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In many non-western countries, especially places in the so-called “Muslim World” you see men holding hands, expressing affection for each other and even going as far as giving each other flowers. What’s up with that? Are all guys in Afghanistan gay or do they think about same-sex relationships in a different way than we do?

Gay travel writer Michael Luongo joins us to expand on some of the ideas from his last appearance on our show about the gay experience in the Muslim world. Just what lies beneath the surface of all that same-sex affection? Is there sex involved?

Just to entice your appetite, here is an awesome Flickr group “Male Beauty of the Middle East”- it’s very hot.

I highly recommend Michael’s book “Gay Travels in the Muslim World” which is a collection of short non-fiction stories about a variety of men’s perspectives on places like Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan on what it means to be sexually attracted to other men. The tell-all stories make a great bedtime or summer beach vacation read. They are an enticing hybrid of the romantic “Lawrence of Arabia” and the gritty intensity of a 1960s pulp fiction novel.

Honestly, these day’s I just don’t know what’s real anymore. We’ve been busy helping to tape a special reality TV show project which we aren’t ready to talk about, but it’s a whole lot of fun and joyful to be a part of the process.

But the show edits make Marc out to be the “good” guy and me out to be the “bad” guy. Just because I look like Jeffrey Sebela on Project Runway doesn’t mean I’m a jerk!

For crying out loud, Marc is the one who keeps a twitter blog on INSULTS. Subscribe via text message and you can get it on your phone!

Speaking of gritty celebrities, did you hear? Lin Lo said OK-go to being a lesbo.

I’m not sure just what I wrote out. OK, this means Lindsay Lohan just officially came out and used the word LESBIAN to describe herself, as in “lesbian relationship.” You go Lin-Lo! FYI, it may be a Hollywood first, as most famous entertainer Daughters of Bilitis prefer to use the word “gay” or “omnisexual” to describe their passion for ladies.

I’ve heard of bats in your belfry, but a young women found a bat in her padded bra. She thought it was her mobile phone vibrating when she took it out and it was tinny little bat. She let it go and go and felt terrible that she may have frightened the poor thing.

Kuwait a minute, yes, it’s the podcast that is rarely Syrian but will always Afghanistan by your man- Feast of Fools.

Check out today’s sponsor:

Big Jones Restaurant
Contemporary Southern Cuisine
Located in the heart of Andersonville in Chicago, Illinois
Fresh homemade food made with local seasonal ingredients with contemporary coastal southern flair

Featured Music:
Tom Goss - Rise: iTunes | CD Baby | Site

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Pull out your marshmallows, get your weenies ready and make yourself comfy ’round the ole campfire because we’re going to summer camp!

Tracy Tyler joins us once again on today’s show as we share some fond memories and also traumatic experiences of summer camp.

Listen as we talk about sexy ghost stories, strange erotic experiences and the unrequited romances of our teenage years. Did you go to summer camp? We want to hear your stories too so please comment on the site and share your tales.

Can watermelon replace Viagra? Citrulline which is found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, reacts with the body’s enzymes when consumed in large quantities and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the circulatory and immune systems.

The arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and provides the same basic effect as Viagra. We’re not sure exactly how much watermelon you will have to eat to get the effect but we went ahead and bought a few just to have on hand.

I’m not sure about this one, but a new trend in fashion panties is a back door window. We’re not sure if it functions as a sex lure or it’s just a vent for farts. But we really wonder when it will enter into gay men’s fashion? Oh wait, it already has- the jockstrap!

Why bother to wear clothes at all when you can be “SKY CLAD.” Sky clad, get it? It took me a second to understand that sky clad meant nude in a sign at a clothing optional camp we attended this past weekend. Did we get naked? Only to go into the jacuzzi.

If you’re happy and you know it, you’re probably listening to the Feast of Fools!

Drink Responsibly? You always hear those words of concern by liquor companies in ads, but we’re not sure what they mean by that. For many GLBT folks, our role with alcohol is a complex one, where bars bring us together, but for some the consumption of alcohol can ruin their lives.

How can we all have a healthier relationship with alcohol? How can we talk about drinking without pointing fingers?

Join me Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion and LifeLube, Project CRYSP, and the Chicago Task Force on LGBT Substance Use and Abuse at Sidetrack as we ponder these important topics in an alcohol friendly environment. Did I mention they serve purple slushy drinks? Yum.

Seating is limited please RSVP by clicking here.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 6 p.m.
Sidetrack, 3349 North Halsted
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Taping begins at 7 p.m.

The podcast that loves you back, and in a totally cool and not creepy way- Feast of Fools.

Check out today’s sponsor:

Gay, Sexy, Health- Lifelube.org
Your “big tent” guide to gay men’s health,
from sex and drugs to Faeries and Bears
Your friendly concierge for all that’s gay, sexy and healthy.

Featured Music:
Katy Perry - One of the Boys: iTunes | Amazon | Site

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Over the Fourth of July Weekend, Marc and Fausto row a canoe on Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania.

For a high-quality version of the video, subscribe with : RSS | iTunes | YouTube | Blip.tv

 

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Kaboom! On the Fourth of July, I like to make my own special fireworks with my lips and with my hips.

I’m feeling just a little bit frisky after all the madness and mayhem of Fourth of July weekend here in the U.S. We barely survived the onslaught of mosquitoes, firecrackers and drunk tourists! I bet many people all over the nation are needing a vacation from their vacation.

We hope our show is that vacation for you.

On today’s show Tracy Tyler, Marc Felion and I, Fausto Fernós recap the events of the weekend and the sexy and not so sexy things we ran into.

Marc and I traveled to his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania where we were treated to some beautiful canoing and hunky men twirling around the stripper pole at the local gay bar.

Right at closing, just as we were about to leave the hot young men at the Zone nightclub had a dance off using the stripper pole! We were all treated to an amazing spontaneous show that rivaled the mastery of Cirque du Soleil and certainly the sexiness as well.

One guy at the local bar had a bit of attitude with his Hollywood stylist good looks, chiseled abs and rock hard body- at 5.4 feet tall. I asked him where he got this awesome shirt he was wearing and he said “I got it working as a model in Europe.”

What I wanted to say is how happy I was that a short person like him got work as a fashion model anywhere, but I kept my big fat mouth shut.

Later on a totally methed out guy came over to harass us and Marc skillfully turned Mr. Meth Crazy onto Mr. European Fashion Model and a fight almost broke out! Listen to show for all the messy details.

Meanwhile Tracy has been working on her summer tan, which makes her feminine shape stand out more. What I like most about her tan lines is the way she wears revealing black dresses to church on Sunday to try to turn on the ministers and the members of her congregation!

I love a whore in church who keeps it calm and cool.

Ding Dong, former Senator Jessie Helms, foe to man and beast died at the age of one zillion showing that it’s hard to kill evil white men.

Check out our friends at Towleroad, who beautifully put his legacy into words: “To all those people who died too soon or who lived without being able to live life to its fullest as a result of Jesse Helms and his influence, may you rest in peace.”

We think he probably died earlier in the week, but the Republican party kept his dead body in a meat locker somewhere until the Fourth of July to shoehorn his death at some sort of cosmic patriotic meaning.

And now for a real hero- Nigerian gay rights activist Davis Mac-Iyalla has been released from prison and is now in the UK seeking asylum. Work it Davis! Imagine what your life would be like if your country tortured you, imprisoned and harassed your family for your simple desire to be a gay man, out loud and proud.

Listen to our interview with the leader of Changing Attitude Nigeria (CAN).

Meanwhile, a man slathered head to toe in BBQ sauce got arrested while hiding in someone’s basement in Wisconsin. I guess he thought he would blend in with the weekend’s food and not be seen. Yes I know he’s crazy, but he sure tastes good!

Fighting for your right to rock and roll all night and party every day, or at least every once in a while- Feast of Fools.

Check out today’s sponsor:

Big Jones Restaurant
Contemporary Southern Cuisine
Located in the heart of Andersonville in Chicago, Illinois
Fresh homemade food made with local seasonal ingredients with contemporary coastal southern flair

Featured Music:
Lipstick Conspiracy - A Perfect Alibi: CD Baby | Site

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Gay men are living longer than ever and we need to make sure we continue to keep the healthy bodies we’ve enjoyed in our younger years.

After all, life doesn’t end at forty.

On today’s show we’re talking to Dr. Frank Spinelli, your gay doctor about his brand new book “The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness.”

Dr. Frank joins us to talk about why some gay men abuse drugs, transmit sexual diseases and how to keep romance hot well into your golden years.

Dr. Frank says one of the most important things you can do with your doctor is to come out as a gay man. Simply say “Doctor, I’m gay.” But for many of us, we shy away from doing that because we fear being judged or worse, being looked at as a freak because we don’t necessarily share the same sexual orientation as our doctor.

Thankfully, Dr. Frank is gay and fabulous! You can check out his MySpace page here.

Listen up folks, this podcast just might save your life!

The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness is a fabulous book that covers all the questions you may want to ask your doctor. It makes a great beside or bathroom book.

I believe that the single most important thing to improve the sexual health of all people in America is for the next President to push in congress a Universal Health Care plan for all people. The reality is that too many people living in the U.S. wait to the last minute to see a doctor because they simply cannot afford it.

I can only imagine the lives that would be saved and the improvement in transmission rates of all sexually transmitted diseases if we all had the same access to health care that almost all western nations enjoy.

For many of Americans, access to adequate health care is sketchy at best and I urge you to get Dr. Frank’s book (it’s $22 on Amazon) to educate yourself about the perils we face as gay men and also about some of the rewards and pleasures we’ve worked so hard to enjoy.

That being said, I urge you to save up and go see a doctor. There are many clinics in most urban areas that offer services on a sliding scale.

Your Dr. Feelgood for your podcasting regimen- Feast of Fools.

[Originally posted on 02.26.08]

Featured Book:
The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness
by Frank, M.D. Spinelli: Amazon

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Eric Himan - Everywhere All at Once: iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby
Eric Himan - There’s Gotta Be Something: CD Baby | MySpace

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Most people look insane wearing tiaras. Even still, gay men and women all across the world compete in pageants that cost a ton of money to participate in and for what? The competition is often so stacked against you and it’s more about who you know rather than how fierce a queen you are. And even if you do win, the titles don’t necessarily advance your career.

So why do these ladies do it? Because it’s fun. Just like thousands of young people line up to be rejected on American Idol television show, some gay men just think it’s a blast to go through all the trouble and sacrifice to put on a show.

Drag ties us to something powerful and we enjoy the temporary illusion we create when lip syncing and instead of being just another gay guy, we’re Diana Ross! A little hair and make-up and the right outfit and attitude we’ve become royalty. Queen for a night.

On today’s show one of our local drag queens and behind-the-scenes pageant diva Richard Biasis, better known as Regina Upright, joins us to talk about what inspires drag queens to entertain others and themselves.

Why are these gay men spending so much time and effort to imitate strong powerful women? What makes Cher such an icon?

Listen as Marc Felion, Richard Biasis and me, Fausto Fernós talk about the British man dying from eating too many “fairy cakes” and the 39 year old Japanese man who got caught trying to show up at a high school trying to pass as a teenage schoolgirl wearing a uniform, makeup and long wig.

Oh, and yes, we unveil the DIRT on most drag queens in Chicago. What are Sal-E and Jo-jo really like? Who poured a pint of beer into my suitcase? Who stole my makeup?

Giving you the dirt you love- Feast of Fools.
[Originally posted on 02.27.08]

Featured Music:
Brian Kent - Breathe Life: CD Baby | Site

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How do you get off and have a good time on the internet superhighway without a fender bender?

On today’s show we have the recording of the live forum that Marc Felion and I, Fausto Fernós, moderated at the Center on Halsted last month. The forum was developed and sponsored by our friends at Lifelube to figure out how to have fun and be safe while looking for sex or love online. This forum featured three great experts on how the internet is changing our sexuality.

First, Stephan Adelson, former general manager of Manhunt, a hook up site for men seeking sex with men. He was part of the team that introduced the idea of displaying one’s HIV status in online personal profiles.

Stephan currently works as the Executive Director of the nonprofit Internet Intervention Incorporated. He also works as an internet consultant on privacy issues and recently developed National Guidelines for Internet Interventions (PDF).

Second, Beau Gratzer, director of HIV and STD prevention at Howard Brown Health Center. Beau oversees many sexual health programs including those targeted to gay men online in Chicago.

Beau served on the National Coalition of STD Directors’ expert advisory committee that recently published the “Internet Interventions Guidelines” which provide guidance to health departments and community organizations providing HIV/STI related health information and programs online

And Third, Doctor Brian Mustanski, Assistant professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Brian is among the first to study how gay, lesbian and bisexual people interact online.

He developed one of the first online studies of gay lesbian and bisexual people. The majority of his work focuses on the development of “sexual minority” people and how the Internet affects us. He is also working on a study on the health and development of LGBT youth.

Listen as we talk about looking for sex and love online, the mysterious bug chasers, internet addiction and the the hunting instinct,

We also take questions from the fabulous people who attended this very fun and informative questions from the audience.

You can also read a blow by blow account of the forum at Michael Lehet’s blog, “What’s A Boy To Do.” Thank you Michael!

Check out today’s sponsor:

Gay, Sexy, Health- Lifelube.org
Your “big tent” guide to gay men’s health,
from sex and drugs to Faeries and Bears
Your friendly concierge for all that’s gay, sexy and healthy.

Featured Music:
Mystechs - Escape from Planet Love: iTunes | Site

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The city benches at almost every bus stop in Baltimore proclaim, “Baltimore, the Most Beautiful City in the World.” Did the city planners forget about Paris, Rome, San Francisco or nearly every other major city in the world?? It’s a proclamation so bold and ridiculous that if you don’t actually think about it, you might imagine it were true. But it’s not.

Chet was a rare sexy specimen at the parade, but apparently he’s straight. He won the High Heel race again this year. Read more…

 

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Tom Goss has finally found his voice and it sounds like heaven.

Tom was a star high-school wrestler and entered college on a wrestling scholarship. For lack of better direction, he studied to be a social studies teacher. He eventually decided to become a Catholic priest as a way to channel his desire for reconciliation and social justice.

Tom entered the seminary but became disillusioned by the institution in which he had placed his faith. He fell in love with a fellow seminarian but he didn’t leave the seminary until he was stalked by another fellow seminarian.

When the stalking escalated, Tom turned him in and he got him kicked out of the seminary. Tom left of his own accord at that time and says he is still stalked by this guy to this day.

Today he’s happy, in love and a rising star in the national gay music scene. He’s been touring the country with his pal Eric Himan and singing his songs about rebirth and renewal, of love and loss and what lies beyond.

We had such a great time hanging out with Tom! Check out the photos we took in our Tom Goss photo gallery. He’s really good looking, funny, charming and a great musician- his second album Rise is one of my personal favorites.

There’s not a bad song in the album. He may not be the priest in any church, but he’s the priest of rock and roll to me and I wouldn’t mind being his altar boy!

Listen as Tom talks about the hypocrisy of the Catholic church, losing his grandpa, following your own path and his passion for social justice.

A deeply moving interview, plus Tom plays live in the home studio just for you!

God spelled backwards is FOF.

Check out today’s sponsor:

Big Jones Restaurant
Contemporary Southern Cuisine
Located in the heart of Andersonville in Chicago, Illinois
Fresh homemade food made with local seasonal ingredients with contemporary coastal southern flair

Featured Music:
Tom Goss - Rise: iTunes | CD Baby | Site

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Fellas, we’re doing it for the ladies today! Well, not really. It’s all about how you love the stuff for the ladies.

The popularity of the “Sex in the City Movie,” a film adaptation of the tv series that’s popular with gay men make us wonder what’s behind this love affair between gay men and movies made for straight women?

Where does the term “chick flick” come from and what does it really mean? Although it once was used to degrade films made about women, it’s now seen as a legit genre all on it’s own.

The inclusion of gay comedians like comic Mario Cantone show that filmmakers these days take into consideration their loyal gay audiences.

On today’s show San Francisco Drag Queen Peaches Christ joins us to talk about those wonderful chick flicks every gay man must see. Movies made for women, about women but somehow strike a chord in every gay man’s heart.

What is the legacy of Hollywood’s leading ladies like Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe and the men behind these great women like directors George Cuckor, Russ Meyers and Roger Ebert!

Peaches Christ’s fabulous film series Midnight Mass starts it’s 2008 series kicks off on 4th of July weekend, Friday and Saturday night with the film Showgirls.

Peaches Christ is goddess, and this is Feast of Fools.

Featured Movies:
• The Women (1939)
• Rebecca (1940)
• Mildred Pierce (1945)
• All About Eve (1950)
• How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
• Valley of the Dolls (1967)
• 9 to 5 (1980)
• The Color Purple (1985)
• Aliens (1986)
• Beaches (1988)
• Steel Magnolias (1989)
• The Handmaid’s Tale (1990)
• Thelma and Louise (1991)
• Clueless (1995)
• Showgirls (1995)

Check out today’s sponsor:

Steamworks Gym, Sauna and Baths.
Visit Steamwork’s website and register to get a discount
on your next visit. Enter “Feast of Fools” on the promo
code field to get the special discount.

Featured Music:
Don Juan Dracula - Young Debutantes II: iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby| Site

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