Category Archives: Gay

Dazzler of the Day: Daniel W. Green

As the problematic world of AI artwork swirls around us, it’s good to re-enforce the idea that I and so many others hold, which is that the artwork produced by human hands and our greatest living artists will never be successfully duplicated by any program, no matter how advanced. Human passion cannot and will not be reproduced by artificial intelligence; it will always ring hollow, because humans innately recognize and resonate with the work of another human. That brings us to this Dazzler of the Day, which goes to Daniel W. Green, an artist whose work bleeds with the fiery passion and exuberance that can only be produced by a real person invigorated and inspired by real life. Green specializes in oil paintings, many of which focus on the male form. Witness his work progress as seen in one example below (there are many, as Green is wondrously prolific). Check out more on the Dan Green Male Art page as well as his eBay page to purchase his work

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Gay Art Then, Gay Art Now

From the magnificent artwork of J.C. Leyendecker through to the gay pastiche of Ariana Grande’s latest song and video for ‘…yes, and?’ (with references and knowing nods to Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ and Paula Abdul‘s ‘Cold Hearted’) these not-so-hallowed electronic portals have been providing gay artistic fodder at all levels of such content. It may feel like blasphemy to place Grande aside such an artist as Leyendecker, but there is room for all styles and situations here, and I have no tolerance for anyone being snobby about it. 

The world wants to put everything and everyone into their own category and label. I’m all for the obliteration of such dividers, and the elimination of the hierarchical organization of art, and the way it’s critically received and graded. Too often we deny something value if it becomes incredibly popular, as if being wildly popular somehow detracts from its worth. Stuff and nonsense, and silly at its very heart. 

Like what you like and love what you love. You do you.

And I’ll do me.

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Dazzler of the Day: Michael DiMartino

Designer and owner of the charmingly sexy Pillow Top shop in Provincetown, MA, Michael DiMartino has been creating designs for the self-proclaimed ‘Queer Pop Home-O Shop’ in an effort to bring art into our everyday lives and objects. Currently the shop is offering some fantastical wrapping paper, which everyone needs right now, and the designs are delightfully queer-friendly. DiMartino earns this Dazzler of the Day thanks to inspiring whimsical designs with a sexy edge – the ideal juxtaposition for good-hearted holiday fun. Visit The Pillow Top website here for more information, and some dazzling home goods.

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Dazzler of the Day: Stewart Taylor

A Renaissance man who has moved deftly between modeling and music, Stewart Taylor is also an actor and song-writer who earns his first Dazzler of the Day feature with this post. He recently released a new song ‘Favorite Ex’ which can be heard and seen on his website here (along with much more magic).

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A Shirtless Gay Brigade

Much like this gratuitously-shirtless post of male celebrities, this post narrows in on those shirtless male celebs who happen to identify as LGBTQ+. The gays came to slay, starting with Jim Verraros, whose recent renaissance has been sparked by the anthemic dance club knock-out ‘Take My Bow’ – a welcome return to the musical landscape by the ‘Do Not Disturb’ singer. 

Tom Daley’s armpits get an airing in this very knowing photo he released, proving he knows exactly what he’s doing.

 

Gus Kenworthy knows what he’s doing too, as this auto strip-tease reveals. Kenworthy bares even more here and here

Matt Bomer in shirtless motion could be a post unto itself and perhaps it will be again, as it was in the beginning. 

LGBTQ+ trailblazer and heart-throb Wilson Cruz has a body matched only by his winning smile. 

The preferred wardrobe of Luke Evans should be the Speedo (when it isn’t total bare-ass nudity), as he has illustrated time and happy time again

Matthew Camp knows how to give good face, and even better body

With vocals as appealing as his visuals, Tom Goss presents a perfect package yet again. 

Josh Sabarra dazzles with his good looks as much as for his witty way with words

Finally, Olympian Adam Rippon has put his physically-honed body to good use on this blog, here and here and here

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This is a Gay Blog

In the unlikely event that anyone has forgotten, this is a very gay blog

ALANILAGAN.com is, and always will be, a gay blog

That’s all.

Gay.

Blog.

Periodt.

PS – Yes, this is a filler post because I don’t have a proper one in me today. 

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Dazzler of the Day: Tony Ardolino

Self-professed Italian Jersey boy Tony Ardolino is our reigning Mr. Gay World USA, and was just named runner-up for the international title. If you were as big a fan of the Miss America Pageant as some of us were growing up, this has all the right twists to earn him the Dazzler of the Day. While there’s no literal crown that comes with being a Dazzler, it’s all the honor I can bestow upon someone who is representing our country on the world stage. We need more feel-good moments like this. 

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Dazzler of the Day: Leslie Jordan

He’s been sober for 25 years, and that’s more than enough to merit this Dazzler of the Day, but in addition to that footnote, Leslie Jordan has been entertaining the world for decades. He’s finally come into his own social media prominence, thanks to his surprising success on Instagram – which was no surprise to anyone who’s followed his hilarious antics. Known by many from his turn on ‘Will & Grace’, Jordan has made appearances on about a bazillion shows over the years, thanks to his wit, hilarity and natural charm and charisma. 

Actor Leslie Jordan poses for a portrait at Pan Pacific Park in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles on Thursday, April 8, 2021 to promote his new book “How Y’all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived.” (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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Dazzler of the Day: Tom Goss

Singer/songwriter and performer Tom Goss is set to take the world by storm this September, as he has a string of live performances coming up, as well as new music. Upcoming Double Trouble tour dates can be found at his official website here, and that new work ‘Enemy of Good’ is set to be released on September 23. Today he is crowned Dazzler of the Day because no one dazzles quite so earnestly and exquisitely, eliciting smiles and joy and laughter, which is the secret to any artist’s happiness. Catch him live while he’s on the East Coast. 

PS – Bonus points for the jockstrap, and the banana.

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Dazzler of the Day: Billy Eichner

Hailed as the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio, ‘BROS’ is set to make history as its star Billy Eichner crests into the Hollywood stratosphere. From ‘Billy on the Street’ to ‘BROS’ Eichner makes a full career trajectory while pushing a gay rom-com into the land of the masses. It’s been a bit of a climb, but Eichner’s exuberant charm and roguish edge finally seem to have found they rightful way into mainstream pop culture, and there’s a giddy glee in realizing that for all of us who have been enamored from the beginning. Here he is as Dazzler of the Day for the first, and likely not the last, time. 

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Happy Gay Uncles Day!

Yes, this is a real thing, and you have probably forgotten to get me the gifts I so richly deserve, so hurry up and head to my Amazon Wish List to rectify the situation immediately. (My birthday is also coming up, so purchase accordingly.) As for Gay Uncles Day, it’s more of an amusement than anything else – I get enough joy out of seeing my niece and nephews that I don’t need a special day to commemorate my role as Guncle. That said, who am I to deny anyone the chance to send gifts on the second Sunday in August?

Recently, the twins asked whether I ever held them both in my arms at the same time – we were discussing how small Jaxon was and whether they were ever so small. I have several photos of me holding them both, but I think this is one of the last times I was able to physically do so. We won’t be recreating this anytime soon or later, unless I want a broken back. 

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Because Pride Still Matters

Ballet dancers and hairdressers and drag queens made it safe for football players to come out and not the other way around. Effeminate men who couldn’t hide who they were and were constantly told they were weak—because our misogynistic culture associates femininity with weakness—those guys made it safe for masculine men to come out.” ~ Dan Savage

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Everything’s Coming Up Rainbows

June 12, 2022 will mark the return of the Capital Pride Parade and Festival – a tradition that Albany has maintained since 1970 in some way or fashion. It feels especially important this year, with so many awful turns our country has taken in going backwards regarding equality and basic human rights. We are also in a tumultuous time where some have begun to question the simple need for an LGBTQ+ Pride Events (is Boston even having an official Pride celebration this year?)

I’ve always maintained that as long as there are people who are trying to take away or deny us our rights, and as long as there is homophobia, then yes, there is a definite need for it. And even if those things went away, there would still be a need to remember and honor all of those who fought and died for whatever we have today. Besides, the world needs some joy and love, and there is no more joyful and loving place than a Pride Parade and Festival.

Check out the Capital Pride Center’s page on this year’s Capital Pride Parade and Festival to find out ways in which you can take part in this important event. 

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Dazzler of the Day: JORDY

A person with such insouciant charm and magnetism deserves to have their names in all caps, and today we honor JORDY as Dazzler of the Day thanks to his creative talent and transfixing personality. His website offers more enchantment for those seeking to solve his mysteries, and he was recently announced as one of the headliners for this year’s Capital Pride Festival in Albany. His music, filled with catchy hooks and pop melodies, focuses on love and loneliness, giving listeners just a little bit more to chew on than your average pop song. 

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When You Don’t Say Gay

When I was growing up, no one talked about being gay, and when you don’t see yourself in the world you wonder at your worth, your value, and your entire existence. #SayGay

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