Abortion. Guns. Immigration.
And teh Gays. In his acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver, Barack Obama stuck a preemptive straight pin in the rhetorical chest puffery surrounding four touchy, sucker-punch issues. At least… I guess…

As a gay man, I love event planning. Choosing fabrics, colors, table settings, and music. I wonder who lucked out as the contractor for the 2008 DNC? It had to have been someone with a degree in psychology. The video and still backgrounds, color, and music all change based on the theme and speaker. During a speech about the military, the lights turn red and blue. During President Bill Clinton's speech yesterday evening, the lights would go bright during applause then slowly dissolve back to a dim. The music is performed by a live band that sits at stage left. The entire event was planned with incredible detail.

Hillary delegates from around the country were invited to a reception at the Colorado Convention Center with Senator Clinton. Those who were interesting in attending filled out a short form on the Internet and then printed a ticket online. I had my ticket. You never know when it will be the last time you'll get to see the senator up close. When I arrived at the convention center

We love when other sections of the Chronicle seem gayer than ours. It really takes a load off. To wit: This week's cover is a glorious portrait of Stuart Moulton, the man (and apparently toenails) behind Austin Cabaret Theatre. As we say in our Gay Place listing for Stuart's blog: "What's gayer than a cabaret? Not much." Well, maybe that "French Tuxedo" pedicure he's sporting on the cover.

I have no restraint. Just found out that on September 13, Sotheby's (UK) will be auctioning off a slew of new works by Damien Hirst, He-of-the-pickled-shark-fame. One of the works: A DEAD UNICORN! Damien! How could you?

Giant among dykes, founder of the Daughters of Bilitis, subject of the 2003 documentary No Secret Anymore, and gay marriage activist Del Martin has passed away in San Francisco today. Del is survived by her beloved Phyllis Lyons. The couple, together for over a half a century, was the first to wed the day gay marriage became legal in California this past June.

Boyd Richie announced a change to the Roll Call Vote process at this morning's Delegate Breakfast. After receiving our delegate credentials, we were directed to a small room in the west wing of the host hotel. Inside the room we presented our delegate credential and ID, then placed our president preference (Obama, Clinton, or Abstain) and signed our name. This was our official vote. The list will be copied and published then delivered to the Pepsi Center via a shuttle bus around 12:30pm. Mr. Richie stated that officials staying at other hotels would still have the opportunity to vote later today. Chairman Richie was upset both visibility and emotionally when some delegates asked

When you first walk into the Pepsi Center and look at the stage, it completely overwhelms. Fiberoptic stars twinkle on a black backdrop on either side of the stage. From the floor to the rafters, lights and video screens make you seem like you're at a U2 concert. In between guest speakers, the video screens pan across the venue to capture people dancing to soul and gospel music (and maybe a couple of disco songs every once in a while). I'm not exactly sure what you see on television, but I can tell you what you didn't see yesterday on the floor of the convention.

I've been thinking a lot about unicorns lately. A lot. Mostly because the live coverage of the DNC has been so very… lacking. Sample of live coverage: Anchor One: What's happening now, Anchor Two?
Anchor Two: It looks like everyone is turning around for a moment of silence.
Anchor One: Is there any particular significance for this moment of silence?
Anchor Two: I don't know, but it sure is special. Illuminating. Naturally my thoughts turn elsewhere…