The Bilerico Project

Outing Catholic Priests Is a Fair Game at Churchouting.org

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

The recently launched churchouting.org is a retaliation for the Catholic Church's strenuous efforts to fight gay marriage rights in Maine, DC and elsewhere. There is nothing mean-spirited in churchouting. It isn't even anti-Catholic. It is the creation of Phil Attey, a man who cares deeply about his Catholic Church, and one who could have become a leader in that church had he been able to stomach the hypocrisy of teaching his flock that gay sex is evil and had he been attracted to the downlow lifestyle of the gay Catholic clergy.

Phil Attey has kept this site in a sock drawer for a very long time, bringing it to life now because the American Catholic bishops have gone on the offensive in their homophobic campaigning. Gay priests in Maine, at the demand of their bishop, took up a second collection to fund the "Yes on Prop One" efforts. That's right, gay priests, many of whom are in loving same-sex relationships, many of whom have active gay sex lives away from the scrutiny of their parishioners and many of whom are completely closeted, actively solicited and collected funds to combat gay rights. In DC, gay Catholic bishops and priests won't join clergy of other denominations in compassionate work for marriage equality.

I think you should know the truth about why gay Catholic priests fight against gay rights.

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JoeMyGod Honored at Instinct Magazine Leading Men of 2009 Bash in NYC

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Cheers and Congrats to fellow blogger, my good friend and friend of Bilerico Joe Jervis, selected by Instinct Magazine as one of their Leading Men of 2009. Here is the beloved curmudgeon bracketed by America's sweetheart LOGO's Mike Diamond and outrageous NYC Enchantrix-Comedienne Robynne Kaamil. If you are one of the six people left in the world who has not read Joe, head on over to JoeMyGod and get to know a digital activist who is a sensible and compassionate advocate for and builder of our queer family. Also, despite his recalcitrant attempts at atheism, he is heavenbound. I have it on good authority that Jesus and her clergy are big fans.

Here is my complete set of photos of the uberglam awards bash.

In My Grandmother's Dress

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0500

Dear Father Tony,

I read what you recently wrote about parenting so maybe you can settle something for me. We are two men raising my five year old son. I want this kid to grow up to be confident, which you correctly noted is so important, and because of that I want him to fit in at school. I don't want him to act loopy or fem or dress "different" when he is young. He will have plenty of time for that when he is older if he wants. Because of this, we are careful to dress masculine at home. We never did drag but I mean that we have just toned down the whole gay way of dressing. We are keeping it "beige" if you know what I mean. I think I'm doing the kid a favor. He can flame out in whatever direction he wants to when he is on his own. My husband says I might be wrong about this.

Triathlete69r

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Queer Maine - a very different anti-marriage postscript

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500

When you have fifteen minutes to devote to this, I urge you to have a listen to this articulate anti-assimilationist queer as he constructs an excellent economic reframe of Maine and gives voice to a point of view that was almost entirely stifled during the we-must-have-marriage gay juggernaut in Maine.

Here is the delightful subtitle of his group blog, "Naughty North":

WE ARE COMMITTED TO CELEBRATING OUR QUEEREST SELVES WHILE RESISTING THE DEVASTATING VIOLENCE INHERENT IN THE CONSUMER DRIVEN ASSIMILATIONIST GAYSTREAM. WE WILL DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST THE BRUTAL SILENCE OF ISOLATION THRU A DIVERSE AND DEDICATED NETWORK OF ACTION ORIENTED FRIENDS AND LOVERS. WE WILL NOT DENY OUR ANGER OR FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE LINKS BETWEEN QUEER STRUGGLE AND CHALLENGING POWER. NAUGHTY NORTH IS A DEFIANT ORGASM IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION: ALL ARE WELCOME TO GET OFF WITH US!

(I've often thought that our very own Bil Browning is kindred to this kind of queer whom I have often encountered in the back woods of Maine. Although, ever since he went over to the dark side, he'd be loathe to admit it.)

Gay Men's Health Crisis: FASHION FORWARD with Tim Gunn and a host of hot runway models in swimwear

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

I scored a front row seat on the runway (Thank you GMHC!) at the annual FASHION FORWARD event hosted by the Gay Men's Health Crisis. The silent auction lots were fabulous. The crowd was metastylish and gorgeous. In this video, I chat with Project Runway's Tim Gunn whom I love, Jack Mackenroth whom I love and Luna Legacy whom I love. (And, I met a hot guy named Gregory.)

Wendy Williams, LOGO's Mike Diamond and more hot model pics after the jump

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How to snap out of it

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0500

Dear Father Tony,

I am tired of everything I have here. But everything is just fine. Home, guy, job, money. Car. I just think maybe this is all a mistake and I'm not happy and I could be if I slipped out the back door in the middle of the night.

"Feeling guilty for what I have not done."

Continue reading "How to snap out of it"...

Broken Embraces is Almodóvary Good

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500

I recently attended a preview of Pedro Almodóvar's new film Broken Embraces.

Like a dessert composed of crust, cream, compote and chocolate, this movie is an amour foulish confection of fatality, jealousy, treachery and guilt.

If you like a movie in which "Gay" is not the central thesis but rather a naturally occurring part of the plot and characterization, you probably already admire Almodóvar's work and won't be disappointed with what you'll get in this edition.

I have not always been among his admirers and have sometimes fallen asleep, weary with trying to follow the goings on. I did not fall asleep during Broken Embraces, and my recommendation goes far beyond that faint praise.

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A Rally in Albany

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500

New York blogger bud Gavin contacted me with this report about yesterday's marriage rights rally in Albany, New York..

Just when I thought we were all burned out from Maine and Washington, looking at these photos made me feel hopeful after a long day of cynicism and talk of violence.

Here's just one:

Is Violence Inevitable In Our Fight For Equality?

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500

Before you comment on this topic, I urge you to carefully read this post at JoeMyGod.

Joe's advice is sensible. Don't say anything in a comment that you wouldn't say when writing a signed letter to a newspaper.

The specter of gay violence has been with me for many months as the advocates for gay rights have mobilized in challenging the homophobic religious bigots who would deny us equal rights. It's as if the breath of righteous indignation could any minute cause the embers to burst into flame.

I am very worried about this.

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GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios On Washington, Maine and Our Sinful Catholic Bishops

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

I caught up with GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios on Saturday night at a "red carpet gala" in Fort Lauderdale. Jarrett has been with GLAAD for only two months but hasn't exactly had much time to rest. I'll tell you what Jarrett had to say, show you the fabulous waterfront mansion where the gala took place and share some pics of local gay glitterati. All after the break.

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Architreks - My First 2009 Christmas Shopping Recommendation

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered why architectural photography books make such delicious gifts even in a Google Earthy world in which every building on the planet may be zoomed at your desk.

I'll try not to get overly Susan Sontagular in my review of Bob Gregson's new book Architreks - Quests of an Architecture Addict, but in a time of belt tightening and downsizing, book-purchasing becomes a careful practice.

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Backyard Swings, Not Slings, For The Kids

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

Hey FT, we are not looking for your advice, sorry. We are a gay couple 10 years strong and curious about what you have to say about displaying or hiding our sexuality in front of our kids who are 7, 9 and 14. Wanna go there?

Rex & Reg

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Erotic Gay Comics - Superman Never Looked This Good!

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

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Call The Transgender Language Police!

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Although Wilton Manors (Fort Lauderdale) is a diverse community any day of the year, on Halloween, even fluid identities get delightfully scrambled. Yesterday, at the annual Wicked Manors festival, the emcee, local drag queen Misty Eyez, had a tough time keeping contestants and categories in order. Her parsings are sure to spook some of the linguistically touchier members of the transgender community, but please keep in mind that if you can't be forgiving on Halloween, when can you be?

Video and photos of this fun event after the jump.

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One Human Family - It Works In Key West

fathertony@bilerico.com (Father Tony) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

The "Official Philosophy" of Key West is written in tile near the Aids Memorial on the beach at the end of Duval Street. Among the locals ("conchs"), this way of life is more than just a marketing effort.

Having lived in or visited most of the well-known gay/diverse/inclusive communities in the western world, I was surprised by the unique quality of life in Key West.

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