For the first time in a few weeks, The Agenda with Joe Solmonese was back last night with both of our usual hosts. Joe and co-host Mary Breslauer had a full episode of politics, news and entertainment on this first show of the summer.

We started out with some entertainment and welcomed the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef season 4 Stephanie Izard. She is the first woman to have won the cooking reality show beating out three openly lesbian contestants who won the hearts of many gay fans.

Then we turned to politics… at least one take on it. Barbara Blesi owns Second Chance Boutique in Bethesda, Maryland and conducted [an albeit unscientific] poll concerning the fashions of the presidential contenders and their spouses. Find out what she learned about how people view their public images by downloading or listening:

In Capitol Hill news, this Thursday a House subcommittee will hold a hearing on gender identity discrimination in the workplace. One of those testifying will be Diego Sanchez, Director of Public Relations & External Affairs for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts and a member of HRC’s business council. He was our guest with a preview of the hearing. Download or listen:

We were thrilled to welcome newly named Advocate editor Jon Barrett to our New York studio last night. He was the magazine’s senior news editor from 1997-2003 and shared his thoughts on where the magazine is heading, marriage in California and the presidential race. Download or listen:

Finally we were in for a treat last night as we welcomed legendary democratic political consultant Paul Begala. He was a critical part of electing President Bill Clinton in 1992 and now serves as a consultant and is a commentator for CNN. Begala shared his insights on bringing the party together before November and how GLBT issues may play in the general election. Download or listen:

Last night we brought you a special edition of The Agenda with Joe Solmonese as the first marriages between same-sex couples occurred just as we went off air. Regular co-host Mary Breslauer was in California for the big day so as a special treat we welcomed former Human Rights Campaign Executive Director Elizabeth Birch as co-host.

Leading off the show we checked in with Mary Breslauer live from Los Angeles. She shared some great anecdotes about the planning and celebrations. Download or listen:

Next we talked to the president of the California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials, Steven Weir. He’s made a career of giving out marriage licenses to couples as the Clerk of Contra Costa County, but until now they’ve all been to straight couples. This morning he was the first in line to get a license to marry his partner John Hemm. Download or listen:

One of the most famous same-sex couples to announce their engagement is George Takei and Brad Altman. You know George as Mr. Sulu from Star Trek and Joe spoke to them yesterday between media interviews about how all the wedding planning is coming. Download or listen:

We were so proud last night to welcome one of the heroes of the movement for marriage equality in California. Back in 2004 when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples, City Attorney Dennis Herrera led the team that argued the cases through the courts along with the coalition of legal groups. He joined us via phone from his office in San Francisco just prior to Del Lyon and Phyllis Martin’s ceremony at city hall. Download or listen:

We took a break from the marriage coverage and welcomed one of our favorite Agenda guests to our New York studio. Author Bob Morris may be familiar from his “Age of Dissonance” column in the New York Times Sunday Styles section but his new book Assisted Loving has garnered rave reviews. He discussed the book that deals with what’s it like to be a gay guy going on double dates with your straight dad. Download or listen:

Finally we talked politics with author and President Clinton’s chief speechwriter Michael Waldman. As the director of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU’s School of Law, Waldman penned A Return to Common Sense about how to make American democracy right again. Download or listen:

Last week was full of political news and we covered it all (and some lighter topics) on last night’s The Agenda with Joe Solmonese. Joe was just back from his AIDS/Lifecycle ride so we were be joined by guest host Chuck Wolfe, president of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

We started off the show with Rep. Tammy Baldwin – the only out lesbian in Congress – to talk about the new LGBT Equality Caucus. Along with Rep. Barney Frank, Baldwin created the bipartisan group to promote LGBT issues in Congress. Download or listen:

We looked at politics through a religious lens with Sally Quinn who founded and co-moderates the Washington Post’s “On Faith.” This journalist, author and Washington, DC insider is married to Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post.

Then we switched to entertainment and Mary shared an interview with Andy Bell – the lead singer of the 80’s synthpop band Erasure. He’s going on the road with Cyndi Lauper on the True Colors Tour and also shared a preview of his forthcoming solo album. Download or listen:

Joe made it back to DC so we caught up with him as he recovered from his bike ride and he shared some hilarious and heartwarming anecdotes from the 545 mile trek. Download or listen:

Then to talk about the presidential race and the interesting debates over race and gender, we welcomed back Faye Wattleton, president of the Center for the Advancement of Women. She was the first African-American and youngest person ever elected president of Planned Parenthood. Download or listen:

Finally, we had a political overview with Alex Bolton, senior staff writer at The Hill. He’s been covering the 2008 race and in particular how the campaigns have been funded.