A little sunshine from Florida

While the Sunshine State is to blame for alligators, Disney World, high-pulp orange juice, fundamentalists and boy bands, a new poll reveals that “only” 55 percent of voters support a ban on gay marriage (enacting the ban requires at least 60 percent). I like to think it’s the steady flow of Canadian values coming down with the snowbirds!

Speaking of which, Stephen Harper is campaigning for re-election based on a warmer, fuzzier image as some sweater-clad father figure like Bing Crosby (oh wait, bad analogy!). Asked about the family values of his rival, Harper said, “I don’t know Stephane Dion all that well. I presume that he’s been married a long time, has children. I presume he’s a family man also.” You gotta love that word “presume” — it allows Harper the unspoken finish, “…but Dion could also be a pagan-worshipping homosexual who drinks the blood of children.”

Justin Timberlake almost got punched in the face when a fight broke out in a New York club. Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Beyoncé and Solange Knowles were also there, ducking for cover. Is it just me or does “Celebrity Bar Brawl” not sound like the best reality show ever?

Austrailian diver Matthew Mitcham, gold-medal winner and one of the few openly gay athletes at the Beijing Olympics, is being honoured with his own postage stamp. Canada Post employees are praying that Mark Tewksbury doesn’t hear about this!

Now that Kevin and Scotty are married, out Canadian actor Luke Macfarlane becomes a series regular when “Brothers & Sisters” returns on Sept. 28. That’s not really news; just an excuse to print this very pretty publicity picture!

A former editor of the late, lamented fab magazine, Scott has been writing for Xtra since 2007 on a variety of topics in news pieces, interviews, blogs, reviews and humour pieces. He lives on the Danforth with his boyfriend of 12 years, a manic Jack Russell Terrier, a well-stocked mini-bar and a shelf of toy Daleks.

Keep Reading

The cover of Casanova 20; Davey Davis

Davey Davis’s new novel tenderly contends with the COVID-19 pandemic

“Casanova 20” follows the chasms—and—connections between generations of queer people
Two young men, one with dark hair and one with light hair, smile at each other. The men are shirtless and in dark bedding.

‘Heated Rivalry’ is the steamy hockey romance we deserve

The queer Canadian hockey drama packs heart and heat, setting it apart from other MLM adaptations
A colour photo of Dulce in front of a golden arrow pointing up, next to a black-and-white photo of Eboni La'Belle in front of a black arrow pointing down

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 6, Episode 2 power ranking: Queens overboard!

How do the power rankings ship-shape up after the first elimination?
Four drag performers stand in front of a green screen

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 6, Episode 2 recap: Yo-ho, yo-ho, a drag queen’s life for me

The queens hit the high seas for a cruise line commercial challenge