10/25/2007
News: Heidi Fleiss, 50 Cent, Georgetown University, Banksy
Crimes: The cost of being LGBT in today's world.
REPORT: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi ready to split.
Entertainment Weekly: Why didn't Brokeback Mountain change anything? "According to almost every person interviewed for this story, there just aren't any high-quality gay scripts in circulation. 'I swear to you, if there were projects that were visible and good, people would make them,' says Hairspray producer Craig Zadan, who, with Neil Meron, makes up one of the most successful gay producing teams in town. 'No one's brought them to us.' It doesn't help that the scripts that are out there can't seem to get off the ground. The Front Runner, about a cross-country coach who falls in love with one of his runners, and The Dreyfus Affair, about a romance between two major-league ballplayers, have been in development hell for years. And Zadan and Meron themselves have spent 16 years trying to get The Mayor of Castro Street, about slain gay civil rights icon Harvey Milk, on the screen. So gay film is caught in a bitter catch-22. Because studios don't greenlight gay movies, great writers don't bother crafting them — so there's nothing for the studios to produce."
British rugby player de-planed and de-pantsed.
Following hate crime, Georgetown University finally makes commitment to LGBT community: "At an open forum last night, President John DeGioia commendably announced that Georgetown will have a fully-staffed, fully-funded LGBTQ resource center by next fall. Three working groups will be created to address the creation of the resource center, the development of a better bias-reporting system and plans for LGBTQ diversity training during New Student Orientation."
What happens if you stay awake for eleven days straight?
Singapore's gay rights debate got ugly: "There were threatening, expletive-laced emails. One parliamentarian had his sexuality questioned. Another academic was flamed in blogs and had her phone number circulated. And the employer of one gay professional was questioned about their hiring him. The ugly turn of events, some may say, is only to be expected given the emotional nature of the subject matter — one that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had warned on Tuesday could polarise society."
Heidi Fleiss seeking studs for stud farm.
50 Cent and Lance Bass do book battle.
While Morrissey does NYC, Reichen Lehmkuhl does drag.
New study on the effects of chewing gum on weight loss: "A research study presented at the 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting of The Obesity Society, found that chewing gum before an afternoon snack helped reduce hunger, diminish cravings and promote fullness among individuals who limit their overall calorie intake. Calorie intake from snacks was significantly reduced by 25 calories. Overall, this study demonstrates the benefits of chewing gum and highlights the potential role of chewing gum in appetite control and weight management. Nutritionists say that even small changes in calories can have an impact in the long term."
Desperate Housewives to get gayer as Estimates eclipsed at Banksy auction. Bonham's specialist: "Today's results demonstrate that prices for Banksy's work continue to go from strength to strength. Perhaps the most incredible aspect of the Banksy phenomenon ...(is) that as a self-confessed guerilla artist, he has been so wholeheartedly embraced by the very establishment he satirizes. We are sure that this irony is not lost on today's buyers."
San Francisco Episcopal diocese okays blessings for same-sex couples.
David Beckham voted "manliest" in poll.
Posted 12:17 PM EST by Andy in 50 Cent, Banksy, Brokeback Mountain, Crime, David Beckham, Desperate Housewives, Ellen DeGeneres, Episcopal Church, Film, Gay Rights, Health, Lance Bass, Morrissey, News, Rugby, Singapore | Permalink
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"Because studios don't greenlight gay movies, great writers don't bother crafting them "
I don't believe that. Isn't Hollywood about who you know, over quality? If some unknown without a good agent has a great gay movie which can make the studios big bucks, that movie will be made. It'll be rewritten to death, and have someone else's name on the cover by the end, but it'll be made.
Don't look to Hollywood. Look to the indies.
Posted by: Nita | Oct 25, 2007 12:44:23 PM
could be that ellen's unhinged whack of sobs was more to do with losing her kitty.
Posted by: A.J | Oct 25, 2007 12:45:31 PM
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi ready to split? Waouw, that'd explain the tears then from last week. Dog my a$$.
Oh and Beckham, "manliest"?(*histerical guffaws*)
Now, you'd think that a predominantly buddhist and taoist country would know better than coming down to this over political issues, but I guess people are people.
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 25, 2007 12:57:59 PM
What kind of stud farm would it be with no male-to-male action? Pretty boring, I'm sure.
Posted by: Jordan | Oct 25, 2007 1:05:04 PM
someone help me out. what the hell does the following sentence mean? "Desperate Housewives to get gayer as Estimates eclipsed at Banksy auction."
Posted by: nic | Oct 25, 2007 1:05:44 PM
...regarding Ellen, I've always gathered that comedians, in general, are tortured souls. A generic statement, obviously, but imagine spreading all that happiness 'round the office [i.e. The Ellen Show] each day and then sustaining that energy in a relationship at home.
Add on top of that a comedian sensibility and...well, homelife *may* suffer slightly...I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: midnight lounge | Oct 25, 2007 1:07:27 PM
re: Awake 11 days straight- reminds me of "Woyzeck". LOL, Lance Basshole's signing was not well attended, too funny. I heart David Beckham.
Posted by: Davey | Oct 25, 2007 1:07:38 PM
Becks is not even in the top 10 in LA!
Posted by: carter | Oct 25, 2007 1:23:19 PM
Cue another of Leland's anti-Reichen rant...
Posted by: Derek | Oct 25, 2007 2:10:27 PM
Anyone who thinks that one film after some 100 years of Hollywood homophobia was going to destroy the results of the celluloid closet is him/herself a fool. Or two films; or five; or ten. Anymore than racism and sexism and xenophobia have been eliminated by the multiplicity of films attempting to combat those bigotries for decades longer.
Ultimately, though, Follywood is all about M-O-N-E-Y. BBM made unprecedented amounts given its pro-gay, man kissing/man humping storyline, but not enough to trump their homophobia. Ironically, one form of bigotry was pitted against another come awards time and we saw all the "love me I'm a liberal" whites and nongays who make up the majority of the voters for Oscar trump their racism with their homophobia in picking "Crash" over "BBM" for Best Picture and, like Homer Simpson, their preference for "fags flaming" in Hoffman's Truman Capote over Ledger's Ennis Del Mar. BBM dwarfed “Crash” critically and brought in nearly twice as much. But the percentage of production cost to box office of “Crash” was better. Add the homophobia and that’s where we are, Chuck and Larry.
As for Singapore, all of its association with modernity and wealth aside it's still a country that has to put signs in elevators that say, "Please do not urinate here," and one can sit in a formal business meeting and be treated to a local deeply picking his/her nose right in front of you. Who's surprised their sexual attitudes also remain 19th century?
Thanks for the invitation, Derek. For the CDC, it’s reports about Salmonella on eggs and e Coli on spinach, though they sometimes comment on anal warts as I do. As for this one’s cheap whore drag, that’s only his bringing his behavior and his wardrobe in synch.
As for the allegedly sparsely attended book party of his ex Sugar Pop, hasn’t Pink heard of the Reichen Mafia [see Derek above]. They were probably trying to keep as many away as they could for fear that they’d hear more descriptions of their godmother like those Lance gave “Gentleman’s Quarterly”: “I thought, ‘Why does everyone hate him’? At the end I’m like, ‘Okay, everyone was right.’”
Posted by: Leland Frances | Oct 25, 2007 3:19:15 PM
I still haven't the slightest idea what this Reichen fellow does, but then, of course, I'm black.
Posted by: Derrick from Phily | Oct 25, 2007 3:28:25 PM
re: the effects of chewing gum on weight loss ... i had to check for a minute to make sure i hadn't accidentally landed on some pro-ana website, i'm sure this is gay-related in some obscure way, but i can't see how.
Posted by: rouquin ricain | Oct 25, 2007 3:39:43 PM
Hello? Gum, cum...geesh.
Posted by: Davey | Oct 25, 2007 3:44:52 PM
Leland, in order for their to be a "Reichen Mafia", people would have to know who Reichen is. And no one does. So what the fuck are you talking about?
Posted by: jj | Oct 25, 2007 3:47:22 PM
For the record: I really could care less about who Reichen is or what he does. I've said that numerous times now.
I just find it totally laughable and quite sad that someone as old and wise as you are Leland would waste so much of your time and energy critiquing this cheeseball's every move.
Imagine what you could achieve if you focused all that obsession somewhere else?
Posted by: Derek | Oct 25, 2007 4:17:42 PM
Thanks for your touching concern, Derek, however served on an ageist cracker. If you REALLY couldn't care less about what I say about Reichen, you'd have noticed that he is but one of many things I've focused on. From ENDA to DADTDP to HRC and SAAD to elections, past, present, and future, to gay history and activism and many of its players, past, present, and future, to the antigay industry to gay bashings and celebrity closet queens to movies and television programs, even many not gay-related such as "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "LOST," to the natural wonders of the appendages of Ewan McGregor and George Maharis. I may not have "achieved" anything with all of my commentary about all of those topics but from your selective perception I think it safe to conclude that "obsession" is in the eye of the beholder.
Posted by: Leland Frances | Oct 25, 2007 4:46:13 PM
Why Leland you are so most welcome. My parents instilled in me concern for the elderly since I was just a little tyke.
And indeed many things are in the eye of the beholder but to see the depths of your "obsession" with Reichen one can simply Google your name with his and peruse the myriad of comments, letters to the editor, and thoughts you have so consistently written about him, on so many websites, for sooooooo long now.
And no one could deny your passion, but more often contempt, for so many of Andy's posts. But this leads me to ask you Leland, why waste your time (like I should be talking) on someone who means so very little?
Posted by: Derek | Oct 25, 2007 6:23:38 PM
Why would you **Google Lelands name with Reichens and peruse the myriad of comments, letters to the editor, and thoughts he has so consistently written about him, on so many websites, for sooooooo long now**?
Posted by: AJ | Oct 25, 2007 6:53:05 PM
To satisfy my curiousity AJ thanks for asking.
And btw who was talking to you in the first place?
Posted by: Derek | Oct 25, 2007 8:42:55 PM
I am just totally cracking up about the elevators in Singapore with their "Please do not urinate here," signs, and the locals "deeply picking his/her nose right in front of you".
Thanks Leland! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. (Thank God I will never be anywhere near there...how many centuries will it take for those people to become civilized?)
Posted by: Jordan | Oct 25, 2007 8:55:59 PM
Re Nic's question - I was wondering the same thing - it looks like a posting re DH was begun, then somehow conflated with the Banksy story... Well, either that or DH is about to have some guerrilla graffiti story arc...
Posted by: johnnzboy | Oct 26, 2007 6:04:37 AM