Tea@Sea is back again and this year it is bigger and better with a much larger boat to dance the night away in Portland, ME. Once aboard you can enjoy a wide variety of Hors D’Oeuvres or grab a drink and enjoy music by the hottest DJ’s around.
Realized my blog had been frightfully low on mancandy posts and wanted to offer you this visual simulation. Good news about my mancandy posts is that they have zero calories. This particular post is courtesy of San Francisco bloggah, DanNation.
This is a guest blog post from Marc D. a competitor in the Gay Games IX hosted in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this summer.
Gay Games IX was held in Cleveland and Akron, OH August 9-16. The city was selected in 2009 by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), winning out over Boston and Washington, DC. I was part of the group from Boston that worked to create our bid and when Cleveland was selected many of us were extremely disappointed, since there were numerous examples of their bid process not following the established guidelines. However, I don’t want to go into that – it’s water under the bridge at this point – but I did want to share my experiences as a competitor at Gay Games IX.
I was fortunate to be part of the gold-medal winning flag football team – the MassMutual Blue – but that competition was an example of why I would believe Cleveland was a poor choice as a host city. The term ‘destination city’ was heard a lot but the problem is Cleveland is not a destination city. As a result, fewer people attended these games; flag football and softball only had 3 teams each in the A/B division; 4 in C; 10 in D; and 2 in the women’s division, etc. By contrast, Boston hosted a softball tournament over the 4th of July weekend that included nearly 40 teams in 2 divisions – twice as many as participated in Cleveland.
I don’t have official numbers but heard that approximately 6,000 participants were on hand; compared to approximately 10,000 from the two prior Gay Games I attended (2002 in Sydney and 2006 in Chicago). Regardless of the actual number, I had expected to see people everywhere we went – this is supposed to be the largest LGBT sporting event in the world – yet downtown Cleveland, where I stayed, was very quiet. So while winning a gold medal was very rewarding, especially since the team we beat hadn’t lost any of its 4 prior games, the fact remains that it was a very small flag football tournament. The same can be said for many of the other sports; it was a poorly attended Games and that’s disappointing. I wanted to feel that we were making an impact and that just did not happen.
Fortunately it looks like the Federation of Gay Games has learned their lesson and have picked Paris has the host city for Gay Games 10 in 2018. I’m already making my plans already and hope to see you there.
About the author: Marc D. is a non-profit development professional who lives in Boston and has a passion for sports.
This marks the final weekend of the 2014 summer season in the United States and while millions of Americans flock to the coast for one last long weekend, Sergio and I will be here in Boston. However you are spending the weekend – and wherever you might be – make the most of it.
Ginger fans hold on to your hats and check out the RED HOT 2015 anti-bullying calendar video now on YouTube. The RED HOT website also sells a revealing coffee table book among other items here.
I love Ms. Coco Peru. She is witty, crass and a guaranteed hoot. No plans? Check out her show. She is performing all weekend at Maine Street in Ogunquit, Maine this weekend.
I’m not much of a football fan so I’m a few days behind on the ESPN Michael Sam controversy. If you are wondering what I’m talking about, I’m referring to ESPN journalist, Josina Anderson, who reported responses on Sports Center, after she inquired how Michael Sam’s teammates are reacting to having a gay player in their locker room and even more disconcerting – the shower!
This so called ‘controversy’ is reminiscent the dumb comments made by those who were opposed to letting female journalists in team locker rooms after games. Everyone quickly figured out this wasn’t a big deal, and I’m hopeful we’ve now come to the same conclusion about gay athletes in the locker room.
Having athletes like Michael Sam come out at the start of their career rather than after they’ve retired is a significant milestone for the LGBT community. Without a doubt there will be future controversies regarding gay athletes but one expects inane comments from athletes, coaches, owners, etc… who may be uncomfortable with the idea of having a gay teammate – not ESPN or the media.
Blogger, Viv Bernstein, writes a bit more about this controversy and the recent history of the media’s obsession with gay men showering in locker rooms in her post, Michael Sam, The Media and That Shower Question.
Much thanks to Jack Sparacino for sharing this photo at R.C.C.
Summer 2014 is nearly over and while it passed quickly, I wanted to point out some new events and places that gave our community a few more options on ways to spend their time during the summer.
Perhaps most notable was the opening of two fun, friendly bars Trophy Room and Cathedral Station. Both seem to have found a niche and are welcome additions to the Boston gay scene.
In addition, Manhunt pool parties hosted by Jonathan Crutchley are becoming more popular as they double as fundraising events for local LGBT charities.
Chris Tobeck put a spin on summer tea dances by organizing the popular “Big Gay Boat Ride” and bringing popular gay DJs like Jim Clerkin to spin music out in Boston Harbor.
However you may have spent your summer, I hope you had a great time. Students move back to Boston this weekend and that can only mean one thing, the fall season is nearly upon us. Make the most of these last few days / weeks.
Earlier this month I was mailed Amin Ghaziani’s book, There Goes the Gayborhood, which you can purchase on Amazon (although I would prefer you buy it from a local LGBT bookstore) like Boston’s Calamus Bookstore.
Ghaziani asserts that gay neighborhoods, enclaves, ghettoes (whatever you want to call them) are ‘straightening’ in what he refers to as a post-gay era. He points out the painful fact that in 1994 there were 16 gay bars in Boston and Cambridge but by 2007 less than a handful remained. However it isn’t just bars that are closing, LGBT bookstores, shops and even newspapers are shuttering to make way for other businesses as our community evolves.
I’m only about 80 pages into the book so this isn’t a review as much as it is a notice that the book will no doubt influence future posts. I couldn’t be more happy to live in this ‘post-gay’ world, but I’m of a generation that experienced a less ‘open-minded’ society and that too shapes my perceptions, attitude and makes me more protective of the concept of a gayborhood than my younger counterparts.
Just a quick reminder to that later today the Manhunt Mansion in Brookline at 166 Fisher Avenue is hosting the annual fundraiser / pool party for the Gay Officer’s Action League (GOAL New England).
Admission is $20 with all proceeds going to GOAL New England. Food, drink and fun will be available at the pool party barbeque. If you happen to be in town – this is a great party to check out. Unfortunately, Sergio and I will not be able to attend since we are still in Provincetown. If you go email me photos from the party at bosguymail@gmail.com or tweet me @bosguy.
More details here.
The Modern Gay posted a great article earlier this month entitled, The One Guy That Every Gay Man Needs In His Life. The article about male gay / straight relationships talks about how important and special a straight male best friend can be for a gay man.
The fact that many gay millennials’ response is likely, I have several close friends who are straight, shows how much progress has been made and also points to a significant divide in gay culture based on age. Many guys my age (and older) felt they had to move away to come out and essentially started a new “gay” life; one devoid of any meaningful heterosexual male companionship.
I’m lucky because my life experience has been different. My younger brother and a collection of friends from childhood remain some of my closest friends. JVS says it perfectly when he writes:
“A straight best friend doesn’t see sexuality as a defining aspect of your friendship. You are not his “gay best friend” and he is not your “straight best friend”. While some straight girls excitingly seek a gay best friend as some sort of novelty accessory… You share similar values and similar tastes in music, sports, humor…”
Are you lucky enough to have a straight male buddy who knows you and has your back? My guess is most guys in their 20s or younger would say ‘yes’ where as those in their 30s, 40s and older might struggle to think of someone they’ve talked to recently – let alone would confide in and consider a best friend.
It is only halfway through the work week. Take a moment to do a few neck stretches. I’ll make it easier for you with this neck stretch guide.
All are welcome to come to the Manhunt Mansion at 166 Fisher Ave in Brookline this Saturday. From 2PM – 6PM GOAL (Gay Officer’s Action League) of New England will be hosting their annual pool party and barbeque.
Saturday, Aug. 23 2-6PM GOAL New England
Admission is $20 with proceeds going to GOAL. More details here.
Next Saturday (August 23rd) Boston’s chapter of Gay for Good will be helping the Charles River Watershed clean up the Charles River.
Details about the meet up location will be shared prior to the event for interested volunteers who RSVP. Following the clean up G4G Boston will be hosting a picnic from Noon to 1:00 PM.
G4G Charles River clean up on Saturday, August 23
Volunteers are encouraged to bring sunblock and water; no open toe shoes or sandals. To RSVP or if you need a ride, please link here.
Note: For those looking for a ride contact Bobby Morris. His email is included on the RSVP page (link shared above).
Click on the comic strip to enlarge.
ADAM & ANDY is set in the fictional New England town of Woodfield, CT. You can learn more about this strip by visiting, adamandandy.com.
BosGuy 