What Are We, In 1952?!?

It's been bananas lately with the issue of birth control and abortion coming to the forefront of the discussion. In their continued efforts to distance themselves from the reality that exists in America, Republican leaders have yet again attached themselves to a social issue that’s guaranteed to backfire in November. Birth control. I don't know whether to be horrified that at a time when there are so many other, more important issues to be discussing, this is where we find ourselves, or to be hysterically gleeful that they are going down this loser of a path, those Republicans.

Ignoring years of public-opinion polls, the GOP is backsliding into the 1950s to question whether contraception is a legitimate health-care benefit. Duh. Not only is it a legitimate health-care benefit, but it SAVES money long term in most cases. The target of this attack, as always, is President Obama. Well, President Obama and every woman in America. The President issued an executive mandate requiring that free birth control be included in health plans provided to employees of schools, charities and hospitals connected to religiously affiliated institutions. Those good old boys in the GOP see this as a prime opportunity to attack Obama’s healthcare reforms, and also to wake up all those old, white, racist, sexist, homophobic Christian evangelicals who don’t like the president in the first place.

As political miscalculations go, this one could be HUGE, and I hope it is! In my opinion they (the GOP) are exposing themselves as the out-of-touch FREAKS that they are. If you’re looking for a sure way to galvanize female voters against your party, attack birth control.

But this isn't just an issue that's being batted about in the press. This last week, there was a House Oversight Committee hearing where Republicans had the audacity to convene a panel on birth control coverage with five men and....wait for it... no women. NO WOMEN! You read that right! This is a women's health issue and you have no women testify?!?! That's insane. Foster Friess, a high profile donor to Rick Santorum's campaign, referenced an old joke about closed knees when discussing the controversy over mandatory access to contraception with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell on Thursday. He said, "back in my days, they used Bayer aspirin for contraception. ... The gals put it between their knees, and it wasn't that costly". Andrea Mitchell was almost speechless. It would be funny if it wasn't so scary.

It's all scary to me because I remember the first time George W. Bush ran for President. There was no way he was going to win, right? Especially with Al Gore, who had been a part of such a successful administration was running against him. Right? But then, pow, bang, boom. He DID win. He STOLE the election and served 2 terms and left our country raped and pilaged.

We have to stay aware and involved. It's never been more important. There are people out there who would have us revert back to a time of segregation, to a time when women's place was in the kitchen, when abortions were performed in back alleys, when gays had to hide in shame. It's ridiculous. We need to be moving FORWARD. Not backward.

Imma do what I can! YOU SHOULD TOO!

XXX


L.A.K.

Lezbro + Vintage Youth = The Perfect Way To End The Week!

I don't know about all of you, but it's been a long week and I'm ready to let loose a little! I mean, REALLY! It's kind of perfect that tomorrow night is Lezbro, the night I've been doing with Tony Burns for, well, a while now. Over a year! One of the things I most look forward to at Lezbro nowadays is what get-up ArtStar will grace us with. It's a sight to behold. Last month, he took the 80's theme quite literally. Walker and all!

Tomorrow night is especially exciting because we have Mr. Hunk Du Jour, Giulio Rocco, AKA Vintage Youth! Since 2006 Vintage Youth has been creating live shows and performances that combine stunning visuals, 80s pop-cabaret aesthetics and a strong musical bent toward UK Hi-NRG dance, French House and forward-thinking Electropop.

Technology is integral to GIULIO’s live performances and DJ sets which combine sound and beat manipulation with produced and effected live vocals creating a highly interactive and entertaining experience. As a producer and vocalist, Vintage Youth re-interprets classic dance tracks, bringing them stomping into the future, covering like likes of Robyn, Pet Shop Boys, David Bowie, and Shannon.

In 2011 Vintage Youth played the Main Stage and DJ stages at Seattle PrideFest to enormous crowds and shared the stage with DJ LA Kendall opening Pride Weekend in Palm Springs at the Ace Hotel.

GIULIO was recently interviewed for the Hunk Du Jour online magazine:

“I think of us as an electronic dance-pop cabaret. We take songs we love, usually having a queer aesthetic, and create all-new electro dance jams and perform them live with costumes and visuals. I'm crazy about synthesizers and a bit of a gear junkie, so I'm always trying out new musical toys in my studio and interesting ways of performing live. We look backwards for material and forward for sound, production, performance, and concepts. You could say we go back to the future. There is darkness to the material we choose and a decidedly sexual undertow.”

Yep, that's what Lezbro has in store for you. Because we love you. Because we care.

It's also your last chance to wish my partner in crime farewell for a minute as he heads back down to Palm Springs to shake things up like only his queer ass can. Yep, Seattle's losing David D$ Richey for a minute. But don't fret, he'll be back for Pride and other special occasions. But tomorrow, you should come and help me get him drunk!

That's the skinny on kicking off the weekend! Join me, won't you?

Click here for the event invite.

XXX


L.A.K.

Gearing Up For A Taste Of Fashion!

Ok, real excited about this event tomorrow night. This will be the third event that I have played for Social Werks and the dashing Stephen Seo. I'm really looking forward to it. My gigs for Social Werks have included an in-store for Melvita and a holiday party for Built For Man. They always have it goin' on, and it seems tomorrow night they've turned up the volume a little bit.

I dropped by Bako last Wednesday evening and met Keeman, the man in charge. It's a lovely place that occupies what was once a very shady stretch of Broadway. Not anymore folks. Gone are the homeless and the Jade Pagoda. In thier place, an upscale gym, and Bako just a few steps down. Major changes on Capitol Hill since back in my day. But I digress...needless to say, if the food and drink are half as good as this place looks, it's gonna be the jam.

I play from 6PM - 8PM. Effin Vodka is in the house, Built For Man is bringing the fashion aspect into focus, and I'm gonna be spinnin' up a mix of sexy vocals and, well, we'll just see where the night takes us...

View the event details and RSVP here.

XXX


L.A.K.