Quick Bits

I'm covering the Tribeca Film Fest for The Advocate's website - I'll link when the story goes up post-fest - and tonight attended the amFAR benefit reception for An Englishman in New York. Very very very very cool to meet and have conversations with John Hurt, Swoozie Kurtz, director Richard Laxton, Jonathan Tucker (who graced The Advocate's cover some years back), and Cynthia Nixon. I can't resist - I'm posting two of the photos here in true starf*cker fashion. God, I feel dirty.

Meanwhile, "swine flu" is my new unhealthy (no pun intended) Google obsession (replacing "Palin" at long last!).

L

Crist Almighty!

I just saw OUTRAGE, Kirby Dick's new documentary on closeted USA politicians and the harm they cause - and, when they come out, the good they can do. The film pretty effectively outs a number of sold-my-soul-to-the-devil politicians including Florida's governor Charlie Crist, who sold us out (and continues to) in order to gain traction in the Republican party - first denying his homosexuality, then going out with a series of women when it benefited his public image, marrying one, and then supporting Florida's ghastly Amendment 2 and the ban prohibiting Florida gays from adopting children. Despicable.

Sorry, Log Cabin Republicans, but when a gay republican is doing this sort of shit, they're not affecting change from within.

The film made me furious, made me laugh, and most of all gave another boost to my activist side. The film ends with Harvey Milk telling a reporter how the only way we will ever win is to all come out. When people know or love someone who is gay, they are less likely to support anti-gay amendments and discrimination. So we simply must come out - to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors.

That said... Mr. Crist, enjoy being outed once OUTRAGE hits screens! I certainly will enjoy watching.

L

Flashback

I found some photo folders on my computer today that I hadn't peeked into for a long long while. OK, they're only about 3 years old, from 2006, but still. Some were taken at the year's Philly Int. Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (for which I am a programmer), another of me and filmmaker Jochen Hick in his cool Copenhagen hotel room during that city's gay film fest, a shot of Michael Musto in his apartment taken when I interviewed him, and.... Mrs. Fields in Hong Kong! Love the "extra chewy" cookies they sell there - why not here? Why? Why, Mr. Anderson, why, why?????

L

Gay For... Videos?

I'm actually obsessed now with music videos - and films, etc - that feature flamingly, incredibly, blazingly queer people acting in "heterosexual" ways... that somehow the majority of the general public allowed itself to be deluded by. In complete complicity.

I mean, I have a family member who refused to believe Rosie was a lesbian until she uttered it herself. And how many people refused to believe Clay Aiken was gay, despite the damning evidence that built up.

So... here's a real gem. A video from Limahl. The girl in the video is in for a big surprise, let me tell you. This is like the "DL" 80s UK white boy style! Mind you, Limahl is one of my guilty pleasures. I love his pop goodness!

L

We've Come a Long Way

Today, nobody seems to blink an eye over the insanely can't-even-deny-it-a-little gayness of American Idol's Adam Lambert (well, aside from Bill O'Reilly). Yet 20 years ago, the UK boy band Big Fun, which was so gay your face may as well get slapped by it, caused a big scandal and was shunned after its members were outed.

Ummm... yeah. Shocking that they were gay. You never would guess it from their videos. Or a photo.

Maybe the Western culture's capacity for denial has just lessened a little bit. Or again, we're just putting entertainment value over sexuality. Theories?

L

Israel-o-rama Part 6

A whole bunch of Haifa and a bonus peek at lunch in a Druze home. That mint lemonade was soooo tasty.

L

A Marriott Offer That Benefits GLAAD

Got this press release today. There was/is a bit of a kerfuffle about Marriott and the funding/support of Prop 8. Seems like an olive branch is being extended...

Marriott and Renaissance Hotels of New York Offer “Out In New York” Package

NEW YORK – (April 3, 2009) – Marriott and Renaissance Hotels of New York invite guests to come out to New York, hang out in luxurious rooms, stay out to enjoy the city…and help out, too. When guests book a reservation at a participating hotel in New York City, as part of a new “Out In NY” package, the hotel will donate 5% of the room rate to GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).*
The Out In NY Package includes guest room accommodations, breakfast for two (plus up to two children under 12 eat free) and a personal copy of The Out Traveler, an over 200-page gay & lesbian travel guidebook to New York City, published by the same publishers as The Out Traveler magazine.
Guests may choose from amongst five Marriott and Renaissance hotels in New York City, including:
• New York Marriott Marquis, Broadway at West 46th Street
• Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square, Seventh Avenue at West 47th Street
• New York Marriott East Side, Lexington Avenue at East 49th Street
• New York Marriott Downtown, 85 West Street between Albany & Carlisle Streets
• New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams Street, Downtown Brooklyn

The Out In NY Package may be booked now, for stays that begin from April 1 through December 31, 2009. Package rates now start at $229 per room, per night, plus tax, based upon availability and room rates do vary by hotel and dates requested.
For reservations go to www.marriott.com/OutInNY (not case-sensitive) or call
1-800-228-9290 and mention code VIQ.

Israel-o-rama Part 5

A little bit of a mix today (and in high-res this time). A tower of spice in Jerusalem's Arab market (don't sneeze near it!), a little bit of graffiti/street art (not quite Basquait but what are ya gonna do?) and... Depeche Mode beer. You'll see your own personal Jesus, or Adonai, after a six-pack!

L