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A stunning NRG line-up featuring Classics from the ALMIGHTY Vaults and brand new mixes 2011 from expert remixers ALMIGHTY, Matt Pop and Ian Stephens! This spectacular album is packed full of must-have NRG highlights, ranging from Almighty’ ‘CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU’ to all time favorite ‘NEVER TRUST A STRANGER’ and the much anticipated ‘COME BACK AND STA
1. Pamala Stanley – Coming Out Of Hiding (Matt Pop Club Mix)
2. Almighty Vs. Charade – Catch Me (I’m Falling In Love) (Ian Stephens Mix)
3. Carol Hahn – Into The Night (Almighty Club Mix)
4. Charade Feat. Norma Lewis – Got To Get To You (Almighty Radio Edit)
5. Almighty Vs. The 501’s – We Are Invincible (Almighty Club Mix)
6. Jimmy Somerville – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Almighty Pop’d Up Radio Edit)
7. Bad Boys Blue – Come Back And Stay (Almighty Mix)
8. Evelyn Thomas – Reflections (Almighty Club Mix)
9. Obsession – The Rumour (Almighty Definitive Radio Edit)
10. Jackie Rawe – I Believe In Dreams (Matt Pop Club Mix)
11. Belle Lawrence – Never Trust A Stranger (Almighty Definitive Radio Edit)
12. Astaire – Love Trap (Ian Stephens Club Mix)
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Bearly Edible Chef Tom
Bearly Edible is a recipe, entertaining and kitchen tips blog. The explosion of blogs and social networking sites has taken the internet to a new dimension over the past few years. It only seemed fitting that there be a community for gay bearish men who love to cook and entertain. The contributors of this site identify themselves as members and friends of the bear community.
We sat down with the man behind Bearly Edible – Chef Tom
The Complete Bear - How did you get started?
Bearly Edible – Well, I have always liked to cook; I come from an ethnic family where my mom, dad and grandmother were great cooks. From young age I always liked to cook. As I grew up, Ii took numerous cooking classes whenever I could. Most of my bear friends know me as a great chef and I cook a lot for dinners and parties.
I am always the one to have my recipes requested a lot. So, I began a personal blog at a pal’s urging and liked it.
The Complete Bear – What is your style?
Bearly Edible – I am a fan of home cooking and also low fat. Sometimes those are at odds, but I like lightening those comfort foods to be healthier. I am a fan of Greek and Italian dishes. The recipe blog started at a friend’s urging at a party.
We talked about doing a bear recipe blog where all the bear friends who come to our card and game nights could contribute. I wanted a winter project, so I taught myself WordPress, and a friend Jason did a logo for me.
The Complete Bear – Do you cook all the recipes?
Bearly Edible – Yes, I never post a recipe I haven’t tried. 2 1/2 yrs ago I had a heart attack, during my recovery from bypass surgery I decided to organize my favorite recipes. I have over 100 cookbooks; I had many recipe boxes, many on pc and many binders from cooking classes. I organized them into a cookbook with over 250 recipes and gave them to friends for Xmas.
The Complete Bear – Do you cook healthier? Less butters and cream?
Bearly Edible – Well, the creams and butters – I replace when I can, but am careful not to take away too much that it might affect the taste. I have some interesting techniques to cut them though. In soups rather than sautéing onions celery and veggies in butter or oil, I use small amts of chicken broth to sauté adding just enough to sauté and not steam. It really works. You can also thicken most soups with non-fat refried beans and not a butter and flour roux . Also, it’s simple to just replace most oil when baking with 1/2 applesauce and 1/2 oil. Yep, don’t sacrifice taste and texture. Too much applesauce and you do.
The Complete Bear – What does husbear think of healthier choices?
Bearly Edible – Well he supports. Actually, it’s important to him – he lost almost 100 pounds on a low fat diet. Then 18 months ago, he had gastric bypass and now must eat low fat and low sugar – he was 365 and is now 180. So, I love comfort food but know I need to alter recipes for both of our health. But, I love to make something high fat and sugar when I cook for a group on special occasions. It’s all about balancing the diet.
The Complete Bear – How long have you guys been together?
Bearly Edible – 18 years.
The Complete Bear – Any secrets for lasting 18 years?
Bearly Edible – LOL – I was going to say good cooking that’s how we both gained the weight. He always blamed me for good cooking, but I think the key is to keep it fresh and surround yourself with good friends.
The Complete Bear – What is your favorite recipe?
Bearly Edible – Mmm favorite recipe – I would have to say my mother’s chicken paprikas with finger dumplings. It reminds me of my youth and family and it tastes so good and is so easy to make.
The Complete Bear – So your mom taught you to cook?
Bearly Edible – Yep, the typical gay son. I hung out in the kitchen and not on the football field. She was an excellent cook. A true 50s-60s wife, who cooked full dinners every night.
I blog because I love to cook and although I am not a professional, I wanted to share the recipes I had.
TheCompleteBear.com is a purveyor of fine bear accessories for the accomplished gentleman (for the bear, his cub, and their den). We’ve searched the globe for the world’s elite brands and selected the top gifts, apparel, accessories, grooming items and home furnishings. The Complete Bear is not for your average bear. There is something unique and different here no matter your taste – casual, cool, or woofy. Whatever it takes to complete the bear.
Starring Butch Cordora
In this poetic debut feature, director Scott Boswell explores the pleasures and perils of losing and regaining oneself through the journey of a young, gay man in the wake of a traumatic breakup.
Image by Meir Jacob | מאיר יעקב via Flickr
Your trusted source for LGBT businesses and services recommended by the community for the community.
These are not paid inclusions, these aren’t paid for listings. These are LGBT businesses run by our community supporting LGBT causes. And, they appreciate your business.
Know a good LGBT business? Let Us Know. Visited one of these businesses? We’d love to get your feedback.
We have developed a free LGBT business directory at Seasons of Pride in order to help the LGBT community Shop Gay.
We believe this will help you to generate more traffic to your website and increase sales. Our goal is to help you to promote your businesses and services. Why? Simple, we know that LGBT businesses support LGBT causes, LGBT business leaders sit on local LGBT Boards and ultimately advance equality for all.
Please do not forget to tell your friends about our site – and please patronize our members.
Seasons of Pride provides resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, queer, intersexed (LGBTQI) community.
Whether it’s politics, networking, opinions, gripes – whatever – you’ll find it here. While you may not always agree, we promise you’ll be challenged.
We apply our knowledge, talent and resources to be the premium resource for hard to find solutions for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender “LGBT” community. Our customers enjoy service from one single value-added source. And when a solution doesn’t exist – we strive to create an avenue to develop one.
Interested in selling to the Gay (LGBT) Community?
If you would like to sell to the gay and lesbian communities we can help.
We offer several options -
- List your product in our store. We handle marketing, web design, e-commerce and merchant processing. You handle fulfillment.
- Same as above including fulfillment. We carry your products in our warehouse and handle fulfillment.
- Ready for your own web-store? – we can build it for you. Online solutions starting at $29 a month.
- We can also build your website and offer gay owned and operated web hosting.
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Rabbi Denise Eger has been installed as the president of the Board of Rabbis, becoming the first woman and lesbian to serve in that capacity. Recently, we sat down with Rabbi Eger -
How did you reconcile your sexuality with your faith?
I believe God made just as I am! God created human beings in the divine image (See Gen. Chapter 1 v. 26-27). Thus I too am made in God’s image that is all that I need to know that I am exactly who God created me to be!
Can you be gay and Orthodox?
This is a complex question. Some folks can and are gay and Traditionally observant. But the dilemma especially for gay men is that the Torah specifically forbids anal sex. Openly Gay Orthodox Rabbi Steven Greenberg has written a lot about this dilemma. Most lesbians and gay men who are Orthodox live very closeted lives.
Is same sex marriage compatible with Judaism? Can a same sex marriage ever be considered kiddushin?
I believe it is absolutely compatible and it is kiddushin! Mishpacha-family making is a core building block of Jewish life. In our contemporary world–we honor and include glbt people in our lives and Gay men and Lesbians should be able to protect and honor their families. It is a sacred rite of marriage beneath the chupah, the wedding canopy and gay and lesbian couples ought to be able to affirm their sacred vows in this religious setting. I helped write and get passed the resolution of support for civil marriage in Reform Judaism and then subsequently the vote to support religious marriage for gay men and lesbians in Reform Judaism back in 1996 and 2000.
How do you respond to those that selectively use Leviticus to condemn homosexuality?
Ironically it is often those people who don’t read the rest of the Bible. Fundamentalist Christians ignore laws of Kashrut for example–why aren’t they reading that literally? There are many passages of the Torah that we no longer hold on to we don’t stone the rebellious child. Owning slaves is an anathema to us though the Torah permits it. So to selectively use these two passages to condemn gay men is disingenuous . And the Torah says nothing about lesbians.
What does your appointment say about your community?
My appointment as the president of the Board of Rabbis is a hallmark moment in Los Angeles. The Board of Rabbis of Southern California is 72 year old organization. As the first woman it speaks finally to the inclusiveness of Los Angeles and the long overdue recognition of the contributions of women rabbis. Women have been rabbis for since 1972 and some of the first ordained women still serve in the Los Angeles area. So this has been a long time coming but now speaks to the respect that we all have for one another across denominational lines.
How do you define family?
For some it is family of origin for others family of choice. You can be coupled with our without kids. You can be a single person with a very close circle of friends who you trust and count on. Family is not about blood lines in my book.
As a Rabbi, what do you teach your followers?
My favorite verse from the Bible is from the prophet Micah, What does God require of you? Only to do justice, Love compassion and walk humbly with Your God. This shapes my teaching and my dedication to social justice.
If you could spend time with anyone – living or dead – who would it be and why?
I would want to meet with Abraham Lincoln. I have always wanted to know more about his process of signing the Emancipation Proclamation and his writing of the Gettysburg Address. I want to know how he held himself together even as the nation was torn apart. I think there is much to be learned about spiritual leadership in our own era from his words and his example.
What does being the first “woman or lesbian” mean to you in this role?
I am proud to have been selected by my colleagues for this honor. As the first woman and first gay or lesbian person we are smashing glass ceilings of all sorts. But it also means that there is a vision of inclusion and welcome in the LA Jewish community that is perhaps somewhat unique.
What advice would you offer a young Jewish person struggling with his/her sexuality?
Find a rabbi or teacher who can be embracing and understanding. There are so many communities and many rabbis across North America that will be loving, kind and welcoming and help you on your journey to wholeness. Let them be a friend and guide! Do not struggle on your own
–there are people who can help!
shalom,
Rabbi Denise L. Eger
rabbi@kol-ami.org
Seasons of Pride provides resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, queer, intersexed (LGBTQI) community.
Whether it’s politics, networking, opinions, gripes – whatever – you’ll find it here. While you may not always agree, we promise you’ll be challenged.
Seasons of Pride is a resource for the gay community.
Posted February 24th, 2011. Add a comment
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KC is the new Executive Director over at Frameline. This year marks the 33rd San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. This year’s festival coincides with the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall.
Tell us a little bit about the selection process
This year we are featuring films from over 30 countries. We typically screen 500-600 films (mostly shorts) to select about 200 for the Festival. Obviously, we are looking for quality films that address the diversity of our audiences. We are especially pleased with the number of transgender films in this year’s program. You’ll find some really compelling stories.
Tell us a little about Frameline
This year we will be screening in 4 venues – Castro Theatre, The Vic, the Roxy and Elmwood in Berkeley. It takes lot of hard work to pull it off. We have 6 on staff year round, a Festival staff of 15-20 and 400 of the hardest working volunteers.
In addition to Frameline, we have other programs year round.
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Youth in Motion: High School DVD Project – is an exciting new partnership between Frameline and Gay-Straight Alliance Network that offers free LGBT themed movies to high schools throughout California.
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Frameline Distribution – supplying films to other festivals and venues.
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Filmmaker Support – supporting LGBT filmmakers through grants, awards and programs. We typically provide fund for 4-6 films a year. This year’ festival will have 8 films debut from this program. In addition, every year we invite 15 participants in a film making workshop for youth and elders. This year’s festival will also have 4 films from this group, as well.
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Free Screenings at the SF LGBT Center.
How has the emergence of YouTube changed gay film?
It’s a great vehicle providing a greater audience to LGBT filmmakers. By providing greater accessibility, folks who don’t traditionally have access to LGBT film festivals can still see these films and hear their message.
What stars can we expect this year?
Sharon Gless who stars in Hannah Free and the iconic Joe Dallesandro of Andy Warhol fame.
Any must see films in this year’s festival?
- John Hurt is amazing as Quentin Crisp in the Opening Night film – An Englishman in New York which also features sex in the City’s Cynthia Nixon.
- Patrik – the 1.5 year old baby turns out to be a 15 year old delinquent
- Prodigal Sons – a transwoman’s attempted reconciliation with her past.
- The closing night feature Give Me Your Hand – a coming of age story of twins.
- Maggots of Men – feature over 100 transgender actors.
To learn more, visit Frameline
Seasons of Pride provides resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, queer, intersexed (LGBTQI) community.
Whether it’s politics, networking, opinions, gripes – whatever – you’ll find it here. While you may not always agree, we promise you’ll be challenged.
Seasons of Pride is a resource for the gay community.
Posted February 24th, 2011. Add a comment
Image by davco9200 via Flickr
Joe Oppedisano Photographer
His men are classic Hollywood figures, strong, masculine, confident. They force the viewer to sit up, take notice of their command and sexual allure that has no shame or remorse.
We live in a time where nothing is taboo, but somethings are still sacred.
Enter this world with no judgments, no pre-conceived notions of sexuality, fashion or humor, and your eyes will be delighted at the world around you…a world you just may have been missing.
What is your favorite part of a typical day?
twilight. i love when the sun has set but it’s not quite dark yet. i love to go outside in my back yeard, watch my dog sniff and eat grass, smoke a cigarette and watch the stars come out.
What items are on your kitchen table right now?
nothing but a mess, i use it as my desk.
If you could work with anyone, who would it be?
gaga. cause i’m really a 12 year old girl trapped inside, and i love her…
What is your greatest fear?
never living up to what i’ve done
What is your favorite kink?
what isnt?
What is your greatest extravagance?
the time i spend in Photoshop
What was your favorite shoot?
there’s 2 that stand out. for dna magazine, MUD FIGHT, and the second is a mens shoot for reFresh magazine with a guy in suits and a woman dominatrix.
If you had to do something other than shooting sweaty muscle men, what would it be?
i’d be a performer, but huge, like gaga or christina aguilera. i love the gift of opening your mouth and having heaven come out, having the world in awe of you, and the idea of being on stage and making a room cry.
What is your most treasured possession?
my dog, i love him so much. he’s a 4 1/2 catahooula (Louisiana swamp dog) with blue eyes that break my heart, and gives me the best kisses i’ve ever gotten.
What is coming up for you?
i hope good. i’ve been trapped in a web of drama with my family. my 12 year old nephew was diagnossed with brain cancer, my father Alzheimer’s and my mom’s also been sick. i moved upstate to be closer to my family, which at first i hated, then i realized it was good for me, and i was in a good place by being out of a bad place (nyc) i had worn out my welcome in nyc, been doing way too many drugs, and been a mess for far too long.
but im back, creating my own bi-yearly magazine, a t-shirt line, doing more gallery shows, and hopefully making money so i can buy a car..
i’m a simple man, i dont need much, i dont ask much, except to have a happy life, and love what i do everyday, because i do love it, and want to continue.
To learn more about Joe and his work – check out www.joeoppedisano.com
Twisted Gear for your twisted fun . . .
The Twisted Bear – Celebrating the Leather Life in Bear Style. Our goal is to offer a full range of twisted clothing, toys, and information to celebrate the leather life in bear style.
Posted February 10th, 2011. Add a comment
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Recently, we had the chance to speak with Dr. Aaron Belkin, the Director of the Palm Center. The Palm Center is a research institute of the University of California, Santa Barbara, committed to sponsoring state-of-the-art scholarship to enhance the quality of public dialogue about critical and controversial issues of the day. For the past decade, the Palm Center’s research on sexual minorities in the military has been published in leading social scientific journals.
Why is important that Lesbian and Gay servicemembers be allowed to serve?
Research shows that discrimination hurts the military. It doesn’t make sense to fire Arabic linguists for being gay, or anyone else for that matter. But there is a broader point about citizenship that the ban undermines. When the government goes out of its way to fire an entire class of people based on who they are rather than what they do, that is a very dangerous precedent for all Americans.
Where does the trans community fall in this argument?
Usually our movement sells them down the river. There are openly serving transgender service members in the British and Canadian militaries and the sky has not fallen. Absent an extremely compelling reason, the standard for employment should be this: if you can do the job, then you get to do the job.
Society seems to follow the same path when it comes to civil rights – first women, then people of color, then gay – why don’t we not learn from past?
Military masculinity doesn’t work unless there is some ‘outgroup’ or ‘other’ against which normative masculinity can be defined. For this moment in history, we’re it, at least in terms of official policy. Even though women and under-represented minorities have won most legal/regulatory battles, military culture still constructs them as ‘others’ in important ways.
How many countries allow gay servicemembers and what have been the repercussions?
I’m confident in saying that 25 allow gays and lesbians to serve although there have been media reports about the Philippines which seem credible and which we’re trying to confirm with the military. No overall problems have followed from integration in any case.
What is the estimated cost of enforcing DADT?
We don’t have great data on this, but we know that at very least, the first ten years of the policy cost about $360 million to implement. Conservatively speaking, we’re now talking about a half billion dollars over the past 15 years. But there are many ways in which those estimates are based on low-ball, conservative assumptions. The actual cost is probably about double what I reported.
Where does overturning DADT fall in the advancement of LGBT equality?
It depends who you ask. Many people in the community don’t care about the military, but they get offended when the government fires us just for who we are. There seems, of course, to be a lot more heat about marriage than the military. While some people feel very strongly about ENDA and Hate Crimes legislation, I’m not sure, community-wide, if those two bills inspire the kind of passion we see on other issues.
HRC claims they never cut a deal on DADT, you were quoted as a source they did. Any comment?
Three comments. First, no I was not quoted as a source that HRC cut a deal. I was quoted as a source that HRC was pro-actively lobbying in Washington to back-burner consideration of “don’t ask, don’t tell” for a later date, after Hate Crimes and ENDA pass. Second, it is hard to know if HRC’s strategy is cynical or brilliant. There’s a certain case to be made that given that we have never had a Congressional victory, you want to start with lower hanging fruit and build up from there (not that ENDA or Hate Crimes will be easy, however). There is, however, a more cynical interpretation as well. I have no idea which interpretation is correct. Third, what is most important is that HRC is now committed to swift presidential action on the gays-in-the-military issue and both Joe Solmonese and David Smith have called explicitly on the President to sign an executive order suspending the law. Only time will tell if they remain aggressively committed to that position.
Have the National organizations failed the LGBT community?
Well, “failed” is a strong word, but I would argue that in my personal opinion, the strategies of the two groups most closely associated with the issue have not been optimal. As I mentioned earlier, however, there may be very good reasons for prioritizing Hate Crimes and ENDA. As for other groups and strategies, there has been an honest and legitimately held belief that MILITARY READINESS ENHANCEMENT ACT (MREA) could pass in the first term, and strategy has been driven by that belief. I don’t think MREA has a chance. But who knows, five years from now we could look back and say that it was right to hold out for MREA and not focus on the executive order idea. There is a long history of debates in civil rights movements between pragmatists and idealists. Sometimes being an idealist is right, as when marriage equality activists in Connecticut held out for the whole prize rather than accepting civil unions. Sometimes the pragmatists are right. What I can say so far is that MREA-focused strategies do not seem to be working.
Should we just be patient as it works through the system?
No!
What’s next for the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military?
The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military doesn’t exist anymore! But the Palm Center, which replaced it, is alive and kicking. But I have no idea what we’re going to do next. The strategic environment is too fluid to game out the next move now.
To learn more about the Palm Center
Seasons of Pride provides resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, queer, intersexed (LGBTQI) community.
Whether it’s politics, networking, opinions, gripes – whatever – you’ll find it here. While you may not always agree, we promise you’ll be challenged.
Seasons of Pride is a resource for the gay community.
Posted February 10th, 2010. Add a comment
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Recently, we chatted with Cleve Jones about the March on Washington, his critics and DOJ’s response to DOMA.
What has been the criticism against A National March?
It’s too expensive, it redirects resources and the timing isn’t right. The timing couldn’t be better. We are seeing a backlash to the DOJ’s defense of DOMA, a growing inpatients with the Obama Administration’s lack of movement on LGBT issues – suggesting the timing is indeed right for a grassroots movement to challenge our representatives and congress members to grant equality to all citizens.
It’s not about a big flashy, expensive march with parties and such – it’s about launching a grass roots effort to organize LGBT constituents in all 435 congressional districts a year before the 2010 mid-term elections.
How did you feel about the DOJ’s defense of DOMA likening same sex marriage to incest and pedophilia?
Surprised and appalled. If we ever need a clearer sign that now is the time to act, this sealed it. I was amazed that Pelosi’s statement in the Bay Area Reporter that repealing DOMA wasn’t one of her priorities didn’t invoke more outrage. If Pelosi representing one the most liberal districts in the country doesn’t feel repealing DOMA is a priority, who exactly will champion our cause? It is time to organize a grass root efforts to make equality a priority.
Why take the fight to the Federal level?
Most of the rights granted at the state level are provided by domestic partnerships. The real protections are at the Federal level – survivor benefits, tax benefits, recognition in all 50 states, immigration, continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits, joint parenting rights are just a sample of rights that only exist at the Federal level.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2010?
We have one simple demand – Equal protection under the law on all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. We shouldn’t be bargaining for this right or that right or negotiating timing. Every time we engage in compromise bargaining we lose site of the real argument – either you believe in the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment or you don’t. It’s been 141 years – do you believe in the 14th amendment or not – there is no compromise.
And the strategy?
Our viewpoint is that of progressive philosophy – peace and social justice. We will provide the tools, guidance, and roadmap to creating successful Congressional District Teams in each of the 435 districts. Team members will meet with incumbents, canvas constituents, develop new leaders and challenge Democrats who do not support equality for all.
I did not start this debate, but I believe a door has been opened and we need to act before it closes. There is a new energy out there with the release of Milk, the hope behind the Obama campaign and frustration over issues like same sex marriage, DADT and DOMA.
All this and the blogosphere, too!
How does the Internet change the game?
I’ve been an activist for a very long time. I remember running off photocopies and stapling them to telephone poles in the Castro. I remember buying a Greyhound Rail Pass to go out and talk to different communities. All that has changed.
Blogs, Facebook, Twitter – all these tools allow us to instantaneously transmit out message to large groups of supports. The awareness of the March has reached every city throughout the country. And we don’t need to wait until October –
- Sign up at the website – National March for Equality
- Join a Congressional Action Team
- Talk to your family and friends
- Plan local March strategies – housing, logistics & transportation.
- Build coalitions – we can’t do this alone. Talk to our straight allies, racial, ethnic, labor, environmental and religious communities.
We are reaching out to a younger generation. A generation that grew up with Will & Grace, Queer Eye and Ellen. These will be our future leaders.
Seasons of Pride provides resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, queer, intersexed (LGBTQI) community.
Whether it’s politics, networking, opinions, gripes – whatever – you’ll find it here. While you may not always agree, we promise you’ll be challenged.
Seasons of Pride is a resource for the gay community.
Posted February 10th, 2010. Add a comment
