Good News: Drug Cheat Lance Armstrong Stripped Of Seven Tour de France Titles Banned From Cycling!!!!

Armstrong will not fight doping charges any longer

By Christine Brennan, USA TODAY

Lance Armstrong, the sports world’s ultimate battler, has given up. He announced Thursday night that he will not contest the very serious charges by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that he engaged in a massive doping conspiracy for 13 years, which means the seven-time Tour de France winner and famous cancer survivor now has officially earned himself another title:

Keeping Score

By Christine Brennan

• Laurent Rebours, APLance Armstrong is expected to be strippped of his Tour de France cycling titles.

Lance Armstrong is Ben Johnson. Lance Armstrong is Marion Jones. By giving up rather than choosing to go to arbitration, as many others have to try to prove their innocence, Armstrong clearly understood that he would officially be stripped of his Tour de France titles.

He said in an angry and pointed statement Thursday night that USADA “cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles,” but that is exactly what the organization is authorized to recommend to Tour officials, and what it fully intends to do very soon. Armstrong said he will sue USADA if and when that happens.

“I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours,” he wrote.

Tour de France runnersup

The following cyclists finished second to Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong during Armstrong’s seven consecutive victories and are in position now to move to the top spot:-1999: Alex Zulle, Switzerland

-2000: Jan Ullrich, Germany

-2001: Jan Ullrich, Germany

-2002: Joseba Beloki, Spain

-2003: Jan Ullrich, Germany

-2004: Andreas Kloden, Germany

-2005: Ivan Basso, Italy

Source: Tour de France official website.

That all is well and good, but that’s just like Johnson still maintaining he crossed the finish line first in the men’s 100 meters at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, or Jones still insisting she beat everyone else to win the women’s 100 meters at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

The official records of the Olympics and/or international sports say otherwise. Because those athletes cheated and were caught, in accordance with long-since agreed upon international anti-doping rules, those performances no longer exist. They have been wiped from the record books.

And so it will be with Armstrong’s Tour titles, no matter how long he protests into the night.

Why didn’t Armstrong continue to fight through the long-established channels? Why succumb in this manner, knowing that by giving up, his reputation will be immediately and likely irrevocably altered?

He says it’s because he was not in a fair fight with USADA. He went to federal court in Austin, Texas, to try to prevent the agency from proceeding with its case against him. On Monday, the court threw out his lawsuit, saying that “Armstrong’s due process challenges …are without merit … the court finds they are best resolved through the well-established system of international arbitration, by those with expertise in the field, rather than by the unilateral edict of a single nation’s courts.”

It was as if Armstrong wanted to play by his own set of rules, on his own special playing field.

USADA rightly was pleased with the court’s ruling. In a statement, USADA CEO Travis Tygart gave context that was sorely needed in this case:

“We are pleased that the federal court in Austin, Texas has dismissed Lance Armstrong’s lawsuit and upheld the established rules which provide Congressionally-mandated due process for all athletes. The rules in place have protected the rights of athletes for over a decade in every case USADA has adjudicated and we look forward to a timely, public arbitration hearing in this case, should Mr. Armstrong choose, where the evidence can be presented, witness testimony will be given under oath and subject to cross examination, and an independent panel of arbitrators will determine the outcome of the case.”

Armstrong, clearly believing there should be a set of rules only for him, chose not to fight that battle. He picked a stunning time to do something we’ve never seen him do before: quit.

Days Of Our Lives Fans Accuse Openly Gay Producer Greg Meng & Writers Of Homophobia Because Will Horton’s Explicit Sex Scene With A Woman!!!

I noticed on the internet today many fans of the American soap Days Of Our Lives are upset about yesterday’s episode. The character Will Horton had an explicit sex scene with his female friend Gabi. The main complaint of the pro gay audience is, why would Days invest so much time and energy for Will to come out for him to suddenly have sex with a woman? If Will was so upset to see Sonny getting close to Brian why not have Will have sex with another man? The reason Will didn’t have sex with another man is because Days Of Our Lives is avoiding broadcasting gay men kissing and being intimate on television.

The dangerous message Days Of Our Lives is sending to the audience is being gay is a choice and it is not! Homosexuality is a sexual orientation it is not a choice.

Would Days allow the heterosexual hunks Chad, Brady, Rafe, EJ, or Daniel to have sex with each other if they were upset over a woman?

Greg Meng the executive producer of Days Of Our Lives is an openly gay man! It is shocking and disappointing that despite Greg Meng having incredible power that he allowed this homophobia to engender itself on television. What does it say that a gay man in power at a high profile television show doesn’t even stop the homophobia?

Earlier this year the gay rights organization GLAAD praised Days Of Our Lives for the gay storyline. However, online fans complained that the character Will Horton didn’t have to do much except cry a couple of times. Will only kissed one guy Neil back in February prior to Tuesday’s gay kiss with his best friend Sonny.

Neither Will or Sonny have had a gay sex scene on Days. It appears that Days wants their cake and eat it to which is abhorrent! Days Of Our Lives wants to appear progressive while still promoting homophobia that young gay male characters are prohibited from having sex on television.

A lot of heterosexual women and lesbian women actually WANT to see Will, Sonny, and Brian have love scenes on television! The old excuse that women don’t want to see attractive gay men on television have sex is false! For instance, Brokeback Mountain crossed over and appealed to heterosexual women the film grossed over $178 million dollars world wide. Women weren’t freaked out by seeing hot actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger have anal sex on the silver screen. Women loved it!

One argument is, Will is not accepting of his homosexuality and so he turns to Gabi for comfort. Also, in yesterday’s episode Will is jealous and upset because his potential love interest Sonny is spending time with his friend Brian. Will enters the coffee house and sees Brian removing creme from Sonny’s face.

However, since I started watching Days I noticed that the character Sonny has never had a sex scene! Sonny is supposed to be openly gay and proud yet he only kissed a guy for the first time earlier this week! If Days Of Our Lives doesn’t want to treat gay characters with respect why have them on the show? It doesn’t make any sense! The double standards and the homophobia is offensive!

Will the audience ever get to see Brian, Sonny, or Will roll around in a bed in their underwear making out in an intense sex scene on a bed? Everyone already knows the answer to this question. It is the year 2012, and gay men are still treated as second class citizens compared to heterosexual male characters on television.

It is only fair that Sonny, Will, Brian, are allowed to kiss passionately and make out on a bed just like the straight characters Chad and Melanie!

There is this reticence from the Days Of Our Lives producers which is deleterious, hypocritical, and pernicious! The audience already knows Sonny, Brian, and Will are gay so why not give the gay male characters the same respect in relation to the sex scenes?

Coming out of the closet is only one part of being openly gay the other part also deals with sex and relationships. Soap Operas focus on the love lives of the heterosexual characters yet the gay male characters are treated like they exist in anterior time.

It is time for Days Of Our Lives to step into the twenty first century and stop insulting the intelligence of the audience!

LA Complex New Episode: Kal Tries To Please His Father By Dating A Woman While Still Denying His Homosexual Desires!!!

First, I just want to let people know there is a petition to save the LA Complex so a third season can be created. If you love the LA Complex show please sign the petition and spread the word.

Here is the link: http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/bell-media-muchmusic-the-cw-ctv-epitome…

I wish the LA Complex was getting more press in the black media in North America. It is interesting for me to watch the gay storyline on the NBC soap Days Of Our Lives and the gay storyline on LA Complex. It would be awesome if Ebony, Essence, Upscale, Source, and the rest of the black press paid attention to the LA Complex.

Last night on the LA Complex, Kal’s father sets him up on a date with a beautiful young woman. She  is a social worker and she works with disadvantaged people in Los Angeles. However, at the restaurant Kal sees an attractive male waiter and he can’t keep his eyes off of him. Kal is trying to please his father while denying his homosexuality.

I miss Kal’s ex boyfriend Tariq he moved back to Montreal. I think Tariq will appear return to the LA Complex soon. I doubt Tariq and Kal will get back together after Kal brutally attacked him.

I understand stories need controversy and conflict, but why do gay male characters on television always have to date women? Kal kisses Donna but he’s not attracted to women he desires other men.

The issue of race is important when examining both LA Complex and Days of Our Lives.  On the LA Complex, it isn’t a white universe where everyone is rich and white. By contrast, on Days Of Our Lives, there is hardly any racial diversity and almost all the characters are white and middle to upper class.

LA Complex is important because it is one of the rare television shows which is telling a gay storyline from a non Eurocentric perspective.

It is refreshing to actually watch television and see black gay men, see the complexity of our lives depicted on the small screen.

Although, the LA Complex isn’t perfect, the Kaldrick and Tariq storyline is a step in the right direction.

The general public needs to know that not all gay people are white or rich and live fabulous lives in the suburbs.

I believe the LA Complex actually takes more risks that Days Of Our Lives because it is actually a Canadian show. Mainstream American television is still very homophobic and reticent about male homosexuality. Remember, in Canada gays and lesbians have appeared on television in positive roles since the 1980s on Degrassi Junior High.

I think in the black community we need to have a more open dialogue about male homosexuality. The R&B singer Frank Ocean’s decision to come out of the closet last month and declare he is sexually attracted to other men is powerful. Suddenly,  a quick google search and there are discussions online about black men and homosexuality.

However, the LA Complex is a television show, and I think the writers are trying to illustrate the difficulty Kaldrick King has with coming out. Some people have asked, why doesn’t Kal just come out of the closet? There are multiple reasons why Kal can’t just come out and declare he is gay. First, Kal is a celebrity if he comes out of the closet it can hurt his brand.

Now, one argument is that Frank Ocean came out of the closet but he’s a singer not a rapper. In the hip hop industry, a black male is framed as having a ferocious heterosexuality. The black man has to be masculine, strong, powerful, promiscuous ,and of course straight.

Of course, the hyper heterosexuality of male hip hop artists is full of stereotypes but this is what the audience wants to purchase. In the real world, black men we are diverse, some of us are masculine, some of us are feminine, and some of us are in between.

Soap Drama: Y&R Star Greg Rikaart Calls Days Of Our Lives Star Melissa Reeves An Anti Gay Bully For Supporting Chick Fil A!!!

• 

Greg Rikaart

His rap sheet already includes arson, computer hacking, kidnapping and bank robbery and nowThe Young and the Restless‘ Kevin Fisher is once again a wanted man. Only this time he’s innocent! Well, sort of. The mousey man-child — played by the hilariously touching Greg Rikaart— has been implicated in the sudden death of blackmailing shrink Tim Reid (Aaron Lustig). Kevin’s only real offense here was being coerced by his pal Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) into helping her relocate the corpse, a la Weekend at Bernie’s. But tell that to the Genoa City cops! TV Guide Magazine spoke with the Emmy-winning Rikaart about his latest run-in with the law and — of course! — his controversial Twitter beef withDays of Our Lives star Melissa Reeves.

TV Guide Magazine: Is Kevin ever going to grow a pair? Then again, do we want him to? It’s always such a blast watching him squirm and twitch and sweat.
Rikaart: Oh, I think Kevin has a pair but he’s malleable. He can be a real sucker, especially with a powerful lady like Phyllis. He is so easily manipulated and prone to bad decisions but that’s what’s fun about him. He’s best when he’s in panic mode. It’s never interesting when things go his way.

TV Guide Magazine: He wouldn’t be in this current mess if he was a better liar. Claiming he was an encyclopedia salesman when he got spotted at Tim Reid’s apartment wasn’t the best idea.
Rikaart: [Laughs] He is a dreadful liar! Leave it to Kevin to raise suspicion by coming up with an occupation that hasn’t been relevant since 1985! He’s really going to freak when he finds out Tim’s landlady, Beth [Brett Butler], has described him to the authorities. Now they have an extremely accurate police sketch.

TV Guide Magazine: So accurate that I hear even Kevin’s brother, Michael [Christian LeBlanc], will think he has a shady connection to Reid’s death.
Rikaart: Kevin is so ethically challenged it was only a matter of time before he and Michael were on opposite sides of the law, especially now that Michael is the D.A. Before this, Kevin always went to his brother for help. Not this time. He decides to lie to him, which only make things worse. Michael will insist that Kevin come down to the police station and meet with Beth face-to-face. But it’s really no crime to move a dead body…is it?

TV Guide Magazine: Uh, I think it might be obstruction of justice. Or close enough.
Rikaart: Yeah, but compared to some of Kevin’s other crimes, it’s nothing.

TV Guide Magazine: Like the time he was the Chipmunk Bandit?
Rikaart: [Laughs] That became such a joke between me and [former head writer-exec producer] Maria Bell. Whenever I would see her during that bank robbery storyline I would say, “Uh, did I do something? Are you mad at me? Do I need to apologize for something?” That story was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It was hard to make it make sense.

TV Guide Magazine: So what’s your feeling on the big exec producer-head writer switch at Y&R?
Rikaart: Oooh, that’s a loaded question, Michael Logan!

TV Guide Magazine: It is?
Rikaart: Let’s see…what can I say?

TV Guide Magazine: Jeez, I didn’t mean to throw you.
Rikaart: Well…I always enjoyed Josh Griffith’s writing when he was here last time and I’m looking forward to working with him again.

TV Guide Magazine: And your new exec producer Jill Phelps…?
Rikaart: I’ve known her casually over the years and it’s exciting to get a chance to work with her.

TV Guide Magazine: Alrighty then. Let’s go to a topic you do have lots of opinions about — your Chick-fil-A war with Melissa Reeves. Your tweets and follow-up piece in the Huffington Post won you a lot of support, yet you also heard from people who thought you were unfair and out of line. Where you at with all that?
Rikaart: It was very disappointing to read some of the responses. I did get a lot of support but the general tone of political discourse in this country is very disheartening. I was getting challenged by some people for having attacked Melissa Reeves when, frankly, what I said was anything but an attack. I expressed my disappointment that she has aligned herself with a company that promotes hatred and bigotry, and I stand by that. I welcome a conversation with her. It’s the only way people on different sides of an issue can meet in the middle and understand each other’s point of view. I would have loved that opportunity with Melissa but she blocked me from her Twitter account. [Reeves subsequently blocked everybody by shutting down the account.]

TV Guide Magazine: Is Twitter the best place for such discourse? Isn’t all that short, hot, frenzied commentary, much of which can be misinterpreted, only adding to the discord? Just throwin’ it out there.
Rikaart: Well, maybe, but on the flip side I feel like I have this tiny bit of notoriety and it’s my soapbox. Because of what I do professionally, people are interested in what I have to say on Twitter and it’s nice to be able to stand up for the things I believe in.

TV Guide Magazine: Some folks feel you attacked Reeves’ right to free speech.
Rikaart: No one is saying that Melissa Reeves doesn’t have a right to free speech. Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, is also entitled to his opinions and beliefs but he’s funding organizations that are hate groups, organizations that want to criminalize homosexuality in this country and throughout the world, and that’s where Melissa Reeves’ alignment is really disappointing to me. I am proud to stand up and be an advocate for LGBT rights. This is the last hurdle of the civil rights movement. I’m glad this is such a hot-button issue. I’m glad people are so impassioned about it, even the people who are against equality for all Americans because they are reacting out of fear, fear that the LGBT community is winning. And it is winning! Part of why I stand up and am proud to be an advocate is because this is less about grownups than it is about children. This is no different than kids being bullied in a schoolyard. People wonder why there is an epidemic of bullying in this country. Well, it’s because kids are learning it from the grownups, from people like Melissa Reeves who is a grown-up bully. I believe in respecting everyone’s religious beliefs but those beliefs don’t belong anywhere near my rights or anyone else’s.

Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Days Of Our Lives Clip: Will Freaks Out After Sonny Kisses Him, They Have An Argument & Sonny Ends Up Talking To Brian.

Sonny and Will friendship finally escalated to the next level after Sonny kisses him. Will freaks out, and the two men have an argument.

The acting in this scene is excellent, Freddie Smith he makes the audience believe that his character Sonny is deeply in love with Will. I appreciated the sensitivity and the facial expressions of both actors during the brief kiss. It is important for viewers to look at Freddie’s eyes during this scene because prior to the kiss the audience can see his eyes are full of passion and desire.  By contrast, Chandler Massey’s character Will illustrates with his face he is confused about his feelings. Will is conflicted, he is obviously attracted to Sonny but he isn’t comfortable being gay.

After Will lashes out at Sonny, obviously he is  hurt because he got rejected by Will. For almost a year, Sonny has tried to be supportive of Will, listening to all his problems. After the disaster in Salem, I think Sonny couldn’t hide his feelings anymore and he kissed Will. In a previous episode, Will was confronted by the homophobe Tad so he wasn’t in a good place emotionally.

However, Will lashing out at Sonny is cruel and unfair. I can see Sonny’s perspective that Will has lead him on for months! For many months fans of the show have noticed Will flirting with Sonny by rubbing his leg, holding him in a deep embrace, telling him how special and wonderful he is. Will has presented Sonny with mixed signals and so Sonny thought that Will has the same feelings.

Another point to consider though is, I can also see Will’s perspective he didn’t specifically tell Sonny he is sexually attracted to him or he wanted to be kissed. One of the flaws with the writing on Days of Our Lives is, the writers haven’t illustrated to the audience that Will is in love with Sonny. This gay romance is too one sided, it is told mostly from Will’s point of view and the audience hasn’t seen Sonny’s perspective.

According to Freddie Smith’s recent media interviews, he indicates that Sonny’s point of view is going to be explored more in the next few months. I hope this is true, because the writing needs to improve.

Some fans are upset because in Wednesday’s episode, Will is going to have sex with Gabi his female friend. A few months ago on Days Of Our Lives Will came out of the closet declaring he is gay. Some fans argue that the writers and producers of Days are homophobic.

I am hopeful that Brant Daugherty’s character Brian stays on the show for a while. In the final scene in the coffee house, Brian is clearly attracted to Sonny and he seems very bold and confident. Brian senses Sonny is upset and he wants to talk to him.

I think Brian is a more suitable love interest for Sonny than Will because he is openly gay and proud. Brian also seems more mature than Will and he seems to be very careful in showing Sonny that he’s attracted to him. For the next few episodes, Brian is going to act like a confidant to Sonny he is going to listen to his problems as he whines about Will. However, in the July 2nd 2012 episode Brian warned Sonny that Will is a closet case and he’s wasting his time with him.

I thought it was wonderful when Will walks into the coffee house and  he sees Brian removing the creme from Sonny’s nose and face. Will is clearly jealous but I think he needs to be because he’s taken Sonny for granted for far too long.

TV Guide Interview: Good News Actress Nadja Bjorlin Returns To Days Of Our Lives In January 2013!!

Nadia Bjorlin

Will it be the revenge of the hooker? Fan fave and raving beauty Nadia Bjorlin is heading back to NBC’s Days of Our Lives as Chloe Lane just a year after being let go as part of a major cast purge. The actress will report for work in late September but is not expected to hit the air until…wait for it…January 4, 2013. Yep, Days is shooting that far ahead these days. But Bjorlin is worth the wait, baby! TV Guide Magazinehad an exclusive chat with the star about her rocky road atDays, Chloe’s shady past as the town prostie and how the character plans to reclaim her dignity.

TV Guide Magazine: Your return to Days has been rumored for months! Last February, it was reported in a magazine that talks between you and the show had hit a “stalemate.” Then in April, we read your return was “imminent.” What was all that hoo-hah about?
Bjorlin: [Laughs] I find out a lot about myself through reading magazines. Most of the time I’m, like, “Uh…really?” There was a little bit of talk throughout the year. “Would you ever be interested in returning?” That sort of thing. But never anything concrete. I never put much thought into it so nothing was ever “imminent” and there was certainly no “stalemate.” Now the timing is right. It’s been a year since we’ve seen Chloe. [Laughs] Hopefully, the audience has forgotten what she was up to.

TV Guide Magazine: You mean her tragic and bizarre turn to the world’s oldest profession? Yeesh! She’s had the craziest trajectory from Ghoul Girl…
Bjorlin: …to Call Girl! [Laughs] Chloe is so near and dear to my heart and even I would have written her off after that storyline. She was spiraling out of control and the fans had stopped being able to recognize the character. I couldn’t recognize her, either! A lot of what made Chloe so lovable — her integrity, her fun, her wit — was gone and I don’t blame anyone for dropping her from the show. There wasn’t a whole lot left for her to do but, at the same time, I never felt like her story was done. There was no huge, climactic ending for her. She just went off to be with her child and sing in a nightclub in Chicago…which is, like, 45 minutes from Salem.

TV Guide Magazine: What happens when Chloe returns?
Bjorlin: I have heard she’s going to come back as her old self again, the Chloe with good self-esteem, a stronger and more confident Chloe who can really stand up for herself and not be bullied. Toward the end there, she was being bullied by everyone in Salem! No more. She’s coming back a lot more mature and who knows? [Laughs] Maybe she’ll get some revenge! There are so many possibilities for the character and they’ve only told me a little bit right now because they don’t trust me with the information. It’s been very hush-hush. [A Days rep adds that Chloe’s return will be heavily centered around her son, Parker.]

TV Guide Magazine: At least there was one good thing about your termination last year — it became part of your E! reality show Dirty Soap and made for some damn fine TV. But I gotta ask. When they showed you leaving Days at the end of your last day, we saw you carrying a bouquet of flowers and taking this long, poignant, gorgeously lit solo walk out of the studio. That was all bulls–t, right?
Bjorlin: No, it wasn’t! It really happened. OK, maybe they did make it look more dramatic than it was. It was sad, just say it! It was pathetic and sad and there I was leaving the studio all by myself. They made it seem like no one even bothered to walk me to my car and say goodbye. Showbiz can be cruel. [Laughs]

TV Guide Magazine: Your mom, Fary, was the surprise breakout star of that show. Were you ever humiliated, especially when she urged you to dump your live-in boyfriend [former Days star Brandon Beemer] and then tried to match you up with that creepy guy on that ambush lunch date?
Bjorlin: I was, like, “God, mom. Really? Lord!” Now you see what I grew up with. There is a reason I turned out to be an actress. Most actors don’t grow up with sweet, vanilla parents. All my friends think she’s hilarious. Yeah, she’s hilarious all right…unless she’s your mom! [Laughs] I love her dearly but she can be embarrassing and horrifying.

TV Guide Magazine: You, Crystal Chappell and Louise Sorel were among those sacrificed for the great Days reset that brought back Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn and the rest. Did you watch any of it? If so, how did you feel when the reset didn’t do what it was supposed to do? Vindicated?
Bjorlin: I did watch a little bit, but not religiously. Hey, it’s always a gamble in this business. We all want our last four soaps to remain on the air so you gotta try things. [Laughs] But, hell-ooo, they were missing Chloe so what were they expecting? Without Chloe, you could have put De Niro onDays and nothing would happen! Let’s get real here!

MSN Interview: Days of Our Lives Stud Freddie Smith Talks About His Character Sonny’s Gay Bullying & Romance Storyline.

On “Days of Our Lives,” Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith) has been helping his best friend Will Horton (Chandler Massey) come out of the closet for over a year, often just by setting a good example. Since Will planted Salem’s first gay kiss (on another guy!) and came out, fans have been clamoring for a “WilSon” love story. On Monday, Aug. 20, everything shifted in a Daysaster aftershock. Not only did Sonny lay a kiss on Will, but homophobe T. (Brendan Coughlin) returned with a vengeance. And that was just the beginning of both stories. MSN TV talked to Freddie Smith about the kiss, the love triangles and the gay bullying storyline that are thrusting his gay character out of the coffee house and into the center of Salem drama.

Bing: More about “Days of Our Lives” | Freddie Smith

MSN TV: After all this time, Sonny suddenly planted a kiss on Will: What was he thinking?

Freddie Smith: In the past he’s respected Will’s boundaries and the process of Will’s coming out. He didn’t want to pressure him. He wanted Will to feel comfortable with who he is before he makes any decisions. He was also torn between, “This is my best friend. If I tell him I love him or that I have a crush on him, is he not going to be friends with me anymore?” It’s that whole cat and mouse thing. When he found out Will might be dead or something bad might have happened and then he saw Will okay, as a friend and a crush, he was like, “Oh my god I’ve got a kiss you. I love you.”From what fans saw in the post-Olympics teaser, Sonny didn’t get the response he was hoping to get!He didn’t, no. Will was like, “Yo, dude, what are you doing?” All Sonny’s feelings came out at once and caught Will off guard. It wasn’t a romantic, “Oh we like each other.” It was more like: Boom! I’m kissing you, whether you like it or not. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.Do you think these two belong together?
I think so. They have a lot in common and can both bring something great to the relationship. If they come together, I think they can become a great power couple.

The kiss was also, oddly, spurred on by T.’s return and the way he laid right into Will, attacking him for being gay. What can you tell us about the bullying storyline that kicked off today? 

T. comes back into town more angry than before. What’s immature is he blames Sonny for changing Will, because he finds out Will came out of the closet, so he’s just on a mission. He takes Salem by storm. He makes a grand entrance, I’ll tell you that, and it becomes very intense between the two of them. But it doesn’t just end with a confrontation. It shows the aftermath. It shows how T. deals with it, how friends and family deal with it, how Sonny deals with it. It’s very three-dimensional.

Sonny has always been so confidant in who he is and more or less kept his cool with T., in the past. How will T.’s anger and negativity affect him this time?

Sonny thought this was all over. He was there for Will. He went through the process of coming out and went through bullying before. He’s like, “I’m comfortable with who I am. My family and friends love me. I don’t have to deal with this anymore.” So when it does happen, he’s taken back. It’s like, “When is this going to end?” It’s emotional. He has a great scene with his dad about this whole thing. He’s like, “Why is someone hating on me just because I’m gay?” I can’t get into the way he deals with it, but he does deal with it. It’s a process.

Sonny is such a strong guy. When push comes to shove and T. gets physical this week, it’s hard to imagine him not standing up for himself.

If someone pushes you, you can’t just deck him in the face. You can’t always solve your problems with violence. Sonny takes the high road. He wants to talk about it, where T.’s like, “I don’t want to talk about it.” It’s an interesting dynamic and shows how Sonny has grown into himself. The bullying storyline is great. It tells a great story, but also wraps up in the perfect amount of time. It’s not drawn out, at all.

 

While dealing with this bully, Sonny is also dealing with his feelings for Will and some romantic tension with Brian (Brant Daugherty). Should fans be preparing for a Will/Sonny/Brian love triangle?

This thing is more of a five or six-sided shape than a triangle! It just stems off. It’s just a mess.

Will’s ex Gabi is part of that mess after the exes sleep together! In the wake of the Melanie drama, has Gabi learned her lesson? Or is she going to start playing her games with the boys?

Ugh, I don’t know what I can touch on with Gabi’s storyline, so I don’t even want to go there! She’s her crazy self, and a lot of people are involved. This is one of the central storylines coming up. It’s not just a cutaway to me and Will or me and Brian. Everyone’s involved.

So you won’t be sequestered in “the gay storyline”?
That’s what’s important and that’s what took awhile, too. I started off as the first gay character and that’s what people were talking about. Now, people just call me “Sonny.” They understand that him being gay is just a small part of who he is. Romance is involved, but it’s also shows you who Sonny is, aside from his gay romance. He has a lot to deal with. He’s got his work, his friends, his family, his problems.

Some fans were worried Salem’s two gay boys would just fall right into happily ever after, but it sounds like they’re instead being thrown into some classic soaptastic drama. 

 

Exactly. I give the studio, the producers and the writers so much props, because they’re not tiptoeing around the gay romance. That was important to me. I was like, “Give us a three-dimensional gay storyline.” So many people are on board. My phone goes off constantly. I get endless tweets and I wish I could answer and say, “This is happening,” but I can’t. That’s the surprise of watching, but I think everyone’s going to enjoy what’s going on with Sonny’s character. You’re going to see different shades of Sonny. The audience knows Sonny’s perfect self: he’s Mr. Mature and Mr. Positive. But he’s going to make some mistakes and you’re going to see how he learns from them and grows as a character and a person. I’m so excited. I’ve been working nonstop and I can’t wait for people to tune in, because I have so many fans. I thank them all, and they’re finally going to get what they want – more Sonny.

“Days of Our Lives” airs weekdays on NBC.

Interesting News: New Study Finds One In Four Caribbean Men Are Bisexual!!

The MSM population is defined by the survey not only as openly gay men but also men who do not self-identify as gay or bisexual but participate in sexual activities with other men. (Photo: fenwayfocus.org)

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Friday August 17, 2012 – A new study has confounded popular opinion by suggesting that almost one in four Caribbean men today describe themselves as bisexual.

Preliminary findings of the regionwide Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey (CARIMIS) contrast dramatically with the Caribbean’s longstanding image of a macho society with low tolerance for homosexuality often verging on homophobia.

According to Ernest Massiah, facilitator of the CARIMIS project and director of UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team, “We have a fair population in the Caribbean that identify as bisexual. Across the entire sample, about 20 to 23 per cent say they are bisexual”.

The study, which surveyed 2,560 men throughout 33 territories in the region, is said to be the “largest sample” of the Caribbean MSM (men who have sex with men) population of its kind, conducted via the Internet.

Massiah went on to reveal that 15 per cent of the men did not define themselves in any category. Although they engaged in sexual activity with other men, they “do not want a label,” he said.

The director indicated that the “most shocking” aspect of the study involves the amount of physical and verbal abuse and visual intimidation levelled against MSMs in their respective countries.

“What we are seeing across the region is that between five and 10 per cent of people have been assaulted because they were perceived to have a different sexual orientation,” he said.

In some nations half of the MSM population identified with being verbally abused and visually intimidated.

“What we are seeing is that as a society, if you have a sexual orientation that is perceived as different, you can be physically abused and in a lot of cases you receive verbal abuse,” Massiah noted.

The study also broke new ground by identifying a new group of men: the educated MSM man.

According to the director: “We are getting a population that we have not been able to get data from before, that is men with secondary and tertiary level education. We have a very educated sample here.”

In the past, face-to-face surveys were the norm, but only accessed “certain members” of the MSM population. Massiah said that the use of the Internet and redefining their target populations was the key to the survey’s success.

“It is a good way of doing research because you can get to people in a much quicker way than you would have if you tried to do an interview with an individual person,” he explained.

The study’s results will be given to governments of participating nations to help develop policies and initiatives that will protect and service the MSM community.

The UNAIDS-funded initiative was launched online last November and concluded in June.

The MSM population is defined by the survey not only as openly gay men but also men who do not self-identify as gay or bisexual but participate in sexual activities with other men. The survey is being implemented throughout the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/antigua_news/607713.html#ixzz23wc9gkS0

Shocking News: Chavis Carter A Young Black Man Handcuffed & Shot Dead His Family Alleges Police Brutality Is To Blame!!!

Chavis Carter’s mother Teresa at a candlelight vigil for her son. Carter’s family has accused the police of a cover up in the case. Photograph: Krystin Mcclellan/AP

Police footage taken from the night officers say a suspect in Arkansasmanaged to fatally shoot himself in the head – despite having his hands cuffed behind his back – has failed to remove questions over the incident.

Chavis Carter died in the back of a patrol car on 28 July after being picked up in a traffic stop in Jonesboro during which drugs were discovered in the vehicle.

The 21-year-old black man had been searched twice by officers, but a handgun that officers say the suspect later used to shoot himself was not found. Questions have also been raised as to how the left-handed Carter was able to deliver a fatal shot to his right temple while in restraints.

On Friday, following a Freedom of Information Act request by multiple news organizations, police released footage of the immediate aftermath of Carter’s death.

They had earlier handed over a video taken before the suspect’s body was discovered. But that first video failed to provide any answers to the dead man’s family, who claim that he was killed by police.

Chavis died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

He had earlier been detained – alongside two other suspects – by officers searching for drugs in the back of a truck they had noticed parked on the street with its lights on.

Having found a set of scales giving off a strong smell of marijuana, and a bag containing a white substance, a check was run on Carter revealing an outstanding warrant for the Mississippi resident, according to copy of the police report posted online.

The suspect was then handcuffed with his hands behind his back and led to the back seat of a patrol car.

It was while in restraints and in the rear of the police car that Carter is alleged to have shot himself.

In an apparent copy of the official incident report posted online by TheGrio.com, an officer states that he heard a “loud thump and a metallic sound” while speaking to the two other suspects.

But he said he dismissed it as the sound of a car driving over a piece of metal on the roadway.

It was only after the two other suspects were sent away that Carter’s body was discovered, one officer recorded.

“We went to the rear passenger side door, opened it and I observed Carter in a sitting position slumped forward with his head in his lap.

“There was a large amount of blood on the front oh his shirt, pants, seats and floor. His hands were cuffed behind his back.”

The incident has raised questions, not least over how officers apparently failed to find the gun on Carter during an initial search.

It has also been considered suspicious that the suspect died as a result of a gunshot wound to the right temple, as Carter was left handed and handcuffed at the time.

The dead man’s mother, Teresa Carter, has accused police of a cover up.

Amid growing media interest in the case, police agreed to release footage from a dashboard camera that captured events leading up to Carter’s death. It shows the suspect being led to a patrol car.

But it failed to provide any clues as to what happened after he was put in the vehicle.

“There’s still nothing in there about what actually happened with Chavis,” Benjamin Irwin, a lawyer for the Carter family, said.

A second batch of video clips was released Friday. It contains an audio exchange between two unseen men – thought to be officers – shortly after the suspect’s body is discovered.

“He was breathing a second ago,” says one, while another is heard stating: “I patted him down. I don’t know where he had it hidden.”

The Jonesboro police department has asked the FBI to assist in its investigation into the incident

Special agent Kimberly Brunell told the Guardian earlier this month: “We are monitoring the situation and we have received certain information, investigative information has been shared with us.”

Disappointing News: Mixed Race Hispanic Actress Zoe Saldana Steals Nina Simone Lead Role Meant For A Black American Actress!!!

This casting news is so disgusting I think I am going to vomit! Zoe Saldana looks nothing like Nina Simone she wasn’t a mixed race Latina she’s was an authentic black American woman. Nina Simone wasn’t mulatto, mixed race, half white, half caste, biracial, or whatever you want to call it. Nina Simone was a proud black woman!

For black women in Hollywood, the closer a black actress or biracial actress skin tone is to the white image of beauty the better opportunities she gets. Saldana markets herself as a Hispanic actress NOT as a black American actress so it is extremely hypocritical for Saldana to take this important film role.

Ten years ago, Halle Berry was the A list black actress she also is half white.

Since Zoe Saldana is mixed race and considered lighter skinned she’s viewed as more marketable to white audiences in America and overseas.

However, where does this leave the talented darker skinned black actresses in Hollywood?

Saldana got the part for Nina Simone because Hollywood has anointed her as the new A list black actress.

However, Nina Simone was a very political she wasn’t just a singer she was a civil rights activist in the 1960s. Simone sang passionate songs about black rights such as Mississippi God damn, and Young, Gifted, & Black.

 Saldana is part black but she certainly isn’t proud of her black roots! Last year, when Colombiana was released all Saldana talked about in interviews was Latin this and Latin that.

Saldana is a chameleon, she plays with race and culture when it is convenient to advance her own career. Since Saldana is mixed race she uses race to her advantage whenever it is convenient to advance her career.

Nina Simone was a dark skinned black woman she was a proud black woman I bet she’s spinning in her grave right now!

Also, Saldana hasn’t proven she’s that great an actress. Yes, Saldana has appeared in Avatar and Star Trek but she isn’t a great actress.

There is a paucity of leading lady roles for black females in Hollywood so Hollywood thinks choosing a mixed race Hispanic is the way to go?

Why couldn’t Zoe Saldana follow Halle Berry’s lead? When Aretha Franklin wanted Halle to be the star of the biopic about her life Halle said no!

Halle knew the black community would be in an uproar if a half white actress was chosen to to the star in a film about the Queen of Soul music!

Now, Zoe Saldana has a history of talking about being proud of her Latin roots in interviews while stealing film roles meant for black actresses.

Remember,  Star Trek, Uhura is a black woman but since Hollywood is focused on profit the studio chose Saldana. This is a slap in the face to all the hard working black women in Hollywood!

I think Viola Davis, Anika Noni Rose,  India Arie, or some other black American actress would be the perfect choice for this biopic. I am so angry and disgusted I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs!