Ok, I'm normally not a big awards person but thought I'd mention that there's one day left to nominate your favorite queer blog for the 2006 Gay Bloggies.

I'm being totally shameless now but what the heck, please nominate Big Queer for a Gay Bloggies!

Nominate your favorite queer blogs in categories such as, best design, best writing, and the valuted Weblog of the Year award. One day left so just click over to the Gay Bloggies site.

I just read a post on Fastlad about a horrifc gay bashing in New York City.

On Sunday night Michael J. Sandy was lured to a car park frequented by gay men in Brooklyn. There, four men jumped him. In the scuffle that followed he was forced onto the Belt Parkway where he was struck by a car that didn’t stop.
More from Fastlad

My head is swirling with anger, frustration, sadness and pain. I'm trying to reconcile all of this this with the fact that yesterday was National Coming Out Day, that this is one of many recent highly publicized bashings, that we continue to think and act as if we are much safer and freer than we are, and wonder what it will take for things to change.

Meanwhile, for some reason there seems to be this collective misbelief around the world that the U.S. is much more open and safe than it actually is. Yes, all things being relative we could argue that folks in the U.S. are much better off than in many places; after all, being queer isn't illegal. But then again homosexuality is outlawed in Singapore but they're not tying people to fences and setting them aflame 100 miles from nowhere.

Imagine this song on TV in the USA? How quick would the American un-Family Association boycott everyone and everything? If only the USA was as progressive and open-minded as the Netherlands Germany.

NBA star Charles Barkley, who's considering a run for governor in Alabama, has come out in support of gay marriage.

In an interview on the Fox Sports' "CMI: The Chris Meyers Interview," Barkley, known for being outspoken and direct said he supports gay marriage as reported in the Chicago Tribune:

"I think if they want to get married, God bless them," Barkley said. "Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it's not like it's going to be an epidemic. Hey, trust me, I'm never going to kiss you and say, 'Chris, you're sexy.'"

Watch this. Please.

N-synch member Lance Bass announced he's gay and proud saying, "I’m not ashamed — that’s the one thing I want to say,” “I don’t think it’s wrong, I’m not devastated going through this. I’m more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life. I’m just happy.”

Bass also revealed that he is "in a very stable” relationship with Reichen Lehmkuhl of CBS’ “Amazing Race.”

Bass says he stayed in the closet to protect the careers of bandmates Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick. He also announced he's working on a TV pilot with his new steady beau where he plays a gay character.

Sure come out when it's convenient for you and your career and blame your bandmates for your former cowardice. Hmmm, can can we say opportunist?

Discuss...

Like it or not queer marriage is everywhere in the news from married queer icons splitting up to state constitutional ammendments banning gay marriage so take a quick second and vote in our poll about what gay marriage should be called.

Some say they don't mind same-sex couples having the same rights but marriage is for heteros only. Do you agree or disagree? Is it a nomenclature issue or something bigger? Is marriage a straight religious institution that gays should shun or is it about equal rights?

Vote now and comment (poll is at the top of near right column). Let us know your thoughts. In the meantime here are some of the latest headlines on same-sex unions.

Republicans & religious right vow to make gay marriage a wedge issue in mid-term elections

Wisonconsin voters are split on gay marriage

Gay marriage around the world

New Jersey "residents support gay marriage by a 56 to 39 percent margin and oppose any state constitutional ban 67 to 28"

Nebraska and Tennessee ban gay marriage

MA Lesbian Marriage Icons Split-Up

Cartoon by Kevin Siers
I am so sick of going to straight weddings. Yes, I care about my straight friends. Yes, I respect their right to wed. And yes, I want to help them celebrate their nuptials. But besides the fact that I have mixed feelings about this archaic institution that was once all about owning and controlling a wife, as if she were nothing more than piece of property (think Nora in A Doll's House), I am, if I may be completely honest, beginning to get really bitter about marriage inequality and it's making me resent even the thought of having to celebrate the nuptials of one more straight couple no matter how much I care about them.

And yes my friends and family do support giving queers the same legal and social rights (although some debate what it should be called) that marriage affords straight couples. Unfortunately, except for a few close friends, ideological backing seems to be the extent of support from most heterosexuals, which leads me to ask, "Where are all the straight activists!?"

1. Are you afraid of controversy?
   
2. Do you avoid thinking about politics, religion, health and how these topics relates to queers?
   
3. Are you inarticulate and have trouble composing a sentence?
   
4. Do you believe the queer community has to agree on everything?

If you answered yes to any of the above then skip this post.

If you answered no to all 4 then please read on.

Big Queer is looking for smart, witty, intelligent queer thinkers with strong opinions to share their ideas, thoughts, commentary, and opinions witth the Big Queer Blog community. We're looking for writing of substance on a range of topics including news, politics, religion, health, arts & culture, as wells as original fiction & prose.

If you would like to contribute please contact us and let us know you're interested and let us know a little about yourself and your writing experience.

Note: Unsolicited contributions will not be read nor considered and will be deleted immediately.

Wow! I'm at a loss. Can y'all help me write something on this one? Here are some of the excerpts.

Julie Banderas to the crazy Phelps lady:

"I don't know what planet you're from... I thank G-D that you are not a leader of a real churh. What you preach is hate Miss."

"Were you brought down from heaven to preach your garbage?"

"You are the devil."

"If you believe in the bible Miss you are going to hell!"

"[America is] full of insance people like yourself."

"You are an abomination"

Shirley Phelps to the Fox lady:

"Semper Fi Fags means you are always faithful to the fags."

"You think gay pride bimbo."