The Column of Life

OK, so far Mr. Dapper has not blazed any amazing trails acting. However, as a model he certainly knows how to transform himself and every transformation is delectable. He is our main man for this week's Beefcake course and we are simply grateful that he's here. From Wikipedia: San Francisco Bay area native Marco Dominic Dapper arrived in Hollywood in 2003 and went right to work pursuing his passion of becoming a professional actor. Along the way, he landed several European modeling assignments and more recently, a campaign for Levi's Jeans for the Asian market ... Dapper, after being discovered by scouts for NBC and appearing on Meet My Folks, landed his very first film role in the independent feature Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds . To his surprise, he developed a huge fan base from that experience, which is apparent as he traveled the country promoting the release of the film on DVD (he appears in the cover art). Prior to getting the role, Dapper worked in a UPS warehouse a

What a pleasure to find Ellie Krieger smiling from the newstand. Fine Cooking had the good sense to put out a special issue called Eat Smart with recipes from the voice of reason from The Food Network , or, at least, what used to be the voice in complete opposition to much put forth there lately. One recipe almost chosen is out of season, although delicious but we're going to wait. However, it's one to have and it's "sexy" and it involves fresh figs. Check it out. The edition is smartly published with good recipes and something that is definitely worth the while. Well, winter won't be here for much longer, but if you're still into the season, here's a great Krieger recipe using butternut squash. So, we'll present it here with a young man presented on the cyber pages of DNA with the unlikely name of Thakur Wint--still a rose by any other name is still a rose and his images are the perfect accompaniment for a warm winter lunch.

Topped by Mark Dalton, well known in the life and you can see why.

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Most analysts haven't noticed, but a major social revolution is taking place in Latin America. The region is becoming gayer. It's not that there are more gays and lesbians living in Latin America (we would never know). Rather, the region is becoming more gay-friendly. A generation ago, Latin America was the land of the closet and the home of the macho. Today, movements fighting for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are taking advantage of the region's more globalized, open regimes. They are promoting their cause through smart, mainstream political and economic alliances. So, though closets and machos are still ubiquitous, Latin America is now the site of some of the most pro-gay legislation in the developing world. Go here for the rest of Javier Corrales' article .

And we like the distinctive quality part of the definition. Main Entry: 1sa·vor Variant(s): also sa·vour \ˈsā-vər\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French savur, from Latin sapor, from sapere to taste — more at sage Date: 13th century 1 : the taste or smell of something 2 : a particular flavor or smell 3 : a distinctive quality Interesting that in Modern Italian sapere means "to know." [Speaking of Top Chef : Go, Carla!]

We've run out of gay Harveys to post about, therefore, we're moving on to gay Teds and this one is quite fetching and talented. He can be seen in Loaded . He had this to say about that: When I was offered the role I have to admit I was a little hesitant to accept. Loaded makes no apologies. Elliot Potts courageously wrote a play about issues in the gay community that most of us tip toe around and are either too afraid of or too uncomfortable to talk about. The character I play (Patrick) is very opinionated and not very likable. Yet the more I read the play and got to know him, the more I connected with his humanity and ultimately I knew I wanted to tell his story as best I could. In truth, after my first audition I knew that I would have to accept the part if it was offered to me. My heart told me that it was an important play with an important message. I'm grateful for my intuition.

Dear President Obama. While fighting for the abolition of slavery, one politician qualified his stance, "I have never been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people." That politician was Abraham Lincoln. Obviously time and experience brought Mr Lincoln to what would have been called the extremist view; that freedom cannot be compromised just to appease the majority. And so he made a grander gesture reminding us of "...a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal". Passing a law would change the course of slavery, but those words changed the course of the history. Mr Obama, I have heard you speak eloquently in favor of inclusion for gays and lesbians. But then you sternly state your opposition to marriage rights. It leaves me wondering if you are straining to be politic or, if like Lincoln, your views still need maturing. Days after yo

"There's no question, I'm so proud of Sean," said Jones, on his way to a post Oscars celebration Sunday night. "Tonight the movement (towards equal rights) was significantly advanced. There is a strategy. There is a way to move forward." Jones said he hopes to use the momentum of the film to work for equal rights legislation on the federal level that would afford gays the same rights as straights - similar to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Jones was a real-life protege of Harvey Milk, the nation's first openly gay man elected to major office. Penn portrayed Milk in the film, and Jones attended the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles. Penn mentioned Jones in his acceptance speech, calling him "the great Cleve Jones." "It was lovely," Jones said of Penn's nod. "But you know, I'm not a movie star. I'm a union organizer." He works with UNITE HERE, a union that advocates for hotel and textile workers in North America. More here

To Mr. Sean Penn: You're brilliant! Not only did you do your best to bring Mr. Milk to life, but you accepted your award true to the character you portrayed and very much in the spirit of the piece. "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns," Penn began in accepting the prize. "I did not expect this and I want it to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often." ...For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame, and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone.”

Phil Spector actually had nothing to do with these cuts playing right now. They are, in a sense, tributes to "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers, the most played song in the world and Mr. Spector's capolavoro . Phil's reputation comes more from quality and technique as opposed to actual hits. The ones that made the top ten are actually few and far between, but the ones that did were brilliant. Those posted tonight are copies of the style and brilliant on their own. The least known is PJ Proby's "I Can't Make It Alone" written specifically for Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They never got around to recording it. PJ does it justice singing with himself.

Here's beefcake that may not make you sleepy, but will certainly get you in the mood for bed.

Well, in anticipation of Spring, the April issue of Eating Well arrived in the plush offices of Column of Life. Tl let you know what a great and useful magazine here is posted something worthwhile for lunch. It was also worth our while to peruse and plunder the pages of the March issue of Men's Exercise and no, the obvious choice for an image from that edition was not stolen. You'll have to go steal Mr. Francheti for yourself.

Hot oatmeal will do quite nicely. Got milk?

Law & Order: SVU ’s Christopher Meloni – there are few who are more generous– has once again stepped up to help us raise funds. He will graciously sign this photograph to the specifications of the winning bidder. He will sign whatever you want to. Half the funds will go directly to GMHC from eBay and the other half will become part of the POZ team's effort for AIDS Walk New York: to help with Love Out Loud on May 13th at Prohibition and the team's collected funds. ________________________________________ POZ is the premier lifestyle, treatment and advocacy magazine for people living with—and those affected by—HIV and AIDS. The award-winning magazine provides the most complete and expert HIV/AIDS information available in the United States. Together, the magazine and website reach more than 70 percent of all of those people living with HIV/AIDS who are aware of their status, inspiring and empowering in readership. The website provides extensive opportunity for both public a

If David Chokachi were to come out of the closet, he would not be the first actor from Baywatch to do so. Jaason Simmons came out last year and married his boyfriend. The guys over at Datalounge have a thread dedicated to Mr. Chokachi, of late one of the members of Confessions of Teen Idol . If the revelation need be made, the very handsome and rather intelligent actor need only check out how great Neil Patrick Harris is doing. By the way, David, if you're not no need to have a press conference. ... Just appreciate your gay fans. No doubt there are many. They tend to be loyal and will probably follow you anywhere.