Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 3/02/09

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 12 No. 9 March 2, 2009
Newsletter Editor: OnQYB

The Fine Print

See previous posts

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 2-8, 2009

to SAT: 3/07: Lake Tahoe, NV: Lake Tahoe WinterFest Gay & Lesbian Ski Week. includes Outlaugh comedy festival. www.LakeTahoeWinterfest.com

MON: 3/02: New York, NY: Cheyenne Jackson makes his nightclub debut in "Back to The Start". Seth Rudetsky is musical director. Also:SUN: 3/08. www.feinsteinsatloewsregency.com

MON: 3/02: New York, NY: Broadway for a New America: Standing Up for Marriage Equality and a Progressive Agenda for Change. A benefit including: Melissa Errico, Nellie McKay, Rosie Perez, Lillias White, Hugh Panaro, Stockard Channing, Richard Belzer, Tovah Feldshuh, and Seth Rudetsky. www.Jews4Change.com

MON: 3/02: Washington, DC: Nathaniel Frank, author of "Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America" does a reading and booksigning. 12Noon. Center for American Progress. Also: THU: 3/05: Los Angeles, CA: 7:30PM. A Different Light Books. SAT: 3/07/09: San Diego, CA: Time TBD. Obelisk Books/San Diego LGBT Community Center. http://www.unfriendlyfire.org/events.php

TUE: 3/03: New York, NY: The Big Gay Variety Show to benefit New York Civil Liberties Union, one of New York State’s leading advocates for the rights of LGBT New Yorkers. Jackie Hoffman and Nellie McKay headline. www.nyclu.org/BigGayShow.

WED-FRI: 3/04-3/06: Philadelphia, PA: Rethinking Sex: Gender and Sexuality Studies State of the Field Conference. Sponsored by Penn’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center, Women’s Studies, and the Alice Paul Center for Research on Women, Gender, and Sexuality. www.sas.upenn.edu/wstudies/rethinkingsex/

FRI-SUN: 3/06-3/08: Los Angeles, CA: Fusion, LGBT people of color film festival.
www.outfest.org/fusion.html

SAT: 3/07: Pittsburgh: PA: Margaret Cho performs outrageous comedy in a benefit for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. www.glccpgh.org 

SAT: 3/07: Chicago, IL: Chicago Takes Off. burlesque show to fight HIV/AIDS in the Chicagoland area. www.rideforaids.org

Newsworthy:

FBI Probed Valenti's Sexuality. According to recently surfaced information, The FBI's J. Edgar Hoover investigated then LBJ aide Jack Valenti (who later became head of the Motion Picture Association of America). Hoover thought Valenti, although married, was gay and in a secret relationship. The Washington Post reports: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021803819.html

Rev. Fred Phelps, the homophobic (God Hates Fags) cleric, was barred entry to the UK, where he was headed to protest a production of "The Laramie Project" (the drama about Matthew Shepard). The Guardian reports: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/19/britain-bans-us-cleric

Film Examines Gay Hate Crime. A new documentary profiles the 2003 murder of a lesbian teen in Newark, NJ. the New York Times reports: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/remembering-a-newark-hate-crime/

"Milk" lost the battle for the best film Oscar on 2/22/09, but a day later activists say it has won a lasting place in U.S. culture wars by energizing mostly young, gay men and women to speak out. Reuters reports: http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE51N0BE20090224

California: Joy in the Castro as "Milk" picks up Oscars. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/22/MNFU162QFP.DTL&tsp=1

The Buzz (People Making News)

Coming Out: Ann Hampton Callaway, the fixture on the New York cabaret scene who has written material for Barbra Streisand, Patti LuPone, and Fran Drescher has come out. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid73310.asp

Shin Inouye was appointed as The White House's Director of Specialty Media for the White House. The out Inouye was formerly spokesperson for specialty media at Obama’s presidential campaign and the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The Washington Blade reports: http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=24160

Gay is Grand: Alan Cumming, the out actor, will be grand marshall of the Tartan Day Parade, in his hometown of Aberfeldy, Scotland. The New York Post's Page Six reports: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02192009/gossip/pagesix/gay_is_grand_155836.htm

Awards and Honors:

The Oscars: "Milk" picks up honors for Dustin Lance Black's screenplay and Sean Penn's performance. Their acceptance speeches were awesome. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/02/slumdog-millionaire-took-the-best-picture-last-night-at-the-academy-awards-along-with-7-other-trophies-but-it-was-the-s.html

Winners: Independent Spirit Awards: "Milk" won for "Best First Screenplay" (Dustin Lance Black) and "Best Supporting Actor" (James Franco). For the complete list: www.spiritawards.com

Winners: 29th Annual Golden Raspberry (Razzies) Awards: http://www.razzies.com/history/08winners.asp

Features

Transgender Vets: The Hidden Population. Tucson has become home to a small army of veterans who are trying to live transgender lives. The Arizona Daily Star reports: http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/281260

Profile: Dustin Lance Black, Oscar winner for "Milk", discusses Harvey Milk 30 years later. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/02/exclusive-milk-screenwriter-dustin-lance-black-on-milk-30-years-later.html

Duo-Profile: John Epperson and Lypsinka discuss their upcoming performances with Charles Busch and Whoopi Goldberg in James Kirkwood's "Legends", which finally comes to Broadway for a one-nighter. Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/126357.html

In Print:

Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America by Nathaniel Frank. Thomas Dunne Books. the definitive history of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which went into effect 15 years ago on March 1, as written by one of the major authorities on the subject. www.unfriendlyfire.org.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Avow. Bill C. Davis’s drama explores the Catholic church's reactions to same-sex marriage. to 3/08/09. www.CardinalGroupNYC.com
***Blithe Spirit. Rupert Everett makes his Broadway debut in Noel Coward's ghostly comedy. Angela Lansbury and Christine Ebersole co-star.
***Christine Jorgensen Reveals. Bradford Louryk stars as America's first famous transsexual, in his solo theatre piece which won numerous awards. to 3/15/09. www.ticketcentral.com
***Gates of Gold. Frank McGuinness' comedy-drama based on Hilton Edwards and Micheal MacLiammoir, partners in business and also in life, who together founded Dublin's Gate Theater in Dublin in 1928.to 3/29/09. www.59e59.org.
***Hair, The first major American rock musical, which has "sodomy" and other words in its lyrics. www.publictheater.org.
***West Side Story. The acclaimed musicalization of "Romeo & Juliet" in a new production directed by Arthur Laurents. www.broadwaywestsidestory.com.

Elsewhere...

***A Beautiful View. Daniel MacIvor's take on two women in love. MacIvor is one of Canada's greatest living playwrights. to 3/22/09. San Francisco, CA. www.therhino.org.
***A Conversation With Edith Head. Susan Claassen's portrayal of the award-winning designer who gave good Hollywood costume. 3/05/09-3/08/09, Tucson, AZ. www.invisibletheatre.com. .
***Hangin' Out: That Naked Musical. A musical revue. to 3/15/09. Macha Theatre. West Hollywood, CA. www.plays411.com/hangin’out
***La Cage Aux Folles. The Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical based on the film that became "Birdcage".to 3/29/09. Santa Rosa, CA. www.6thstreetplayhouse.com
***Master Class. Barbara Walsh stars as opera diva Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's Tony-Award winning play. to 4/05/09. Millburn, NJ. www.papermill.org.
***Simply Barbra Salutes The Oscars. Steven Brinberg as Streisand performs her movie music. to 3/15/09. Ft. Lauderdale, FL. www.risingactiontheatre.com
***Sin, A Cardinal Deposed. A docudrama about Boston Archibishop Cardinal Bernard Law who failed to protect tvictims of sexual abuse at the hands of priests in his archdiocese. to 4/02/09. Los Angeles, CA. www.thehayworth.com.

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, A nun (Meryl Streep) suspects a popular priest of abusing a boy.
***Hair: Let the Sunshine In. Pola Rapaport's documentary that traces the roots and legacy of the landmark musical.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison and makes regular attempts to escape when the object of his affections is released.
***Milk, Gus Van Sant's Oscar-winning film about gay activist Harvey Milk (Sean Penn).

Out On Video & DVD

***Chris and Don: A Love Story. Tina Mascara's documentary about British writer Christopher Isherwood and his lover, the much younger American artist Don Bachardy.
***Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Neil Patrick Harris stars in Joss Whedon's internet musical.
***Religulous. Bill Maher travels the globe to investigate the current state of world religion, questioning many religious leaders on LGBT rights. www.lionsgate.com/religulous.
***"Rent" Filmed Live on Broadway. Film made of the final performances of the landmark musical New to DVD and Blu-Ray.
***The Yellow Brick Road And Beyond. A feature documentary takes a look at the phenomenon that is The Wizard of Oz.

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. www.glaad.org/eye/tv_listings.php

***March: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
This Just In !!! ***SAT: 2/28: Rosie O'Donnell plays a therapist who helps a teen scarred from the foster care system in "America". 9PM. Lifetime.
***TUE: 3/03: Cynthia Nixon appears on Live With Regis and Kelly. Syndicated. Check local listings.
***FRI: 3/06: Siegfried and Roy, Las Vegas' one-time fun couple, chat with Elizabeth Vargas on 20/20. 10PM. ABC. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6807154&page=1

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

3/12/09-3/14/09: Storrs, CT: True Colors XVI Conference focusing on the needs of LGBTQ youth and their allies. www.ourtruecolors.org.

3/18/09-3/20/09: Ithaca, NY: Ithaca College Sport, Sexuality, and Culture Conference. Former NBA player John Amaechi, will deliver the keynote address. http://www.ithaca.edu/hshp/grad/sportmgmt/sportsexualitycultureintr/ConferenceSchedule/

3/23/09: New York, NY: Legends, a reading of the infamous James Kirkwood comedy with Charles Busch, Lypsinka, Whoopi Goldberg and Bryan ("Mad Men") Batt. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125984.html

3/25/09-3/29/09: Keystone, CO: OutBoard, annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org

3/30/09-4/05/09: Palm Springs, CA: Kraft Nabisco Golf Championship. previously known as the Dinah Shore. women and golf. www.dinahshoreweekend.com

4/01/09-4/04/09: Kingston, RI: University of Rhode Island GLBTIQQ Symposium. on GLBT, Intersex, Queer and Questioning Issues. www.uri.edu/glbt/symposium.html

4/09/09-4/12/09: Washington, DC: International Gay Square Dance Clubs Convention. www.iagsdc.org

4/17/09-4/19/09: Minneapolis, MN: 2009 Bisexual Empowerment Conference (BECAUSE) at the University of Minnesota. Keynote speaker: Robyn Ochs. Also: screening of the documentary "Bi the Way" including dialogue with director Josephine Decker. www.becauseconference.org.

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: March Milestones

1. Question: Name this nation, the first in the Middle East, to decriminalise same-sex acts between consenting adults on March 23, 1988. Answer: Israel.

2. Question: Name this organization, the most powerful political advocate for AIDS action, which was founded on March 14, 1987. Ten days later, it staged a major protest in New York City. Answer: ACT-UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. Playwright Larry Kramer was one if its founders.

3. Question: Name this American author, born March 10, 1934, who turned his days as a hustler and a drifter into a highly-praised 1963 American novel. Today, he teaches literature. Some of his subsequent works also deal with hustling. Answer: John Rechy, author of “City of Night” and “Numbers”.

4. Question: Name this gay pop-idol dancer, born in Siberia in March, 1938, who lept to fame when he defected to the West. His stagework was legendary; he also played a gay film icon in a Ken Russell movie. Answer: Rudolf Nureyev, best known for his dance partnership with Dame Margot Fonteyn, many years his senior. He starred as Valentino in Russell’s film bio.

5. Question: Name this gay music legend, singer, piano-man, and songwriter, who was born on March 25, 1947. He has conquered the Billboard charts, Broadway and Hollywood, and is perhaps best known worldwide for his elegy to a dead princess. Answer: Elton John.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

President Bill Clinton signed DADT, the paradigm for gays in the military, into law 15 years ago.

1. Question: Name this non-profit organization, founded in 1993, which provides support and legal assistance to gays in the military affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". It has responded to over 9,000 requests for legal assistance since its founding.

2. Question: Name the author of the definitive history of LGBT people in the US military. This author, who had chronicled the gay rights movement in the Harvey Milk years and the rise of AIDS activism in the USA, died shortly after completing the book.

3. Question: Name this gay soldier who was perhaps the best-known openly gay man in the 1970s. A Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Purpole Heart and the Bronze Star, he came out and fought to stay in the Air Force, a battle that put hiim on the cover of Time Magazine in 1975.

4. Question: Name this out former colonel in the Washington National Guard and a gay rights activist. Prior to DADT, she came out in a security clearance, and was discharged. She fought for reinstatement. Her battle became the subject of an award-winning film.

5. Question: Name this Naval Academy student who was expelled from Annapolis in 1987, after coming out to his commanding officer. He was six weeks from graduation and one of the top six midshipmen within the academy. He sued for reinstatement. His case was unique in that he was accused of no homosexual conduct; his separation from the military was predicated solely upon his admission of homosexuality. After a long legal battle, he chose not to appeal his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Today, he's a successful attorney.

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/