The Governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee, announced yesterday that the state will recognize gay and lesbian marriages that were performed elsewhere. This order signed by the governor in a Statehouse ceremony will give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals in regards to health insurance and other benefits. [CBS]

 

The government in Trinidad and Tobago is looking into whether or not it wants to approve gay and lesbian marriage—the government’s decision will become public soon, according to the Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Suruj Rambachan. ”It is a matter being discussed by the Government at the moment and I’m sure that sooner or later you will be provided by a policy decision on such matters,” he said. The announcement was made in response to questions about Barack Obama’s decision to publicly announce his support of same-sex marriage. [TrinidadExpress]

If Trinidad and Tobago decide to allow gays and lesbians to marry, we can sure bet that it will quickly turn into one popular honeymoon destination.

Joanna Johnson was only 25 years old in 1987 when she began on CBS’ long-running soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. Now, all these years later, the  50-year-old is coming out of the closet and reveals all online at TV Guide Magazine…

TV Guide Magazine: With this announcement you seem to be the only officially “out” star currently in daytime soaps, even though the shows are loaded with gay actors. What’s up with that?

Joanna Johnson: Daytime is a whole different world than primetime or theater or film. There’s a greater intimacy between the viewers and the characters. They think you are your character. And that creates a lot of fear. Fear of rejection. I was so worried I wouldn’t be employable as an actress if people knew I was a lesbian. Or that I wouldn’t be believable in romance stories. I had to deal with a lot of self-loathing.

 

For Mothers’ Day, In The Life Media celebrated by releasing “My Two Moms,” a web short video featuring Zach Wahls, the son of lesbian moms whose passionate speech to the Iowa House of Representatives in support of marriage equality went viral on YouTube, capturing the attention of the country.

Wahls joins In The Life Media to discuss his experience as a child of two moms, how he’s adjusting to life in the spotlight, and his new book, “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family.” “My hope for the book is to show people that this is just a portrait of another American family,” says Wahls, “that is just as valid as any other American family.”

You can watch the video by clicking here. 

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave the commencement speech at University of North Carolia Chapel Hill and used the platform to slam the passage of Amendment One.

Each and every generation has removed some barrier to full participation in the American dream. That work is not over. Far from it…And, I would argue, last week’s referendum banning same-sex marriage shows just how much more work needs to be done to ensure freedom and equality for all people….I have no doubt, that in your lifetime, liberty’s light will allow us to see more clearly the truth of our nation’s founding principles, and allow us to see all people and all couples as full and equal members of the American family.

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2012/05/bloomie.html#ixzz1ur0lvdCV

The New Yorker has released the cover of next week’s issue, which will feature President Obama’s gay marriage announcement! Grab a copy as soon as it is out, as this issue marks such a historical moment in LGBT history. Read here what the cover artist said about creating this work:

I am honored to be doing this cover. It’s a celebratory moment for our country, and that’s what I tried to capture. (I don’t especially like those rainbow colors, but they are what they are—I had to use them.) I wanted to celebrate the bravery of the President’s statement—a statement long overdue—but all the more appreciated in this political year. We are on the right side of history.” —Bob Staake, the artist who created  the “Spectrum of Light” cover for The New Yorker.

Gold Metal Martini

Here’s a drink even King Midas wouldn’t turn down. In celebration of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, The Lanesborough, one of London’s preeminent luxury hotels, ideally located in Knightsbridge just steps away from Buckingham Palace and Harrods, will be offering a Gold Medal “ring” to award each thirsty, game-supporting guest a refreshing reprieve. Introducing the new, limited-time Gold Metal Martini cocktail, served up in a chilled crystal glass with a pure gold powdered rim at the hotel’s award-winning Library Bar.

  Ingredients:

   The purest gin or vodka

   A touch of vermouth

Garnish:

Gold powder (Gold does not change the taste of the drink as it is biologically inert!

Pensacola Beach, Florida is home to white-sand beaches, fabulous restaurants, year-round sunshine, and one of the hottest beachside parties found in the United States. Gay travel never looked so good this Memorial Day Weekend from May 24-28. More than 60,000 guests from across the United States will be coming here to partake in the live entertainment, contests, boat parties, beach house celebrations, costume parties, and oh so much more. Don’t spend all your time checking out the Gulf Coast boys and knocking back Mai Tais, enjoy live performances from Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, Beverly McClellan of NBC’s “The Voice,” DJ Beverly Skillz, DJ Trey Stein, and many more. Click here for more information. 

Martin Solveig recently released a music video for his single “The Night Out.” The 35 year-old Solveig, who’s real name is Martin Picandet, is an electronic music DJ and producer from Paris. Very well known for his 2010 hit “Hello” from his Smash album. He has collaborated with Dragonette, Kele of Bloc Party, and Madonna, most recently as a producer for Madge’s MDNA.

“The Night Out” is the fifth single to be release from his Smash album. The tune is, as the name implies, great for a night out or getting ready for one. The beats are moderate, yet heart pounding; great for cruising around in your car or dancing at a party.

Video highlights after the jump…
Read more…

Fresh off the heels of President Obama’s same-sex marriage announcement, Colorado’s Democratic governor called for a special legislative session to grant gay and lesbian couples the same legal rights as straight couples. According to Reuters:

Governor John Hickenlooper said in an executive order calling for the session, due on Monday, that the bill was needed so couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, could “take care of each other and their families.”

Hickenlooper has previously told reporters that without the bill, which failed to advance to a vote in the state House of Representatives during the regular session, the state was depriving people of their civil rights.