YAY!!! First comment of the day!

My role model: Ellen Degeneres. Don't forget her. I know that I am a gay and not a lesbian but still. She is great because she stands firm in what she believes and she gets out to her audience, much like you guys do, and gets people to do things together. She can also keep a straight face like when she did the Trevor special, the gay teen suicide hotline, raising 10 million for the hurricane Katrina Relief funds, and when Matthew Shepard was killed she was right up there fighting the good fight. Both her and you guys make me laugh everyday and that is a beautiful thing. Laughing is a great medicine and you guys are a medicine to many people. Another great role model: Rock Hudson. Besides the fact that he was amazingly gorgeous he always followed his heart and even though he never really came out he affected a lot of people in the AIDS front and that is a huge leap of faith. Check both of those guys out! And when you have a legends ball you know that I will be there because when I headline broadway I will help change this country. I promise you guys that. Well you guys are great! I wish I could be there Saturday but I can't unfortunately. You guys have fun!

Take care! x0x0x

~aNdY!~

Said by: ~aNdY!~ at May 23, 2006 04:05 AM

As far as gay role models, I will have to second Andy's nomination of Ellen. She was willing to take all the heat before, during, and after coming out on her sitcom. Unfortunately, ABC didn't have the cajones or the good writing to keep the show going, but she will be remembered as paving the way for Will & Grace and QAF.

I must also include you guys. Through your show, you are doing more to open hearts and minds than you might ever realize. One of these days when podcasts get their own award show (count on it), you guys will very likely be given a "Lifetime Achievement" award. Ok, I gush a bit, but I do love what you guys do.

Another role model was a drag queen I knew in Nashville, Bianca Paige, also known as Mark Middleton (www.biancapaige.com). Bianca/Mark approaches life with a simple philosophy: Life's too short to be bitter! In and out of drag, Bianca/Mark was one of the most approachable people I knew, and NEVER copped an attitude or dissed anybody. No matter how bad I might have felt before coming into the bar, I always left feeling much better after watching a performance or just having a conversation. To this day, I just have to remember Mark/Bianca's signature, raspy "Haaaaay!" (way more raspy than Harvey Fierstein) and my mood immediately lifts. Bianca/Mark lives with a simple philosophy: Life's too short to be bitter! I am better for having known him while I lived in Nashville.

Said by: David at May 23, 2006 08:56 AM

Quarter. Turns. People.
Quarter Turns!

Said by: Jason at May 23, 2006 08:59 AM

Can Clay Aiken come to the Gay Legend's Ball? Or Barry Manilow?

Said by: Fausto Fernos at May 23, 2006 09:15 AM

Nothing will ever take the place of "Haaaaay" for guaranteeing a laugh from me, but "Quarter Turns" does rank a close second. Thanks, Jason!

Said by: David at May 23, 2006 09:16 AM

Quarter Turns indeed.

Said by: Fausto at May 23, 2006 10:04 AM

Quarter Turns rock!

I love the photo's guys! Fab memories :)
People of the inter-thing-ie-whatjamacall-it... make a point of joining the FOF on tour! (while you still can)

I'm reviewing a tablet pc at the moment and noting its swivel motion from Laptop to Tablet as "two easy quarter turns" ;) the public won't know but us fools do!

Said by: Fergal Breen at May 23, 2006 12:24 PM

Quarter Turns! Haha. Jason's love of that makes me laugh. And Fausto & Marc, I totally agree about the sound effects, they sound hokey, don't use 'em. Love you.

Said by: Ben at May 23, 2006 01:46 PM

How about getting James Hormel to sponsor the Ball? He's gay, a philanthropist, really rich, the first openly gay man to represent the United States as ambassador, and knows people in high places.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hormel

Said by: Gary T at May 23, 2006 08:06 PM

I didn't even know James Hormel was still alive. I thought he might be doing quarter turns in his grave by now.

Said by: Jason at May 23, 2006 10:23 PM

Warning this is me mumbling and makes little sense.sorry?

Damn James Hornel is From Minnesota...woohoo? sorry I looked at ther site given and read it.

The first man i ever saw and knew what gay ment was when i was a preteen and I saw Alan Cumming on SNL. After seeing him being as funny as hell on that show, I had no qualms about people being gay ,which was just as well becayuse that X-mas my cousin seth came out and hes a rally cool guy.

That and being brought up on Lou Reed albums and my grandma discussing Johnny cash and Andy Warhol to me as a kid has made me into one odd bird.

another ubershibby podcast and its interesting to hear you guys being asked things for once.

i can't wait until Friday!!

much dorky love.
Rochelle.

P.S.-QUARTER TURNS!! (for Jason)

Said by: Rochelle at May 23, 2006 10:50 PM

How about Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, the cutest ol' lesbian couple ever? And revolutionary as hell.

I had the honor of clearing their plates at a benefit last year (couldn't afford a ticket, so I volunteered to help cater, just to get the chance to see them in person). They were so sweet, and talked to me and my girlfriend even though were the "hired help."

They were the first couple to get married in SF:
http://www.womedia.org/press_owr_photos.htm

By the way, everyone should watch this movie if you haven't already: One Wedding and a Revolution. It'll make you cry. My favorite part was when the city clerk had them say their vows, and says to Phyllis: "Del Martin, do you take Phyllis Lyon to be your partner for life?" And Phyllis goes, "Um, I'm Phyllis. She's Del."

Said by: Maia at May 23, 2006 11:26 PM

It's cool you mentioned Augusten Burroughs. Just yesterday (Monday), I sat a room away from him as he signed books in a back room of the bookstore where I'm a security guard. His reading was attended by nearly 300 people and I was the last to get my copy of his new book autographed. He's a VERY VERY nice guy, not the least bit pompous despite his success. I hope you guys get him on the show. That would be amazing.

Said by: Patrick S. at May 24, 2006 01:44 AM

The first gay "role models" that I can remember when growing up was Dame Edna and Boy George.

This can probably explain how I turned out like I did ;)

Said by: Miss Bunny at May 24, 2006 12:28 PM

My favorite role model is Lady Bunny. Oops, I meant ROLL model. She's the "before model" over at Jenny Craig.

Fausto, you need to get Hortencia to check those facts for you. "Supermodel" was never the #1 song in the country. It was #2 on the dance chart which is quite an honor, but as far as the pop charts I'm not sure if it even made the top 10 or the top 40. I can only find a reference to the dance chart placing.

Also, Ru is NOT from the projects, that's just the opening of her song.

It's okay, I know it's because under all that blue you're a natural blonde!

Said by: Miss Understood at May 28, 2006 07:46 AM