Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 12/27/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 51/52 December 27, 2010 & January 3, 2011
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

See previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.

Season’s Greetings

We’re going to take a little holiday vacation. Our next issue will be emailed on January 4, 2011. Season’s Greetings and best wishes for a happy and a healthy New Year.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: December 27, 2010-January 9, 2011

FRI-SAT: 12/31-1/01: Miami, FL: Cheyene Jackson rings in the New Year with his new show “All I Know”. www.preludebybartong.com

WED-SUN: 1/05-1/09: Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week. www.gayskiing.org

THU: 1/06: New York, NY: Kevin Spacey, currently starring as Jack Abramoff in “Casino Jack” talks about his career at the New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. www.artsandleisureweekend.com.

THU: 1/06: Houston TX: Fannie Flagg, out author of “Fried Green Tomatos” signs copies of “I Still Dream About You”. 7PM. Brazos Bookstore, Bissonnet. Also: SAT: 1/08: Austin TX: 3PM. Book People, N. Lamar Avenue.

SUN: 1/09: San Francisco, CA: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch. http://dot429.com/events/brunch-san-francisco-0

SUN: 1/09: New York, NY: Billie Joe Armstrong, John Gallagher Jr and Michael Mayer, discuss “American Idiot” and Green Day at the New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. www.artsandleisureweekend.com.

Newsworthy:

DADT: The Senate ends the ban on gays serving openly in the military. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/us/politics/19cong.html?hp

The Human Rights Campaign has leased Harvey Milk’s camera shop in the Castro. It’s not going down well with many acitivists. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/us/20milk.html?hpw

The Human Rights Watch slammed Iran for harassing gays. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/12/15/world/europe/AP-EU-Netherlands-Human-Rights-Iran.html?_r=1

North Carolina: The Supreme Court has voided a same-sex couple’s second parent adoption. Pam’s House Blend reports: http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/18271/nc-supreme-court-voids-samesex-couples-second-parent-adoption

Soccer Foul. A leading international gay rights group demanded an official apology from FIFA following Sepp Blatter's comment about homosexual fans traveling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.Sports Illustrated reports: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/12/14/fifa.gayrights.ap/index.html#ixzz18JRsacXp

Lesbian Coach’s Exit from Belmont University is the talk of Nashville. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/education/18belmont.html?hpw

Commissioned: A musical of the film “Far From Heaven” in which a woman discovers that her husband is in the closet. The creators wrote the script for “Take Me Out” (the story of a baseball star who comes out) and “Grey Gardens”. New York Press reports: http://www.nypress.com/blog-7931-far-from-heaven-the-musical.html

The Buzz (People Making News)

Coming Out: Nigel Evans, Britain’s Deputy Commons Speaker and a conservative politician, has come out. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/12/conservative-british-.html

Transitions:

Blake Edwards, the film director who staged “Victor/Victoria” for his wife Julie Andrews, has died on 12/15/10 at age 88. “Victor/Victoria” was a 1980s hit about a starving opera singer who pretends to be a Polish count who performs as a female impersonator. He also directed “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the Pink Panther films. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/17/movies/17edwards.html

Awards and Honors:

Nominees: Screen Actors Guild Awards. Among them: Jane Lynch, “Glee”, Annette Bening, http://www.sag.org/nominations-announced-17th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards

Opportunities

Point Foundation Scholarships are now available for 2011-12. The 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 deadline is 2/11/11. www.pointfoundation.org.

The Resource Center:

Resource: LGBT News: The Gay Politics Report, a twice-weekly compendium of national news involving the LGBT community, is published by The Victory Fund. For a free email subscription: http://www.victoryfund.org/home

In Print:

American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott. Random House. Using exclusive interviews and never-before-published material, the author vividly delves into Gypsy's world, including her intensely dramatic triangle relationship with her sister, actress June Havoc, and their formidable mother, Rose.

Sal Mineo: A Biography by Michael Gregg Michaud, Crown/Archetype. The biography of the actor/director who was one of cinema’s first bad boys. He worked with gay-themed material, and died in a burtal murder.

On CD: Use Those Gift Cards

***Be A Santa. Lea DeLaria swings traditional Christmas songs on her new album. Warner Classics.
***Burlesque. RCA. The motion picture soundtrack with Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kristen Bell, and Alan Cumming.
***Confessions, a new album from Liza Minnelli. Decca. Release date: 9/21/10.
***La Cage aux Folles, the Broadway revival recording. PS Classics. with Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge.
***The Scottsboro Boys, 2010 Off-Broadway musical cast recording with out composer and lyricist.Kander & Ebb score. JAY Records.
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. The New York Philharmonic and Broadway greats celebrate the 80th birthday of the out composer. David Hyde Pierce hosts. Among the cast: Bernadette Peters, Elaine Stritch, Patti LuPone, Mandy Patinkin, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, and more.
***Sondheim on Sondheim. Original Broadway cast recording. New arrangements of over two-dozen Sondheim tunes interspersed with audio commentary by the composer himself, who reveals fascinating details about his life and his art. With Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat. PS Classics.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu. Rufus Wainwright performances his acclaimed piece at Carnegie Hall. 12/29/10. www.rufuswainwright.com
***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. Michael Urie stars beginning 2/02/11 thru 3/27/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***Celebrity Autobiography: the special New Year’s Eve show with Rick Holmes , Cady Huffman,, Kristen Johnston, Andrea Martin, and Christopher Sieber. 12/31/10. www.celebrityautobiography.com. ,
***The Divine Sister. Charles Busch’s new play. Busch plays an indomitable Mother Superior driven to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***The Importance of Being Earnest. Gay Oscar Wilde’s classic. Brian Bedford turns in a gender-bender as Lady Bracknell. to 3/06/11. www.roundabouttheatre.org
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". Kelsey Grammer stars. www.LaCage.com
***Songs My Mother Taught Me. Lorna Luft sings Judy Garland. 1/04/11-1/09/11. http://feinsteinsattheregency.com/

Elsewhere...

***A Catered Affair. the Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino musical based on the film with a little gay sensibility added. to 1/23/11. Houston, TX. www.mainstreettheater.com.
***Dirty Little Showtunes. Off-color, adults-only musical spoof on Broadway shows from “Wicked” to “Grey Gardens”. Six guys skewer showtunes in an antidote to Sugarplum saturation. to 1/16/10. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org.
***The Loose Chanteuse. Varla Jean Merman’s new show. 1/01/11-1/15/11, Silverlake, CA. . www.varlaonline.com
***Marga Gomez New Year’s Eve Spectacular. An evening with San Francisco's queer queen of New Year's Eve. 12/31/10. San Francisco, CA.www.therhino.org
***Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Playlets about marriage equality. to 2/07/11. Los Angeles, CA. www.StandingOnCeremony.net
***Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tracy Letts and Amy Morton star as sparring spouses in out Edward Albee’s masterpiece. to 2/13/11. Chicago, IL. . www.steppenwolf.org.

On Display

thru 1/23/11: Washington, DC: Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture. A controversial display of portraits from the late 19th century through today illustrates the changing social attitudes towards sexual difference and how it is depicted. National Portrait Gallery. http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/museums/national-portrait-gallery-smithsonian-institution,793021.html

thru 2/28/11: San Francisco, CA: Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Writers: Jewish Community Center of SF features acclaimed photographic exhibit by American photographer Robert Giard who chronicled a broad survey of contemporary American gay and lesbian literary figures, including Allen Ginsberg, Tony Kushner and more.Jewish Community Center of SF www.jccsf.org/arts.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about 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.
***Little Fockers. Barbra Streisand returns as “Roz” in the latest “Meet The Parents” series.
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.
***Undertow. A Peruvian film about a man with a pregnant wife who takes a male lover. Limited screenings to qualify for Best Foreign Film Oscar.

Out On Video & DVD

***HOWL, the docu-feature about Allen Ginsberg (James Franco) by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.
***Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. A new documentary which follows from gig to gig, onstage and at home, and historically through the ups and downs of her career.
***The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in a two-mom family dramedy. Their kids seek out their sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo). .
***Mädchen in Uniform, the 1958 lesbian classic.
***Out: The Glenn Burke Story. A new documentary on the life of the late professional baseball player Glenn Burke raises haunting questions about the impact of homophobia in major league sports.
***Prayers for Bobby. Sigourney Weaver stars in a true story about the mother of a gay son who has problems accepting him.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***December/January: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***thru 12/28: Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher’s intoxicating autobiographical solo show. 9PM. NBO. Check times.
***Ongoing: Public Speaking. Martin Scorses’s documentary about occasional author Fran Lebowitz. HBO. Check listings.

***TUE: 12/28. Kennedy Center Honors. Among those honored: Jerry Herman and Bill T. Jones. CBS. Check local listings.
***FRI: 12/31: Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On. The divine Miss M’s Vegas extravaganza which is Midler’s first special in over a decade. 9PM. HBO. Additional airings. Check local listings.
***WED: 1/05: People’s Choice Awards. 9PM. CBS. www.PeoplesChoice.com

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

1/11/11: New York, NY: Johnny Weir does a booksigning for “Welcome to My World”. 7PM. Borders Books, Columbus Circle.

1/15/11-6/04/11: Nationwide: David Sedaris continues his book tour with his new bestseller “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk”. http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

1/16/11-1/23/11: Aspen, CO: Aspen Gay Ski Week. www.gayskiweek.com

1/19/11-1/23/11: Stowe, VT: Winter Rendezvous gay skiing, winter sports & entertainment. www.winterrendezvous.com

1/20/11-1/30/11: Park City, UT: Sundance Film Festival. www.sundance.org Sundance schedule: http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/2011-sundance-film-festival-announces-films-in-premieres/

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: 2010 in Review Part 2

2010: The year of battles around “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and Proposition 8. The year when thousands rallied to tell teens “It Gets Better”.

1. Question: Name this nation, the only one with an out head of state, which legalised same sex marriage in 2010. Answer: Iceland. The Advocate reported: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/06/11/Iceland_Legalizes_Gay_Marriage/

2. Question: Name this international company. It ran popular gay-friendly TV commercials in Europe; Company management refused to air them in America, leaving many LGBT diners with an unsavory taste in their mouths. Answer: McDonald’s. Au revoir, happy meals. The Huffington Post reported: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/17/mcdonalds-homophobic-comm_n_616458.html. =

3. Question: Name this international tourist attraction, a shrine to a flamboyant entertainer. The attraction was forced to close. Answer: The Liberace Museum in Las Vegas. NPR reported: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130571040&sc=fb&cc=fp.

4. Question: Name this gay hero amongst the over-worked working class, who jumped ship with a brew to protest air rage. Answer: Steven Slater, a JetBlue flight attendant. He lost his job in the process. USAToday reported: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-10-19-jetblue-attendant-plea_N.htm. =

5. Question: Name this right-wing Republican, known for his public anti-gay activity. He came out to the surprise of many. Answer: Ken Mehlman, former Republican National Committee Chair and President Bush’s campaign manager in 2004. The Atlantic reportrf: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/bush-campaign-chief-and-former-rnc-chair-ken-mehlman-im-gay/62065/ .

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: January Milestones

1. Question: Name this musician, author and activist, who was the first person to come out on television on January 18, 1973. His family was the subject of a reality series documentary on PBS.

2. Question: Name this playwright and activist. On January 12, 1982, a group of gay men met at his apartment to form the GMHC, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, a non-profit organization to provide programs and services to people with HIV. Today, the GMHC is one of the nation’s laregest AIDS service organizations, and the playwright is best known for his activism.

3. Question: Name this out award-winning actor and activist. His gay and lesbian theatre and film colleagues, among them Alec McGowen, Simon Callow, Stephen Fry, Cameron Macintosh, and Martin Sherman, came out publicly in the UK’s Guardian to support his knighthood on January 9, 1991.

4. Question: Name this popular icon who was outed in January, 2005. He joined Tinky Winky and Bert & Ernie as gay icons.

5. Question: Name this bisexual American actress, born January 31, 1902. She was best known for her portrayals of Southern belles, although she had a mouth that could frighten sailors.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 12/20/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 50 December 20, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

See previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: December 20-26, 2010

SUN: 12/26: New York, NY: 23rd LGBT Kwanzaa Celebration. http://www.circleofvoicesinc.org/events.html

Newsworthy:

Resource: LGBT News: The Gay Politics Report, a twice-weekly compendium of national news involving the LGBT community, is published by The Victory Fund. For a free email subscription: http://www.victoryfund.org/home

DADT Senate Vote Fails. The Advocate reports: http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/12/09/Senate_DADT_Vote_Fails/

Beyond DADT: Canada, which accepts LGBT troops, has issued a dress code for transgender soldiers. EDGE Publications reports: http://www.edgeonthenet.com/news//news//113896/canada_issues_dress_rules_for_military_transsexuals

African Gays face growing persecution, fueled by fundamentalist preachers, intolerant governments, and homophobic politicans. The Washington Post reports: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/11/AR2010121103045.html

LGBT Books at Harvard Vandalized. Police at Harvard University say they are investigating vandalism to about 40 books about lesbian and gay issues at a school library as a hate crime. BayWindows reports: http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3&id=114046

The Buzz (People Making News)

Bea Arthur was a truck-driving Marine. The Smoking Gun reveals. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/bea-arthur-was-truck-driving-marine

Transitions:

Michael Portantino, longtime publisher of San Diego's Gay and Lesbian Times, was found dead 12/08/10, after apparently jumping from a seven-story hotel near Balboa Park The Los Angeles Times reports: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/san-diego-journalist-dead-an-apparent-suicide.html

Adele Starr, the gay rights activist and the first national president of PFLAG, died on 12/10/10 at age 90. The Los Angeles Times reports: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-adele-starr-20101212,0,1494745.story

Awards and Honors:

Golden Globe Nominees: The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Entertainment_News/Golden_Globe_Nominations_Announced/

Features

Coming Out: Act Out: Helping Gay Actors Find Themselves Onstage. A new class helps gay actors discover themselves to better prepare for their roles. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/theater/13actout.html?_r=1&hp

Frank Rich: Gay-Bashing at the Smithsonian. A controversial piece of art is removed from an important gay-themed exhibition, “Hide/Seek”. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/opinion/12rich.html?_r=2&ref=frankrich

Opportunities

Point Foundation Scholarships are now available for 2011-12. The 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 deadline is 2/11/11. www.pointfoundation.org.

In Print:

Lambda Literary:The Gay’s Gift Guide: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/12/08/the-gays-gift-guide/

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. Michael Urie stars beginning 2/02/11 thru 3/27/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***The Divine Sister. Charles Busch plays an indomitable Mother Superior driven to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***The Importance of Being Earnest. Gay Oscar Wilde’s classic. Brian Bedford turns in a gender-bender as Lady Bracknell. to 3/06/11. www.roundabouttheatre.org
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". Kelsey Grammer stars. www.LaCage.com
***The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens’ stage version of his TV hit. to 1/02/11.
***Promises, Promises. Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth star in the Burt Bacharach & Hal David & Neil Simon musical. to 1/02/11. www.promisespromisesbroadway.com.

Elsewhere...

***Dirty Little Showtunes. Off-color, adults-only musical spoof on Broadway shows from “Wicked” to “Grey Gardens”. Six guys skewer showtunes in an antidote to Sugarplum saturation. to 1/16/10. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org.
***Oy Vay in a Manger. The Kinsey Sicks dragapella holiday show. to 1/02/11. Washington, DC. www.washingtondcjcc.org.
***Santaland Diaries. The David Sedaris holiday story about a department store elf. to 12/30/10. San Francisco, CA. www.eurekatheatre.org Also: to 12/31/10, Houston, TX. www.alleytheatre.org
***Sassy Gay Friend. Brian Gallivan’s solo show based upon his Second City character. 12/21/10-12/23/10. Boston, MA. http://www.improvasylum.com/home/sassy-gay-friend-returns-for-the-holidays
***Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Playlets about marriage equality. to 2/07/11. Los Angeles, CA. www.StandingOnCeremony.net
***Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tracy Letts and Amy Morton star as sparring spouses in out Edward Albee’s masterpiece. to 2/13/11. Chicago, IL. . www.steppenwolf.org.

On Display

thru 1/23/11: Washington, DC: Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture. A display of portraits from the late 19th century through today illustrates the changing social attitudes towards sexual difference and how it is depicted. National Portrait Gallery. http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/museums/national-portrait-gallery-smithsonian-institution,793021.html

thru 2/28/11: San Francisco, CA: Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Writers: Jewish Community Center of SF features acclaimed photographic exhibit by American photographer Robert Giard who chronicled a broad survey of contemporary American gay and lesbian literary figures, including Allen Ginsberg, Tony Kushner and more.Jewish Community Center of SF www.jccsf.org/arts.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***Burlesque. Cher returns to the screen in a musical drama that tells the tale of a young singer (Christina Aguilera) who is hired as a cocktail waitress at a club that does musical revues by the star (Cher).
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about 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.
***Little Fockers. Barbra Streisand returns as “Roz” in the latest “Meet The Parents” series.
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.
***Undertow. A Peruvian film about a man with a pregnant wife who takes a male lover. Limited screenings to qualify for Best Foreign Film Oscar.

Out On Video & DVD

***Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. A new documentary which follows from gig to gig, onstage and at home, and historically through the ups and downs of her career.
***The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in a two-mom family dramedy. Their kids seek out their sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo). .
***Out: The Glenn Burke Story. A new documentary on the life of the late professional baseball player Glenn Burke raises haunting questions about the impact of homophobia in major league sports. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/10/Documentary_Shows_Struggle_of_Gay_Baseball_Player/
***Prayers for Bobby. Sigourney Weaver stars in a true story about the mother of a gay son who has problems accepting him.
***Sex and The City 2. Carrie and the girls and a gay wedding with Liza.
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Davd Hyde Pierce hosts.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***December: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays: The Nate Berkus Show. Oprah’s out protege goes hourly in syndication. Check local listings.
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***thru 12/28: Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher’s intoxicating autobiographical solo show. 9PM. NBO. Check times.
***Ongoing: Public Speaking. Martin Scorses’s documentary about occasional author Fran Lebowitz. HBO. Check listings.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

12/31/10-1/01/11: Miami, FL: Cheyene Jackson rings in the New Year with his new show “All I Know”. www.preludebybartong.com

1/05/11-1/09/11: Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week. www.gayskiing.org

1/06/11: New York, NY: Kevin Spacey, currently starring as Jack Abramoff in “Casino Jack” talks about his career at the New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. www.artsandleisureweekend.com.

1/09/11: San Francisco, CA: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch. http://dot429.com/events/brunch-san-francisco-0

1/09/11: New York, NY: Billie Joe Armstrong, John Gallagher Jr and Michael Mayer, discuss “American Idiot” and Green Day at the New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. www.artsandleisureweekend.com.

1/15/11-6/04/11: Nationwide: David Sedaris continues his book tour with his new bestseller “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk”. http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

1/16/11-1/23/11: Aspen, CO: Aspen Gay Ski Week. www.gayskiweek.com

1/19/11-1/23/11: Stowe, VT: Winter Rendezvous gay skiing, winter sports & entertainment. www.winterrendezvous.com

1/20/11-1/30/11: Park City, UT: Sundance Film Festival. www.sundance.org Sundance schedule: http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/2011-sundance-film-festival-announces-films-in-premieres/

1/21/11: Springfield, MA: Viva!, the 14th annnual gala benefitting the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts. http://www.aidsfoundationwm.org/

1/23/11: New York, NY: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch. http://dot429.com/events/brunch-new-york

1/24/11-1/28/11: Nationwide: No Name-Calling Week, the GLSEN initiative. An annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities. www.nonamecallingweek.org.

1/28/11-2/05/11: Kingston, ON: Reel Out Queer Film & Video Festival. www.reelout.com

1/30/11: Los Angeles, CA: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch.
http://dot429.com/events/brunch-los-angeles-3

1/30/11-2/06/11: Whistler, BC: WinterPRIDE: Whistler Gay Ski Week. www.gaywhistler.com

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: 2010 in Review Part 1

1. Question: Name this country which became the first South American to legalise same-sex marriage. Hint: Near carnival in Rio, it once had a tearful first lady. Answer: Argentina, homeland of Eva Peron who sang “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” in the musical “Evita”.

2. Question: Name this actor who once cruised Tom, whose same-sex marriage was featured in the New York Times. Answer: Kelly McGillis, star of “Top Gun” opposite Tom Cruise. For the New York Times recap: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/fashion/weddings/15MCGILLIS.html?_r=1&ref=weddings.

3. Question: Name this high school senior who fought her school’s decision to cancel the prom rather than allow her to attend with her girlfriend. She won her fight, was grand marshall of New York City Pride, and has become one of the movement’s most respected activists. Answer: Constance McMillen. NPR told her story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128654153&sc=fb&cc=fp.

4. Question: Name this prominent gay rights activist, the child of entertainment legends, who very publicly transitioned from female to male. Answer: Chaz Bono, son of Sonny and Cher. Chaz explained the process to Anderson Cooper (via Towleroad): http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/watch-anderson-cooper-talks-to-chaz-bono-about-transition.html.

5. Question: Name this actor, who came out just prior to making a Broadway debut. He was a hit, but a national magazine questioned his ability to play it straight in a love story. He ended up being nominated or a slew of awards, and hosting an awards ceremony. The journalist, also gay, was vilified after the article was released. Answer: Sean Hayes, star of “Promises Promises” opposite Kristin Chenoweth. Newsweek writer Ramin Satoodeh left the magazine for People shortly afterwards. the Advocate recapped: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/People/Sean_Hayes_I_Am_Who_I_Am/.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: 2010 in Review Part 2

2010: The year of battles around “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and Proposition 8. The year when thousands rallied to tell teens “It Gets Better”.

1. Question: Name this nation, the only one with an out head of state, which legalised same sex marriage in 2010.

2. Question: Name this international company. It ran popular gay-friendly TV commercials in Europe; Company management refused to air them in America, leaving many LGBT diners with an unsavory taste in their mouths.

3. Question: Name this international tourist attraction, a shrine to a flamboyant entertainer. The attraction was forced to close.

4. Question: Name this gay hero amongst the over-worked working class, who jumped ship with a brew to protest air rage.

5. Question: Name this right-wing Republican, known for his public anti-gay activity. He came out to the surprise of many.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 12/13/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 49 December 13, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

See previous editions

Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: December 13-19, 2010

MON: 12/13: San Francisco, CA: A Shrektacular Holiday Musical Extravaganza with the cast of “Shrek” and Deborah Gibson. A benefit for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.HelpIsOnTheWay.org

WED: 12/15: Palm Springs, CA: Sparkle: A Holiday Concert with Broadway’s Brightest to benefit The Christmas Foundation, which works to help underprivileged children and children with HIV. Carol Channing, Lorna Luft , Max vonEssen, and Bobby Steggert star. http://sparklepalmsprings.eventbrite.com.

THU: 12/16: San Francisco, CA: Big Gay Christmas Party to benefit GLAAD, NCLR, and more. http://dot429.com/events/temple

SAT: 12/18: New York, NY: Fay Jacobs reads from her new book “For Frying Out Loud”. 2PM. NYC Gay and Lesbian Community Center. www.aandmbook.com

SAT: 12/18: Westport, CT: LGBT Night Out at The Playhouse, Westport Country Playhouse and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center present a cocktail party, erformance by “The Broadway Boys”. www.westportplayhouse.org

SAT: 12/18: Garden City: NY: Holidays With The Family. The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concert. http://ligmc.org/events.htm

SUN: 12/19: Bayshore, NY: Holidays With The Family. The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concert. http://ligmc.org/events.htm

Newsworthy:

Gay teens in the United States are far more likely to be harshly punished by schools and courts than their straight peers, according to a new study in the medical journal “Pediatrics”. The New York Times reports: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/gay-teens-face-harsher-punishments/?hp

Illinois: The Senate has passed a civil unions law. The governor is expected to sign it. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/12/illinois-senate-passes-civil-union-bill-governor-has-promised-to-sign.html

Changing The Game is a new GLSEN-initiated project to battle homophobia in sports at the K-12 level. Outsports reports: http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2010/12/06/glsen-sports-project-kicking-off/

GLAD Records Move to Yale. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is donating many of its legal records to Yale University. Most of the resources, which range from photographs to financial records, will be open to researchers in early 2011..The Yale Daily News reports: http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/nov/30/library-acquires-lgbt-records/

Yale University has launched an undergraduate LGBTQ Magazine. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/12/yale-launches-first-undergraduate-lgbtq-magazine.html

Becoming Chaz, a documentary about Chaz Bono, will have its world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The film, directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, is described by saying, "born biologically female, Chastity Bono. The Advocate previews: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/12/03/Chaz_Documentary_To_Premiere_at_Sundance/

The Buzz (People Making News)

Coming Out: Amber Heard, the actress starring with Johnny Depp in “The Rum Diary” has come out. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Entertainment_News/Actress_Amber_Heard_Im_Gay/

Transitions:

Hiroshi Iwasaki, the theatre designer, died 11/23/10 at age 59. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/obituaries/20101205_He_was_the_artist_behind_the_scenes.html

Awards and Honors:

Nominees: 53rd Grammy Awards for excellence in music. www.grammy.com.

Forbes Magazine Power Women. @#7: Lady Gaga. @#10: Ellen DeGeneres. @#50: Rachel Maddow. @#61: Suze Orman. @#80: Johanna Sigurdardottir. Forbes reports: http://www.forbes.com/wealth/power-women?boxes=listschannelinsidelists#p_1_s_arank

Photo Shoots and Video

Coming Out: Overhearing Family Drama. The public reacts when a gay kid comes out to a parent in public, part of an ABC “What Would You Do?” Special. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/12/watch-public-reacts-to-anti-gay-parents-on-what-would-you-do.html

Features

DADT: How Gay Soldiers serve openly around the world. Terry Gross from NPR’s “Fresh Air” reports: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/07/131857684/how-gay-soldiers-serve-openly-around-the-world?&sc=fb&cc=freshair

Profile: Basil Twist, the incomparable puppeteer. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/nyregion/05routine.html?_r=1

Opportunities

Point Foundation Scholarships are now available for 2011-12. The 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.  Online applications available on 12/10/10. Application deadline is 2/11/11. www.pointfoundation.org.

In Print:

The Best LGBT Books of 2010: 80 authors select their favorites. Band of Thebes reports: http://bandofthebes.typepad.com/bandofthebes/2010/11/the-best-lgbt-books-of-2010.html#more

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. Michael Urie stars beginning 2/02/11 thru 3/27/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***Christmas Spells. Justin Bond’s gender-bending holiday show. to 12/18/10. http://www.abronsartscenter.org/
***The Importance of Being Earnest. Gay Oscar Wilde’s classic. Brian Bedford turns in a gender-bender as Lady Bracknell. to 3/06/11. www.roundabouttheatre.org
***Jackie Beat’s All You Can Eat Christmas. starring the drag Grinch. 12/16/10-12/19/10. www.jackiebeatrules.com
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". .www.LaCage.com
***The Last Castrato. the story of Alessandro Moreschi, the last of that unique, almost forgotten group --the castrati. www.lastcastrato.com.
***The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens’ stage version of his TV hit. to 1/02/11.
***Sing Your Brass Off! The NYC Gay Men's Chorus' holiday concert with guest Liz Callaway. 12/19/10. www.nycgmc.org.
***Times Square Angel. Charles Busch stars in his gender-bending holiday classic. 12/13/10. http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/

Elsewhere...

***A John Waters Christmas. The bad boy of cinema (“Hairspray”, “Pink Flamingos”) offers an evening of holiday ribaldry. 12/14/10. Chicago, IL. www.harristheaterchicago.org
***A Queer Carol. The holiday tale retold with gay sensibility. to 12/18/10. Theatre Out, Santa Ana, CA. www.theatreout.com
***Oy Vay in a Manger. The Kinsey Sicks dragapella holiday show. 12/18/10-1/02/11. Washington, DC. www.washingtondcjcc.org.
***Santa Claus Is Coming Out, a theatrical mock-u-mentary by Jeffrey Solomon, reveals the secret romantic life of the beloved childhood icon and the scandal that rocks the world when the truth leaks out. to 12/21/10. San Diego, CA. www.diversionary.org
***Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Playlets about marriage equality. to 2/07/11. Los Angeles, CA. www.StandingOnCeremony.net
***Take Me Out. A baseball player comes out. to 12/19/10. Hollywood, CA. www.celebrationtheatre.com
***There’s Something About Merry. Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus holiday show. 12/18/10. New Haven, CT. www.ctgmc.org.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***Burlesque. Cher returns to the screen for her first movie in seven years in a musical drama that tells the tale of a young singer (Christina Aguilera) who is hired as a cocktail waitress at a club that does musical revues by the star (Cher).
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about 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.
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.
***Undertow. A Peruvian film about a man with a pregnant wife who takes a male lover. Limited screenings to qualify for Best Foreign Film Oscar.

Out On Video & DVD

***The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story, the film documentary about songwriting brothers Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman, (Mary Poppins,' 'The Jungle Book,' 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and more). They were tempestuous in life and great work collaborators.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in a two-mom family dramedy. Their kids seek out their sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo). .
***Mädchen in Uniform, the 1958 lesbian classic.
***Out: The Glenn Burke Story. A new documentary on the life of the late professional baseball player Glenn Burke raises haunting questions about the impact of homophobia in major league sports.
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Davd Hyde Pierce hosts.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***December: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays: The Nate Berkus Show. Oprah’s out protege goes hourly in syndication. Check local listings.
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***thru 12/28: Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher’s intoxicating autobiographical solo show. 9PM. NBO. Check times.
***Ongoing: Public Speaking. Martin Scorses’s documentary about occasional author Fran Lebowitz. HBO. Check listings.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

12/26/10: New York, NY: 23rd LGBT Kwanzaa Celebration. http://www.circleofvoicesinc.org/events.html

1/05/11-1/09/11: Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week. www.gayskiing.org

1/09/11: San Francisco, CA: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch. http://dot429.com/events/brunch-san-francisco-0

1/15/11-6/04/11: Nationwide: David Sedaris continues his book tour with his new bestseller “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk”. http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

1/16/11-1/23/11: Aspen, CO: Aspen Gay Ski Week. www.gayskiweek.com

1/19/11-1/23/11: Stowe, VT: Winter Rendezvous gay skiing, winter sports & entertainment. www.winterrendezvous.com

1/20/11-1/30/11: Park City, UT: Sundance Film Festival. www.sundance.org Sundance schedule: http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/2011-sundance-film-festival-announces-films-in-premieres/

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: December Milestones

1. Question: Name this gay international fashion designer, born December 2, 1946. His murder, at the hands of a hustler, made recent headlines. A relative, often spoofed on “Saturday Night Live” has taken over his work. Answer: Gianni Versace. His sister, Donatella, was often spoofed by Maya Rudolph. .

2. Question: Name this progressive state, which passed legislation on December 6, 1993, to protect LGBT youth from discrimination in the public school system--a first. Hint: the state has a liberal reputation. Answer: Massachusetts.

3. Question: Name this gay-themed movie, which opened in New York on December 14, 1988. Its author and star (the movie originated on Broadway) has played one of Broadway’s most glamourous mothers and one of its favorite fathers of five. Answer: Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein, who played Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” and Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof”.

4. Question: Name this internationally famous concert hall. On December 8, 1981, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus performed there...they were the first openly gay musical group to do so. Answer: Carnegie Hall.

5. Question: Name this former California congressman and almost Senator who came out publicly in December, 1998. He was the spouse of the internationally known commentator and blogger. He had supported LGBT causes, including supporting Andrew Tobias’ “Out of The Past“ documentary. Answer: Michael Huffington, former husband of Arianna. (The Huffington Post).

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: 2010 in Review Part 1

2010: The year of battles around “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and Proposition 8. The year when thousands rallied to tell teens “It Gets Better”.

1. Question: Name this country which became the first South American to legalise same-sex marriage. Hint: Near carnival in Rio, it once had a tearful first lady.

2. Question: Name this actor who once cruised Tom, whose same-sex marriage was featured in the New York Times.

3. Question: Name this high school senior who fought her school’s decision to cancel the prom rather than allow her to attend with her girlfriend. She won her fight, was grand marshall of New York City Pride, and has become one of the movement’s most respected activists.

4. Question: Name this prominent gay rights activist, the child of entertainment legends, who very publicly transitioned from female to male.

5. Question: Name this actor, who came out just prior to making a Broadway debut. He was a hit, but a national magazine questioned his ability to play it straight in a love story. He ended up being nominated or a slew of awards, and hosting an awards ceremony. The journalist, also gay, was vilified after the article was released..

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 12/06/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 48 December 6, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

See previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: December 6-12, 2010

MON: 12/06: Los Angeles, CA: Bruce Vilanch hosts the opening performance of “Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays” as a benefit for the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Equality California. www.StandingOnCeremony.net

MON: 12/06: New York, NY: Patti LuPone, Broadway star, signs copies of her memoir. 7PM. Borders Books, Columbus Circle.

MON: 12/06: New York, NY: Elaine Stritch chats show biz with Broadway’s Jordan Roth. www.92Y.org/lectures.

MON-TUE: 12/06-12/07: New York, NY: Gypsy of The Year Competition. Broadway shows compete in a benefit for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Carol Channing opens the show. www.broadwaycares.org.

THU: 12/09: New York, NY: Armistead Maupin does a booksigning for his newest book of “Tales of The City”, “Mary Ann in Autumn”. Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center. http://www.armisteadmaupin.com/Events.html

SAT-SUN: 12/11-12/12: San Francisco, CA: Dance-Along, Sing-Along Nutcracker with the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. You CAN be the Sugar Plum Fairy.. http://dancealongnutcracker.org/

SUN: 12/12: New York, NY: Research in Action Awards. The benefit for Treatment Action Group (TAG) is an independent AIDS research and policy think tank fighting for better treatment, a vaccine, and a cure for AIDS. http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/RIAA2010.aspx

Newsworthy:

DADT Repeal Report: The Pentagon's long-awaited report on gays in the military concludes that repealing the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" law would present only a low risk to the armed forces' ability to carry out their mission, and that 70 percent of service members believe it would have little or no effect on their units The Washington Post reports: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/11/_the_reports_release_caps.html?hpid=topnews

DADT: The Pentagon sees little impact if DADT is repealed. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/us/politics/01military.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Point Foundation Scholarships are now available for 2011-12. The 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.  Online applications available on 12/10/10. Application deadline is 2/11/11. www.pointfoundation.org.

Awards and Honors:

Rachel Maddow won the top spot in the “30 Media Heros” poll from The Nation. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/29/Maddow_Tops_Media_Heroes_Poll/

Nominees: Independent Spirit Awards for Independent Film. Among the nominees: “The Kids Are All Right”, John Cameron Mitchell, http://www.spiritawards.com/nominees

Features

State of the Queer Union. NEA Four artists Holly Hughes and Tim Miller have new performance pieces about same-sex marriage. Theatermania reports: http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/news/11-2010/state-of-the-queer-union_32359.html

In Print:

Welcome to My World. by Johnny Weir. Simon & Schuster. Olympic figure skater tells all.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. thru 2/20/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***Christmas Spells. Justin Bond’s gender-bending holiday show. to 12/18/10. http://www.abronsartscenter.org/
***The Divine Sister. Charles Buschplays an indomitable Mother Superior driven to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***Jackie Five-Oh! Comic Jackie Hoffman begins her second half-century with a new stand-up comedy show on her nights off from “The Addams Family”.12/06/10, 12/13/10. www.joespub.com
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage".www.LaCage.com
***The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens’ stage version of his TV hit. to 1/02/11.
***Sordid Confessions. Del Shores, creator of “Sordid Lives” has a new solo show. 12/09/10-12/12/10. www.spincycle.com.

Elsewhere...

***Annie. Out comic Wanda Sykes is the evil Miss Hannigan. to 1/16/11. Media, PA. http://mediatheatre.org
***A Queer Carol. The holiday tale retold with gay sensibility. to 12/18/10. Theatre Out, Santa Ana, CA. www.theatreout.com
***The Boys in the Band, Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 play about pre-Stonewall gay life. to 12/12/10, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. www.risingactiontheatre.com.
***Dirty Little Showtunes. Off-color, adults-only musical spoof on Broadway shows from “Wicked” to “Grey Gardens”. Six guys skewer showtunes in an antidote to Sugarplum saturation. to 1/16/10. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org.
***Santa Claus Is Coming Out, a theatrical mock-u-mentary by Jeffrey Solomon, reveals the secret romantic life of the beloved childhood icon and the scandal that rocks the world when the truth leaks out. to 12/21/10. San Diego, CA. www.diversionary.org
***Santaland Diaries. The David Sedaris holiday story about a department store elf. Todd Waite stars. to 12/31/10, Houston, TX..www.alleytheatre.org
***Scrooge in Rouge. Varla Jean Merman’s holiday show. to 12/23/10: New Orleans, LA: http://varlaonline.com/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=eventlist&Itemid=12
***Snow Girls. a parody of Show Girls. to 12/19/10. New Orleans, LA. www.southernrep.com.
***Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Playlets about marriage equality. 12/06/10-2/07/11. Los Angeles, CA. www.StandingOnCeremony.net
***Take Me Out. A baseball player comes out. to 12/19/10. Hollywood, CA. www.celebrationtheatre.com

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride. Bob Christie’s documentary shows that Pride is more than a parade, it’s a giant step on the road to global human rights.
***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***Burlesque. Cher returns to the screen for her first movie in seven years in a musical drama that tells the tale of a young singer (Christina Aguilera) who is hired as a cocktail waitress at a club that does musical revues by the star (Cher).
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about 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.

Out On Video & DVD

***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in a two-mom family dramedy. Their kids seek out their sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo). .
***Mädchen in Uniform, the 1958 lesbian classic.
***Out: The Glenn Burke Story. A new documentary on the life of the late professional baseball player Glenn Burke raises haunting questions about the impact of homophobia in major league sports. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/10/Documentary_Shows_Struggle_of_Gay_Baseball_Player/
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Davd Hyde Pierce hosts.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***December: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays: The Nate Berkus Show. Oprah’s out protege goes hourly in syndication. Check local listings.
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***Ongoing: Public Speaking. Martin Scorses’s documentary about occasional author Fran Lebowitz. HBO. Check listings.
***MON: 12/06: Oral Arguments in Federal Proposition 8 case televised on C-SPAN. 1PM ET.
***SAT: 12/11: Private Screenings: Liza Minnelli. Robert Osborne interviews Liza about movies of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, Liza’s parents. 10PM. Turner Classic Movies.
***SUN: 12/12: Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher’s intoxicating autobiographical solo show. 9PM. NBO. Also through 12/28/10.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

12/13/10: San Francisco, CA: A Shrektacular Holiday Musical Extravaganza with the cast of “Shrek” and Deborah Gibson. A benefit for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.HelpIsOnTheWay.org

12/15/`10: Palm Springs, CA: Sparkle: A Holiday Concert with Broadway’s Brightest to benefit The Christmas Foundation, which works to help underprivileged children and children with HIV. Carol Channing, Lorna Luft , Max vonEssen, and Bobby Steggert star. http://sparklepalmsprings.eventbrite.com.

12/16/10: San Francisco, CA: Big Gay Christmas Party to benefit GLAAD, NCLR, and more. http://dot429.com/events/temple

12/18/10: Westport, CT: LGBT Night Out at The Playhouse, Westport Country Playhouse and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center present a cocktail party, erformance by “The Broadway Boys”. www.westportplayhouse.org

1/05/11-1/09/11: Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week. www.gayskiing.org

1/09/11: San Francisco, CA: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch. http://dot429.com/events/brunch-san-francisco-0

1/11/11: New York, NY: Johnny Weir does a booksigning for “Welcome to My World”. 7PM. Borders Books, Columbus Circle.

1/15/11-6/04/11: Nationwide: David Sedaris continues his book tour with his new bestseller “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk”. http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

1/16/11-1/23/11: Aspen, CO: Aspen Gay Ski Week. www.gayskiweek.com

1/19/11-1/23/11: Stowe, VT: Winter Rendezvous gay skiing, winter sports & entertainment. www.winterrendezvous.com

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: World AIDS Day

1. Question: In what year was AIDS first detected in California and New York (the first states to report any cases. Answer: 1981.

2. Question: As healthcare professionals learned that HIV was transmitted between IV-drug users, what was the first country (1984) to set up a needle exchange program. Answer: The Netherlands.

3. Question: Name this actor who has become one of the world’s major philanthropists and activists for those with HIV/AIDS. One of the founders of a national AIDS research foundation, a founder of another AIDS foundation, and a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS, this person’s participation in the movement brought international attention to AIDS activism. Answer: Elizabeth Taylor, who after the death of friend Rock Hudson, became involved with AMFAR, The American Foundation for AIDS Research.

4. Question: Name the American teenager, who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS, after being expelled from middle school for being HIV+ (from hemophilia). Lesgislation bearing his name was launched in 1990 to create the USA’s largest federally-funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS. Answer: Ryan White. (1971-1990). His death inspired Elton John to create the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

5. Question: Name this AIDS activist who combined community folk art with AIDS activism. His project, begun in 1983, put a personal touch on those impacted with HIV. He also co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, one of the now largest AIDS advocacy organizations in the country. Answer: Cleve Jones, who founded the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: December Milestones

1. Question: Name this gay international fashion designer, born December 2, 1946. His murder, at the hands of a hustler, made recent headlines. A relative, often spoofed on “Saturday Night Live” has taken over his work.

2. Question: Name this progressive state, which passed legislation on December 6, 1993, to protect LGBT youth from discrimination in the public school system--a first. Hint: the state has a liberal reputation.

3. Question: Name this gay-themed movie, which opened in New York on December 14, 1988. Its author and star (the movie originated on Broadway) has played one of Broadway’s most glamourous mothers and one of its favorite fathers of five.

4. Question: Name this internationally famous concert hall. On December 8, 1981, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus performed there...they were the first openly gay musical group to do so.

5. Question: Name this former California congressman and almost Senator who came out publicly in December, 1998. He was the spouse of the internationally known commentator and blogger. He had supported LGBT causes, including supporting Andrew Tobias’ “Out of The Past“ documentary.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 11/29/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 47 November 29, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

See previous editions

Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: November 29-December 5, 2010

thru THU: 12/02: Nationwide: David Sedaris does a book tour with his new book: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Beastiary http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

MON: 11/29: Charlotte, NC: Fannie Flagg, out author of “Fried Green Tomatos” signs copies of “I Still Dream About You”. 7PM. Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Also: TUE: 11/30: Columbia, SC: Books-A-Million. THU: 12/02: Charleston, SC: 7PM. Barnes & Noble, Sam Rittenberg Blvd. FRI: 12/03: Pawley’s Island, SC: 11AM. Litchfield Books, Ocean Highway.

MON: 11/29: New York, NY: A Very Mary Holiday. A benefit honoring activist Laura Benanti as a benefit for the Ali Forney Center. Onboard: Brian Charles Rooney, Sandra Bernhard, Anthony Rapp, Kate Shindle, and more. (www.aliforneycenter.org). http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/broadwayspeaksout/co-produce-broadway-stars-at-benefit-honoring-judi

MON: 11/29: New York, NY: Stephen Sondheim and Tony Kushner will appear in conversation for the conclusion of The Public Forum, hosted by Rocco Landesman, the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, who has produced shows by both writers. www.publictheater.org.

MON: 11/29: Philadelphia, PA: “Jersey Boys” hosts a concert/auction to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.

WED: 12/01: Worldwide: World AIDS Day

WED: 12/01: San Francisco, CA: Cocktails for a Cure. a benefit on World AIDS Day for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. http://www.richmondermet.org/reaf10.1/index.htm

WED: 12/01: San Francisco, CA: December One at Borders. Authors Michael Thomas Ford, Lucy Jane Bledsoe and Monica Nolan do a lunchtime LGBT author’s panel curated by the Lambda Literary Foundation. http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/news/11/23/lgbt-authors-ally-with-borders-on-world-aids-day-san-francisco/

WED: 12/01: New York, NY: OUT Music Awards, celebrating the contributions of out LGBT and allies recording artists and performers. Honorees: Melissa Etheridge, Wayne Besen, Cyndi Lauper, Randy Jones. www.outmusicawards.com.

THU: 12/02: New York, NY: Stonewall Honors 2010. Honoring contributions of lesbians and other leaders in the LGBT community of New York. http://www.stonewallfoundation.org/events.php?Section=Event

SAT: 12/04: New York, NY: Flying: The Youth Pride Chorus. Dance, spoken word and song. http://www.youthpridechorus.org/

SUN: 12/05: Los Angeles, CA: Trevor Live, formerly Cracked Xmas. The annual comedy performance and dinner benefit for The Trevor Project. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/trevorlive

Newsworthy:

New Hospital Visitation Rules: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the new hospital visitation rule Wednesday that allows patients to designate their own visitors during a hospital stay, including their same-sex partners. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/17/New_Hospital_Visitation_Rule_Issued/

France: The Constitutional Council will decide within three months whether same-sex marriage should be legal. Bay Windows reports: http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3&id=113192

18 Anti-Gay Hate Groups from the Southern Poverty Law Center: http://splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/the-hard-liners

New Jersey. The state Assembly and Senate have passed an Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. NJ.com reports: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/nj_assembly_passes_anti-bullyi.html

Fox rejects DADT ad. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/fox-news-rejects-ad-advocating-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell.html

C-Span will televise oral arguments in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal challenge to Proposition 8, when it goes before the Ninth Circuit Court of AppealsTowleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/c-span-to-televise-oral-arguments-in-federal-prop-8-case.html

The Advocate: Best Cover Stories of 2010. http://advocate.com/Print_Issue/Cover_Stories/The_Best_of_2010/

The Buzz (People Making News)

Phyllis Frye has become Texas’ first transgender judge. The Dallas Voice reports: http://www.dallasvoice.com/phyllis-frye-texas-1st-transgender-judge-1052664.html

Photo Shoots and Video

Video: Graeme Taylor, the 14 year old who defended a teacher at a school board meeting, talks about coming out to Ellen. The teacher was disciplined for removing two kids who had made homophobic comments from class. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/graeme.html

Features

Profile: Dr. Marci Bowers: First TG woman doctor to perform TG surgeries. Dot429.com reports: http://dot429.com/articles/2010/11/19/dr-marci-bowers-transgender-remembrance-day

In Print:

Just Kids by Patti Smith. Ecco Press. National Book Award non-fiction winner from the rocker who writes a memoir about her friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. thru 2/20/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***Jackie Five-Oh! Comic Jackie Hoffman begins her second half-century with a new stand-up comedy show on her nights off from “The Addams Family”. 11/29/10, 12/06/10, 12/13/10. www.joespub.com
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". Kelsey Grammer stars. Harvey Fierstein stars as Albin beginning 2/15/11.www.LaCage.com
***The Last Castrato. the story of Alessandro Moreschi, the last of that unique, almost forgotten group --the castrati-- who were damaged at a young age by forces beyond their control. www.lastcastrato.com.
***The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens’ stage version of his TV hit. to1/02/11.
***Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. A new musical based on out filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s film. Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sherie Renee Scott star. www.lct.org.

Elsewhere...

***Annie. Out comic Wanda Sykes is the evil Miss Hannigan. to 1/16/11. Media, PA. http://mediatheatre.org
***A Queer Carol. The holiday tale retold with gay sensibility. 12/03/10-12/18/10. Theatre Out, Santa Ana, CA. www.theatreout.com
***The Boys in the Band, Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 play about pre-Stonewall gay life. to 12/12/10, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. www.risingactiontheatre.com.
***Dirty Little Showtunes. Off-color, adults-only musical spoof on Broadway shows from “Wicked” to “Grey Gardens”. Six guys skewer showtunes in an antidote to Sugarplum saturation. to 1/16/10. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org.
http://www.playhouseonpark.org/pop/20102011Season/newplayreadings_home.html
***Gavin Creel in concert. 12/04/10. Boston, MA. www.rylesjazz.com
***Santa Claus Is Coming Out, a theatrical mock-u-mentary by Jeffrey Solomon, reveals the secret romantic life of the beloved childhood icon and the scandal that rocks the world when the truth leaks out. 12/04/10-12/21/10. San Diego, CA. www.diversionary.org
***Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Playlets about marriage equality. 12/06/10-2/07/11. Los Angeles, CA. www.StandingOnCeremony.net
***Take Me Out. A baseball player comes out. to 12/19/10. Hollywood, CA. www.celebrationtheatre.com

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***Burlesque. Cher returns to the screen for her first movie in seven years in a musical drama that tells the tale of a young singer (Christina Aguilera) who is hired as a cocktail waitress at a club that does musical revues by the star (Cher).
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about 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.
***The Nutcracker (in 3D). Nathan Lane is home for the holidays.

Out On Video & DVD

***The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story, the film documentary about songwriting brothers Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman, (Mary Poppins,' 'The Jungle Book,' 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and more). They were tempestuous in life and great work collaborators.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in a two-mom family dramedy. Their kids seek out their sperm donor father (Mark Ruffalo). .
***Out: The Glenn Burke Story. A new documentary on the life of the late professional baseball player Glenn Burke raises haunting questions about the impact of homophobia in major league sports. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/10/Documentary_Shows_Struggle_of_Gay_Baseball_Player/
***Sex and The City 2. Carrie and the girls and a gay wedding with Liza.
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Davd Hyde Pierce hosts.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***December: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays: The Nate Berkus Show. Oprah’s out protege goes hourly in syndication. Check local listings.
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***thru 12/28: Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher’s intoxicating autobiographical solo show. 9PM. NBO. Check times.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

12/06/10: Los Angeles, CA: Bruce Vilanch hosts the opening performance of “Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays” as a benefit for the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Equality California. www.StandingOnCeremony.net

12/06/10-12/07/10: New York, NY: Gypsy of The Year Competition. Broadway shows compete in a benefit for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Carol Channing opens the show. www.broadwaycares.org.

12/11/10-12/12/10: San Francisco, CA: Dance-Along, Sing-Along Nutcracker with the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. You CAN be the Sugar Plum Fairy.. http://dancealongnutcracker.org/

12/13/10: San Francisco, CA: A Shrektacular Holiday Musical Extravaganza with the cast of “Shrek” and Deborah Gibson. A benefit for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.HelpIsOnTheWay.org

12/15/`10: Palm Springs, CA: Sparkle: A Holiday Concert with Broadway’s Brightest to benefit The Christmas Foundation, which works to help underprivileged children and children with HIV. Carol Channing, Lorna Luft , Max vonEssen, and Bobby Steggert star. http://sparklepalmsprings.eventbrite.com.

12/16/10: San Francisco, CA: Big Gay Christmas Party to benefit GLAAD, NCLR, and more. http://dot429.com/events/temple

12/18/10: Westport, CT: LGBT Night Out at The Playhouse, Westport Country Playhouse and Norwalk's Triangle Community Center present a cocktail party, erformance by “The Broadway Boys”. www.westportplayhouse.org

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

1. Question: Name this gay composer and lyricist whose 1934 hit about changing times mentioned “since the puritans got a shock, when they landed on Plymouth Rock”. Answer: Cole Porter. The title song from the hit musical is “Anything Goes”.

2. Question: What LGBT civil rights milestone took place about 50 miles from the locale in Question #1 on 11/18/03 ? Answer: Same-Sex Marriage. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court approved same-sex marriage in Boston, up the road from Plymouth.

3. Question: Name this entertainer and gay icon whose Vicki Edie “Around the World” lounge act took Miss Edie on a Turkey trot? Answer: Bette Midler, whose character Vicki sang about “Istanbul is Constantinople” in Turkey’s largest city. Vickie got “preposterous on the Bosphorus”.

4. Question: Name the bi choreographer who rose to the top when he created a showstopping Broadway dance number with a fowl theme. Hint: He lined up the chorus for Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Answer: Michael Bennett, who staged "Turkey Lurkey Time" for the musical "Promises, Promises". The show returned to Broadway this year with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: World AIDS Day (December 1)

1. Question: In what year was AIDS first detected in California and New York (the first states to report any cases.

2. Question: As healthcare professionals learned that HIV was transmitted between IV-drug users, what was the first country (1984) to set up a needle exchange program.

3. Question: Name this actor who has become one of the world’s major philanthropists and activists for those with HIV/AIDS. One of the founders of a national AIDS research foundation, a founder of another AIDS foundation, and a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS, this person’s participation in the movement brought international attention to AIDS activism.

4. Question: Name the American teenager, who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS, after being expelled from middle school for being HIV+ (from hemophilia). Lesgislation bearing his name was launched in 1990 to create the USA’s largest federally-funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS.

5. Question: Name this AIDS activist who combined community folk art with AIDS activism. His project, begun in 1983, put a personal touch on those impacted with HIV. He also co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, one of the now largest AIDS advocacy organizations in the country.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 11/22/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 46 November 22, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

See previous editions

Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: November 22-28, 2010

thru THU: 12/02: Nationwide: David Sedaris does a book tour with his new book: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Beastiary http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

thru WED: 11/24/: New York, NY: So You Think You Can Drag. Fabulous queens compete for celebrity judges and audience approval. www.timeoutnylounge.com/soyouthinkyoucandrag

Just Added: SUN: 11/21: Rehoboth Beach, DE: Fay Jacobs, humorist, does a booksigning for “For Frying Out Loud: Rehoboth Beach Beach Diaries”. 3PM. CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. www.aandmbooks.com

MON: 11/22: New York, NY: Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich headline “Times Talks”. Rich interviews Sondheim about his collection of lyrics, “Finishing The Hat”. http://nytimes.whsites.net/timestalks/

MON: 11/22: New York, NY: You Are Not Alone. Betty Buckley, Aaron Lazar, John Tartaglia, and more headline a benefit for The Trevor Project. Lea Delaria hosts. http://www.youarenotalonebenefit.com/

MON: 11/22: Atlanta, GA: Fannie Flagg, out author of “Fried Green Tomatos” signs copies of “I Still Dream About You”. 7PM. Margaret Mitchell House.

THU: 11/25: Nationwide: Happy Thanksgiving

SAT: 11/27: Cornwall Bridge, CT: The Wild Turkey Hike presented by The Connecticut Pride Hikers. Rain date: SUN: 11/28. www.newhavenpridecenter.org/

SUN: 11/28: New York, NY: dot429 LGBT Professionals Networking Brunch. http://dot429.com/events/tribeca%20

Newsworthy:

Coming Out: Coming Out Younger. A Stonewall poll says that research shows the average age of those coming out in the UK has fallen over the last four decades. The Guardian reports: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/15/gay-people-coming-out-younger-age

Transgender Bender. Surgery to Woman and Back to Man. The psychological difficulties faced by those in transition. ABC News reports: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodResourceCenter/charles-kane-transgender-woman-back-man-surgery/story?id=12095720

Supreme Court: Keep DADT in place for now. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/11/12/us/politics/AP-US-Supreme-Court-Gays-in-Military.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimes

Cindy McCain backpedals on DADT. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/cindy-mccain-repeals-her-view-on-dadt.html

Indiana University has its first gay fraternity. The IndyChannel reports: http://www.theindychannel.com/news/25786417/detail.html

Transitions:

Noel Taylor, the longtime costume designer for stage and screen, died on 11/04/10, at age 97. The Los Angeles Times reports: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-noel-taylor-20101109,0,5670684.story

Fred Goldhaber, the first and, for four years, the only teacher at the Harvey Milk School in Manhattan, the first school in the country with a mission to provide a haven for gay and lesbian students, died of liver cancer on Monday at his home in Jersey City. He was 63. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/nyregion/16goldhaber.html?_r=1&hpw

Awards and Honors:

The OUT 100 from Out Magazine: http://out.com/Out100/slideshow.asp?slideshow_title=OUT100&theID=1

Photo Shoots and Video

Coming Out: Video: Ricky Martin tells Larry King about his decision to come out, be a father, and get married. Coutresy Towleroad: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/ricky-martin-why-cant-i-get-married-in-america.html

Video: Cindy McCain speaks out against DADT as part of an anti-bullying campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhFZ7qjrw5U

Features

Gray, Gay and Worried. Challenges aging LGBTQ people face. The New York Times reports: http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/gray-gay-and-worried/

Profile: Denis O’Hare. (Russell Edginton on HBO’s “True Blood” and Broadway’s “Elling” talks about his career and coming out with the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/theater/14ohare.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Gay NASCAR Fans find an online home. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/sports/autoracing/14gears.html

The Resource Center:

dot429 is a professional network for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and our allies, dedicated to connecting LGBTA professionals online and in person. www.dot429.com

Queers4Gears.com is a website for gay NASCAR fans and those into motor sports. http://queers4gears.com/

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. thru 2/20/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***The Devil Boys from Beyond, the all-male sci-fi adventure. to 12/30/10.
***The Divine Sister. Charles Busch’s new play. Busch plays an indomitable Mother Superior driven to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***Jackie Five-Oh! Comic Jackie Hoffman begins her second half-century with a new stand-up comedy show on her nights off from “The Addams Family”. 11/22/10, 11/29/10, 12/06/10, 12/13/10. www.joespub.com
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". Kelsey Grammer stars. Harvey Fierstein stars as Albin beginning 2/15/11.www.LaCage.com
***The Last Castrato. the story of Alessandro Moreschi, the last of that unique, almost forgotten group --the castrati-- who were damaged at a young age by forces beyond their control. www.lastcastrato.com.
***The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens’ stage version of his TV hit. to 1/02/11.

Elsewhere...

***Annie. Out comic Wanda Sykes is the evil Miss Hannigan. to 1/16/11. Media, PA. http://mediatheatre.org
***Backwards In High Heels. the Ginger Rogers story. to 12/19/10. San Jose, CA.. www.SJRep.com
***The Boys in the Band, Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 play about pre-Stonewall gay life. to 12/12/10, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. www.risingactiontheatre.com.
***Dream House. David Lally’s new play about a middle-aged gay man living at home. 11/27/10-11/28/10. West Hartford, CT. http://www.playhouseonpark.org/pop/20102011Season/newplayreadings_home.html
***Santaland Diaries. The David Sedaris holiday story about a department store elf. Todd Waite stars. to 12/31/10, Houston, TX..www.alleytheatre.org
***Seattle Men’s Chorus “Holiday Glee” with Special Guest Star Kelli O'Hara. 11/27/10-11/28/10, Seattle, WA. www.flyinghouose.org.
***Take Me Out. A baseball player comes out. to 12/19/10. Hollywood, CA. www.celebrationtheatre.com
***[title of show], the four-person Broadway musical that chronicles the creation of that musical. Seth Rudetsky stars. to 12/12/10. New Brunswick, NJ.www.GSPonline.org

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Burlesque. Cher returns to the screen for her first movie in seven years in a musical drama that tells the tale of a young singer (Christina Aguilera) who is hired as a cocktail waitress at a club that does musical revues by the star (Cher).
***The Nutcracker (in 3D). Nathan Lane is home for the holidays.
***Violet Tendencies. Mindi Cohn (“The Facts of Life”) plays a fag hag in this new romantic comedy. www.violettendenciesmovie.com. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJi_HtHFLFY
***Wild Target. Out actor Rupert Everett stars in the story of a con artist pursued by a top assassin after scamming a gangster.

Out On Video & DVD

***Cher: The Film Collection. A set of her greatest films including “Moonstruck”, “Silkwood” and “Tea With Mussolini”.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***Out: The Glenn Burke Story. A new documentary on the life of the late professional baseball player Glenn Burke raises haunting questions about the impact of homophobia in major league sports. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/10/Documentary_Shows_Struggle_of_Gay_Baseball_Player/
***Sex and The City 2. Carrie and the girls and a gay wedding with Liza.
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Davd Hyde Pierce hosts.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***November: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays: The Nate Berkus Show. Oprah’s out protege goes hourly in syndication. Check local listings.
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***WED: 11/24: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. The New York Philharmonic and Broadway greats celebrate the 80th birthday of the out composer. David Hyde Pierce hosts. Among the cast: Bernadette Peters, Elaine Stritch, Patti LuPone, Mandy Patinkin, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, and more. 9:30PM. PBS. www.pbs.org

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

11/29/10: New York, NY: A Very Mary Holiday. A benefit honoring activist Laura Benanti as a benefit for the Ali Forney Center. Onboard: Brian Charles Rooney, Sandra Bernhard, Anthony Rapp, Kate Shindle, and more. (www.aliforneycenter.org). http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/broadwayspeaksout/co-produce-broadway-stars-at-benefit-honoring-judi

12/01/10: Worldwide: World AIDS Day

12/01/10: San Francisco, CA: Cocktails for a Cure. a benefit on World AIDS Day for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. http://www.richmondermet.org/reaf10.1/index.htm

12/01/10: New York, NY: OUT Music Awards, celebrating the contributions of out LGBT and allies recording artists and performers. Honorees: Melissa Etheridge, Wayne Besen, Cyndi Lauper, Randy Jones. www.outmusicawards.com.

12/02/10: New York, NY: Stonewall Honors 2010. Honoring contributions of lesbians and other leaders in the LGBT community of New York. http://www.stonewallfoundation.org/events.php?Section=Event

12/04/10: New York, NY: Flying: The Youth Pride Chorus. Dance, spoken word and song. http://www.youthpridechorus.org/

12/05/10: Los Angeles, CA: Trevor Live, formerly Cracked Xmas. The annual comedy performance and dinner benefit for The Trevor Project. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/trevorlive

12/11/10-12/12/10: San Francisco, CA: Dance-Along, Sing-Along Nutcracker with the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. You CAN be the Sugar Plum Fairy.. http://dancealongnutcracker.org/

12/15/`10: Palm Springs, CA: Sparkle: A Holiday Concert with Broadway’s Brightest to benefit The Christmas Foundation, which works to help underprivileged children and children with HIV. Carol Channing, Lorna Luft , Max vonEssen, and Bobby Steggert star. http://sparklepalmsprings.eventbrite.com.

12/16/10: San Francisco, CA: Big Gay Christmas Party to benefit GLAAD, NCLR, and more. http://dot429.com/events/temple

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Kander & Ebb

This year Broadway celebrated out composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th; out Broadway composer Jerry Herman will be feted at The Kennedy Center. Out composers/lyricists John Kander and Fred Ebb have a new Broadway hit (despite the fact that Ebb died several years ago).

1. Question: Name this actor. Kander & Ebb wrote the scote to her Broadway debut musical, her biggest movie hit, her signature songs, and a wealth of other material. Answer: Liza Minnelli. “Flora The Red Menace” won her the Tony; “Cabaret” won her The Oscar, and “Liza With a Z” and “New York, New York” are her K&E hits.

2. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, based on a series of diaries written by an early 20th century gay writer. The musical included an androgynous lead; the film adaptation featured a bisexual threesome. Answer: Cabaret, inspired by Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories”.

3. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, a success when it first opened on Broadway, but overshadowed by another musical about dancers. In revival, it’s one of Broadway’s biggest hits. It features a cross-dressing gossip columnist. Answer: Chicago. The character of Mary Sunshine is played by a man dressed as a woman. The original production played second fiddle to “A Chorus Line”.

4. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, in which a gay man in prison visualizes a film princess of “B movies”. Answer: “Kiss of The Spider Woman” based on the Manuel Puig novella made into a film (in which William Hurt won an Oscar playing the gay Molina).

5. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, set in backstage Boston. Its leading man came out before winning the Tony. Its leading lady played “Mom” to a young resident who came out after a fight on the set. Answer: Curtains, which starred David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk, who played TR Knight’s mom on “Grey’s Anatomy”.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

1. Question: Name this gay composer and lyricist whose 1934 hit about changing times mentioned “since the puritans got a shock, when they landed on Plymouth Rock”.

2. Question: What LGBT civil rights milestone took place about 50 miles from the locale in Question #1 on 11/18/03 ?

3. Question: Name this entertainer and gay icon whose Vicki Edie “Around the World” lounge act took Miss Edie on a Turkey trot?

4. Question: Name the bi choreographer who rose to the top when he created a showstopping Broadway dance number with a fowl theme. Hint: He lined up the chorus for Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 11/15/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 45 November 15, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

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The Gay Agenda: Datebook: November 15-21, 2010

thru THU: 12/02: Nationwide: David Sedaris does a book tour with his new book: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Beastiary http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html

thru WED: 11/24/: New York, NY: So You Think You Can Drag. Fabulous queens compete for celebrity judges and audience approval. www.timeoutnylounge.com/soyouthinkyoucandrag

thru SAT: 11/21: Massachusetts: Transgender Awareness Week, sponsored by MTPC, MA Transgender Political Coalition. Activities and educational programs designed to create awareness of the Baystate’s TG citizens and their challenges. www.masstpc.org.

Just Added: THU: 11/11: Los Angeles, CA: It Gets Better: The Concert. Frenchie Davis, Taylor Dayne, and Jennifer Leigh Warren headline the benefit for The Trevor Project. www.uprightcabaret.com

MON: 11/15: Seattle, WA: Justin Spring does a reading/booksigning of his new book, “Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist, and Sexual Renegade”. 6PM. Elliott Bay Bookstore. http://www.secrethistorian.com/events.htm

MON: 11/15: San Francisco, CA: Jai Rodriguez and cast members from “West Side Story” perform a benefit for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. http://www.richmondermet.org/reaf10.1/index.htm

MON: 11/15: New York, NY: Callen-Lorde Community Health Awards. Billy Porter hosts. Honoring Tony Kushner, The LGBT Caucus of the New York City Council and the Rainbow Heights Club. http://callen.convio.net/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=100261&autologin=true

WED: 11/17: New York, NY: Revel 2010 at the Highline Ballroom. A Stonewall Community Foundation Benefit. http://www.stonewallfoundation.org/

WED: 11/17: Northampton, MA: Free Screening: Stonewall Uprising. Sponsored by WGBY. 7PM Academy of Music.

TUE: 11/16: Nashville, TN: Fannie Flagg, out author of “Fried Green Tomatos” signs copies of “I Still Dream About You”. 7PM. Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Green Hills Village Drive. Also: THU: 11/18: Huntsville, AL: Books-A-Million

THU: 11/18/: Sacramento, CA: Armistead Maupin does a booksigning for his newest book of “Tales of The City”, “Mary Ann in Autumn”. Sacramento Bee Book Club. http://www.armisteadmaupin.com/Events.html

THU-SAT: 11/18-11/20: Washington, DC: Out For Business. 2010 NGLCC National Business and Leadership Conference. National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. http://www.nglcc.org/node/11330

SAT: 11/20: Miami, FL: Michael Cunningham does a reading and booksigning of his new novel “By Nightfall”.Miami Book Fair International. http://www.michaelcunninghamwriter.com/tour/

SUN: 11/21: New York, NY: OUT Auction NYC..http://www.glaad.org/events

SUN: 11/21: New York, NY: The Race to Deliver. 4 mile walk/run to benefit God’s Love We Deliver. https://www.glwd.org/events/signature.jsp%3bjsessionid=C916FEC494B01B8EFB954F4E297F42FB?c=race&n=race

Newsworthy:

Washington, DC: The George Washington University women’s basketball has a transgender player. EDGE reports: http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=news&sc&sc2&sc3&id=112379

DADT Repeal:
***The Democrats plan to turn away from overturning the law. The Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/08/dems-to-cave-on-dadt-repe_n_780371.html
***Strong objections amongst Republicans and the military. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/us/politics/09military.html?hp

Gay Couples Begin Attack on DOMA, the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. GLAD, the Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and the ACLU are filing lawsuits. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/us/09marriage.html?_r=1

Some See “Agenda” in School’s Efforts to End Bullying. While nearly all states require schools to have rules against harassment, only 10 require them to explicitly outlaw bullying related to sexual orientation. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07bully.html?_r=1&hp

Re-Surfaced. A censored 1953 play by British playwright John Osborne, which dealt with a gay teen, has been rediscovered. The NewYork Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/theater/08osborne.html

Campaign 2010 Recap

Election Returns: The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced that more openly LGBT candidates won election to public office in the U.S. in 2010 than in any year in America’s history. Gay Politics reports: http://www.gaypolitics.com/2010/11/03/record-number-of-lgbt-candidates-elected-to-office/

California: Alameda County voters elect country's first transgender judge. The Bay Area Reporter reports: http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=5205

Kentucky: Jim Gray, an out man, has been elected mayor of Lexington, KY. The Lexington Herald Leader reports: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/11/03/1506693/jim-gray-elected-mayor-of-lexington.html

Rhode Island: Democrat David Cicilline won the congressional seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy, becoming the fourth openly gay member of Congress. The Boston Globe reports: http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2010/11/03/dem_cicilline_wins_kennedys_ri_congressional_seat/

***Towleroad: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/2010-election-wrap-gop-seizes-control-of-house-dems-keep-senate.html
***Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/election-2010-winners-losers_n_778079.html
***The Victory Fund: http://www.victoryfund.org/home
***Gay Politics: http://www.gaypolitics.com/
***America Blog Gay: http://gay.AMERICAblog.com/

The Buzz (People Making News)

Coming Out: Chris Bruce, the body builder, has transitioned to a female fitness guru. The Dallas Voice reports: http://www.dallasvoice.com/trans-fit-1050053.html

Bishop V. Gene Robinson,whose consecration as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church set off a historic rift in the global Anglican Communion, announced to his New Hampshire diocese that he intended to step down. He plans to retire in January 2013. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07bishop.html?hp

Awards and Honors:

Constance McMillen, the high school senior barred from taking her girlfriend to the prom, is named Glamour Magazine’s “Woman of The Tear”. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/05/Glamour_Names_Constance_Woman_of_the_Year/

Nominees: People’s Choice Awards: Glee, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Betty White, Lady Gaga, www.PeoplesChoice.com

Photo Shoots and Video

Video: It Gets Better: Matthew (“Glee”) Morrison speaks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VaykR_GaFk

Features

Songs for Gay Survival: From Lady Gaga to Ke$ha to Katy Perry, gay rights and empowerment through music. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/fashion/07ANTHEM.html?hpw

For Gay Teens: It still needs to get better. The Boston Globe reports: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2010/11/06/for_gay_teens_it_still_needs_to_get_better/?s_campaign=8315

The Resource Center:

LGBT Resources for National Adoption Month (November): Bay Windows reports: http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=columnists&sc=mombian&id=112682

Gay & Lesbian Manners. LGBT Advice for dating, sex, coming out, marriage etc. Managed by Steven Petrow, best-seller author of “The Essential Book of Gay Manners and Etiquette.FB: Steven Petrow’s Gay Manners. http://www.gaymanners.com/

In Print:

10 LGBT Books for teens that tackle suicide and bullying. Lambda Literary reports: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/10/28/10-lgbt-books-for-teens-that-tackle-suicide-bullying/

For Frying Out Loud: Rehoboth Beach Diaries by Fay Jacobs. A&M Books. The third book of hilarious essays by the Rehoboth Beach humorist. www.fayjacobs.com

Finishing The Hat. Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) by Stephen Sondheim. Alfred Publishers.

My Passion for Design: A Private Tour by Barbra Streisand. Viking Press. The actress, singer, and diva shares her philosopy of architecture and design.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Tony Kushner’s award-winning epic. thru 2/20/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". Kelsey Grammer stars. Harvey Fierstein stars as Albin beginning 2/15/11.www.LaCage.com
***The Last Castrato. the story of Alessandro Moreschi, the last of that unique, almost forgotten group --the castrati-- who were damaged at a young age by forces beyond their control. www.lastcastrato.com.
***The Pee-wee Herman Show. Paul Reubens’ stage version of his TV hit. 10/26/10-1/02/11.
***Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. A new musical based on out filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s film. Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sherie Renee Scott star. www.lct.org.

Elsewhere...

***Adam and Anthony Live. Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp showcase their 15 year friendship (as “Rent” co-stars) in their new concert tour. 11/21/10. San Francisco, CA. www.bayareacabaret.org.
***The Boys in the Band, Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 play about pre-Stonewall gay life. to 12/12/10, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. www.risingactiontheatre.com.
***Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the musical based on the 1994 Australian film. . Toronto, ON. to 11/28/10. www.priscillathemusical.com.
***Santaland Diaries. The David Sedaris holiday story about a department store elf. Todd Waite stars. 11/21/10-12/31/10, Houston, TX..www.alleytheatre.org
***Take Me Out. A baseball player comes out. to 12/19/10. Hollywood, CA. www.celebrationtheatre.com
***[title of show], the four-person Broadway musical that chronicles the creation of that musical. Seth Rudetsky stars. to 12/12/10. New Brunswick, NJ.www.GSPonline.org

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Marine Story. Alexandra, a married Marine, is a casualty of DADT. After discharge, she rebuilds her life. The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk192SX9es
***Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride. Bob Christie’s documentary shows that Pride is more than a parade, it’s a giant step on the road to global human rights.
***HOWL, the docu-feature about Allen Ginsberg (James Franco) by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.
***Stonewall Uprising, a new documentary covering the 3-day Stonewall riots in 1969. http://firstrunfeatures.com/stonewalluprising_playdates.html
***Wild Target. Out actor Rupert Everett stars in the story of a con artist pursued by a top assassin after scamming a gangster.

Out On Video & DVD

***The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story, the film documentary about songwriting brothers Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman, (Mary Poppins,' 'The Jungle Book,' 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and more). They were tempestuous in life and great work collaborators. Release date: 11/30/10.

***Cher: The Film Collection. A set of her greatest films including “Moonstruck”, “Silkwood” and “Tea With Mussolini”.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***Mädchen in Uniform, the 1958 lesbian classic.
***Out in the Silence. A small town confronts a firestorm of controversy ignited by a same-sex wedding announcement in the local newspaper. Available for viewing online. http://www.hulu.com/watch/157306/out-in-the-silence
***Sex and The City 2. Carrie and the girls and a gay wedding with Liza.
***Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Davd Hyde Pierce hosts.

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 frequently. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***November: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***Weekdays: The Nate Berkus Show. Oprah’s out protege goes hourly in syndication. Check local listings.
***Weekdays The Talk. Out “Roseanne” alum Sara Gilmore produces a new version of “The View” with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne. CBS Weekdays. Check local listings.
***SUN: 11/21: Lance Bass hosts the American Music Awards. Among the nominees: Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Eminem. ABC.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

11/22/10: New York, NY: Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich headline “Times Talks”. Rich interviews Sondheim about his collection of lyrics, “Finishing The Hat”. http://nytimes.whsites.net/timestalks/

11/22/10: New York, NY: You Are Not Alone. Betty Buckley headlines a benefit for The Trevor Project. http://www.youarenotalonebenefit.com/

11/29/10: New York, NY: A Very Mary Holiday. A benefit honoring activist Laura Benanti as a benefit for the Ali Forney Center. Onboard: Brian Charles Rooney, Sandra Bernhard, Anthony Rapp, Kate Shindle, and more. (www.aliforneycenter.org). http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/broadwayspeaksout/co-produce-broadway-stars-at-benefit-honoring-judi

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: November Sweeps

1. Question: Name this news anchor/reporter, still part of a network news magazine team. On March 7, 1967, he hosted "CBS Reports: The Homosexual", the first major network news special about homosexuality. Answer: Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes".

2. Question: Name this American radio personality, television host and political commentator, the first out anchor to be hired to host a prime time news program in the USA. The journalist was the first out American to be named a Rhodes scholar. Answer: Rachel Maddow. She holds a PhD from Oxford. Her thesis: “HIV/AIDS and Health Care Reform in British and American Prisons.”

3. Question: Name this award-winning TV talk show host who came out to Diane Sawyer in 2002 on a program about gay parenting. She once joked with Ellen deGeneres about being “lebanese”. Answer: Rosie O’Donnell.

4. Question: Who was the first out competitor on "Dancing With The Stars", the consistent ABC ratings winner. Answer: Lance Bass, featured in the 2008 competition.

5. Question: Name this veteran television news anchor, the first openly gay news anchor on local TV news in the country. He was let go from his post last year, after an award-winning 12-year tenure on the air. Answer: Randy Price of WHDH-TV (Channel 7) in Boston. Price was an advocate for animal rights and gay issues. He headlined local events such as the annual Men’s Event fund-raiser for Fenway Community Health Center.

11/15: This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Kander & Ebb

This year Broadway celebrated out composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th; out Broadway composer Jerry Herman will be feted at The Kennedy Center. Out composers/lyricists John Kander and Fred Ebb have a new Broadway hit (despite the fact that Ebb died several years ago).

1. Question: Name this actor. Kander & Ebb wrote the scote to her Broadway debut musical, her biggest movie hit, her signature songs, and a wealth of other material.

2. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, based on a series of diaries written by an early 20th century gay writer. The musical included an androgynous lead; the film adaptation featured a bisexual threesome.

3. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, a success when it first opened on Broadway, but overshadowed by another musical about dancers. In revival, it’s one of Broadway’s biggest hits. It features a cross-dressing gossip columnist.

4. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, in which a gay man in prison visualizes a film princess of “B movies”.

5. Question: Name this Kander & Ebb musical, set in backstage Boston. Its leading man came out before winning the Tony. Its leading lady played “Mom” to a young resident who came out after a fight on the set.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/