Will Clark World

Nice Day For a White Wedding - Yolanda and Glen Tie The Knot on Halloween #marriageequality #halloween #nyc

"Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and women."- Judge Vaughn Walker

I woke up Sunday morning and had a brainstorm.

The exBF and I were invited to the wedding of our friends Roger (aka Yolanda) and Glen (aka Bug) which would take place the next day, Halloween, an hour or two before the Halloween parade would begin.

We were asked to come in costume and invited to walk behind their horse drawn carriage in the Parade itself.

After days of indecision of what to wear (how to pick something that's fabulous without overshadowing the Grooms), the brainstorm, Sailors, came to me in a flash after a friend said he was going to the Parade as some sort of sea creature.

Our first and only stop was Abracadabra here in NYC on W. 21st and we not only nabbed the last two sailor costumes but they fit us perfectly. Plus, when the woman at the register saw that one was priced less than the other, she charged us the lower price on both. It was a combination of "wow, there ARE nice New Yorkers" and an it's  "meant to be" moments.

Halloween arrived and we were in Soho Park in our sailor outfits eating Cracker Jacks amidst bloody demons and Hulks, feeling very much like we should break out in a chorus of "New York New York".

Yolanda and Glen arrived, greeting all of us, their friends and family, and posing for what felt like hundreds of photographers. Yolanda wore an incredible outfit that sparkled in the sunset -- but the sparkles were only in part from the material on his dress, no, all Yolanda needed to do was to look to his partner, and to his guests to radiate the most exquisite sunshine.

The wedding commenced and I bawled like a baby throughout - we've come so far and worked so hard for this moment and here it was and it was legal and it was amazing. The noise of a marching band, the squeals of revelers and the rush of cars on Sixth Avenue, couldn't distract us from the sight of the grooms and officiant Rev. Shawn Moniger.  The sparkle focused all of our attention in on them and them alone.

I paused for a second, stepping outside my body... no, I needed a minute, I wanted to drink it all in.

There I was in the midst of all of THIS and nothing else seemed to matter.

Not Community Boards or breakups, not job hunts or roommates, and definitely not whether or not the world would end because two guys who've been together for 7 years (Halloween is their anniversary, so, how fitting) want to pledge themselves to each other.

For me, marriage (I refuse to continue calling it "same sex marriage" as if what's happening is somehow a different thing) is to be taken very seriously. I genuinely believe in the sanctity of the vows that are said - and I don't think that they ought to be shrugged off lightly because you've decided you just don't care to be married anymore - or used to garner media attention (attention Kardashians, please note!). And I certainly don't think dressing up makes those vows any less solemn.

I never in my wildest dreams thought that gay men and lesbians would get to be legally married anywhere on Earth in my lifetime, much less in this country which has all sorts of crazy hangups about sex and love. But now there are so many places where we can, it's sometimes feels too good to be true.

And after throwing rose petals and taking pictures, we moved into place with the Radical Faeries behind the horse drawn carriage and moved down along the street.

The exBF and I held hands and danced to the drumbeats provided by the Faeries.... and every once in awhile would do a dip (ala the famous Eisenstaedt photo, left) and a kiss for photographers much to the cheers (and one 'ewww") from the crowds. We got requests and spent much of the Parade making out.... I don't think either of us minded much... but at one point we joked that by morning our pics would be everywhere and that it'd be like a year before either of us would get a date. "I don't care" said the exBF beaming.. and you know what, I didn't either. Totes whatevs as they say.

The Parade ended and my lips were chapped. We grabbed a bite at our favorite Chelsea diner and bid each other goodnight. I thought, briefly about going to the Eagle to see whatever was going on there... but the night had been magic, it had been perfection - witnessing the union between two souls and having the time of my life with the man I most adore - that doing anything else just seemed superfluous.

And that, my friends, is how I spent Halloween 2011.

You can listen to Rev. Moniger's weekly radio show by clicking here.

This Blog Post Is So Gay, I May Have to Same Sex Marry It

It seems like only yesterday that I went to the launch party for Michael Musto's new book FORK ON THE LEFT, KNIFE IN THE BACK. I haven't gotten a copy of it to review yet so I can't tell you if it's any good but I'm sure it is, like Michael himself, casually amusing (wink) :)

Anyway, Murray Hill and Dirty Martini (right, in one of my favorite pics from the past month) performed and some women from the Real Housewives show showed up to be famous but it really was Bridgette Everett who stole the show by performing like an insane whirling dervish, not just in the performance area high above the crowd, but down in the maw of the crowd. A train wreck but I think that's kind of Bridget's talent (and what a great talent she is!). Bridget performs regularly at Joe's Pub and geez there's not much chance of a performer climbing down into the audience there, so I'm sure the minute she saw a semi open dance floor space, she ran like the wind!

Later that night Molly Pope hosted a party for single gay men at Vlada and because I do not have a ring on my finger (I can't say the same about other places, however) I went because, like the New York lottery, you just never know.

Pope has been on the Will Clark Show numerous times and performed at Joe's Pub too. This was the first of her Mixer events and it was filled with charming young men most of whom do not know a time when THE SIMPSONS has not been a currently broadcast program, but that's OK. I find the young'uns to be fun and awfully cute (especially when they have their hands down my pants, not that they did, but I'm just putting it out there for the twentysomething generation. If you don't ask, you don't get, is my motto).

Anyway, Molly put on a GREAT show and will be returning to Pieces on December 7th (more deets to come). And you know what? As I left Molly's show, who was sitting downstairs having a refreshing beverage? Bridget Everett. Was the first time I could see her face all evening! LOL

That week I spent getting interviewed by the This is So Gay podcast, going to the launch party for a gay indie horror film at the Eagle (I'm cast as a Priest, fun!) and of course watching the final episodes of ALL MY CHILDREN.

After that, the Broadway Cares Flea Market, seeing "Sister Act" (a much better show than I thought it was going to be) followed later in that week by a presentation on the state of HIV/AIDS at the Leslie Lohman - which is now officially the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. The presentation was produced by my friends Amy and Nelson at Visual AIDS. Regular Bingo goers know that we've been giving away "PLay Smart" trading cards for the past few weeks. For the rest of you, the Play Smart trading cards are a way to help get the word out that 'safe sex is hot sex'. The photos are taken by prominent New York photographers and the models are hot. To learn more click here for the Visual AIDS website.

T hen came the Mr. Eagle contest, the Flaming Saddles opening, a concert by Uptown Express at the Metropolitan Room (Uptown Express will be the beneficiary at the Will Clark Show on Wed Nov. 23rd and their newest member is a long time Will Clark Show guest Jaymes Hodges whom gay moviegoers will remember - in all his glory - from the film version of NAKED BOYS SINGING). Geromino will be our guest go go hottie on that night so if you're not headed out of town for turkey day, consider making us the first stop over the long holiday weekend!

Theatre-wise, in short order I saw Bianca Leigh's BUSTED and the all-male SALOME, VENUS IN FUR (just transferred to Broadway.. if anyone's seen this, I'm not 100% what I saw, did you 'get it'? I actually loved the show, although others I was with weren't as enthusiastic), and the MARILYN IN PURGATORY show at Theatre for a New City.

Plus I had the opportunity to see the incredible Tonya Pinkins in MILK LIKE SUGAR now playing at Playwright's Horizons. This is an amazing show and a must see. The story is about three inner city girls who make a pact to get pregnant by any means necessary in order that they can live their lives together, give birth together and have their baby showers together. But what happens when one of the girls starts believing that there may be more for her in this old world than that and that she could have a different life - if she only aimed higher. It runs through November 20th and you can find out more by going to the PH website.

Pinkins, by the way, wrote an awesome book, GET OVER YOURSELF about owning your life and making it better. She knows from experience. She's gone from having everything to nothing and back again. And this book will help you change your thinking (I highly recommend it).

Along the way, I attended the CB4 meeting for the possible move to midtown, I did two more interviews, one for Leatherati and then another one for DJ Baker's Doo Dirty Show, went to Lady Bunny's new show Tuesday nights at Esquelita (extended through the end of November), and participated in the Bronx Community Pride Center's first Bachelor Auction (again: please note, no ring on finger).

The auction is something I've done before and is usually nerve wracking. It was great to arrive and find the other guys just as nervous as I was. Emcee Marti Gould Cummings started the show off with a live number - singing ABBAs  "Money Money Money". The auction itself was fast - the crowd was into it but we were whisked up on stage so fast that some folks later complained they didn't have a chance to really bid on folks (there were some low bids) but then, Boxers is a great space, but not sure it's the right venue for an auction of this kind. Anyway, by manwhoring myself out, I made the Center a few bucks and will have a nice dinner with a generous man to look forward to. (pic of Marti to the right is from the night at Flaming Saddles - but I love it so much that I just had to run it when talking about his awesome hosting duties).

Then there was the Comic Con which sort of ate up my entire weekend and is best saved for another blog post (because this one is already crazy long) but suffice to say, it was amazing at the LGBT presence at the Con. You can read the article I read for EDGE New York by clicking here!

This past week I went to a few networking parties for a new part time job in the wedding industry and of course the Studio 54 party, at which I had a blast. I also managed a small same sex wedding in Central Park. That was nothing short of fantastic!!

I haven't been to the gym much lately but I did spend an incredible day riding my bike from where I live in Morningside Heights (aka the UWS) up and over the George Washington Bridge and into Palisades Park in New Jersey. If you missed that post, click here for the full account and a couple pics.

And that is enough for one blog post, as usual, more later (because it's New York City, there is ALWAYS more).

 

A Vintage Montage of Guys Together

A friend sent this to me today and it was something so neat that I wanted to share it. Maybe you've seen it since it's two years old, but regardless, it's all old pictures of guys together. Whether all of them were actually lovers, I'm sure some of them were. There are some hotties so you might want to hover your mouse over the screen so you can pause. Enjoy! (Song accompanying is "Secretly" by Jimmie Rogers).

"Secretly" - A Vintage Montage Of Guys Together from MJS on Vimeo.

 

Save the Date: August 12th: "A Day in Gay America"

Thanks to all of you who sent in supportive notes via Facebook and via my gmail account - please keep up writing supportive letters to the W. 8th Street landlord, Jane Goldman, urging her to reconsider reneging on her agreement to rent the space at 61 W. 8th Street to Pieces. THANKS. You can find out the full information by clicking here on the Pieces website (this gives contact info for her and her lawyer). Be nice, be concise.

Now the W. 8th Streeters might think that they know what being gay is like but you and I know better - that the LGBT community is a wide and diverse group of amazing people and, in the spirit of capturing what YOUR life is like as an LGB or T person, The Advocate is launching a contest of sorts called "A Day in Gay America" - and all you have to do to participate is take a picture of you doing something you do on Friday August 12th and send it off to the Advocate. The editors will pick a winnner and it'll end up in a photo essay in the November 2011 print edition (yes that still exists, Virginia).

The photo can be you at work, at play, being silly or serious, whatever. Probably should refrain from depicting yourself having a fist fight in front of Pieces or leaving used condoms on Gay Street, the Advocate (like the CB2 people) tend to frown on such things. :)

Naturally, just like your Manhunt ad, you dont have to be a professional photographer in order to participate, just something that says something about you as an LGBorT American. Directions are below.. good luck!

Here are the directions - high resolution imags are required for print so read carefully:

Step 1: Go to the menu on your digital camera and set the photo resolution (or file size) to its highest setting (or largest file size, up to but not more than 10 MB). Photos that are low-res don’t print well, so we can’t use them in the print magazine, only online. Low-resolution photos will automatically be considered for Advocate.com.

Step 2: Take that picture any time between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2011.

Step 3: Go to www.Advocate.com/DayInGayAmerica and upload your photo no later than Wednesday, August 17.

Print photos must be 4 n x 6in (1,800 x 1,200 pixels) 300dpi JPEG file no larger than 5MB. Please no TIFF or EPS files.

Terms and conditions for “A Day in Gay America” photo submissions can be found at: http://www.advocate.com/DayInGayAmerica/

Visual AIDS' Online Web Gallery Curated by Jake Yuzna

I'm a lover of hot men's bodies, I think drag queens are awesome, my favorite music literally keeps me alive - providing a soundtrack to my life -, I try to read as often as I have time for (but I find that happens less often than I'd like) and I admire all forms of Art. Capital A Art - especially when it explores the Bigger Questions of life.

My friends over at Visual AIDS have been producing a cool web gallery over the past couple years with a different curator every month showcasing the work from the Frank Moore Archive Projet.

This month curator Jake Yuzna (from the new museum at Columbus Circle, the Museum of Arts and Design) presents "Ciao" a collection of work that Jake describes this way:

"It is impossible to escape the finality of time, and in some bittersweet way, this is precisely what instills such experiences with a remarkable beauty. In the Visual AIDS archive, incorporating so many artists and works touched by endings, it is the emergent nature of humanity that is highlighted.... Facing such finality, we are left with the choice of struggling in anguish over the precious nature of time, or accepting the inevitable, enjoying the incoherent nature of life as it is lived, and when the time comes for such startling shifts, simply giving a slight wave goodbye to what once was."

See the complete gallery by clicking here!

 

New York Gay Pride 2011: Thursday June 23rd

Good morning peeps - last night's Bingo was a blast and if you missed it, aw well, at least you'll see pics when I catch up on processing and posting (only six Bingos behind at this point... ack!).

We raised $1000 for Braking the Cycle and next week's rider's funds will be matched by the company she works for.. more on this in upcoming days.

Meanwhile there are tons of things to do tonight Thursday June 23rd, in New York, here are a few of the highlights -

The evening kicks off at La Pomme (37 W. 26th) with the AIDS Service Center's annual "Safer Sex in the City" event which will feature a special appearance by Manila Luzon from RuPaul's Drag Race and Vivid Girl Savanna Samson with DJ Vic Latino. Additional appearances by Nick Flynn and Lili Taylor. Tickets are $100 and it goes to a great cause. Click here on the Safer Sex in the City website. Starts at 6:30pm and runs til 10pm

Over at KGB Bar (85 E. 4th Street), playwright Kathleen Warnock hosts a special Pride version - "Glitter and Be Gay!" -  of her monthly "Drunken! Careening! Writers!" featuring talented writers reading their own work. That starts at 7:00 and runs til 10pm and features the always awesome Bob Smith plus writers Isa Coffey, Joel Derfner and Jenifer levin and special appearance by comic/writer Eddie Sarfaty. It's FREE and the drink prices are super reasonable!

Back in the West Village, the work of photographer Rob Ordonez headlines an event promoting the aesthetics of hedonism-- "Forbidden Pleasures" takes place in room 401 at The Center (208 W. 13th Street) -a special one night exhibition of erotic photos. $5 donation at the door goes to benefit the Men's Sexual Health Project. Get more info at Hard Drive Men, a risk reduction sex party. That's from 6pm to 10pm and there are cocktails....a free one with admission to boot!

Starting at 7:30 at the Grammercy Theatre (127 E. 23rd) Dan "It Gets Better" Savage is featured along with the band BETTY in an all star romp celebrating everything gay. Hosted by the adorable Alec Mapa with special appearances by Andrea McArdle (because, you know, the sun WILL come out, tomorrow, it sure ain't out today), Nellie McKay, Frank DeCaro and Mimi Imfurst. Tickets range from $20 - $100 and proceeds from the event go to GLSEN.

Starting at 11pm things start getting strange er, strangER as drunk and crazy Lavinia Draper hosts "Get Your JOAN On" celebrating all things Joan Crawford. You're encouraged to dress like Joan or put together your best bit from MOMMY DEAREST - or just slug back a drink like her! That's at Therapy starting at 11pm til Midnight. Hedda Lettuce makes a special appearance celebrating her 10 years (10!) hosting the classic movie series at Clearview .. and as usual, there'll be hotties stripping off their street clothes in order to win free cocktails. No cover but you may have to take out a loan to afford a couple rounds of drinks!

Back down in the E. Village, Nowhere's (322 E. 14th Street) popular celebration of redheads,"Fire in the Hole" marks it's one year anniversary starting at 10pm. Yes it used to be on Wednesdays but it got so popular that they've moved it to Thursday. Lucky, cuz one of these days I can go (uhmmm when I'm a redhead again LOL). There'll be a Best Red Bush contest for a $50 bar tab (which at Nowhere means you can drink free for DAYS).

I'm sure there's more going on but that's a pretty good smattering - don't get stuck sitting around at home in your room.. because you know, life's a cabaret and all that...!

TONIGHT Tuesday April 26th: Michael Alago's BRUTAL TRUTH book signing

Tonight at the Leslie Lohman, meet photographer Michael Alago who's previous book ROUGH GODS chronicled hairy/muscle/tattooed men from around the world. A feast of flesh and a touchstone of what's considered eroticly charged at this point in queer history. The follow up book BRUTAL TRUTH is more of the same damaged machismo and is sure to sell out fast.

You can pick up a copy and have Michael sign it and meet some of the models tonight from 6pm to 8pm at the Leslie Lohman located at 26 Wooster. Click here for more deets about the book.

Tom of Finland Art Fair in Los Angeles TODAY March 26th

If you, like me, love teh erotic art and you're in Los Angeles today or tomorrow, I'd recommend stopping by the annual erotic art fair thrown by the good people over at Tom of Finland. There are over 40 artists displaying their work, life drawing workshops throughout the day and even a symposium or two thrown in for good measure.

It starts at 1pm PST today Saturday March 26th and runs til 7 and then Noon to 6 tomorrow Sunday March 27th at West Hollywood Park located at 647 N. San Vicente Blvd in WeHo!

 

24 HOURS TIL LANCE PIERCES THE WILL CLARK SHOW

I'm counting it down boys and girls because Mr. Navarro is so sexy and fun that I can't help but be all floopy about his appearance tomorrow night!

Yesterday's pics were racy, but this is much tamer.. taken by our very good friend Gustavo Monroy who got unbelievably hot shots of all our bad boys last summer!

Enjoy! And if you wanna relive those halcyon summer days and my Day of Beauty with Lance, click here for the post!

ANNIE LENNOX RESTS HER MERRY GENTLEMEN

Annie Lennox's newest song/video is burning up the internet with a mix of religious/pagan images set in a turn of the century village showing that Christmas wasn't always (nor should it be) all about store windows in Fifth Avenue (although they are nice too). If you enjoy imagery of tintypes and recognize the brilliance of making a worship circle to Father Christmas, it's like jumping into and moving through a daguerreotype ... really magical. Just the thing for the weary times we live in, right? I know I'd like to live in the world of this video.. for awhile at least. :)