Alex and Dean - GMT #94 - Being Gay
Author Dean | 06.19.2009 | Category podcast
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from San Francisco!
Hello eveyone! In today’s show, I recite a story I wrote one cold wintery weekend at the ranch earlier this year. It’s a story I titled “Yes, Being Gay Ruined My Life”. I posted this story in written form shortly after I wrote it. I had it up for a few days and then pulled it down. I had gotten some strange responses to the story. I think some folks just didn’t get the point of the story. It is a story however that I just can’t let go. I thought it is important enough to me that I decided to recite it and post it as a podcast. I hope you enjoy the story and are able to reflect upon the real meaning of the story. Enjoy!
Dean
June is Gay Pride Month
Author Dean | 06.11.2009 | Category blog
What Does Gay Pride Month Mean To You?
We are well into the month of June. The rains have stopped, oh I’m not sure if they ever came this year, you know with that global warming thing and all. The days are getting longer and warmer. Summer is upon us. June always seems to be a month that is so busy for us in one way or another. Deadlines at work are keeping me busy. Oops, I forgot to put the word “Silly” in front of “Deadlines”. Alex is going out of town to see a play (I don’t know why, NPH will not be there) and then head east for business. I need to get to the ranch to ride the RZR. You know you just have to get back on that damn horse after it kicks you in the butt. And yes, this is Gay Pride month after all.
Every year I think about trying to post as much information as I can on Gay Pride month on our website. And, I rarely do. This is the San Francisco Bay Area for goodness sake, there has to be tons of events and celebrations going on around here. I’ve lived here all but the first nine years of my life, I must know about all that goes on here, right? Well I know the San Jose Pride festival is coming up soon and towards the end of the month is the San Francisco Pride Parade. Maybe I just feel a little ambivalent about the whole thing. I know there is much to celebrate and reflect upon. It just seems like this is how I feel each year that this month comes along.
I don’t know, do we really need a special month for us to celebrate? It always seems that this is the time of year when I dread watching the media report on Gay Pride events. In your face drag queens dancing down the street, men in bikini underwear flopping eye opening, jaw dropping male members in front of the camera lenses, boys, no I mean girls, no boys, wearing black leather boots that come above the knees with six inch heals strutting around, Bank of America and Budweiser ads everywhere, this is what it must seem to be all about to those “outsiders”. What the hell do Bank of America and Budweiser have to do with Gay Pride anyway? Oh yes, that’s right, it is really just all about the money mister! Wouldn’t it be just something to live in a world and time where we didn’t have to pull the frocks out of the closet, well some of us have them put away for special occasions only, and prance around to be noticed and scream for equal rights? It’s just that the high pitch gives me such a headache.
Well, I do think that we need a special month each year to celebrate pride; pride in our community and our pride in ourselves. There just seems to be an over abundance of religious tyranny throughout the world and even right here in our own back yard these days. This tyranny seems to just preach lots of hate of all kinds and does nothing but fill us with despair and shame. But one must understand that the basis of religion is all this and much worse. I suppose I might feel better about celebrating pride in who I am if I could do just that, celebrate “who” I am. The outsiders just want us to go away and the community always seems to have this perception of who we should be. Did I say “should be”? The elite and outspoken of the gay community seem to have this attitude that we “must” be a certain way. I want to celebrate but do I really have to do it their way? You know, I think I’m the outsider. I’m not sure that I fit in anywhere, but I digress.
I thought I would search the Internet, I mean “google it” and find out what I could on Gay events this month. I really don’t know what I would do without Google. Just how did human kind live for thousands and thousands of years without it?
Well I did find the White House proclamation signed by President Obama declaring June as Gay Pride Month. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/ I’m not sure if this is the first time that a President has made such a declaration or not. It all gets a little confusing trying to decipher the plethora of information out there. It also gets very tiring hearing both sides vacillate between their own proclamations of what is right and wrong. It is especially tiring to hear those in the Gay community one minute lambast the White House for not recognizing Gays and then when the White House does such as through the Gay Pride Month proclamation, those same people disagree with that too! http://www.queerty.com/shock-obama-proclaims-june-gay-pride-month-20090601/
Next, I found a piece by Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, where he states Obama’s proclamation presents a problem for Christians since the self-indulgent, empty pursuit of Gay life is not something that anyone should be celebrating. http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-gay-pride-month-just-what-are-we-celebrating-r-1244576831 What I get from the article is that fat, pimple faced kids in school should have special protection rights but not Gay boys that are getting the shit beaten out of them every day. The solution for the bloody nosed Gay boy is to denounce the homosexuality and grab onto the power of Jesus Christ and all will be well! A Men Sister!
Then there is this absolutely disgusting and pathetic article by Jack Kenny from New American. http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/family/1219 The rhetoric is almost laughable, but I think I might just vote for a Misogynist Pride Month out of all his suggestions. Ok, ok, that was just a joke. As a Gay man, I just love all women. I can’t figure out why they just don’t like me? The ignorance, hatred and outright lies that these people put forth are I would say a sin! I doubt that many Gays really know of the hatred that these perverted organizations put forth each and every day. I suggest you read the article.
In any event, it is Gay Pride Month. How I celebrate is up to me. How you celebrate is up to you. If I decide to stand on the corner of Powell and Market Streets to watch the parade, fine. If I decide to do nothing and just feel proud of whom I am, that is fine too. We all have the right to celebrate in whatever fashion works for us. And, yes we do have the right and the reason to celebrate our Gay pride this month. Are you going to celebrate? If you would like to share your pride month experiences or just want to tell us how you are going to or not going to celebrate, send us an email at alexanddean@gmail.com.
Dean
Alex and Dean - GMT #93 - I may or may not be a Homosexual
Author Dean | 06.06.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from San Francisco!
This week Alex and Dean talk about using Gay identity as a publicity stunt. Do icons such as American Idol contestant, Adam Lambert, put the Gay community back in the closet when they call themselves role models and then tease the American public with sexual identity double-speak?
Australian Daniel is in town this week and he helps answer the question, is it ok to ask someone if they are gay? Alex, Dean and Daniel share their thoughts on the best way to ask this question of someone.
In entertainment news, Alex states to the listeners that NPH is dead to him. It seems that Alex and NPH had a date in LA later this month and NPH blew Alex off (probably a poor choice of words) to host the Tony Awards.
Mov’n up on iTunes this week
Author Dean | 06.02.2009 | Category blog
Alex and I would like to thank all of our listeners for their support. This week you have helped us move up to #3 in the Society and Culture: Personal Journals category. Please tell a friend about our podcast and help us increase our listenership.
Thanks!
Dean
Alex and Dean - GMT #92 - Gays really are second class citizens
Author Dean | 05.27.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from San Francisco!
This week Alex and Dean talk about hitting the outdoors with their new toy, the Polaris RZR. Alex decks himself out in his motocross outfit and gets behind the wheel. Australian Daniel is back in the U.S. and also joins Dean at the Ranch for some RZR riding fun. Dean has a little accident, well ok, he runs himself over with the RZR.
The California Supreme Court upholds Proposition 8 and Gay marriage in California goes down to defeat. The courts and the citizens of this great state have spoken and they have given us legal status as second class citizens. Dean rants on about never again donating money to HRC or Equality California. Gays decide not to take the blood money from Doug Manchester, owner of three San Diego hotels including the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Oh, then there is the freedom of speech which was denied to “Miss California”.
In entertainment news, Alex and Dean discuss the finale of American Idol and how America denied a gay man the title. NPH, you all know who that is, is in the news and RENT is coming to town.
Alex and Dean - RZR Riding Videos
Author Dean | 05.19.2009 | Category blog
Experience the fun with Alex and Dean as they ride the new Polaris RZR Sport. Come sit in the passenger seat and lets go for a ride!
Alex and Dean at the Ranch riding the RZR
Author Dean | 05.16.2009 | Category blog
Alex and I are spending the weekend at the Ranch riding the new Polaris RZR Sport. Yes it is a sport! That is very important. You should see the awesome suspension on the sport.
Alex dressed up in his new moto-cross duds and we hit the back country today. It is early summer so the temperature only got to 100 degrees (f). We did an early afternoon run and had lunch once we got to the edge of the property…about 1.5 hours out.
Alex even got behind the wheel and drove the RZR a few times…slowly of course! He said he doesn’t like it when I drive fast. Tighten that seat belt Alex!
I bought a Moose top for the RZR and we installed it first thing Saturday morning. It sure makes a difference in keeping the sun off our heads. Now I want to install a half windshield. Oh does this mean I’m going to go crazy on the accessories now? No, Alex, not those kind of accessories!
Alex and Dean - GMT #91 - Are you biblically correct?
Author Dean | 05.04.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from San Francisco!
This week Alex and Dean reminisce about Australia and the fun times and cute men down under and their first week back home which had its moments: Dean flying to Baltimore less than 19 hours after arriving home from Sydney and Alex getting locked out of the house at 5:30 in the morning.
After shopping for Australian wine and beer, Alex and Dean have a night out with Jeff and Robert and Chelsea Handler and drinks at the Four Seasons. Dean rants about the sound system while Alex sucks it forward.
Alex and Dean “talk-up” Art Torres, the former California Senator who recently came out of the closet and “take down” Miss California for the “biblically correct” gay marriage answer and Representative Virginia Foxx calling the Matthew Shepard murder a hoax. For more information on the Matthew Shepard Foundation and to make a donation, visit www.matthewshepard.org.
In entertainment news, Alex and Dean talk-up Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, and Allison Iraheta and take down Danny Gokey (let’s put the Go in Gokey). They also discuss some of the movies they are looking forward to this summer: Fast and Furious, Star Trek, and Terminator Salvation.
Today’s show is a double issue. Segment two is the final audio Alex, Dean and Daniel recorded in Sydney Australia on their last day in the land down under.
Alex and Dean - GMT #90 - The Adventures of Alex and Dean, Queens of the Dessert
Author Dean | 04.24.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from Albury, New South Wales, Australia!
Alex, Dean and Daniel visit Melbourne to sample the local cuisine and see the musical Billy Elliot at Her Majesty’s Theatre. They then head to the bush country by car to explore the real Australia life and country side. Small town bakery’s long the way and wine tasting in the Rutherglen region were the highlights of the road trip.
Alex and Dean - GMT #89 - Gays and Sharks and Crocs, Oh My!
Author admin | 04.18.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from Port Douglas, FNQ, Australia!
Alex and Dean recap their last couple of days in Sydney and then head out for the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland. They had a fantastic journey to the tropics which included great restaurants, bars, beer, monsoon rains and swimming with the sharks in the northern outer reefs.
Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia
Author Dean | 04.13.2009 | Category blog
Alex and I flew on Qantas out of Sydney the morning for Cairns. We were met at the airport by our driver which took up farther north to Port Douglas. It is warm and very humid, it is also a fabulously beautiful place! The resort is fantastic and so are the shops and restaurants in town. We booked our outer Great Barrier Reef snorkeling trip on one of the smaller boats. We are having a bottle of champagne and a slice of cheeze cake. Tomorrow will be a relaxing day with a stroll about town.
Dean
Alex and Dean - GMT #88 - Sydney and the Blue Mountains
Author Dean | 04.11.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from Sydney, Australia!
We toured the Blue Mountains by day and sat at the harbor’s edge looking at the Sydney Opera House by night. Alex and I are having a fabulous time here in Sydney. We recorded our thoughts for the day as we sat at the wharf in Circular Quay on Friday night. I have also uploaded lots of pictures to the flickr site, please take a look. We are hitting the Gay bars along Oxford Street tonight to take another look at the handsome Aussie men.
Alex and Dean - GMT #87 - In Sydney, Australia
Author Dean | 04.08.2009 | Category podcasts
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Hi, this is Alex and Dean - Gay Men Talking, coming to you from Sydney, Australia!
We are podcasting from Sydney, Australia. Listen to see what we have been up to with Australian Daniel over the last few days.
Alex and Dean have gone Down Under
Author Dean | 04.06.2009 | Category blog
Alex and I have arrived safe and sound in Sydney Australia. Seven thousand four hundred miles and fourteen hours across the great Pacific Ocean, the United 747 landed as light as a feather as we watched the sun come up over the city. The time went by quickly for me…I slept most of the way. I was detained slightly by customs, go figure! Pencil pushers and their damn paperwork. I guess I shouldn’t have said to the customs agent “I don’t need no stink’n papers” with a Mexican accent. Australian Daniel was waiting in the public area for us with a big smile on his face. We were very excited to see him. With our renewed energy from the excitement of finally being in Australia, we began a long day. A little site seeing, the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, breakfast, checking into the hotel, drinks on Oxford St and meeting Australian James. It was a fun day.
Well we off to breakfast, well by the time we get there it will be lunch. We are going to do some shopping today. Daniel wants Alex to help him put together some outfits. Tonight (Tuesday, 7 Apr) we are going out to dinner to celebrate Alex’s BIG birthday, then to drinks on Oxford St. We are meeting at the Columbia Hotel (bar) on Oxford St at 9pm for any of our Sydney listeners that would like to join us.
Lots more to come later!
Dean
Australia or Bust!
Author Dean | 04.03.2009 | Category blog
We are packed…almost. Wow it is so difficult for a couple of gay men to pack less then 44 pounds for a three week adventure in Australia. Tomorrow is going to be hell waiting around for our flight. We have made our final arrangements and Daniel will be meeting us at the Sydney airport. Alex and I are downloading some movies and music to our iPods for the flight. We have downloaded currency and temperature conversion software to our Blackberry’s. I think we are set!
We are planning a night out drinking with our listeners in Sydney and our listeners in Melbourne. So if you would like to join us, just send us an email at alexanddean@gmail.com. I’m going to try my best as well to post updates of our trip on our web site so check in with us frequently.
Dean
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Welcome
Changing Perceptions - Building Community
From the San Francisco Bay Area, Alex and Dean share their everyday lives as gay husbands and domestic partners. They are just a couple of regular guys with a new and refreshing look at life as gay men. They share a unique gay perspective not typically heard and often speak with opposing points of view. This is a podcast for the GLBT and straight communities alike.
"We talk about everyday life, events and issues that are important to you and us!"
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Shelter Now on DVD
I highly recommend the film "Shelter". It is one of the best gay films that Alex and I have seen to date! It is a beautiful love story that ends the way all love stories should. It had me crying tears of joy. Dean
Buy "Loving Ourselves" Today!
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