard Human Rights Journal and joined the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic from 2004 to 2006. He’s engaged and resides in Brookline, MA.

1 Comment

Posted in Boston, Poltics

Tagged , ,

Spreading Santorum

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 2 comments

Google “Santorum” today

The most conservative elements of the Republican Party seem to be finally uniting behind Rick Santorum.  Who can say if Sen. Santorum’s momentum will last but the fact a candidate like Santorum could even be considered a front runner by a major political party is an indication of how far the Republican party has strayed.  It really is not in any of our interests to see  the Republican Party implode. I’d like more voting choices not fewer but with candidates like Bachman, Perry, Gingrich, Santorum and Romney I wonder if that is even possible so I’ve opted to “spread some Santorum” and I hope you will too.

2 Comments

Posted in Poltics

Tagged , ,

Olive’s could reopen in days

Posted on February 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

Adam over at Universal Hub reported yesterday that Todd English’s restaurant, Olive’s, should be opening any day. The signature restaurant in Charlestown closed back in the spring of 2010.

Let’s hope that Mr. English is correct and the updated restaurant will reclaim its former glory when it opens.  I enjoyed the rustic vibe and have more than a few fond memories of this 50-seat restaurant which first opened in April 1989 in a neighborhood very much in transition.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Dining

Tagged , ,

In a Ptown state of mind

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 5 comments

Readers of this blog know that I have a serious love affair with the tiny town at the tip of Cape Cod – otherwise known as Provincetown.

Recently I booked time in Ptown for Sergio and I to  spend both 4th of July and Carnival (which takes place each August).

I know it is still several months until summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, but are you making plans to go anywhere special this summer?

Where do you like to get away for long weekends during the summer months?  Fire Island…Russian River… Rehoboth… Ogunquit? I’m curious – do tell.

5 Comments

Posted in Provincetown, Video

Tagged , ,

It’s Time

Posted on February 14, 2012 | 4 comments

When the Australian video It’s Time was released in late November 2011, it made a powerful statement and many news outlets broadcast it. But when I saw this touching video about love and commitment I knew I’d be saving this one for Valentine’s Day. 

Special thanks to the Australian Parliament for introducing bills on February 14th that would lift the Same Sex Marriage ban. #ItsTime

4 Comments

Posted in Gay, Poltics

Tagged , ,

Same Sex Marriage is inevitable so get over it

Posted on February 14, 2012 | 3 comments

The past few weeks have been heady for same sex marriage advocates and since today, Valentine’s Day, is all about expressing love with someone you care about the thought of addressing some of these recent “wins” seems appropriate to me.

Aside from the increasingly vile rhetoric from conservative elements of the Republican Party generally verbalized through Romney, Gingrich and Santorum, most of the news with regards to same sex marriage in 2012 has been overwhelmingly positive.

The cultural shift of the general population accepting same sex marriage tilted a few years ago and while it may not be apparent depending on where you live, national polls in the US show an undeniable trend that makes social bigots conservatives tremble with both fury and fear.Without dwelling on that lovely thought for too long, let’s review what has happened in the new year.

  • February 7th US 9th District Court of Appeals declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional
  • February 13th Gov. Gregoire signed a bill into law making Washington the 7th state to legalize marriage (effective June 7, 2012)
  • February 13th NJ State Senate passed a bill to recognize same sex marriage 24-16; picking up 8 votes from 2010 when the same body rejected same sex marriage 20-14
  • MD, NC, MN and ME are also considering initiatives addressing same sex marriage

Surveys show the more visible the GLBT community has become the more Americans support GLBT equality. For everyone who had the conviction to step into the light and leave the closet this must be sweet news.

So I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day, but for those GLBT couples, I’d like to let you know there is a special place in my heart for you and I wish you much love and happiness.

3 Comments

Posted in Gay, Poltics

Tagged , , , ,

Are you Peggy or Viola?

Posted on February 14, 2012 | 3 comments

3 Comments

Posted in Humor

Tagged ,

Free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream Feb 14 from 5-8pm

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

I love Ben & Jerry’s not only for their tempting ice cream but for their consistent stand on social issues I think are important.  On Valentine’s Day (14-February) Ben & Jerry’s is kicking off their latest campaign, GetTheDoughOut.org

According to the site, their goal “is to take back American democracy, and over-rule the Supreme Court, with a Constitutional Amendment that will keep corporate money out of our elections.”

They will kick off this campaign, on Valentine’s Day, February 14th from 5-8PM, with participating Ben & Jerry’s shops offering a free scoop of the ice cream inspired by Stephen Colbert, Americone Dream.  In return would you consider signing their online petition here?

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Free Stuff, Poltics

Tagged ,

Hotel Review: W Hotel – Fort Lauderdale

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Prior to boarding our Atlantis Cruise we spent two nights in Fort Lauderdale at the W Hotel.  This particular property is perhaps the largest W Hotel I’ve stayed, but it wasn’t my favorite.

First with the positives:  the hotel’s location just blocks from the gay beach and overlooking the ocean is one of its best selling points. Additionally, the staff was very helpful and did their best to accommodate all our requests. Lastly, the hotel may have one of the nicest pools in FTL which also has great views of the Atlantic.

The property’s disappointments mostly stem from incidentals; for example our room not having an iPod docking station and a lumpy bed that was not particularly comfortable. The images below are not our room, but this is what a standard room at the W Hotel looks like.

Hints & Tips: 1- The hotel provides free internet access only from the lobby and bar area.  Its worth accessing the hotel’s free service if you are only using the internet for personal reasons rather than work. 2- I felt that our room on the 5th floor was far more convenient since we could walk to the pool, gym and lobby.  3- Our upgraded room (Rm 511) was a handicap accessible room which included a HUGE bathroom and over sized semi-private patio with views of the ocean.

Standard W Hotel Room

Standard W Hotel Bathroom

Leave a comment

Posted in Travel

Tagged , ,

Men of Twitter: Valentine’s day edition

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 1 comment

Each Monday I post #MenOfTwitter profiles of men whom I think you may enjoy following. Since Valentine’s Day is this week I wanted to feature couples.

I hope you enjoy this Valentine’s Day / Week edition of Men of Twitter. If you share a Twitter handle or are part of a couple who both use Twitter regularly on separate handles, be sure to leave a comment about yourself and include your Twitter handle(s).

(Jan 2011 Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images North America)

Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) and David Burka (@DavidBurtka)      This Hollywood couple first openly admitted they were dating back in the fall of 2007, but they have been together since 2004.  In 2010 the two adopted twins and currently wait for marriage to be legalized in their home state of California.  I could say quite a bit more about these two but I figure the longevity of their relationship in an industry notorious for marriages that last for 72 days (or less) speaks for itself.

Perhaps this next couple lacks the Hollywood buzz the first couple enjoys but Henry (@AkennedyRent) and Aaron (@doschain98) are just as proud to be together.  By sheer coincidence they share the same last name and like their famous counterparts in this week’s Men of Twitter they are are not yet married. Its not legal in their home state of NJ (at least not yet).

1 Comment

Posted in Gay

Tagged , , ,

2012 Grammy’s tribute to Whitney Houston

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 1 comment

The 2012 Grammy’s had Jennifer Hudson sing, I will always love you, as a tribute to Whitney Houston who passed away in her hotel room the night before. Hudson’s soulful version, which started without any musical accompaniment did justice to the original and was the high point of the award ceremony.

1 Comment

Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Video

Tagged ,

Addams Family

Posted on February 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

How will you be spending Valentines Day?

I will be watching Gomez, Morticia and  the rest of the Addams family as this Broadway show visits the Shubert Theatre.  I vaguely recall these quirky characters on t.v. reruns and loved the movie from the early 90s .

Interested in seeing the show? Move quickly as the show only has 13 performances.

You can buy your tickets online here.

Leave a comment

Posted in Theater

Tagged , ,

Whitney Houston: August 1963 – February 2012

Posted on February 11, 2012 | 4 comments

Maybe its a cliche for a gay blogger to post something about Whitney Houston on the evening of her death, but I loved her voice and her music.  This song has a lot of memories and remains one of my favorite Whitney Houston songs despite the title’s obvious irony.

4 Comments

Posted in Music, Pop Culture, Video

Tagged , ,

Idina Menzel performs Another Day and Defying Gravity

Posted on February 11, 2012 | 4 comments

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to include a photo of Idina alongside her handsome husband, Taye Diggs.  Below is a video from Idina Menzel’s show aboard the Atlantis Cruise. I’ve included her singing “Another Day”  from Rent and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.

4 Comments

Posted in Music, Theater, Video

Tagged , , ,

Fenway Men’s Event: March 3, 2012

Posted on February 10, 2012 | 2 comments

 The Fenway Health Clinic’s annual Men’s Event is just a few weeks away.  This fundraiser which draws more than 1,300 gay men and their allies helps fund one of the nation’s leading and largest GLBT healthcare clinics.  This year’s award recipient is Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank.  Rep Frank will certainly add color to the evening speaking freely about issues pertaining to GLBT health, healthcare in general and issues of equality and social justice.

Don’t have tickets yet? You can buy them here.

I’ll be talking more about the black tie affair in the weeks that follow but for now I’ll leave you with picture of Sergio & Jesse from the 2011 Men’s Event.

2 Comments

Posted in Boston, Gay

Tagged , ,