Welcome to the first edition of The Gaily Beat. The Gaily Beat brings you the best of homo pop-culture, news, politics, controversy, and analysis. If you have news, tips, events, or articles, blogs, and videos you think should be included in The Gaily Beat please send them to erika [AT] thegaily.ca by 5 PM.
Thanks to all of our new beautiful queers for reading and sharing!
‘The Voice’, now with more gay.
Last week, we were thrilled to see two lesbian contestants on the new singing show, ‘The Voice’. Vicci Martinez and Beverly McClellan rocked the stage and both got picked up by coaches Cristina Aguilera and Cee-Lo Green, respectively, so we will be seeing more from then. I remarked at the time that in the past, shows like Idol have been very hush-hush about gay contestants on the show. Last week’s lesbian rocker, Beverly McClellan even showed up to the audition with her girlfriend, and there was no attempt to hide these ladies lady-love lifestyles.
Well, this week, ‘The Voice’ brought us even more gay. Meet 20 year-old Tyler Robinson of California, whose first words to the world were: ”Growing up Mormon was difficult for someone like me. I am gay. It doesn’t define me, but that is what I am.” His mom is also super cute. Check out Tyler’s audition here. Blake Shelton compared him to Drew Carey, and seemed a little disappointed by his decision after he saw him.
Next up, Nakia – big, bearded, white, gay and confident enough to take on Cee-Lo Green’s “Forget You” – showed up with his partner Robert of 9 years. Typically singing one of the coaches songs has been the kiss of death for contestants, but Cee-Lo turned around quickly to see “who this brave person was”. Nakia freaking rocked the house, and was one of the last additions to Team Cee-Lo.
Grey’s Lesbian Agenda
ABC released pictures today of the upcoming lesbian wedding of Arizona and Callie on Grey’s Anatomy. With all their ups and downs, and moving to Africa, and car accidents, and Callie having Mark’s baby, I never thought we would see the day. Also, what’s with releasing pictures before an event we didn’t even know was happening? Is that a new thing?
Ellen, now on CTV.ca
Just in case you were feeling about as deprived as me, the suffering has ended. Gaynadians, you can finally watch full episodes of Ellen on ctv.ca here.
Camille Paglia says lots of transphobic things about Chaz Bono, and Xtra.ca repeats them.
Chaz Bono, the FTM trans son of Sonny and Cher has documented his transition in the upcoming documentary Becoming Chaz. For some reason that I still haven’t been able to fully comprehend Xtra. ca decided to give Camille Paglia airtime on what she thinks about Chaz Bono’s transition and bodily “mutilation” as she calls it.
The interviewer leads the interview by asking, “what do you think about this need to have a surgery…?”
Paglia goes on to state that she knows better why Chastity (Paglia refuses to call Bono by his chosen name) is troubled and it is not his gender identity apparently.
This troubles me significantly because there are going to be lots of transphobic haters out there, and there will be no lack of people to condemn Chaz’ transition, but why does Xtra.ca feel the need to give a voice to this woman who is a self proclaimed polemist and contrarian? One that, we might add, used to go by Stanley. But apparently Paglia has now come to her senses and now thinks she is an authority on how everyone else feels about their bodies and gender. Thanks Xtra.ca! I guess that is why they call themselves “Canada’s Gay and Lesbian News” and not “Canada’s LGBT” or Canada’s Queer” news.
Conservative majority, where does that leave the queers?
Shock for many came with the results of Monday’s federal election in Canada, but for many of us, there are also unanswered questions. What will happen under the government that opposed same-sex marriage, a party that is opposed to gay rights and to trans rights? It is unlikely there will be any reversals, but getting new legislation through may be a challenge.
Egale Canada released this statement after the election:
“For members of Canada’s diffuse and diverse LGBTQ community and their allies, the first litmus test of this and the Prime Minister’s promise to “stand on guard for all,” will be the explicit inclusion in the crime-prevention agenda of measures to protect trans Canadians from hate crimes, hate speech and discrimination by continuing the unprecedented work of the outgoing Parliament toward recognizing equality rights based on gender identity and expression. A bill comparable to C-389 must be re-introduced, and it is the responsibility of any government truly invested in representing all Canadians to show leadership on this front.
The full effects of this election are yet unknown. Certainly, governance in Canada has been dramatically altered. Egale Canada offers its congratulations to both the incoming and returning Members of Parliament, of government, and of the official opposition. Egale is eager to work with all members and parties to ensure the full and integrated inclusion of those concerns and aspirations that are most important to the LGBTQ community. Our community is one that crosses all geographies, identities, ideologies and political stripes. At this vital point in Canadian history, all must be diligent and assiduous in their commitment to equality, inclusivity and civic participation.”
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