Love Me Like You Should

Disco icon Sylvester may best be known for the international hit singles ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’, ‘Dance (Disco Heat)’, ‘Do You Wanna Funk’ and ‘Menergy’, but the recording artist’s groundbreaking career also furthered queer visibility in popular culture. Leaving a legacy that continues to influence today’s pop music.

Through the compelling new documentary ‘Love Me Like You Should: The Brave and Bold Sylvester’, produced for Pride 2020 by Amazon Music in collaboration with filmmaker Lauren Tabak and writer/consulting producer Barry Walters. The short documentary details the life and times of Sylvester James Jr., known mononymously as Sylvester.

When I saw Sylvester, my life was altered, my life was changed for the better. As a Black queer gay man, any glimmer of seeing oneself reflected back at them, through our culture, changes lives.

Billy Porter

The legacy of a musician who set new precedent for genderqueer, gay and black entertainers has been revisited the new mini-documentary. Sylvester’s story comes to life once more and the true extent of his impact – inside and out of the music industry – is explored.

It is a compilation of archival footage, as well as rare performance clips, charting Sylvester’s rise from Los Angeles choir boy to glam 1970s hit-maker. Starting with his birth in South Central Los Angeles, it charts the course of his move to San Fransisco’s Castro District and later breakthrough as a singer/songwriter.

He crossed over, he was a genderfluid Black man in mainstream music. That hasn’t happened since. There’s been a lot of us who have tried – and I’ve been trying for 30 years – nobody did it like Sylvester.

Billy Porter

While the significant influence of black culture on mainstream music extends back at least a century, James was among the first non-binary artists to achieve superstardom. As pointed out in the documentary, he championed gender fluidity years before it would be called that through his unapologetic style and demeanor.

The filmmakers also incorporate interviews with Sylvester’s sister Bernadette Baldwin, singer, actor and activist Billy Porter as well as collaborators like musician Peter Mintun, producer/songwriter James ‘Tip’ Wirrick, former background singer Martha Wash (Two Tons of Fun/Weather Girls), and Sylvester biographer Josh Gamson.

Sylvester was always ahead of us. He did things like talk about being married to a man before gay marriage was a thought. He responded to Joan Rivers saying that he was this drag queen by saying, ‘But I’m not a drag queen, I’m Sylvester.’ He wasn’t saying there’s something wrong with being a drag queen, he was saying that’s not how gender works. It was gender fluidity and nonbinary gender before we were really there.

Josh Gamson

In addition to interviews, and with his version of ‘God Bless The Child’ on the bacjground, – its is musical treasure! The kind of music he loved more then disco! – the 15-minute doc shows rare archival footage of Sylvester, including performances at The Stud, the historic San Francisco gay bar that recently shuttered. It also depicts how a 1979 show at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House was a healing, joyous moment for the city in the wake of the assassination of gay politician Harvey Milk.

Sylvester died at the age of 41 on December 16th, 1988 after a long battle of an AIDS-related illness. He had attended the San Francisco Pride parade in a wheelchair shortly before passing on to show solidarity even in his final years. His legacy, however, continues to live on…..

Watch the 15-minute documentary:

Amazon has also curated a playlist called Pride History on which ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ is an entry.

Want to read the whole story of Sylvester? Use the ‘Sylvester’ tag….

Here TV Premieres Season Finale of Now What?! Directed by Emmy-nominated actor/producer David Millbern

Here TV, America’s first and largest LGBTQ+ video channel, today announced the December 27th season finale of the Here TV original series Now What?!, created, written and directed by Emmy-nominated actor/producer David Millbern.

Searing with realism and playing in real time, these personal exposés begin at the moment of climax. Each episode reveals the unique nakedness of après sex pillow talk, which leads to the inevitable… “Now What?!”

Working with talented writer and producer David Millbern on scripted series such as Now What?! gives Here TV the opportunity to explore complex relationships that span sexual orientation. Now What?! touches on common personal experiences we all have, with the pause for introspection and growth.

John Mongiardo, President of Here TV

Now What?! stars Paul Galliano and was produced by David Millbern and John Mongiardo. All three seasons of the series were executive produced by Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow, who have produced and distributed more than 200 films and series including Academy Award-winners ‘Gods and Monsters’ and ‘Departures’.

Here TV launched in 2004, making it the world’s first SVOD LGBTQ+ video service, and is available on all major US cable operators including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cablevision, FiOS, U-Verse, Cox, as well Here TV where it can be viewed on all iOS and Android mobile devices. Here TV reaches millions of viewers each month and has produced Academy award-winning films in addition to receiving four Daytime Emmy Award nominations. Come into the beautiful world of Here TV.

Sluggers presents New Campaign featuring Casey Conway

Former National Rugby League (NRL) player for the Sydney Roosters, Casey Conway has spoken out about being a gay, Aboriginal man in the world of professional sport.

During an interview with SBS, Conway explained that he had privately come-out to club officials during his time in the NRL, however only came-out to teammates after he left the Roosters. The former Roosters player said that he was leading a ‘double life’, hiding his sexuality from his teammates whilst sometimes trying to navigate the gay club scene in Sydney.

I was out-and-about on the scene and meeting people. I was doing that undercover and it finally came to a point where I had to start accepting it. I wanted more than what I was having.

Conway believes that his experiences in the gay scene helped him come to terms with his sexuality, however, he would often receive racist remarks.

The 30 year old Conway also works as a youth development coordinator for a small non-profit in Queensland and says he hopes to use his public profile as a platform in helping LGBTI youth.

There are young people out there hearing comments like that and they’re questioning themselves. I know what it was like to be in the country and think, ‘Oh shit, I think I’m gay’.

At that time there wasn’t really a big push in the media for equality. I’ve worked with kids who are homeless because they’ve been kicked out of home when they came-out. They’re suffering not only because they don’t have a home, but because of their mental health and a raft of other issues.

Conway, is now trying his hand as a fashion model and has been the face of Aussiebum and is now currently modelling swimwear brand, Sluggers.

Made in Australia: Sluggers presents new ads Summer Campaign promoting their new collection with some really nice arrivals, including speedos and sungas in amazingly beautiful colors and designs. Russell Fleming did an amazing job with an Australian model Casey Conway, Russell really captured Casey’s cheeky personality!

Casey Conway. Gay Rugby player & model. Doesn’t get any better than that!

You better shop now Sluggers!

Welcome into the world of Casey Conway

Éden

And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 2:8

In this story, João (Nuno Pardal) and Pedro (Pedro Sousa Loureiro) live in this garden. What João wants the most is for Pedro to be happy and the only way he found to make that happen is to support him in his escape with Sara (Sara Barros Leitão). On the other hand, Pedro learned how to love João and does not want to leave the garden. But one of them ate the forbidden fruit.

Director Fábio Freitas
Portugal 2014
12 mins

Fábio Freitas was born in Vila Franca de Xira in 1987. Graduated in Audiovisuals and Multimedia at Escola Superior de Comunicação Social, Lisbon (2010), works for seven years as Continuity Assistant at NBP/Plural (2007-2013). He has been working since 2013 in the production of Bem-vindo a Beirais, a successful series for the Portuguese Public Broadcasting System – RTP, and in several entertainment programs for the production company Shine Iberia. His first work in cinema was in 2012 as scriptwriter and producer of the short film Sara (2012), directed by Miguel Antunes. On the following year he directs his first short film Leaving (2013), exhibited in several international film festivals.

Come into the world of Éden

 

 

 

Mister Brian Bloom

 

 

Brain Bloom

One of the great unsung furballs of the world was Brian ‘Keith’ Bloom, an actor who started at an early age.  Brian became the youngest winner of a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Young Leading Man during the 1984-1985 season for his performance in the soap opera As The World Turns (1983-1987). Additional acknowledgements of Bloom’s work include being nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Young Leading Man in 1985-1986 and 1986-1987. He was also nominated as Best Young Actor in a Daytime or Nighttime Series by the Sixth Annual Youth In Films Awards in 1984. He was 15 when he played in 1985 in the now cult movie The Stuff (next to his younger brother Scott). But also in 21 Jump Street and Empty Nest, and later the star of a string of Bandit TV-movies in the mid-’90s.

He has worked with several of the WB’s Charmed (1998) cast: Holly Marie Combsin the movie Wall of Glass  (1985), Brain Krause in the 1994 Bandit series of television movies, and three movies with good friend Alyssa Milano: Dance ‘Till Dawn (1988), Crash Course(1988) and Confessions of a Sorority Girl (1994). Injured his head badly while working on one of the Bandit movies. He shortly thereafter began studying Eastern philosophy. And roles in other hit series as 2000 Malibu Road and Melrose Place, The Nanny and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Brain Bloom for PlayGirl

Famous was his photoshoot for Playgirl. Looking at him in those magazines like PlayGirl and TeenBeat (As a side-note bless those magazines. Before the internet they were super important to a growing boy’s health and development.)

And let’s not forget a memorable 2001 season 4, two-part guest shot on Oz. He also had the most amazing eyes one can imagine.

He’s a good kisser. But we both have scruffy bearded faces even if we shave. So, us putting out two beards together… man, when the kiss was over I pushed him off, like, ‘Damn!

Chris Meloni on Oz

Brian attended the Sheriff’s Academy and served as a Reserve Deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department from 2001 – 2011. Brian is a certified self defense expert and a Sifu of a rarefied street lethal modern Self Defense System called ‘Bojuka’. He has participated in countless no holds barred combat seminars and taught use of force techniques to law enforcement, military and private security worldwide. The perfect job for his role as Pike in The A Team (2010).

In recent years, his chief work has been in many voiceovers, like Marvel’s The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (as Captain America and Daredevil, 2010 – 2012), in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (as Yuri, 2011), and in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (as Captain Ryan, 2015). We could see him in a car commercial, which isn’t fair!

Today Brain Bloom is turning 46, we wish him a happy birthday, and we hope we will see him much more often on the big (or small) screen…

 

VENFIELD 8 Hommage to Bruce Weber’s Iconic “Bear Pond” in Photography Book Bear Hill

I’m a great fan of coffee-table books. And I’m a great fan of Bruce Weber’s photograph’s. In early 2013, controversial artist VENFIELD 8, approached David Laflamme with the intent of creating some iconic and lasting images. VENFIELD 8 reputation of re-interpretation and unique visionary creation gave birth to a new idea of a classic. An homage to the iconic Bear Pond, by Bruce Weber, ensued, only this time, featuring stunning young ‘bears’ as models.

We are teased and titillated by this preview of the new handsome-artful photography book by the one and only, mysterious artist VENFIELD 8. We challenge him to a one on one interview. Since his true identity is top-secret, we will allow him to cover himself, preferably with a jeweled mask. What do you say VENFIELD 8?

Sixty nine duo toned black and white prints featuring David Laflamme and friends on Bear Hill, frolicking and relaxing nude in studies both beautiful and serene.

This collectible book is limited to 500 copies and features all images never before published.

More info at:  VENFIELD 8 , David Laflamme and Bruce Weber

Hairy Goals

In this hairy month post Francesc ‘Pako’ Gascó, an avid CrossFit trainer, Men’s Health España contributor and comics fan, who recently earned his PhD in Paleontology.

‘Pako‘ was currently featured in the Men’s Health Spain Januari cover story Change in 2016 

Here we see Francesc Gascó in a photoshoot ‘Goals’ by Joan Crisol, photographed in Madrid for Summer Diary

Francesc Gascó in Joan Criscol

Born in Badalona in 1974, Joan Crisol currently lives and works in Madrid, Spain. After his photography studies at the Institut d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya, Crisol started working as a professional photographer in 1999.

His work has been published in more than 40 different magazines all over the globe, and Crisol has also been Director of Photography for more then 50 music video’s.

Discover more on facebook, instagram, and twitter.

 

Keegan Hirst Wants You to #StandUpToBullying

It’s #StandUpToBullying day. Proud to be a part of a great campaign.

We wanted to share this picture with you. Like us, one of Yakymours favorite openly gay rugger Keegan Hirst wants you to #StandUpToBullying to. Will you #StandUpToBullying?

MAC Exclusive Finally Here Caitlyn Lipstick

Back in February, MAC Cosmetics announced Caitylin Jenner would be releasing a lipstick with the brand. And now it’s here.

Named ‘Finally Free’, the rose-hued lipstick was crafted with a great cause in mind. MAC will donate 100 per cent of the proceeds from the lippie towards the MAC Aids Fund Transgender Initiative, which supports transgender communities.

MAC Caitylin Jenner ‘Finally Free’ lipstick

In the glam campaign photos, Caitylin Jenner looks sultry in a black satin bustier. She dons golden eyeshadow and tousled curls as she applies the new $17 lipstick in the mirror.

As noted by E Online, the 66-year-old Olympian, who was named the new face of H&M Sport last month, revealed the name of her signature shade ‘Finally Free was a simple choice.

I wanted a name that I use and which represents the community. This is who I am: Finally Free. It’s just so simple. No more secrets. I’m free. I woke up the other morning, and I was just happy. Getting dressed, going out, I’m accepted in the world; people are nice. Life is good. I’m Finally Free.

Caitlyn Jenner

As for the colour, Jenner wanted something she could always wear and feel comfortable in.

Caitlyn Jenner has fearlessly shared her transition with the world. Her new M·A·C Lipstick, Finally Free, champions All Ages, All Races and All Sexes. 100% of the selling price goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund Transgender Initiative, to further its work in support of transgender communities. Exclusively Online.

 

International Day against Homophobia…!

Today (may 17) is the International Day against Homophobia, A Worldwide Celebration of Sexual and Gender Diversities, and we will celebrate it together with Tapan and Vimal.  This two guys are the cover models of the Mandate cover.

Vimal and Tapal Singh on the cover of Mandate, Januari 2014

TAPAN: I am an actor and a model. I am 23 years old and have done various prints and magazine cover shoots like Mandate, Mumbai time out, AGL, Enlighten India; Advertisements for Manaba Finance, MTV webbed, Blow Hair Salon; TV Commercial for IPL 2014; Music Videos for Amjad Ali Khan and the most recent one with Celina Jaitely which is yet to be launched by Ricky Martin…(2014)

Human Rights, Free & Equal

And please watch the video FREE & EQUAL with TAPAN below.

The United Nations Free & Equal campaign presents the first-ever Bollywood music video for gay rights, featuring Bollywood actress and UN Equality Champion Celina Jaitly. Share if you believe everyone should be welcomed into their family’s hearts, regardless of their sexual orientation.

You can watch this video with Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish (as well as Romanian) captions by clicking the small, square ‘CC’ button in the bottom of the YouTube screen and selecting language.