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

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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/