Understandably upset over her fellow Californian's decision to prohibit gay marriage, aurally-inclined lesbian Melissa Etheridge has vowed to withhold the buckets of money the state would have reaped from her taxes. Writes Etheridge at the Daily Beast:
Okay. So Prop 8 passed. Alright, I get it. 51% of you think that I am a second class citizen. Alright then. So my wife, uh I mean, roommate? Girlfriend? Special lady friend? You are gonna have to help me here because I am not sure what to call her now. … Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.
Okay, cool I don't mean to get too personal here but there is a lot I can do with the extra half a million dollars that I will be keeping instead of handing it over to the state of California. Oh, and I am sure Ellen will be a little excited to keep her bazillion bucks that she pays in taxes too. Wow, come to think of it, there are quite a few of us fortunate gay folks that will be having some extra cash this year. What recession? We're gay!
10:34 pm, thanks for speaking up against a thug who fraudated the caucuses. After his supporters voted Pro8, now Obama's campaign plants the story about the gay reverend, -- obviously Obama wants it both ways regarding gay marriage.
What did he say about Jake about now and at Columbia? What do people know about Columbia?
Posted on OMG: As for being unpopular in college, I have read that before ages ago somewhere.....wonder if he was a lonely kid despite all the fame & wealth.
NICOLE Kidman says she made it a point to be a silent partner during her doomed marriage to Tom Cruise. "I felt I became a star only by association. I didn't think [my early movies] were very good, which is why I would always cower in the background," the flame-haired Academy Award winner tells Glamour. "I thought, I don't deserve to be here. We would go to the Oscars, and I would think, I'm here to support him. I felt it was my job to put on a beautiful dress and to be seen and not heard."
As we have made abundantly clear, there are a ton of closeted gay actors and performers in this business. Some are more flagrant (Toothy Tile) than others (Crotch Uh-Lastic).
And whether or not these sexually deceiving dudes choose to be public about their shenanigans, usually their reps—managers, publicists, agents, gardeners, etc. — find out via some email or some shocked coworker that their client goes homo. Not so with Oded Good-Head...
His manager discovered the boy likes to do it with other boys by walking in on Oded in his dressing room! Was most awkward, too, as the man who was being serviced by Mr. Good-Head—who has quite the reputation with the girlies, not to mention multitalents in front of concert audiences and movie cameras alike—saw the manager first.
Very whuh-whoh kinda sitch, ya know?
Poor Od-y didn't notice his 10 percent guy was standing right there until his latest surreptitious conquest pulled him up and away from what the awfully good-looking performer was so earnestly doing.
End result? Fellatio interruptus—and new pics of Oded and assorted chickies coming out soon in Us Weekly and other razor-sharp standards of Hollywood journalism.
"We've finally arrived at a moment when America feels like it's supposed to." - Bob Cesca of the Huffpo (Wenesday, November 5, 2008)
This past Election Tuesday, Californians turned out in droves to recognize the rights of caged-chickens while denying the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. Passing Prop 2 and Prop 8, Californians secured a chicken's right to "extend its wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around" in confinement, while revoking basic democratic rights from gays; rights like equal protection under the law, the ability to pursue happiness, and the freedom to worship religion without state interference (that's right, there are Judeo-Christian confessions that view same-sex marriage as sacred). In short, Californians sympathize with chickens but not with gays. We Americans can all be proud of the prodigious progress being made. Americans, exceptionally capable of progressive change, have once again galloped forward. Who can doubt that this moment marks an ideological shift leftward? Indeed.
Sorry to be the buzz-kill at the liberal victory-party, but this election has been a historic nightmare for millions of gay Americans. In Florida, Arizona, and California propositions have been passed to amend state constitutions, permanently enshrining second-class citizenship into law. America has taken a tremendous step backward -- actively revoking rights granted to citizens by state constitutions -- though you'd never know it from most of the punditry and pontificating.
Drunk on Obama victory, commentators are busy idealizing the American electorate, waxing rhapsodic about the inherent goodness of the American spirit, the progress it has made, and its tolerant essence. Skim the titles down yesterday's Huffpost for gems like: "How to come down from Euphoria," "The Other Side of Paradise," "Exhale," "Real Shock and Awe," "Why All Americans have a Reason to Celebrate," and "Hitting the Reset Button on the 21st Century." Apparently nobody in the MSM has the stomach to parse words like "bittersweet," "hypocrisy," and "pyrrhic victory." It just does not jibe well with the supposed revival of the American dream that began this past Tuesday. I get it: anger and suffering isn't cool. It makes Americans uncomfortable. The victors do not want to hear about it; certainly not while they congratulate themselves for being so enlightened.
To be sure, this is not the media's fault. But its reticence on the uneven nature of American progress is strikingly naive and delusional, especially given the overwhelming--though not singularly determinative--role that African-Americans played in supporting Prop 8 and denying other Americans their civil rights. While seventy percent of self-identified gays and lesbians supported the first African-American presidential candidate (according to the exit poll reported by CNN), seventy percent of African American voters approved Prop 8, compared to 53% of Latino voters, 49% of white voters, and 49% of Asian voters.
The Obama victory was undoubtedly historic and groundbreaking, but it has come at a price: the aggrandizement and intensification of hostility between Blacks and gays. The irony is as ugly as it is heartbreaking. The betrayal gays feel can be summed up pithily: how is the outlawing of same sex marriage any different from the anti-miscegenation laws of segregation? Some may point to religious values as the discriminating factor, but "Christian values" were used to justify anti-miscegenation just as they are now used to justify the revoking of same-sex marriage. Hiding behind the Church, then and now, does not absolve anyone of their complicity in discrimination.
But the failure to defeat Prop 8 does not lie with the Black community or any other minority. It is the gay community who has failed to build coalitions with other groups. Wake-up call to gay leadership: We must form institutional alliances with other minority communities and start supporting each others interests. We are not going to see these groups support our right to marry if we do not make an active effort to support them as well.
Some gays -- mostly from the Boomer generation -- point out (correctly) that I am impatient. Progress, they say, is inevitable. Consider the historicity of a president-elect who freely and comfortably refers to gays within the first breath of his victory. We are a long way, they remind us, from the days when a president couldn't even utter the word "AIDS" publicly. Andrew Sullivan, who has been a fierce advocate of gay rights for decades, reminds us that "twenty years ago, equality of gay couples was a mere idea. Forty years ago, it was a pipe-dream." Try to see the forest for the trees. In the long term, history is on our side.
I think it could be close because Aaron Eckhart was in The Dark Knight with Maggie and Heath, and he played Harvey Kent the role that Jake was rumored to play.
"I guess people care more about farm animals than they do their fellow man, that's really sad to me. Yes, I am glad that the chickens will have more room and better conditions as they wait to die, but I just think it's frightening that people show more compassion for tomorrow's dinner than for the chef. Yup, Miss Piggy and Chicken Little may rest easy, but gay people in Florida and California can no longer get married and gay couples in Arkansas can't adopt children. G-d forbid a loving family (regardless of sexual orientation) give a needy child a home!"
— Sam Ronson, on the passing of Prop. 2 and Prop. 8. [People]
"This actor is going to find out the hard way it doesn’t pay to be rude and disrespectful to your peers. He may be good looking, but his bad attitude and weird behavior is ruining his career." [Blind Gossip]
Shawn is correct - I find it dismaying as well to think that those who have know suffering and bigotry themselves can turn their back when it is happening to others. MLK said, and Mrs. King has reiterated, that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".
Yes, progress is inevitable, but there are no guarantees. Do we want to take the chance in the meantime, do we want to wait passively for whatever happens, turn the other cheek at slaps in the face, or do we want to try to facilitate progress for gay rights? Peaceably speak out in protest, correct misinformation when we hear it, step in against bigotry when we see it.
For CA, Prop 8 will be overturned, because the right to marry is already in place. For Florida and some of the other states I believe, they didn't have this provision, and their consititutions were changed, and now locked up tight with amendments. Don't let this happen in CA, take active steps to stop it. Don't think that it's all turn out happily ever after eventually, and that someone else will take care of your rights. I read some of the pre-voting polls about Prop 8 not being expected to pass, and how wrong they were. Don't listen.
Those two propositions are two entirely different things. Don't let that kind of thing cloud the issue, and let's put the blame sqarely where it lies for the passage of Prop 8. The chickens didn't have the busybody, and well-organized and funded, religous right fundies on their side, probably just groups like the Humane Society. And compassionate people are compassionate for a things, and probably voted NO on Prop 8 as well. Also, I think people got on board with the No campaign too little and too late. I'm shocked by the amount of homophobia that is still out there, when you look at a map of the US states and where they stand on gay rights.
I'm not impressed with Sam Ronson's half-assed, last minute throw together blog about the passage of Prop 8 either. Maybe she should have gotten on board earlier and contributed to the NO campaign? I don't know if she did. There's no way to tell who voted for what.
Given their history, Mormons know about being targeted for being different. Yet in a full-on offensive, the LDS Church mobilized in favor of California's Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that bans gay marriage. Mormons donated $19 million to the cause -- nearly four out of five dollars raised. And now that the initiative has passed, apparently Mormons want to play nice; an LDS Church leader called Wednesday for members to heal rifts caused by the campaign by treating each other with "civility, with respect and with love."
Not. So. Fast. Gay people are fed up and have learned a thing or two about mobilizing themselves -- and not just for angry rallies. Some pro-Proposition 8 folks may come to regret their not so private support of hate. And were you thinking about skiing in Utah this year? Hmmm, Colorado's looking pretty appealing these days.
Yet somehow an economic boycott doesn't feel direct enough; those who team up against gay people must learn that there are consequences.
Please join us as we seek to strip the Mormon church of its status as a religious organization. According to IRS law, "no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying)." [Emphasis added.]
Show the world that gay people -- and their friends and families -- know how to hit back. Sign this petition to support the legal effort to strip the Mormon Church of its tax-exempt status.
Don't forget, one of President Obama's campaign promises was to repeal entirely the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, which should open closed doors and roadblocks to gay marriage. No other candidate has promised that.
Well, I'll say it again - Obama is the best hope we've got - no other candidates have repeatedly promised this except for Obama/Biden - and the Republican ticket was not only against gay marriage, but would have had the entire weight of the Republican party behind them. Hillary certainly didn't promise this, and Bill signed DOMA into law.
And incidentally, the US Supreme Court has yet to address the constitutionality of DOMA, and future plans may include a Federal Marriage Constitutional Amendment. The 2004 Republican platform had endorsed the protection of DOMA from judicial scrutiny, meaning they would try to make it unchallengable.
Whew! Thank goodness Obama/Biden won! Whatever has happened; don't think for a minute that voting Democrat wasn't the right thing to do.
^^oops, make that the entire weight of the majority of the Republican party, conservatives, fundies, traditional marriage defenders, relgious groups, etc.
Great! I'd love to take part - it's really upsetting to see how this Propostion came to be and how its proponents clouded the issue with "scare" tactics - omg what about the chiiiiiildren, etc, societal fabric. Well guess what. It's the same type of crap that was used to justify separate but equal. This is about the right to marry, period. Thanks!
Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight spent Election Day volunteering for No on 8, standing 100 feet away from poling places handing out palm cards and urging people to vote against the same-sex marriage ban. Here he recounts the well-wishers who brought cookies and cheered from cars and the Prop. 8 supporters who yelled and spat -- one even got violent. But Knight says all he ultimately felt was sadness when Prop. 8 passed.
By T.R. Knight
Tuesday, 4 a.m.
The alarm on my cell phone wakes me with that annoying ring. Not the most pleasant way to start the day; I keep forgetting to change it. But I was wide awake. After a quick shower and throwing on clothes while playing “don’t wake the boyfriend,” I was out on the road driving toward Santa Monica. My day of volunteering at the polls for No on Proposition 8 had begun.
We all met shortly after 6 a.m. to get our polling place assignments and to be matched up with fellow volunteers. Having agreed to be a team captain, I was questioning my leadership ability in light of my sometimes pathological shyness. That is, until I saw my friend Melissa Fitzgerald. Besides being a wonderful actress, she is also fiercely political, smart as a whip, and a natural-born leader. She had just flown in to work on this campaign (she was working for Obama until she saw how close this race was), and by coincidence, we showed up at the same place. We joined up with a guy named Nathan and we were off to our first polling location.
Nathan also turned out to be a political phenom, and thankfully they both led by example. We introduced ourselves to the polling supervisor and informed them we would respect the required 100 feet distance from the polling place. We then held our signs high and passed out our palm cards. The three of us, two straight, one gay, working together to help inform people about protecting civil rights.
And that is what we did, we volunteers, all day. I had two more shifts at two more polling locations. We worked until the polls closed at 8 p.m. What will remain most in my memory from those hours are the extreme reactions from both sides.
The man who screamed “Homos and lesbians!” as he drove by, the older man who shouted at me to go back to West Hollywood (I live in Los Feliz), the woman who called us “abominations,” the man who spat on the palm card we had handed him. There was a man who attacked a young female volunteer of ours at a nearby polling place at a Catholic church, shoving and pushing her and ripping up her palm cards. Every single supporter of Prop. 8 was so filled with anger and bile as they voiced their "support" to us, with the exception of one older gentleman, who engaged us in a very civil conversation.
One person in over 13 hours.
All of that was countered by the many straight families who were very vocal in their support of No on 8. The young man who joined us while on break from work (holding a sign he had downloaded from his computer), another guy who brought us cookies and juice in the morning, the husband and wife who brought us cappuccinos at nightfall, the drivers who honked in support (when others weren’t flippin’ us the bird), and the woman who hollered from her car, “Thank you for fighting for our family.”
As we packed up for the evening the news came in. It looked as though Obama would be our next president. As my boyfriend and I drove home (he had joined us, even though he was sick as a dog), we listened to McCain concede the race. We made it to the television set just in time to witness the beautiful, truly awesome sight of the first family making their appearance on that Chicago stage. We heard a president-elect mention gay people in his acceptance speech. A night of many firsts.
But then the news of Proposition 8.
And then the news of Arizona, Arkansas, and Florida.
It is difficult for me to understand many aspects of this outcome. Why did other minorities vote in such high percentages in favor of Prop. 8? Why do they see our civil rights as so vastly different than their own? Why did the Yes on 8 campaign use such incredible deceit to win? They claim to come from a place of high morals. How do they justify that with fighting in such an immoral way? Why is religion impeding our freedom and equality?
As I write this, I just read the concession from No on Prop. 8. I find it difficult to put the sadness I feel into words.
I know that gay people will one day gain all the rights due us as American citizens. I know that the people who stand in our way today will be the people the majority will later mock as foolish and bigoted. I was speaking to an African-American friend tonight. She told me, “It takes so long. But people will come around. You have to continue to fight. It just takes a very long time.”
I hope I can muster the patience and keep my anger focused so I can continue to fight. Fight clean. Fight with just the truth. And never let myself spew the kind of hate I encountered on that Tuesday in November as we peacefully fought for our civil rights.
I hope I can muster the patience and keep my anger focused so I can continue to fight. Fight clean. Fight with just the truth. And never let myself spew the kind of hate I encountered on that Tuesday in November as we peacefully fought for our civil rights.
Hear, hear. Yes, big hugs for ((((T.R Knight)))). :)
He is a good-looking, closeted gay actor. He has quite the reputation with the girls, not to mention talent in front of concert audiences and movie cameras alike. His manager discovered he likes to do it with other boys by walking in on the actor in his dressing room. It was most awkward, too, as the man who was being serviced by the actor saw the manager first and pulled away from the actor. End result? Fellatio interruptus. There will be new pictures of the actor and assorted women coming out soon in Us Weekly. By the way, he isn’t Ludacris, Timbaland, or James Marsden.
Editor’sNote: This is a rewrite of an EOnline item.
No doubt Madonna has done plenty for gay rights over the years, but where has she been during this year's very heated—and very expensive—fight to try and save gay marriage in California?
Until her concert last night in Los Angeles, the outspoken politically minded Queen of Pop had been uncharacteristically silent about Prop 8, the ballot measure that overturned the legalization of same-sex unions in California. She didn't even speak a word of it during her concert in San Francisco — San Francisco!—on the Saturday just before Election Day. And even when she did finally say something, it was brief—very brief.
"I am very sad to hear we didn't win Proposition 8," she said, according to a concertgoer. "But we will not give up the fight. No, we will not. Never! If we got an African-American in the White House, we can have gay marriages."
While her words of support caused a thunderous roar of applause, an informal survey of Madonna fans conducted by yours truly shows most are surprised and disappointed by her lack of public support. "Too little, too late, Madge," one fan said last night at the show. "Where was your money and influence before the vote?"
Celebs who have actively opposed the measure include Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, Melissa Etheridge, Steven Spielberg, Samuel L. Jackson and Pete Wentz. The list goes on and on.
Asked about Madonna's noninvolvement with Prop. 8, her rep emailed me, "The one thing I do not have to do is defend Madonna's very very heartfelt and extensive commitment financially, verbally and numerous other ways to gay rights in the course of her career." Very true, but let's just hope we see more of that decades-long commitment as the battle for gay marriage rages on. This is not the time for silence.
Which A list action star is paying big bucks to an unknown female actress to be his girlfriend for the next two months while he is doing press for his new film. He wants a girlfriend to talk about and not the increasing questions about his sexuality.
If you're wondering whether Jessica Simpson does—and you know you cannot live one more second without knowing—the answer is yes. She does follow the scuttlebutt on her fansites, particularly SweetKisses.net, where she's even been known to—yes—post stuff.
But most stars, at least the big ones, don't pay attention unless something alarming happens. Like when a fan posts an unflattering photo.
She's played sidekicks to super-goofs Austin Powers and Inspector Clouseau. Now, Beyonce aspires to fly solo as a legendary superheroine.
"I want to do a superhero movie and what would be better than Wonder Woman?" Beyonce tells the Los Angeles Times. "It would be great. And it would be a very bold choice. A black Wonder Woman would be a powerful thing. It's time for that, right?"
The multi-talented star tells the paper she's met with reps of DC Comics and Warner Bros. to discuss playing the role Lynda Carter made famous on the small screen in the '70s.
"I would definitely have to keep it right for that costume. The way that Lynda Carter wore it, she was sooo fine," Beyonce says. "It sure would be handy to have that lasso. To make everybody tell the truth? I need that. It would come in very handy."
But Jake, at least Pres. Obama is being honest about himself. You should come clean and be honest about yourself also. You'll feel so much better and be a better American.
Not true Jake. The media all loved you and thought you were a nice guy who was charming, smart and easy going. The public at large thought so too. But now, you're losing alot of respect because you are coming across as a wimpy, clingy, immature and pretingeous man who has lost his identity-you've become Mr. Witherspoon. You're fans are leaving you. We want to love you again. Come back into the light Jake.
Nice facts about our new President - I think he is absolutely wonderful. He wasn't born rich, knows first-hand about how the regular people live and the problems that affect them, having been raised by a single woman gives him insight into women's views. He's a wonderful choice for President. I like that he's the most direct and honest President we've ever had. When he's asked a question, he answers it as directly as he can. Do The Right Thing was an incredible film; it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. Michelle should have known right then and there he was a special guy. They make a great couple, very Kennedy-esque. ;)
I don't think people will care if the Prince is gay, but if you want to stay in the closet for a little longer-OK. But, dump The Chin asap. She's draining whatever appeal you have left. Gotta go, going to look at puppies with Pres. Obama.
"With respect to the dog," said Obama, "this is a major issue." He said it has generated the most interest on his Web site, but before a new addition is made to the family, "two criteria that have to be reconciled."
One is that elder daughter Malia, 10, "is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." The other is that "our preference would be to get a shelter dog," which would point to the possiblity of a mixed breed, or, as Obama said, "a mutt, like me."
Add Sophia Bush to the growing list of grousing stars upset over the passage of California's gay-marriage-annihilating Prop 8.
"I'm really proud to be an American," the One Tree Hill star said of the election of Barack Obama, "and I'm embarrassed to be a Californian right now."
Speaking to E! News at Thursday's DSquared2 party in the penthouse of Hollywood's Chateau Marmont, Bush said she was psyched to see Obama win, especially since she campaigned for him. She also hopes to attend his Jan. 20 inauguration. But her excitement was tempered by the narrow passage of Prop 8. "It's just so sad that when we've been so progressive, we've also taken so many steps backward," she said, choking up.
"I'm disgusted. In a world that is so full of hatred and bigotry and war and famine? We're criticizing two people for loving each other. I think that it's devastating."
Actor, director and vocal Bush opponent Sean Penn has spoken out on the election of Barack Obama.
"I was sitting on the edge of the bed with my family watching our new president-elect," actor/director Sean Penn said Thursday night as he collected the Britannia Award for Excellence in Film from the Los Angeles chapter of BAFTA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
"I have never been able to put the word 'my' before president before," he added, prompting loud applause from the British-American film industry crowd that also honored actors Tilda Swinton and Don Cheadle and director Stephen Frears.
The 'Pineaple Express' star - who shot to fame playing James Dean in a TV biopic in 2001 - hates going to bed because there are so many things he wants to do with his time.
He said: "I don't sleep. I have a lot of interests and a lot I want to get done so I have gotten into the habit of not getting into my bed. "I sit on the couch with my laptop until I fall asleep. I have the computer in a protective case because it often ends up falling to the floor."
James - who is currently studying graduate-level writing and filmmaking programmes at both Columbia University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts - also revealed why he decided to go back to school.
The 31-year-old actor added: "There has always been a part of me that felt I was letting something go when I left school at 18 or 19 to become an actor."
Kirsten Dunst's Voting Documentary Takes Her To North Dakota
In making a documentary about how the nation votes, actress Kirsten Dunst and filmmaker Jacob Soboroff were drawn to North Dakota, the only state without voter registration. "It's different than any other state in the United States, and what we're looking at is best and worst (voting) practices," Soboroff said Monday. "I don't know if it's a best practice or ... a worst practice, and that's why we're here."
Dunst, who has starred in three "Spider-Man" movies, and Soboroff are directing and producing a documentary, not yet titled, that explores why American voter participation lags behind turnout in most other countries. ... The Huffington Post
1977 Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, making him the first openly gay man to be elected in a major US city. Dan White, who would murder Harvey Milk just over a year later, was also elected.
I was flipping thru the People which had Jennifer Hudson on the cover. There was a picture of Reese and Jake walking down the street. It was a large picture. You could see people behind them. I thought the guy behind them looked like Chris. Did anyone else see this?
^^^ "During uncertain times, we turn to good entertainment more than ever. So we took a break from this serious and intense season to find out which stars raise your spirits."
Chinny knows that comedies are her best option. Even so, there is no way she was voted #3.
"Chinny knows that comedies are her best option. Even so, there is no way she was voted #3." 5:01 pm, ITA that her PR must have paid big bucks for her to be #3. I've seen the commercials for Four Christmases and it's not looking funny at all.
Jake G. will regret all the disrespectful, silly things he did while with Chin. She's a dominant, image obsessed bitch and he's a wimp who adopted some of her traits. I think he's realizing it and will break up with that idiot sooner than later.
That top ten list is from Parade magazine alonr with ET, I don't think it was an online poll, if do it wasn't pubicized.
I saw the trailer for our Christmases when I went to the movies yesterday and it got the biggest laughs, it may look like crap but from what i'm hearing about the screenings, people like it and it willmake a shit load of $$.
Patrick Dempsey On "Grey's" Lesbian Firing: ABC Told Me What To Say (VIDEO)
Today "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey goes on Ellen and talks about the surprise firing of Brooke Smith, one half of the show's new lesbian relationship:
"ABC actually sends me over what I should [say] ...," he tells Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show Wednesday.
So what's the official spin?
"ABC's response ... is that [I] should say: 'We've had a great time working with her and that the conclusion of her [character] has been orgasmic' -- I'm sorry, I'm dyslexic! -- 'organic' ending to the story line.' "
Some have argued that Smith was axed because of her character's developing relationship with Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez). Grey's Anatomy's creator, Shonda Rhimes, previously released a statement insisting that "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian."
"Thursday night is her last show, which is too bad she has been great character," McDreamy continues. "I don't know what happened with that story line. They decided not to continue it for some reason."
Join the Impact - Protest Prop 8 on November 15th!
We can’t wait for any large scale organization to get the word out for us. We have 1 week to put together a NATIONAL PROTEST and start a mobilized movement for equality! When we all come together as one voice on November 15th, we will show the nation that we can do more than just talk, we can act! We won’t solve everything in one protest, but we will fuel the fire to a conversation that can not be silenced! If we stop talking about equality for all, then we will lose the battle. If we allow others to stop talking about it, then we will lose. Hate is not the lack of love, it’s the fear of that which we do not know. This protest along with many others gives us the chance to build on the conversation and educate the masses. It’s very simple: Infiltrate, Educate, and STOP HATE!
A few days ago, I wrote about my disappointment in Terri Seymour for not completing her gold digging mission. I now kiss her newly rich feet, because not only did Simon Cowell give her $4.6 to buy a mansion, but he also handed her $5 million in cash money.
DL bearding gossip:
BlindGossip: "When a couple split after several years together, the official parting is usually slow and painful and messy. So you really have to question why the breakup of this couple is going to be swift and painless and clean. It turns out that one half of the couple has incredible leverage in harboring some very deep and very nasty secrets about the other half and their sexual proclivities. The mildest of these secrets is the typical inclusion of a surprising third party, as well as one person’s penchant for wearing clothing of the opposite sex. Several jaw-dropping parting gifts are in the works to effectively buy the ex’s silence."
That blind item suggests that the person with the leverage (um Ms. Seymour) might be threatening to spill.
I don't get a vindictive vibe from Seymour. I think it was all planned out very well from the start of their contract, er relationship. She knew she would be getting some nice parting gifts. There is a lot of ink being spilled over this split as if it were a big surprise.
I suspect Terri and Simon will remain close friends--just like Simon's previous beards whom he still escorts all over London.
And, yes, I am sure the blind item is about Simon, Terri and probably Ryan.
Instead of the SNL Rerun, Wallow In 5 Brilliant Digital Shorts
Since joining Saturday Night Live as a featured player in 2005, Andy Samberg has been an important addition to the overall tone of the show. While his 2007 flop Hot Rod proved a long career in Hollywood may not be in his future, Joanna Newsom's boyfriend has been involved in a lot of great stuff over the past three years. We all know Samberg classics like his Emmy-winning "Dick in a Box" or "Lazy Sunday," but here's five clips that you may not have seen a billion times: ... Who can forget Andy's serenade of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, "Iran So Far" from last season's premiere?
Reese being chosen 3rd most popular is like Rendition being nominated for The teen choice award or whatever it was called. Reese's ship sailed a couple years ago. Her mention was obviously paid for.
'Brokeback,' Disney operas scrapped City Opera projects shelved after a.d. resigns
Developing operas based on "Brokeback Mountain" and the life of Walt Disney are suddenly homeless with the departure from City Opera of a.d. and general manager, Gerard Mortier. Mortier was appointed to the dual posts in early 2007 and his first season of programming was skedded for the 2009-10 season. That slate, ambitiously designed to shake things up for the company, has been scrapped.
Mortier, formerly the director of the Salzburg Festival in Austria, ankled after several months of speculation about his imminent departure. He reportedly quit over budgetary constraints that would not allow him to achieve his programming goals. City Opera, one of the arts orgs at Lincoln Center on Gotham's Upper West Side, has been grappling with fiscal troubles in recent weeks, announcing a series of staff layoffs and furloughs.
Renovation of City Opera's New York State Theater, begun under Mortier's stewardship, will continue. In his role at City Opera, Mortier had commissioned the "Brokeback" adaptation from Charles Wuorinen and the Disney opera from Philip Glass. He has said he will seek out other orgs to take on the commissions.
City Opera's struggles strike a contrast with the Metropolitan Opera, also located at Lincoln Center. Under the leadership of Peter Gelb, that org has undertaken ambitious efforts to raise its profile, including a series of HD cinema screenings of Met perfs.
MAGGIE Gyllenhaal cajoling her crying daughter, Ramona, to leave after two hours of play at the newly reopened, Rafael Viñoly-designed Brooklyn Children's Museum . . .
Thank you for four years ago making me say out-loud " Why can't he be our candidate?"
Thank you for blowing away the ether of complacency.
Thank you for beating that maver-"ICK" and his running date.
Thank you for being patient with this insane process we call Democracy.
Thank you for your ambition and your drive, your mind and your gravitas.
Thank you for recognizing the needle and the damage done, the needle, our addiction to more, better, faster, greasier, dirtier, celebrity lifestyles and prescription poisons and the damage done, the Economic Crisis, the Health Care debacle, the State of Education. This is AMERICA. Health and Education should be #1.
Thank you for understanding World History, Geography, countries and cultures, religions, customs and America's tarnished reputation in those very countries.
Thank you for voting against the War and for continuing to voice that opposition.
Thank you for your brilliant campaign and campaign managers and your staff.
Some years ago MOMA had an exhibit on the history of photography. The general premise of the exhibit was that when photography first appeared on the scene people had their pictures taken because they were important to the culture. But it wasn't long before it was reversed and people were important to the culture because they had their picture taken.
I'd call it the Britney Spears phenomenon.
And so it is with this election. We now have a Republican Party running candidates who are important because they are having their picture taken. Not for any good reason. Largely for bad ones, but they are still on the cover of every major news magazine in the country.
And Mr. Obama is out of the limelight. No news is bad news in an election. Being a good boy doesn't get coverage. But Sarah Palin has provided us with scandalous news on almost a daily basis. She's the center of attention. Even eclipsing the top of her own ticket. So who are we talking about? Who are we looking at? Not Obama.
He has to tell us his story in the same compelling way that she's telling hers. In a way that makes us feel he's just like us. The way she has.
It's a game we don't know how to play. And we'd better learn fast.
When was the last time a vice presidential candidate was on the cover of all the major gossip magazines? People, Star, Us. There she is with her pregnant daughter and her Down Syndrome son.
We have got to find a way to get back into the spotlight. We have got to find a way to have the American people understand that the presidential election is not an episode of American Idol. And if it's going to be conducted as if it were, Obama and Biden had better start practicing their song. They better sing out loud. And they might consider wearing bikinis. Because if they want to get people to listen to them, they're going to have to get their picture taken.
Naomi Foner said "Obama and Biden had better start practicing their song. Because if they want to get people to listen to them, they're going to have to get their picture taken."
Naomi Foner "We have got to find a way to get back into the spotlight. We have got to find a way to have the American people understand that the presidential election is not an episode of American Idol. And if it's going to be conducted as if it were, Obama and Biden had better start practicing their song. They better sing out loud. And they might consider wearing bikinis. Because if they want to get people to listen to them, they're going to have to get their picture taken."
Not liking the Gyllenhaals too much. Now we know where Jake got the love for famewhoring from.
Jake,
try to impress with your acting, if you're not capable of it, change profession! Finish your B.A. and do something else you're interested in.
But I guess the love for fame and money keeps him in the business. Jake's an ok actor, but he is far away from the really good ones in the industry. That's why he needs a lil famewhoring and projects like PoP to stay on top.
I admit he was good in Donnie Darko, that was a role that suited him like a second skin. But while he was good and very charming in BBM, Michelle, Anne and Heath impressed me more.
Maybe he'll surprise me in the near future and gives a mind blowing performance in one of his upcoming films? Then I'll come back and apologize for my "harsh" words.
His movies are not going to bring you back. No Jake is looking for a way to stay in the spotlight. He is practicing his song REEEEEEEEKE IS THE WORD is the title of the song and he is singing it loud and proud.
He deserves his backlash more then any fallen star I can recall.
Naomi was being ironic. As Maggie The Sis once said, irony does not translate well to the page.
I expect Nailed to be horrible, and Brothers to be dated. Dont think Tobey is strong enuff actor to handle the more demanding role, nor any male director to handle the nuance of the female role.
"I believe Brothers and/or Nailed might surprise us in a good way." Brothers may or may not be good. But, if the studio pushed realse until mid 2009, a time when not alot of movies are released, that doesn't look to promising. Nailed sounds like it sucks. The movies not even finished and if it ever is, it sounds like a straight to DVD movies. And after that, Jake only has POP coming out and POP may be good or may tank totally. Jake's movie prospects aren't looking to good. With all of this I doubt he'll dump the Chin which is to bad because she adding to his fading appeal. He's still good looking, but not likable any more.
That Naomi article ignores the fact that Obama and his family have been featured on the covers of magazines like People. Nothing like trying to make a point by ignoring the facts.
ITA 11:10. Jake oozes nothing but shame anymore in pictures, it's one of the reasons I have no interest in the pictures we see of him anymore.
Maybe he'll surprise me in the near future and gives a mind blowing performance in one of his upcoming films? Then I'll come back and apologize for my "harsh" words.
In 1968, U Street in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., was on fire and a focal point of racial tension. Forty years later it was a scene of a racially diverse celebration of Barack Obama's election as president of the United States of America.
I even walked the streets amid the celebration with members of a delegation from Sweden who came to witness our historic election. They were as excited as I was, though I failed to see the tears in their eyes that streamed down my face.
But what does this excitement mean for our country? Will it translate into anything for the LGBT community? After all, Barack Obama is the first president-elect to mention gays in his victory speech. On the heels of major defeats on ballot initiatives in Arkansas, Florida, Arizona, and most disappointing, California, the preceding question is of even more importance than we could have previously imagined.
While the ballot initiatives provide us with a heartbreaking setback, there are a few positive developments for our community in this election. In New York State, Democrats won a majority in the state senate, where the previous Republican majority refused to take up the marriage bill shepherded through the lower chamber by Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell. Conventional wisdom is that marriage will now be achieved through legislative action and signed by equality-minded governor David Paterson.
In Connecticut, following the mostly unexpected state supreme court decision granting civil marriage equality, we were faced with the quixotic possibility of a constitutional convention. Every 20 years voters in the Constitution State can be asked whether to call a convention to consider changes to its constitution. While this is rarely even considered, this year opponents of marriage equality launched a last-minute push to attempt to make this vote a referendum on the expansion of marriage rights to same-sex couples. The voters of Connecticut overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional convention, leaving no chance to overturn the supreme court decision.
Democrats also increased their majorities in the U.S. Congress. Though the House had passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (a noninclusive version, lacking coverage for gender identity) and an inclusive hate-crimes law, they were both held up in the Senate. The expanded majority should make it much easier for our advocacy organizations to finally pass the first major piece of legislation that would begin the long-awaited process of achieving civil equality.
Making legislative achievements at the federal level is crucial. Once progress is made, it will be easier to achieve more victories legislatively. Our elected officials suffer from a fear of all things gay, largely as a result of our opponents' efforts. After they realize that the bogeyman of politics won’t come after them for acting in the spirit and best traditions of our nation, we will be able to count on them for further support.
Of course, it certainly helps to have a president who will sign equality-granting legislation. But that’s not the big reason we can celebrate President-elect Barack Obama.
We stood on a precipice of not achieving full equality for decades. Had John McCain been elected president, he would certainly have appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices who would have led us to an insurmountable 2-7 deficit on the high court. Thankfully, that possibility has been averted.
We need at least two terms of a friendly president in order to reach the magical 5-4 division of the court to win equality and be named a protected class in America, much as the California supreme court did in its superbly written opinion. Obama sent a signal last week in an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams when discussing possible appointments to the Supreme Court:
"And so my criteria, for example, would be -- if a justice tells me that they only believe the strict letter of the Constitution -- that means that they possibly don't mean -- believe in -- a right to privacy that may not be perfectly enumerated in the Constitution but, you know, that I think is there.
"I mean, the -- the right to marry who you please isn't in the Constitution. But I think all of us assume that if a state decided to pass a law saying, 'Brian, you can't marry the woman you love,' that you'd think that was unconstitutional. Well, where does that come from? I think it comes from a right to privacy -- that may not be listed in the Constitution but is implied by the structure of the Constitution."
This gives us reason to believe that Obama understands the need to have equality-minded justices on the Supreme Court and that this fundamental belief he is seeking in his future nominees means they will count in our column.
Why is this important? It’s important because our politicians lack the courage to do what is right and extend the rights afforded to all other Americans to us. While this would be the preferred method of achieving equality, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon.
In the end, our rights will come down to the Supreme Court. So while our losses in this election are very emotional defeats, the election of Obama ensures that the big prize is still within sight. For that, we can find solace in our losses and allow ourselves to enjoy the history we have just lived.
Nicole Kidman as the world's first post-op transsexual, married to Charlize Theron? You betcha.
Kidman will star in and produce "The Danish Girl," based on the true story of Danish artists Einar and Greta Wegener. Their marriage took a sharp left turn after Einar (Kidman) stood in for an female model that Greta (Theron) was set to paint. When their portraits become wildly popular in 1920s Copenhagen, Greta encouraged her husband to adopt the female guise. What began as a harmless game led Einer to a metamorphosis and landmark 1931 operation that shocked the world and threatened their love.
Anand Tucker ("Shopgirl") is attached to direct the feature, adapted by writer Lucinda Coxon ("Wild Target") from David Ebershoff's 2000 Viking bestseller. His debut novel of the same name is a fictionalized account of the Wegeners' true story.
The producers, no strangers to daring indie fare, are Gail Mutrux ("Kinsey"), Anne Harrison ("Two Family House"), Linda Reisman ("Affliction"), Kidman and the head of her Fox-based Blossom Films shingle, Per Saari. Blossom has several projects in development, including a biopic of bisexual singer Dusty Springfield set to star Kidman. Kathy Morgan International is repping AFM presales on "Girl," a period piece that's taken on a very modern resonance with this week's votes to ban gay marriage in California, Florida and Arizona. Both the CAA-repped Kidman and the One Entertainment-repped Theron earned their best actress Oscars playing lesbian characters, in "The Hours" and "Monster," respectively.
Pre-production has begun on the indie film, but no details on a principal photography start date have been disclosed.
It's amusing that Hollywood thinks games are a rich vein of gold to mine for new subject matter because they have a ready-made audience keen to see their heroes on the big screen. I would argue that gamers are now more likely to avoid any film based on a gaming license than be attracted to it because we know how Hollywood and the likes of Uwe Boll have treated our beloved games in the past.
Think Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Alone in the Dark, Doom, Wing Commander, House of the Dead, Bloodrayne, Dead or Alive, Double Dragon, Tomb Raider, and more...
But some of us are more optimistic than others. Today James "DexX" Dominguez dares to dream of a distant future in which game-to-film adaptations don't suck...
Wishful thinking
The films of Uwe Boll have left gamers feeling a tad underwhelmed. It sometimes seems like we will never get a genuinely good film adaptation of any of our beloved video games.
Prince of Persia was looking good, but doubts about Jake Gyllehaal's ability to play the titular prince have shaken our faith, and how long has it been since Ben Kingsley was in a genuinely good film? (He may also have carried some Uwe Boll taint with him from the set of Bloodrayne...)
Personally, I think the cinematic history of comics shows us the future of video game-to-film adaptations. Nobody really took superhero films seriously for many years, resulting in work that was patchy at best, and utterly dire at worst. It was not until less than a decade ago that filmmakers finally realised that comics are a legitimate art form, and film adaptations of comic book superheroes need not be trash.
Who knows - perhaps the distant speck on the horizon that is the Gears of War movie will turn out to be our X-Men, the 2000 film which, in my opinion, ushered in the comic book film renaissance. It will not be joined any time soon by its Xbox stable mate Halo, which appears to be in terminal development hell despite carrying the name of Peter Jackson for quite a while.
It is a frustrating situation, because as gamers we know that there are many excellent stories in our games that worthy of the silver screen. The following are some of my ideas (read: fantasies) for game-to-film adaptations that I would like to see made. ...
What an inspiring life and wonderful acting showcase!
Sean Penn is CERTAIN to get an Oscar nomination. Possibly Emile Hirsch as well. Their performances are beautiful, transformative and touching.
I just saw a trade screening of MILK, the biographical movie by openly gay director Gus Van Sant about San Francisco city councilman Harvey Milk, the first major, openly gay elected official who was assassinated in 1978.
But MILK suffers from what a lot of biographical films do: weak plot cohesion.
It is very difficult to string together a bunch of disconnected stories into one, riveting 2-hour movie. Especially when the hero has as many interesting and emotional sub-plots as Harvey Milk did. MILK packs in a long fight for a California assembly seat, two of Harvey's boyfriends, a tragic suicide, a fight against Anita Bryant and Proposition 6 plus the long rivalry on the city council with Dan White and Harvey's ultimate assassination.
MILK does better than most biopics with a broad scope because Harvey's events had such high stakes and resonance. The actors and script keep the experience very emotional and compelling, even when they start a new chapter into a new story. It's especially effective to me, as a gay man, when the script depicts all the hurt and lonely gays in the boondocks looking for hope.
But by the end of the film, I felt it started to drag and linger emotionally too much. Rhetoricize too much. Overacting, repeating and overmilking things. Not enough to make it bad, but enough to start boring me. I do feel Sean Penn's final scene was hammy and overwrought — involving corny, heavy-handed symbolism that seemed both unrealistic and out-of-character with the rest of the film's style. I also object to quite a lot of underexposed scenes where the picture looks dim and grainy.
None of my complaints spoil the movie for me, however. On the whole, it's a wonderful, pertinent, emotionally moving and inspiring film I definitely think everyone should see. I think it's Van Sant's best film and most emotionally engaging script.
But I do not expect Best Picture or Director nominations unless the coming "Prestige Pictures" are really weak. It doesn't have the simplicity and plot cohesion of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, which is one, singular struggle to convince your boyfriend to run away with you and live happily ever after on a private ranch. MILK's theme is singular: give gays the same opportunities as everyone else. But its plot is split between multiple stories, characters and subplots.
I'd give MILK 3 out of 4 stars if I were a pro critic.
BTW, yes, I am the same OP who posted the original "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is superb" thread when I saw that film earlier than everyone else on Datalounge, too!
I'd be happy to answer questions or post spoilers.
"So many people have volunteered to head up organizing in their city! As such, I have created a page filled with contact info for your local area. If there is not any contact info next to a city, it means that I do not have a volunteer point person for that area yet."
Mischa Barton, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Billy Idol join the German star to draw attention to the issue of hearing loss.
Stäfa, Switzerland (PRWEB) November 10, 2008 -- Actress Diane Kruger has become the most recent Hollywood star to offer herself as an ambassador for the Hear the World initiative. The international star is the cover model for the current issue of the Hear the World magazine.
In addition to Kruger, Mischa Barton, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Billy Idol have joined the team of famous ambassadors. All have been photographed for the cause by Bryan Adams, the initiative's official photographer, in the Hear the World pose - with a hand behind one ear, symbolising conscious hearing. The goal of their participation is to raise awareness about the issue of hearing loss. ... http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1566874.htm
"IRON Man" producer Ari Arad telling Chace Crawford - disguised in a '70s porn star costume at the Dos Equis-sponsored party at the Soho Grand - he'd make a great superhero . . .
THE hottest after-hours party in Hollywood isn't at a club - it's at Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills bachelor pad. One source said, "Eddie has taken the after-hours party up a notch since he's been single. Murphy and Johnny Gil [who lives in the sprawling manse's guesthouse] have been holding bowling tournaments in the house's bowling alley almost every weekend. He even hired DJ Ruckus to spin one party." Guests have in cluded Busta Rhymes, Bobby Brown and Dallas Austin. "When Bobby was there, they messed with him and kept playing songs by [Brown's ex] Whitney Houston." A rep for Murphy didn't return e-mails.
A coy Lindsay Lohan insists that she isn't a lesbian and barely cops to being bisexual - but admits that she's dating a "wonderful" woman with whom she's madly in love, according to a new interview with the starlet. "I think it's pretty obvious who I'm seeing," Lohan told Harper's Bazaar magazine. Nonetheless, she pointedly refused to name her lady love, LA DJ Samantha Ronson. When asked if she considered herself a bisexual, Lohan answered, "Maybe. Yeah." But she was adamant that she wasn't a lesbian, giving an emphatic, "No," when asked.
Murphy and Johnny Gil [who lives in the sprawling manse's guesthouse] have been holding bowling tournaments in the house's bowling alley almost every weekend.
Schwarzenegger Urges Same-Sex Marriage Supporters: 'Never Give Up'
In his strongest interview to date on Proposition 8, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told CNN's John King that those same-sex couples already married in California should not worry that their marriages will be nullified, and urged supporters of same-sex marriages to continue the fight given the Supreme Court's definitive ruling on it in May. He also commented on the reasons why he felt, the measure passed — strong turnout among minority voters and heavy funding by religious groups. I've transcribed it below, and AFTER THE JUMP...
Said Schwarzenegger: "I think that the people of California just again have spoken on this issue and they went against it. Just like in the year 2000 when they voted against it with Proposition 22. They had a very, very strong campaign the pro- Prop 8 people, and I think that the people that tried to defeat it did not have maybe as good a campaign or as much money behind it. Whatever. I think it is unfortunate obviously but it's not the end because I think this will go back into the courts, this will go back to the Supreme Court because the Supreme Court very clearly in California has declared this unconstitutional. It's the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. So I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area."
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Schwarzenegger adds: "It's a cultural issue also, because as you can see because of the big turnout amongst African-American and Latinos, that had an effect also which they did not expect so there's all kinds of other things that I think the religious groups have done. A big campaign, a lot of them, to support proposition 8 and so on. So it's a very, very difficult thing."
He concluded with something of a battle cry: "When I was campaigning for Proposition 11 a lot times the press came to me and said governor why are you doing that? It has failed five times before. Why a sixth time? I said, look. I learn the messages from lifting weights. Sometimes I try to life the weight ten times and I failed, but the eleventh time I lifted it. So I learned that you should never ever give up. And I think it's the same with this issue. They should never give up. They should be on it, and on it, until they get it done."
Agreed. But it does look like they have an entourage - the black guy in the back looks like the bodyguard we often see with them, and the guy who looks a little like Chris is looking directly at the photographer and pointing.
Haha, this story about Zac Efron contains the following line: "Zac was different from other kids… He liked musicals, not girls." Just what are you implying? [Mirror]
Zac was different from other kids… He liked musicals, not girls.
Some enchanted evening You may see a stranger, you may see a stranger Across a crowded room And somehow you know, You know even then That somewhere you'll see him Again and again.
Four Lessons Gay Marriage Actvists Must Learn From Obama
Barack Obama won a historic and overwhelming victory. It's too bad the proponents of gay marriage don't seem to have learned much about how and why he won.
I am in total agreement with those who want gay marriage to be legal. They are right. Being right isn't enough. In fact, many progressives have found an odd sort of contentment in being grumbling angry losers for years because they were so damn right. Now that Obama has lit the path for being both right and effective, it's time tor the conservatives to be the grumbling losers and time for progressives to chalk up victories on issues important to them by applying the lessons of this election.
1) Anger Loses The protests and expressions of anger on the part of the GLBT community and their friends and family have been impressive. Thousands of people have taken to the street and their anger is justified. I don't think it's smart, however. I see no evidence at all that it's going to help advance the cause of gay rights.
If anger won elections, John McCain and Sarah Palin would now be the king and queen of America. McCain was practically bursting blood vessels in the last few speeches of the election and he lost in a landslide. Anger turned off the independents at the same time it fired up the base. Just because anger is justified doesn't mean it's wise. That's where discipline comes in. As Obama said repeatedly, "Don't boo - vote." In other words, channel your emotions into something more productive then the easy road of making loud noises.
WWOD? The McCain campaign threw a fresh pack of lies at Obama every chance they got. The number of death threats towards him increased as the angry McCain campaign cranked up the rhetoric. If anyone was justified in their anger, it would have been Barack Obama. He could have struck back in anger and fired up the Democratic base to take to the streets to protest racism and lies.
Obama could have gotten angry.. He didn't. He won. We all won.
2) Get Organized The No On 8 people have shown they can get big numbers out to a rally. So why couldn't they run an effective ad campaign, send out a clear message or win the election?
The Yes on 8 crowd had the advantage of a built in organizing system in the churches. It's the same organizational structure that explains why Fireproof, a Christian themed, ultra low budget movie with Kirk Cameron as the lead has grossed more than Oliver Stone's 'W'. Churches are good at getting groups of people to do things en masse. That's not a bad thing; it sure helps when they do charity work.
And the ability to organize people isn't a left / right thing; black churches helped Obama. There's a similar secular power with unions or groups like the National Rifle Association. None of it was harnessed by the people in favor of gay marriage to any significant degree. Without that structural advantage, the pro gay marriage crowd needed to work harder and not be self satisfied. The forces that defeated gay marriage in California did what Obama did; they organized a diverse group of voters and got them out to the polls.
3) Outreach Works Barack Obama showed that reaching beyond the base can yield big results. I haven't seen much evidence that the people who support gay marriage did much more than reach out to the people who already support gay marriage. In fact, rallies that have protesters yelling 'Mormon scum!' are negative outreach.
What if the gay community reached out to the black, Latino and Mormon communities that voted against gay marriage? What if instead of merely chalking up opposition to 'fear and hate' they went in churches and communities and started engaging in conversations? Would they meet with resistance? Of course. Would they see fear and hate? Absolutely. Changing a lifetime of thoughts and feelings isn't easy but the election showed us change does happen.
But African Americans, Latinos and Mormons all know firsthand the pain and frustration of discrimination. They have all seen their share of fear and hate. They know the value of marriage and family. The way to expose the things they have in common with their gay brothers and sisters is through dialog, not demonstration. It may seem like an unlikely alliance but it's just as unlikely as getting a white working class guy to vote for a President whose middle name is Hussein.
4) Pick Your Battles The Obama campaign showed a lot of discipline in picking which battles to fight and which to avoid. Here's a good rule; pick battles you can win. The current tactic of trying to fight church tax exceptions is a dead on arrival loser of a battle. It's not going to happen.
Tax free churches have a long precedent in our society. It's a fight that will result in a direct battle with every religious organization in America, not just the ones opposed to gay marriage. Further, selectively going after the Mormon or Catholic church is a slippery slope. Trying to take away the tax exempt status of churches you don't like only makes it easier to take away that status for churches with inclusive agendas, like the Unitarian Universalists. Even that doesn't matter, however, since it won't happen.
Some people don't like the idea of picking battles because they want their entire agenda enacted right now. Well, wisdom says that 'perfect' is the enemy of 'good'. Incremental steps require patience but they work.
I believe that the enactment of Proposition 8 is a delay of the inevitable as our county moves towards a more perfect union. If my comrades will take a moment and learn the lessons of this last election, I hope that delay will be short.
11:33 ITA - ! - this good wisdom mentions the Unitarian Universalists but let's not forget the United Church of Christ, of which Barack O is a member, also, myself, that has ordained GLBT pastors for twenty years and whose leadership has affirmed gay marriage for five years.
Joe Hill: what they forgot to kill goes on to Organize!
Also, I don't think it necessarily means that people want to take away the tax-exempt status of certain churches, just investigate them and see if they are doing things the way they are supposed to.
^^No, I think that is his personal belief. I don't believe he intends to impose his personal beliefs on society, which is why he is against Prop 8. I don't think civil unions offer the same amount of rights as gay marriage in full, unless steps are taken to change that. He promises to repeal DOMA, which is a very big thing.
Barry O' has apparently got to say that. His "denomination" does not agree! Maybe he does, maybe he doesnt, this is new territory for alot of people. Give 'em a break. Jesus! Not too long ago there were laws against fuckin' if you were not married, laws against black/white marriage.
I believe with all my foolish heart the guy's on our side. and that affirmation of gay marriage at this time is a slippery slope.
it will happen and I believe very soon.
fuckin' gov't has no business intruding, unless to affirm equality for all. it will happen! and I think very soon.
on the other hand we may all be dead tomorrow. who was it, Kurt Vondewhatever, who said: whatever.
I think so too. I'm interested in Obama's believes but gay marriage is about equality before the law or equality under the law - his belief shouldn't matter.
Sorry, I wasn't clear. Marriage is a civil right for all. Politicians jugges may hold personal beliefs, but they have to work within the law, impartially. The U.S. Supreme Court judges - the more liberal will be the first to need replacing as the more conservatives are younger, so no liberal ground will be gained until some of the conservative justices are replaced with more liberal. Don't know when that will happen during the hopefully 8 Democratic years. It's playing the odds - plus, you never know how they will vote, they are the hopefully impartial interpreters of the law. Who would have thought that Chief Justice Earl Warren, and the predominantly conservative Warren Court, would have issued decided the landmark rulings of Brown v. Board of Education, among others relating to civil liberties. It could be as remarkable time in our history now as it was then.
Politicians and judges. well, they're what we've we got. Politicians are like weathermen, they know which way the wind is blowing and maybe that's good for us The Populace. Judges are supposed to keep some intellectual distance, and I think that's okay, and even, heartening.
Let's not diss them, they serve as hedges against ignorance and hysteria.
Blab Blab Blab: As Ryan Mingles, Abbie Talks Heath
"He was amazing...such a generous actor. Interactive and energetic. That movie meant a lot to me."
—Abbie Cornish on working with her Candy costar Heath Ledger. A.C. was more than happy to wax poetic about her former fellow Aussie as opposed to her current flame, Ryan Phillippe, while schmoozing the Behind the Camera Awards. Interesting that Ryan was happily chatting up everyone else all night, leaving a lonely-looking Ab alone most of the evening to fend for herself all though the fete. Exactly what Abbie's friends predicted would happen.
Dear Ted: My sister and I were just discussing the trailer for the movie Australia, which led us to a discussion of Hugh Jackman, which led me to wonder: Has Hugh ever been the subject of one of your Blind Vices? —Em
Dear Daring Down Under: Has he ever.
Dear Ted: OK, I admit it, I haven't read your goodies in a long time because I can't follow the new blog...doesn't flow easily. But I missed ya, so I'm going to try my damnedest to read it. Because I haven't been around for a while, so I don't know if you've mentioned Hayden C. and Rachel B. OK, what the hell is up with these two? Everyone who follows any H&R news suspects the hookup is a sham. So, what's the point of this showmance? —maxjaxxon
Dear Lying Lovers? These two kiddos aren't nearly camera-hog desperate enough to be double-checked for signs of fakery. If they're together just for show, they need to get out more, 'cause we're not paying much attention.
Dear Ted: Is Justin Timberlake the Oded Good-Head in One Unmanageable Blind Vice? —Kamila
Dear Jonesing on Just: Not quite, hon. Our guy's been in fewer flicks than J.T. But not by much. Other than that, they both do have a great deal in common.
Dear Ted: One Sneaky Dame Blind Vice is so Jessica Simpson. Wasn't she with Bam and then the guy from Maroon 5 before the divorce was final? —srm24
Dear Jumpin' on Jess: Does Romo know all this? And no, the elder Simpson isn't Shafterella Shoshstein. Think less buxom.
Dear Ted: When do you think the inevitable breakup between hottie Orlando Bloom and that underwear ho will be? I am hoping for a Merry Christmas. —Tina
Dear No Time Like the Present: We don't think Orlando'll fit in your stocking—try his more stocking-size Lord of the Rings costar Elijah Wood.
Hayden C. and Rachel B. - These two kiddos aren't nearly camera-hog desperate enough to be double-checked for signs of fakery. If they're together just for show, they need to get out more, 'cause we're not paying much attention.
James Franco Marches with Opponents of Proposition 8 in L.A.
Actor James Franco, who I can report (after continually mocking his non-stop gibberish about kissing Sean Penn) is exceptionally convincing as Harvey Milk's lover Scott Smith in Gus van Sant's Milk, was spotted by marcher Albert Domasin at this weekend's L.A. Prop 8 protest.
It's not the best photo I've ever seen of Franco, but I applaud him for making Harvey Milk proud and getting out there.
With even California's Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, getting in on the anti-Prop 8 action, it seems that, between the growing protests and the liberal sadness over the passage of California's anti-gay marriage amendment there might eventually be something not to be that sad about. The reaction by many people — like Dan Savage and some racial-epithet-using protesters in L.A. this weekend — will never be one of those things. Signs aside, you can't fight H8 with hate.
There has been a lot of talk on the blogosphere about how African-American voters are supposedly to blame for the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Yes, as Ta-Nehisi Coates acknowledges, 70% of African-American voters in California reportedly voted in favor of the amendment (according to a CNN exit poll). Given that African-Americans are one of the smallest minorities in the state of California and the margin of loss is something like 500,000, there's simply no way that African-Americans were the "cause" of the loss. Alex Blaze over at Billerico points out what should (otherwise) be blindingly obvious: ace is not the biggest factor in whether a Californian voted against same sex marriage. In fact, religious affiliation, current marital status and party identification were all bigger factors — and bigger pools of voters from which to draw yes votes.
So how does dropping n-bombs and blaming every African-American in the state of California (including the 30 percent who voted against Prop 8) help? It doesn't, and it's blind, racist, disrespectful of people's religious values, hateful, ignorant, and a convenient way to scapegoat a much-abused minority group that did not push, fund, mislead voters about its implications or herald, as a community, the passage of Prop 8. That dubious distinction belongs to, among others, the Mormon Church and the Knights of Columbus, groups in which African-Americans have little high-level participation. So people can either read posts like Shanikka's on DailyKos, Alex Blaze's on Bilerico or Pam Spaulding's on HuffPo and recognize that this scapegoating is based in false assumptions and poor statistics, or they can keep shouting racial epithets at African-Americans in Los Angeles and others can allow it to happen without shouting down the bigots in the LGBT community. Because that will make everything better, obviously. No need to work together, to learn together and educate one another when you can just yell and scream and carry on...because that's how you obtain civil rights.
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754 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 754 Newer› Newest»BTW: There was no segment o Jake tonight on ET.
Thanks for the info.
Good idea!
Etheridge: No Marriage? No Taxes!
Understandably upset over her fellow Californian's decision to prohibit gay marriage, aurally-inclined lesbian Melissa Etheridge has vowed to withhold the buckets of money the state would have reaped from her taxes. Writes Etheridge at the Daily Beast:
Okay. So Prop 8 passed. Alright, I get it. 51% of you think that I am a second class citizen. Alright then. So my wife, uh I mean, roommate? Girlfriend? Special lady friend? You are gonna have to help me here because I am not sure what to call her now.
…
Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.
Okay, cool I don't mean to get too personal here but there is a lot I can do with the extra half a million dollars that I will be keeping instead of handing it over to the state of California. Oh, and I am sure Ellen will be a little excited to keep her bazillion bucks that she pays in taxes too. Wow, come to think of it, there are quite a few of us fortunate gay folks that will be having some extra cash this year. What recession? We're gay!
Oooo, California, Etheridge sure told you!
http://www.queerty.com/etheridge-no-marriage-no-taxes-20081106/
10:34 pm, thanks for speaking up against a thug who fraudated the caucuses.
After his supporters voted Pro8, now Obama's campaign plants the story about the gay reverend, -- obviously Obama wants it both ways regarding gay marriage.
10:34, don't be intimidated, you are not alone.
^^Ok Jack, I'll bite - who would you suggest should have been voted our new President?
You mean "a recently divorced woman and a GAY man who is deeply upset about his parents' recent divorce should not rush into marriage."
"Ok Jack, I'll bite - who would you suggest should have been voted our new President?"
I'll bite too....
Care to answer 10.34?
I can't get ted to work. What did he say about Jake about now and at Columbia? What do people know about Columbia?
Thanks.
Ted video
Columbia - Jake kept to himself and talked only about buddhism.
Reeke - "ridiculous relationship with Reese", "Jake would have a more lasting and satisfying relationship with his hand".
Dear Ted:
Is Stud Bucket LaBeouf Ben Affleck, and Toothy Tile Aaron Eckhart?
—S
Dear Double Whammy:
Stud is a current superstar. Eckhart is close with T.T., but not the answer.
Dear Ted:
Love the new yellow background You rock! Tell me, is Toothy Tile Mathew Broderick?
—Bored in Canada
Dear Age Inappropriate:
Big e-kiss, doll-face, thanks. And no, M.B. is older and far doughier than our fave closeted star.
Dear Ted:
Is Shafterella Shoshstein Jennifer Aniston? Love the column!
—Laura
Dear Spinster Mayer:
Fab guess, but S.S. isn't a current tabloid-filled charity case.
Eckhart is close with T.T., but not the answer.
Close? How?
What did he say about Jake about now and at Columbia? What do people know about Columbia?
Posted on OMG:
As for being unpopular in college, I have read that before ages ago somewhere.....wonder if he was a lonely kid despite all the fame & wealth.
"Ok Jack, I'll bite - who would you suggest should have been voted our new President?"
I'm waiting for the answer too.
11:45 PM said...
10:34, don't be intimidated, you are not alone.
Same question for 11:45 PM - who would you suggest should have been voted our new President?
Page Six
SUPPORTING ROLE
NICOLE Kidman says she made it a point to be a silent partner during her doomed marriage to Tom Cruise. "I felt I became a star only by association. I didn't think [my early movies] were very good, which is why I would always cower in the background," the flame-haired Academy Award winner tells Glamour. "I thought, I don't deserve to be here. We would go to the Oscars, and I would think, I'm here to support him. I felt it was my job to put on a beautiful dress and to be seen and not heard."
One Unmanageable Blind Vice
As we have made abundantly clear, there are a ton of closeted gay actors and performers in this business. Some are more flagrant (Toothy Tile) than others (Crotch Uh-Lastic).
And whether or not these sexually deceiving dudes choose to be public about their shenanigans, usually their reps—managers, publicists, agents, gardeners, etc. — find out via some email or some shocked coworker that their client goes homo. Not so with Oded Good-Head...
His manager discovered the boy likes to do it with other boys by walking in on Oded in his dressing room! Was most awkward, too, as the man who was being serviced by Mr. Good-Head—who has quite the reputation with the girlies, not to mention multitalents in front of concert audiences and movie cameras alike—saw the manager first.
Very whuh-whoh kinda sitch, ya know?
Poor Od-y didn't notice his 10 percent guy was standing right there until his latest surreptitious conquest pulled him up and away from what the awfully good-looking performer was so earnestly doing.
End result? Fellatio interruptus—and new pics of Oded and assorted chickies coming out soon in Us Weekly and other razor-sharp standards of Hollywood journalism.
And It Ain't: Ludacris, Timbaland, James Marsden
His manager discovered the boy likes to do it with other boys by walking in on Oded in his dressing room!
Ooops! LOL
Why Some Americans Don't Have Reason to Celebrate
"We've finally arrived at a moment when America feels like it's supposed to." - Bob Cesca of the Huffpo (Wenesday, November 5, 2008)
This past Election Tuesday, Californians turned out in droves to recognize the rights of caged-chickens while denying the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. Passing Prop 2 and Prop 8, Californians secured a chicken's right to "extend its wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around" in confinement, while revoking basic democratic rights from gays; rights like equal protection under the law, the ability to pursue happiness, and the freedom to worship religion without state interference (that's right, there are Judeo-Christian confessions that view same-sex marriage as sacred). In short, Californians sympathize with chickens but not with gays. We Americans can all be proud of the prodigious progress being made. Americans, exceptionally capable of progressive change, have once again galloped forward. Who can doubt that this moment marks an ideological shift leftward? Indeed.
Sorry to be the buzz-kill at the liberal victory-party, but this election has been a historic nightmare for millions of gay Americans. In Florida, Arizona, and California propositions have been passed to amend state constitutions, permanently enshrining second-class citizenship into law. America has taken a tremendous step backward -- actively revoking rights granted to citizens by state constitutions -- though you'd never know it from most of the punditry and pontificating.
Drunk on Obama victory, commentators are busy idealizing the American electorate, waxing rhapsodic about the inherent goodness of the American spirit, the progress it has made, and its tolerant essence. Skim the titles down yesterday's Huffpost for gems like: "How to come down from Euphoria," "The Other Side of Paradise," "Exhale," "Real Shock and Awe," "Why All Americans have a Reason to Celebrate," and "Hitting the Reset Button on the 21st Century." Apparently nobody in the MSM has the stomach to parse words like "bittersweet," "hypocrisy," and "pyrrhic victory." It just does not jibe well with the supposed revival of the American dream that began this past Tuesday. I get it: anger and suffering isn't cool. It makes Americans uncomfortable. The victors do not want to hear about it; certainly not while they congratulate themselves for being so enlightened.
To be sure, this is not the media's fault. But its reticence on the uneven nature of American progress is strikingly naive and delusional, especially given the overwhelming--though not singularly determinative--role that African-Americans played in supporting Prop 8 and denying other Americans their civil rights. While seventy percent of self-identified gays and lesbians supported the first African-American presidential candidate (according to the exit poll reported by CNN), seventy percent of African American voters approved Prop 8, compared to 53% of Latino voters, 49% of white voters, and 49% of Asian voters.
The Obama victory was undoubtedly historic and groundbreaking, but it has come at a price: the aggrandizement and intensification of hostility between Blacks and gays. The irony is as ugly as it is heartbreaking. The betrayal gays feel can be summed up pithily: how is the outlawing of same sex marriage any different from the anti-miscegenation laws of segregation? Some may point to religious values as the discriminating factor, but "Christian values" were used to justify anti-miscegenation just as they are now used to justify the revoking of same-sex marriage. Hiding behind the Church, then and now, does not absolve anyone of their complicity in discrimination.
But the failure to defeat Prop 8 does not lie with the Black community or any other minority. It is the gay community who has failed to build coalitions with other groups. Wake-up call to gay leadership: We must form institutional alliances with other minority communities and start supporting each others interests. We are not going to see these groups support our right to marry if we do not make an active effort to support them as well.
Some gays -- mostly from the Boomer generation -- point out (correctly) that I am impatient. Progress, they say, is inevitable. Consider the historicity of a president-elect who freely and comfortably refers to gays within the first breath of his victory. We are a long way, they remind us, from the days when a president couldn't even utter the word "AIDS" publicly. Andrew Sullivan, who has been a fierce advocate of gay rights for decades, reminds us that "twenty years ago, equality of gay couples was a mere idea. Forty years ago, it was a pipe-dream." Try to see the forest for the trees. In the long term, history is on our side.
Well, as the cliché goes, in the long term we are dead.
The Huffington Post
In the long term, history is on our side.
Well, as the cliché goes, in the long term we are dead.
Shaun Jacob Halper is really bitter.
"Eckhart is close with T.T., but not the answer.
Close? How?"
I think it could be close because Aaron Eckhart was in The Dark Knight with Maggie and Heath, and he played Harvey Kent the role that Jake was rumored to play.
Good point.
Kevin Bacon: "The men's room is always the best place to meet your admirers."
"I guess people care more about farm animals than they do their fellow man, that's really sad to me. Yes, I am glad that the chickens will have more room and better conditions as they wait to die, but I just think it's frightening that people show more compassion for tomorrow's dinner than for the chef. Yup, Miss Piggy and Chicken Little may rest easy, but gay people in Florida and California can no longer get married and gay couples in Arkansas can't adopt children. G-d forbid a loving family (regardless of sexual orientation) give a needy child a home!"
— Sam Ronson, on the passing of Prop. 2 and Prop. 8. [People]
The men's room is always the best place to meet your admirers.
So true. And believe me I've spent a lot of time on the floor of a men's bathroom.
Rude BI
"This actor is going to find out the hard way it doesn’t pay to be rude and disrespectful to your peers. He may be good looking, but his bad attitude and weird behavior is ruining his career." [Blind Gossip]
Shawn is correct - I find it dismaying as well to think that those who have know suffering and bigotry themselves can turn their back when it is happening to others. MLK said, and Mrs. King has reiterated, that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".
Yes, progress is inevitable, but there are no guarantees. Do we want to take the chance in the meantime, do we want to wait passively for whatever happens, turn the other cheek at slaps in the face, or do we want to try to facilitate progress for gay rights? Peaceably speak out in protest, correct misinformation when we hear it, step in against bigotry when we see it.
For CA, Prop 8 will be overturned, because the right to marry is already in place. For Florida and some of the other states I believe, they didn't have this provision, and their consititutions were changed, and now locked up tight with amendments. Don't let this happen in CA, take active steps to stop it. Don't think that it's all turn out happily ever after eventually, and that someone else will take care of your rights. I read some of the pre-voting polls about Prop 8 not being expected to pass, and how wrong they were. Don't listen.
Don't blame the poor chickens! ;)
Those two propositions are two entirely different things. Don't let that kind of thing cloud the issue, and let's put the blame sqarely where it lies for the passage of Prop 8. The chickens didn't have the busybody, and well-organized and funded, religous right fundies on their side, probably just groups like the Humane Society. And compassionate people are compassionate for a things, and probably voted NO on Prop 8 as well. Also, I think people got on board with the No campaign too little and too late. I'm shocked by the amount of homophobia that is still out there, when you look at a map of the US states and where they stand on gay rights.
^^that should read "compassionate for all things."
I'm not impressed with Sam Ronson's half-assed, last minute throw together blog about the passage of Prop 8 either. Maybe she should have gotten on board earlier and contributed to the NO campaign? I don't know if she did. There's no way to tell who voted for what.
Gays Hit Back at Mormons -- Please Join Us
Given their history, Mormons know about being targeted for being different. Yet in a full-on offensive, the LDS Church mobilized in favor of California's Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that bans gay marriage. Mormons donated $19 million to the cause -- nearly four out of five dollars raised. And now that the initiative has passed, apparently Mormons want to play nice; an LDS Church leader called Wednesday for members to heal rifts caused by the campaign by treating each other with "civility, with respect and with love."
Not. So. Fast. Gay people are fed up and have learned a thing or two about mobilizing themselves -- and not just for angry rallies. Some pro-Proposition 8 folks may come to regret their not so private support of hate. And were you thinking about skiing in Utah this year? Hmmm, Colorado's looking pretty appealing these days.
Yet somehow an economic boycott doesn't feel direct enough; those who team up against gay people must learn that there are consequences.
Please join us as we seek to strip the Mormon church of its status as a religious organization. According to IRS law, "no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying)." [Emphasis added.]
Show the world that gay people -- and their friends and families -- know how to hit back. Sign this petition to support the legal effort to strip the Mormon Church of its tax-exempt status.
Gays Hit Back at Mormons
Petition - Repeal Mormon Tax Exemption
I'm not impressed with Sam Ronson's half-assed, last minute throw together blog about the passage of Prop 8 either.
Too little, too late.
Eckhart is close with T.T., but not the answer.
Close? How?
Posted n OMG: Aaron and Jake
1) Both have Old Testament names
2) Both have piercing blue eyes
3) Both have dimples (although Aaron's most prominent is in his chin)
4) Both are 6 feet tall
5) Both were up for Harvey Dent
6) Both worked with Gwyneth(Aaron - Posession,and Jake Proof)
7) Both have work with Maggie.
8) Aaron's name crops up in a Blind Item short lists too.
"Don't worry about me -- I don't need a lonely hearts ad. I'm off women now."
-- Simon Cowell on his split from girlfriend Terri Seymour. Looks like Ryan Seacrest got his Christmas gift a little early this year.
Don't forget, one of President Obama's campaign promises was to repeal entirely the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, which should open closed doors and roadblocks to gay marriage. No other candidate has promised that.
7) Both have worked with Maggie.
<9>Both have worked with Heath.
<10> Both are in England. Ted said they were "close" ;)
"Don't forget, one of President Obama's campaign promises was to repeal entirely the Federal Defense of Marriage Act"
Yeah, I'll put that promise in the same drawer with his promise to vote against FISA.
Right...
Well, I'll say it again - Obama is the best hope we've got - no other candidates have repeatedly promised this except for Obama/Biden - and the Republican ticket was not only against gay marriage, but would have had the entire weight of the Republican party behind them. Hillary certainly didn't promise this, and Bill signed DOMA into law.
And incidentally, the US Supreme Court has yet to address the constitutionality of DOMA, and future plans may include a Federal Marriage Constitutional Amendment. The 2004 Republican platform had endorsed the protection of DOMA from judicial scrutiny, meaning they would try to make it unchallengable.
Whew! Thank goodness Obama/Biden won! Whatever has happened; don't think for a minute that voting Democrat wasn't the right thing to do.
^^oops, make that the entire weight of the majority of the Republican party, conservatives, fundies, traditional marriage defenders, relgious groups, etc.
11/07/2008
More Protests Planned Over Passage of Proposition 8: Schedule
I will continue adding to this list today as I receive any information on new protests:
List of protests taking place this weekend
Great! I'd love to take part - it's really upsetting to see how this Propostion came to be and how its proponents clouded the issue with "scare" tactics - omg what about the chiiiiiildren, etc, societal fabric. Well guess what. It's the same type of crap that was used to justify separate but equal. This is about the right to marry, period. Thanks!
My Election Day: Campaigning for No on 8
Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight spent Election Day volunteering for No on 8, standing 100 feet away from poling places handing out palm cards and urging people to vote against the same-sex marriage ban. Here he recounts the well-wishers who brought cookies and cheered from cars and the Prop. 8 supporters who yelled and spat -- one even got violent. But Knight says all he ultimately felt was sadness when Prop. 8 passed.
By T.R. Knight
Tuesday, 4 a.m.
The alarm on my cell phone wakes me with that annoying ring. Not the most pleasant way to start the day; I keep forgetting to change it. But I was wide awake. After a quick shower and throwing on clothes while playing “don’t wake the boyfriend,” I was out on the road driving toward Santa Monica. My day of volunteering at the polls for No on Proposition 8 had begun.
We all met shortly after 6 a.m. to get our polling place assignments and to be matched up with fellow volunteers. Having agreed to be a team captain, I was questioning my leadership ability in light of my sometimes pathological shyness. That is, until I saw my friend Melissa Fitzgerald. Besides being a wonderful actress, she is also fiercely political, smart as a whip, and a natural-born leader. She had just flown in to work on this campaign (she was working for Obama until she saw how close this race was), and by coincidence, we showed up at the same place. We joined up with a guy named Nathan and we were off to our first polling location.
Nathan also turned out to be a political phenom, and thankfully they both led by example. We introduced ourselves to the polling supervisor and informed them we would respect the required 100 feet distance from the polling place. We then held our signs high and passed out our palm cards. The three of us, two straight, one gay, working together to help inform people about protecting civil rights.
And that is what we did, we volunteers, all day. I had two more shifts at two more polling locations. We worked until the polls closed at 8 p.m. What will remain most in my memory from those hours are the extreme reactions from both sides.
The man who screamed “Homos and lesbians!” as he drove by, the older man who shouted at me to go back to West Hollywood (I live in Los Feliz), the woman who called us “abominations,” the man who spat on the palm card we had handed him. There was a man who attacked a young female volunteer of ours at a nearby polling place at a Catholic church, shoving and pushing her and ripping up her palm cards. Every single supporter of Prop. 8 was so filled with anger and bile as they voiced their "support" to us, with the exception of one older gentleman, who engaged us in a very civil conversation.
One person in over 13 hours.
All of that was countered by the many straight families who were very vocal in their support of No on 8. The young man who joined us while on break from work (holding a sign he had downloaded from his computer), another guy who brought us cookies and juice in the morning, the husband and wife who brought us cappuccinos at nightfall, the drivers who honked in support (when others weren’t flippin’ us the bird), and the woman who hollered from her car, “Thank you for fighting for our family.”
As we packed up for the evening the news came in. It looked as though Obama would be our next president. As my boyfriend and I drove home (he had joined us, even though he was sick as a dog), we listened to McCain concede the race. We made it to the television set just in time to witness the beautiful, truly awesome sight of the first family making their appearance on that Chicago stage. We heard a president-elect mention gay people in his acceptance speech. A night of many firsts.
But then the news of Proposition 8.
And then the news of Arizona, Arkansas, and Florida.
It is difficult for me to understand many aspects of this outcome. Why did other minorities vote in such high percentages in favor of Prop. 8? Why do they see our civil rights as so vastly different than their own? Why did the Yes on 8 campaign use such incredible deceit to win? They claim to come from a place of high morals. How do they justify that with fighting in such an immoral way? Why is religion impeding our freedom and equality?
As I write this, I just read the concession from No on Prop. 8. I find it difficult to put the sadness I feel into words.
I know that gay people will one day gain all the rights due us as American citizens. I know that the people who stand in our way today will be the people the majority will later mock as foolish and bigoted. I was speaking to an African-American friend tonight. She told me, “It takes so long. But people will come around. You have to continue to fight. It just takes a very long time.”
I hope I can muster the patience and keep my anger focused so I can continue to fight. Fight clean. Fight with just the truth. And never let myself spew the kind of hate I encountered on that Tuesday in November as we peacefully fought for our civil rights.
Advocate.com
A hug for T.R. Knight :)
I hope I can muster the patience and keep my anger focused so I can continue to fight. Fight clean. Fight with just the truth. And never let myself spew the kind of hate I encountered on that Tuesday in November as we peacefully fought for our civil rights.
Hear, hear. Yes, big hugs for ((((T.R Knight)))). :)
"One Unmanageable Blind Vice" translation:
Pics with the Girls and Sex with the Boys
He is a good-looking, closeted gay actor. He has quite the reputation with the girls, not to mention talent in front of concert audiences and movie cameras alike. His manager discovered he likes to do it with other boys by walking in on the actor in his dressing room. It was most awkward, too, as the man who was being serviced by the actor saw the manager first and pulled away from the actor. End result? Fellatio interruptus. There will be new pictures of the actor and assorted women coming out soon in Us Weekly. By the way, he isn’t Ludacris, Timbaland, or James Marsden.
Editor’sNote: This is a rewrite of an EOnline item.
http://www.blindgossip.com
E!
Madonna Finally Talks Prop 8—but Was It Enough?
No doubt Madonna has done plenty for gay rights over the years, but where has she been during this year's very heated—and very expensive—fight to try and save gay marriage in California?
Until her concert last night in Los Angeles, the outspoken politically minded Queen of Pop had been uncharacteristically silent about Prop 8, the ballot measure that overturned the legalization of same-sex unions in California. She didn't even speak a word of it during her concert in San Francisco — San Francisco!—on the Saturday just before Election Day. And even when she did finally say something, it was brief—very brief.
"I am very sad to hear we didn't win Proposition 8," she said, according to a concertgoer. "But we will not give up the fight. No, we will not. Never! If we got an African-American in the White House, we can have gay marriages."
While her words of support caused a thunderous roar of applause, an informal survey of Madonna fans conducted by yours truly shows most are surprised and disappointed by her lack of public support. "Too little, too late, Madge," one fan said last night at the show. "Where was your money and influence before the vote?"
Celebs who have actively opposed the measure include Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, Melissa Etheridge, Steven Spielberg, Samuel L. Jackson and Pete Wentz. The list goes on and on.
Asked about Madonna's noninvolvement with Prop. 8, her rep emailed me, "The one thing I do not have to do is defend Madonna's very very heartfelt and extensive commitment financially, verbally and numerous other ways to gay rights in the course of her career." Very true, but let's just hope we see more of that decades-long commitment as the battle for gay marriage rages on. This is not the time for silence.
Ent Lawyer Bearding BI
Which A list action star is paying big bucks to an unknown female actress to be his girlfriend for the next two months while he is doing press for his new film. He wants a girlfriend to talk about and not the increasing questions about his sexuality.
Keanu Reeves?
"The Day the Earth Stood Still", release date 12 Dec 2008.
I hope it's not true, we don't need another bearding actor :)
Does Jessica Simpson Visit Fansites? Anyone Else?
If you're wondering whether Jessica Simpson does—and you know you cannot live one more second without knowing—the answer is yes. She does follow the scuttlebutt on her fansites, particularly SweetKisses.net, where she's even been known to—yes—post stuff.
But most stars, at least the big ones, don't pay attention unless something alarming happens. Like when a fan posts an unflattering photo.
E! Online
Jake posts here all the time!
Beyonce Eyes Superhero Movie Role
She's played sidekicks to super-goofs Austin Powers and Inspector Clouseau. Now, Beyonce aspires to fly solo as a legendary superheroine.
"I want to do a superhero movie and what would be better than Wonder Woman?" Beyonce tells the Los Angeles Times. "It would be great. And it would be a very bold choice. A black Wonder Woman would be a powerful thing. It's time for that, right?"
The multi-talented star tells the paper she's met with reps of DC Comics and Warner Bros. to discuss playing the role Lynda Carter made famous on the small screen in the '70s.
"I would definitely have to keep it right for that costume. The way that Lynda Carter wore it, she was sooo fine," Beyonce says. "It sure would be handy to have that lasso. To make everybody tell the truth? I need that. It would come in very handy."
http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/11/67480/index.html
Oh God.
Will Americans ever run out of comic superheroes?
No.
• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics
• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball
• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili
• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini
• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father
• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed
• He has read every Harry Potter book
• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali
• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream
• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars
• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia
• He can speak Spanish
• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead
• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea
• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't
• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia
• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name
• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived
• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy
• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books
• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck
• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.
• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees
• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol
• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician
• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine
• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)
• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside
• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal
• His house in Chicago has four fire places
• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita
• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry
• He uses an Apple Mac laptop
• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300 SUV
• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits
• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes
• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)
• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire
• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers
• He was nicknamed "Bear" by his late grandmother
• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds
• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso
• His speciality as a cook is chilli
• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"
• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life
• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government.
Barack Obama: The 50 facts you might not know
As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine
Bad Mr President.
My President and I have so much in common.
He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside
P.S.
Sorry Mr President, but this trend should be encouraged!
But Jake, at least Pres. Obama is being honest about himself. You should come clean and be honest about yourself also. You'll feel so much better and be a better American.
I can't. Too many people would be pissed and I want them to like me.
He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.
Ouch!
Not true Jake. The media all loved you and thought you were a nice guy who was charming, smart and easy going. The public at large thought so too. But now, you're losing alot of respect because you are coming across as a wimpy, clingy, immature and pretingeous man who has lost his identity-you've become Mr. Witherspoon. You're fans are leaving you. We want to love you again. Come back into the light Jake.
Nice facts about our new President - I think he is absolutely wonderful. He wasn't born rich, knows first-hand about how the regular people live and the problems that affect them, having been raised by a single woman gives him insight into women's views. He's a wonderful choice for President. I like that he's the most direct and honest President we've ever had. When he's asked a question, he answers it as directly as he can. Do The Right Thing was an incredible film; it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. Michelle should have known right then and there he was a special guy. They make a great couple, very Kennedy-esque. ;)
Come back into the light Jake.
One day soon, but I'm staying in the closet and you can't make me come out - the public doesn't want gay Prince.
I don't think people will care if the Prince is gay, but if you want to stay in the closet for a little longer-OK. But, dump The Chin asap. She's draining whatever appeal you have left. Gotta go, going to look at puppies with Pres. Obama.
President-Elect Obama May Get a Mutt 'Like Me'
"With respect to the dog," said Obama, "this is a major issue." He said it has generated the most interest on his Web site, but before a new addition is made to the family, "two criteria that have to be reconciled."
One is that elder daughter Malia, 10, "is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." The other is that "our preference would be to get a shelter dog," which would point to the possiblity of a mixed breed, or, as Obama said, "a mutt, like me."
He's the best! :)
Sophia Bush on Prop 8 Passage: "I'm Embarrassed"
Add Sophia Bush to the growing list of grousing stars upset over the passage of California's gay-marriage-annihilating Prop 8.
"I'm really proud to be an American," the One Tree Hill star said of the election of Barack Obama, "and I'm embarrassed to be a Californian right now."
Speaking to E! News at Thursday's DSquared2 party in the penthouse of Hollywood's Chateau Marmont, Bush said she was psyched to see Obama win, especially since she campaigned for him. She also hopes to attend his Jan. 20 inauguration. But her excitement was tempered by the narrow passage of Prop 8. "It's just so sad that when we've been so progressive, we've also taken so many steps backward," she said, choking up.
"I'm disgusted. In a world that is so full of hatred and bigotry and war and famine? We're criticizing two people for loving each other. I think that it's devastating."
E! Online
Sophia is so sweet.
Sean Penn Describes His Election Reaction
Actor, director and vocal Bush opponent Sean Penn has spoken out on the election of Barack Obama.
"I was sitting on the edge of the bed with my family watching our new president-elect," actor/director Sean Penn said Thursday night as he collected the Britannia Award for Excellence in Film from the Los Angeles chapter of BAFTA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
"I have never been able to put the word 'my' before president before," he added, prompting loud applause from the British-American film industry crowd that also honored actors Tilda Swinton and Don Cheadle and director Stephen Frears.
A bit of Franco
James Franco "doesn't sleep"
The 'Pineaple Express' star - who shot to fame playing James Dean in a TV biopic in 2001 - hates going to bed because there are so many things he wants to do with his time.
He said: "I don't sleep. I have a lot of interests and a lot I want to get done so I have gotten into the habit of not getting into my bed. "I sit on the couch with my laptop until I fall asleep. I have the computer in a protective case because it often ends up falling to the floor."
James - who is currently studying graduate-level writing and filmmaking programmes at both Columbia University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts - also revealed why he decided to go back to school.
The 31-year-old actor added: "There has always been a part of me that felt I was letting something go when I left school at 18 or 19 to become an actor."
James, darling, you need your beauty sleep,
Franco, Jake is right, who will care how smart you are when you lose your looks?
Kiki gets political too
Kirsten Dunst's Voting Documentary Takes Her To North Dakota
In making a documentary about how the nation votes, actress Kirsten Dunst and filmmaker Jacob Soboroff were drawn to North Dakota, the only state without voter registration. "It's different than any other state in the United States, and what we're looking at is best and worst (voting) practices," Soboroff said Monday. "I don't know if it's a best practice or ... a worst practice, and that's why we're here."
Dunst, who has starred in three "Spider-Man" movies, and Soboroff are directing and producing a documentary, not yet titled, that explores why American voter participation lags behind turnout in most other countries.
...
The Huffington Post
It happened on November 8th...
1977
Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, making him the first openly gay man to be elected in a major US city. Dan White, who would murder Harvey Milk just over a year later, was also elected.
BBM - November 7, Pine Creek
I was flipping thru the People which had Jennifer Hudson on the cover. There was a picture of Reese and Jake walking down the street. It was a large picture. You could see people behind them. I thought the guy behind them looked like Chris. Did anyone else see this?
Chinny voted one of the most popular US Stars.
wtf
^^^ "During uncertain times, we turn to good entertainment more than ever. So we took a break from this serious and intense season to find out which stars raise your spirits."
Chinny knows that comedies are her best option. Even so, there is no way she was voted #3.
There was a picture of Reese and Jake walking down the street.
In L.A.?
Babblers probably set their alarm clocks to go off every hour to remind them to cast another vote in the US poll.
"Chinny knows that comedies are her best option. Even so, there is no way she was voted #3."
5:01 pm, ITA that her PR must have paid big bucks for her to be #3. I've seen the commercials for Four Christmases and it's not looking funny at all.
Jake G. will regret all the disrespectful, silly things he did while with Chin. She's a dominant, image obsessed bitch and he's a wimp who adopted some of her traits. I think he's realizing it and will break up with that idiot sooner than later.
If it's this picture in People, then know it's not Chris:
http://www.iheartjakemedia.com/displayimage.php?pid=39397&fullsize=1
That top ten list is from Parade magazine alonr with ET, I don't think it was an online poll, if do it wasn't pubicized.
I saw the trailer for our Christmases when I went to the movies yesterday and it got the biggest laughs, it may look like crap but from what i'm hearing about the screenings, people like it and it willmake a shit load of $$.
willmake a shit load of $$.
All of Vaughn's crap movies make shit load of cash. Reese is a good business woman. After two flops, she signed on for a sure hit.
Nov 5, 2008
Patrick Dempsey On "Grey's" Lesbian Firing: ABC Told Me What To Say (VIDEO)
Today "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey goes on Ellen and talks about the surprise firing of Brooke Smith, one half of the show's new lesbian relationship:
"ABC actually sends me over what I should [say] ...," he tells Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show Wednesday.
So what's the official spin?
"ABC's response ... is that [I] should say: 'We've had a great time working with her and that the conclusion of her [character] has been orgasmic' -- I'm sorry, I'm dyslexic! -- 'organic' ending to the story line.' "
Some have argued that Smith was axed because of her character's developing relationship with Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez). Grey's Anatomy's creator, Shonda Rhimes, previously released a statement insisting that "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian."
"Thursday night is her last show, which is too bad she has been great character," McDreamy continues. "I don't know what happened with that story line. They decided not to continue it for some reason."
"Grey's" Lesbian Firing
Join the Impact - Protest Prop 8 on November 15th!
We can’t wait for any large scale organization to get the word out for us. We have 1 week to put together a NATIONAL PROTEST and start a mobilized movement for equality! When we all come together as one voice on November 15th, we will show the nation that we can do more than just talk, we can act! We won’t solve everything in one protest, but we will fuel the fire to a conversation that can not be silenced! If we stop talking about equality for all, then we will lose the battle. If we allow others to stop talking about it, then we will lose. Hate is not the lack of love, it’s the fear of that which we do not know. This protest along with many others gives us the chance to build on the conversation and educate the masses. It’s very simple: Infiltrate, Educate, and STOP HATE!
Join the Impact
YAY!!! Count me in. A great way to be heard! :)
5:16 do you really not know the difference between know and no?
A few days ago, I wrote about my disappointment in Terri Seymour for not completing her gold digging mission. I now kiss her newly rich feet, because not only did Simon Cowell give her $4.6 to buy a mansion, but he also handed her $5 million in cash money.
DL bearding gossip:
BlindGossip: "When a couple split after several years together, the official parting is usually slow and painful and messy. So you really have to question why the breakup of this couple is going to be swift and painless and clean. It turns out that one half of the couple has incredible leverage in harboring some very deep and very nasty secrets about the other half and their sexual proclivities. The mildest of these secrets is the typical inclusion of a surprising third party, as well as one person’s penchant for wearing clothing of the opposite sex. Several jaw-dropping parting gifts are in the works to effectively buy the ex’s silence."
That blind item suggests that the person with the leverage (um Ms. Seymour) might be threatening to spill.
I don't get a vindictive vibe from Seymour. I think it was all planned out very well from the start of their contract, er relationship. She knew she would be getting some nice parting gifts. There is a lot of ink being spilled over this split as if it were a big surprise.
I suspect Terri and Simon will remain close friends--just like Simon's previous beards whom he still escorts all over London.
And, yes, I am sure the blind item is about Simon, Terri and probably Ryan.
SNL
Instead of the SNL Rerun, Wallow In 5 Brilliant Digital Shorts
Since joining Saturday Night Live as a featured player in 2005, Andy Samberg has been an important addition to the overall tone of the show. While his 2007 flop Hot Rod proved a long career in Hollywood may not be in his future, Joanna Newsom's boyfriend has been involved in a lot of great stuff over the past three years. We all know Samberg classics like his Emmy-winning "Dick in a Box" or "Lazy Sunday," but here's five clips that you may not have seen a billion times:
...
Who can forget Andy's serenade of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, "Iran So Far" from last season's premiere?
"Iran So Far" with a bit of Jakey!
Gawker, SNL clips
That was so funny. :) Andy really has a way with the lyrics. Dick in a Box was hilarious too.
Great song, great lyric, gay President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Jake - who could ask for more?
Reese being chosen 3rd most popular is like Rendition being nominated for The teen choice award or whatever it was called. Reese's ship sailed a couple years ago. Her mention was obviously paid for.
IA.
'Brokeback,' Disney operas scrapped
City Opera projects shelved after a.d. resigns
Developing operas based on "Brokeback Mountain" and the life of Walt Disney are suddenly homeless with the departure from City Opera of a.d. and general manager, Gerard Mortier. Mortier was appointed to the dual posts in early 2007 and his first season of programming was skedded for the 2009-10 season. That slate, ambitiously designed to shake things up for the company, has been scrapped.
Mortier, formerly the director of the Salzburg Festival in Austria, ankled after several months of speculation about his imminent departure. He reportedly quit over budgetary constraints that would not allow him to achieve his programming goals. City Opera, one of the arts orgs at Lincoln Center on Gotham's Upper West Side, has been grappling with fiscal troubles in recent weeks, announcing a series of staff layoffs and furloughs.
Renovation of City Opera's New York State Theater, begun under Mortier's stewardship, will continue. In his role at City Opera, Mortier had commissioned the "Brokeback" adaptation from Charles Wuorinen and the Disney opera from Philip Glass. He has said he will seek out other orgs to take on the commissions.
City Opera's struggles strike a contrast with the Metropolitan Opera, also located at Lincoln Center. Under the leadership of Peter Gelb, that org has undertaken ambitious efforts to raise its profile, including a series of HD cinema screenings of Met perfs.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995529.html?categoryId=15&cs=1
Page Six
SIGHTINGS
MAGGIE Gyllenhaal cajoling her crying daughter, Ramona, to leave after two hours of play at the newly reopened, Rafael Viñoly-designed Brooklyn Children's Museum . . .
Developing operas based on "Brokeback Mountain" and the life of Walt Disney are suddenly homeless
It's all Annie's fault - she jinxed it! lol
"Brokeback Mountain" and Walt Disney. Jack and Prince of Persia.
Jamie Lee Curtis: Thank You Barack Obama
Thank you Barack Obama.
Thank you for four years ago making me say out-loud " Why can't he be our candidate?"
Thank you for blowing away the ether of complacency.
Thank you for beating that maver-"ICK" and his running date.
Thank you for being patient with this insane process we call Democracy.
Thank you for your ambition and your drive, your mind and your gravitas.
Thank you for recognizing the needle and the damage done, the needle, our addiction to more, better, faster, greasier, dirtier, celebrity lifestyles and prescription poisons and the damage done, the Economic Crisis, the Health Care debacle, the State of Education. This is AMERICA. Health and Education should be #1.
Thank you for understanding World History, Geography, countries and cultures, religions, customs and America's tarnished reputation in those very countries.
Thank you for voting against the War and for continuing to voice that opposition.
Thank you for your brilliant campaign and campaign managers and your staff.
Thank you for choosing Joe Biden.
Thank you for leading and inspiring me.
...
The Huffington Post
More Gyllenhaal blogging
September 10, 2008
Naomi Foner: Every Picture Tells a Story
Some years ago MOMA had an exhibit on the history of photography. The general premise of the exhibit was that when photography first appeared on the scene people had their pictures taken because they were important to the culture. But it wasn't long before it was reversed and people were important to the culture because they had their picture taken.
I'd call it the Britney Spears phenomenon.
And so it is with this election. We now have a Republican Party running candidates who are important because they are having their picture taken. Not for any good reason. Largely for bad ones, but they are still on the cover of every major news magazine in the country.
And Mr. Obama is out of the limelight. No news is bad news in an election. Being a good boy doesn't get coverage. But Sarah Palin has provided us with scandalous news on almost a daily basis. She's the center of attention. Even eclipsing the top of her own ticket. So who are we talking about? Who are we looking at? Not Obama.
He has to tell us his story in the same compelling way that she's telling hers. In a way that makes us feel he's just like us. The way she has.
It's a game we don't know how to play. And we'd better learn fast.
When was the last time a vice presidential candidate was on the cover of all the major gossip magazines? People, Star, Us. There she is with her pregnant daughter and her Down Syndrome son.
We have got to find a way to get back into the spotlight. We have got to find a way to have the American people understand that the presidential election is not an episode of American Idol. And if it's going to be conducted as if it were, Obama and Biden had better start practicing their song. They better sing out loud. And they might consider wearing bikinis. Because if they want to get people to listen to them, they're going to have to get their picture taken.
The Huffington Post
Old, new IHJ pictures
2004 > March 24 - Taking Atticus For A Walk In Los Angeles
Posted on OMG
PoP movie fan trailer
Oh My!
Naomi Foner & Jamie Lee Curtis...
What have they got to say about Jakey's bearding? Honesty, only when it suits you, hmm?
Naomi seems to know quite a lot about tabloid covers too. heh!
PoP movie fan trailer
Posted on OMG - one of the "PoP trailer" sources:
Kingdom of Heaven Trailer
ROFLMAO nice fake …
That wasn´t even Jake G :D
Obvious reason is … Salahadin from Kingdom of Heaven is shown in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oO6pCRe3pM
PoP fan trailer - cute, even the hair looks good!
Naomi seems to know quite a lot about tabloid covers too. heh!
Part of the business :)
Naomi Foner says "play the game Jakey".
I can't stand her. I think his dad was the one with the artistic integrity.
Naomi Foner said "Obama and Biden had better start practicing their song. Because if they want to get people to listen to them, they're going to have to get their picture taken."
Can you blame her?
Naomi Foner
"We have got to find a way to get back into the spotlight. We have got to find a way to have the American people understand that the presidential election is not an episode of American Idol. And if it's going to be conducted as if it were, Obama and Biden had better start practicing their song. They better sing out loud. And they might consider wearing bikinis. Because if they want to get people to listen to them, they're going to have to get their picture taken."
Not liking the Gyllenhaals too much. Now we know where Jake got the love for famewhoring from.
Jake,
try to impress with your acting, if you're not capable of it, change profession! Finish your B.A. and do something else you're interested in.
But I guess the love for fame and money keeps him in the business.
Jake's an ok actor, but he is far away from the really good ones in the industry. That's why he needs a lil famewhoring and projects like PoP to stay on top.
I admit he was good in Donnie Darko, that was a role that suited him like a second skin. But while he was good and very charming in BBM, Michelle, Anne and Heath impressed me more.
Maybe he'll surprise me in the near future and gives a mind blowing performance in one of his upcoming films?
Then I'll come back and apologize for my "harsh" words.
Huh?
Sorry, but the idea that Naomi supports tabloid famewhoring is ridiculous.
His movies are not going to bring you back. No Jake is looking for a way to stay in the spotlight. He is practicing his song REEEEEEEEKE IS THE WORD is the title of the song and he is singing it loud and proud.
He deserves his backlash more then any fallen star I can recall.
His movies are not going to bring you back.
I believe Brothers and/or Nailed might surprise us in a good way.
he is singing it loud and proud
Loud yes, proud no.
Nailed isn't even done and Brothers is going to lay a very quiet egg.
Naomi was being ironic. As Maggie The Sis once said, irony does not translate well to the page.
I expect Nailed to be horrible, and Brothers to be dated. Dont think Tobey is strong enuff actor to handle the more demanding role, nor any male director to handle the nuance of the female role.
As for PoP, gimme a break, Jake!
"I believe Brothers and/or Nailed might surprise us in a good way."
Brothers may or may not be good. But, if the studio pushed realse until mid 2009, a time when not alot of movies are released, that doesn't look to promising. Nailed sounds like it sucks. The movies not even finished and if it ever is, it sounds like a straight to DVD movies. And after that, Jake only has POP coming out and POP may be good or may tank totally. Jake's movie prospects aren't looking to good. With all of this I doubt he'll dump the Chin which is to bad because she adding to his fading appeal. He's still good looking, but not likable any more.
Proud?
Jake has been looking like he wants to hide under a rock since Rome.
Highway was a straight to DVD movie but I love Pilot and like the movie.
That Naomi article ignores the fact that Obama and his family have been featured on the covers of magazines like People. Nothing like trying to make a point by ignoring the facts.
ITA 11:10. Jake oozes nothing but shame anymore in pictures, it's one of the reasons I have no interest in the pictures we see of him anymore.
Jonathan Ross show was chilling and the Letterman show when Jake made a joke about being called Gooberballs -
Everybody laughs at Jake making a joke about himself having balls the size of peanuts?
I cringed, for him.
I dunno -
Gooberballs - that drunk woman saw Jake's future! lol
Just wanna say, having been totally pissed since Tuesday - I am very grateful for the moderation of this Open Forum -
It's been a place to weep with joy, worry about the future, and say what I fuckin' well please.
Thanks!
Maybe he'll surprise me in the near future and gives a mind blowing performance in one of his upcoming films?
Then I'll come back and apologize for my "harsh" words.
I will and you will.
12:24 amending, I dont mean being pissed, being angry, but being sorta alcholized - in celebration.
just sayin'
That's much better than being pissed pissed :)
What Obama's Victory Means for the LGBT Community
In 1968, U Street in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., was on fire and a focal point of racial tension. Forty years later it was a scene of a racially diverse celebration of Barack Obama's election as president of the United States of America.
I even walked the streets amid the celebration with members of a delegation from Sweden who came to witness our historic election. They were as excited as I was, though I failed to see the tears in their eyes that streamed down my face.
But what does this excitement mean for our country? Will it translate into anything for the LGBT community? After all, Barack Obama is the first president-elect to mention gays in his victory speech. On the heels of major defeats on ballot initiatives in Arkansas, Florida, Arizona, and most disappointing, California, the preceding question is of even more importance than we could have previously imagined.
While the ballot initiatives provide us with a heartbreaking setback, there are a few positive developments for our community in this election. In New York State, Democrats won a majority in the state senate, where the previous Republican majority refused to take up the marriage bill shepherded through the lower chamber by Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell. Conventional wisdom is that marriage will now be achieved through legislative action and signed by equality-minded governor David Paterson.
In Connecticut, following the mostly unexpected state supreme court decision granting civil marriage equality, we were faced with the quixotic possibility of a constitutional convention. Every 20 years voters in the Constitution State can be asked whether to call a convention to consider changes to its constitution. While this is rarely even considered, this year opponents of marriage equality launched a last-minute push to attempt to make this vote a referendum on the expansion of marriage rights to same-sex couples. The voters of Connecticut overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional convention, leaving no chance to overturn the supreme court decision.
Democrats also increased their majorities in the U.S. Congress. Though the House had passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (a noninclusive version, lacking coverage for gender identity) and an inclusive hate-crimes law, they were both held up in the Senate. The expanded majority should make it much easier for our advocacy organizations to finally pass the first major piece of legislation that would begin the long-awaited process of achieving civil equality.
Making legislative achievements at the federal level is crucial. Once progress is made, it will be easier to achieve more victories legislatively. Our elected officials suffer from a fear of all things gay, largely as a result of our opponents' efforts. After they realize that the bogeyman of politics won’t come after them for acting in the spirit and best traditions of our nation, we will be able to count on them for further support.
Of course, it certainly helps to have a president who will sign equality-granting legislation. But that’s not the big reason we can celebrate President-elect Barack Obama.
We stood on a precipice of not achieving full equality for decades. Had John McCain been elected president, he would certainly have appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices who would have led us to an insurmountable 2-7 deficit on the high court. Thankfully, that possibility has been averted.
We need at least two terms of a friendly president in order to reach the magical 5-4 division of the court to win equality and be named a protected class in America, much as the California supreme court did in its superbly written opinion. Obama sent a signal last week in an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams when discussing possible appointments to the Supreme Court:
"And so my criteria, for example, would be -- if a justice tells me that they only believe the strict letter of the Constitution -- that means that they possibly don't mean -- believe in -- a right to privacy that may not be perfectly enumerated in the Constitution but, you know, that I think is there.
"I mean, the -- the right to marry who you please isn't in the Constitution. But I think all of us assume that if a state decided to pass a law saying, 'Brian, you can't marry the woman you love,' that you'd think that was unconstitutional. Well, where does that come from? I think it comes from a right to privacy -- that may not be listed in the Constitution but is implied by the structure of the Constitution."
This gives us reason to believe that Obama understands the need to have equality-minded justices on the Supreme Court and that this fundamental belief he is seeking in his future nominees means they will count in our column.
Why is this important? It’s important because our politicians lack the courage to do what is right and extend the rights afforded to all other Americans to us. While this would be the preferred method of achieving equality, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon.
In the end, our rights will come down to the Supreme Court. So while our losses in this election are very emotional defeats, the election of Obama ensures that the big prize is still within sight. For that, we can find solace in our losses and allow ourselves to enjoy the history we have just lived.
Advocate
ITA with the above. hey its taken forty years to sort out the 1968 Grant Park scrimage.
lottsa work to be done - but TBTG -
ignorance did not prevail.
Queer Cinema
Nicole Kidman to star in 'Danish'
Story based on world's first post-op transsexual
Nicole Kidman as the world's first post-op transsexual, married to Charlize Theron? You betcha.
Kidman will star in and produce "The Danish Girl," based on the true story of Danish artists Einar and Greta Wegener. Their marriage took a sharp left turn after Einar (Kidman) stood in for an female model that Greta (Theron) was set to paint. When their portraits become wildly popular in 1920s Copenhagen, Greta encouraged her husband to adopt the female guise. What began as a harmless game led Einer to a metamorphosis and landmark 1931 operation that shocked the world and threatened their love.
Anand Tucker ("Shopgirl") is attached to direct the feature, adapted by writer Lucinda Coxon ("Wild Target") from David Ebershoff's 2000 Viking bestseller. His debut novel of the same name is a fictionalized account of the Wegeners' true story.
The producers, no strangers to daring indie fare, are Gail Mutrux ("Kinsey"), Anne Harrison ("Two Family House"), Linda Reisman ("Affliction"), Kidman and the head of her Fox-based Blossom Films shingle, Per Saari. Blossom has several projects in development, including a biopic of bisexual singer Dusty Springfield set to star Kidman. Kathy Morgan International is repping AFM presales on "Girl," a period piece that's taken on a very modern resonance with this week's votes to ban gay marriage in California, Florida and Arizona. Both the CAA-repped Kidman and the One Entertainment-repped Theron earned their best actress Oscars playing lesbian characters, in "The Hours" and "Monster," respectively.
Pre-production has begun on the indie film, but no details on a principal photography start date have been disclosed.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i431ca797a370fbb2da92466e2a3a3535
Kidman and Theron earned their best actress Oscars playing lesbian characters, in "The Hours" and "Monster," respectively.
Ha!
Story based on world's first post-op transsexual
Nicole loves a challenge :)
November 5, 2008
Your Turn: Wishful thinking
It's amusing that Hollywood thinks games are a rich vein of gold to mine for new subject matter because they have a ready-made audience keen to see their heroes on the big screen. I would argue that gamers are now more likely to avoid any film based on a gaming license than be attracted to it because we know how Hollywood and the likes of Uwe Boll have treated our beloved games in the past.
Think Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Alone in the Dark, Doom, Wing Commander, House of the Dead, Bloodrayne, Dead or Alive, Double Dragon, Tomb Raider, and more...
But some of us are more optimistic than others. Today James "DexX" Dominguez dares to dream of a distant future in which game-to-film adaptations don't suck...
Wishful thinking
The films of Uwe Boll have left gamers feeling a tad underwhelmed. It sometimes seems like we will never get a genuinely good film adaptation of any of our beloved video games.
Prince of Persia was looking good, but doubts about Jake Gyllehaal's ability to play the titular prince have shaken our faith, and how long has it been since Ben Kingsley was in a genuinely good film? (He may also have carried some Uwe Boll taint with him from the set of Bloodrayne...)
Personally, I think the cinematic history of comics shows us the future of video game-to-film adaptations. Nobody really took superhero films seriously for many years, resulting in work that was patchy at best, and utterly dire at worst. It was not until less than a decade ago that filmmakers finally realised that comics are a legitimate art form, and film adaptations of comic book superheroes need not be trash.
Who knows - perhaps the distant speck on the horizon that is the Gears of War movie will turn out to be our X-Men, the 2000 film which, in my opinion, ushered in the comic book film renaissance. It will not be joined any time soon by its Xbox stable mate Halo, which appears to be in terminal development hell despite carrying the name of Peter Jackson for quite a while.
It is a frustrating situation, because as gamers we know that there are many excellent stories in our games that worthy of the silver screen. The following are some of my ideas (read: fantasies) for game-to-film adaptations that I would like to see made.
...
Video games and movies
OMG - I can't wait for the story of Dusty Springfield to be brought to the screen. One of my very favorite singers ever. :)
Wonderful article by the Advocate. :')
4:47 PM - In that case, I hope you are a Nicole fan too :)
I am, I'm very much looking forward to seeing her in Australia, too. :)
Love the trailer.
"Australia" trailer
I saw it the other night, or one of them, awesome. Old fashioned romance to the max. I loved it too. ;)
Nicole is perfect for the role, I think, and Hugh is a dream walkin'. ;)
I love the history of the film Australia as well. So, two films that I am very much awaiting are Milk, and Australia. :)
DL poster's Milk review:
Gus Van Sant's MILK is good, but not great
What an inspiring life and wonderful acting showcase!
Sean Penn is CERTAIN to get an Oscar nomination. Possibly Emile Hirsch as well. Their performances are beautiful, transformative and touching.
I just saw a trade screening of MILK, the biographical movie by openly gay director Gus Van Sant about San Francisco city councilman Harvey Milk, the first major, openly gay elected official who was assassinated in 1978.
But MILK suffers from what a lot of biographical films do: weak plot cohesion.
It is very difficult to string together a bunch of disconnected stories into one, riveting 2-hour movie. Especially when the hero has as many interesting and emotional sub-plots as Harvey Milk did. MILK packs in a long fight for a California assembly seat, two of Harvey's boyfriends, a tragic suicide, a fight against Anita Bryant and Proposition 6 plus the long rivalry on the city council with Dan White and Harvey's ultimate assassination.
MILK does better than most biopics with a broad scope because Harvey's events had such high stakes and resonance. The actors and script keep the experience very emotional and compelling, even when they start a new chapter into a new story. It's especially effective to me, as a gay man, when the script depicts all the hurt and lonely gays in the boondocks looking for hope.
But by the end of the film, I felt it started to drag and linger emotionally too much. Rhetoricize too much. Overacting, repeating and overmilking things. Not enough to make it bad, but enough to start boring me. I do feel Sean Penn's final scene was hammy and overwrought — involving corny, heavy-handed symbolism that seemed both unrealistic and out-of-character with the rest of the film's style. I also object to quite a lot of underexposed scenes where the picture looks dim and grainy.
The period, some verité camera work plus Van Sant's past penchant for experimental techniques makes me think the graininess was intentional; perhaps to elicit an amateur, period atmosphere or documentary realism. But the fact that the graininess would come and go, sometimes within the same scene, makes me think it was incompetent cinematography. Who knows? I didn't like the underexposed footage.
None of my complaints spoil the movie for me, however. On the whole, it's a wonderful, pertinent, emotionally moving and inspiring film I definitely think everyone should see. I think it's Van Sant's best film and most emotionally engaging script.
But I do not expect Best Picture or Director nominations unless the coming "Prestige Pictures" are really weak. It doesn't have the simplicity and plot cohesion of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, which is one, singular struggle to convince your boyfriend to run away with you and live happily ever after on a private ranch. MILK's theme is singular: give gays the same opportunities as everyone else. But its plot is split between multiple stories, characters and subplots.
I'd give MILK 3 out of 4 stars if I were a pro critic.
BTW, yes, I am the same OP who posted the original "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is superb" thread when I saw that film earlier than everyone else on Datalounge, too!
I'd be happy to answer questions or post spoilers.
http://www.datalounge.com/cgi-bin/iowa/forum/thread/gossip/7163746/page-1.html
What a great traile for Australia. That child is absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see the entire film. :)
Story based on world's first post-op transsexual, an indie film and a big movie like "Australia".
I hope Jake will do both, too.
Update
"So many people have volunteered to head up organizing in their city! As such, I have created a page filled with contact info for your local area. If there is not any contact info next to a city, it means that I do not have a volunteer point person for that area yet."
Join the Impact - Protest Prop 8 on November 15th!
I hope Jake will do both, too.
That would be great. I think Jake would like that too :)
Diane Kruger is the New Face of Hear the World
Mischa Barton, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Billy Idol join the German star to draw attention to the issue of hearing loss.
Stäfa, Switzerland (PRWEB) November 10, 2008 -- Actress Diane Kruger has become the most recent Hollywood star to offer herself as an ambassador for the Hear the World initiative. The international star is the cover model for the current issue of the Hear the World magazine.
In addition to Kruger, Mischa Barton, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Billy Idol have joined the team of famous ambassadors. All have been photographed for the cause by Bryan Adams, the initiative's official photographer, in the Hear the World pose - with a hand behind one ear, symbolising conscious hearing. The goal of their participation is to raise awareness about the issue of hearing loss.
...
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1566874.htm
Page Six
SIGHTINGS
"IRON Man" producer Ari Arad telling Chace Crawford - disguised in a '70s porn star costume at the Dos Equis-sponsored party at the Soho Grand - he'd make a great superhero . . .
Page Six
WHY GO OUT?
THE hottest after-hours party in Hollywood isn't at a club - it's at Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills bachelor pad. One source said, "Eddie has taken the after-hours party up a notch since he's been single. Murphy and Johnny Gil [who lives in the sprawling manse's guesthouse] have been holding bowling tournaments in the house's bowling alley almost every weekend. He even hired DJ Ruckus to spin one party." Guests have in cluded Busta Rhymes, Bobby Brown and Dallas Austin. "When Bobby was there, they messed with him and kept playing songs by [Brown's ex] Whitney Houston." A rep for Murphy didn't return e-mails.
Page Six
HERE'S THE LO-DOWN
A coy Lindsay Lohan insists that she isn't a lesbian and barely cops to being bisexual - but admits that she's dating a "wonderful" woman with whom she's madly in love, according to a new interview with the starlet. "I think it's pretty obvious who I'm seeing," Lohan told Harper's Bazaar magazine. Nonetheless, she pointedly refused to name her lady love, LA DJ Samantha Ronson. When asked if she considered herself a bisexual, Lohan answered, "Maybe. Yeah." But she was adamant that she wasn't a lesbian, giving an emphatic, "No," when asked.
Murphy and Johnny Gil [who lives in the sprawling manse's guesthouse] have been holding bowling tournaments in the house's bowling alley almost every weekend.
Boys just want to have fun ;)
Prop 8
Schwarzenegger Urges Same-Sex Marriage Supporters: 'Never Give Up'
In his strongest interview to date on Proposition 8, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told CNN's John King that those same-sex couples already married in California should not worry that their marriages will be nullified, and urged supporters of same-sex marriages to continue the fight given the Supreme Court's definitive ruling on it in May. He also commented on the reasons why he felt, the measure passed — strong turnout among minority voters and heavy funding by religious groups. I've transcribed it below, and AFTER THE JUMP...
Said Schwarzenegger: "I think that the people of California just again have spoken on this issue and they went against it. Just like in the year 2000 when they voted against it with Proposition 22. They had a very, very strong campaign the pro- Prop 8 people, and I think that the people that tried to defeat it did not have maybe as good a campaign or as much money behind it. Whatever. I think it is unfortunate obviously but it's not the end because I think this will go back into the courts, this will go back to the Supreme Court because the Supreme Court very clearly in California has declared this unconstitutional. It's the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. So I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area."
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Schwarzenegger adds: "It's a cultural issue also, because as you can see because of the big turnout amongst African-American and Latinos, that had an effect also which they did not expect so there's all kinds of other things that I think the religious groups have done. A big campaign, a lot of them, to support proposition 8 and so on. So it's a very, very difficult thing."
He concluded with something of a battle cry: "When I was campaigning for Proposition 11 a lot times the press came to me and said governor why are you doing that? It has failed five times before. Why a sixth time? I said, look. I learn the messages from lifting weights. Sometimes I try to life the weight ten times and I failed, but the eleventh time I lifted it. So I learned that you should never ever give up. And I think it's the same with this issue. They should never give up. They should be on it, and on it, until they get it done."
Towleroad
Happy Birthday Roland Emmerich!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - a nice Republican.
Arnie is improving:
"I think that gay marriage should be between a man and a woman."
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
Yep, I very much appreciate the encouragement from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I bet Maria has something to do with it :)
Posted on OMG - blogger mentions Jake
November 10, 2008
I went to london and got more then a T-shirt. I got a T-shirt from Superdry, some comics, a book of Hunter S Thompson letters, Bottle Rocket and the hopfully good cult-film Alterd States. I also got to hang out with my friends, east curry on Brick lane and sit next to Renée Zellweger and Jake Gyllenhaal while eating brakefeast. It was great.
http://www.newlaseridea.com/?p=83
Drew Barrymore was at a Vote No on Prop 8 protest, and told marchers, "I will fight with you!" [WOW Report]
not Chris:
http://www.iheartjakemedia.com/displayimage.php?pid=39397&fullsize=1
Agreed. But it does look like they have an entourage - the black guy in the back looks like the bodyguard we often see with them, and the guy who looks a little like Chris is looking directly at the photographer and pointing.
Their love is so spontaneous!
Haha, this story about Zac Efron contains the following line: "Zac was different from other kids… He liked musicals, not girls." Just what are you implying? [Mirror]
There's too many important issues to worry about J&R reeking havoc all over London. ;)
Zac was different from other kids… He liked musicals, not girls.
Some enchanted evening
You may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you'll see him
Again and again.
Awwww Jake, I love that song! ;)
Lee Stranahan
Four Lessons Gay Marriage Actvists Must Learn From Obama
Barack Obama won a historic and overwhelming victory. It's too bad the proponents of gay marriage don't seem to have learned much about how and why he won.
I am in total agreement with those who want gay marriage to be legal. They are right. Being right isn't enough. In fact, many progressives have found an odd sort of contentment in being grumbling angry losers for years because they were so damn right. Now that Obama has lit the path for being both right and effective, it's time tor the conservatives to be the grumbling losers and time for progressives to chalk up victories on issues important to them by applying the lessons of this election.
1) Anger Loses
The protests and expressions of anger on the part of the GLBT community and their friends and family have been impressive. Thousands of people have taken to the street and their anger is justified. I don't think it's smart, however. I see no evidence at all that it's going to help advance the cause of gay rights.
If anger won elections, John McCain and Sarah Palin would now be the king and queen of America. McCain was practically bursting blood vessels in the last few speeches of the election and he lost in a landslide. Anger turned off the independents at the same time it fired up the base. Just because anger is justified doesn't mean it's wise. That's where discipline comes in. As Obama said repeatedly, "Don't boo - vote." In other words, channel your emotions into something more productive then the easy road of making loud noises.
WWOD? The McCain campaign threw a fresh pack of lies at Obama every chance they got. The number of death threats towards him increased as the angry McCain campaign cranked up the rhetoric. If anyone was justified in their anger, it would have been Barack Obama. He could have struck back in anger and fired up the Democratic base to take to the streets to protest racism and lies.
Obama could have gotten angry.. He didn't. He won. We all won.
2) Get Organized
The No On 8 people have shown they can get big numbers out to a rally. So why couldn't they run an effective ad campaign, send out a clear message or win the election?
The Yes on 8 crowd had the advantage of a built in organizing system in the churches. It's the same organizational structure that explains why Fireproof, a Christian themed, ultra low budget movie with Kirk Cameron as the lead has grossed more than Oliver Stone's 'W'. Churches are good at getting groups of people to do things en masse. That's not a bad thing; it sure helps when they do charity work.
And the ability to organize people isn't a left / right thing; black churches helped Obama. There's a similar secular power with unions or groups like the National Rifle Association. None of it was harnessed by the people in favor of gay marriage to any significant degree. Without that structural advantage, the pro gay marriage crowd needed to work harder and not be self satisfied. The forces that defeated gay marriage in California did what Obama did; they organized a diverse group of voters and got them out to the polls.
3) Outreach Works
Barack Obama showed that reaching beyond the base can yield big results. I haven't seen much evidence that the people who support gay marriage did much more than reach out to the people who already support gay marriage. In fact, rallies that have protesters yelling 'Mormon scum!' are negative outreach.
What if the gay community reached out to the black, Latino and Mormon communities that voted against gay marriage? What if instead of merely chalking up opposition to 'fear and hate' they went in churches and communities and started engaging in conversations? Would they meet with resistance? Of course. Would they see fear and hate? Absolutely. Changing a lifetime of thoughts and feelings isn't easy but the election showed us change does happen.
But African Americans, Latinos and Mormons all know firsthand the pain and frustration of discrimination. They have all seen their share of fear and hate. They know the value of marriage and family. The way to expose the things they have in common with their gay brothers and sisters is through dialog, not demonstration. It may seem like an unlikely alliance but it's just as unlikely as getting a white working class guy to vote for a President whose middle name is Hussein.
4) Pick Your Battles
The Obama campaign showed a lot of discipline in picking which battles to fight and which to avoid. Here's a good rule; pick battles you can win. The current tactic of trying to fight church tax exceptions is a dead on arrival loser of a battle. It's not going to happen.
Tax free churches have a long precedent in our society. It's a fight that will result in a direct battle with every religious organization in America, not just the ones opposed to gay marriage. Further, selectively going after the Mormon or Catholic church is a slippery slope. Trying to take away the tax exempt status of churches you don't like only makes it easier to take away that status for churches with inclusive agendas, like the Unitarian Universalists. Even that doesn't matter, however, since it won't happen.
Some people don't like the idea of picking battles because they want their entire agenda enacted right now. Well, wisdom says that 'perfect' is the enemy of 'good'. Incremental steps require patience but they work.
I believe that the enactment of Proposition 8 is a delay of the inevitable as our county moves towards a more perfect union. If my comrades will take a moment and learn the lessons of this last election, I hope that delay will be short.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/four-lessons-gay-marriage_b_142469.html
Just because anger is justified doesn't mean it's wise. That's where discipline comes in.
True and hard to achieve.
11:33 ITA - ! - this good wisdom mentions the Unitarian Universalists but let's not forget the United Church of Christ, of which Barack O is a member, also, myself, that has ordained GLBT pastors for twenty years and whose leadership has affirmed gay marriage for five years.
Joe Hill: what they forgot to kill goes on to Organize!
Be wise as serpents gentle as doves. :)
Zac was different from other kids… He liked musicals, not girls.
Jake during his rock and roll phase
^^^ Born In The U.S.A.
Couldn't agree more, Lee Stranahan! People really need to see and read that post. :)
Also, I don't think it necessarily means that people want to take away the tax-exempt status of certain churches, just investigate them and see if they are doing things the way they are supposed to.
^^in order to prevent them from using their influence unfairly in the future, going beyond their scope.
President Obama: "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage."
So marriage isn't a civil right?
^^No, I think that is his personal belief. I don't believe he intends to impose his personal beliefs on society, which is why he is against Prop 8. I don't think civil unions offer the same amount of rights as gay marriage in full, unless steps are taken to change that. He promises to repeal DOMA, which is a very big thing.
Barry O' has apparently got to say that. His "denomination" does not agree! Maybe he does, maybe he doesnt, this is new territory for alot of people. Give 'em a break. Jesus! Not too long ago there were laws against fuckin' if you were not married, laws against black/white marriage.
I believe with all my foolish heart the guy's on our side. and that affirmation of gay marriage at this time is a slippery slope.
it will happen and I believe very soon.
fuckin' gov't has no business intruding, unless to affirm equality for all. it will happen!
and I think very soon.
on the other hand we may all be dead tomorrow. who was it, Kurt Vondewhatever, who said: whatever.
No, I think that is his personal belief.
I think so too.
I'm interested in Obama's believes but gay marriage is about equality before the law or equality under the law - his belief shouldn't matter.
Sorry, I wasn't clear. Marriage is a civil right for all. Politicians jugges may hold personal beliefs, but they have to work within the law, impartially. The U.S. Supreme Court judges - the more liberal will be the first to need replacing as the more conservatives are younger, so no liberal ground will be gained until some of the conservative justices are replaced with more liberal. Don't know when that will happen during the hopefully 8 Democratic years. It's playing the odds - plus, you never know how they will vote, they are the hopefully impartial interpreters of the law. Who would have thought that Chief Justice Earl Warren, and the predominantly conservative Warren Court, would have issued decided the landmark rulings of Brown v. Board of Education, among others relating to civil liberties. It could be as remarkable time in our history now as it was then.
^^Politicians and judges
Politicians and judges. well, they're what we've we got. Politicians are like weathermen, they know which way the wind is blowing and maybe that's good for us The Populace. Judges are supposed to keep some intellectual distance, and I think that's okay, and even, heartening.
Let's not diss them, they serve as hedges against ignorance and hysteria.
Yes marriage is a civil right for ll. This will become clear.
Marriage is a civil right for all.
Is or should be?
Yes, I think it inherently is a civil right for all.
Unfortunately this right is not recognised by the law so we're back to square one.
Ryan/Abbie with Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Evan Rachel Wood yesterday in LA: http://www.usmagazine.com/hot_pics_gallery
"Anonymous said...
Yes, I think it inherently is a civil right for all.
November 10, 2008 1:03 PM
Anonymous said...
Unfortunately this right is not recognised by the law so we're back to square one.
Hardly "square one" - alot of work has been done and as we see from the USAan prez election results - may take awhile, but we get there!
Aint no turnin' back to "square one" even though it might look like it sometimes.
Blab Blab Blab: As Ryan Mingles, Abbie Talks Heath
"He was amazing...such a generous actor. Interactive and energetic. That movie meant a lot to me."
—Abbie Cornish on working with her Candy costar Heath Ledger. A.C. was more than happy to wax poetic about her former fellow Aussie as opposed to her current flame, Ryan Phillippe, while schmoozing the Behind the Camera Awards. Interesting that Ryan was happily chatting up everyone else all night, leaving a lonely-looking Ab alone most of the evening to fend for herself all though the fete. Exactly what Abbie's friends predicted would happen.
Dear Ted:
My sister and I were just discussing the trailer for the movie Australia, which led us to a discussion of Hugh Jackman, which led me to wonder: Has Hugh ever been the subject of one of your Blind Vices?
—Em
Dear Daring Down Under:
Has he ever.
Dear Ted:
OK, I admit it, I haven't read your goodies in a long time because I can't follow the new blog...doesn't flow easily. But I missed ya, so I'm going to try my damnedest to read it. Because I haven't been around for a while, so I don't know if you've mentioned Hayden C. and Rachel B. OK, what the hell is up with these two? Everyone who follows any H&R news suspects the hookup is a sham. So, what's the point of this showmance?
—maxjaxxon
Dear Lying Lovers?
These two kiddos aren't nearly camera-hog desperate enough to be double-checked for signs of fakery. If they're together just for show, they need to get out more, 'cause we're not paying much attention.
Dear Ted:
Is Justin Timberlake the Oded Good-Head in One Unmanageable Blind Vice?
—Kamila
Dear Jonesing on Just:
Not quite, hon. Our guy's been in fewer flicks than J.T. But not by much. Other than that, they both do have a great deal in common.
Dear Ted:
One Sneaky Dame Blind Vice is so Jessica Simpson. Wasn't she with Bam and then the guy from Maroon 5 before the divorce was final?
—srm24
Dear Jumpin' on Jess:
Does Romo know all this? And no, the elder Simpson isn't Shafterella Shoshstein. Think less buxom.
Dear Ted:
When do you think the inevitable breakup between hottie Orlando Bloom and that underwear ho will be? I am hoping for a Merry Christmas.
—Tina
Dear No Time Like the Present:
We don't think Orlando'll fit in your stocking—try his more stocking-size Lord of the Rings costar Elijah Wood.
Hayden C. and Rachel B. - These two kiddos aren't nearly camera-hog desperate enough to be double-checked for signs of fakery. If they're together just for show, they need to get out more, 'cause we're not paying much attention.
Interesting.
James Franco Marches with Opponents of Proposition 8 in L.A.
Actor James Franco, who I can report (after continually mocking his non-stop gibberish about kissing Sean Penn) is exceptionally convincing as Harvey Milk's lover Scott Smith in Gus van Sant's Milk, was spotted by marcher Albert Domasin at this weekend's L.A. Prop 8 protest.
It's not the best photo I've ever seen of Franco, but I applaud him for making Harvey Milk proud and getting out there.
Towleroad
Thanks Franco!
^Thanks to all the celebs who weren't afraid to raise their voice against prop 8.
VIDEO: Six Film Clips from MILK
Focus Features has provided the IESB with six film clips from MILK starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco and Emile Hirsch.
VIDEO: Six Film Clips from MILK + stills
Speaking of which, is this Anne Hathaway protesting h8?
Thanks Anne!! :)
No, that's Rose McGowan.
Thanks Rose!
Try love instead
Letter To California: Hate Won't Solve 8
With even California's Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, getting in on the anti-Prop 8 action, it seems that, between the growing protests and the liberal sadness over the passage of California's anti-gay marriage amendment there might eventually be something not to be that sad about. The reaction by many people — like Dan Savage and some racial-epithet-using protesters in L.A. this weekend — will never be one of those things. Signs aside, you can't fight H8 with hate.
There has been a lot of talk on the blogosphere about how African-American voters are supposedly to blame for the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Yes, as Ta-Nehisi Coates acknowledges, 70% of African-American voters in California reportedly voted in favor of the amendment (according to a CNN exit poll). Given that African-Americans are one of the smallest minorities in the state of California and the margin of loss is something like 500,000, there's simply no way that African-Americans were the "cause" of the loss. Alex Blaze over at Billerico points out what should (otherwise) be blindingly obvious: ace is not the biggest factor in whether a Californian voted against same sex marriage. In fact, religious affiliation, current marital status and party identification were all bigger factors — and bigger pools of voters from which to draw yes votes.
So how does dropping n-bombs and blaming every African-American in the state of California (including the 30 percent who voted against Prop 8) help? It doesn't, and it's blind, racist, disrespectful of people's religious values, hateful, ignorant, and a convenient way to scapegoat a much-abused minority group that did not push, fund, mislead voters about its implications or herald, as a community, the passage of Prop 8. That dubious distinction belongs to, among others, the Mormon Church and the Knights of Columbus, groups in which African-Americans have little high-level participation. So people can either read posts like Shanikka's on DailyKos, Alex Blaze's on Bilerico or Pam Spaulding's on HuffPo and recognize that this scapegoating is based in false assumptions and poor statistics, or they can keep shouting racial epithets at African-Americans in Los Angeles and others can allow it to happen without shouting down the bigots in the LGBT community. Because that will make everything better, obviously. No need to work together, to learn together and educate one another when you can just yell and scream and carry on...because that's how you obtain civil rights.
Try love instead
6:12 PM, that's Rose McGowan.
Many thanks, James Franco, Rose McGowan and Drew Barrymore!
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