Willam Chats About Straight Crushes, Gay Family, Favorite Lube & More

Willam Belli holds the distinct honor of being the only queen ever disqualified from RuPaul‘s Drag Race, and that title, alongside her in-your-face attitude and formidable comedy chops, seems to have served her just as well as winning the crown. Minus the whole $100k part.

Since her wonderfully disgraceful exit from the show, Willam has cropped up in popular YouTube videos like “Boy Is A Bottom” and the highly educational multicultural followup, “Es Una Pasiva.” She’s also racked up an impressive list of TV and film credits, including a part in fellow RPDR alum Bianca Del Rio’s upcoming Hurricaine Bianca.

On May 23rd she’ll appear at the iconic Castro Theater in San Francisco for The Drag Queens Of Comedy alongside Bianca, Alaska, Michelle Visage and a bevy of gut-splitting queens. There will be two shows that night at 7 and 10 p.m., but get your tickets soon because you won’t want to miss these bitches.

We caught up with Willam to talk about her roots, the show, and if she prefers silicone or water-based products — you know, the important issues of the day.

Queerty: Where are you from?

Willam: I live in Inglewood.

Where do you consider home to be?

I’m a citizen of the world but I get mail in L.A.

Tell us about the first time you put on full drag. How old were you? What was the look?

I remember being 6 or 7 and piling on my one-eyed great aunt’s costume jewelry and furs. She was from Jersey so there was a lot to play with. The look was eclectic and very community theater dowager.

Who were your gay role models growing up?

My lesbian aunt and my gay uncle made it really easy for me to see that gay was a normal thing. I remember she was pissed I turned off a Gloria Estefan video because she liked her.

What about your first crush?

I wanted to marry all of New Kids on The Block. Now I just want to fuck one of them (Danny).

Were you picked on as a kid?

I was quite overweight but I wasn’t picked on much. I always had a slick mouth and my sister was one grade ahead of me and friends with all the kids who would’ve been inclined to be douches to me.

Do you have a drag mother?

No. But I had someone who steered me early on, sneaking me into clubs and was very kind to me though. His name is Momma and he is an L.A. staple.

Who are some of your favorite queens to work with?

I like working with Courtney Act, Alaska Thunderfuck, Bianca del Rio and Michelle Visage. Oh, Logan Hardcore is a hoot, too. And all the girls at Play in Nashville and S4 in Dallas.

When did you start acting?

My first paid acting gig was at 16.

What was the first time your drag wold and your acting world collided?

My first paid gig when I was 16 was an MTV show that I was in drag for.

I read somewhere Divine is one of your inspirations.

He is. I want to bring that shock and in-your-faceness that he had back to drag.

What’s your favorite John Waters movie?

My favorite John Waters movie is probably Cry-Baby.

Do you have a straight guy crush?

My straight guy crush is Blake Griffin (he plays basketball).

If California runs out of water where would you go to find something to drink?

I haven’t paid for a drink in a gay bar in three years. So a bar.

Have you been watching Drag Race season seven? Anyone you’d put money on?

I like Turtles.

No one loves Ru more than us, but did you ever get tired of calling everything Ru-this and Ru-that on the show?

I think this question calls for a Rupaulogy.

Tell us about the show Drag Queens of Comedy 2015 at the Castro Theater (May 23, 2015) — what can we expect?

It’s interesting to see what each performer does. Like if someone’s act bombs, do you still call it stand up comedy or just a spoken word performance?

We’ll go ponder that in the woods later, but in the mean time let’s play a little rapid-fire:

Taylor Swift or Robyn?

Robyn

Little Shop of Horrors or Rocky Horror?

Rocky Horror

Leather or latex?

Leather

Looking or Transparent?

Neither

Can balls be sexy?

Sure

Sam Smith or Adam Lambert?

Adam

Martha or Oprah?

Martha

Silicone or water-based?

Silicone

Grindr or Scruff?

Jack’d

Great, we know where to find you! Thanks for playing.

Dan Tracer

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Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Rejects His Father’s Offensive Anti-Gay Bigotry: VIDEO

Jim Redmond

www.towleroad.com/2015/05/atlanta-megachurch-pastor-rejects-his-fathers-offensive-anti-gay-bigotry-video-.html

Prince Manvendra, The World's First Openly Gay Prince, Fights For LGBT Rights In India
In 2006, the Crown Prince of one of India’s oldest royal families made a public announcement that made headlines around the world: the 40-year-old formerly married Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil was actually gay. This announcement made Prince Manvendra the world’s only openly gay prince — and it also outraged his community and ripped his family apart. His father refused to accept the Prince’s homosexuality, and his mother, the Queen, took out an ad in the newspaper to publicly disown her only son. What’s more, Prince Manvendra was also risking his own freedom, as homosexual acts in his country were punishable by 10 years to life in prison.

Still, Prince Manvendra remained determined to live in his truth. He opened up about the difficulties he faced during a 2007 episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” telling the talk show host what it was like growing up with this secret in an ancient royal family and a country that condemned homosexuality.

“I couldn’t talk to anyone, couldn’t share my views to anyone. So, I was confused whether I’m the only one like that or are other people like me or was it kind of a disease?” Prince Manvendra said back then. “I thought, ‘Maybe it’s a passing phase. I might get over it once I’m married.’ And that’s the reason I decided to get married.”

Though the marriage was arranged, Prince Manvendra emphasized that he was never forced to wed a woman. Once the relationship crumbled, he came to terms with his sexuality and began to find happiness in his new mission in life: working on behalf of the gay community in India.

Three years later, Prince Manvendra appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” again and shared some dramatic updates: his mother didn’t “create any obstacles” for him anymore, his father recanted the disownment and various cities in India began coordinating gay pride parades. What’s more, India had removed its law about homosexual acts and no longer made them punishable by prison time.

“I never expected that this [would] happen in my lifetime,” Prince Manvendra said.

“Oprah: Where Are They Now?” recently caught up with the Prince once again to see what else has changed in the years since his final “Oprah Show” appearance. This time, however, the updates aren’t as optimistic as they once were. Namely, the law criminalizing homosexual acts in India has been reinstated once again.

“We’ve gone back to square one, to 150 years,” Prince Manvendra now says in the above video. “That period of four and a half years when we had enjoyed our freedom has been suddenly snatched away from us.”

The impact, he adds, has been frightening.

“When I say that the homosexuals are not free in India, we don’t have the freedom to love. All of us are scared,” Prince Manvendra says. “Imagine those who have fallen in love, they’ve had partners in their lives, they’ve had boyfriends, they want to go for long-term relationships — are now all scared. That’s where we are losing our freedom.”

To raise awareness about India’s anti-gay laws, Prince Manvendra launched a grassroots campaign called Free Gay India in 2014.

“The Free Gay India campaign is aimed at the law which is criminalizing the homosexual population in India,” he explains. “We would like to connect more and more people into it.”

Learn more about Free Gay India.

As for his relationship with his mother, the Prince says that not much has changed over the years.

“She still doesn’t talk to me. We almost ran into each other in the palace, but, of course, we kind of ignore each other as if we don’t exist,” he says. “I have always respected her. I have no ill feelings towards her, but I would never do anything to go against her.”

In the meantime, Prince Manvendra says he is grateful for the support he’s gotten from America, and he remains focused on helping the gay community in India achieve the rightful freedom they once had.

“Oprah: Where Are They Now?” airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET on OWN.

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Pro-Equality Candidate Advances in San Antonio Municipal Election

Saturday was Election Day in San Antonio, and all eyes have been on the mayoral race. LGBT equality has been a central issue in this election.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/pro-equality-candidate-advances-in-san-antonio-municipal-election?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Egyptian Actress Mona Hala Passionately Argues for LGBT Equality in TV Interview: WATCH

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2015/05/egyptian-actress-mona-hala-passionately-argues-for-lgbt-equality-in-tv-interview-watch.html

3 Questions on The Battle for Uganda

Frank Mugisha brings the fight against oppression to America.

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James McDonald

www.advocate.com/world/2015/05/11/3-questions-battle-uganda

This Woman Went To War With Mike Pence — Now She May Fight Him For The Governor's Seat
WASHINGTON — Long before the country turned its attention to Indiana over its “religious freedom” law, Glenda Ritz was taking on Gov. Mike Pence (R) and trying to stop the state from turning completely red. Ritz, the state schools superintendent, is the only statewide Democratic officeholder and has been fighting furiously to hold on to her office’s role in shaping state education policy.

And Ritz’s role as Pence’s nemesis may become even more high-profile next year, considering her recent statement that she is thinking about running against him for the governor’s seat.

“After this session there’s absolutely nothing off the table,” Ritz said last week. “First priority is getting through this school year, because we’re in the midst of testing, and getting all that done. But after that, I’m going to sit down with my family and determine what is best for the children and families of Indiana.”

Ritz has been a GOP target since she won in an upset in 2012. Her Republican opponent, who was an ally of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), outspent her by more than $1 million. And in bad news for Pence, Ritz actually attracted more votes than the governor did.

Last year, Ritz accused Pence of engineering an “education takeover.” During the most recent legislative session, Ritz tried to call attention to Pence’s attempts to limit her power.

As superintendent, Ritz chairs the State Board of Education, which oversees education policymaking in Indiana. The other 10 members are appointed by the governor, and there have been public clashes between Ritz and her fellow board members.

In the final hours of its session last month, the GOP-controlled Indiana General Assembly approved a bill allowing Board of Education members to pick their own chair; the superintendent is no longer automatically named to that position. In other words, Pence wouldn’t have to deal with Ritz any longer under this setup.

Republicans originally wanted the change to happen this summer but backed off after complaints from Democrats. It will now take effect after the 2016 elections.

Starting this summer, however, the governor will have only eight appointments on the board. The other two will be appointed by the leaders of the Indiana House and Senate.

Pence has insisted that the changes have nothing to do with politics.

“I just think this is a common-sense reform,” he said in February, noting that state boards in dozens of other states elect their own chairs.

But the fight has become part of the political landscape in Indiana. In February, hundreds of people went to the statehouse in Indianapolis and rallied in support of Ritz.

“I stand with you,” Ritz yelled to the crowd. “It’s about the voters who elected me to do what I put in my platform. It’s about less testing and more time to teach.”

Ritz has also started to attract attention from national Democrats.

“We are excited that Glenda Ritz is taking a look at the Indiana governor’s race,” said Rachel Thomas, press secretary for EMILY’s List, which backs Democratic women who support abortion access. “She’s an outstanding educator with a strong track record of fighting for quality education and greater opportunity for all Hoosiers.”

Ritz was not available for an interview for this piece.

Even if Ritz jumps into the race, it’s not a sure thing that she’d face Pence. On April 30, former Indiana state House Speaker John Gregg (D) announced he is running in 2016, meaning Ritz would have to first get through a Democratic primary.

Gregg ran against Pence in 2012 and lost by a narrow margin, and many Democrats hope that he’ll be able to eke out a victory this time around. But some Democrats express concern about his self-proclaimed “conservative position” on social issues. During the 2012 race, Gregg said he opposes same-sex marriage and abortion in most cases, although he also said he didn’t think politicians should be focusing on those matters.

Social issues, especially equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, will likely be a major topic in the 2016 race.

Pence has suffered a dramatic drop in approval since signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act last month. The state faced significant backlash from business leaders and activists around the country who were concerned that the legislation would allow businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples.

Even though Pence eventually signed a legislative “fix” clarifying that discrimination wasn’t allowed, the damage was done. The state recently spent $2 million to hire a public relations firm to help repair Indiana’s image, and Republicans are wondering just how much harm Pence did to the state party’s brand.

The Indiana Republican Party has not yet commented on Ritz, but when Gregg announced, Chairman Jeff Cardwell put out a statement criticizing the Democrat’s announcement video that went after Pence.

“True to form, John Gregg’s negative attacks started the moment he announced his latest campaign,” said Cardwell. “Gov. Mike Pence has been dedicated to creating jobs, investing in education and holding the line on spending. As Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, Gregg helped the Democrats spend the state’s surplus down to nothing and pushed for tax increases on working Hoosiers.”

A Howey Politics Indiana poll released last month found Ritz with the highest favorability rating amongst potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates. In a potential match-up with Pence, Ritz gets 39 percent to Pence’s 42 percent, whereas Gregg would get 37 percent to Pence’s 43 percent.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/11/glenda-ritz_n_7213708.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Luis Santella Is Both A Glow-er And A Show-er

This photo shoot by Anibal Velasquez captures model Luis Santaella looking stunning in briefs from the Malebasics Neon Collection. These briefs keep their side coverage thick and discrete – not unlike some performance underwear. Of course, the Malebasics Neon Collection is also made from a moisture wicking Lycra blend, giving them that sleek and smooth fit you’re used to feeling at the gym.

Speaking of the gym, Luis has such a killer body, this photo shoot could garner a body count. Sure his abs, chest, arms, back, and sexy V waist could keep us occupied for days, but we’re more taken by his legs. They’re just as muscular as the rest of him, but get to reap the style of the Malebasics Neon Collection. Bright color splashes are the perfect accent for the black briefs, and pop even brighter with Luis’ tanned body.

The material used for the Malebasics Neon Collection is not only moisture wicking but ultra thin, microporous, and breathable. Yes, you can see through the Malebasics Neon Briefs ever so slightly. And while this keeps Luis fresh and cool, it makes the rest of us warm in the face.

You can see more of Luis Santaella and Malebasics’ Neon Collection on The Underwear Expert.

Photo Credit: Anibal Velasquez

Underwear Expert

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PHOTOS: Visiting The Surprising City Picked for Euro Pride

Chris Godfrey

www.advocate.com/world/2015/05/11/photos-visiting-surprising-city-picked-euro-pride

Lovin’ Lausanne: the hidden gay gem of the Swiss Riviera

It’s the second biggest city on the shores of Lake Gevena. It’s also a foodie wonderland of exquisite alpine beauty. What’s more, Lausanne boasts a thriving gay scene – complete with its own ‘Pink Beach’. What’s not to love?

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jamiet

www.gaystarnews.com/article/lovin%E2%80%99-lausanne-hidden-gay-gem-swiss-riviera080515