Jen Foster • She4Me

I first came to know the music of Jen Foster while being both a just and reporter for the RightOutTV Music and Video Awards, as she was nominated in both 2012 and 2013. Her music is big and bold, a bit like Pink, a bit like Kelly Clarkson, with a dash of Katy Perry, and seasoned with a a heaping teaspoon of Melissa Etheridge. Jen's music combines Rock, Pop, and Folk with ease, always offering a a piece of her heart with every track. "She4Me: is no different, as she delivers a message of love and caring, an anthem for marriage equality. I hope you love "She4Me" as much as I do.

I love the song on every level, from songwriting to production to heart. Foster delivers a song from deep down, and it comes across as so authentic. You can purchase "She4Me" at Jen Foster's online store. To learn more about Jen Foster, visit her official website. You can also 'like' her on Facebook, and 'follow' her on Twitter and Tumblr. If you enjoyed this song, you can also find more music on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Marriage Equality USA, visit their official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Love Wins • Celebrating Moves Toward Equality

Clockwise: Declan Bennett, Tom Goss, David Raleigh, and Christopher Dallman.

With two big decisions coming from the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the love of gay Americans, first striking down the bigoted Defense of Marriage Act, and then refusing to hear the case about California's Prop 8, which allowed the lower court's decision to throw out the amendment to the California State constitution which stipulated that marriage was only between one man and one woman. The decisions make way for gay marriages recognized as legal in a state must be recognized by the Federal government. The latter decision opened the door for California to be the 12th state in the United States to legalize the committed relationships of loving adults no matter their sexual orientation. And that leads me to the first song of the post, written and performed by the very handsome Declan Bennett. Declan is currently lighting up the Londonstage with his starring role in the West End musical 'Once'. In 2011, the British-born singer/songwriter released an impressive collection of songs on the album 'Record:Breakup'. One of those songs is the beautiful "Love Wins". The song, a hopeful look at a world where love does indeed win, grabs my attention every time I hear it. So please enjoy Declan, the first of four out and proud gay singer/songwriters, as he sings "Love Wins".

You can purchase Declan Bennett's 'Record: Breakup' from iTunes and Amazon. Next up I offer you an artist who is most definitely close to love. Tom Goss often jokes during his live shows about how much of his songbook is devoted to the topic, and from more than one angle. It seems his own marriage to Mike is a real source of inspiration. I had plenty of material from which to choose, and I decided to go with the song that never fails to charm me, no matter how many times I hear it. "Till The End" first appeared on Tom's 2009 release, 'Back To Love'. I hope you enjoy this version I taped at a recent live show, with a freind joining Tom for the song. Please enjoy watching Tom Goss sings "Till The End" with Matt Alber.

You can purchase Tom Goss' 'Back To Love' from iTunes and Amazon. Next up, I have another artist who is happily married. Christopher Dallman is an artist I have long loved to listen to, his music just captivating. Chris is married to Josh, and they seem to be very happy. Josh even co-starred with Christopher in his stunning music video "Over My Head", featured on his first album. But I will treat you to another song, seemingly inspired by his relationship. "Anthem" is a wonderful song, and Chris delivers it perfectly on the single.

You can purchase Christopher Dallman's 'Anthem' single from iTunes and Amazon. And, finally, I offer you a wonderful song from a singer/songwriter who splits his time between New York City and Australia, the lucky devil. "I Do" was the first single off his beautiful album, 'Beginning Again'. It is filled with love and joy, and I just can't help from falling in love every time I see or hear it! So here is the official music video for David Raleigh's "I Do".

You can purchase David Raleigh's 'Beginning Again' from iTunes and Amazon. And celebrate our great nation inching closer to equality all the time!

Date Night: 'Ask Again Later' & 'After'

For date night, I thought I would take a look at relationships from a different perspective. Both films in tonight's Double Feature were released in in the new millennium. Added together, both take less than 25 minutes to tell their stories. I will start with 'Ask Again Later', a 2009 Australian short film by writer/director Jessica Smith. The film centers on the anniversary of Kate and Holly, and how both are planning a surprise for their lover. When plans go awry for both, how will they rebound?

This seems like a great time to take a break, and hear from our (non)sponsors. While Pepsi offers no money to this blog at all, I do have to hand it to them for creating this ad, even if the advertisement never made it to television. It was created and produced to run on television in the United Kingdom, but was shelved due to fears that it promoted the 'homosexual lifestyle'. Like watching the 58 second commercial will suddenly have straight young men and women running for a gay lover!

After that break, and before you hit play for the next film, it might be a great time for you to take a bathroom break, or refill your beverage. Since you are more than likely watching this from home, you can drink as much as you like! Now, our second 'feature' of date night, 'After'!

'After' was written and directed by Mark Pariselli, but was inspired by the poem 'after school, street football, eighth grade' by Dennis Cooper. The 2009 short takes a look three young friends sitting on the porch with their books in their laps, being distracted by the jocks playing football across the street. When the ball gets loose on the front yard, the thoughts of the geeky trio wonders as well.

Have a great weekend!

Homecoming • All Men Can Be Heroes

I saw this video via Marlee Walchuk of RightOut TV, and knew I had to post it. I wasn't sure what to expect when I hit play, but I certainly wasn't expecting to feel so warm, and to even shed a tear. I mean, right away I noticed the handsome soldier...



But all I can ask of any readers in the United Kingdom, go here, and sign the petition. Because it is true, Separate but equal is not equal. And if you are game, stop by RightOut TV and check out some great videos there.

Gavin Creel Makes Some "Noise"

Gavin Creel is the type of performer that makes me wish I was 20 years younger, and 25 pounds lighter, but neither is true. So I will continue to worship from afar. Creel is a Broadway veteran, and has received two Tony nominations for his work in 2002 for Thoroughly Modern Milly, and in 2009 for his work in Hair. With his striking good looks and a gorgeous voice, it is tough to not watch Creel whenever he performs. An out and proud performer, he was also one of the founders of Broadway Impact, a community of Broadway actors, directors, stage managers, fans, producers, all who believe that anyone wants to get married should be legally allowed to do it, no matter your sexual orientation. The movement was borne out of the hurt and anger felt when Californians voted to discriminate against gays and lesbians when they passed Proposition 8 in 2008. His talent and passion is evident in a new release, written by Gavin and Robbie Roth. The newly released Noise was just released to raise money for the organization.



Get the song on iTunes here, and on Amazon here. It is a great song, and a wonderful cause, so make sure to buy your copy, and maybe give one to a friend who loves great music! 100% of proceeds go to help Broadway Impact educate, inspire, and connect communities all across the country with one common goal: EQUALITY NOW. To find out more about Broadway Impact, visit here. And you can visit Gavin Creel's official website here.

Celebrating Love: Tom & Mike

Sometimes you can tell when two people look at each other, or the look in their eye when they speak of the other that lets you know what is in their heart. That is the case with Tom Goss and Michael Briggs, two men I am very happy to calls friends. So there is nothing that makes me happier than taking the opportunity to congratulate them and wish them well following their marriage ceremony yesterday. As they enter the next stage of their lives, I wish them nothing but love, joy, and much laughter.



I first learned of Mike the first time I met Tom after a show in Philadelphia. He mentioned him in passing, but you could see a glint in his already sparkling eyes. As I went to more shows in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and other places, I saw the shine again and again when he spoke of his love, both on stage and off. When I finally had the chance to meet Mike, I was so happy to see the same, a smile in his eye when he spoke of Tom. Together, they celebrate the other, a perfect reason to celebrate their love. I will do that in the tradition of this blog, with a music video. Here is Noel 'Paul' Stookey singing The Wedding Song (There Is Love).

Dark Monday - One Little Word

Photo: Don Hunstein / Sony Music Archives

Sometimes I can be blown away when a song that is over 40 years old has such honesty it is still relevant today. Sometimes, it is so personal and real, the emotions touch the listener in just the same way, the message so timeless. Other times, the lyrics might touch you in a way not originally intended by the songwriters, but it happens. Take, for instance, a song from the John Kander and Fred Ebb music Cabaret. Married is a song sung by a mature couple discussing why they should get married in pre-War Germany, as the gentleman is of the Jewish faith, and the woman not. Interestingly enough, the song has music by John Kander, but the lyrics are by playwright Joe Masteroff, not Fred Ebb, Kander's usual writing partner. The song is rather simple, which is an important part of it's beauty.

Today, however, it hits quite a nerve with me as this country struggles with the idea of marriage equality. Some people don't seem to understand the the truth of the opening lyrics.

How the world can change,
it can change like that-
due to one little word:
'married'.

See a palace rise
from a two room flat,
due to one little word:
'Married'.

And the old despair
that was often there,
suddenly ceases to be.
For you wake one day,
look around and say:
Somebody wonderful married me.

Here is a beautiful version by Lotte Lenya and Jack Gilford from the 1966 Broadway production. There is such joy and hope in Gilford's singing, while Lenya's is a bit more nuanced, a certain awareness creeps in. Perhaps it is because her first marriage to composer Kurt Weill ended during this period, many thinking it was becuase his needing to flee the country due to his own Jewish faith. They later remarried. The visuals are courtesy of the poster of the video.



There are many in this country who wish to deny a minority the joy of 'someone wonderful,' instead preferring to vote for a group of people to live in 'that old despair.' Sure, that might be a bit of an overstatement, but I can't help but think whenever I hear the argument against marriage equality that those making it, despite public opinion to the contrary, feel inherently better than others, and feel much more deserving of a public acknowledgment of their love and the legal rights that follow. When I hear it, I understand they are saying that I am, by definition, a second class citizen. That is where despair could come in. Instead, I'd prefer to fight the prejudice. Although I don't understand why the possibility of my finding love is so threatening to heterosexual love, because it shouldn't be. I've never tried to take anything from them, no matter how much they try to take from me.

Judge Rules for Marriage Equality

Today, a California judge ruled the Proposition Eight vote held in California was unconstitutional. All I can say is, thank heavens, finally some sanity in a battle waged mainly in the political arena. The thought that in this day and age, people in a democratic nation can put forth an elective process to decide the rights of a clear minority is insane.

In a case put before a judge nominated by modern Conservative 'founding father' President Ronald Reagan, and argued in part by Ted Olson, who also represented President George W. Bush in the Florida election case at the Supreme Court. In his conclusion, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker stated:

CONCLUSION
Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis,the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

REMEDIES
Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8. California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result, see FF 64-66; moreover, California officials have chosen not to defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings.

Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8. The clerk is DIRECTED to enter judgment without bond in favor of plaintiffs and plaintiff-intervenors and against defendants anddefendant-intervenors pursuant to FRCP 58.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

To celebrate as we are wont to do here, I offer you Eric Himan singing Love Don't Hide, cause everyone, this is a step in the direction of saying just that, Love no longer needs to hide. Indeed, it means we are all, no matter your race, sexuality, age, gender or religious belief, entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Look of Inequality

Map of New Jersey voting districts.

So, when I decided to take a closer look at the state senators who placed votes for and against the marriage equality bill, I wasn't really surprised in the slightest. The 14 Republicans who voted against equality were made up of 1 woman and 13 men, all looking fairly caucasian, if you know what I mean. The Democrats showed a bit more diversity, with 5 men and 1 woman broken down as 4 caucasians and 2 African Americans. And that left the overall vote against equality to be 18 caucasians and 2 African Americans, 18 men and 2 women.I am, of course, making assumptions based on photographs on a government webpage so I might be in error.

This, the 14 Republicans who voted no:





And here are the 6 Democrats:



Here is a group I wouldn't mind taking for a drink one evening, who are not really more ethnically diverse, but the gender parity is a better mix. Broken down as 9 men and 5 women, just over one third of the senators who believe in equality are female. Again, there are two African Americans, while 12 caucasians.

14 Equality-Minded Senators





So, my friends in the NJ area, these are the faces of the state senate who ultimately decided gays are no worthy of marriage equality. The first 20 are the face of discrimination, while the final group, the fabulous 14, are those who believe in equality. Keep that in mind when they look for your money and your vote. Until then, perhaps we should ask them for some of our tax money back - after all, if we aren't full citizens, why should be pay the full burden? After all, wasn't the American Revolution started because of a taxation with no representation in the government? It sure seems to me my rights are not being valued nor considered by a majority of that legislative body.