Here's the video of openly gay congressman Barney Frank announcing yesterday's hate crime legislative victory. We think he came in his pants...

• Well, not really, but we bet the incarcerated producer behind Girls Gone Wild he'd love to profit off of Prison Guys Gone Wild.

• Details flippantly deliver the "truth": their rag's a total fag. Guess they really did deserve that GLAAD award.

• Whoopi headed to The View? That makes sense: she's kind of like a black Rosie O'Donnell. Only "not" gay.

• Boise State University and conservative Idaho Family Alliance's Bryan Fischer's "Transgender Bathroom Wars" continue. Honestly, we didn't know they had begun...

• We dont' understand a word of French singer Zazie's 1992 jam, "Sucre Sale", but we dig the homo-flavored, naked model filled video.

• Scandal-ridden congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham denounced his anti-gay ways after buying a yacht from a bunch of butt pirates, according to Seth Hettena, author of Feasting on the Spoils. He told "Buoy Toys'" former owners,

I now vote pro-gay, and it's because of you [guys]... I'm sure I've met lots of gay people, but I've never met two guys that, you know, were outwardly gay and ... that I would consider drinking buddies and friends and boating buddies and people I want to spend time with ... that also said, 'Oh, by the way, I just happened to be gay.

The purchase even Cunningham to apologize to openly gay congressman Barney Frank for his homophobic potty mouth, according to Radar. The article also points out the yacht led to a bribery investigation that ended his career. We wonder if he's still keen on the queens.

Hordes of people crammed into the House yesterday to listen as Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and friends reintroduced the ever-controversial Employment Non-Discrimination Act. As you know, the act will bar employers from firing or refusing to hire based on sexuality or gender identity. While some states have similar laws, this federal plan would finally equalize the country - forty-four states still allow trans discrimination, thirty-three can legally spit in gay eyes.

Many conservatives, however, see ENDA as a sinister sissie plot to take over America. Frank - the first openly gay Representative - made clear that the Act's not about a take over, but about full equality. He even drawled:

Opponents of this sometimes say this it's some deep, dark plot to make some of them like some of us. Let me say at the outset that my indifference to whether a lot of these people think well of me or not cannot be overestimated. This has nothing to do with seeking anybody's approval. It is seeking people's right to be able to get a job, to get promoted, to be treated on the job solely on job performance.

Barney Frank, will you marry us?

[Read On ...]

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act stands as one of the most contested legislative proposals in American history. The Act will make it illegal for employers to fire or refuse to hire gay, lesbian and transgendered employees. Though it's been squashed in the past, openly gay representative Barney Frank and his allies will reintroduce the controversial measure this afternoon. The HRC-endorsed press release reads:

On Tuesday, April 24, at 1:00 p.m., Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.; and Chris Shays, R-Conn., will introduce the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill addresses discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The release goes on to explain that it's still legal to fire gays in thrity-three states and trangendered persons get the short end of the stick in forty-four. Meanwhile, the proposed law's Iowan couson isn't as potent as some people would prefer, largely for political reasons. The Des Moines Register reports that the bill will allow employers to enforce gendered dress codes, thus placating hesitant Republicans.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Democrat from Des Moines, said Monday night that the proposal could be debated as soon as Wednesday.

The deciding factor could be a provision that allows employers to maintain dress codes as they see appropriate, McCarthy said. That change could help some Republicans support the idea, which would create enough support for the proposal to pass.

"If that's something that folks need on their side of the aisle in order for them to unlock their people, then that's something we're willing to accept," McCarthy said.

Poor trannies. Always getting the short end of the stick...

[Read On ...]

• Slowly but surely, Madonna's becoming a woman.

• The Jewish Theological Seminary has decided to admit queers. Why can't all religions be so cool?

• A group of techie jokesters hacked Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's MySpace and declared, "Today I announce that I have reversed my position and come out in full support of gay marriage…particularly marriage between two passionate females." This, of course, makes one think of McCain masturbating which leads to severe psychological scarring. Thanks, guys...

• Democratic Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts on gay marriage: "After a couple years, the average heterosexual person forgets gay marriage is there."

• A church security guard apparently pulled a gun on someone trying to take pictures of Britney Spears. Um, church security guards carry guns?

• Greg Scarnici makes a better looking Fergie than Fergie herself.

• Former American Family Association Attorney Joe R Murray on homophobia: "The gay issue is a human issue, and thus I strongly believe that it must be approached with concern and compassion. Furthermore, the individuals engaging in the debate must recognized that behind the theories there are real life human beings that are made in the image of the Creator." We just shat our pants. In a good way, of course...

• Gay performer Charles Knipp aka Shirley Q. Liquor is apparently "not a racist".

• The Pussycat Dolls are coming to reality-TV. Licking our chops. [THR]

• The Oregon student who was expelled for making a short film based on Brokeback Mountain has been allowed back in school, after he told his story on Howard Stern and totally humiliated all the school officials. This story also known as "Everything Gay Gets Blown Way Out Of Proportion." [The Advocate]

• A man out cruising stumbles upon a murder--and sucks up his pride, admits what he was doing, and testifies in court as to what he saw. So many men would have run the other way and never reported the crime, just to protect themselves; this guy is a champ. Good for him. [icWales]

• Reason #427,581 we absolutely love Rep. Barney Frank and are thrilled to have him in Congress. Citizens of Massachusetts, please never let the man retire. [Gay.com] and [365 Gay]

• Barney Frank has started a catfight with Condoleezza Rice. Our money's on Frank, but we're not ones to totally discount a Ferragamo-wearing, Lauren Green admiring piano player. [The Advocate]

• It isn't looking good for Q Televison. The've shut down production on all shows. That could leave Friends of Queerty Sandra Bernhard and Riechen out of a job. [Out]

• We'll have a great replacement if the plug is officially pulled on Q TV. Bravo is partnering with PlanetOut on a web-based channel. Could Bravo get any gayer? [NY Times]

• More evidence surfaces that Jacob Robida was unstable. He left a note saying he was planning "something violent." [AP via Yahoo]

• There's no reason why Tony Curtis, who dressed in drag in Some Like It Hot and raves about the homo-friendly Harry Potter movies, should not be a fan of Brokeback Mountain. [Contact Music]

• His ex-wife may look like a drag queen but Tommy Lee isn't really into trannies. [Gay Guide Toronto]

One of our favorite political heroes, out congressman Barney Frank, has been pretty vocal these days. In an interview with the AP he talks gay marriage, his own future ambitions, and rips into who we predict could one day be an even stronger gay foe this year and beyond, Massachusetts governor (and potential 2008 Presidential candidate) Mitt Romney.

Frank said Romney is targeting conservatives who dominate the Republican presidential primary process, trying to become the right-wing alternative to U.S. senator John McCain of Arizona. "Romney sees himself as having the best chance to be an alternative to McCain," Frank said. "He's moved way conservative. That's his strategy." Frank said he was not bothered by Romney's frequent out-of-state trips to test the presidential primary waters. "What hurts the state is his belittling of the state—his caricaturing and stereotyping of the state," he said. "That's damaging."

You go, Barney! Show him who is boss! Too bad this country isn’t ready for a queer in the White House. We’d so vote for Barney Frank in 2008.

Frank denounces groups trying to ban same-sex marriage in Massachusetts [The Advoacte]

• The Britney and Kevin sex tape is up for auction. Real or fake, we think we should be paid $1,000,000 to see Kevin Federline bare ass naked. Not the other way around. [My E Bid]

• Gay English and Welsh couples are now allowed to adopt little rugrats of their own. [Reuters UK]

• We don’t think the rumors about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ baby being the reincarnated gay son of L. Ron Hubbard are true. That would imply that the baby might actually be Cruise’s. [NY Post].

• Our favorite political ally, Barney Frank, comes out swinging against the army for not doing enough about queer soldier Kyle Lawson's gay-bashing a few months back. You don't want to piss this queen off. [Advocate]

• Something always did seem a bit bitchy about the dad in Family Circus. [World of Wonder]

• The gay marriage ban is upheld in Oregon and opponents focus on Tuesday's vote in Texas. And to celebrate the KKK will be rallying this weekend. Through their white hoods: "We certainly don't want any of our people hurt nor any city officials." But if you fall outside either of those categories, all bets are off.

• Tonight's the night. Brazilians, gay and straight alike, get ready for a possible male lip lock on the tube.

• We like to think Barney Frank would fight to make sure he gets a spot on any gay cock, er, caucus in the Massachusetss State House.

• Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi plan to have children together. Baby names we like: Dina DeGeneres and Dean De Rossi.

• This has been driving us crazy all day. If Laila Ali and Queen Latifah are really a couple, then who is the dominant one?(Via A Socialite's Life)

What could be more fabulous than the name of the Speaker of the House of the Vermont Legislature, Gaye Symington? We’ll tell you. It’s that Gaye, along with about 90 other Vermont lawmakers, has signed a letter asking Congress to extend to people in civil unions all federal legal and financial benefits heretofore reserved for married hets.

The benefits those Vermonters want given to civil union couples involve tax filing rights, inheritance rights and immigration law. By way of example, under current law if an American woman weds a man from Timbuktu, the Timbuktuian is eligible to become a U.S. citizen. If the same American woman enters into a civil union with a woman from Timbuktu, however, that female can barely order rocky road at a Baskin-Robbins without getting deported.

The Vermonters’ letter quotes our dear friend George W. Bush, who last year said he does not oppose states offering civil unions to same sex couples. For the record, Queerty does not oppose remedial education for Republican leaders. Those interested in the courses should know that you can only study “How to Respond to a Hurricane” after taking “How to Staff FEMA 101.” The Vermont letter is being given to out Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts so he can deliver it in gay person. If there are any Republicans not being indicted in Washington this week, we hope they give this letter its due consideration.

There aren’t many out politicians in the U.S. Hell, most are squirreled away in the closet living with their own Chief of Staff (*cough, cough* David Dreier). Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank made his fondness for dudes known way back when Aaron Carter was singing awful pop songs in his diapers. The “All-Gay, All-the-Time” Boston Globe in its weekly magazine features an extensive profile on Frank, The country’s most visible gay politician. Bill Clinton has nothing on him. The man has survived a sex scandal with a young rentboy to come out on top (pun intended) and easily hold onto his seat in Congress.

Frank talks about how little his fellow legislators cared about his sexuality upon coming out to them:

I'm the only one who still thinks of myself as gay, because I'm thinking of what I did last weekend in Provincetown. I have been pleasantly surprised in how little difference it has made for my constituents and my colleagues.

We hope the unflattering, Tom Delay-like sneer he sports on the Globe cover photo doesn’t deter any future 20-year old conquests during future weekend shindigs in P-Town.