Created in 1914 by French sculptor Jules-Alexis Coutan, the three statues that grace the top of Grand Central Terminal were the largest sculptural group of the time. Hercules (god of physical energy) and Minerva (goddess of moral energy) flank Mercury, the god of commerce. The giant eagle behind Mercury represents America. The entire piece stands 48 feet high. Mercury, whose …

“Oh God, I could never do that to a child. Can you imagine what it would be like, having your two dads coming to school speech days? And hearing those awful queeny rows while you are trying to get to sleep?” – Rupert Everett, telling London’s Daily Express that he does not support gay adoption. Everett, who claims that he …

Pulling a fast one on local activists and media, today Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle did not apologize for his anti-gay comments at his press conference, as had been expected, but instead launched an even more venomous attack on gays (video). Naugle said he only apologized for having “underestimated” the problem of gay public sex in the beachside resort town. …

“I have to speak my mind because as a gay man now I have a responsibility to. I sat back too long. When ACT-UP were going in and trying to change the face of AIDS awareness in America because nobody else was doing it, I sat back and did nothing.” – Elton John, expressing guilt over not having taken part …

The Indonesian state of Papua is planning to microchip some residents with HIV in a bid to prevent their transmitting the virus to others. Out of a population of 2.5M, 3000 residents are thought to be HIV positive. Papua is located on the western half of New Guinea. According to an Indonesian doctor assisting in the new law’s preparation, “Some …

If you are in Fort Lauderdale today, get on down to City Hall (at 100 N. Andrews Avenue) by 4pm for a massive Flush Naugle rally. DJ Julian Marsh will be spinning tunes to inspire the crowd beginning at 3:30 PM. Speakers will begin taking the stage at 4:30pm and there will be a “Power To The People” after party …

From the east side of Broadway & 53rd. To the left, the Broadway Theatre, current home of The Color Purple. To the right, the Ed Sullivan Theatre, home of the David Letterman Show.

Courtesy of Warner Home Video, this week’s Swag Tuesday prize is a 2-disc special edition DVD of 300, the sepia-drenched homoerotic Spartan muscle and gore fest that so fascinated the gay blogosphere earlier this year. Due out on July 31st , this special edition version contains 90 minutes of bonus material, including the intriguingly titled segment, “The Shocking Life of …

Tonight’s CNN/YouTube debate for the Democratic presidential candidates was fascinating. The format, which involved candidates responding to the YouTube’d video questions from the general public, was unique and effective. I’m betting we see more of these. Here are two clips of the candidates responding to questions about gay marriage and about religion-based discrimation against LGBT people. Chris Johnson has the …

Everybody knows parking is a nightmare in Manhattan. And yet that nightmare can provide a sublime sense of superiority to the vast majority of residents who don’t own cars -myself included – although I’m occasionally inconvenienced due to friends having to circle my block for an hour searching for a space. An interesting recent NY Times story mentions that new …

NYC Eagle, Sunday, 9pm Guy 1: So anyway, we had a really good weekend together. He’s totally perfect for me, except for- and I hate to say this – his apartment.Guy 2: Why? Is he a slob?Guy 1: Oh, no. Everything is spotless. You could eat off the floor.Guy 2: So the problem is……Guy 1: The problem is his place …

Con Edison says they will pay for the repairs of buildings that suffered physical damage from last week’s steam pipe explosion, but that there will be no compensation for lost business. Many buildings suffered blown-out windows and destroyed signage. The “frozen-zone” around the explosion site has been reduced to the four blocks around E.41st and Lexington Avenue. Stores and restaurants …

The governor of New Jersey is demanding that UPS abide by state law and offer domestic partners benefits to the civil unioned. UPS says that under its federal collective bargaining agreement, union employees’ benefits are covered by federal laws that only recognize fully married couples. Non-union UPS employees do have access to domestic partners benefits in New Jersey. In Massachusetts, …

Hairspray opened big this weekend with $27.8M in ticket sales, making it the biggest opening weekend ever for a musical. With ticket prices adjusted for inflation, Hairspray edged out Best Little Whorehouse In Texas and Grease for the record. The original Hairspray only grossed $6.7M over its entire run. Unbelievably, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Lousy was #1 this …

Saturday afternoon we herded most of our crew to Brooklyn, braving every pirate’s favorite subway line, the R, to attend the Big Lug party at Cattyshack, our favorite NYC lesbian bar. Only half of the guys in this photo have a blog. The other half are freaks.

This is a northward view of the Harlem River as seen from the Washington Bridge when crossing from Manhattan into the Bronx. Technically a tidal strait, the 8-mile long Harlem River connects the Hudson and East rivers and forms the northern boundary of Manhattan. Interestingly, due to the 1895 redirecting of the Harlem River, the Marble Hill neighborhood, now on …

Roving JMG reporter Father Tony is in Fort Lauderdale where he dropped in at the Unite Fort Lauderdale-sponsored Flush Naugle rally in the parking lot of the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale’s all-gay shopping center. Local activists are demanding the Major Jim “Robo-john” Naugle either step down or apologize for his anti-gay statements. At the rally, Tony interviewed Waymon …

Tomorrow Dubya will have a colonoscopy (insert joke here) during which he will temporarily transfer power to Vice President Cheney (insert joke here) as Dubya will be under anesthesia while doctors probe him (insert joke here.) Section 3 of the 25th amendment provides for the temporary transer of power in the event of the disability of the president (INSERT JOKE …

Annie Lennox has a new album coming, Songs of Mass Destruction, due on October 2nd. Produced by Glen Ballard, the album includes a feminist/HIV prevention anthem titled, Sing, which features 23 major female solo artists: Madonna, Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion, Fergie, Faith Hill, Pink, Dido, Gladys Knight, kd lang, Angelique Kidjo, Bonnie Raitt, Shakira, Melissa Etheridge, Anastasia, Joss Stone, KT …