Seldom do we hear the kind of outrage coming from the gay community as has been directed at President-Elect Barack Obama over his decision to have controversial Pastor Rick Warren deliver the invocation at the Jan. 20 inauguration.

The gay community certainly has ground for being upset. After all, an overwhelming number of people from within our ranks supported Obama in the general election, in spite of the fact that Obama has a rather dubious record of support for gay-related issues. Remember, this is the man who, in an effort to drum up support from black voters, spent the latter half of 2007 touring with reputed anti-gay Rev. Donnie McLurkin. The good reverend’s tremendous clout among blacks far outweighed any pushback from gays.

The selection of Warren for such a prominent role in the inauguration is not necessarily a ringing endorsement for his views on homosexuality, but are far from a repudiation. Warren opposes gay marriage and has equated homosexuality with pedophila and other sexual ills. There’s nothing new here, we’ve heard it all before by other evangelicals. Personally, views on homosexuality not withstanding, I admire Warren for his views on poverty, the worldwide AIDS epidemic and living life with purpose and conviction. He has never called on homosexuals to be banished, killed, injured, shamed, or any such thing. He doesn’t hate us. He just doesn’t condone our relationships. There is a huge difference.

But what is most important here to realize is that we should not be surprised that gay people are quickly thrown under the bus by Obama. We are not swing voters and you can take it to the bank that Obama is already planning his re-election campaign in 2012. After all, he has spent the last 13 years running for office instead of actually accomplishing anything.

Politically, we just do not hold the clout we think we do. We have formidable numbers that would form one hell of a voting block if we weren’t so concentrated in liberal strongholds like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other big cities. Our numbers are much weaker in the areas that can turn an election on its heels - rural areas in particular. We have more power to influence the outcomes of House of Representative elections and local politics, than we ever can for president. In fact, we are far more a powerful consumer block than a powerful electoral block. We have so rarely won any of our equality battles in the political arena. We win in the courts.

The sooner we realize we are weak in the political sphere, the sooner we can focus our attentions to winning the war on firmer terrain.

An Associated Press report came across my desk this morning in which it was suggested that gay activists may have been behind the arson fire that destroyed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s chuch in Wasilla. Those cited in the report suggest the suspicious nature of the fire might, in fact, be linked to the church’s hosting of an “ex-gay” conference event.

The report brought the immediate condemnation of gay organizations who called the suggestion that gays might be behind this crime as “unwarranted” and “reprehensible.” Clearly, the pushback was that gays could not possibly be responsible for such actions.

Is that so? How is that anyone can assume for one moment that homosexuals out there might be so incensed by the church’s stances, they might resort to extreme and criminal actions. After all, a gay man heads People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has done its fair share of extreme and criminal acts over the years. Likewise with Greenpeace.

Investigators will do their work and we certainly hope that whoever is responsible for setting this fire is brought to justice as the law prescribes. Regardless of anyone’s views, no one should ever be subjected to this kind of criminal act that could very well have resulted in loss of human life. Thankfully, it did not.

But this kind of event should teach us a very important lesson that, like equality, hate cuts both ways. No one can say with a straight face that there was a tremendous amount of hate and vitriol directed against Sarah Palin, her family, her party and social conservatives around the country coming directly from the mouths of gays. Most of it was in response to what can only be described to these figures duly standing by their convictions and exercising their constitutional rights, just as we do on the other side of the spectrum.

I sincerely hope that no gay people are involved in the shameless act of arson in Wasilla. But I won’t be surprised if that turns out to be the case. And if so, I will expect that the gays involved will be prosecuted and punished to the appropriate extent of the law. Perhaps even treated as a hate crime. Now that would be a victory for our ranks - we will have achieved another step in equality.

BY SUM BITCHY QUEEN

10 BEST SONGS OF 2008

1. SPOTLIGHT – JENNIFER HUDSON
Though it seems like Hudson has been on the scene for a long time now, we all seemed to forget that the former Idol finalist had never actually recorded a single, much less an album. That changed in a big way with this stunning debut single that was dripping diva from ever pore. Sadly, her triumphant return to the musical arena was overshadowed by the devastating tragedy that hit her family. Be strong girl, our hearts are with you and we love you.

2. I CAN FEEL YOU – ANASTACIA
My girl is 5’2 with a 6’2 black man for a husband. Hmmm, I wonder what the inspiration for this song was? She’s 40, she’s fabulous. She’s still got her groove to go with those ferocious pipes. She just narrowly missed the top of the chart with this track.

3. SHINOLA – DOLLY PARTON
There’s nothing quite like a classic “bitch track” done with a down-home, backwoods twist. This track is so fun and camp and, hell, they even have to bleep her out when she sings “sh*t.” One thing is certain, I wouldn’t want to be the do-no-gooder on the other end of this one as the biggest tits in the biz tears me a new one!

4. HOT & COLD – KATY PERRY
Katy made up for her borderline offensive “U R So Gay” and “I Kissed A Girl” with the fun, catchy track that helped being pop exactly where it needs to be – back on top.

5. SAME OLD FUCKING STORY
Cyndi Lauper Who pissed off the divas this year? Not only were the bitch tracks flying, but they were coming at us with curse-word laden vitriol. Love it. Cyndi knocked it out of the park this year with her dance music return that also included a fantastic honorable mention “Into The Nightlife.”

6. VIVA LA VIDA
Coldplay The British rockers pulled out this dynamic tune that is easily reminiscent of the brilliance often shown by U2. This one has classic written all over it and is a sure bet to clean up at next year’s Grammy’s.

7. WOMANIZER
Britney Spears Welcome back Brit, Brit! There’s a long-standing tradition that out of a performer’s darkest hour, the best songs emerge. Though not quite as brilliant as Toxic, this track ranks right up there. Seriously, I wonder who she might be singing about!

8. JUST DANCE – Lady GaGa
Everything about this New York scenester reminds us of 25 years ago when a little-known artist named Madonna worked her way up from the streets to become a true pop icon. She has a unique style, her music is impossible to shake from your brain’s internal stereo and it’s pure, classic pop. Madge must  not be amused that a young up-and-comer is beating the same path as her and stealing her relevance.

9. SING – Annie Lennox
This song really didn’t need to have Madonna on. Annie was enough. But it is such an amazing anthem track for women and gay men alike. With the phenomenal remix by Moto Blanco, it became a dancefloor fave.

10. IF I NEVER SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN
Maroon 5 Featuring Rhianna No one drips sex more than Adam Levine and Rhianna and put them together, the track is just hot.

10 WORST SONGS OF 2008

1. IF I WERE A BOY – BEYONCE
What? You mean you’re not? Seriously, I always thought Beyonce was a drag queen. My bad. And what’s with this Sasha Fierce BS? Come on, girl. This whole alter ego thing didn’t work for Garth Brooks when he was “Chris Gaines” what makes Beyonce think we’re going to buy into this lame gimmick?

2. UR SO GAY – KATY PERRY
This song is just so gay, and I mean that in the crudest school yard variety as in lame, lame, lame.. It’s hard to believe Katy had a hit that was actually more cloying on the nerves than “I Kissed A Girl.”

3. WAKEUP CALL – MAROON 5
Adam Levine is hot but this song should be a wakeup call that every once in awhile, some of the most vile shit can come spewing from the prettiest places.

4. RAISING McCAIN – JOHN RICH
Quel surprise. A country song to back the Republican presidential candidate. Did Rich not even consider the irony that McCain can’t even raise his hands above his shoulders because of his POW injuries? That’s just tackier than polo shirts with the collar up.

5. CHINESE DEMOCRACY – GUNS & ROSES
Oh would someone take Axel Rose out back and shoot him. I never thought I would see the day when another “artist” would try as desperately  to cling on to long-gone relevancy than Madonna.

6. CARELESS WHISPER – BARRY MANILOW
An old queen covering a prime cut from a now washed-up queen. How gauche.

7. CRUSH – DAVID ARCHULETTA
Crush? Serously? Does Archie even have pubic hair yet?

8. THE BOSS – KRISTINE W
Oh Miss W. Love you like my Prada, but stay away from doing Miss Ross. Trainwreck crazy is contagious, you know.

9. ALONE – CELINE DION
With the notable exception of Carrie Underwood, no one, and I repeat NO ONE should ever sing this song but Ann Wilson. Dion’s a national treasure, of course, but she seriously needs to pick better songs, lay off the botox and for god sakes, cut her son’s hair!

10. GET THIS PARTY STARTED – Dame Shirley Bassey
This is by far the worst piece of trash to ever be relentlessly overplayed and we’re grateful that Pink has since atoned for her sin. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to have Dame Shirley cover this awful, awful song needs to be seriously be banished.

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER

DAVE ANABELLE & LUKE McFARLANE
Justin Walker & Scotty Wandell on ABC’S Brothers and Sisters

THE MEN OF SO YOU CAN THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA
Nico Archambault (Winner), Miles Faber (runner-up), Vincent Noiseux (Top 10) and Francis Lafreniere (Top 12)

ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN
Canada’s Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremonies flag bearer and medallist in singles kayak.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
Star How I Met Your Mother (pictured with partner Dave Burtka)

DAVE SALMONI
Tiger Trainer and Animal Planet TV host

EDDIE CIBRIAN
Guest Star, Ugly Betty

NEIL McLEOD
Toronto DJ

BENOIT CARANOBE
French bronze medallist at Beijing 2008 - Gymnastics

AARON SCHOCK
Republican elected Illinois’ 18th Congressional District Representative

COLIN FIRTH
Actor, Mamma Mia

DREW WRIGHT
Third place, Canadian Idol

JACK McCAIN
Son of Republican Presidential Candidate Sen. John McCain

KEVIN MADDEN & JAMAL SIMMONS
Political pundits (Republican and Democratic respectively) for CNN

MAXIME BERNIER
Disgraced Canadian Cabinet Minister

MATTHEW CAVANAUGH
Principal, Broadway’s A Catered Affair

#1
BARACK OBAMA

From knocking off the “inevitable” Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in a tough primary battle to sweeping to power and becoming the first African American to be elected President of the United States, the junior senator from Illinois is without question the biggest newsmaker of 2008.

#2
SARAH PALIN

From the moment Sen. John McCain named the Alaska Governor was named as his running mate, Sarah Palin became one of the most talked about politicians in American history. Instantly elevated to rock star status among conservative voters, Palin became a hugely polarizing figure and, more importantly, attracted arguably more media attention, good and bad, than any other candidate in the 2008 U.S. election. That, and she helped comedian Tina Fey skyrocket to new popularity.

#3
THOMAS BEATTIE

When news first broke that this transgender man was pregnant, there was an intense level of fascination about his story that not only raised the profile of transgender people, but sparked intense debate about changing genders and all that goes with it. Increased media attention, though, only served to make Beattie a freak show.

#4
HEATH LEDGER

He endeared himself to the gay community in Brokeback Mountain, only to die in his New York apartment in 2008 during filming of The Dark Knight. When the movie was released, he won rave reviews and Oscar buzz posthumously as The Dark Knight broke box office records to become one of the top grossing movies of all times.

#5
BARNEY FRANK

As chairman of the House’s Financial Services Committee. the openly-gay Representative from Massachussets was caught in a firestorm of controversy in September when the U.S. economy when into meltdown with some of the biggest players on Wall Street fell, and fell hard. Frank was the House’s point man in a $850 billion bailout of banks and financial institutions hit hard by the sub-prime mortgage meltdown.

#6
BRITNEY SPEARS

Speaking of meltdowns. The pop princess spend the first half of the year in free fall to the crazy house only to step out of the spotlight for a few months and emerge with a monster comeback album.

#7
MATTHEW MITCHUM

20 years after gay diver Greg Louganis made his mark in on the board, the only openly gay athlete at the Beijing Olympics won a gold medal for Australia, but MSNBC seemingly decided not to acknowledge him.

#8
STEPHEN HARPER

Gay activists in Canada were frightened at the prospect that the Prime Minister would be handed a majority mandidate when he called an election that no one really wanted for October. In the end, he got a slightly larger minority, but still managed to bully his way into a political and constitutional crisis that threatened to topple his new government before it even really got started.

#9
PAUL DONAHOE

A candidate for the 20 sexiest men of the year, the college wrestler from Michigan (about an hour from Sarnia, Ont.) posed for pornographic pictures on the web site FratMen.com and was later kicked off the University of Nebraska wrestling team.

#10
CHRIS REID

The openly gay former Conservative candidate for the downtown Toronto riding that includes the city’s main gay village was forced off the ballot after he wrote on his blog that gay people and women should favour opposition to strict gun control laws in Canada so that they may be able to protect themselves better.

#11
GAVIN NEWSOM

When California became just the second state to legalize gay marriage in the U.S., the San Francisco mayor who helped start the crusade for gay marriage in the state by issuing marriage licences in 2004, suddenly found him political star had risen to new heights only to see them crash hard when Proposition 8 was passed in the November election, effectively reversing gay marriage.

#12 & 13
LINDSAY LOHAN AND SAMANTHA RONSON

Lindsay went from a Britney-esque party trainwreck to lesbian icon when she started a girl-on-girl relationship with the popular L.A.-based DJ.

#14
JARED POLIS

The newbie politician knocked off some powerful opponents to become the first openly gay politician to ever be elected to the U.S. House of Representative. There have been other gays in the House, but they only came out after first being elected.

#15
HILLARY CLINTON

An early gay fave for President of the United States, Hillary battled it out but fell short in her bid to become the first woman elected to the post. Along the way, though, she gained tremendous clout and power and snagged herself one of biggest roles in the new administration - Secretary of State.

#16
SIMON LEE

The longtime Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborator was charged with assault and forcible confinement against a man in his 20s in a Yorkville Toronto apartment, after which he was dropped from the production of The Sound of Music and the CBC reality show that was launched to cast its Maria of which he was a judge.

#17
RICHARD QUEST

The former CNN anchorman made news himself when he was busted in Central Park in April with some drugs in his pocket, a rope around his neck that was tied to his genitals, and a sex toy in his boot. Openly gay, Quest later went to rehab.

#18
WANDA SYKES

The comedian chose a post Proposition 8 rally to announce to the world that she’s lesbian and married bringing even more attention to the event. At the rally she spoke out against the result of the vote.

#19
RACHEL MADDOW

A vocal supporter for Barack Obama, the popular MSNBC anchor, who is lesbian, found her star rising on the network. She was later given her own political show which immediately began scoring impressive ratings.

#20
DAVID POPESCU

The former Conservative candidate from Sudbury, Ont., made embarassing headlines for the Stephen Harper government in advocating that gay people should be put to death. Thankfully, there was no hope in hell the man could ever be elected.

A used car salesman turned male model, Cory is the next big face hitting Madison Avenue. INTERVIEW BY RICHARD YEOMAN

Doe-eyed stunner Cory was discovered by former adult star turned jewelry designer, Austin Masters for the winter campaign of his jewelry collection, Cruz Azur. Now, Cory has signed with an international modeling agency and has been tapped to appear in several new ad campaigns. Recently, I spoke with the rising model about glittering new life in the fast lane.

Is it true Austin Masters found you online?

Yes! Cruz Azur held a model search on MySpace. I sent my picture and was lucky enough to be selected, which was a real surprise because I have never won a contest before. I never even won at bingo as a kid, so it is really exciting to me to be the new face of Cruz Azur.

You know you have a tough act to follow. The last Cruz Azur model was Austin himself. Have you met him?

Yes, Austin is great to work with. He knows what it is like to be in front of the camera so we fooled around, played around, and got some great shots.  Sometimes we even forgot we were on a set as the photographer just kept clicking.

No offense to you, because you’re nothing to sneeze at either, but with a model like Austin, why did Cruz Azur feel it necessary to replace him? Many of us prefer our men distinguished.

I take no offense.  Austin is a hard act to follow. I think Austin and the executives at Cruz Azur just wanted a new face for the company. I guess it was time to pass the baton.

Tell us about your time selling cars.

I was the king of used car sales, until the economy tanked. I had just received my head shots for modeling when I found out I landed the gig so the timing was perfect. I never had to collect unemployment. Plus, it kept me out of mischief.
What made you decide to go into modeling? 

I am open, free-spirited and a bit of an exhibitionist. I enjoy working with creative people and seeing how they can make me look different with each picture they take - from serious, to laughing to sexy; it is fun for me.

Do you mind being objectified for your great face and body?

Nope, as long as nice things are said about me. As I said, I am a bit of an exhibitionist so come and look whenever you want.

What’s your favorite body part and why? 

My smile. I love to laugh and Austin kept me smiling and through the entire shoot.

Is there more to you we should know about?  

I am a very private person and it takes time for me to trust a person. The shield tattooed on my chest is my reminder to guard my heart.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? 

I collect vintage vinyls and classic films. I find it fascinating how much media has changed over the years. I also like to cook - the hotter and spicier the better. I like it to make me sweat.

What one word describes you? 

Comfortable. I am comfortable with myself and I like to make people feel relaxed and comfortable when they are with me. I also like for there to be a sense of excitement and anticipation, but comfortable is key.

Is there a wild side to Cory?

I can be down to kick it with a friend or go wild at a club. I go with the flow and rock whatever path life deals me.

What’s your favorite thing to do when the cameras aren’t flashing?

I love to write music.  All I need is a pen and my notebook and the tunes, sounds and rhythm start pulsing through every part of my body.
 
What’s one thing you would never do in front of a camera?

I am not shy. I would happily take my clothes off it made sense for a shoot.  Austin has not asked me to do that, yet. Stay tuned. The summer 2009 campaign might be more revealing.

Will you be sharing your holidays with a special someone this year? 

I am still single and very available.  Come and get me.  So I will spend the holidays with my family.

What do you hope to find under your holiday tree?

Something warm, snuggly, and comfortable. That could be the right person, a puppy or Hush Puppy loafers. 

As the new face of Cruz Azur, we know you have to hock the product. So give us the sell.

I love Austin’s collection. I like to think of myself as fitting the Cruz Azur motto of “Bold. Brave. Spirited.” Cruz Azur is masculine, clean and gets attention. Austin gave me a few pieces after the shoot. My favorite is the New York City Dog Tag. I love animals and it gets attention because it is unusual.  I like when people come up to me and want to check it out, and then check me out with it.  The New York City Dog Tag has become my lucky charm. 

Has it helped you get lucky?

Yeah, it keeps getting me great dates, but then they leave with my tag!  Austin has sent me two replacement dog tags for the ones that keep getting swiped.

When is the Cory calendar coming out? 

Perhaps next year. I promise to send you a copy.

What’s next for your career, Cory?  Any exciting plans?

I have my sights set on branching out into acting. But first, we start planning the Cruz Azur summer campaign right after the holiday. The shoot is taking place in Bora Bora so that’ll be exciting.

French film tests, but rewards, audience’s endurance. // BY MICHAEL KLEMM

A long time ago, I attended a foreign film of which the opening titles ended with “A film composed by Jean Luc Godard.” I found myself recalling that odd credit as I watched Before I Forget, a new French film written and directed by Jacques Nolot. Without much of a discernible plot, it consists of a series of simple, yet emotionally resonating, moments arranged as a musician might orchestrate a symphony or as a painter composes a canvas - making it more akin to a poem than a movie.

Nolot stars as Pierre, an aging gigolo with HIV, with whom we get to visit the often banal details of his day-to-day life. Pierre hires hustlers for anonymous sex, sees his analyst, and discusses the indignities of growing old with his friends while comparing the rates charged by their various rent boys. The camera’s gaze is unflinching. A lengthy scene exposes his aged physique and he couldn’t be more naked before the viewer.

This is not a conventional movie, but life is messy and doesn’t usually follow a script. Very little happens but I was hypnotized by the film’s glacial pace and by its many haunting images. Bits of wry humor surface from time to time, like the incongruous image of an X-rated movie house next door to a McDonalds. When an anxious Pierre soils himself in front of the theater, the scene is neither played for laughs nor milked for pathos. His life is in a downward spiral and he remarks that gay filmmaker Pasolini’s violent death at the hands of a hustler must have been “beautiful.” Before I Forget is one of the most devastating films about the sadness of aging that this reviewer has seen.

Previously, Nolot wrote four films about the same character. La Matioette (1983), and I Don’t Kiss (1991), were made with noted director Andre Techine (Wild Reeds). Nolot, himself, directed The Hinterland (1998) and Porn Theatre (2002). It would appear he might be an unsung pioneer of queer screenplays, carrying on the tradition of mavericks like Fassbinder when few others were doing the same. That Techine directed one of his scripts in 1983 speaks volumes about how far Hollywood has always lagged behind European cinema.

This is a very depressing film - not quite approaching Ingmar Bergman territory, but close. For some, it will be an endurance test, but I found it to be a refreshing change of pace from the more youth-orientated films that dominate queer cinema. Film, in the right hands, is an artform and great art challenges without always being “entertaining.”

Before I Forget demands a lot from its audience but the rewards are quite worthwhile.                                

Broadway legend Bob Avian dances his way through career phases. / BY HOWARD KANE

When opportunity presented itself to interview legendary Broadway director/choreographer Bob Avian, I leapt, kicked and step touched my way down to Toronto’s Canon Theatre where he was preparing a new crop of dancers for his touring production of A Chorus Line. Recently featured in the documentary Every Little Step, which was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival, Avian is best known for his collaboration with the late, great Michael Bennett.

How do you keep A Chorus Line fresh after all these years?

It’s all about the talent. You try to find the most talented people out there. Nowadays, the kids not only have to be triple-threats, they have to look great as well.

A Chorus Line is to blame. You guys started it all and defined the term triple-threat.

Every decade has a show like that. In the ‘50s it was West Side Story. In the ‘60s, Hair and in the ‘80s it was Cats. We simply brought the chorus person into the spotlight. When I was a dancer, we had a singing chorus and a dancing chorus, that is unheard of today.

When you danced on Broadway in such shows as West Side Story and Funny Girl did you have any desire to direct and choreograph?

Not at all. I met Michael (Bennett) while doing the European tour of West Side Story and we became very close. He looked up to me as an older brother, but he was the one very ambitious about being a choreographer.

How did your first collaboration come about?

I was an assistant stage manager on I Do, I Do, but I didn’t like it. Michael had choreographed his first show, A Joyful Noise, and was preparing for Henry Sweet Henry. He said: “Bobby, come work with me and be my assistant.” The chemistry was there from that moment.

Henry Sweet Henry was not a hit, but your second show, Promises, Promises was. Soon after that came Coco, which starred Katherine Hepburn. What was it like working with her in a musical?

It was really tough and the director had a drinking problem so Michael wound up directing most of the stuff. She was not qualified to be a musical comedy star. Even she said: “I don’t know where I get the God damn nerve to think I could do this.” But she sold every seat in the house.

You helped create Follies. That experience must have been thrilling?

I thought the show was glorious and way ahead of its time, but the audience didn’t get it.

How did your career change after A Chorus Line took Broadway by storm in 1975?

Michael and I signed a four-picture deal with Universal. We worked on two properties, Bobbitt, which we eventually dropped and Road Show. We had done Seesaw and thought we can develop a movie around the idea of a bus and truck tour of that show. We wanted Bette Midler to star. This was before The Rose, but Universal didn’t want her. They wanted Barbra, so we said fuck you!

Let’s chat about the film Dreamgirls. Were you pleased with it?

I was in and out. I felt it was too clean and it was all about the costumes. It never stared in a gritty place and built up to the glamour. Director Bill Condon wanted to honor Michael’s intention and I loved him for that.

Were you close with Michael at the time when he was diagnosed with AIDS?

I was there the day when report came from the doctor’s office. For the next year I took him to hospitals across the country. We were supposed to do Chess, but we had to pull out. Michael went to Tucson, Arizona, to go see a special doctor, but on the plane his lungs were collapsing and he had to stay. The last time I saw him he looked like a little old man, it was heartbreaking.

You have been such an integral part of the history of the musical theatre. How do you feel when you look back at your body of work?

Old! I see my own life in three parts, the performer, the Michael Bennett years (in which he made me what I am today), then the British invasion years when I was in London and worked on Sunset Boulevard and The Witches of Eastwick.

Rising pop sensation Lady GaGa beats a unique, but familiar path with her debut album, The Fame. / BY DALE ZANO

Unless you purposely stayed more than 20 miles from a dancefloor this summer, chances are you heard a catchy pop/dance tune called “Just Dance” by up-and-coming pop diva Lady GaGa.

The 22-year-old who made a name for herself on New York’s Lower East Side club scene, is very unique in her own right, but you can’t help but get a familiar vibe from   her. Her sound is distinctly influenced by the music of the ‘80s. She’s artistic and driven, learned piano by ear at age 4, wrote her first ballad at 13 and started playing clubs at 14. She has a bold sense of fashion that aims to set trends, not follow them. Yes, there’s something familiar about the whole Lady GaGa thing. Oh, that’s right, she’s blazing a trail not unlike the queen of the pop icons herself - Madonna.

After scoring one of the major hits of the summer with “Just Dance,” Lady GaGa has just released her debut CD, The Fame which has already become a major favorite on iTunes. Watch out for this one. We may just be worshipping her in 25 years, too.

Congratulations of the first album, it is fantastic. You must be so excited.

I was just so surprised it did really well the first day. I remember getting a phone call that it was number one on iTunes. It’s really funny because I try to stay away from charts. I just wanted to stay focused on the work and on the performance. Right before I went on stage, someone else said it was number one and I was just like I couldn’t believe it. I’m just so grateful and thankful to all my fans and I love them so much.

It’s so important with a debut album to really set the tone for who you are as an artist. What were you hoping to get across with this record?

I really wanted to make an amazing pop record. Pop music out there just seemed kind of low-brow, manufactured and dishonest and I wanted to make a really really amazing pop record that put all of that to shame but still kept the avant garde New York edge that’s part of who I am. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to do something really important and change pop culture and the way we think about pop culture. I think that’s what I did.

That sounds very much like what Madonna set out to do in the ‘80s. Was that part of your inspiration?

She was for sure an innovator and always pushing the envelop, but I think mostly about Andy Warhol when I compare my work now. The idea of taking commercial art and challenging the audience to consider it fine art. I really want obviously for this to be a hit record, but to be artistic and something that’s really important.
What do you want fans listening to your record to take away from it?

The idea of The Fame is that even though nobody knows who you are, everybody wants to know who you are because of the way you carry yourself, the way you talk, the fashion, your work, your drive, your passion. I want this record to inspire people to hustle the way I did. I remember at my record release I looked at everyone in the room and said there is not one person in here that couldn’t be where I’m standing right now and it’s true. Everybody in that room was a New York City scenester, artist, fashion designer, dancer, actor, poet, you know. Sometimes you get lost downtown in a sea of people who do what you do. But it’s our job as artists to find a way to separate ourselves and climb our way up.

Not to keep with the Madonna thing, but you, too, have your own unique sense of style beyond the music. How important is that to you?

It’s very important. Being seen as someone who has something to say about fashion and style, that’s huge. That’s what I do every morning when I wake up. I really wanted to go in a very high fashion, ‘80s avante garde, futuristic-but-vintage direction and trying different things.

And you’ve already had quite an impact after a lot of gay bloggers “outed” Christina Aguilera for “copying” your look recently.

I was really flattered she knew who I was. If there’s anything from that is I love my gay fans. I don’t think Christina copied me or anything, but for them to write on their blogs and stuff was really nice. It was really flattering and honestly it meant a lot to me and gave me a different sort of confidence knowing I had my gay fans there with me.

You took your name from the hit “Radio Ga Ga” by Queen. You must really be inspired by the ‘80s.

The ‘70s and the ‘80s were important to me because of the theatrical element. It was interesting when I was auditioning for musicals they would say I’m too pop, but when I’d try and work toward making a record they’d tell me I was too musical theatre. The ‘80s and ‘70s inspired me to find a way to blend those two worlds together so I could do both.

So is there any rivalry between you and Katy Perry over who had the song of the summer?

She freakin’ had the song of the summer! I had the number one dance song in the country and I’m very proud of that. Katy’s a friend of mine and she definitely was the queen of the summer and I always tell her that when I see her. I say: “Go, be queen, be queen.” There’s no rivalry. I love Katy. We both do pop, but her stuff is so much different. I have a lot of respect for her. To be honest, I have no rivalry with anyone. I don’t really consider that kind of energy. I figure why take your eyes off your own words to look at someone else. It’s only going to distract you and keep you from your own goals.                             

Election Day has come and gone in the USA, and America has decided to try something different. It’s not surprising considering what an embarrassing disaster the past eight years of the Bush administration have been. For the first time, a person of colour has been elected President and America has taken a great step forward toward racial equality.

For many Americans, this is a proud and historic moment in the country’s history. For queer Americans, however, election day was a grim reminder of how most of America feels about them.  In four states, the majority voted in favor of propositions that constitutionally enshrine discrimination against homosexuals. As far as most American voters are concerned, queers do not deserve equal rights.

To make matters worse, according to exit polls, 7 in 10 black voters in California supported the proposition overturning equal marriage rights granted this summer. One analyst suggested this was because black voters were more likely to attend churches that preach against homosexuality.
Being a gay man myself, I find this turn of events thoroughly disgusting on several levels. 

First of all, why exactly do heterosexuals care so much about gays being allowed to marry? If they are against same-sex marriage, then they shouldn’t marry someone of their same sex, right?  How does allowing people of the same sex to marry affect anybody else?  What exactly are they afraid of? I hear a lot of talk about the “sanctity of marriage” yet almost 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. If they care so much about marriage and family, then why don’t they ban divorce? I find this stance incredibly hypocritical.

In Canada, we’ve had equal rights for several years now. Families don’t seem to be negatively affected in any way. No deity has sent any plagues or natural disasters. The last time I checked, the Gay Recruitment Bureau hasn’t reported any increases in sales, and our economy seems pretty darned good considering the current global situation.

Secondly, why are churches telling people how to vote? Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of separation of church and state? If churches are getting involved with the political process, then shouldn’t they also be paying taxes? Since when does the Bible trump the Bill of Rights or the Constitution?

Most importantly, black Americans appear to be voting to take away the civil rights of gay Americans. Why on Earth would one minority, which has endured centuries of violence, degradation, and discrimination, turn around and endorse the exact same treatment onto another minority? Why would they not learn from their own experience and not lower themselves to emulating the shameful and hateful tactics of their own oppressors? 

I wish I had some answers to these questions, especially the last one, but I can only speculate. Let’s face it: American culture (and to a lesser extent, Canadian culture) has become incredibly selfish. It’s all about getting more than the other guy, regardless of the cost to oneself or the harm it may do to another. Look at how many people are dealing with crushing debt, bankruptcy, and mortgage foreclosure simply because they wanted to have more than they could afford. “Keeping up with the Joneses” is ruining a lot of lives.

Also, it seems that too many people here are unhappy with their lives and want someone to blame or at least someone to punish. I suppose it makes some people feel better by comparison when they step on somebody else; but historically, socio-political scapegoating has always ended badly.  Has everyone forgotten Second World War Germany, already?

Obviously, the majority of voters are responsible for these results and I’m not suggesting that any one group is to blame. I just can’t get my head around the idea that millions of black Americans voted in favor of discrimination. I suppose many would say their religion forced them to vote this way.  I guess those same people missed that part in the New Testament (Matthew 25:40, King James Version) that says “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

So much for being righteous. Enjoy your afterlife. I hope you like heat and the smell of sulphur.