The Ryan Thomas Collection

The games in Beijing have ended opening up precious television airtime and digital news space for Democrats as they present to the nation its new hope for the future. Revealed via text message to thousands late Friday night, Senator Joe Biden officially became Obama’s running mate in the run for the White House. With both players in place, the Democrats begin their run in Denver tonight at their national convention.

Opening night featured a return to the public eye for Senator Kennedy, but more importantly a closer view of of who Democrats hope will be the future First Lady, Michelle Obama. Michelle’s speech reminded those who listened about the fabric of our nation, and how their family represents that fabric. Two individuals climbing their way through the trenches of American society, supported by hard working, blue collar parent(s). Two individuals defining their futures through the strength of their upbringing and their ability to dream for a brighter future. Michelle exclaimed, “The American dream endures.” The Obama family is the modern version of this dream.

Michelle Obama presents herself both as a strong, educated woman and a sincere, loving mother and wife. Her strength and conviction whilst speaking not only depicts the type of woman Michelle is, but also shows us that Barack Obama is a modern man, not threatened by a woman of strength, speaking her mind. Michelle reminded listeners that Barack was raised by single mother, no stranger to hard working, independent  women. He knows the power of the American Dream. Barack is a modern man. Michelle, a modern woman. Together, these two are united as modern America and a couple that should represent the United States in a modern age.

Michelle ended her speech proclaiming that the children of today will be able to tell their future families, “How this time we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. This time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming.” It is time that the people of this country, young and old, remember how to dream again. It is time that this nation has two real figures, man and woman, built within the classic American Dream, reminding us daily that what seems impossible is possible. A poor girl from the south side of Chicago can work to become a lawyer. The son of a blue-collar, single mother can become leader of the free world. It is time we stop doubting and start hoping and it is time we listen to our hopes, instead of our fears.

Obama/Biden 2008 – Donate Here: http://www.BarackObama.com

Below, part two of Michelle Obama’s speech at the convention (YouTube.com).

Popularity: 4% [?]

The battle for LGBT equality continues its success in California as a rising tide seems to be carrying positive change and crashing upon the status quo. As the nation continues its downward slope economically, politically and socially, a result of the archaic handling at the federal level, Californians continue to fight for progress in a nation that has shyed away from it in the past eight years.

Today’s success for equality comes again from California’s State Supreme Court. As the fight to maintain GLBT marriage continues on the streets, a lesbian couple denied access to a fertility clinic in San Diego County won their anti-discrimination case in an uniamous court decision.

Doctors at the North Coast Women’s Care, in Vista, California, refused to proceed with insemination for Guadalupe Benitez because their Christian beliefs prohibited the action. Benitez and her partner of 18 years were then referred to an alternate facility. The doctors stated they would also refuse to perform the procedure on any unwed couple because of their religious faith. Apparently, these doctors have decided that they are not only medical professionals, but guardians of modern morality. With their M.D. title, the hand of their Christian god granted them permission to pass judgement on who and who should not have a child; particularly basing it on sexual orientation. It sounds quite reminiscent of similar arguments used against equal marriage.

California, with some of the most strict discrimination laws in the nation, already has anti-discrimination laws in place that prevent businesses, including medical facilities, from refusing service to an individual based on sexual orientation. Today’s court ruling further strengthens these laws by ensuring that one’s religious beliefs do not justify discrimination in businesses, including medicine. A very slipperly slope could emerge should medical professionals have been granted the right to place their moral values on a patient’s inherent background when providing care.

Today’s court ruling does allow physicians the right to refuse procedures that are against personal religious beliefs, ie abortions. However, such a decision must be consistent amongst all patients and not based on a patient’s sexual orientation. The ruling also provides an alternative opening for religious protection, allowing one doctor of a practice to refer a patient to another doctor, within the same practice, to perform a procedure, should they feel religious beliefs prevent them from acting. The facility in this court case did not provide such an option.

One of the more amusing arguments to arise, and subsequently be shot down,  consists of the doctors use of freedom of speech to justify their actions and in turn, their inability to refuse service had violated this right. The judges responded simply by stating that these doctors still maintained their right to speak against the anti-discriminatory laws, but still must comply.

2008 continues to be the year of change and forward thinking. As the United States begins to see other nations in the world surpassing it, whether it be economically, politically or militarily, the time for change has been realized. A nation that holds too strongly to tradition, finding itself incapable of progressive growth, is doomed to fall.

As the nation attempts to spread democracy and freedom in the Middle East, it is vital to show those abroad that American democracy, liberty and equality is again thriving and looking towards the future. For how does one country convince another to provide women equal rights, when it casts out portions of its own society? This problem arose during the Cold War and helped fuel equal rights movements in the late 50s/early 60s when America tried to convince nations to choose democracy over communism, and yet segregated and discriminated against African Americans. It should be this same situation today that pushes modern American society to fight harder in its quest for a liberated and equal society. It gained one more step in today’s court case and hopefully, will continue through the November’s elections.

Court Case: North Cost Women’s Care Medical Group vs. Superior Court, S142892

(Photos provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection. All rights reserved.)

Popularity: 10% [?]

Today marks Madonna’s 50th birthday. Like a stereotypical gay male, I am a self proclaimed Madonna fanatic. Therefore, today is a celebratory day for me. Idolizing the pop star for longer than I can remember, the artist has impacted the lives of many whether it be through a great time on the dancefloor or through self realization and acceptance.

I had made the switch from cassette to the Compact Disc when I was ten years old and it just so happened to be a Madonna CD. The year was 1993 and Madonna released “Rain” from her Erotica album. I had seen the video and fell in love. Due to the risque content of the Erotica album, my mother wouldn’t allow me to purchase it, so I went to the Immaculate Collection. This was the beginning of something great! It was at this time that I had started exploring my own sexuality. Puberty had set in and as a result my body started changing and my sexual identity began taking form.

Madonna is unarguably the sexual liberator of the late 20th century. In the 80s, she brought about imagery of a woman who was a serious businessperson, and also a feminine, sexual being. Intermixing these two images, in essence, allowed others in this generation to own their sexuality and also break free from the restrictions placed by it. Intelligence and determination could go hand in hand with blatant feminine sexuality, and with that modern feminity continued to remold into something new. With Madonna’s Erotica album, she further explored and then presented to the public the darker side of sexual fantasy. Following this album, she released “Human Nature” from the Bedtime Stories album, professing an unapologetic attitude for her prior release.

This sexual exploration and presentation lined up with my personal sexual exploration, as I tried to make sense of my deviating sexual ideas and feelings towards the same sex. I had never been a “normal” boy and I had never fulfilled all the gender roles placed onto my sex by society, as I played with Barbies and refused to throw a football. As my sexual feelings aligned with my gender practice, looking to Madonna seems rather normal. A famous, successful and highly talented woman broke gender roles, while playing into them. She explored less than popular ideas about sex and did so unapologetically. She also presented images of gay men in various videos and concert performances. Many of these images were the first images of homosexuality that I experienced. Seeing this combination of imagery became highly influential in my process of self acceptance. As I began to realize I may not be normal, I was shown that I certainly was not the only one exploring and coming to terms with sexual ideas that deviated from mainstream society.

Learning that Madonna had gone to New York City with a mere $35 in her early twenties and then built herself into a world icon provided a sense of empowerment for me. She was a living example of national ideology surrounding the American Dream. I had always known and felt that America was the place where hard work and personal drive would allow anyone to achieve success, despite any hardships that life presented. Madonna was the embodiment of this. As a naive 14 year old, I thought to myself, if she could do that, then no matter what the future held, I would be able to handle it and work hard through it. This is essentially what pushed me to leave the closet and begin the coming out process.

As the internal debate and struggle raged in my mind about coming out as gay, my body filled with fear and anxiety. What would happen? What would my parents say? Where would I go and where may I be forced to go? I created various scenarios and results that may have occurred by coming out to my parents. Scenarios varied from status quo to images I had seen of young teenagers being thrown from their home. I had to be prepared for either end of the spectrum and thus, I schemed and planned.

What would I do as a 14 year old freshman in high school, thrown out of my home and onto the streets? It was a possiblity and one that had to be planned for. Fear encapsulated my body by the thought, but I could not be a liar and knew the inevitability of my coming out. I had to kick that closet door open. I would need some cash and determination. I had money entitled to me through some Federal Savings Bonds I had received from birthdays and Christmas. I told myself that was all I would need. I knew that money would pay for rent somewhere and I would have to find a job, day and night, work my butt off, get a GED, and I would rise above. If Madonna could do it, I knew I could. Again, the naivity of a 14 year old.  

Fortunately, my coming out to my parents did not result in being kicked to the streets, forced to fight my way to the top. However, I was fully prepared for such and Madonna’s story helped give me the confidence I needed in myself to make the decision to begin coming out. She gave me faith in myself. She made me feel that “normal” was boring and unimportant. I didn’t need to be normal to be successful, I only needed to own my abnormal feelings and be unapologetic for them. People idolize various pop celebrities for differing reasons, but my affection for Madonna goes deeper than the sheer enjoyment and fun her musical material provides.

As a young gay male, her ideas about sexuality and gender sincerely helped me come to terms with my own. I knew I was different, and she helped me feel that it was okay. Her American Dream story was a modern tale that made me believe that anything was possible. On her 50th birthday, and my ten year anniversary of coming out of the closet, I respectively wish H.R.M., Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Ritchie, a happy birthday and the utmost gratitude for inspiring me as young homo to believe in and accept myself.

When or how has Madonna or another pop artist influenced your life? Leave a comment and confess!

To see some great pictures and descriptions of Madonna’s 25 years in the biz, check out http://www.theStreetsofSanFrancisco.blogspot.com.

Popularity: 7% [?]

One does not have to be a fan of Paris Hilton to appreciate the clip she produced in response to John McCain’s campaign ad against Barack Obama. We all know she didn’t think of this herself, but it is comedic and makes a solid point. McCain is out of touch with America.

McCain’s campaign ad uses a montage of images with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton in hopes of audiences associating their celebrity with Obama’s celebrity. Montage is a classic technique used by visual producers to create association. McCain may also want to use this type of association to pin Obama as young, reckless and a poor decision maker, like the histories of these two women. However, McCain made one mistake. These women haven’t been as prominent in the public eye in the past months due to their good behavior. McCain, once again, is out of touch with relevant issues in pop culture AND politics.

Back to Paris’ video. Paris Hilton uses her catty, young attitude to actually attack McCain. She is (well, her writers are) hilarious in this video. With the young vote continuing to be important, Hilton’s sarcasm and humor is highly appealing to generations young and old. By not using McCain’s actual name, she furthers McCain’s persona as a “white hair dude,” out of touch with modern America. Who would have thought that some catty, childish response from Paris Hilton would end up being a funny, clever political ad without spending any DNC or PAC funds.

Here is Paris’ video. Watch it and laugh. Spread the word… The “wrinkly white hair guy” is fighting a losing battle. For once, Paris Hilton does something right!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Sitting comfortably at the top of pop music charts for over four weeks, Katy Perry’s single “I Kissed a Girl” from her debut album “One of the Boys.” Standing in a club, the track comes on and is consumed with ease. The lyrics about a girl freely exploring her sexuality by kissing another girl one drunken night, “just to try it.” Its stance at the top of the charts displays its wide appeal. Its catchy pop-rock beat and uncomplicated lyrics make it the quintessential summer song. More importantly, Perry’s single, in addition to her other released song/video, “Ur So Gay,” perpetuate the patriarchal hegemony that continues to prosper in the modern world, despite continued efforts against it.

On the surface, the song lyrics, accompanied by its rock beat, appear to be liberating and progressive. A woman owning her sexuality and freely exploring, despite having a boyfriend. A woman kissing another and proclaiming, “I don’t even know your name, it doesn’t matter.” The prudish ways of her post-WWII ancestors clouded over by the taste of another woman’s “cherry chap-stick.” The imagery Perry provides through these lyrics plays directly into the continued obsession of heterosexual men with lesbian interaction. Most importantly, based on Perry’s visual appearance, it plays on the unrealistic portrayal of two overly-attractive, hypersexualized and seemingly heterosexual women interacting intimately. This imagery is idealized and in direct contrast to more realistic imagery of actual lesbian communities seen through material produced within the lesbian community.

It is hard to imagine that a song depicting one male exploring his sexuality and kissing another male would get the same approval by leaders of the music industry, and consumers at that. The double standard here is a reminder of the progressive work that needs to be continued. It is also a reminder of the discomfort imagery of two men kissing still creates on a general public level within American.

Katy Perry perpetuates this double standard between the sexes and sexuality within the context of a second track on her freshman album, “UR so Gay.” Perry sings about a former boyfriend whose description sounds like that of an “emo.” The chorus breaks into the repetition of, “Your so gay and you don’t even like boys.” For the record, the ex-boyfriend is described with the following attributes:

* “Jacking off to Mozart”
* “You don’t eat meat”
* “And drive electric cars”
* “You walk around like you’re so debonair.”
* “You’re so skinny you should really Super Size the deal”
* “I can’t believe I fell in love with someone that wears more makeup than [me]”

The title and chorus of this song stereotypes these traits into a “homosexual” category. Furthermore, its tone implies that these are negative attributes to possess should one be a heterosexual male. It may be true that because this song is about an “ex,” this is simple anger about the male figure overall. Nonetheless, it plays into the ideas of heteronormative social constructs. Not only does this song comply with stereotypes for what heterosexual men should be, it pushes homosexual men into its continued stereotypes.

It is appropriate that Katy Perry’s album is titled, “One of the Boys.” She pushes straight patriarchal ideals of what it means to be a “man” onto listeners, whilst also feeding into the fantasy of the hegemonic power of the heterosexual patriarchy. There is nothing progressive or liberating about these two singles. Katy Perry pushes everyone into their required corners of identity and social constructs. Like her album art and music videos, she is simply a doll that the music industry is using to push record sales by playing into the familiar. There is nothing new or exciting about this #1 single. There is nothing tongue in cheek about it, either.

Some may say that it is a catchy pop song, and therefore is nothing to take seriously. It is simply a fun song. It is important to remember that the most popular elements of society, though devalued by their “pop culture” status, are vivid reflections of where society is and where it is going. Yes, these songs are catchy and can be fun on a night out, and typically that is the only purpose they serve. However, it still holds the power to perpetuate ideals that may not be in the best interest of the society in which it is consumed.

(Photo from KatyPerry.com)

Popularity: 6% [?]