In more than five years since this blog started, more than 3.5 million people have visited BoiFromTroy–for some reason or another. And to each and every one of you, I want to send my appreciation, as I bid this blog farewell.
Over those five years, BoiFromTroy has been a [...]
It’s a Three-Pete for the USC Trojans, becoming the first team to win three consecutive Rose Bowl games with a 38-24 victory over the Nittany Lions of Penn State.
Driving back from the Roosterfish to West Hollywood New Year’s afternoon, I explained to my not-so-sports-inclined friend Daniel that [...]
Californians will have to wait until they finish driving before sending off a SMS to their friends and family under a new law.
When California becomes the seventh state in the nation to ban text messaging Thursday, dispatches from the fast lane will become a violation of the state vehicle [...]
SFSU researchers confirm what should seem straightforward. Parents’ reactions to a child’s coming out can gravely influence their children’s mental health.
“Parents love their children and want the best for them,” said lead researcher Caitlin Ryan, a social worker who directs the university’s Family Acceptance Project. “Now that we have [...]
California Republican activist Mike Spence is clinging to the hope that he can rebuild the party on the back of gay-bashing.
Spence, however, sees opportunities to expand the party’s reach. Conservatives can take heart, he said, in the strong support of Latinos and African Americans for Proposition 8, the November [...]
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Sorry for the hiatus here on the blog… While I have been away from writing, I have had to report to jury duty, only to be rescheduled, and visit the family in Texas.
It’s great seeing my three nephews grow up and hanging out with my brother and [...]
After an often-turbulent, 14-year relationship, the American people broke up with the Republican Party last month, sending a clear message that they had found new suitors in a Democratic President and Congress. Today, and for the next year, the GOP must face a touch choice. Does the party stick around [...]
Happy Day Without A Gay Day! Like many others I am trying to figure out just how to celebrate it.
As my own boss, I cannot really “call in gay” and having a home office, I cannot really stay away.
I am going to try to give my business exclusively [...]
If anything is clear about the State of California, it is that our government is not working. Some may even say that California is un-governable. But others are suggesting we just need a shake-up–and a big one.
Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, is offering a solution that’s bound to raise the [...]
Those who thought there would be no economic impact to the passage of Proposition 8 have another thing coming. Falling ad sales since November have meant that the Los Angeles Newspaper Group is shutting down CLOUT magazine.
After the ballot initiative campaign started, that impacted ad sales to the tune [...]
Controversial Los Angeles County Republican Party County Chairman Linda Boyd was ousted from her post Saturday by a team of rivals, and those who had felt the wrath of Boyd’s heavy hand.
Her husband Doug describes the proceedings as a Paulista Putsch.
Despite being supported and mentored by Chairman Boyd [...]
Had you told me USC would commit more turnovers than UCLA, give up a touchdown on a trick play and miss three field goals, I would have worried that the Bruins had sent the Men of Troy packing for San Diego, not Pasadena.
USC’s second consecutive win over UCLA [...]
One post-Proposition 8 has the newspaper world divided. Was it Religion and Republicans which passed the ban on gay marriage or education and economics that made the difference?
Consider the following headlines:
Although I am a BlackBerry person, I couldn’t help but pass along this little tool for you iPhone users.
The new service eCardlets lets you send electronic greetings to people’s iPhones.
There is even a special BoiFromTroy message. Check it out.
[...]At 6:46 this morning, the LA County Fire Department received a phone call from a passerby–the notorious Sunset Strip Strip Club, the Body Shop was burning.
According to employees at the Starbucks two blocks west, a customer called in the fire, as she saw smoke coming out of the building and [...]
OK, this is just too funny not to share with you guys.
Hat tip: PerezHilton
[...]A few of you have asked for a follow-up to the Tricky Ticket Caper. Unfortunately it remains unsolved, but there is a leading suspect.
Because I reprinted the tickets online the bar code on the original tickets would have been rejected at the gate, so if anyone tried to use [...]
Since the UCLA Bruins left the Coliseum, one tradition has fallen through the cracks–wearing home-and-home jerseys for the City Championship Game. But USC Coach Pete Carrol is going to change that, even if it comes with a price.
USC Coach Pete Carroll is so intent on restoring a colorful tradition [...]
“Power Lesbian” Tori Osborn is getting alot of press for her critique of the campaign against Proposition 8. While there is plenty of reason to critique the campaign, I must ask, though, whether Osborn is the best messenger.
Introducing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the November 15th protest in Los Angeles, [...]
It was supposed to be one of the greatest home football schedules ever–with USC playing host to Ohio State, Notre Dame and the top teams in the Pac Ten. In the end, the 2008 home season was pretty much a dud for Trojan fans, who were given nary a competitive [...]
The last time I touched my season tickets for USC football was on November 1st, as I was distributing tickets for the game that day and the following week, when I would be in Paris.
So imagine my surprise this morning, when I pull out my season tickets only to realize [...]
Countering threats to recall any justices who vote to overturn Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, leaders from the No on 8 campaign are planning a million-dollar judicial defense fund.
Gay rights leaders hope to build a $1-million war chest to defend any judge threatened with recall for ruling in favor of [...]
As we head into Thanksgiving week, Mo Rocca points out an interesting fact about the Pilgrims’ views on marriage–it was a government, not religious-sanctioned, institution.
Not content to reform the Anglican Church from within, the Pilgrims separated — and came to America to worship as they saw fit: fervently, and [...]
Bill Dwyre declares that the nation’s best intersectional Rivalry in in its final throes.
Now, five days from the teams’ 80th meeting, men (and women) on the Leprechaun side are balling up their fists, all right. But in anger. Those riding the Trojan Horse to yet another season of success [...]
After a narrow election victory, backers of Proposition 8 are splitting among the true-believers that gays should have no rights and the pragmatists who want to defend their electoral victory in the courts.
“We represent the people who got things done, who got Prop. 8 passed,” said Andrew Pugno, general [...]
The California Supreme Court will hear arguments in March over the constitutionality of Proposition 8. At the core is whether the measure was a Constitutional Amendment or a Constitutional Revision.
All the suits argue that Prop. 8, drafted as a state constitutional amendment, makes such drastic changes that it amounts [...]
Well thank heavens this man was not nominated for President. On the View, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee seems to contend that in order for a minority to qualify for civil rights, they have to get their heads beaten in. I guess he has never heard of Matthew Shepard.
In both the first and final ads for the Yes on 8 campaign - supporting a Constitutional Amendment to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California - proponents argued that the people, not San Francisco-based judges, should be the final arbiters of the matter.
Today, in a stroke [...]
Although he has fulfilled more potholes than promise in his three and a half years as Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa is proving that voters may well have picked the right man for the times when they elected him in 2005.
Villaraigosa held three news conferences Saturday to discuss [...]
Come January, marriage equality could be moving forward legislatively in both New York and now, the nation’s Capitol, according to Councilman David Catania.
Catania reaffirmed that a same-sex marriage bill will be introduced to the Council in January, and that he is sure it will pass.
“Many of us on the [...]
For the second week in a row, I missed the USC game because it wasn’t being televised where I was. That is to say, Versus is as available in West Hollywood as ABC is in Paris. Kinda sad.
But we won. Yay!
If USC and Oregon State win out, that could make [...]
After ten days of protests with no real leadership, Cleve Jones and Lance Black give direction for the gay and lesbian community–ask for everything.
It has been 30 years since Milk gave his life in our struggle for equality. We will not wait 30 years more. We demand that the [...]
Although voters rejected redistricting reform three years ago as part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s reform package, the passage of Proposition 11 is giving a new hope to real reform of the State Government. George Skelton gives some ideas for fixing Sacramento.
Next up in efforts to untangle the partisan gridlock and [...]
Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon announced his departure from the organization this morning, effective early 2009. Among Sammon’s accomplishments listed in the LCR press release at the organization are:
Log Cabin helped secure 35 Republican House votes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Their votes provided the margin of victory.
Sammon [...]
To win the White House, President-elect Barack Obama seized on two simple words that summed up what he meant to voters and the world: “change” and “hope”.
Obama would signal a change from a Bush Administration which had squandered the goodwill of the world and the American public over the last [...]
Here is a map breaking down precinct-by-precinct how folks voted on Proposition 8.
I am proud to point out that the two places I electioneered in the final days–the USC campus and the Marine Park precincts in Santa Monica–were among the largest NO voting areas outside of West Hollywood, [...]
“We’ve got a problemo,” a text message read early Sunday afternoon as I waited to meet friends at the Cafe des Philosophes in the Marais. By my math it was nearly 4 AM back in Los Angeles, and I feared the worst (drunken friends doing stupid things).
“If it is big [...]
A blogger I care very much about gives his Catholic take on the passage of Proposition 8–which has resulted in one of his most-widely viewed posts ever.
Great job, I bet Jesus is really cheering you on.
You hypocrites! You are being cruel to people just because they are different and [...]
Had I not been with my friend Ludo on Sunday afternoon taking a stroll through the Left Bank, I would have never gone into the Laduree Bakery. And even then I would not have realized my brush with celebrity had he not pointed it out…
At Saint Germain-des-Pres shop, we ran [...]
Um, yesterday, I ran across a tourist in a Cal jacket and shouted, “sorry about the game!”
He seemed even less clued-in to Cal’s 17-3 loss to USC than I was, being on the continent and all.
It seems the tale of the tape is defense, defense, defense–but that’s about all [...]
After marching for miles and miles on Wednesday night, I can barely walk to refill my glass of water in the Cigar Lounge at the FCT in Frankfurt Airport. For the second time in two trips to Paris, I am kicking myself for very bad timing.
The last time [...]
A rally in West Hollywood Park turned into a street protest this evening, as gay and lesbian Californians upset over losing the right to marry took to the streets.
Milk scribe Lance Black and I marched towards the head of the pack as they crossed Santa Monica [...]
I don’t trust myself to say anything about last night’s election results right now, but I will encourage everyone to follow my lead and celebrate the small victories…
I would hope that I need not remind you, dear readers to vote tomorrow… But in case you need a reminder. Vote. EARLY. Vote No on 8.
If you want my thoughts on the rest of the elections here is what I am thinking.
President: Aaaarrrrgghhh! I don’t know. I really do [...]
I think watching this video clip from Trojanwire, I saw more of the USC-Washington game than I did on Saturday.
The Lambda Alumni tailgate was a good time, and our “Beat Prop 8″ project was wildly popular.
But when it came time to leave for the Coliseum and one of [...]
Yesterday, I attended the No on 8 rally and visibility event in West Hollywood. It was nice to see that the complacency which had defined the gay community in recent months is finally gone.
In fact, it was nice to see some people finally out and involved.
[...]
Republicans Against 8 have released their newest ad going into the final weekend, contrasting the legacy of Ronald Reagan with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s position against Proposition 8.
In 1978, Governor Reagan opposed the Briggs Initiative, which would have eliminated the right of gay and lesbian Californians to teach in public schools. [...]
Many of you have asked for me to write more about the football, let you know what I thought about the Arizona game, etc.
Well about Arizona, I think USC’s problem on offense was that we failed to focus on getting first downs–aiming for the end zone rather than for moving [...]
I thought it was bad when Proponents of Proposition 8 compared defeating gay rights to the struggle against Hitler. Now, they are trying to silence our voices with a denial-of-service attack on the No on Prop 8 website, according to a campaign press release.
Today the NO on Prop 8 [...]
I have often said that one of the best ways for us to defeat Proposition 8 is to allow its proponents to speak–and they will scare Californians.
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Here, Brad Dacus compares the fight to take away the right to marry from some Californians to standing up to Hitler. I guess [...]
I take it that these folks won’t be at the USC homecoming game on Saturday, but we will, trying to convince folks not to take rights away from their fellow Trojans (and beating Washington, naturally)…
“To the victor goes the soul of the nation!”
Will you be fighting? You can help win [...]
In what may be an historic first, the No on Proposition 8 campaign is taking user-generated content from YouTube and turning them into television ads.
We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of talent and creativity that has just exploded on the Internet,” said Patrick Guerriero, NO on 8 campaign [...]
At the beginning of the campaign, I set a goal of raising $1000 for the No on 8 campaign, in addition to raising funds for and contributing to Republicans Against 8.
Well, last night, we met and passed $1000 raised for No on 8 [...]
Republican opponents of Proposition 8 have been saying it for a long time, and now it is becoming clear–proposition 8 is Bad for Business.
Today’s San Diego Union Tribune has the scoop, and it comes from leaders in the biotechnology field who are saying that if Proposition [...]
Although California Congressional Races are generally considered to be done-deals–there was one election cycle when only two or three incumbents received less than 60% of the vote–the attacks are coming out against two California Congressmen, Brad Sherman and David Dreier.
Sherman, whose wife works for Homeland Security, is being tied to [...]
Republicans Against 8 is putting a gay and lesbian face on the campaign against Proposition 8 in two ads directed and edited by Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.
“We are Friends, We are neighbors…We are Republicans, We Are Democrats,” states, “Join Us,” one of the newest ads produced by Republicans [...]
If anyone has noticed it odd that gays and lesbians have been virtually absent from the campaign to take away the right to marry in California, Yes on 8 Campaign Manager Frank Schubert may have an answer.
In August, Schubert was excited at the subversive idea of using gay people [...]
Sometimes the best case against a ballot measure like Proposition 8 is simply to let its proponents do the talking. In this clip, Assemblyman David Jones queries Prop 8 spokesperson Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse about whether older, sterile couples should be able to get married.Earlier during the same legislative hearing, [...]
Proponents of Proposition 8 always talk about protecting “traditional” marriage–but has anyone really thought about what that means?
Take a look at their website and web ads, and it is pretty clear that they have a singular view of “marriage” between one man and one woman who is submissive [...]
Former Republican Congressman Tom Campbell came out against Proposition 8 today in a Reason opinion editorial.
Same-sex couples already exist, so do different-sex couples. Californians in these relationships are our firefighters, nurses, police officers, and small business owners. They pay taxes and contribute to our economy and our society. Californians [...]
Um, yeah, folks. This comes to you from the folks who wish to write their religious beliefs into the State Constitution with Proposition 8… And which side is promoting tolerance?
[...]
I think the juxtaposition of these ads on this article kinda sums up quite a bit, eh?
The Yes on Proposition 8 campaign must have enough money that they don’t know how to spend it, considering how poorly targeted their online campaign has been…
Republicans Against 8 has released their newest ad, “Backwards.” According to the GOP group fighting to defend marriage for all Californians, ““Backwards” urges voters from across the political spectrum to protect the California Dream for all families by voting No on Proposition 8–”It’s unfair. It’s unnecessary. It’s [...]
Mormon scholar–and BYU law Professor Morris Thurston–has done a thorough debunking of the viral “Six Consequences if Proposition 8 Fails” meme that has spread on the internet among LDS bloggers and others wishing to write their religious beliefs into California’s constitution.
“In his memo, this Mormon scholar concludes Prop 8. [...]
Daily Kos readers and the newly-formed “Bloggers Against 8″ (to which I only received an invitation late last night) raised more than $100,000 online over the weekend.
With one major contribution added yesterday, I am more than 80% towards my own goal of raising $1,000 from my blog readers [...]
Actually, there’s not too much to say about Saturday’s scrimmage on the Palouse.
USC committed only two penalties, but had to punt twice!
Mark Sanchez’s passes were still a little off the mark but improving.
So far the Trojans have shut out their opponents for ten straight quarters–with the possibility to extend that [...]
While Barack Obama and John McCain were putting the nation to sleep with their debates, the Vice Presidential candidates were making noise.
On a visit to West Hollywood, Democrat Joe Biden announced his opposition to California’s Proposition 8, which would redefine marriage in the Golden State. Although I would have [...]
Homecoming is just two weeks away, when the Men of Troy take on the currently-winless Washington Huskies the Saturday before the election.
If you want to know why the fundraising for No on 8 lags that of the proponents, it’s simple–the gays aren’t standing up for their own rights.
The campaign to defeat Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage initiative, only has 30,000 donors out of an estimated 1 million LGBT Californians, the [...]
If we learned anything from the late 1990’s, it should have been this: bubbles burst. What goes up explosively, must come down, in a similar manner.
The tech bubble that led to happy memories of the Clinton Administration came apart suddenly, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 40 percent and [...]
After the presidential race, the most closely-watched election in America is Proposition 8, the California Constitutional Amendment which would eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. For the gay and lesbian community, the lap-dogs of the Democratic Party for decades, the debate over how to direct its limited resources [...]
Too often we hear about the closeted actor who comes out as a Gay, but now, there is a strange twist to things: the gay type-cast character who comes out as a hetero-sexual.
No, you have to believe me on this, people. There’s really a heterosexual guy on TV. And [...]
If you are anything like me, you have TiVo’s straight through the latest Yes on Proposition 8 ad, where the little girl says, “Mommy! Mommy! We learned in school that a prince can marry a prince, and I can marry a princess!”
If you have not seen it, here it is…
My [...]
I love it when the Gays get creative and take things into their own hands!
I expect we will see alot more grassroots efforts like this one. I just hope Steve Jobs doesn’t get upset that this implies Macintosh people are homo-sexuals.
[...]Nationally, there is a Republican backlash against an effort to register new “voters” that might be somewhat fraudulent.
Mickey Mouse tried to register to vote in Florida this summer.
Orange County elections officials rejected his application, which was stamped with the logo of the nonprofit group ACORN.
While I do not care [...]
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has become the face of the effort to preserve the rights of same-sex couples to marry–and that is a problem.
Political consultant Jim Ross agreed that Newsom is not the best No on Prop. 8 spokesman, especially in the Central Valley and other conservative pockets [...]
If you didn’t believe me before, maybe Saturday changed your mind. USC is a 3-loss team with a one-loss schedule this year. I don’t know if the Trojans could win the Mountain West. There. I said it.
Sure, beating Arizona State, perhaps the second or third best team in [...]
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Listening to CNBC this morning, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the theme for the day–which even made it into an NPR headline.
A day after stocks went into a tailspin, investors are looking for a bottom.
Hello! That is the story of my life! At least there is something [...]
Add Connecticut to the list of States recognizing that no one should be treated differently under the law, and everyone should have the right to marry. The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriages today.
We conclude that, in light of the history of pernicious discrimination faced by [...]
The No on 8 Campaign has released its response to the Proposition 8 proponent’s Gavin Newsom ad.
Equality California’s Geoff Kors calls Proposition 8’s ad a “Swift Boat Tactic.“…but I am going to hope he just lost his short-term memory.
As I recall a “Swift Boat Tactic” is one which [...]
It seems that Politico agrees with my take on last night’s debate–it sucked.
But the Belmont University showdown was something entirely different. Place the gravity of the moment next to the blah-blah-blah artifice of the rhetoric and overall insubstantiality of the evening, and this is what you get: The worst [...]
Well if yesterday’s news wasn’t a wake up call to the LGBT community, I don’t know what would be. We’re behind in the polls and behind in the fundraising race.
So whatcha going to do? If you can’t give money to either Republicans Against 8 or the No [...]
State Senator Dean Florez has a novel idea for bridging the gap in the State budget–ask the employees’ pension fund to bail out the employer.
Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, has proposed that the California Public Employees’ Retirement System purchase the state’s looming debt. The money would keep California operating – [...]
The intensifying battle over Proposition 8–the California initiative to redefine marriage–is drawing in big bucks from around the country.
Supporters and opponents of a ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California have funneled $41.2 million into the race, more than the combined total spent in the 24 states [...]
I am going back and forth over this one. My insurance company says it covers $30 a day for rental while my BMW is being fixed. The responsible party’s insurance company says they will pay for a ‘comparable’ vehicle…
But I have heard three competing definitions of ‘comparable’–one is a price [...]
The Sacramento Bee fact-checks the latest television ad from the proponents of Proposition 8 and comes just short of calling it mendacious.
The ad contends the court ruling opens the way for people to be sued over personal beliefs, but California law already prohibits discrimination against anyone based on race, [...]
Although Hollywood celebrities love to speak out on political matters, when it comes to putting their money where their mouths are, it is another story.
Cindy McCain and Todd Palin raised money for John McCain at the Century Plaza Hotel on Oct. 1. Hillary Clinton was scheduled to attend a [...]
Tastes great, a 44-10 win over Oregon, but somehow it feels less than fulfilling.
On the scoreboard and on paper, USC’s third win of the 2008 season is as impressive as its first two. The Men of Troy outscored Oregon by 34 points and out-performed their offense [...]
Hey y’all…
I know I have been a bad blogger these last few days, but I have excuses and plenty of them!
Last Friday, I was rear-ended on the 5 freeway heading down to Anaheim, so I have been trying to deal with insurance companies and the like.
I also had a house [...]
I am not defending Sarah Palin or her church–but I do think that people really should not try to now claim that a candidate is what his or her pastor preaches. Really, now…
But here’s an assignment for anyone willing to do some research–look through the attendance records at Wasilla Assembly [...]
In an historic interview with the Washington Blade–the first with a LGBT publication by a Republican Presidential Nominee–John McCain reiterates his position on Proposition 8.
Blade: What is your position on California’s Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage there?
McCain: As I did in my home state of Arizona, I [...]
Working on the Republicans Against 8 campaign this morning, we tried uploading the “Freedom is a Republican Value” campaign video to AOL’s Uncut video service…but there was a hitch.
While tagging the video, we tried to use the ballot language for Proposition 8, which eliminates the rights of same-sex [...]
Republicans Against 8 released this response to the “Yes on 8″ television ads this morning, targeting female Republicans and reminding them about the party’s legacy of advancing rights–not taking them away.
I am sure just about everyone will find something to disagree with…
Well, not exactly… But the first ‘Yes on 8′ campaign ad should be counted as an in-kind contribution to the Jerry Brown for Governor campaign, as it basically tries to pit Californians against the San Francisco values of Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Frankly, I was expecting them to focus on their [...]
Late Saturday night, I was offered a seat on the California Republican Party Executive Committee. I turned it down. Had I been eligible for the position, I would have been part of an historically stupid move to take no position on Proposition 11–Governor Schwarzenegger’s redistricting reform initiative.
Some Republicans also [...]
On Wednesday, I wrote that there may indeed be a “Bradley Effect” going on with polling on Proposition 8–that people who understand that no Californian should be treated differently may tell pollsters they are against Proposition 8 even when they are really undecided or even for it.
The best way [...]
The saying for the day, which I wrote in the middle of the night last night whilst checking on not one but two drunken friends on my couches read: “Let’s start at the very beginning.”
Indeed, it’s a very good place to start.
For a team that hasn’t played sixty minutes of [...]
