Revelers
cheered as a multicultural Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
10,000-strong snaked its way down the streets of Sydney this week. The festival hit the big three-oh this
year. What began as a small protest march in 1978 has now
transformed into one of the world's largest gay parties.
I'm going to visit Chinatown and then
surprise you with a yummy dried duck dish or force you to wear a duck
feather lined hat spotted with dried duck and eggs at a PETA
conference. Keep reading to find out which.
Clinton won! And now the race for the
Democratic Presidential nomination has taken yet another unforeseen
turn. Senator Hillary Clinton's big wins this week, Ohio, Texas, and
Vermont, are a result of tactical changes made to the campaign. Some
would say she's gone negative, others would claim smart politics,either way it's now Senator Barack Obama who needs to respond.
The
question of gay marriage returned to California Tuesday as the state's
highest court started hearing arguments on the constitutionality of the
state's voter-approved gay marriage ban. Supporters of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newson's
monthslong gay marriage spree of 2004 filed the lawsuit after more
than 4,000 same-sex marriages were voided by the court.
Here's a picture of Bjork and a chimp, I think the chimp cuter.
“It's
a syringe stupid,” should be the new public health campaign in Nevada
after thousands might have been exposed to Hepatitis or HIV/AIDS from
dirty needles at a Las Vegas clinic.
It was our own Gay Entertainment
Report which brought us news that Ben Affleck is OK if you think he's gay. No really!
[Editor's note] Walter has been on sabbatical from On Top since he agreed to enter rehab after a wreck of a day, prompted, in part, by a disaster of a Valentine's day.
Day one. Passing by a staff and
Lindsay Lohan photograph with the caption, “Way to go Lindsay!” I
make my way to my room at the Wonder rehab facility. The day is
gloomy and gray. I just learned I'll have a roommate, Jack.
Day two. Maibe Barnes is the
best thing at Wonder. Most certainly she thinks she's comedienne
Monique, maybe not I say. On Amy Winehouse she told me, “If that
skinny bitch EV-AAR comes to my facility, I'll make damn sure that
skinny bitch leaves here with some meat on her bones – skinny
bitches are EV-AAL!”
Day three. While eating a
strawberry yogurt cup in the dinning room, shaking, on the edge of
crying, Jack sits next to me and after a moment says, “You have the
most beautiful eyes.” I thank him and return to our room.
Day four. I'm contemplating
Jack's words. The only thing I know about him is that he does not
like himself. He told me this yesterday. Funny, I like him fine.
Strange how an unexpected kind word can save your soul.
Day five. We had a day at the
beach. In the ocean, when no one was watching, Jack held my hand.
I've learned Jack hates himself for being gay and often cuts himself.
On the ride back to Wonder, while Jack sleeps, I glimpse a single
red flash of fireworks in the distance.
Day six. I'm leaving Wonder
today. In the living room, standing on the orange shag carpet, I say
my goodbyes. I approach Jack and begin, “Don't you want to...,”
but his cell phone interrupts. It's his boyfriend and I finish the
thought in my head, “...come with me?”
Walter Weeks is a writer for On Top
Magazine and can be reached at ww@ontopmag.com.
The Gay Slant pops-in most Saturdays at On Top Magazine.