LGBT Entertainment
Charlize Theron Won't Get Married Until All Her Gay Friends Can, Too
Published September 17, 2009 @ 05:56PM PT
Looks like the latest Hollywood trend is to pledge not to get married until all people -- straight folks and gays and lesbians -- have the right to do so. Earlier this week, True Blood actor Mechad Brooks said he wouldn't tie the knot until same-sex marriage was legal, and now Charlize Theron adds her name to the list of celebs who'd rather not walk down the aisle until the aisle is inclusive of everyone.
Theron has long been a supporter of marriage equality, famously saying last year that laws like Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, reminded her of South African apartheid. Discriminatory laws are discriminatory laws, according to Theron, whether they're on the books in 1980s South Africa or 2009 America.
Theron made her marriage equality comments on The View, where she was promoting her new movie, The Burning Plain.
"I don't want to get married because right now the institution of marriage feels very one-sided, and I want to live in a country where we all have equal rights," Theron said. She's been dating actor Stuart Townsend for more than eight years.
At eight years, you're already practically married, right? Still, making it official while so many folks aren't given access to marriage rights goes beyond Charlize's sense of decency.
"I think it would be exactly the same if we were married, but for me to go through that kind of ceremony, because I have so many friends who are gays and lesbians who would so badly want to get married, that I wouldn't be able to sleep with myself," Theron said.
Lack of sleep -- reason #419 to sign the National Marriage Boycott.
Principled and heartfelt stances -- reason #120 to love Charlize Theron. Video of her appearance on The View below.
Logo's Gay Blackout for Equality
Published September 14, 2009 @ 09:23AM PT
In less than a month, folks will be converging on Washington, D.C. for the National Equality March, the first nationwide gathering of LGBT folks and straight allies in the nation's capital in nearly ten years. It'll be a weekend-long event meant to bring the excitement, energy, and commitment of LGBT activists working across the country together for a weekend -- October 10-11, 2009 -- for media trainings, lobbying trainings, and of course, a march.
Logo, the LGBT television network famous for its Big Gay Sketch Show and Noah's Arc (among other things), will go dark during the hours of the march as a symbol of solidarity for equality. Instead of TV, viewers that stumble upon Logo will receive a message about how they can get involved in organizing for LGBT rights.
"The National Equality March resonates strongly with Logo's gay and straight audience because we all expect equality in all aspects of our lives," said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Logo. "Our unprecedented action of 'going dark' underscores the significance of the event and what Equality Across America is hoping to achieve. Supporting the March reaffirms Logo's ongoing commitment to the campaign for equality for everyone."
That's a pretty bold step for a television network to take. The blackout itself will run from 11:00am-3:00pm EST on Sunday, October 11. In addition to Logo, the Broadway musical Hair will shut down on 10/11 so that the cast and crew can travel down to D.C. to participate in the March.
Don't worry...change.org won't be shutting down :) But we'll be down in D.C. blogging, snapping photos, interviewing folks, and tweeting. Stay tuned! And for more info on the National Equality March, click here.
Tom Ford Thinks Banning Gay Marriage is...
Published September 12, 2009 @ 12:15PM PT
Fashion designer turned film director Tom Ford has a few choice words for countries and states that decide to ban gay marriage. Or, rather, one choice word. Any guesses?
Take it away, Tom.
"It is, I have to say, quite disgusting that in America and in other countries you cannot have a civil union or something equivalent to marriage," says Ford.
Ford has a new movie coming out, "A Single Man," which delves into the storyline of a middle-aged gay man who loses his partner in a tragic accident, and is left wandering through life lonely, afraid, scared, and -- in many ways -- looking to reignite his spark. Though "A Single Man" itself is not bent on politics, it's not hard to see how this story lends itself to many of the arguments made by marriage equality activists. Ford himself drew these connections while speaking at the Venice Film Festival.
"I have someone I’ve lived together with for 23 years. Recently he was in hospital for something. I had to carry papers on me at all times that he had signed saying that I could visit him in his room and make medical decisions for him if anything happened. Our taxes, by the way: if I died tomorrow my estate would be completely taxed and then the remainder go to him whereas if we were a couple his life wouldn’t have to change and my entire estate would move to him," says Ford.
And those are just some of the 1,100 benefits not given to gay and lesbian couples, but that are given to heterosexual couples in marriage.
That, frankly, is disgusting. Not to mention unequal, unfair, and unjust.
"A Single Man," by the way, is winning rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival, with Colin Firth's performance as the middle-aged man who loses his lover receiving the best actor award. Check out a trailer for the film below.
American Idol Gets Its First LGBT Judge: Ellen DeGeneres
Published September 09, 2009 @ 06:05PM PT
Well, she certainly doesn't have the chart-topping history that Paula Abdul has, but American Idol has named Ellen DeGeneres as its fourth judge for its upcoming season. Which means that the show is about to get a lot funnier, and about to launch Ellen DeGeneres' career into the stratosphere.
"I'm thrilled to be the new judge," said DeGeneres. "Think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote."
It's also likely to be a boon to the nearly nine-year old television show, which has seen its ratings dip these past few years to their lowest ever this past May. Guess they need, as DeGeneres might put it, "a homosexual standing in a suit" to get viewers watching again.
Either way, it's a good day for LGBT pop culture.
(Photo courtesy of ronpaulrevolt2008's photostream on Flickr.)
Broadway for Equality
Published August 30, 2009 @ 06:51PM PT
A group of theater folk rallied this past weekend in Central Park with one clear message: it's time for equal rights for LGBT people. The group? Broadway Impact. And they'll be taking their message to Washington later this Fall to support a nationwide gathering for equality.
Organized by Hair actor Gavin Creel, Broadway Impact is organizing 42nd street (and the neighboring vicinty) to support the National Equality March, which is scheduled to happen the weekend of October 10-11 in Washington, D.C.
The National Equality March is being organized by Equality Across America. They're working to get grassroots leaders in all 435 Congressional districts to come to Washington, DC on the weekend of October 10-11 to stand for issues that are near and dear to all of us: Ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, passing inclusive hate crimes legislation and an employment non-discrimination act, and standing for full marriage equality.
Broadway is stepping up to the plate, which should take care of NY's 14th Congressional District. The entire production of Hair will be suspended on October 11 so that the cast and crew can travel down to DC and attend the National Equality March. And if this past weekend's rally in Central Park is any indication, more Broadway folks will be heading down as well.
Oskar Eustis, the Public Theater's artistic director, said that the message of Hair dictates that the production ought to be supporting rallies like the National Equality March. "Hair has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state," Eustis said. "Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!"
Rally cries! We look forward to hearing the same message come October 11.
(Photo from http://broadwayworld.com)
A Top Chef for Marriage Equality
Published August 29, 2009 @ 05:31AM PT
Tom Colicchio, the co-host of Bravo's Top Chef, took to the blogosphere this week to talk a little about marriage equality. His comments come in the wake of an episode of the show where contestants were asked to prepare food for a heterosexual wedding in Las Vegas. As several of the LGBT contestants on the show pointed out, Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the states where gays and lesbians can't get married and are denied many of the benefits straight couples receive upon marriage - even if that straight marriage takes place at some casino's Chapel of Love and lasts all of three days (Ms. Britney).
We've long been afraid of Colicchio, but (to quote another Vegas superstar), maybe 'a new day has come.' Just what did Colicchio have to say about same-sex marriage?
"I’m going to go out on a limb and say a few words about same-sex marriage: First of all, part of the problem with the issue is that it is framed by opponents as a discussion of whether gay people should get special rights. This is specious – yes, special legislation or court decisions grant them the right to wed in a particular state, however this is done to ensure that they share equal protection under the law by finally being able to avail themselves of the same rights as everyone else. They are not seeking special treatment, just equitable treatment."
Oh, that's good. But there's more! And this is the type of money line that has us pumping our fist afterward.
"The idea that religious leaders are continuing to shape state law is just wrong. The institution of marriage should be available to all. The idea that you can have a life-long partner and not make decisions for them in a hospital, not share in insurance benefits, not automatically have parental rights unless you are the birth parent, is just flat-out wrong."
Perhaps someone should introduce Tom Colicchio to Monica Hesse at the Washington Post. Lord knows she certainly needs more education on the issue of marriage equality and LGBT issues, after her embarrassing toast to the National Organization for Marriage.
Linda Rondstadt has an Eight-Letter Word for Homophobes
Published August 27, 2009 @ 10:22AM PT
Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight, there's a 1970s-80s musical superstar advocating for equal rights for LGBT people. And her name is Linda Rondstadt.
Rondstadt, who is currently the Artistic Director for the San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival, spoke with PlanetOut about why she works for equal rights for LGBT people, why marriage equality will be a reality across the country very soon, and why LGBT people are a gift for families. In fact, Rondstadt has an eight-letter word for people who think that LGBT pose a threat to children or families: Bullshit.
Rondstadt also said that at its best, the LGBT population in this country has taught us all a thing or two about community.
"Some of the strongest community that we know in this country is in the gay community, because they’ve had to band together to survive emotionally," Rondstadt says in the interview. "I’m not so sure this country understands or values that."
Interestingly enough, Rondstadt was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 by the Silicon Vallery Group, Hispanic-Net. The award honors the work that Rondstadt is doing with a new social venture arts enterprise housed at the Mexican Heritage Corporation.
And speaking of, Rondstadt talks about how to make inroads in Latin@ communities on the issue of same-sex marriage. Part of that includes making sure that sexual orientation, and issues pertaining to LGBT rights, remain central in her programming Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival.
The interview is well worth the read, if not to catch up on what an historical ally is saying about LGBT rights, but to learn more about how art, multiculturalism, and equality are all coming together to work for change.
