Your Travel Advocate: August 2009

Broadway performer Nick Adams heads into rehearsals for the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles and brings The Advocate along for the ride.

For an actor in L.A., which gym you go to is almost as important as who represents you. Which is why out actor David Moretti goes to almost all of them.

Advocate contributor Michael Lucas says the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs to be doing more to stop violence against gays and lesbians in countries "oppressed by Islam."

Johnny Weir will always be an attention-seeking brat who loves to wear fur. But he’s also the best thing to ever happen to men’s figure skating.

Columnist Kim Stolz wonders if banning a lesbian high-schooler from prom — and a preschooler with lesbian moms from kindergarten — is just a sign the Catholic church is gasping for air.

Millionaire Douglas Donahoo is looking for the perfect man (who is also eco-friendly). Will matchmaker Patti Stanger deliver?

Advocate contributor Eden Lane says CNN's Her Name Was Steven will help raise the visibility of trans people on TV, but the most compelling part of Susan Stanton's journey was left to a title card at the end of the film.

I Want to Work for Diddy alum Laverne Cox leads a trio of transgender ladies in VH1’s Transform Me, a new makeover show that flatters her hooker-heavy résumé.

With The Runaways, the new film about her life with Joan Jett, pioneering rock star Cherie Currie is enjoying a renaissance ... with a little help from Dakota Fanning.

As Democrats struggle to push through health care reform and LGBT legislation, some gay activists are suggesting the administration's failings are a product of incompetence.

When sex education classes at Danny Sparks's high school failed to address the issues important to him, he took matters into his own hands ... and became an activist in the process.

From his "candy shoppe" line — sweet treats made oh-so sexy — to his black and white studies of the male form, photographer Ryan Colford exposes the beauty of the male body.

This week Matt Damon finds himself in Iraq, Alicia plays MGM, and Almodóvar's genius finds its way to your DVD player.

COMMENTARY: Matthew S. Bajko says Republican California state senator Roy Ashburn deserves praise for coming out of the closet despite his antigay voting record. Now, if only former congressman Eric Massa would follow his lead.

Don’t be tardy for this party! DJ Tracy Young comes clean — mostly — about her rumored lesbian relationship with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak.

Micah Schraft and his boyfriend, John, were filming Micah's family at Thanksgiving when the 5-year-old son of a family friend wanted to know if the two were husbands. The result is a video you have to see. 

With benefits from boosting hate-crimes and marriage equality laws to simply letting legislators know gay Americans indeed exist, the 2010 Census is a chance to stand up and be counted.

Sexologist Jallen Rix argues that gays and lesbians quick to condemn newly out senator Ashburn and his actions might want to take a good look at how they behaved before they came out.

When Jonathan Howard and Gregory Jones found out Crate & Barrel's Ultimate Wedding Contest was open to couples holding commitment ceremonies, they entered. Now, they have a good shot at winning.

Singer-songwriter and Out 100 honoree Matt Morris talks RuPaul’s Drag Race, coming out to pal Justin Timberlake, and the big secret to being a successful gay artist.

David Moretti explains the pursuit of getting ripped for film, and doing it with the company of other actors while people with real jobs work.

The effort to end "don't ask, don't tell" heated up this week with the introduction of Senate legislation. But lawmakers are now facing off with the military over when to pass repeal.

This week Greek wants you to think back to your frat days, Johnny Depp is looking to explore the Mad Hatter's Gay Days, and Little Boots goes after Gaga's gays.

Crystal Chappell on Venice finale, One Life’s Scott Evans on Fish being a baby daddy, All My Children’s Susan Lucci speaks to Bianca’s coming-out story, and big news from Eden Riegel.

John Pérez (left) became California's first openly gay assembly speaker on Monday. By Tuesday he was laying out his agenda for issues including HIV funding, jobs, and reinstating marriage equality in the Golden State.

Twenty-eight youths set out to fight homophobia and other prejudices at Christian colleges in the fourth Soulforce Q Equality Ride.

The hard-partying “Tik Tok” singer lives up to her wild reputation with stories of a fantasy all-girl sleepover with Shakira and Sarah Palin, bashing critics of her bisexuality, and sharing her love of trans women.

NOM's Maggie Gallagher facing off with antigay Rep. Sally Kern? Neil Patrick Harris upstaging André Leon Talley? The Advocate makes its picks for the ultimate gay Dancing With the Stars lineup.