Ameriqueer

Well, I was supposed to break this story altogether, but then someone from the Giannoulias campaign leaked it to the Sun Times at 3am--while I was fast asleep--and then an hour before this post went live, the Meister campaign mistakenly sent out the press release... so it really wasn't "breaking" anymore by the time it went live. But I decided NOT to change the title, because, well why bother at that point! Now that Jacob's not in the race anymore, who are you voting for? Giannoulias is adopting his 20/20 plan whole-cloth. That's pretty cool, since I really liked Jacob not just because he was gay, but because he knows what the hell he's talking about and his 20/20 plan is brilliant. But, Alexi hasn't won me over--Jacob did that. And event though Jacob supports Giannoulias, I'm not sure I do yet. We'll see when the press conference is over what was said by who. As for me, like Richard Gere said to Renee Zelwegger at the end of the musical: ...

Two weeks ago, I was very fortunate to interview that amazing Representative Deb Mell, Illinois' only openly lesbian lawmaker. I am only now getting the interview up--thanks so much start of the semester--but its awesome. There's a lot of good stuff there. This is just tip of the iceberg. I really think you should finish this piece over at Bilerico. Near the end we talked about the plan for relationship recognition and how Illinois is going to help the nation pass ENDA. Its really worth checking out. Here's my Bilerico piece " Profile: Openly lesbian Illinois lawmaker Deb Mell " Over the past few months I've told you a lot about the folks who are aspiring to be out LGBT elected leaders in Illinois, but two people I would love to tell you a lot more about are our two openly gay lawmakers Deb Mell and Greg Harris . Both serve the state in the Illinois Assembly. I got a chance to interview Chicago resident, political family scion and freshman lawmaker Deb ...

I promise to write at least a few posts where I do not mention Jacob Meister , but I feel its important to note that Jacob held a townhall here in Champaign yesterday that went absolutely amazing. The after-party at Clark Bar was also pretty sweet. Before Jacob got up to speak, he asked me to say a few words about the Uniting Pride Center of Champaign County --our new initiative to open an LGBT community center here in Champaign-Urbana. If you haven't head yet, we're moving very aggressively to open an LGBT community center here in Champaign county , and we need your voice to help us make it happen. Please join up as a member , and email us your ideas . While at the townhall, Jacob spent quite a bit of time talking about his strongest suit, jobs and the economy; at the Clark Bar event, Jacob began talking very frankly about what I think mesmerizes people about him most--his historic run as the first openly gay Illinoian to run for state-wide office. The crowd ate it up. Wi...

Please check out my newest Bilerico post about openly gay progressive Democrat, David Schroeder: Is openly gay Dave Schroeder heading for a sure Illinois Assembly win? : "David Schroeder has been dealing with a lot of good news lately. Of all of the LGBT Democratic candidates going up against the machine in Illinois, Schroeder is faring best--with a Chicago Tribune endorsement on the morning of the 21st, and several other high profile endorsements. His poll numbers are also soaring, and unlike many of the other LGBT candidates I interviewed, Schroeder is seeing a lot of support from the Illinois Democratic establishment. With good reason, too. Schroeder is a solid progressive that is looking to clean up in a economically diverse district that's just become too accustomed to being ignored by its current State Assembly Representative, Ken Dunkin. Every day it looks more and more as if Dave Schroeder will be joining openly gay Representatives Deb Mell and Greg Harris in the Illin...

My Lundon Calling blog for this week, " Was Jesus black and other mysteries solved (or not solved)… ", started out with: " This week’s Lundon Calling was a DOOZY ! Maybe its because Lance and I were so BOOZY! Ha! Only kidding, Lance only had a jug of wine, and I merely had a case of beer before the show. That is all. Do you know the ‘Colon Lady?’ Ace explains his connection to her and the ‘Tooth Fairy.’ Hopefully not in the same sentence because that would not be sanitary." SURPRISE! Here's my full, titilating blog! Make sure you listen to the podcast, though, by clicking one of the links ! This week’s Lundon Calling was a DOOZY ! Maybe its because Lance and I were so BOOZY! Ha! Only kidding, Lance only had a jug of wine, and I merely had a case of beer before the show. That is all. Do you know the ‘Colon Lady?’ Ace explains his connection to her and the ‘Tooth Fairy.’ Hopefully not in the same sentence because that would not be sani...

My recent Bilerico Project post is one I'm very proud of. Go to the post on the site to read what OPRAH says about having gay friends... Yikes. Stay closeted to win Idol for yourself, lose equality for all | The Bilerico Project : "Former American Idol contestant Kat McPhee thinks gays and lesbians on Idol should stay in the closet so they can get farther on the show--and she's right. Gays and lesbians aren't likely to go as far as someone who looks like someone you can bring home to mama--you know like Clay Aiken. Kat McPhee's advice to Idol contestants is pretty good for a career. But it sucks for the rest of us. Idol contestants who hide their lives in the closet are perpetuating the problem, not solving it. In fact, all of us who live our lives in the closet are allowing the system that forces into that situation to perpetuate a little longer. That doesn't mean that if we're in dire straits we ought to come out to our shift manager. Don't set yours...

Twitter sms stopped coming to my phone yesterday.. grumble!