The Beer Bar

Another in the occasional series of articles from a website I occasionally wrote for a few years ago. The others in the series are Plus ça change . . . Thoughts on the March of Time in this forum and Experiences of Asia (Gay-Related) to While Away These Difficult Times under Gay Asia. This one was sparked by an interview I saw on CNN. I always wonder: who will be next? CNN anchors coming out, I mean. Anderson Cooper had been the subject of rumours for years. Even then, it took some time before he came out on air. Now we know – too well, because it is far too often mentioned that he is a father, even though he is no longer partnered with the man with whom he had the b…

From Bangkok Post Protesters shift aim to coalition parties A person flashes a three-fingered salute on the skywalk at Ratchadamri intersection in Bangkok in support of the "car mob" urging coalition parties to pull out of the coalition on Saturday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul) A "car mob" has shifted its target to pressure coalition parties after several anti-government groups before it failed to urge the prime minister to resign. The anti-Prayut demonstrators, led by activist Sombat Boonngam-anong, on Saturday staged another car mob, called “Sombat Tour”, in Bangkok after one was held last Saturday. The caravan visited the headquarter…

From the Bangkok Post The timeworn sandstone lintel from Prasat Khao Lon is elaborately carved into leaf motifs surrounding a Kala face. A trip to the Bangkok National Museum is a great way to get some recreational activity in and learn about the country's prized lintel artefacts and ancient kingdoms. The exhibition "The Return Of The Lintels From Prasat Nong Hong And Prasat Khao Lon To Thailand" will chronicle their lengthy journey and allow future generations to appreciate the opulence of Thai cultural heritage. These two lintels were crafted to be significant architectural features for highly revered sanctuary compounds -- reminiscent of Khme…

I am thinking of a Gay Christmas Tree this year with sexy fairies and merman. Your thoughts?

Although covid has created travel difficulties for many, in an ideal world the Henley Passport Index which has been monitoring the most travel friendly passports since 2006 has announced its list for 2021. As before, Japan heads the list. 1. Japan (193 destinations) 2. Singapore (192) 3. Germany, South Korea (191) 4. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (190) 5. Austria, Denmark (189) 6. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden (188) 7. Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States (187) 8. Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway (186) 9. Australia, Canada (185) 10. Hungary (184) Henley & Partner's…

Anyone else amused at how out of their minds freaked out this is making straight people in the south and midwest?

From Bangkok Post / Forbes 50 richest Thais on Forbes list add B28bn Thailand's 50 richest on the 2021 Forbes list, led by the Chearavanont brothers, did well during the Covid-19 pandemic, with $28 billion added to their combined wealth over the past 15 months. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index jumped 43% during the period, driven by the prospect of an economic recovery and an uptick in exports. The increase helped boost the combined wealth of the country’s 50 richest by more than 20% to $160 billion. The ranking of the top five on the list, whose net worth gains made up nearly half of the total increase, remains unchanged. 2021 Forbes Thailand'…

This is basically the third in the occasional series I wrote for a friend's blog a few years ago. The first two are found in the Experiences of Asia (Gay-Related) to While Away These Difficult Times thread under Gay Asia. This is much more general. It was also written at the start of 2017. I have looked at updating it, but sorry to say that involves too much work. So if you can think back to 2017, this will all make more sense and may make for an interesting short read. Change has Improved Some Gay Men’s Lives, but not Others Change affects us all throughout our lives – partners, friends, where we live, the fashions we wear, our hobbies, passions. You name it, f…

As a perceptive article in yesterday's Guardian points out, it is customary to look at the good that men do when they pass from this earth. Talking of the death of Rumsfeld, President Bush praised his "steady service as a wartime Secretary of Defence - a duty he carried out with strength, skill and honour." Even the USA's main serious newspapers had reasonably decent comments on his life. In the case of Rumsfled, though, surely Mark Anthony's words in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar are far more likely to be accurate: "the evil that men do lives after them." As the Guardian article points out: "He destroyed the public trust, the integrity of the presidency, an…

An injured victim is carried away from the flames in a fireman's lift at the burning Ming Dih Chemical factory in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, on Monday. One rescuer died fighting the blaze and at least 60 people were injured by the massive explosion and subsequent fire. (Rescue foundations photo) From Bangkok Post One rescuer was killed and more than 60 people injured in an overnight explosion and inferno at a chemical factory that continued to send black smoke into the sky over Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan late into Monday afternoon. Helicopters, some from the army, were called in to help firefighters spray flame retardant foam over the burnin…

For me: All the Hobbit and Lord of Rings Trilogy All the Godfathers Roadhouse - Yes, this one is out there, but I loved it.

I have seen him in a few things. Glad he is stepping out and getting more comfortable with his life. https://people.com/human-interest/jack-dylan-grazer-comes-out-as-bisexual-uses-he-they-pronouns-luca/

Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, But my 'status' stuff appears to have completely changed, I am apparently a mere 'Newbie' (joined 2015!) And now have had a notification today that I have been awarded a 'Badge' - a 'Dedication' badge (apparently I have been spending far too long on-line on this site each day haha). More surprising is that I have apparently already been awarded all sorts of other badges. Its a bit like being back in the Boy Scouts again and collecting proficiency badges on your sleeve. But still ranked a Newbie?? haha. Makes up for our 'rep points' having apparently disappeared I suppose. Can someone e…

Well it is starting to look like my hoped for trip to Thailand in 2022 may have just been shot down in flames, I was so looking forward to some raunchy times with some hot Thai guys too. "Australians hoping international travel will return to normal next year have been dealt a blow, as the Federal Government warns borders are unlikely to reopen until the end of 2022 at least." Bad news for Australians

Midwifery magazine shares gorgeous cover celebrating trans men who give birth The Practising Midwife's May issue celebrated trans fathers. (The Practising Midwife/Lauren Rebbeck) A British midwifery magazine has shared an incredible cover that shows that, yes, trans men can give birth – and you bet it ticked off transphobes. In a cover designed by illustrator Lauren Rebbeck for its 24th volume in May, The Practising Midwife emphatically said that trans men who give birth are “amazing”. Part of the magazine’s Normal Birth series, the cover features a trans Black ma…

If a trans woman rapes a cis woman with her still intact penis is that rape or same sex sexual assault? High Court emphatically rejects legal bid to force trans women into men’s prisons in landmark ruling The Royal Courts of Justice, which houses the High Court in the UK (Andrew Aitchison/Getty) The High Court has rejected claims that housing trans women who’ve committed sexual or violent offences against women in female prison facilities is discriminatory to cis women. A judicial review against the government was launched last year to determine whether the Ministry of Justice’s policy on the care and manage…

Quite disappointing. I have many trans friends and it seems their struggles get harder with lots of violence and abuse. With assholes like this in charge, I think a finger can be pointed. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/27/europe/czech-president-transgender-people-intl/index.html

Some of us are already traveling. But many are waiting for the restrictions and the pandemic emergency to be over. If you have been restraining yourself and cannot wait for being able to travel again, what will your first destination be? Besides voting, would you please share your rationale? Gracias!

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bill-cosby-sentenced-3-10-years-state-prison-sexual-assault-deemed-sexually-violent-predator-182219288.html Justice or not? Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison for sexual assault, deemed a 'sexually violent predator' Judge Steven T. O’Neill rendered the decision Tuesday, the second day of the sentencing hearing at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., saying, “I’m not permitted to treat him any differently based on who he is or who he was.” O’Neill also ruled that Cosby is a “sexually violent predator” and fined him $25,000. The sentence means that Cosby, once known a…

Probably not a suprise to anyone! I love this guy! When it comes on anywhere (and I mean anywhere) I stand up and ride a pony around the room. Depending on the situation, it can be funny, annoying, or sad. I always find it funny though.

June 5, 1981 was the first cases that AIDS was reported. Five gay men in LA died and currently over 32 million have died. I have lost friends and family to this. Our community was forever changed. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/history/hiv-and-aids-timeline

This is a very interesting read. During the pandemic, I have found better stuff on the fan sites that I do with the studios. https://ilikepinga.com/2020/09/26/adios-gay-porn-studios/

From CNN (CNN)Carl Nassib, a defensive lineman with the Las Vegas Raiders, became the first active NFL player in league history to announce that he is gay. "What's up, people," Nassib said Monday in a video on Instagram. "I'm Carl Nassib. I'm at my house here in Westchester, Pennsylvania. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay. I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest." Nassib, 28, is entering his second season with the Raiders. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played for the Browns from 2016-20…

From Reuters /MSN he Royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple on the outskirts of Bangkok dates back to 1610 and is located on a island created by canals flowing from the Chao Phraya river. Work on the statue, which is as tall as a 20-storey building, started in 2017 and should be completed this year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the official opening may be pushed back to 2022, said temple spokesman Pisan Sangkapinij. The Phra Buddha Dhammakāya Thepmongkhon statue, made of copper and painted gold, sits in a seated lotus posture. Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled. It should be visible from all parts o…

From ESPN Mexico's men's national team will play its next two home games behind closed doors due to a recurrence of an anti-gay chant during the CONCACAF pre-Olympic qualifying tournament, FIFA announced Friday. A fine of roughly $65,000 was also attached to the ruling, and further sanctions were threatened, including a points reduction. "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Mexican Federation with a fine of 60,000 Swiss francs and the condition that they play their next two official home games behind closed doors as a consequence of the anti-gay chants heard in the matches against the Dominican Republic and the United States, played in Guadal…