To coincide with the launch of the Bid 2 Beat AIDS auction Bradford Shellhammer chatted with Chip Duckett, legendary NYC party promoter and the man behind the auction.

Chip, how did you get involved with LIFEbeat and who came up with the Bid2Beat auction?

I've worked with LIFEbeat for over eleven years, and we've done many benefits together, from after-concert parties to dance nights, so we know each other very well. And I'm an admitted eBay addict, so it just seemed natural — and happily, LIFEbeat agreed. This will be the ultimate celebrity tag sale!

Can you explain to our readers what LIFEbeat is all about?

LIFEbeat was founded in 1992 when Bob Caviano, Grace Jones' manager, wrote an editorial in Billboard disclosing the fact that he had AIDS and challenging the industry to mobilize. The response was terrific, and LIFEbeat was born. Over the years LIFEbeat has raised millions of dollars, which has gone to help small AIDS organizations nationwide, among other projects. Most importantly, it uses the power of music to reach young people. One of the coolest things LIFEbeat does is distributing HIV/AIDS information packages and condoms to hundreds of thousands of kids at concerts and clubs nationwide. Think about it — many young people don't have access to this at school, and would be intimidated around their parents. At concerts, they are free to get this info!

What are you expecting to get the biggest bid in the auction?

That's hard to say — there's a 2006 Vespa LX-50 sitting in the lobby of Sirius Satellite Radio, signed by Kanye West, Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, and about 50 other stars. But some wealthy, drunk drag queens may just battle it out for J. Lo's signed jogging suit or Beyonce's signed jeans and top that Vespa! (That means YOU, Dina Martina and Jackie Beat!)

Info on gay icons Lindsay Lohan, Madonna, and Bea Arthur after the jump.

CONTINUED »

Before there was Pink is the New Blog, Perez Hilton, or Jossip there was Andy Warhol. Most people know Mr. Warhol for his art, his films, and his wigs, but what many don’t know is that Andy was a first class gossip.

The Andy Warhol Diaries were written by Pat Hackett and pulled from phone conversations the artist had almost daily from the 1970s up until his death in 1987. When the rather large book was released posthumously in 1990, it acted as a social account of the 70s and 80s, a large bound edition chronicling the lives of Hollywood stars, New York society, and the glitterati of the art world.

The book is a fascinating read. Taking an insider view in the celebrity world, Andy dishes with the best of them, calling Liza, Liz, and Sophia Loren names. He talks smack about Jackie O and tells who was at Studio 54 and what they were doing.

In an age before celebrity rags and the Internet it seems perfect that Andy was first at this too. Those gossip mags and sites owe a lot to him. He was blogging before blogs even existed.

•Our fearless gay leader David Hauslaib of Jossip fame will be performing at the all blogger talent show WYSIWYG tonight. The blogerati will be out in full force for his debut.

•Disco Bloodbath author, club kid extraordinaire, and FOQ (Friend of Queerty) James St. James sent us a little note to help promote the fact that he will be featured on this week’s episode of America’s Next Top Model. OMG. We are so jealous happy of for him.

•After forgetting her name we hope Madonna pulls a Kathy Griffin on Guy.

•Be sure to catch Todd Oldham's new show Handmade Modern, where the designer makes "accessories and furnishings using the colorful and practical ideas inspired by mid-century modern design." We really just want to see the guest stars: Elizabeth Berkley, Joan Jett, Susan Sarandon, and Amy Sedaris.

•Lil' Kim's album drops today. It is unlikely she makes the launch party.