Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 5/04/09

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 12 No. 18 May 4, 2009
Newsletter Editor: OnQYB@aol.com

The Fine Print

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The Gay Agenda: Datebook: May 4-10, 2009

thru SUN: 6/28: Minneapolis, MN: Everything Kushner at The Guthrie. a celebration honoring the work of out playwright Tony Kushner (best known for his epic "Angels in America"). www.guthrietheater.org/kushner

MON-SUN: 5/04-5/17: Dublin, Ireland: Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. www.gaytheatre.ie

TUE: 5/05: New York: Tony Awards Nominations announced. Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda make the announcement at 8:30AM. www.tonyawards.com

WED-SAT: 5/06-5/09: Toronto, ON: We're Funny That Way. Canada's International LGBT Comedy Festival. www.werefunnythatway.com

SAT: 5/09: San Francisco, CA: 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. www.glaad.org

SUN: 5/10: New York, NY: When You’re Good to Mama: The Mother of All Mother’s Day Concerts. Broadway salutes the bonds between LGBT people and their moms. Cast includes: Kerry Butler, Malolm Gets, and more. A benefit for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. www.gaycenter.org

Newsworthy:

Iowa: An historic day for gay couples as marriage equality becomes legal. USA Toay reports: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-26-iowa-gay-marriage_N.htm

New Hampshire is a step closer to allowing gay marriage after a state Senate vote. The Associated Press reports: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifaEWKe-n6HVbTVUVY2uN4PEDP4gD97SDET80

Yale University's first LGBT reunion was not controversy-free as activist Larry Kramer condemned Yale's "conspiracy of silence" on LGBT issues. Kramer was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Ivy League school's gay community. The Yale Daily News reports: http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28996

DiversityInc announces the "Top Ten Companies for LGBT Employees List": http://www.diversityinc.com/public/5795.cfm

The "Craigslist Killer" solicited men and transsexuals, according to a Today Show report. Bay Windows reports: www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=blog&sc2=news&sc3=&id=90421

Florida Gay-Themed Library Comes Out. The Stonewall Library and Archives, a collection of gay-themed material that was the subject of political controversy two years ago, celebrated its grand opening in Fort Lauderdale. The Miami Herald reports: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/1015090.html

Coming to a Film Festival Near You. "Outrage", a documentary by Kirby Dick, director of "This Film Is Not Yet Rated", which exposes closeted policitians and the damage they do to their party, their constituents, and themselves. The film will be screened at the Tribeca Film Festival. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/04/closeted-gay-republicans-hung-out-to-dry-in-outrage.html

Awards and Honors:

Nominees: Drama Desk Awards: "9 to 5" picks up the most nominations; "Liza's At The Palace", Raul Esparza, Christopher Sieber, Bill T. Jones, Elton John, Stephen Sondheim, Liza Minnelli will receive a special award. For details: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/128654.html

In Memoriam:

Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" and who won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame," died 4/25/09 at age 86. She was beloved by the gay community and performed in many fundraisers on the community's behalf.
For BroadwayWorld.com's photo tribute: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Tribute_Remembering_Bea_Arthur_20090425

Features

Death of LGBT Print Media. Gay papers and magazines are dwindling as the web becomes a more viable source for news and information. EDGE Boston reports: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=entertainment&sc=culture&sc2=features&sc3=&id=90385

Transcript: Nick Adams, Broadway actor who hosted the Live Out Loud benefit. Thanks to arts reporter Wayman Wong: http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1718844

Profile: Kirby Dick is Outraged. the film-maker discusses his new documentary about closeted politicians. the Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid80876.asp

Profile: William Ivey Long, the prolific Broaway costume designer. The Hartford Courant reports: http://www.courant.com/entertainment/stage/hc-williamiveylong.artapr26,0,456975.story

In Print:

Vincente Minnelli: Hollywood's Dark Dreamer by Emannuel Levy. St. Martin's Press. A bio of the late film director of MGM musicals fame (husband to Judy Garland, father to Liza). Minnelli's homosexuality is discussed in the book.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Billy Elliot, the Elton John/Lee Hall musical based on the movie about a boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. www.billyelliotbroadway.com.
***Blithe Spirit. Rupert Everett makes his Broadway debut in Noel Coward's ghostly comedy. Angela Lansbury and Christine Ebersole co-star.
***Confessions of a Prairie Bitch. Alison "Nellie Oleson" Arngrim brings her potty-mouthed recollections of "Little House on the Prairie" to The Big Apple for Mother's Day. Arngrim is a big league AIDS activist on the side. 5/10/09. www.SpinCycleNYC.com
***Hair, The first major American rock musical, which has "sodomy" and other words in its lyrics. www.publictheater.org.
***Lesley Gore, the out "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To" singer, weeps at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency. 5/05/09-5/09/09.
***West Side Story. The acclaimed musicalization of "Romeo & Juliet" in a new production directed by Arthur Laurents. www.broadwaywestsidestory.com.

Elsewhere...

***Dead Man Walking. The Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally opera based on the film about Sister Helen Prejean and death row. to 5/10/09, Ft. Worth, TX. www.fwopera.org.
***Grey Gardens, the award-winning musical about mother and daughter Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, former society queens turned into recluses with 51 cats.to 5/17/09. Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. www.ordway.org.
***I Am My Own Wife, the fascinating real-life story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German transvestite who managed to survive both Nazi rule and the repressive East German Communist regime. to 5/10/09: Boston, MA. http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/production.aspx?id=6893&src=t
***The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures. A world premiere by Tony Kushner. 5/09/09-6/28/09. Minneapolis, MN. www.guthrietheater.org.
***New Year's Eve. Out playwright/director Arthur Laurents' new comedy which features Marlo Thomas. to 5/10/09. New Brunswick, NJ. www.gsponline.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...

***Every Little Step. A documentary about the making of the 2006 Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line".
***Little Ashes, Paul Morrison's drama about the young lives and loves of Salvador Dali, Luis Bunuel and Frederico Garcia Lorca. www.littleashes-themovie.com.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. Includes analysis by Barney Frank, Jim McGreevey, Larry Kramer, Michelangelo Signorile, and Mike Rogers
***The Universe of Keith Haring, a documentary on the late gay pop artist. Now making the rounds of film festivals and independent cinemas
***Valentino: The Last Emperor, a new documentary about the life of the Italian fashion designer, focusing on his business and romantic relationship with Giancarlo Giametti, who says they've spent a total of two months apart since they met..

Out On Video & DVD

***A Jihad for Love, the daring documentary filmed in 12 countries in which Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma explores the intersections of Islam and homosexuality.
***Barbra Streisand: The Concerts. 3 DVD set including her concert with Il Divo, the HBO special, and the Broadway Album special.
***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.
***Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About, a documentary about the American dancer/choreographer/director whose genius was tempered by obsessive behavior, perfectionism, and guilt over his bisexualism.
***Kiki & Herb Live at The Knitting Factory. The Tony-nominated gender-bending downtown club act.
***King Lear. Out gay rights activist Sir Ian McKellan stars as Shakespeare's elderly king. www.shoppbs.org.

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

***May: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***THU: 5/07: Grey Gardens, a new movie about eccentric Jackie O cousins Edie Beale and her mother, starring Drew Barrymore as Little Edie and Jessica Lange as her mother Big Edie. 12N & 9PM. HBO. www.hbo.com/films/greygardens

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

Resources: Pride Calendars.

There are too many PRIDE events to list here during PRIDE season (which generally runs May-August). Please check the following resources for events in your area:

***Damron Guides Event Calendars: http://www.damron.com/calendar/index.html
***Pride Events worldwide: www.interpride.org.
***PRIDE Calendars: http://www.gayfriendlybiz.com/calendar.html
***Gay.com’s Pride Calendar: www.gay.com/pride/calendar/

5/14/09-5/24/09: Toronto, ON: Inside Out: Toronto LGBT Film & Video Festival. www.insideout.on.ca

5/14/09-5/17/09: New Orleans, LA: Saints & Sinners. LGBT writers & readers from around the country gather for a weekend of readings, panels & performances including Dorothy Allison, Michelle Tea & Mark Doty. A benefit for the New Orleans AIDS Task Force. www.sasfest.com

5/20/09-5/25/09: Oklahoma City, OK: Annual Gay Bowling Tournament. www.igbo.org

5/21/09-5/25/09: Atlanta, GA: Mondo Homo Dirty South. queer-centric festival featuring music, dance, crafts, performance & more. www.mondohomo.com

5/23/09-5/24/09: Houston, TX: Lone Star Classic Softball Tournament, sponsored by the Montrose Softball League. www.montrosesoftballleague.com/lonestarclassic.htm

5/26/09-5/31/09: Honolulu, HI: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival. www.hglcf.org

5/28/09-5/31/09: Ft. Worth, TX: Q Cinema. annual celebration of LGBT-themed movies. www.qcinema.org

5/31/09-6/06/09: San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA: AIDS LifeCycle to raise money for HIV/AIDS services. www.aidslifecycle.org

6/01/09-6/30/09: San Francisco, CA: National Queer Arts Festival. performances & exhibitions highlighting artists from around the country. www.QueerCulturalCenter.org

6/01/09: Boston, MA: AIDS Walk & 5K Run Boston. www.aac.org

6/02/09-6/08/09: Orlando, FL: Gay Days at Disney World. http://www.gaydays.com/

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: May Milestones
correct.

1. Question: Name this military strategist and acclaimed warrior, Macedonia’s favorite son, born May 15, in 536BC. His friendship with a young man was the type that was made for the silver screen, although the last attempt to film his life was a box-office bomb. Answer: Alexander (The Great). The boyfriend was Hephaestion.

2. Question: Name this American politician, who came out (under pressure) in the Boston Globe on May 30, 1987. One of the first elected officials to come out, he’s been a leader of the LGBT community ever since. Answer: Barney Frank, US Representative from Massachusetts.

3. Question: Name this newspaper column, which premiered on May 24, 1976. Its author portrayed a group of diverse people in a small San Francisco house. The serial column became a book, a series of sequels, and television miniseries. Answer: Tales of The City by Armistead Maupin. It first appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle.

4. Question: Name this Pulitzer Prize winning play, which opened on Broadway on May 4, 1993. A sweeping chronicle of America in the age of AIDS, it swept up every major theatre award before being adapted into a television film, which did likewise. Answer: Angels in America by Tony Kushner.

5. Question: Name this American author, born May 16, 1921 in Chicago. Among his most unforgettable literary characters is a madcap aunt, who brings up her nephew in non-traiditional ways. Answer: Patrick Dennis, author of “Auntie Mame”.

5/04: This Week’s Trivia Quiz: “PFLAG Moms”

1. Question: Name this “PFLAG Mom”, who turned her daughter’s very public coming out (on television and in the media) into a positive experience for parents everywhere with a book, an internet advice column, and as a spokesperson for a national coming out service organization.

2. Question: Name this “PFLAG Mom”, an award-winning actress, director, composer and singer, who has donated significant monies to LGBT service organizations, both to honor her gay filmmaker son and her many LGBT fans. She recently returned to movie-making and a global concert tour.

3. Question: Name this “PFLAG Mom”, former government bureaucrat and author of a 1981 romance novel about lesbians in the 19th century American west. When her husband’s competitor mentioned her out daughter, this mom called his actions “a cheap trick”.

4. Question: Name this “PFLAG Mom”, also an award-winning actress and singer. Her daughter, a spokesperson and activist for LGBT rights, wrote two books describing her coming out process and her mom’s reactions and eventual support. Mom is a donor to LGBT causes.

5. Question: Name this “PFLAG Mom-in-law” (who would have been a PFLAG supporter had the organization been around in her day). An icon in the LGBT community, she was supposedly married to a gay man and her eldest daughter married at least one. Daughter’s first husband was the subject of a recent Broadway musical which won a Tony Award for its Australian star.

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/