Frank talk about Grayson
Last November, more than 100 LGBT and friendly locals RSVPed to attend a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson featuring openly gay U.S. Rep. Jarid Polis from Colorado. The event was canceled when a vote to pass health care reform was scheduled for the same day. Grayson returned to Washington and the bill passed by a single vote, sending health care reform to the Senate, where a different version also passed by a single vote. It now languishes in reconciliation between the two chambers, with little chance of final approval by the newly reconstituted Senate. But at least the fundraiser for Rep. Grayson is back on… and this time with even more star power! Rep. Barney Frank, the powerful—and openly gay—chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, will be the featured guest. With issues like the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” pending, Frank is expected to underline the importance of sending Democrat Grayson back to Congress for a second term. The Friday, Feb. 6 event will once again be at the home of Ted Maines and Jeff Miller at The Sanctuary in downtown Orlando. Those interested in attending can contact Grayson’s campaign office at 1-800-403-0303.
Tyra turns it on
After what seemed like months of promotion, the new and improved second season of Rupaul’s Drag Race finally premiered on Logo this past Monday night, Feb. 1. The pacing was better, the challenge was more fun and original, and guest judge Kathy Griffin was a slice of D-List perfection. Ru had packed on some pounds and looked healthy and engaged. And local Pulse performer Tyra Sanchez acquitted herself very nicely indeed. She looked great, even if she did say so herself. (“I do think that I am the prettiest one.”) In the “Gone With the Window” challenge, where contestants had to create outfits out of curtains and home accessories, a stunning Sanchez was one of the strongest entrants. The winner was Morgan McMichaels, who looks great out of drag, too. Drag Race producers set up loser Shangela LaQuifa Wadley with a sappy story line: she’d only been dragging for five months. Orlando’s other current reality contestant, Project Runway’s Jesse Lenoir, got lots of camera time last week and fared well even though paired with adorably eccentric Ping Wu, who was deservedly eliminated. Stay tuned!
