Coming Out Support Newsweekly / 1-19-09

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 12 No. 3 January 19, 2009
Newsletter Editor: OnQYB@aol.com

The Fine Print

About this Newsletter: All information included is proprietary information provided for your personal use only. None of the information here may be redistributed or reprinted without the written consent of the editor. All times listed are ET (Eastern Time). Dates and times are subject to change. This newsletter, published by Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, was initially started by members of the AOL Community Leaders Program.

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The Gay Agenda: Datebook: January 19-25, 2009

to WED: 1/21: Washington, DC: Obama Inauguration Activities. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hSBfplgKCknSYrBU6lZTENGAmfFwD95N0CU80

to SAT: 1/24: Park City, UT: Sundance Film Festival. http://festival.sundance.org/2009/ Also: to WED: 1/21: Queer Lounge, ground zero for LGBT film makers and artists. www.queerlounge.org.

to MON: 1/19: Atlanta, GA: GLSEN SOCO Weekend. Students of Color Organizing (SOCO) gathering of middle and high school students of color to provide networking and skills building opportunities. www.glsen.org

MON: 1/19: New York, NY: Bye George! An End of an Error. Lea DeLaria, Michael ("Ugly Betty") Urie, Justin ("Kiki & Herb") Bond and the cast of "Hair" bid George W. Bush "adieu". www.joespub.com.

TUE: 1/20: Nationwide: Change Begins. The Inauguration of Barack Obama.

TUE: 1/20: New York, NY: Day One: An Evening of Celebration, a benefit concert for ASTEP with Seth Rudetsky, Lea DeLaria, Jeff Blumenkrantz and more. www.joespub.com.

THU: 1/22: Hollywood, CA: Oscars Nominations announced. www.oscars.org.

THU: 1/22: New York, NY: GLYDSA Monthly Meeting: Raising kids as a gay or lesbian Jewish couple. Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center. http://www.orthogays.org/calendar.html

FRI: 1/23: New York, NY: Dance From the Heart. Rob Ashford hosts a thrilling evening of dance to benefit Dancers Responding To AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Performances by American Ballet Theatre, Battleworks, Broadway’s Billy Elliot, Camille A. Brown, Dresden SemperOper Ballett, Les Ballet Grandiva, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. www.dradance.org.

FRI: 1/23: New York, NY: Sanjaya Malakar, “American Idol” contestant, signs copies of "Dancing To The Music In My Head". 6PM. Border's. Columbus Circle.

Newsworthy: The Obama Transition & Inauguration

Obama Administration LGBT Appointments:

***Fred Hochberg, businessman, is likely to be appointed Chair of the US Export-Import Bank. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid70418.asp
***Brian Bond, will be named as deputy director of the Office of Public Liaison. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid70334.asp
***John Berry will be named director of the Office of Personnel Management, according to The Washington Post. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid70673.asp
***David Medina has been named deputy chief of staff for Michelle Obama;
***Dave Noble will serve as the White House's liason to NASA.
***Karine Jean-Pierre will be White House liason to the Department of Labor. The Washington Blade reports on Medina, Noble, and Jean-Pierre: http://washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=23455

Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who became the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop in 2003 and last year entered into a civil union with his gay partner, will deliver the invocation for Sunday’s kickoff inaugural event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, with President-elect Obama in attendance. The event is free and open to the public. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/gay-bishop-gene.html

Hillary Clinton addresses State Department LGBT Policies at Confirmation Hearings. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/hillary-clint-1.html

Newsworthy:

Eddy Curry Sued. Dave Kuchinsky, a former chauffeur for the Knicks center, is suing for (gay) sexual harassment. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/sports/basketball/13eddy.html?ref=sports

Proposition 8 Update: Groups want donors in favor of Proposition 8 to be anonymous, and other issues from Towleroad.com: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/prop-8-supports.html

For Larry Craig, the Appeal's Over. The former senator has dropped his campaign to clear his name. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/us/09craig.html?ref=us

Fired For Being Gay. A Tennessee man was fired from his position at a Brentwood hotel, after the owner found out that he was gay. The man plans to sue. WSMV/Nashville reports: http://www.wsmv.com/news/18442419/detail.html#-

Regent Entertainment Media, publishers of The Advocate and Out magazines and owner of the here! TV network announced Thursday that it has signed a merger agreement with PlanetOut Inc. the Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid70389.asp

No Pubic Television: Sir Ian McKellan's nude scene in "King Lear" has been deleted from the PBS screening. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/01/08/arts/AP-TV-Ian-McKellen.html?_r=1

The Buzz (People Making News)

Alicia Skillman has been named executive director of Michigan's Triangle Foundation, the first woman, and the first woman of color, to lead the organization. The Detroit-based Triangle Foundation is Michigan's largest LGBT organization. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid70353.asp

Awards and Honors:

Winners: 2009 Critics Choice Awards: Sean Penn was named Best Actor for "Milk,". Best Acting Ensemble was presented to the cast of "Milk."
www.bfca.org.

Nominees: Directors Guild of America: Outstanding Directorial Achievement: Gus Van Sant for "Milk". www.dga.org.

In Memoriam:

Tom O'Horgan, the awar-winning theatre director who put "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Hair" on Broadway, died on 1/11/09, at age 84.
Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125120.html
When O'Horgan gave up his Manhattan loft, it made history.
The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/theater/01trove.html

Features

Profile: David Cicilline, mayor of Providence, RI, stands to become the nation’s first governor to be elected as openly gay. Elected six years ago to the seat previously held by Vincent “Buddy” Cianci (who went to prison in 2001 for racketeering and corruption), Cicilline has made substantial improvements to the city. He drew more than $3 billion in investments to the city, erased a $59 million debt and reduced the crime rate to its lowest level in 30 years. GayPolitics.com reports: http://www.gaypolitics.com/2009/01/12/david-cicilline-the-nations-first-out-governor/


Opportunities

Point Foundation Scholarships are now available for the 2009-10 academic year. Point Foundation is the nation's largest scholarship granting organization for LGBT students of merit.  Point provides support through multi-year scholarships, leadership training, mentoring and hope to LGBT students who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Application due date: 2/09/09. For information and application form. www.pointfoundation.org.

The Resource Center:

GLYDSA, The Gay and Lesbian Yeshiva Day School Alumni Association provides resources, information and events in a safe space for LGBT Jews who wish to intergrate their Jewish and gay identities in a self-affirming manner. www.orthogays.com.

GayPolitics.com, a project of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, brings attention to the accomplishments of openly LGBT elected and appointed officials, as well as highlight the campaigns of Victory’s endorsed candidates. Check out their Blog Roll. www.gaypolitics.com.

In Print:

Hollywood Bohemians: Transgressive Sexuality and the Selling of the Movieland Dream by Brett L. Abrams. McFarland. Abrams explores the relationship between Cary Grant and Randolph Scott, who led gay lives right under everyone's nose. For the Advocate report: http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid70080.asp

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Blanche Survives Katrina in a FEMA Trailer Named Desire. Mark Sam Rosenthal is Blanche, who leaves New Orleans for the Superdome, is evacuated to Shreveport, and becomes a fragile, alcoholic, sex-addicted belle. to 3/15/09. www.sohoplayhouse.com
***Cornbury: The Queen's Governor. William M. Hoffman’s satirical look at a lost chapter in New York history: 18th century Edward Hyde, Lord Canterbury, and governor of New York, dresses in drag as his first cousin, Queen Anne. to 2/08/09. www.TheatreAskew.com.
***Justin Bond's Rites: Songs for the Neo-Pagan Revolution. Kiki of "Kiki & Herb" revels in the rites of winter. 1/25/09. www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/635375
***Paulo Szot, out Tony winner ("South Pacific") and opera star. in concert. 1/24/09. Lincoln Center American Songbook Series. www.lincolncenter.org.
***The Third Story. Charles Busch and Kathleen Turner star in his new comedy. 1/14/09-2/28/09. www.mcctheatre.org
***Torch Song Trilogy, Harvey Fierstein's acclaimed story of a drag queen who falls in love, raises a foster son, and comes to terms with his mother. to 2/01/09. www.blackhennaproductions.com

Elsewhere...

***Beyond The Rainbow. The life story of Judy Garland (played by Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck). to 2/01/09. Rochester, MI. www.mbtheatre.com
***Dolls. A gay man's doll collection comes to life. to 2/22/09. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org.
***Dusty and the Big Bad World. Dusty, hero of "the popular animated PBS children's TV show" visits a family with two daddies. to 2/28/09. Denver, CO. http://www.denvercenter.org
***Falsettos, the William Finn & James Lapine musical about lesbians, gay men, an ex-wife, their child and a straight psychiatrist! to 2/08/09. San Francisco, CA. www.therhino.org.
***Hedda Gabler, Ibsen's classic, reimagined as a lesbian drama. to 1/29/09. Philadelphia, PA. mauckingbirdtheatreco.org.
***I Am My Own Wife, Bruce Nelson plays Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, real-life German cross-dresser, who survived the Nazis after WW2. to 2/22/09. Baltimore, MD. www.everymantheatre.org.
***The Little Dog Laughed. A barracuda Hollywood agent in high heels has a problem. Her matinee idol client plans to come out. to 3/08/09. Washington, DC. www.signature-theatre.org.
***Looped. Valerie Harper stars as Talullah Bankhead. Chad Allen plays her sound engineer. to 2/15/09. West Palm Beach, FL. www.cuillocentre.org.
***Missionary Position. Steven Fales' play based on his adventures as a gay Mormom missionary in Portugal. to 2/08/09. Hollywood, CA. www.celebrationtheatre.com
***Shut Up Sweet Charlotte!, Varla Jean Merman and Ricky Graham in performance. to 1/31/09, Atlanta, GA. www.varlaonline.com.
***Tennessee in the Summer. Joe Besecker's take on the psyche of gay playwright Tennessee Williams. Winner of the Jane Chambers International Gay Playwriting Contest. to 3/01/09. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Resource: Cine-Queer: GLAAD's Guide to What's LGBT in Film: http://www.glaad.org/eye/cinequeer.php

Out on Screen...

***Ciao. Two men meet after the death of a mutual friend. www.ciaomovie.com.
***Doubt, the film adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's award-winning drama. A nun (Meryl Streep) suspects a popular priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of abusing a boy.
***Milk, Gus Van Sant's film about gay activist Harvey Milk (Sean Penn). Also starring: Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco.
***Shifting the Canvas. Cheyenne Jackson, Scott Thompson and John Paul Pitoc star in this comedy drama about a Brooklyn cafe owner, who acts as "patriarch" to a wayward group of younger gay and lesbian artists. www.shiftingthecanvas.com.
***Were The World Mine, Tim Gustafson's film about a struggling gay teen in a homophobic town, who fantasizes about a potion that turns the town gay. http://www.weretheworldminefilm.com/

Out On Video & DVD

***Breakfast at Tiffany's. The Truman Capote novella turned into a hit film starring Audrey Hepburn and featuring the standard "Moon River".
***Brideshead Revisited. In the 1930s, Charles and Sebastian (Matthew Goode and Ben Wishaw) tryst on a country estate. www.bridesheadrevisited-themovie.com.
***Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Neil Patrick Harris stars in Joss Whedon's internet musical.
***Mamma Mia, the ABBA movie musical.
***Tangled Web: Making Kiss of the Spider Woman. David Weisman's documentary about how Manuel Puig's novel became a movie with William Hurt (as a gay window dresser) and Raul Julia; and later became a Broadway musical.

On TV Of Note: All times listed are ET. Check local listings for times in your area.

Resource:TV Gayed, GLAAD's Weekly Guide to What's LGBT on TV: Updated every Friday. Currently listing to 1/08/09. http://www.glaad.org/eye/tv_listings.php

***Ongoing: Chopped. A new cooking competition with "Queer Eye" foodie Ted Allen as host. Food Network. 10PM. TUE.
***January: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***SUN: 1/18: The L Word. Season Premiere. 9PM. Showtime.
***SAT: 1/24: Prayers for Bobby. The true story of Mary Griffith ( played bySignourney Weaver), gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance. 9PM. Lifetime. www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/prayers-bobby
***SUN: 1/25: Screen Actors Guild Awards. Live. 8PM. TNT and TBS.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

1/26/09-1/30/09: Nationwide: No Name-Calling Week, the sixth annual GLSEN, (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) initiative. Aimed at grades 5-8. www.glsen.org

1/28/09-2/01/09: Denver, CO: Creating Change Conference. The national conference on LGBT Equality. http://thetaskforce.org/events/creating_change

1/28/09-2/01/09: Vail, CO: Vail Gay & Lesbian Ski Week. www.vailgayskiweek.com

1/28/09-2/01/09: Stowe, VT: Winter Rendezvous. annual week of gay skiing & winter sports. www.winterrendezvous.com

1/29/09-1/31/09: Bloomington, IN: Pride Film Festival. www.pridefilmfestival.org

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Golden Globes

1. Question: Name this film, a remake of a classic, which won a record five Golden Globes. Its star, played by a gay icon, reprised a role played by an even bigger gay icon. Answer: A Star is Born (1977). Barbra Streisand played the role of Esther Blodgett, originated by Judy Garland.

2. Question: Name this gay-themed film, a Golden Globe winner for "Best Motion Picture Drama" in 2006, which was later snubbed by the Oscars. One of its stars, also nominated, lost to an actor playing a gay author. Answer: Brokeback Mountain. Golden Globe nominee Heath Ledger lost the acting honor to Philip Seymour Hoffman as (Truman) "Capote". The film overall won four Golden Globes.

3. Question: Name this film, the first major motion picture to deal positively with HIV and AIDS. Its star and its theme song won Golden Globes. Answer: Philadelphia, a 1994 winner. Tom Hanks won the acting honor; Bruce Springsteen picked up the music award.

4. Question: Name this actress who won both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her performance as a real life lesbian prostitute turned serial killer. Answer: Charlize Theron, winner of acting honors for "Monster", the story of Aileen Wuornos. She also has a GLAAD Media Award.

5. Question: Name this actress who won both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her performance as a real life transgender teen, who was brutally murdered when his sexuality was exposed. Answer: Hilary Swank, winner of acting honors for "Boys Don't Cry", the story of Brandon Teena. The film won a GLAAD Media Award.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: LGBT Birthday Milestones of 2009

1. Question: Name this occasional musician turned activist (she was a spokesperson for GLAAD), who turns the Big 40 this year. Her parents were a popular singing duo when she was born. Her mother continues to give farewell performances around the world.

2. Question: Name this award-winnning playwright, actor, producer and composer, who would have turned 110 this year. One of his most famous comedies returns to Broadway this season, starring a popular actor/author who turns 50 this year, alongside a famous actress who played a madcap aunt and another famous actress, who played mother and daughter in a musical that could have been subtitled "For Whom The Beales Toll".

3. Question: Name this flamboyant entertainer and pianist (who would have turned 90 this year) known for his candelabras, costumes, cars and kitsch. He took on the sobriquet "Mr. Showmanship", and as his act swelled with spectacle, he famously stated, "I'm a one-man Disneyland". His baubles, bangles, and beads are housed in a Las Vegas museum.

4. Question: Name this former professional body-builder turned public speaker, author and activist, who turns 50 this year. He came out 20 years ago, and he and his then-partner had a very public commitment ceremony.

5. Question: Name this American actress, comic, author, and activist. She turns 70 this year. She first received acclaim in sketch comedy. She broke new ground by crossing gender and racial stereotypes in a take-off on Luther Vandross; she won a Tony in a one-person show authored by her partner. She most recently starred in a drama about life in the White House.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: OnQYB@aol.com. If you do not want your email address to appear in the blog format of this newsletter, please indicate that. http://cosnewsweekly.blogspot.com/