Wanda Sykes

Sarah and I went to Chicago's anti-Prop 8 march today. And hopefully tomorrow when I'm less exhausted I will blog about it. Meanwhile, I'd just like to share this news snippet with you (thanks to Sarah for the heads-up).

Wanda Sykes says she's 'proud to be gay'

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Comedian Wanda Sykes says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about being gay.

"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said.

Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked."

"Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay."

I have liked Wanda Sykes's comedy for awhile now. I think she stole a lot of scenes in Evan Almighty, for example. I also like to watch her on Youtube, something I started doing after a summer of watching Last Comic Standing. She's just really funny. And I really admire her.







It takes a lot of courage to be yourself, especially in Hollywood where every move you make is scrutinized. So hooray, Wanda Sykes! You are AWESOME!

Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

-Sonnet 116, William Shakespear


I wanted to write something eloquent and impassioned to argue against Proposition 8. But what could I contribute to the arguments I have heard this week? I know I only cast one ballot in the last election and didn't really volunteer or anything but I was really proud to help elect Barack Obama as president. I know the two issues are not really related; I don't live in California (for starters). But my new-found pride of being American was tempered when I heard about California's decision.

Briefly, this is what I believe:
1. Allowing two people to stand before each other and profess their love and union affects those two people, not anyone else.

2. Banning marriage based on something as arbitrary as the physical sex of the participants undermines EVERYONE'S marriage.

3. Allowing or banning gay marriage is not a religious issue. It's about civil rights. (And I will stand up for your civil rights when they are threatened too.)


Thus I am going to protest Prop. 8 on Saturday in Chicago. I hope that I will be joined by many, many people. And I hope that together we can make a difference.

I'd like to make a sign for the protest. Possibly like the one in the middle. Possibly the one on the right.

Feel the Rhythm in Your Bones

So I've been a bit MIA recently. Sorry? I've been occupied elsewhere. I saw Conor Oberst on Halloween (review to come, promise) and spent election night at Grant Park. Also having company this weekend which required some cleaning. Additionally, some things on the internet that have intrigued me recently (and will help distract you when I cannot):

1. Cute Boys Make Me Nervous


(Exhibit A)

I don't remember how I found this blog. Maybe on Bust's website. Basically this anonymous lady travels around and takes pictures of cute guys under the guise of running a fashion blog. This gives her an excuse to talk to hipsters who might otherwise intimidate her. I respect and admire that initiative.

2. I Can Has Cheez Burger



Basically the best LOLcat blog ever. So much awesomeness. Sometimes I read it in the living room and Sarah-Sarah gets le mad at me. But it's worth it. If you want to submit your own, there's also an online translator.

3. Yes We Carve



Sarah-Sarah and I carved pumpkins for Halloween. Mine is on the left. I think it turned out well given the knives we had at our disposal. And my lack of art skills.

4. the Election



I know it's all over (hooray America!) but the video is still sort of funny. Especially if you're a Gossip Girl fan. Which I am. It's the new Degrassi.

5. Devendra Banhart





I think his music* speaks for itself.

*by "music" I also mean "facial hair"