Via Gawker.

I featured this guy, Joey Kirchner, a few weeks ago, but I came across some new pics of him and thought, "Uh, yeah, he needs to be re-featured."[jdvision]

Click thumbnails to enlarge. Two NSFW pics after the jump.

From After Elton: "A diverse group of queer and queer-friendly musicians came together to record an anthem in support of the Democratic party in this year's election. Ari Gold, Deepa Soul, Kevin Aviance, Homophonic vlog's Alex and many more pitched in, and it's perfect for getting you revved up to hit the polls."

I think one of the more remarkable things about this video is that so many of the performers fighting the good fight are not white. Being gay cuts across and through all other minorities, and here is a demonstration of the understanding that civil rights are civil rights. What could be used to splinter us into opposing factions is being used to do the exact opposite -- unify us.

And, yes, it's a little "We Are The World," but today is the day to we-are-the-worldify.

Below, via The Bilerico Project, is Obama's call for full LGBT equality, written in 2007. During the past year, Obama has remained consistent in his support of gay rights. He has also remained consistently confusing. How can an African-American man speak of equality for all while arguing for separate-but-equal? When I say I don't understand this, I am not being coy or euphemistic. I honestly cannot wrap my head around this. I mean, Wanda Sykes has done more for the fight against Prop 8 than Obama has.

It's just so frustrating that such a great man won't take the same leap of faith that he is asking us to make. Read Obama's "A Call for Full Equality" below.

[Bilerico editor's statement: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama guest posted at Bilerico Project to explain his support for LGBT civil rights. This post was originally published on November 10, 2007; it seemed appropriate to reprint it tonight, the eve of the presidential election.]

Over the last several weeks, the question of GLBT equality was placed on center stage by the appearance of Donnie McClurkin at one of my campaign events. McClurkin is a talented performer and a beloved figure among many African Americans and Christians around the country. At the same time, he espouses beliefs about homosexuality that I completely reject.

The events of the last several weeks are not the occasion that I would have chosen to discuss America's divisions on gay rights and my own deep commitment to GLBT equality. Now that the issue is before us, however, I do not intend to run away from it. These events have provided an important opportunity for us to confront a difficult fact: There are good, decent, moral people in this country who do not yet embrace their gay brothers and sisters as full members of our shared community.

We will not secure full equality for all GLBT Americans until we learn how to address that deep disagreement and move beyond it. To achieve that goal, we must state our beliefs boldly, bring the message of equality to audiences that have not yet accepted it, and listen to what those audiences have to say in return.

Continued after the jump.

For my entire career in public life, I have brought the message of GLBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones. No other leading candidate in the race for the Presidency has demonstrated the same commitment to the principle of full equality. I support the full and unqualified repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples. I will also fight to repeal the U.S. military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, a law that should never have been passed, and my Defense Department will work with top military leaders to implement that repeal.

As President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples - whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. I will also place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. I have supported fully inclusive protections since my days in the Illinois legislature, when I sponsored a bill to outlaw workplace discrimination that expressly included both sexual orientation and gender identity.

That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of GLBT equality to people who are not yet convinced.

That's why I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I reiterated that message in the speech announcing my candidacy for President. Since beginning my campaign, I have been talking about GLBT equality on the stump, from rural farmers to Southern preachers. Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say in return. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all GLBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work that we need to do if we are going to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.

The American people have been poorly served by two terms of an administration that seeks to manipulate us through fear: fear over national security, fear over immigrants and fear over gay and lesbian couples in loving relationships. Americans are yearning for leadership that will put an end to the fear mongering and instead begin empowering us once again to reach for the America we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of GLBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that appeals to the best parts of the human spirit, rather than the worst. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

I've been trying to figure out what exactly needs to happen today to defeat Prop 8. Do we need to have a 2/3 majority? A simple majority? It turns out that all either side needs is a simple majority.

What is a "simple majority?" It's exactly what it sounds like -- it's a voting requirement of more than 50% of all ballots cast. [Wikipedia]

This is why every vote counts. Since the California Supreme Court ruling, more than 18,000 gay and lesbian couples have gotten married in California.

Pork here.

Happy Tuesday, AKA’ers. It’s time to Listen Up as another New Music Release Tuesday is upon us. I’ve combed the (virtual) shelves and done some research . . . all for you!

Leading the charge is Travis, my second-favorite Scottish collective, who not only make a welcome return with their 6th full-length album, but they do it with incredible force. Ode To J. Smith finds our boys embracing their rock roots with an album full of some near-riotous concoctions, a few hypnotizing slow burners and many stops in between that will satisfy your urge to rock while opening up your mind and heart to feel . . . something . . . anything.

The album’s first officially-released single was “Something Anything” (get it now?) which failed to receive the airplay it deserved here in the U.S. simply because current radio just doesn’t know what to do with such a song. It’s as close to arena rock as Travis has ever turned out with a blistering guitar solo like you haven’t heard in ages packed into just 2 minutes and 24 seconds... which is all they needed to confirm that all they want to do is rock!

Keep reading the review of Travis after the jump. Plus, reviews of Duran Duran, John Lennon, Deadmau5 and The List of all new releases for November 4, 2008.

Ode To J. Smith comes to life with “Chinese Blues”, a mid-paced, piano-based stomper that enchants immediately with Fran Healy singing about “a million lonely people with their head in the sand trying to make some sense of what they don’t understand.” It’s heady and heavy . . . and classic Travis.

“J. Smith” starts innocently enough with classic and crisp staccato chords before dissolving into a choral hymnal and then plows back into pounding rock-n-roll before somehow blending the two into a perfectly dense climax and then returning to the original opening riff. With that much packed into just over 3 minutes, it is sort of a mini-mini-Bohemian Rhapsody. ("J. Smith" is also our featured song of the day, so check it out in The Media Bar.)

Travis Healy’s voice still travels right into my big ears and my whole system feels it every time. In addition to checking out Ode To J. Smith, I strongly urge/demand you to make their 2000 masterpiece, The Man Who a part of your current heavy rotation.

For fans of Duran Duran and their mammoth album, Rio, the honorable folks at Classic Albums deliver Classic Albums: Rio, an introspective DVD set that investigates and documents every angle of that album’s creation and history including songwriting, recording, and the albums massive success once it was released. Packed with live performances (both vintage and new), band interviews and videos, this should satiate even the most rabid Rio-ites.

Sidenote: Years ago while watching some footage of Jeff Buckley (deep breath) in the studio recording the vocals for “Grace” and “Hallelujah” I began thinking how much I would live for behind-the-scenes footage documenting the making of an album I’ve come to love. Come to think of it, I’d probably watch a documentary about the making of an album I don’t even care for. I am kind of obsessed with learning how anything is made, but when you’re talking music, it’s a double obsession. So, well done, Classic Albums folks. Hats off to you for pickin’ up the slack.

Another DVD worth checking out is Come Together: A Night for John Lennon’s Words and Music, the 2001 concert that brought Cyndi Lauper, Alanis Morissette, Lou Reed, Moby, Rufus Wainwright, Natalie Merchant and many more together to deliver their takes on some of the best songs ever written by one of the best songwriters ever alive. I can’t imagine that there are many people who haven’t been touched or felt some connection to John Lennon’s amazing catalog of songs and this concert offers some genuinely moving and memorable moments by some stellar artists who can make you hear something ‘old’ for the first time all over again. The show also ended up being some much needed musical therapy for those in attendance as only three weeks had passed since 9/11 and picking up the pieces is as much of a focus in this concert as the man and his music. The concert was originally scheduled to take place a few weeks earlier, but was postponed to October 2nd, 2001 in hopes of allowing the healing process to progress a bit more. This DVD will take you inside Radio City Music Hall on that night and you’ll discover inspired performances from a most-worthy roster of musicians.

Those of you looking for beats to get you moving, your best bet today is Random Album Title by Deadmau5, who has solidified himself as one of the most exciting presences in dance/electronic music of the past 2 years. Random Album Title is a long-overdue (and highly-anticipated) collection of tracks that have helped him make his mark. Gathered together for the first time, the entire album packs a punch you will feel long after the record stops. (Do I have to start saying “after the mp3 is over?” :] )

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, remember to vote while you’re heading out to the record store. :]

The List:
All New Music Releases - November 4th, 2008

Alvin and The Chipmunks – Undeniable (your chance for “Livin’ On A Prayer” . . . Chipmunk style!)
Arctic Monkeys - At the Apollo (DVD Import)
Andrea Bocelli – Incanto
Sarah Brightman – A Christmas Symphony
Harry Connick, Jr. – What A Night! A Christmas Album
deadmau5 – Random Album Title
Duran Duran - Classic Albums: Rio (DVD)
Fall From Grace – Sifting Through the Wreckage
Hinder – Take It to the Limit
honey honey – First Rodeo
Illinois – The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, Chapter 1
Little Joy – Little Joy
Morel – The Death of the Paperboy (shoegazer disco?! yes, please!)
Jacqui Naylor – You Don’t Know Jacq
ohGr (from Skinny Puppy) – Devils in My Details
Randy Owen (from Alabama) – One on One
Brad Paisley – Play
Q-Tip – The Renaissance
Lou Reed - Berlin: Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse
Shiny Toy Guns – Season of Poison
Mavis Staples – Mavis Staples Live: Hope at the Hideout
Tenacious D - The Complete Master Works 2 (DVD)
Tipsy – Buzzz
Travis – Ode to J. Smith
Randy Travis - Christmas from the Pecos (DVD)
Hezekiah Walker & LFC– Souled Out
Various Artists - Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music (DVD)
Various Artists – Soul Men (Soundtrack)
Various Artists – Twilight (Soundtrack)

Greatest Hits, Best Ofs, Box Sets andReissues by: Ace of Base, Boyzone, Girlschool, Don McLean, Alan Parsons Project, Switchfoot, Thompson Twins and for those of you who buy the NOW That’s What I Call Music compilations (and there are apparently millions of you) today is the day to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their top-hits collections. They are relatively new to us United Statesers so seek out this 3-CD, UK import if you want a better idea of the winning formula that has brought them such success.

Wake Up With These:

NPR:
Tell Me More
1) Candidates Make Aggressive Final Pitch On Eve Of Election 2) Jennifer Hudson's Tragedy Stirs Debate On Family Ties 3) Q-Tip Talks Politics and Longevity 4) Why Studs Turkel WIll Always Have A Fan Club

The New York Times:
NYT Front Page 11/04
NYT Science Times 11/04

The Rachel Maddow Show 11/03 PM
1) Is the system ready for a heavy turnout? 2) Obama's grandmother 3)GOP ground game silent but effective 4) Steep sales decline for automakers

Audio player after the jump. Or click here to launch the player in a new window so you can browse while you listen. Or, head over to The Media Bar and listen there.

Click below to jump to the full size players or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just hang out and watch them in The Media Bar next door.

Daily Song:
Travis
"J. Smith"
From today's Listen Up (New Music Tuesday)
Read Pork's full post here

Television:
The first five minutes of the first episode of the first season of "The West Wing." Because I can't be the only one thinking that President Bartlett was the first paving stone on the path to an Obama Presidency.

Politics:
This video supporting Obama is one of the few produced for him that captures and reflects the yearning that promises to be eased by an Obama Presidency.

Movies:
HBO's "Recount"
Not that we need a reminder of the importance of this election, but here's a quick glance in the rearview mirror.

Music Video:
Obama '08
"A Change Is Gonna Come"

Click below to jump to the full size players or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just hang out and watch them in The Media Bar next door.

Daily Song:

Travis "J. Smith"

Television:

The first five minutes of the first episode of the first season of "The West Wing." Because I can't be the only one thinking that President Bartlett was the first paving stone on the path to an Obama Presidency.

Politics:

This video supporting Obama is one of the few produced for him that captures and reflects the yearning that promises to be eased by an Obama Presidency.

Movies:

HBO's "Recount"
Not that we need a reminder of the importance of this election, but here's a quick glance in the rearview mirror.

Music Video:

Obama '08
"A Change Is Gonna Come"