Why is it so difficult for people to walk the walk and not just talk the talk? If you’re a politician trying to keep the gays down, shouldn’t you be, you know, NOT gay? If you preach Christianity, shouldn’t you be a good Christian? It wasn’t long after news broke that Carrie Prejean and the Miss California Organization had settled their lawsuits out of court that the reason for the sudden settlement made headlines. Seems the Queen of Christian Values had a sex tape, which she wanted to keep hush-hush, so she walked away from a million dollar claim with nothing. Sex tapes are no big deal, but if you’re going to come out in support of “traditional marriage,” shouldn’t that include sex only within said marriage? It’s not that you’re a plasticated whore, honey, it’s that you’re a hypocrite. The funny thing is, it appears there are no buyers for the tape. Surprisingly few people want to see a good girl going bad.
Memoirs of a Former Jenny Craig Spokeswoman
So Kirstie Alley is set to be in a reality show on A&E. About weight loss. No surprise there. Is there anything else she’s famous for anymore? But do people really want to spend time with this self-proclaimed "Fat Actress"? (I’d add "abrasive" to that too.) Do you care about her weight problems? Seriously, people. Discuss.
Rue the Day
Golden Girl Rue McClanahan was due to be feted next week in San Francisco, but had to pull out because of heart bypass surgery. Golden: A Gala Tribute to Rue McClanahan was set for November 14 at the Castro Theatre, with clips, a theme-song sing-along, and a look-a-like contest. The erstwhile Blanche Devereaux said she was devastated at having to pull out of the event, adding, “Trust me, I’d much rather be in San Francisco having fun and being adored by all of you.” I think she knows she’s adored wherever she is.
Maine Event
Some kid posted on YouTube this video of people lip synching to the Lily Allen song “Fuck You.” Heartened me after the defeat in Maine. Maybe it will hearten you too.
Yesterday voters repealed a state law passed in May that legalized gay marriage in Maine. With 53 percent opposed to the law, Maine now has the dubious honor of joining 30 other states in which gay marriage has lost when put to a popular vote. As the news broke early this morning, acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner offered this exclusive comment to Out:
The news from Maine doesn’t make me depressed, but it does make me angry. I’m angry that bigots, cretins and theocrats get to vote on whether or not their fellow citizens are entitled to equality under the law. Our basic right to equal treatment is guaranteed by the US Constitution and should not be subject to state referendums. I’m angry that the Catholic Church and the Mormons, tax exempt under the increasingly laughable pretext that they have something to do with God, pump millions upon millions of dollars into this wicked campaign to promote bigotry and perpetuate human suffering, while supporters of LGBT equality pay taxes for the privilege of continuing to be not-fully enfranchised sub-citizens. I’m very angry that we’re being forced to fight for equality on a state-by-state basis. We are American citizens and we are entitled to 14th Amendment protection in every aspect of our lives, in every state in the union. I have no doubt whatsoever that LGBT people will soon accomplish this, but I’m angry at the setbacks, of course, in Maine, in California, which do nothing but hurt real human beings and gain no one anything that any sane human being could possibly want. And I guess I should add that I’m angry at the LGBT community’s lack of effective national political leadership, our lack of a coordinated national strategy, but there are signs that maybe this is beginning to change. And I guess I should add that I’m angry at myself: I didn’t send money or help out in Maine, so who have I got to be angry at, really, other than myself? On the other hand: 47% for marriage equality is a number that should hearten us and dishearten the bigots, cretins and theocrats. So let’s get back to work.
For all the latest news on the gay marriage repeal in Maine, visit Advocate.com.
As we continue to roll out the honorees from our 2009 "School Days"–themed Out 100 -- the latest in our annual look at the 100 gay, lesbian, and trans people who have made an impact in their communities and in mainstream culture -- today we present James Neiley, who we voted "Most Fearless."
What began as a volunteer position at the queer youth center and advocacy organization Outright Vermont during high school quickly became a crash course -- and burgeoning career -- in activism for Neiley. In March the 17-year-old was tapped to deliver a speech in front of state legislators who would decide the fate of gay marriage. His impassioned plea went viral on the Internet and, three weeks later, Vermont became the fourth state to give gay nuptials the green light.
We'll continue to roll out more honorees in the coming days leading up to the full reveal of the 2009 Out 100 portfolio, shot by renowned photographer Jason Bell, in mid-November.
Here is an exclusive first look at the 2009 Out 100: our collection of the 100 gay men, women, and trans people who have made 2009 a year to remember. In the coming days we'll reveal the rest of the honorees, including the directors, writers, Broadway producers, musicians and stars who have shaped popular art and culture; the bravest young voices, the dedicated campaigners, the openly gay politicians and lobbyists who've brought us this far; and the ordinary LGBT people who have inspired us with their extraordinary actions.
This year's theme is a gentle nod to the days that shaped, delighted, and terrified us all and made us who we are today -- school days. We've dubbed Chaz Bono (above, shot by Jason Bell) "Most Likely To Reinvent." The only child of Cher and Sonny Bono, Chaz has a long history in queer activism. After coming out in the April 1995 issue of The Advocate, he went on to write for the magazine, serve as a high-profile spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, became entertainment media director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and penned two books centered on LGBT issues. After several years under the radar, Bono broke news in June that he had begun FTM gender reassignment surgery.
Thursday evening, October 29, Entertainment Tonight will begin airing Bono's first interview since he revealed he is transitioning. After you've watched the preview here, check your local listings for channels and times to catch Mary Hart's full chat with Chaz.
These days it seems you can't turn on the television without slamming headlong into an award show of one kind or another. Lately everyone is in the running for something and usually it's less than noteworthy. But, while we can live without tuning into the teen equestrian geriatric skeet shooting stand up comedic competitive monologue reading homemaker awards, we've recently learned of an event that is definitely worthwhile: The Annual Emery Awards.
Kimora Lee Simmons will host the gala evening to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, as well as its founders and Harvey Milk. The Annual Emery Awards honor those individuals and corporations that exemplify Hetrick-Martin's mission of providing a safe and supportive environment for all young people -- regardless of their sexual orientation or identity -- along with those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the community. This year Hetrick-Martin Institute will be honoring its founders, Drs. Damien Hetrick and Emery Martin, and activist Harvey Milk, as well as recognizing such leaders as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Dr. Joyce Hunter. Special guests include Mary Louise Parker, Rosie O'Donnell, B.D. Wong, and Cheyenne Jackson.
The Annual Emery Awards take place on November 10, 2009. The night kicks off at Cipriani Wall Street with a cocktail hour at 6:30, followed by the awards dinner and an after party. If you'd like to attend the awards or donate to the Hetrick-Martin Institute, please call Darra Gordon at 212-674-2600, ext. 277 or email dgordon@hmi.org. For more information visit www.hmi.org.
This afternoon President Obama signed The Matthew Shepard
and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes
Prevention Act, a bill that updates the original 1968 federal hate crimes
statute to make violence against gay, lesbian, transgender, and disabled people a federal crime. The
bill, a version of which was first introduced in 1996, two years before the hate-motivated murders of Shepard and Byrd in 1998, allows for federal investigators, forensic tools, and
funds to be allotted to help state and local officials tackle hate crimes.
“As a straight ally and as a person with many lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender family members, friends and fans, I want to thank the
Human Rights Campaign, Judy and Dennis Shepard and Senator Edward Kennedy for
their leadership in the 11 year struggle to get the Matthew Shepard & James
Byrd, Jr. Hates Crimes Prevention Bill enacted,” longtime gay rights advocate
Cyndi Lauper said in a statement today. “FINALLY, with President Obama’s
signature, violent hate crimes against the LGBT community will be recognized
and prosecuted by the Federal government. This is only the beginning, I believe
that the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act, as
well as the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, will soon be
here. Today, that light at the end of the tunnel for the LGBT civil rights
movement is much brighter.”
The Ali Forney Center, which offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, food. clothing, medical and mental health treatment and other services to queer youth in New York City, received a gift of $300,000 from Bea Arthur's Estate today.
Arthur, who died April 25 at the age of 86, will be memorialized by the Center when it purchases a building to house 12 youths and names it after her.
"We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are. We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives." says the Center's Executive Director Carl Siciliano.
"I joined the Church of Scientology thirty-five years ago. During my
twenties and early thirties I studied and received a great deal of
counseling. While I have not been an active member for many years, I
found much of what I learned to be very helpful, and I still apply it
in my daily life. I have never pretended to be the best Scientologist,
but I openly and vigorously defended the church whenever it was
criticized, as I railed against the kind of intolerance that I believed
was directed against it. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them
internally. I saw the organization -- with all its warts, growing pains
and problems -- as an underdog. And I have always had a thing for
underdogs.
But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what
to think. You had allowed our name to be allied with the worst elements
of the Christian Right. In order to contain a potential "PR flap" you
allowed our sponsorship of Proposition 8 to stand. Despite all the
church's words about promoting freedom and human rights, its name is
now in the public record alongside those who promote bigotry and
intolerance, homophobia and fear.
The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots,
hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word.
Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent."
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