Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 3/29/10

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 12 March 29, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com

The Fine Print

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The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 29-April 4, 2010

thru SAT: 4/03: Fairfax,VA (Washington, DC): George Mason Pride Week ‘10. All activities at George Mason University. http://gbtq.gmu.edu/calendar.pdf

MON: 3/29: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. www.matthewshepard.org

MON: 3/29: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. at “The Tempermentals”, the play about The Mattachine Society. www.thetempermentals.com.

WED-SUN: 3/31-4/04: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.

WED-SUN: 3/31-4/04: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org

SAT: 4/03: Wellington, FL: 1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament. Grand Champions Polo Club. www.gaypolo.com

Newsworthy:

Prom Update: A Mississippi federal court ruled that school officials violated a lesbian student’s First Amendment rights when it canceled the high school prom rather than let the student attend with her girlfriend. The ACLU reports: http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/court-rules-mississippi-school-violated-first-amendment-rights-lesbian-student

Prom Update 2: The school’s wrong, but the prom won’t go on. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/McMillens_School_Wrong_But_Prom_Wont_Have_to_Go_On/

Prom Update 3: Gay Prom Date Approved in Georgia. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/Gay_Prom_Date_Approved_in_Georgia/

Broadway named a theatre for out composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday. Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138071-Light-the-Lights-Stephen-Sondheim-Gets-Broadway-Theatre-in-His-Name

Rosie O’Donnell’s forthcoming talk show will be positioned as a suitable replacement for Oprah Winfrey, her producers said, adding a new twist in an effort by local stations to revamp their lineups in a post-Winfrey era. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/business/media/23rosie.html

Out Loud: HBO plans a film about the Louds, a family featured on a 1973 series that was both the first reality TV series and one to show a family member (Lance) coming out. The Hollywood Reporter reports: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ib6547f261e43d0f67bb7806f4aa7d799

The Buzz (People Making News)

Coming Out: James Randi, the stage magician turned skeptic challenger of pseudoscience and the paranormal, says that he is gay. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Entertainment_News/Magician_James_Randi_Im_Gay/

In Memoriam:

Midge Costanza, aide to President Jimmy Carter who handled the first White House meeting with gay leaders, died on 3/23/10 at age 77. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/LGBT_Advocate_White_House_Aide_Costanza_Dies/

Features

Lt. Dan Choi, the DADT activist, talks with Newsweek about civil disobedience, gay rights and activism. http://www.newsweek.com/id/235290

Bryan Batt talks about MadMen and gays in Hollywood. Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katy-hall/bryan-batt-talks-sals-mad_b_501000.html

On CD:

Resource: Sony Masterworks has launched MasterworksBroadway.com, a comprehensive Broadway site “Where Show Tunes Take Center Stage.” A celebration and testament to America’s unique art form, the site documents the history of the cast album from Finian's Rainbow (1947) to last year’s critically acclaimed revival of West Side Story. The site goes live on 4/01/10. www.masterworksbroadway.com.

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Little Night Music. Sondheim's all-waltz musical stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (singing "Send in the Clowns") and Angela Lansbury.
***Ballad of the Bad Bad Girls. Drag Theatre Company Shim Mamsir Performance Series. 3/31/10. www.SpinCycleNYC.com
***Justin Bond in residence at Joe’s Pub with guests Sandra Bernhard, Jake Shears, and Martha Wainwright. to 5/09/10. www.joespub.com
***Looped. Valerie Harper stars as Tallulah Bankhead. www.loopedtheplay.com.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***Promises, Promises. Newly-out Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth star in the Burt Bacharach & Hal David & Neil Simon musical.
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org

Elsewhere...

***Billy Elliot, Elton John’s Tony-winning musical about a boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. Chicago, IL. www.broadwayinchicago.com.
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Master Class. Terrence McNally's portrait of opera diva Maria Callas. (played by Tyne Daly).. to 4/18/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast . to 4/24/10. Los Angeles, CA. www.bangstudio.com.

On Display

thru 4/22: New Britain, CT: Revealed, The Tradition of Male Honoerotic Art, a new exhibition at Central Connecticut State University Art Gallery, including six Mapplethorpe images among the more than 100works ranging from the late 19th century to present day. www.art.ccsu.edu/Gallery.html

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Written and directed by Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black.
***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.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/

Out On Video & DVD

***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***MadMen, Season #3.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels with a riveting performance by Mo-Nique.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/

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

Resource:TV Gayed, GLAAD's Weekly Guide to What's LGBT on TV: Updated every Friday. www.glaad.org/tvgayed

***March/April: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***FRI: 3/26: Neil Patrick Harris joins Regis & Kelly. Syndicated. Check local listings.
***FRI 4/02: Nathan Lane brings some laughs to David Letterman. 11:35PM. CBS.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

4/09/10: New Haven, CT: Chocolate and Chesecake for a Cause. A fundraiser for True Colors. www.ourtruecolors.org.

4/11/10: New Haven, CT: AIDS Walk New Haven. www.aidswalknewhaven.org.

4/11/10: New York, NY: Broadway Bares: Solo Strips Broadway strips to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at Splash. www.broadwaycares.org.

4/13/10: New York, NY: 25th Annual Bistro Awards, honoring the best in NYC nightlife. Award winners include: Michael Feinstein, Cheyenne Jackson, David Hyde Pierce and Alan Cumming. www.bistroawards.com.

4/16/10: Nationwide: The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. www.dayofsilence.org

4/16/10-4/18/10: Buffalo, NY: Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The 2010 Northeast LGBT Conference. www.nelgbtc.com/buffalo

4/16/10-4/18/10: St. Paul, MN: The BECAUSE Conference. Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience. Hamline University. www.becauseconference.org.

4/16/10-4/22/10: San Diego, CA: FilmOut San Diego LGBT film festival. www.filmoutsandiego.com

4/17/10: Los Angeles, CA: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. www.glaad.org/mediaawards

4/17/10-4/18/10: San Francisco, CA: Building Bridges: Struggle, Solidarity, Equality. Northern California Regional Equality Across America Conference. http://www.lgbtbridges.org/

4/19/10: New York, NY: 4th Annual Male Beauty Pageant, to benefit the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty

4/23/10: College Park, MD: DC Queer Studies Symposium. 3rd annual program at the University of Maryland. www.lgbts.umd.edu/

4/23/10-5/02/10: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com

4/26/10-5/02/10: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national and international & LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com

4/26/10-4/27/10: New York, NY: The 24th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.

4/26/10: New York, NY: City Center Honors Stephen Sondheim On the Occasion of His 80th Birthday. www.nycitycenter.org.

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Big Announcement: Coming Out

k.d. Lang was the first person to come out in The Advocate. Sean Hayes was the most recent. Can you name some of these others ?

1. Question: Name this person who came out on Oprah in 1997.She later came out on a TV sitcom. Amongst LGBT rights people, her coming out "ranks, hands down, as the single most public exit in gay history". Answer: Ellen Degeneres, comic, talk-show host and actress.

2. Question: Name this person who came out in the Washington Star in 1975. He was the first professional athlete to open the closet door. The move impacted his career, but he’s a leading LGBT acitivst today. Answer: David Kopay, the NFL running back.

3. Question: Name this beat poet (1919-1988), who may have been the first public figure to come out in America. In 1944, he published “The Homosexual in Society” in Politics. He was a contempoary of Alan Ginsburg and (supposedly) involved with Robert DiNiro’s father. Answer: Robert Duncan, the poet.

4. Question: Name this professional athlete who came out in a New York Times interview in 1981. The news has not hurt the career of this still active athlete and activist. Answer: Martina Navratilova, the tennis champion.

5. Question: Name these two actors who starred as a knight. One came out via his publicist as he was about to win a Tony Award for a subsequent play or musical. The second came out in People Magazine before heading to Broadway to replace the first. Answer: David Hyde Pierce, who played Sir Robin in “Spamalot” who was replaced by American Idol star Clay Aiken in the same part.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: April Milestones

1. Question: Name this out Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actor born April 9, 1966.She’s best known for playing one of a quartet of sassy independent New Yorkers. She made Broadway history by performing in two different plays at the same time. She came out in New York Magazine in 2006.

2. Question: Name this out actor, born April 3, 1959. He was nominated for an Emmy over 11 consecutive years for his sitcom role as a psychiatrist; he wom the Tony playing a Boston detective who liked showtunes. In between, he was sleepless in Seattle, and a roundtable knight.

3. Question: Name this novel, first published in April, 1974. The story of a coach and his runner, the gay-themed book was one of the first such books to become a bestseller in the mainstream markets. It is frequently mentioned as a possible film.

4. Question: Where was the first LGBT community center in America opened in April, 1966? It was begun by the Society for Individual Rights. A) Key West, FL. B) Provincetown, MA, C) San Francisco, CA.

5. Question: Name this gay fairy tale author, born on April 2, 1805. One of Sondheim’s musical characters wondered if he was ever risque.

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/