The wonderful folks at Laughing Squid bring our attention to this handy flowchart created by comic Sam Killermann (of It's Pronounced Metrosexual) that lets you know when it's appropriate to use "gay." He notes, "Gay isn’t a bad word, folks. But it gets used that way so often people feel uncomfortable using it correctly. As much as it’d be wonderful to say that homophobia is an issue of the past, it’s not. Let’s continue reteaching our society what it means to be gay." more ›

Down in the land of flip flops and fish tacos, Harvey Milk's legacy will be honored via a new street name. San Diego will rename a street in honor of the slain gay rights leader and former San Francisco supervisor, making the southern California city the first to name an avenue after Milk. Why San Diego? According to the BAR, San Diego's queer community thinks of Milk as one of their own. "He was stationed in San Diego in the 1950s when he served in the U.S. Navy, leading local activists to recently launch a campaign urging Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to name a naval vessel the USS Harvey Milk." more ›

In light of this week's announcement that Barack Obama supports gay marriage, making him the first-ever sitting U.S. President to make such a profound statement, response to the news has been mostly positive. Even noted conservative and Hunky Jesus hater Andrew Sullivan described himself as "uncharacteristically at a loss for words," adding, "Obama did more than make a logical step. He let go of fear. He is clearly prepared to let the political chips fall as they may. That's why we elected him. That's the change we believed in." Following are other reactions to Obama's "evolved" stance on same-sex marriage. more ›

Hard French, El Rio's award-winning afternoon queer dance party in the Mission District, turned soft over the weekend after several of its Facebook followers (i.e., commenters) took offense to their naming their Cinco de Mayo's party "Pico de Gallo." Some daytime disco fans thought the salsa-themed title was a touch racist. For whatever reasons. Furthermore, club promoters (quite cleverly) encouraged revelers to come dressed as their favorite Pico de Gallo ingredient — e.g., tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, garlic, etc. Intended to mock the drunk, white frat boys and brogrammers who party in the Mission wearing sombreros on May 5th, some Hard French fans took umbrage and found the entire bit culturally insensitive. Some were angered yet begged for more "dialogue". Some simply didn't care. Either way it made for interesting commentary and fist-shaking that only voices on the interwebs can muster. A few choice Facebook moments: more ›

Crazy person Sean Harris, senior pastor of the Berean Baptist Church in North Carolina, delivered a terrifying sermon on Sunday to his congregation suggesting that parents "crack" their fey sons' limp wrists, rein in daughters who appear butch, "punch" them if they act gay, and a slew of other child-abuse recommendations that are sure to horrify anyone with commonsense and a heart. Harris was speaking in support for North Carolina's Amendment One, the state's looming ban on gay marriage and civil union. Care of Good As You, who first reported the story, the transcript of the infamous sermon reads as follows: more ›

Before a winner is crowned next week on RuPaul's Drag Race, we implore you to a) you personally see to it that Sharon Needles wins the pageant, and b) buy tickets now (not tomorrow, now) for Miss Needles upcoming July 28th appearance at the Castro Theatre with icon and noted filmmaker Peaches Christ. The two will host a screening of Silence of the Lambs, the Academy Award-winning portrait of a young lesbian FBI agent who befriends an elderly British cannibal who hungers for liver and springtime beans. more ›

(By D. Hanousek) What's sexier than a good-looking, stylish gay with great hair walking down Castro pushing a stroller? I actually don't feel qualified to answer, but my gay BFF banks on this notion every chance he can get. As the most prevalent adult in my children's lives, what Charlie (the gay in question) does with my kids when he's gracious enough to babysit (as long as he's not exposing them to sex, drugs, or Divisadero dive bars) is entirely up to him. So yeah. I let my gay BFF cruise the Castro with my kids. more ›

The SoMa gay bar formerly known as The Eagle has been stripped of its dark lighting, license plates on the wall, and all of its history. It's also ready for leasing. "The bygone Eagle Tavern in SoMa is still mourned by its legion of regulars, but a recent real estate listing reveals that the bar at 398 12th St. can be yours - for $15K a month," reports The Chronicle. "Will someone bite on the big bar and its 'expansive' patio? And if so, will the famous leather come back?" more ›

Several child actors from popular '80s and '90s sitcoms and film such as Charles in Charge, Step by Step, Mr. Belvedere and others, have joined forces under the name of CCOKC (Child Celebrities Opposing Kirk Cameron), which is pronounced "cock," naturally. The group has committed themselves to raising awareness about a "serious threat to our civil rights — Kirk Cameron's stupid opinions," and the result is sheer delight. more ›

Yesterday evening an electrical worker found himself stuck in a SoMa manhole after he reportedly fell down the ladder at Howard and Fremont Streets. The electrical worker, who was apparently not part of PG&E's crack team according to the utility company, called the Fire Department for assistance around 9:20 p.m. Sunday night. It took rescue workers on the scene a solid 30 minutes to get the man out, but not before one of their own became stuck himself, leading to this awkward yet hilarious "2 men, 1 hole" series of notifications from @Emergency_In_SF San Francisco's unofficial emergency twitter account: more ›

The Human Rights Campaign released financial documents today from the National Organization for Marriage (AKA NOM, the organization partially responsible for Proposition 8, California's same-sex marriage ban) that show a staggering $10,000 donation from Governor Mitt Romney's PAC prior the November election in 2008. While Romney's views on civil rights and gay marriage are not terribly surprising (as you can have surmise, the GOP presidential hopeful is staunchly against two dudes getting married), how he went about making the donation should give voters pause for concern. more ›

Saturday Night Live recently hired a new female comic, Kate McKinnon, known for her work with Upright Citizens Brigade and the Big Gay Sketch Show. The latter hints at the fact that, yes, McKinnon is gay, which effectively makes her SNL's first openly lesbian featured player. (Terry Sweeney, who appeared in the disastrous 1985-86 season, was the show's first openly gay guy.) She makes her debut this Saturday when Sofia Vergara hosts. more ›

Another reason we love SFGate's Catherine Bigelow? Shot like this: Society dowager Dede Wilsey posing next to male performers Adam Musgrave and Ronnie Reg Waite at a tricked out SOMA loft on Thursday night. (Typical Dede!) The bash was in honor of Jean Paul Gaultier's Bay Area arrival and his new exhibition at the deYoung. Read/see all about it. more ›

Two men traveling aboard a gay cruise ship in Dominica were arrested by local authorities on Saturday for participating in sultry acts of homosexuality up to and including indecent exposure and "buggery," the term used for sodomy on the island. John Robert Hart, 41, and Dennis Jay Mayer, 43, were pinched by the local fuzz after someone on the dock spotted the duo going at it on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship. more ›

Madonna has this new album coming out. Your over-35 gay male friends probably know all about it and have listened to all the "leaked" tracks, so you can ask them about it if you care. But before the album even has dropped, Madge has released two videos, including the one for the first single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," which she performed at the Super Bowl and in which the savvy old dame brought in youngsters M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj to give her some cred with the kids (the thing now has 28 million view on the 'Tube, so that may have worked). Now, gladly, Los Angeles drag queen Jackie Beat has done this marvelous parody called called "Gimme All Your Blood," where Madge is basically recast as a Satanist. Fun! (Be forewarned: The audio is NSFW.) more ›

Concocted by the minds at San Francisco-based Cute Tank, this sartorial... stoke of genius? monstrosity? unbridled gayness? all of the above? Well, it will debut at their upcoming San Francisco fashion show party on March 17. Sure, you can tear your tussled hipster-gay hair out over the asymmetrical tank top's gloriousness, but you won't be rolling your eyes once you see it on Michael Fassbender? Ha! more ›

"I'm sure there's a Shit Someone Says video out there you haven't seen yet, but why not skip it and watch this surprisingly moving It Gets Better video from the SFPD," notes SF Appeal's Eve Batey, who first reported on the video. And she's right. The video, just released today by the San Francisco Police Department, showcases several queer officers telling their stories of growing up as gay youths. It's quite touching. more ›

Anti-gay reporter Roland Martin was at it again during Sunday night's Madonna concert (cleverly sandwiched between a football game) when the CNN political analyst took to Twitter to tell his followers to beat any guys interested David Beckham's H&M underwear ad. Behold: more ›

Forget about SOPA! Homosexuals across the land should be more than a little concerned this morning as news of a major security breach at Grindr and Blendr reaches the wires. It turns out the iPhone-based hookup apps (Blendr is the straight one, for those who didn't know it existed) didn't have any real security at all, according to an Australian hacker, who built a website on which you could search for any Grindr user, regardless of whether they were online, view their favorites, nude pics, chats, etc., and even impersonate them! more ›

On today's edition of Homosexualizing the 49ers, we take a look at this week's cover of Sports Illustrated. Chortle. It looks like they're totally doing it. And before you come down on us for puerile humor, the editorial staff at SI knew exactly what they were doing. Of course they used this particular shot for a San Francisco-based team. Because San Francisco is full of gaybirds. Let's take a closer look, shall we? more ›

Teenagers canb be horrid creatures. You know this already. In addition to being B.O.-laced, hormone-filled beasts, many of them lack clarity and independent thought. Exhibit D-: this 14-year-old girl from California leaping on the hatemongering bandwagon with this depressing video calling for Americans to boycott Girl Scout Cookies. Why does she want you to shun Girl Scout Cookies? Because seven-year-old Bobby Montoya, who identifies as a girl, wanted to join his local Girl Scouts chapter. Even though Montoya didn't join the troupe, "the decision to allow him to do so instantly infuriated some conservative troupes, who called the move 'extremely confusing' and an 'almost dangerous situation.' " Thus, the boycott. more ›

Staying sober in the Castro is like trying to stay sober in the Castro. It's quite trying, what with all of the bars and dealers within hinged-wrist's length. Enter the Castro Country Club, a tiny clubhouse, if you will, located on 18th Street that allows sober addicts to socialize comfortably within a queer space without getting ripped to the tits. The building housing the space was sold this week. So, does the club once again stand in a state of peril? Not likely. more ›

Noted chicken sandwich makers and anti-gay corporation Chick Fil-A wants to open a spot up in the North Bay. According to Grub Street, "A rep at gay-averse chain Chick Fil-A says that they are continuing to expand their 'footprint on the West Coast,' and they have their eyes on a former Burger King at 1452 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa now." more ›

Typically held on the last weekend in September, milquetoast sex and fetish fete Folsom Street Fair will move its date for the first time in 20 years. Next year's butt blowout will take place on Sunday, September 23. Why? Well, according to queer publication The Bay Area Reporter, it's because of Oracle OpenWorld. "Organizers opted to move the festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, to avoid a scheduling conflict with Oracle OpenWorld, which will run September 30 through October 4." more ›

Confused GOP candidate Newt Gingrich surprised absolutely no one when he told gay voters to back Obama. According to the Des Moines Register, an Iowa gay asked the former U.S. House Speaker how he would support gay Americans if elected. more ›