Sharon Gless, former costar of Cagney and Lacey and Queer as Folk, was seated across from Bill and me in first class on an American Airlines flight from Miami to New York only two weeks ago. Ms. Gless was caught talking on her cellular just before take-off and was reprimanded by the flight attendant; and just after breakfast, she made her way into the galley looking for warm cookies. Unfortunately for all of us no cookies were served that day. She seemed nice enough as Bill helped her with her bags before and after the flight.

B.D. Wong, formerly of Oz on HBO and currently starring in Law & Order: SVU was next to us outside the Guggenheim on Fifth Avenue last weekend. He, along with his partner, their young son and a friend came out of the museum and stood next to us while their little boy climbed onto B.D. Wong's shoulders. We made small talk before they walked away. Their shy friend waved goodbye and then we made our way across the street to Central Park.

On Saturday night at Antique Garage, a hidden gem in fine Mediterranean dining located in Manhattan's SOHO, Bill and I along with our friends Gilda and Rafael had an enjoyable evening. From the ambiance and amazing food & wine to the excellent service, the only thing that made the experience better was being seated next to Stanley Tucci and fellow actress Patricia Clarkson. Mr. Tucci, a veteran actor, writer and director known for his roles in Big Night, and Blind Date among others, is currently in several productions. He will star in Julie & Julia, currently being filmed now. This movie also stars an acquaintance of ours, Chris Messina.

I can personally attest that Chris is a great guy. His career has really taken off over the last few years. Chris has had many roles on the big screen already but my favorite role of his was Claire's boyfriend on HBO's Six Feet Under. I mostly love that role because I didn't realize that he was someone I actually knew until after the series was over. I was drawn to his character and there was something appealing about the actor himself but I bought into who he was playing. I guess that is the mark of a good actor.

Speaking of Six Feet Under, Patricia Clarkson is on top of my list of favorite actresses. I love her choice in roles. She played Sarah O'Conner, the sister of Ruth Fisher in Six Feet Under and appeared in other television and movie productions. One of my favorites was her appearance in The Station Agent.

New York City is an amazing place filled with high energy and creative people. Of course I'm grounded in knowing people are just people and we are all the same; however, these high profile actors are the movers and shakers in entertainment and form what we watch on television and on movie screens throughout the world. It's exciting to know we live amongst them. The summer promises to offer more sightings and you can read about them here. Stay tuned.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

As I sit down to write this evening from a wet and cold New York City in the middle of May, I am over-come with happiness. Earlier today, the Miami-Dade County Commissioners voted 8-4 in favor of domestic partnership protections.

Simply put, same-sex couples in Dade County Florida are now afforded limited protections including access to health care, and hospital visitation. The new legal protections also cover employee benefits for county workers and their domestic partners. The ordinance calls for visitation rights at county correctional facilities too for those who might find themselves in trouble with the law.

The county protections go into effect ten days from today unless vetoed by the mayor, who as I recall, is in support of this measure.

As another reminder to all registered voters in the state of Florida, November's ballot will include Amendment 2. If approved, this measure will add language to the Florida State Constitution that limits the definition of marriage in such a way that could undo any current or future domestic partnerships or civil unions for same-sex couples (including the ordinance passed today in Miami). Please spread the word to your family and friends in the state of Florida and ask them to vote "No" to helps us defeat this hurtful measure.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

By now most Americans have probably heard that Senator Edward Kennedy, from Massachusetts, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He is the last surviving brother of President John F. Kennedy; and, the senator has been an outspoken power-house in the U.S. Congress for almost five decades.

I have the up-most respect for him. Senator Edward Kennedy has been, and continues to be, a strong ally for the gay community. Although at this point his prognosis remains unclear, I send him well wishes for a speedy recovery. Senator Kennedy, we need more congressmen like you.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

As of now Florida does not legally protect its gay citizens. For those of you that might regularly check in with my blog from time to time, this is nothing new. For those of you who might have stumbled across this posting here, it's important for you to know why gay rights and protections are of ultimate importance. Please follow this link to a short video of Eric Breidenbaugh, of Florida, and try to put yourself in his shoes as he tried to get information on his partner's whereabouts after an aircraft "incident". Just try to imagine if your loved one was missing.

Please spread the word to those who live and vote in Florida: vote "No" this November on a Florida State constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and unions. Take this fight a step further by clicking on the following link and joining HRC, Human Rights Campaign. You can donate money or volunteer your time. Most importantly, just vote "No" in November.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

FOX Attacks! Obama - Part 2

Fox News and the right-wing have been hard at work spreading their vile messages of hate about Barack Obama, none of which have anything to do with reality or the real issues America now faces. Remember what is at stake in the General election. Don't get distracted with sophomoric venom.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Ellen DeGeneres Calls Sally Kern

If you haven't heard about the homophobic and ridicules comments from Oklahoma State Representative, Sally Kern, watch this clip from Ellen. Usually nonpolitical, Ellen couldn't help but discuss this on her show last week.

If you'd like to give Representative Kern a call to discuss her views, she can be reached at (405) 557-7348, or she can be emailed at sallykern@okhouse.gov.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Please stand by as I regroup. I am adjusting and readjusting as I hold down the fort in Miami and deal single-handedly with some minor renovations on the house. Thanks for your patience.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Have you gotten wind of this yet? A radio station, in of all places West Virginia, gave away a free legitimate divorce for a Valentine's Day promotion.

Social conservatives are often outraged by the thought of gay marriage and blame gay-rights as a threat to the sanctity of this institution. The true threat to traditional marriage is the straight community and their nonchalant attitude; marriage isn't taken seriously anymore by many people. It is evident in all aspects of our culture from reality TV shows, to Vegas style nuptials and even to radio stations promoting divorce.

It seems that you can't escape reality TV these days, especially during the peak of the writers' strike. You don't have to be a fan to have noticed that there are television programs that actually promote the union of two strangers, in the short time period between the first episode and the season finale -- literally only a couple of months.

Then there are those that run off to Vegas and sign on the dotted line while in a drunken stupor. Even celebrities are in on the fun. Remember when Britney Spears married a long-time friend on a whim? I think it was for only a matter of hours.

Well, now here is the next insult to the sacred institution of marriage. I'll even give you a hint. It has nothing to do with two loving committed people of the same gender wanting to make a spiritual and legal commitment to each other. The threat once again comes from the straight community itself.

In the conservative southern state of West Virginia, a radio station gave away a free divorce for a situation "where maybe you despise your spouse and resent the entire day." This is according to Jay Nunley, the Program Director of WKLC-FM, referring to Valentine's Day. He spoke of giving away concert tickets in place of the divorce. "That's going to make you happy for a little while. This is the chance to make someone happy for the rest of their life."

The threat to marriage doesn't come from anyone in the gay community wanting to legalize or legitimize their unions. It comes directly from those who have the legal right to marry; the institution of marriage has turned into a trivial game, easily entered and easily escaped. One thing is for sure, those of us fighting for equal treatment under the law wouldn't take this American right for granted.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Yesterday a six member Senate Ethics Committee, including three Democrats and three Republicans, concluded that Senator Craig was guilty as charged and acted improperly during his arrest in an airport sex-sting operation. The panel also admonished him for using $213,000 in campaign funds to pay for his legal bills.

In a letter, the panel told Senator Craig that they believe he, "committed the offense to which you pled guilty" and that "you entered your plea knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently." They also said that the Senator only tried to withdraw his guilty plea to avoid public disclosure.

This Senate Ethics Panel conclusion only solidifies Senator Craig's status as the first inductee into my Halls of Hypocrisy. Not that one needs to be reminded, but this is the married Senator who has fought tirelessly for decades against gay-rights legislation. In all of his arrogance, he continues to serve the state of Idaho and has the continued support of his poor gullible wife.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Warning: This video may be disturbing. If the video is not available, please check back. Youtube.com is temporarily down.

Deputies dump paralyzed man from wheelchair

The man had been involved in an incident in October 2007 which resulted with him being charged with fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement officers. At the time, he was also charged with blocking an intersection.

This video captured the abuse as the man was being booked into the county jail on January 29. The deputy, Charlotte Marshall Jones, has been suspended without pay. The supervisors, present at the time, have also been suspended but with pay.

This is a grossly disgusting act on the deputy's part. It turns my stomach to think that such abusive, uncaring, unsympathetic people exist in this world. Charlotte Marshall Jones should be fired and criminal charges should be filed against her.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said it will do whatever it can to make the situation right with the victim. Yeah, you think? If I were him, I'd be in touch with my attorney.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend