Lola Lends A Helping Hand for Love

Wilson Chaikittirattana thought he was really lucky when his boyfriend Devon Patane got them both front row seats to see their favorite show Kinky Boots again at the Hirschfield Theater on Valentines Day.  What he didn't know, or expect, was what happened after the final curtain call and the Show's star Wayne Brady who plays 'Lola' called their seat numbers out at 'random' and invited the pair to join him on the stage.   

Brady was in on what was to follow next when Patane fell to one knee  and proposed to Chaikittirattana “You’re the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me and I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Chaikittirattana accepted, and the crowd went wild.  Grab a Kleenex as you watch this really sweet video.

#LoveWins For All

After the US Supreme Court made their momentous decision back on June 26th 2015 ruling that same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 States, a talented young filmmaker called Yulin Kuang found her own way of expressing her joy.  Using Shakespeare's Sonnet 116  ...."let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments" .... as her inspiration, she set up to make a video showing 50 same-sex couples in 50 states to celebrate #LoveWins.  Released by Field Day, a YouTube Collective of dynamic filmmakers, it's guaranteed to have you reaching for your Kleenex.  This time however, it is for tears of joy.

#ProudToLove

Grab a very BIG box of tissues to watch this utterly joyous wee video compilation of so many wonderful 'coming out' stories and also seeing so many happy same-sex couples finally getting the right to say 'I Do'. #ProudToLove is the prefect way to celebrate Marriage Equality and LGBT Pride Month, but just try to watch it without getting completely misty eyed, we dare you.

Will You Please Marry Me Billy Brooks?

Yet another reason why it was so crucial that same-sex marriage was  legalised is that as a community we can add a real sense of our own style to this centuries old institution. Right from the very beginning that starts with the Proposal we know how to stun our partners and ensure there are lots of cheers and tears as we prove to be so inventive on the different ways we pop the question.

The latest heartwarming and very public down-on-one-knee occasion was on the stage of Comic Con Fair in San Diego in front of 7000 people.  There was a panel discussion about the cult web series Con Man that had just been taken off the air prematurely. One of the show's makeup artists Barry Bishop was there with the cast, when he suddenly admitted that he has a surprise for his partner Billy Brooks, who had joined him on stage.

“They were asking the cast a minute ago who was the most amazing person in Hollywood you’ve worked with," he said as he held his partner's hand, "and I just want to say Billy Brooks I love you baby with all my heart and soul and will you please marry me?”

The whole crowd who had been cheering from the very first word, went wild and joined the cast in giving the couple an ecstatic standing ovation when Billy of course said 'Yes!'

PIPPED AT THE POST BY THE PITCAIRNS

Just a month before The Supremes made their groundbreaking decision another country beat the US to be the 20th Country in the World to legalise same-sex marriage. Actually we didn't get to hear about it until very recently as when the new Law came into being, the country's computer system was down. Eventually, as in their long established tradition, a note of this new Act was published and posted on the notice board of the Island's General Store.

Actually no-one thinks that any of the 50 residents of the Pitcairn Islands, a speck in the Pacific, that is technically a British Overseas Territory is in fact gay. Seventh generation resident Meralda Warren told an AP reporter that she had known of one gay islander, but that was  a long time ago.  She sadly failed to mention whatever happened to him.

The Island's Council were happy to follow the suggestion from the UK that they pass this new Law but as Ms Warren commented 'It's not like Pitcairn Islanders were pushing for it, but it's like anything else in the world, if it's happening elsewhere , so why not?'

However before you Google for direct flights to the Island (clue, it's near New Zealand ... we looked it up) there is one wee snag if you want to have a church wedding there.  The only preacher on the Island is a Seventh Day Adventist (i.e. a Mormon) who thinks that gay marriage is a big no no.

It may however still become a wedding destination for the gay community from another very large neighbor Australia who have still not legalized same sex marriage in their own country. Shame on them.

COLOR ME RAINBOW

The world looks a whole lot gayer since the US Supreme Court's landmark ruling making same-sex marriage legal  in all 50 States thanks to Facebook. According to a report by CNN over 26 million people have used used the website's free tool to transform their profile photo with rainbow colors, and in fact it earned a staggering half a billion likes and comments from around the world.

A number of celebrities even used the filter, including Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Hathaway, Elizabeth Warren, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elizabeth Banks, Ariana Huffington, Mark Zuckerberg, Elizabeth Warren and Russell Simmons.  However when Arnold Schwarzenegger jumped on the band wagon and used the filter to change his picture, there was an immediate cry of outrage from the gay community . When he was Governor California he vetoed a Bill from the his State Legislature that would have permitted same-sex marriage not once, but twice,  (in 2005 & 2007) stopping it dead in its tracks.  When one fan commented on his picture, asking what was wrong with him and that he was going to have to unlike the 67-year-old actor's page. Schwarzenegger's response? 'Hasta la vista.'

THE WORLD CELEBRATES BY LIGHTING UP RAINBOW

NIAGARA FALLS 

BRIDGE IN ST LOUIS, MISSOURI

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, N.Y. 

G.C.H.Q. (SPY HEADQUARTERS) U.K.

MAGIC KINGDOM @ DISNEY 

SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL 

TEL AVIV CITY HALL