Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 2/28/11

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 14 No. 8 February 28, 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.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: February 28-March 6, 2011

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

thru SAT: 3/05: Telluride, CO: Telluride Gay Ski Week. www.telluridegayskiweek.com

MON: 2/28/: New York, NY: Harmony. A musical gala to benefit the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus and Youth Pride Chorus. Ann Harada from “Avenue Q” stars. http://www.nycgmc.org/Event.aspx?EventId=HARMONY2011

WED: 3/02: New York, NY: Meredith Baxter does a booksigning for her memoir “Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering”. Joy Behar will appear with her. 7PM. Barnes & Noble, Union Square. www.bn.com

FRI: 3/04: New York, NY: dot429 Inaugural Women’s Event. dot429’s queer women’s networking event.http://dot429.com/events

FRI: 3/04: Omaha, NE: Screening: Gen Silent,Stu Maddox’s documentary about six LGBT elders and their caregivers in Boston. Also: SUN: 3/06: Thunder Bay, ON: http://stumaddux.com/gen_silent_screenings.html

FRI-SAT: 3/04-3/05: Los Angeles, CA: Fusion, The Los Angeles LGBT People of Color Film Festival, produced by Outfest. Includes “The Wiz” sing-a-long. http://www.outfest.org/article.php?id_art=143

SAT: 3/05: Chicago, IL: Chicago Takes Off. burlesque show to fight HIV/AIDS in the Chicagoland area.www.chicagotakesoff.org

SAT: 3/05: New Haven, CT: The 8th Annual Dorothy Awards. New Haven Pride Center’s benefit honoring Rev. Marilyn Bowens, pastor of MCC New Haven; Tony Ferraiolo, co-founder and president of the Jim Collins Foundation; Robb Bart, owner of Gotham Citi; and the Northeast Ursamen. : http://bit.ly/dTWqRd

SUN: 3/06: San Francisco, CA: dot429 Networking Brunch.Professional networking opportunities for the LGBTA Community. http://dot429.com/events

SUN: 3/06: New York, NY: Broadway BearsXIV. The annual auction for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS with a collection of 40 one-of-a-kind celebrity autographed teddy bears. http://www.broadwaycares.org/Broadway_Bears_XIV_pre-event

Newsworthy:

Resource: Free LGBT News E-Newsletter. Gay Politics Report comes out twice-weekly with news briefings. From Smart Brief. An excellent resource for LGBY officials, business organizations, and community leaders. http://www.smartbrief.com/lgbt/

Resource: Gay Rights Media. News and resources of interest for the LGBT Equality Movement. http://GayRightsMedia.org/

Hawaii: Same Sex Civil Unions have been approved by the State Legislature. The Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/hawaii-samesex-civil-unio_n_824291.html?fbwall

Israel: Dori Spivak, a Harvard graduate, was appointed as a Tel Aviv labour court judge. He’s the first openly gay judge in Israel. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/israel-appoints-first-openly-gay-judge.html

Facebook has added “civil union” and “domestic partnership” to its relationship status options. the Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/facebook-adds-civil-union_n_824758.html

More Companies are covering the costs of TG sexual-reassignment surgery. MSNBC reports: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41705893/ns/business-consumer_news/

The Buzz (People Making News)

Miguel Marquez, the out ABC News correspondent, was beaten while covering protests in Bahrain. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/02/17/Gay_Journalist_Beaten_in_Bahrain/

It’s a girl! Rufus Wainwright and his partner Jorn Weisbrodt had a daughter via Lorca Cohen, Leonard Cohen’s daughter. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/02/18/Rufus_Has_a_Baby/

Transitions:

Jerry Ames, the tap dancer, choreographer and director of a tap dance company, died on 2/07/11 at age 80. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/arts/dance/17ames.html?hpw

Perry Moore, author, film director, and producer of “The Chronicles of Narnia” series, died 2/17/11 at age 39. He authored the award-winning book “Hero” about a gay teen superhero. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/books/19moore.html?_r=1&hpw

Photo Shoots, Audio and Video

Coming Out: Audio: Steve Buckley’s Coming Out Party. Radio Boston interviews the Boston Herald sports reporter about the sports world’s reaction to his announcement. http://radioboston.wbur.org/2011/02/16/buckley

Features

Parenting Magazine looks at same-sex parents. http://www.parenting.com/article/same-sex-parenting

The Resource Center:

GAZE, Gay Happy Hour at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. Held the first Friday of every month, GAZE offers network opportunities at one of Southern New England’s most unique cultural centers. http://www.realartways.org/gaze.html

Out in Connecticut. Gay activities, events and things of interest in CT. http://sites.google.com/site/outinconnecticut/

Guiding Proud. A new program in New York City to connect LGBT youth with role models. http://pilot.pandoprojects.org/natasha/dashboard

In Print:

Coming Out: It’s Not About You: Understanding Coming Out and Self-Acceptance by Marc Adamas. Window Books. a practical guide for family and friends of those coming out as well as teachers, social workers and counselors.  The book includes a guide for those coming out on how to live life courageously, confidently and consistently. http://www.windowbooksonline.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. Michael Urie stars thru 4/24/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***Book of Mormon, the new musical penned by "South Park" co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker and “Avenue Q” Tony winner Robert Lopez.
***Celebrity Autobiography. Celebrities read from the autobiographies of other celebrities. Mario Cantone, Rachel Dratch and Rosie Perez. 2/28/11. http://www.celebrityautobiography.com/
***My Scandalous Life, Thomas Kilroy’s portrait of Lord Alfred Douglas, who was Oscar Wilde’s lover. Des Keogh stars. to 3/06/11. http://www.irishrep.org/
***Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the musical based on the 1994 Australian film. The story of a drag queen and her two fish-out-of-water friends who head west across the desert to Alice Springs in their battered old bus. www.priscillathemusical.com.

Elsewhere...

***Grey Gardens, the award-winning musical about mother and daughter Beale. to 4/03/11. Ft. Lauderdale, FL. http://www.Risingactiontheatre.com/
***Little Miss Sunshine. A new musical by William “Falsettos” Finn and James Lapine based on the film. Hunter Foster and Malcolm Gets co-star. to 3/27/11. LaJolla, CA. www.lajollaplayhouse.org.
***Prometheus Bound. Gavin Creel and Lea DeLaria star in a new musical from Steven Sater and Serj Tankian, based on the Aeschylus tragedy. to 4/02/11. Cambridge, MA. www.americanrepertorytheater.org
***Pussy on the House, Ryan Landry and the Gold Dust Orphans deconstruct “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” to 3/20/11. Boston, MA. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/153985
***Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tracy Letts and Amy Morton star as sparring spouses in out Edward Albee’s masterpiece. to 4/24/11. Washington, DC. www.arenastage.org.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***Gen Silent,Stu Maddox’s new documentary about six LGBT elders and their caregivers in Boston. http://stumaddux.com/gen_silent_screenings.html
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor star.
***Kaboom, a new film from Gregg Araki. The world according to Smith, a bisexual Southern California cinema studies major (Thomas Dekker).
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.

Out On Video & DVD

***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)
***Glee: Season 2, Volume 1: First ten episodes of Glee Season 2 on 3 DVDs.
***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). .
***Prayers for Bobby. Sigourney Weaver stars in a true story about the mother of a gay son who has problems accepting him.
***William S. Burroughs: A Man Within. Documentary about the Beat Generation icon and one of the first writers to explore queer culture in the 1950’s.

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

***March: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***SUN: 2/27: 83rd Annual Academy Awards live from Los Angeles. ABC. www.oscars.org.
***SUN: 3/06: Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert. Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Colm Wilkinson star. 7PM. PBS. Check local listings. www.pbs.org.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

3/07/11: New York, NY: Savor, Ted Allen hosts a culinary event with celebrity chefs to benefit the Gay Mens Health Crisis. https://act.gmhc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=326

3/11/11-3/12/11: Storrs, CT: I Belong. The True Colors XVIII Conference for sexual minority youth and families. http://www.ourtruecolors.org/

3/12/11-3/15/11: New York, NY: The 18th GLBT Expo. Trade show. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/

3/13/11: New York, NY: ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Stars from soaps and “The View” perform to raise money for BroadwayCares. www.broadwaycares.org.

3/14/11: New York, NY: Straight for Equality Gala. PFLAG’s 3rd annual salute of straight allies in the LGBT community. http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=1341

3/19/11-3/26/11: Crested Butte, CO: Butte 11: Matthew Shepard Foundation Gay Ski Week, http://www.matthewshepard.org

3/19/11: Washington, DC: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network 19th annual National Dinner and Silent Auction. www.sldn.org/dinner

3/19/11: New York, NY: GLAAD Media Awards. Celebrating GLAAD’s 25th anniversary. http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards

3/20/11: Washington, DC: Victory Fund 20th Anniversary Champagne Brunch. www.victoryfund.org.

3/21/11: New York, NY: The Broadway Beauty Pageant. Broadway chorus boys compete in a benefit for the Ali Forney Center, NYC’s primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. http://aliforneycenter.org/beauty/

3/24/11: New York, NY: Headlines & Headliners, the 16th annual NLGJA New York benefit hosted by MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts. http://www.nlgja.org/news/NYE2011.htm

3/27/`11-3/29/11: Washington, DC: GLSEN Safe Schools Advocacy Summit. http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/2680.html

3/28/11-4/03/11: Palm Springs, CA: Kraft Nabisco Golf Championship. previously known as the Dinah Shore. gurlz and golf. www.nabiscochampionship.com

3/29/11-4/03/11: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. annual LGBT snowboarding festival
www.outboard.org

3/31/11: Northampton, MA: Screening and Discussion: Transparent, the documentary about 19 FTM parents. Media Education Foundation Community Room. 7PM. http://www.transparentthemovie.com/

4/01/11-4/03/11: Sacramento, CA: GAYLA. GSA Advocacy and Youth Leadership Academy. https://gsanetwork.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=57

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Hooray for Hollywood

1. Question: Name this 1969 film, which featured gay themes and was the first X-rated film to win the “Best Picture” Oscar. Its openly gay director made several mainstream movies with gay characters. Answer: Midnight Cowboy, which featured Jon Voight as a Times Square hustler. John Schlesinger, the director, also filmed “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and about a bisexual menage.

2. Question: Name this 1972 Oscar-winning film, based on a Tony-winning musical based on a gay author’s journals about his life in Europe. It won 8 Oscars. Its in-your-face decadence featured threesomes, transvestites and other club types. Answer: Cabaret, based on the musical of the same name, adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories”.

3. Question: Name this actor, who received an Oscar for a breakthrough performance as a real-life transgender victim. Answer: Hilary Swank, Oscar winner for “Boys Don’t Cry”, the story of Brandon Teena.

4. Question: Name this actor, who received an Oscar for playing an HIV-infected man who was the subject of discrimination in the first major Hollywood film to deal with HIV. Answer: Tom Hanks, who starred in “Philadelphia” in 1993.

5. Question: Name this out singer and songwriter who got an Oscar gold with a song about going green. For over a decade, this artist's music has been top of the charts; the artist is a GLAAD Media Award winner, a cancer survivor, and a spokesperson for coming out issues. Answer: Melissa Etheridge. Her song "I Need to Wake Up" won the Oscar for "Best Song". It was featured in Al Gore's award-winning movie about global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth".

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: March Milestones

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

2. Question: Name this organization, the most powerful political advocate for AIDS action, which was founded on March 14, 1987. Ten days later, it staged a major protest in New York City.

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

4. Question: Name this gay pop-idol dancer, born in Siberia in March, 1938, who lept to fame when he defected to the West. His stagework was legendary; he also played a gay film icon in a Ken Russell movie.

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

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, February 15, 2011

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 2/21/11

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 14 No. 7 February 21, 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.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: February 21-27, 2011

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

MON: 2/21: Los Angeles, CA: Carol Channing 90th Birthday Celebration. Bruce Vilanch emcees. Other Dollys in attendance: Carole Cook, Joanne Worley, Phyllis Diller. 323.933.9266 ext. 34

TUE: 2/22: Sacramento, CA: Screening: Gen Silent,Stu Maddox’s new documentary about six LGBT elders and their caregivers in Boston. Also: THU: 2/24: New York, NY, Washington, DC, Vancouver, BC. Also: FRI: 2/25: Seattle, WA: http://stumaddux.com/gen_silent_screenings.html

WED: 2/23: Seattle, WA: dot429 Winter Networking Cocktails. Professional networking opportunities for the LGBTA Community. Roche Bobois. www.dot429.com

FRI-SUN: 2/25-4/24: Washington, DC: The Edward Albee Festival. Arena Stage celebrates the out playwright by presenting all 30 of his plays. www.arenastage.org.

SAT-SUN: 2/26-2/27: Boston, MA: Back to Work training program for transgender people seeking jobs. http://www.hrc.org/15215.htm

SAT-SAT: 2/26-3/05: Telluride, CO: Telluride Gay Ski Week. www.telluridegayskiweek.com

SUN: 2/27: Los Angeles, CA: Academy Awards. www.oscars.org

Newsworthy:

Resource: Free LGBT News E-Newsletter. Gay Politics Report comes out twice-weekly with news briefings. From Smart Brief. An excellent resource for LGBY officials, business organizations, and community leaders. http://www.smartbrief.com/lgbt/

DOMA, The Defense of Marriage Act, impedes same-sex marriages. The Hartford Courant reports: http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/hc-op-stanback-doma-0213-20110213,0,6466081.story

Massachusetts: The latest census shows an increase in same-sex couples. Boston.com reports: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/02/08/more_listed_in_state_as_same_sex_couples/

Photo Shoots and Video

Broadway Backwards, the fundraiser where the boys sing the girls songs and vice versa. A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Center.
***Photos: The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/02/09/theater/20110209-backwards-10.html
***Video: BroadwayWorld.com reports: http://broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=208721

Features

Couples to Admire. The Advocate salutes a dozen. http://www.advocate.com/Society/Commentary/Couples_to_Admire/

The Resource Center: Anti-Bullying Information and Resources

***A Thin LIne. A site offering information, stories and quiz for those who have digital drama. www.athinline.org

***Bullying.org A site dedicated to increasing the awareness of bullying and to preventing, resolving and eliminating bullying in society. www.bullying.org

***GLSEN. A great organization that is working to eradicate bullying and bias in schools
www.glsen.org

***The National Center for Bullying Prevention: Helping to promote awareness and teach effective ways to respond to bullying. www.Pacer.org/bullying or http://kidsagainstbullying.org/

***National School Safety and Security Services. Bullying, anti-bullying legislation, school safety. www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/bullying.html

***No Bully. Helps schools to implement an anti-bullying policy and create school cultures where every student feels included. http://www.nobully.com/

***Project Change. A grassroots, nonprofit organization comprised of youth and adults who believe that high levels of youth engagement are essential to building strong, vibrant and healthy communities. www.projectchange-md.org

***STOMP Out Bullying Focused on reducing bullying and cyberbullying. www.stompoutbullying.org

***Stop Bullying Now: US Department of Health and Human Services offers flash movies, games, and information about bullying and how to prevent it. 
www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids

***The Trevor Project. A 24-hour, national help-line for gay and questioning teens. 
866-4U-TREVOR or www.thetrevorproject.org

In Print:

Coming Out: It Gets Better: Living Proof. Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating A Life Worth Living. by Dan Savage and Terry Miller..Penguin. A collection of stories from many people, known and unknown, involved in the It Gets Better Project. Release date: 3/22/11. Pre-orders available. http://www.itgetsbetter.org/blog/entry/the-it-gets-better-book-coming-march-22nd/

Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering by Meredith Baxter. Crown Archetype. A successful TV actor and mother who conquered alcohol and came out. Release date: 3/01/11.

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 thru 3/27/11. www.signaturetheatre.org.
***Book of Mormon, the new musical penned by "South Park" co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker and “Avenue Q” Tony winner Robert Lopez.
***The Divine Sister. Charles Busch plays an indomitable Mother Superior driven to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. to 4/30/11. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***The Importance of Being Earnest. Gay Oscar Wilde’s classic. Brian Bedford turns in a gender-bender as Lady Bracknell. to 7/03/11. 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". Harvey Fierstein and Jeffrey Tambor co-star.www.LaCage.com
***The Laramie Project, the story about the aftermath of the Matthew Shepard murder amongst the people of Wyoming. A benefit for The Trevor Project. The Looking Glass Theatre. 2/27/11. www.smarttix.com.
***The Loose Chanteuse. Varla Jean Merman’s new show. to 2/27/11. www.varlaonline.com
***My Scandalous Life, Thomas Kilroy’s portrait of Lord Alfred Douglas, who was Oscar Wilde’s lover. Des Keogh stars. to 3/06/11. http://www.irishrep.org/

Elsewhere...

***Grey Gardens, the award-winning musical about mother and daughter Beale. to 4/03/11. Ft. Lauderdale, FL. http://www.Risingactiontheatre.com/
***Little Miss Sunshine. A new musical by William “Falsettos” Finn and James Lapine based on the film. Hunter Foster and Malcolm Gets co-star. to 3/27/11. LaJolla, CA. www.lajollaplayhouse.org.
***Prometheus Bound. Gavin Creel and Lea DeLaria star in a new musical from Steven Sater and Serj Tankian, based on the Aeschylus tragedy. to 4/02/11. Cambridge, MA. www.americanrepertorytheater.org
***Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tracy Letts and Amy Morton star as sparring spouses in out Edward Albee’s masterpiece. to 4/24/11. Washington, DC. www.arenastage.org.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Out on Screen...

***Gen Silent,Stu Maddox’s new documentary about six LGBT elders and their caregivers in Boston. http://stumaddux.com/gen_silent_screenings.html
***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).
***Kaboom, a new film from Gregg Araki. The world according to Smith, a bisexual Southern California cinema studies major (Thomas Dekker).
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.

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). .
***Prayers for Bobby. Sigourney Weaver stars in a true story about the mother of a gay son who has problems accepting him.
***William S. Burroughs: A Man Within. Documentary about the Beat Generation icon and one of the first writers to explore queer culture in the 1950’s.

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

***February: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***SUN: 2/27: 83rd Annual Academy Awards live from Los Angeles. ABC. www.oscars.org.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

2/28/11: New York, NY: Harmony. A musical gala to benefit the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus and Youth Pride Chorus. Ann Harada from “Avenue Q” stars. http://www.nycgmc.org/Event.aspx?EventId=HARMONY2011

3/05/11: New Haven, CT: The 8th Annual Dorothy Awards. New Haven Pride Center’s benefit honoring Rev. Marilyn Bowens, pastor of MCC New Haven; Tony Ferraiolo, co-founder and president of the Jim Collins Foundation; Robb Bart, owner of Gotham Citi; and the Northeast Ursamen. : http://bit.ly/dTWqRd

3/06/11: New York, NY: Broadway BearsXIV. The annual auction for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS with a collection of 40 one-of-a-kind celebrity autographed teddy bears. http://www.broadwaycares.org/Broadway_Bears_XIV_pre-event

3/07/11: New York, NY: Savor, Ted Allen hosts a culinary event to benefit the Gay Mens Health Crisis. https://act.gmhc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=326

3/12/11-3/15/11: New York, NY: The 18th GLBT Expo. Trade show. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/

3/13/11: New York, NY: ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Stars from “All My Children”, “One Life to Live”, “General Hospital” and “The View” perform to raise money for BroadwayCares. www.broadwaycares.org.

3/14/11: New York, NY: Straight for Equality Gala. PFLAG’s 3rd annual salute of straight allies in the LGBT community. http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=1341

3/19/11-3/26/11: Crested Butte, CO: Butte 11: Matthew Shepard Foundation Gay Ski Week, at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Some proceeds benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation. http://www.matthewshepard.org

3/19/11: Washington, DC: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network 19th annual National Dinner and Silent Auction. www.sldn.org/dinner

3/19/11: New York, NY: GLAAD Media Awards. Celebrating GLAAD’s 25th anniversary. http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards

3/20/11: Washington, DC: Victory Fund 20th Anniversary Champagne Brunch. www.victoryfund.org.

3/21/11: New York, NY: The Broadway Beauty Pageant. Broadway chorus boys compete in talent, formal wear and swim suits. A benefit for the Ali Forney Center. http://aliforneycenter.org/beauty/

3/27/`11-3/29/11: Washington, DC: GLSEN Safe Schools Advocacy Summit. http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/2680.html

3/28/11-4/03/11: Palm Springs, CA: Kraft Nabisco Golf Championship. previously known as the Dinah Shore Golf Championship. gurlz and golf.www.nabiscochampionship.com

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Valentine’s Day

1. Question: Name one member of this pair, together for 44 years. Both worked in a Washington, DC government office. Both were closeted. One was reportedly a cross-dresser after work, but before he put on his heels, he busted and ruined the lives of many homosexuals. Answer: J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson. Hoover ran the FBI; Tolson was his assistant. History says Hoover wasn’t particularly fetching in his red dress.

2. Question: Name this fun couple of 20+ years who were the toast of contemporary American arts and letters. One was an author and essayist who espoused many feminist theories of the day. The other immortalized pop culture's leading actors, entertainers, and icons with her magazine photography. Answer: Susan Sontag and Annie Liebovitz. Sontage died in 2004. Liebovitz photographs for "Vanity Fair".

3. Question: Name this celebrity who tried gay marriage at least twice: first, to Judy Garland’s opening act, and last, to a producer who is still licking his wounds. Answer: Liza Minnelli. Her first husband was singer/songwriter Peter Allen (“The Boy from Oz”). Her most recent hubby was David Gest.

4. Question: Name this couple, together professionally and personally for 40+ years. They produced over 45 major motion pictures. Answer: Ishmail Merchant and James Ivory. Their films included: “The Bostonians” (1984), “A Room with a View” (1986), “Maurice” (1987), and “Howards End” (1992). Merchant died in 2005.

5. Question: Name this fun couple. One, a TV mogul, made history a decade ago coming out on TV and in real life; the other, a sitcom star, came out recently. One is the first out person to host a major awards show; one adapted hhis/her name from a Shakespearean character. Answer: Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi. DeRossi adapted her name from the character of “Portia” in “The Merchant of Venice”.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Hooray for Hollywood

The Oscars air on Sunday, 2/27.

1. Question: Name this 1969 film, which featured gay themes and was the first X-rated film to win the “Best Picture” Oscar. Its openly gay director made several mainstream movies with gay characters.

2. Question: Name this 1972 Oscar-winning film, based on a Tony-winning musical based on a gay author’s journals about his life in Europe. It won 8 Oscars. Its in-your-face decadence featured threesomes, transvestites and other club types.

3. Question: Name this actor, who received an Oscar for a breakthrough performance as a real-life transgender victim.

4. Question: Name this actor, who received an Oscar for playing an HIV-infected man who was the subject of discrimination in the first major Hollywood film to deal with HIV.

5. Question: Name this out singer and songwriter who got an Oscar gold with a song about going green. For over a decade, this artist's music has been top of the charts; the artist is a GLAAD Media Award winner, a cancer survivor, and a spokesperson for coming out issues.

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, February 8, 2011

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 2/14/11

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 14 No. 6 February 14, 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.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: February 14-20, 2011

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

WED: 2/16: San Francisco, CA: 429 Inspired. Dot429’s quarterly series featuring LGBTA entrepeneurs who share what inspires their success. http://dot429.com/events

THU: 2/17: New York, NY: Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, a benefit for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS with Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, and more. www.ticketmaster.com

SAT: 2/19: Denver, CO: 2011 Youth Summit. to bring LGBTQ high school, college students and allies together for a day of dialogue. Betty DeGeneres will be in attendance. http://www.matthewsplace.com/engage/2010-youth-summit/

SAT: 2/19: Boston, MA: The Red Party, MassEquality’s annual signature fundraiser to raise monies to end LGBT bullying. http://www.massequality.org./content/red-party-massequality’s-signature-annual-fundraiser-raise-funds-combat-school-bullying

Newsworthy:

Resource: Free LGBT News E-Newsletter. Gay Politics Report comes out twice-weekly with news briefings. From Smart Brief. An excellent resource for LGBY officials, business organizations, and community leaders. http://www.smartbrief.com/lgbt/

Transgender Americans suffer pervasive discrimination, according to a new survey from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality. The Associated Press reports: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g0W_zt4u5HVa5Sp8BtJ9fVwfIjPA?docId=ed8c4db5108347dc94869c7a36e2a98e

Broadway Backwards raised $281,243 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For BroadwayWorld.com’s photo recap: http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Broadway_Backwards_Raises_281243_for_BCEFA_20110208

The Buzz (People Making News)

Matthew Reich has been elected president of The Harvard Law Review. He’s the first openly gay editor of the publication. Harvard reports: http://www.law.harvard.edu/news/2011/02/3_reich.html

Transitions:

It’s a Boy! (Max) for Cynthia Nixon and partner Christine Marinoni, who gave birth on 2/07/11. Broadway.com reports: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/155194/its-a-boy-tony-winner-cynthia-nixon-and-christine-marinoni-welcome-their-first-child/

Awards and Honors:

Nominees: Olivier Awards for outstanding London theatre. Douglas Carter Beane for “The Little Dog Laughed” 9Best Play); Bill T. Jones (“Fela”) and Jerry Mitchell (“Legally Blonde”) for choreography; BroadwayWorld.com reports: http://broadwayworld.com/article/2011_Olivier_Award_Nominations_Announced_LOVE_NEVER_DIES_and_AFTER_THE_DANCE_Lead_20110207

Photo Shoots and Video

Video: G-A-Y: A Quick History Lesson (with a song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl1ysqmkKto&feature=player_embedded

Video: Harvey Fierstein, star of his musical “La Cage Aux Folles”, talks about drag past and present. Show People from Broadway.com: http://www.broadway.com/shows/la-cage-aux-folles/video/153395/show-people-la-cage-star-harvey-fierstein-on-his-delicious-drag-past-and-present/

Features

Coming Out: Steve Buckley, sports columnist, chats with The Good Men Project on the impact of his coming out. http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/a-conversation-with-steve-buckley/

Coming Out: Clay Aiken: “I Was Always Out”...he tells the Georgia Voice in an interview. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/clay-aiken-i-was-always-out.html

Coming Out: Born Gay. Born This Way. The Photo Blog. NPR reports: http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/02/04/133401341/bornthisway?ps=cprs
For the blog: http://borngaybornthisway.blogspot.com

Profile: Fred Karger, Republican strategist and gay rights activist, considers a run for President. The Washington Post reports: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/02/AR2011020203272.html?sid=ST2011020203372

Prophet Motive: The Michael Urie Interview from Interview: http://www.interviewmagazine.com/blogs/culture/2011-02-03/michael-urie-angels-in-america/

In Print:

Coming Out: It Gets Better: Living Proof. Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating A Life Worth Living. by Dan Savage and Terry Miller..Penguin. A collection of stories from many people, known and unknown, involved in the It Gets Better Project. Release date: 3/22/11. Pre-orders available. http://www.itgetsbetter.org/blog/entry/the-it-gets-better-book-coming-march-22nd/

Diaghilev: A Life by Sjeng Scheijen. Oxford University Press. A new biography about the 20th century impresario who championed the Ballet Russes, Stravinsky, Picasso, Chanel and Balanchine as he bedded Nijinsky and other men in the arts of the day. Lambda Lit’s review: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/reviews/02/07/diaghilev-sjeng-scheije/

Lady of Burlesque: The Career of Gypsy Rose Lee by Robert Strom. McFarland Books. Chronicles the triumphs as an actress, novelist, playwright, artist, political activist, and, ultimately, star. Three appendices include details of Gypsy's will and estate, the original production and Broadway revivals of Gypsy, and complete filmographies and discographies. It also includes rare and never-before-published photographs. .

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 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. to 4/30/11. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***The Importance of Being Earnest. Gay Oscar Wilde’s classic. Brian Bedford turns in a gender-bender as Lady Bracknell. to 7/03/11. 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". Harvey Fierstein and Jeffrey Tambor co-star.www.LaCage.com
***The Loose Chanteuse. Varla Jean Merman’s new show. to 2/27/11. www.varlaonline.com
***My Scandalous Life, Thomas Kilroy’s portrait of Lord Alfred Douglas, who was Oscar Wilde’s lover. Des Keogh stars. to 3/06/11. http://www.irishrep.org/

Elsewhere...

***Little Miss Sunshine. A new musical by William “Falsettos” Finn and James Lapine based on the film. Hunter Foster and Malcolm Gets co-star. to 3/27/11. LaJolla, CA. www.lajollaplayhouse.org.
***Marry Me A Little, an all-male production of the Stephen Sondheim revue. to 2/20/11. San Francisco, CA. www.therhino.org.
***Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tracy Letts and Amy Morton star as sparring spouses in out Edward Albee’s masterpiece. 2/25/11-4/24/11. Washington, DC. www.arenastage.org.

On Display

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.

thru 3/26/11: San Francisco, CA: Exhibition: More Life! “Angels in America” at Twenty. Museum of Performance and Design. http://www.mpdsf.org/EXHIBITIONS/ANGELS/ANGELS.html

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).
***Kaboom, a new film from Gregg Araki. The world according to Smith, a bisexual Southern California cinema studies major (Thomas Dekker).
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.
***Twelve Thirty. Jonathan Groff and Mamie Gummer star in a quirky film about a broken family (Dad is bi). www.twelvethirtymovie.com.

Out On Video & DVD

***Glee: Season 2, Volume 1: First ten episodes of Glee Season 2 on 3 DVDs.
***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). .
***Lucky Lady. Liza Minnelli stars in the 1975 comedy with Gene Hackman and Burt Reynolds.
***Prayers for Bobby. Sigourney Weaver stars in a true story about the mother of a gay son who has problems accepting him.
***William S. Burroughs: A Man Within. Documentary about the Beat Generation icon and one of the first writers to explore queer culture in the 1950’s. Release date: 2/15/11.

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

***February: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

2/21/11: Los Angeles, CA: Carol Channing 90th Birthday Celebration. Bruce Vilanch emcees. Other Dollys in attendance: Carole Cook, Joanne Worley, Phyllis Diller. 323.933.9266 ext. 34

2/23/11: Seattle, WA: dot429 Winter Networking Cocktails. Professional networking opportunities for the LGBTA Community. Roche Bobois. www.dot429.com

2/26/11-2/27/11: Boston, MA: Back to Work training program for transgender people seeking jobs. http://www.hrc.org/15215.htm

2/26/11-3/05/11: Telluride, CO: Telluride Gay Ski Week. www.telluridegayskiweek.com

2/28/11: New York, NY: Harmony. A musical gala to benefit the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus and Youth Pride Chorus. Ann Harada from “Avenue Q” stars. http://www.nycgmc.org/Event.aspx?EventId=HARMONY2011

3/04/11: New York, NY: dot429 Inaugural Women’s Event. dot429’s queer women’s networking event.http://dot429.com/events

3/05/11: Chicago, IL: Chicago Takes Off. burlesque show to fight HIV/AIDS in the Chicagoland area.www.chicagotakesoff.org

3/05/11: New Haven, CT: The 8th Annual Dorothy Awards. New Haven Pride Center’s benefit honoring Rev. Marilyn Bowens, pastor of MCC New Haven; Tony Ferraiolo, co-founder and president of the Jim Collins Foundation; Robb Bart, owner of Gotham Citi; and the Northeast Ursamen. : http://bit.ly/dTWqRd

3/06/11: San Francisco, CA: dot429 Networking Brunch.Professional networking opportunities for the LGBTA Community. http://dot429.com/events

3/06/11: New York, NY: Broadway BearsXIV. The annual auction for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS with a collection of 40 one-of-a-kind celebrity autographed teddy bears. http://www.broadwaycares.org/Broadway_Bears_XIV_pre-event

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Black History Month

1. Question: Name this young, gifted, bi, black American author and playwright, who became the foremother of African-American drama, and a contributor to the understanding of pro-choice, discrimination, and Africa. She died at age 35, but her work is still read and performed frequently. Answer: Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965), the author of "A Raisin in the Sun". A TV version of the Broadway revival with Sean Combs and Phylicia Rashad aired recently.

2. Question: Name this American author, playwright and Civil Rights activist. Gay characters appeared in his works, which often dealt with the personal impact of prejudice against those who were young, gifted, black, and gay. Answer: James Baldwin (1924-1987), whose works included "Giovanni's Room" and "Another Country".

3. Question: Name this American-born bisexual dancer, singer and actress, who lived most of her life in France. She was known for her extravagant night club act. She also adopted twelve children from all over the world and called them her "rainbow-family". Answer: Josephine Baker (1906-1975).

4. Question: Name this flamboyant rock and roll legend, who has topped pop music charts since 1956. Answer: Little Richard, who brought pop music "Lucille" and "Tutti Fruitti".

5. Question: Name this American activist in the struggle for human rights and economic justice who helped organize one of the most important civil rights actions in American history. Answer: Bayard Rustin (1912-1987), an assistant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who was chief organizer of the 'March on Washington for jobs and freedom" in 1963.

This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Valentine’s Day

1. Question: Name one member of this pair, together for 44 years. Both worked in a Washington, DC government office. Both were closeted. One was reportedly a cross-dresser after work, but before he put on his heels, he busted and ruined the lives of many homosexuals.

2. Question: Name this fun couple of 20+ years who were the toast of contemporary American arts and letters. One was an author and essayist who espoused many feminist theories of the day. The other immortalized pop culture's leading actors, entertainers, and icons with her magazine photography.

3. Question: Name this celebrity who tried gay marriage at least twice: first, to Judy Garland’s opening act, and last, to a producer who is still licking his wounds.

4. Question: Name this couple, together professionally and personally for 40+ years. They produced over 45 major motion pictures.

5. Question: Name this fun couple. One, a TV mogul, made history a decade ago coming out on TV and in real life; the other, a sitcom star, came out recently. One is the first out person to host a major awards show; one adapted hhis/her name from a Shakespearean character.

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, February 1, 2011

Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 2/07/11

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 14 No. 5 February 7, 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.

The Gay Agenda: Datebook: February 7-13, 2011

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

thru SAT: 2/05: Kingston, ON: Reel Out Queer Film & Video Festival. www.reelout.com

MON: 2/07: Nationwide: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. www.blackaidsday.org.

MON: 2/07: New York, NY: Broadway Backwards #6. Gender bendered showtunes to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) and The LGBT Community Center (the Center). Clay Aiken, Alan Cumming, Denis O’Hare, Bobby Steggert, and more co-star. http://www.broadwaycares.org/backwards2011

TUE: 2/08: Albany, NY: Marriage Equality Day at the State Capitol. A Marriage Equality New York Rally. http://www.meny.us/

WED: 2/09: New York, NY: amFar New York Gala. Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick perform for honorees Bill Clinton; Diane von Furstenberg; Dr. Mathilde Krim and Elizabeth Taylor.www.amfar.org.

FRI: 2/11: Northampton, MA: “Heart to Heart”. The LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts benefit for the Shining Star Scholarship Fund for LGBT youth. www.lgbtcoationwma.org

SAT: 2/12: Baltimore, MD: B+More Proud Intercollegiate LGBTQA Leadership Summit. for Baltimore/Washington college and university students. http://bmoreproud.org/summit/summit.php

Newsworthy:

Resource: Free LGBT News E-Newsletter. Gay Politics Report comes out twice-weekly with news briefings. From Smart Brief. An excellent resource for LGBY officials, business organizations, and community leaders. http://www.smartbrief.com/lgbt/

Gay Politics Top 25 LGBT News Stories of the week: http://www.gaypolitics.com/2011/01/28/top-25-lgbt-news-stories-of-the-week/

Uganda:

***David Kato, the outspoken gay rights advocate in Uganda, was murdered on 1/27/11. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/africa/28uganda.html?_r=1&src=fbmain
*** The White House Statement on the David Kato Murder. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/27/statement-president-killing-david-kato
***A Ugandan lesbian has won a reprieve from deportation back to her home country, where she fears for her safety. BBC News reports: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12311319

Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuits may force The Obama Administration to take a stand. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/us/politics/29marriage.html?hp

Illinois legalizes civil unions. The Advocate reports: http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/01/31/Ill_Civil_Unions_Law_Signed/

Iowa: A Symbolic vote on gay marriage failed in the state Senate. The Des Moines Register reports: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/01/27/iowa-senate-will-take-symbolic-vote-on-gay-marriage-issue-this-morning/

The Naval Academy treats a gay graduate’s husband as next-of-kin.The Chicago Sun-Times reports: http://www.suntimes.com/3526027-417/ketterson-academy-naval-usna-fliszar.html

Chicken Chain Gets Skewered by gay rights activists. Chick-Fil-A, a sandwich maker with conservative religion built into its corporate ethos, has come under fire for sponsoring a known anti-gay group’s seminar againt marriage equality. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30chick.html?hpw

Bay Windows, New England’s largest LGBT publication has acquired Golden Rainbow, a monthly newspaper for LGBT seniors and boomers. The Boston Globe reports: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/01/26/bay_windows_acquires_monthly_paper/

PC Air, a Thai start-up airline, is recruiting transgender flight attendants. USAToday’s “Today in the Sky” blog reports: http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/01/thai-airline-says-its-recruiting-third-sex-attendants/140667/1

The Buzz (People Making News)

Coming Out: Geri Jewell, the actress who played Cousin Geri on “The Facts of Life” has come out in a new memoir. Jezebel reports: http://jezebel.com/5744923/geri-jewell-comes-out-in-new-memoir

Coming Out: Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block confirms that he is gay. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/01/jonathan-knight.html

Coming Out: Graeme Obree, the international bicycling champion, has come out. He’s the highest ranking member of that sport to do so. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/01/cycling-champ-graeme-obree-im-gay.html

Roberta Achtenberg, the LGBT rights activist, has been appointed by President Obama to the US Commision on Civil Rights. GLAAD reports: http://glaadblog.org/2011/01/28/president-obama-names-lgbt-advocates-to-historic-appointments/

J. Paul Oetken, an out former Clinton administration lawyer, has been nominated to the federal bench by President Obama. If confirmed, he would be the first openly gay man to sere on the federal bench in the USA. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/nyregion/28judge.html?_r=1&hpw

James Franco will play Nicole Kidman’s boy toy in a revival of gay Tennessee Williams’ “Sweet Bird of Youth”, which opens on Broadway this fall. BroadwayWorld.com reports: http://broadwayworld.com/article/TV_James_Franco_Confirms_Broadway_Debut_in_SWEET_BIRD_OF_YOUTH_with_Nicole_Kidman_20110128

Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester on “Glee”) is writing a memoir for release this year. The New York Times reports: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/life-aint-easy-for-a-girl-named-sue-a-personal-memoir-from-jane-lynch-of-glee/

Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W, has endorsed marriage equality in a public service announcement. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/us/politics/01bush.html?_r=1

Transitions:

Ralph McClean, Australia’s first out mayor, died on 12/25/10, at age 53. Australia’s Age reports: http://www.theage.com.au/national/obituaries/act-of-political-bravery-australias-first-openly-gay-mayor-20110130-1a9pf.html

Charles Nolan, the fashion designer who dressed many politicos including Tipper Gore, died on 1/30/11 at age 53. His partner is Andrew Tobias, the financial writer who penned the coming out classic “The Best Little Boy in the World”. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/fashion/31nolan.html?_r=1&hpw

Photo Shoots and Video

Coming Out: Video: What Was It Like to Come Out in the 1950s ? The Gay History Video Project is recording the stories of some of the pioneers in our community to chronicle LGBT history. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/50s.html

The Resource Center:

The No Shame Project. Championed by former TV anchor/author Charles Perez and baseball star Billy Bean. http://www.no-shame.org/

In Print:

Coming Out: Confessions of a Gay Anchorman by Charles Perez. Lulu.com. A behind the scenes, in front of the camera look at what it is to be a gay man on TV. Perez is an alum of ABC’s flagship station in New York. He trashes many of the people there. http://www.charles-perez.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. Michael Urie stars 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. to 4/30/11. www.DivineSisterOnstage.com.
***The Importance of Being Earnest. Gay Oscar Wilde’s classic. Brian Bedford turns in a gender-bender as Lady Bracknell. to 7/03/11. 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". Harvey Fierstein and Jeffrey Tambor co-star beginning 2/15/11.www.LaCage.com

Elsewhere...

***The Little Dog Laughed, Douglas Carter Beane's Tony Award-winning comedy about a Hollywood agent’s crisis dealing with her star’s decision to come out. to 2/13/11. Morristown, NJ. www.bickfordtheatre.org
***Little Miss Sunshine. A new musical by William “Falsettos” Finn and James Lapine based on the film. Hunter Foster and Malcolm Gets co-star. 2/15/11-3/27/11. LaJolla, CA. www.lajollaplayhouse.org.
***Marry Me A Little, an all-male production of the Stephen Sondheim revue. 2/2/11-2/20/11. San Francisco, CA. www.therhino.org.
***Out of Sight. Sara Felder’s solo show about lesbians, Palestine, and juggling. to 2/13/11. San Francisco, CA. www.themarsh.org.
***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. 2/25/11-4/24/11. Washington, DC. www.arenastage.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.
***Black Swan. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina competing for a lead in “Swan Lake”.
***Kaboom, a new film from Gregg Araki. The world according to Smith, a bisexual Southern California cinema studies major (Thomas Dekker).
***Rabbit Hole, John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig” and “Short Bus”) directs the movie version of the Broadway drama which stars Nicole Kidman. www.rabbitholefilm.com.

Out On Video & DVD

***Glee: Season 2, Volume 1: First ten episodes of Glee Season 2 on 3 DVDs.
***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). .
***Lucky Lady. Liza Minnelli stars in the 1975 comedy with Gene Hackman and Burt Reynolds.
***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

***February: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***SUN: 2/11: Grammy Awards, 53rd edition. Live. 8PM. CBS.

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

2/17/11: New York, NY: Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, a benefit for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS with Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, and more. www.ticketmaster.com

2/19/11: Denver, CO: 2011 Youth Summit. to bring LGBTQ high school, college students and allies together for a day of dialogue. Betty DeGeneres will be in attendance. http://www.matthewsplace.com/engage/2010-youth-summit/

2/26/11-2/27/11: Boston, MA: Back to Work training program for transgender people seeking jobs. http://www.hrc.org/15215.htm

2/26/11-3/05/11: Telluride, CO: Telluride Gay Ski Week. www.telluridegayskiweek.com

2/27/11: Los Angeles, CA: Academy Awards. www.oscars.org

2/28/11: New York, NY: Harmony. A musical gala to benefit the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus and Youth Pride Chorus. Ann Harada from “Avenue Q” stars. http://www.nycgmc.org/Event.aspx?EventId=HARMONY2011

3/12/11-3/15/11: New York, NY: The 18th GLBT Expo. Trade show. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/

3/13/11: New York, NY: ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Stars from “All My Children”, “One Life to Live”, “General Hospital” and “The View” perform to raise money for BroadwayCares. www.broadwaycares.org.

3/14/11: New York, NY: Straight for Equality Gala. PFLAG’s 3rd annual salute of straight allies in the LGBT community. http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=1341

3/19/11-3/26/11: Crested Butte, CO: Butte 11: Matthew Shepard Foundation Gay Ski Week, to be held at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Some of the proceeds benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation. http://www.matthewshepard.org

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: February Milestones

1. Question: Name this elected official who started a national craze on February 12, 2004 just weeks after taking the oath office. Saying he was influenced by a President’s State of the Union address that appeared to make gays second class citizens, his actions caused national controversy, yet made him a hero within the LGBT community. Answer: Gavin Newsom, CA Lieutenant Governor and former Mayor of San Francisco, who authorized the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

2. Question: Name this rodent, who comes out annually on February 2nd. His coming out, applauded by people everywhere, is used to predict weather events. Answer: Puxatawny Phil, the star of Ground Hog Day. His shadow determines whether there is six weeks left to winter.

3. Question: Name this hit television show, which was the first to feature a lesbian liplock on February 7, 1991. Hint: It’s based down the coast from the Newsom residence in Question #1. Answer: L.A. Law.

4. Question: Name this award-winning gay athlete, born February 10, 1893. He captured worldwide acclaim for his skills, only to fall into obscurity when his interest in young men came to light. Answer: Bill Tilden, the tennis great.

5. Question: Name this lesbian writer, born in Pennsylvania on February 3, 1874. After she moved abroad, she established a salon which nurtured some of the most important writers of the 20th century. Her partner was known for a secret ingredient in her brownies.. Answer: Gertrude Stein. Her partner was Alice B. Toklas, who added marijuana to her brownies, according to the Arlo Guthrie song.

2/07: This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Black History Month

1. Question: Name this young, gifted, bi, black American author and playwright, who became the foremother of African-American drama, and a contributor to the understanding of pro-choice, discrimination, and Africa. She died at age 35, but her work is still read and performed frequently.

2. Question: Name this American author, playwright and Civil Rights activist. Gay characters appeared in his works, which often dealt with the personal impact of prejudice against those who were young, gifted, black, and gay.

3. Question: Name this American-born bisexual dancer, singer and actress, who lived most of her life in France. She was known for her extravagant night club act. She also adopted twelve children from all over the world and called them her "rainbow-family".

4. Question: Name this flamboyant rock and roll legend, who has topped pop music charts since 1956.

5. Question: Name this American activist in the struggle for human rights and economic justice who helped organize one of the most important civil rights actions in American history.

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/