Informed electorates are sexy

Wow. That’s all I can say, wow. Y’all are crazy smart and thoughtful and energized. Dare I say my misanthropic heart has grown three sizes less jaded today? OK, sure, I’m still torn. But I am greatly encouraged to hear that a) I’m not alone in my quandary and b) so many people are plugged into the political process. And quoting the great Julia Sugarbaker to me? Well, be still my heart. No matter who you plan to vote for, please do be sure to vote (unless you plan to vote for McCain or Romney or Huckabee, in which case…seriously? Yeah, you may be on the wrong blog.)

As a thank you for sharing your inspired thoughts on the great Hillary vs. Barack debate, here are three extremely gay things. OK, so the Tina Fey video isn’t gay (unless you mean happy, which is what it makes me), but for some reason the song spoke to me.

Walk like a Liz Lemon.


So, girls, who wants to make an interim agreement?


I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, nothing says thank you like hot women kissing. [Kinda NSFW, but totally yummy...if the embed isn’t working, go here for the goodness]

Snarker’s Choice

I know, another post about politics. Ugh, right? But with less than a week to go before I vote in California’s primary as part of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Tuesday, I’ll be perfectly honest and tell you that I am torn. Like horribly, hopelessly, haplessly torn. On one hand, I like Hillary Clinton. I think she is smart. I think she would make a great president. Plus I’m tired of men running the world. On the other hand I like Barack Obama. I think he is smart. I think he would make a great president. Plus I’m tired of white men running the world. I think in my heart I want to vote for Hillary, but my head says it’s more shrewd to go with Barack. Of course, in the end, I will whole-heartedly support whoever wins the nomination. But right now, I’m in the midst of a “Sophie’s Choice”-like dilemma. Sigh.

So, for the second day in a row, I’m forced to say, “Let’s go to the videotape!” Sadly, there’s considerably less frisking in these clips. But, you do get to see some crazy dancing in that last one courtesy “Ugly Betty” herself America Ferrera.

Team Barack

Team Hillary

p.s. If you’ve made up your mind, feel free to try to convince me in the comments. Let’s just keep the conversation cordial, OK?

Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals: Eye Spy

So sometimes, try as I might, I just can’t keep things classy here at Surrenders. Shocking, I know. And today, well, today is one of those days. Today is the day I bring you a long-gestating photographic series I’ve been working on called, “Hey, dude, my face is higher.” Give it a second, I’ll let it’s meaning sink in. Consider this a variation on my ongoing SGALGG series. Read into them what you want, I know I did. Though, to be fair, I think Scary was just helping Posh avoid a Janet Jackson-like wardrobe malfunction in the above shot. Talk about your helping hand.

Natalie Portman gives Norah Jones the once over.LeeLee Sobieski and her friend with the wandering eye.Eve thoroughly inspects her dancers.Giselle gets handsy with Jennifer Esposito……and she is thorough.As they say in broadcasting, “Let’s go to the videotape!”

Hail Jodie, full of grace

Forgive me, Mother, for I have sinned. It has been 38 days since my last Jodie Foster post. I know, I’m such a blasphemer. Please consider this my penance. And what marvelous penance it is. New stills from Jodie’s upcoming family flick “Nim’s Island” were recently released. Is it just me, or does it look like Jodie is a contestant on “Survivor: Nim’s Island?” I half expect Jeff Probst to show up carrying a tikki torch. Jodie also popped by the Sundance Film Festival last week. Heck, bundled up or stripped down, I’ll take my Jodie any way I can get her. p.s. Notice anything adorable about this picture? Like, say, tousled winter hat head and visible winter long johns? [Click to enjoy the red stripey goodness.]

Pre-L: Let’s Get This Party Started

L504: “Let’s Get This Party Started”
So, a couple weeks ago the pre-cap theme was “I Want Your Sex.” Tonight, we’re reaching into the way-back machine again for another 80s gem. Oh yeah, “Physical,” baby. I can see the Day-Glo spandex already. Olivia Newton-John, do your thing.

1) Hello, casting couch.2) Resistance is futile.3) Let me hear your body talk, your body talk…4) Lord, we get it, stop plugging OurChart already.5) Someone has an iPhone. Jealous!6) Beware men in funny hats.7) God, Dean Porter is hot.8) For once, I agree with Jenny. The term “not fuckable” is wrong.9) Not the real Chart! Noooooooo!10) Shane has those wake up naked dreams too, but reversed.11) Open dictionary. Look up cute. Find this.12) Just a little something for you nutty Shenny fans out there.13) You see this cat Kit is a bad motherf---(shut your mouth!)14) Meet Dawn and Cindi, power lesbians from hell Miami.15) Heart doctor in da house.16) Yes, Alice, everyone here is closeted. It’s so 1992.17) “I’m so much better than, like, stupid Natalie Portman!”18) “But did you see her in that SNL Digital Short? Classic.”19) Is Adele starting to freak anyone else out?20) Resistance is……over.21) Careful Max, lessons learned on the dance floor last a lifetime.22) Tibetters……this……one……is……for……you.
New Guestbian Count: 3
[Kate French as Niki Stevens, Elizabeth Keener as Dawn Denbo, Alicia Leigh Willis as Cindi]
Best Line: “Jesus Christ, it’s like South Beach threw up.” -- Shane upon entering SheBar
Cutest Line: “What’s the point of going to a secret love party without my secret love?” -- Alice to Tasha
Worst. Dialogue. Ever.: “Vipers don’t love, Karina, they poison. I mean, I still feel your venom coursing through my veins.” -- Niki reading from Lez Girls

My Weekend Crush

Ellen DeGeneres turns 50 today. Besides being an important personal milestone, the date signifies a cultural milestone as well. You see Ellen – a 50-year-old out lesbian – is the most popular person on television right now. More popular even than the almighty Oprah. That may not sound like such a big deal upfront but, if you let it sink in for a moment, you’ll realize that it is a huge freaking deal. A gay woman is America’s TV darling. Wow. I mean really, wow. It’s been almost 11 years since Ellen’s three little words rearranged our pop culture landscape. Through the simple act of being herself – not to mention the world’s most famous “Yep” – she helped change the world.

It’s often been said, and rightfully so, that the key to overcoming homophobia is for people to meet someone who is gay. Fear lives in the unknown. Bigotry breeds on dehumanization. So to know a gay person, even if just through the flickering tubes of a television, makes it that much harder to hate us. Ellen’s decision to come out while her sitcom was still on air was a risk, one she paid for bitterly in the end. But then, when she could have lived out her days as a pioneer and let others do more groundbreaking, she came back. She came back because she knew she had more to share with us. And I’m not just talking about her dance moves.

While some might argue that Ellen doesn’t talk about her sexuality enough, I think she has done more than enough to both promote visibility and champion our cause. You see, being an activist is about more than just carrying signs and making speeches and marching in rallies. It’s about more than bluster and brouhaha. Not that I don’t love me some brouhaha. But activism is also about honesty and openness. And, in this America , being on TV every single day as a gay woman is a powerful form of activism. Even if the word “gay’ isn’t uttered once. They see her and they see a woman who is smart and friendly and funny as hell. And they like that. And she likes them. And that, my friends, is how minds are changed. Now, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to say that they don’t know any gay people. Because of course they do, they know Ellen -- America’s Lesbian Next Door. Happy birthday, Ellen! Happy weekend, all.

Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think

It’s been a long and somewhat dour week here at Surrenders. I’m too tired to type another word. And given the number of typos I’ve made already, that’s probably a good thing. So I thought I’d sprinkle a little fairy dusty over this post (courtesy adorable tiny Tink Tina Fey) and let pictures -- and moving pictures at that -- work their magic this Friday. Joy comes to us in many forms. Today, here are three.

Feist - “I Feel It All”

[Via Scribe Grrrl]

Dance Party Friday

[Via WordNerd]

Dolphins At Play

[Via Cute Overload]

Chef Lesboyardee

So, the new cast for Top Chef has been revealed. Now ya’ll know I love me some cooking shows. They’re the biscuits to my gravy, if ya know what I mean. And Top Chef is my favorite, hands down. The new season starts March 19 and this time the culinary contest goes to Chicago. But Windy City, Windy Schmity. Let’s play “Find the Lesbian!” It’s like “Where’s Waldo?” but -- you know -- gay. [Click above to enlarge for closer inspection.] [NOTE: Click below for confirmed “Find the Lesbian!” ANSWERS!]

OK, right off the bat two are easy. Like, easy-peasy. Sure, they might not actually be gay. But, dude, come on. A faux hawk? A bandana? Puh-lease.As for the rest, hmm. I see some motorcycle boots, so, minor ping there. And I see a vest, well, anything is possible. But even if no one turns out to be a gay lady, we’ll always have Padma. Mmmm, Padma. Mmmm.UPDATE I: Oy. It’s been a typo kind of week here at Surrenders. “Find the Lesbians!” (not “Fine the Lesbians!”). Though, fining them would also be interesting. I could impose a set fee for each lesbian cliché perpetrated. Already, those two are in the red with the hair and head gear. I could make a mint off this. Typos rule. Ahem.

UPDATE II: Believe it or not, Padma is holding an onion. I thought it was an apple at first, too. Though, regardless, if she was holding it for me I’d still happily take a bite.
UPDATE III: Dude, my gaydar is spot on! In fact, I was being too conservative. This season of Top Chef has not one, not two, but three (yes, THREE) gay ladies! Ms. Faux Hawk (Jennifer), Ms. Bandana (Lisa) and the heretofore unmentioned Ms. Big Earrings (Zoi). Now, I was kind of feeling Zoi, but didn't mention her because my only visible cue (other than just that gut, “Hey,” feeling) was that she was clinging for dear life to the one, most obvious lesbian chef, Jennifer. I love how Bravo has put them in their own gay power triangle in the cast photo. Lesbian Chefs -- activate! Form of -- pasta primavera!