MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow reveals her acting chops on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, as Sarah Palin’s new book truly goes rogue and takes her out. Funny stuff.
Another fabulous flash mob, this time from the beautiful land down under. Put on by RockYourBox and led by one of Australia’s most famous drag queens Joyce Maynge, a group of volunteer dancers hit the beach last Saturday to dance their pretty little hearts out. Oh what a great way to start the (if i a bit late) morning, and from my favorite city and beach on earth. Enjoy.
H/T to JMG for making my day.
For more info on RockYourBox visit their Facebook page.
Window/Unite Media, publisher of various gay newspapers including Washington Blade, Southern Voice, Houston Voice and South Florida Blade ceased publication over the weekend.
The news, first reported by Washington City Paper’s sister paper Creative Loafing Atlanta, was confirmed by a Washington Blade employee. The publication has also stated the news on its Twitter feed: “Washington Blade, like all Window Media publications, is closing today. Thank you for your support. (Keep following us for developments.)”
Window/Unite Co-Presidents Michael Kitchens and Steve Myers, both based out of the area, were in town Monday to terminate the Blade’s 21 employees.
Blade Publisher Lynne Brown says it’s been a difficult day, but says to be on the lookout for a new publication to rise from the Blade in the near future; she said Blade employees have already scheduled a meeting on Tuesday to discuss starting their own venture. The area’s gay community is strong, she said, and “In adversity, there’s great opportunity.”
The Washington Blade started as an independent publication in 1969 and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Southern Voice, based out of Atlanta, formed similarly in 1988.
As gay newspapers and magazines continue to fold, people will turn increasingly to blogs for their news. Since said blogs, Inside, Looking Out included, frequently cite traditional media in their posts, here’s hoping we are up to the task.
Now it’s official, statistically speaking anyway. Washington state’s Referendum 71, a domestic partnership bill which provides “Everything but Marriage” was passed by the voters 52 percent to 48 percent.
Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who spearheaded the law, called it “a great step forward for equality in Washington state.”
“I’m relieved,” he said. “I was very concerned that if the voters had said no, it would have been a major setback for gay and lesbian families in Washington state.”
The measure asked voters to approve or reject the latest expansion of the state’s domestic partnership law, granting registered domestic partners additional state rights previously given only to married couples.
Full-fledged gay marriage is still not allowed under Washington law.
Gary Randall of Protect Marriage Washington, which opposed the law and pushed to get the referendum on the ballot, said they weren’t ready to concede.
“We’re just going to wait and watch it play out,” he said.
It’s good to see at least one state not buy into the hate and fear. Congrats to Washington Families Standing Together and everyone else who fought to get Ref. 71 passed.