Special Olympics Fires Back At Obama

OK, "fires back" is a bit too strong, but S.O.'s Chairman, Timothy Shriver (Yes, Maria Shriver's brother) did issue a statement saying that Prexy O. called him last night to apologize.

Shriver said, “Words hurt and words matter. Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and damaging to people with intellectual disabilities. And using 'Special Olympics' in a negative or derogatory context can be a humiliating put-down to people with special needs."

And he challenged Obama "to take the lead and consider hiring a Special Olympics athlete to work in the White House. In so doing, he could help end misperceptions about the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and demonstrate their dignity and value to the world."

Fun fact: Ugly Betty superdiva Vanessa Williams is on the Board of Directors with Special Olympics International, and I once interviewed her about it. She was incredibly well informed, having worked with S.O. for over 15 years.

Special Olympics is much more than just the Special Olympics Games. It's an important international movement that deserves support and attention. Hopefully, Obama's shockingly ill thought out remark will turn into increased public attention toward and support for the organization.

I just made a donation. You should, too.

Ryan Phillippe: Best Dressed (And Undressed, Of Course!)

It's Ryan Mania!!!

We haven't seen Stop-Loss yet, but we love it because it's given us lots of Ryan Phillippe hotness.

Here's an interview with Ellen Degeneres in which she shows RyRy's high school year book "best dressed" pictures and, of course, drags his gay teenage past (on "One Life To Life") out of the closet.

Much less awkward than the Leno interview.

My Gayest Look Is A Middle Finger!

Score another mark against Jay Leno. Over the years he has proven himself to be not very funny and pretty damn boring. Yet he serves a purpose on late-night TV: Sure, I watch Letterman when I want to laugh, but if I can't sleep, Leno is always there to help!

Well, now Leno is just digging his grave. Note: This is probably the first-ever controversy in the history of the skunk-headed talk show host who gave us (the legitimately funny and verrrrrrrrrrrrry gay Ross the Intern). But still, this is pretty lame...

On a recent show, Leno joked with the always-supermegadreamy Ryan Phillippe about his star-making role as a gay teenager on "One Life to Live" and then later told Phillippe to look into the camera, "pretend it's your gay lover, Billy Bob," riding in "shirtless from Wyoming" (Brokeback Mountain gay joke...har har har!!!) and "give it your gayest look."





Pretty lame direction, pretty offensive scenario, and pretty confusing for pretty boy Phillippe, who said "That is so not something I want to do" and "Jay, I am not kidding, I will walk off this stage right now." We don't blame Phillippe. It was a weird setup with no way out. His reaction strikes us more as someone reacting in the presence of an intolerable imbecile than homophobic.

Though Phillippe did not give his "gayest look," gay men and women worldwide are now invited to give Leno their gayest look: An erect middle finger erected for Jay I-Woulda-Been-Funny-In-Vaudeville Leno.


Jeff Whitty's Gayest Look


Melissa McEwan's Gayest Look


My Gayest Look is a Web site founded by Jeff Whitty, "Playwright and Huge Homo," and Melissa McEwan, "Blogger and Huge Bitch." Their photos are above.

If you'd like to join in and give Jay your gayest look, go to My Gayest Look and upload your pic today!

I was going to show you my gayest look, but I got a headache and then suddenly fell asleep while watching Leno. Maybe next time.