26 'Gay' Men Arrested at Cairo Bathhouse Caged for Court Appearance

The men who were arrested December 2 appeared in court Sunday, weeping and asking for belief in their innocence.

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Thom Senzee

www.advocate.com/world/2014/12/24/26-gay-men-arrested-cairo-bathhouse-caged-court-appearance

Oscar Winning Costume Designer Colleen Atwood Vies For Yet Another Nomination
You might not know her by name, but costume designer Colleen Atwood’s visual impact on the silver screen has hardly gone unnoticed. A frequent collaborator with heavy hitters Tim Burton, Jonathan Demme and Rob Marshall, Atwood has lent her creative talent to more than 60 feature films, including “Edward Scissorhands,” “Beloved” and “Silence of the Lambs.” She’s picked up three Academy Awards for Best Costume Design (“Chicago,” “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Alice in Wonderland”), with another seven nominations. And she shows no signs of stopping there.

“I moved to New York in 1980 with $800,” she told The Huffington Post. “I sewed labels on for bespoke designers in SoHo.” Her technical skills would quickly improve as she’s become known for inconceivably intricate designs and brilliant, one-of-a-kind pieces. Honored recently at the Middleburg Film Festival, Atwood received the Distinguished Costume Designer award.

Atwood’s latest project embodies her strengths, creating far more elaborate designs than fans would recognize from a stage production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” “The trickiest aspect of about ‘Into the Woods,’ and the thing that changed when it became a Disney film, is that Little Red was played by an adult [on Broadway] and in the film she is played by a child,” Atwood explained.

Rob Marshall, director of the ambitious and star-studded adaptation of “Into the Woods,” in theaters Dec. 25, has had the good fortune to join forces with Atwood on numerous occasions.

“Johnny [Depp] was actually very involved in the creation of [his costume],” Marshall told HuffPost, “because he is a creative force, obviously. He was very inspired by the wolf of the cartoons of Tex Avery from the ’40s, where the Wolf is dressed in a zoot suit and a fedora, and it’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“In costuming, a lot of actors dread the fitting — a new form of punishment — but once they’re in the room they love it,” Atwood said. “It’s about presenting a point of view. In a fitting, you can see right away whats not working for an actor.”

The Witch. A sketch by Colleen Atwood for “Into the Woods.”

For “Into the Woods,” Marshall used Atwood’s longstanding relationship with Depp to his advantage. “[Atwood and Depp] have worked together on everything from ‘Edward Scissorhands’ to ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ they’ve done a million movies together and I’ve done a million movies with Colleen. So, we were able to find our stylized version of the Wolf, and let Johnny play it.”

Atwood reiterated Depp’s influence in the design process: “Johnny has a certain intuitive sense of style and character that is definitely something he owns,” she said. “I’ve known Johnny for 20 years, so I’ve seen Johnny become Johnny, in a way. In designing for him, I try to give him little magical things: for instance, when I did ‘Alice,’ thimbles for his fingers and a pin cushion ring I found on eBay.”

These “magical things” foster the talent’s eccentricities, Atwood explained, offering something more prominent costume pieces do not. “I don’t particularly like films where I have to go shopping and go through 25 people to decide which white blouse is the right white blouse,” she said. “That’s not for me.”

She’s managed to avoid being pigeonholed throughout her decades-long career, designing costumes for everything from ballets to commercials. But Atwood admits her most remarkable creations have appeared in Burton’s films, and that she’s turned him down just once. “The only time I’ve ever said no to Tim was ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ for personal reasons, but initially I was supposed to do it,” Atwood explained. “It was very tough, but its strange, because at the same time, right after I said no, which was heartbreaking because I really wanted to do it, they called me to do ‘Memoirs of a Geisha,’ which was a blessing in a different way,” she said. (Atwood’s work on “Memoirs of a Geisha” was recognized with an Oscar for Best Achievement in Costume Design — her second.) “In my career I’ve been extremely lucky.”

Not every film Atwood has worked on earned an Oscar nod, but that’s not what drives her work. “The Martian Girl dress [for Burton’s ‘Mars Attacks’] went through many evolutions. But it was the most awesome kind of costume, because it was so low tech,” she said. Known for fantastic, hand-made designs, Atwood proves that sometimes all it takes a little glitter and glue to pull off a showstopper. “People just didn’t get [‘Mars Attacks’] at the time and it’s such a cool movie. I remember the premiere was very industry. It’s a shame that the reaction wasn’t more positive — like one finger clapping — and I was really bummed for time. We went across the street to the party and Jack [Nicholson] and he looks and me and says, ‘Who cares! It’s a great movie,’ and I think he’s right and I’m really glad I did it.”

Though often months of planning goes into a single design, a somewhat abbreviated conceptualization has produced exceptional results at least once for the designer.

“I did that mask [worn by Hannibal Lecter in ‘Silence of the Lambs’] and it was loosely based on a hockey mask — and originally it was going have a different surface, but a sample came in to try on Anthony [Hopkins] and it was in raw fiberglass, which looked like skin, and I said, ‘Well, I think it’s done.’ It was so creepy that way that it worked,” Atwood explained. “We had no idea it would be so creepy.”

The impeccable severity to the costumes for “Gattaca,” 1997’s absorbing sci-fi flick starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, were a testament to the designer’s resourcefulness. “‘Gattaca’ had a really low budget, but I found a lot of really beautiful ’30s men’s suits, and I recut some ’80s suits with modern fabric to make it work,” she said. “I could dress that way myself in that it’s urban timelessness, almost like a uniform.”

Amused by the notion that she’d ever imagine herself in, say, seductress Velma Kelly’s shoes, however, Atwood described her design philosophy as it relates to the dazzling pieces she created for “Chicago,” Marshall’s 2002 musical adaptation that racked up six Oscars of 12 nominations (including Atwood’s for the costumes). “When I design costumes, it’s an external thing,” she said, “not something that I see myself in. It’s a vision that I have of other things. My wardrobe, I tend to keep it rather simple.” In her own closet, Atwood reaches for Saint Laurent, and “usually something black.”

To emerging costume designers with aspirations to work in Hollywood, Atwood offers sound advice: “It’s different now, but it’s not different. If you get a job on a film, even if not in the department you want to be in, take it. If you’re good at your job and you work hard, people will notice — It’s a foot in the door … At the end of the day, I’m proud to say that I experience continual joy in what I do,” Atwood said, racking up Oscar nominations along the way.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/24/colleen-atwood-interview_n_6142646.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Anderson Cooper Tells Kelly Ripa He’d Like To Have Sex With Her Husband

It seems like every time Anderson Cooper visits Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, something awkward happens. Last time he outed Andy as a “total top,” which left Mr. Cohen more than a little uncomfortable. And last night, he and Kelly Ripa got into a heated discussion during a rousing match of Please the Fifth.

During the game, Kelly asked Anderson a series of questions including which of his CNN co-workers irritated him the most: Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, or Jake Tapper. (Mr. Cooper, naturally, pled the fifth on that one.) And who would be rather have sex with, Madonna or Cher? (He picked Madonna).

Kelly also asked: “Who would you rather have sex with, Mark Consuelos or me?”

Mark Consuelos is her husband of 18 years.

Anderson, ever the gentlemen, took a moment to formulate his answer in his head, then politely replied: “Mark. I guess.”

Kelly seemed fine with it at first, until Anderson awkwardly added: “I mean, he is a guy. You’re not. You’re a little too boy-like.”

“Boy-like”? What?

Check out the clip below.

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/WI4ibD-LWTs/anderson-cooper-tells-kelly-ripa-hed-like-to-have-sex-with-her-husband-20141224

Indie Video Game 'I'm Positive' Looks At What It's Like Getting A Positive HIV Test Result – WATCH

Charles Pulliam-Moore

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/im-positive-is-an-indie-game-about-getting-a-positive-hiv-test-result-watch.html

Zimbabwe: 35 Injured in Attack on LGBT Group's Holiday Party

A gathering of LGBT people in Zimbabwe’s capital city of Harare was attacked by armed men over the weekend, sending many to the hospital.

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Thom Senzee

www.advocate.com/world/2014/12/24/zimbabwe-35-injured-attack-lgbt-groups-holiday-party

Interview With Jodie Harsh, the (Drag) Queen of England

Photo Credit: Tim Bret Day

When it comes to fabulous drag queens, few in the world hold a candle to the gorgeous Jodie Harsh. This English queen rules the nightlife scene in London, and not just because of her stunning looks – she produces music for pop stars, is a majorly accomplished DJ, and has snatched the top spot on dance charts in countries all over the world. In addition, Jodie is the founder of Room Service, a weekday club night that has expanded from London to Ibiza, Tel Aviv, Sydney, Paris, and New York City. This past year she hosted the web series Drag Queen Problems for World of Wonder, answering tough queries from drag queens the world over.

An unbelievable list of accomplishments to be sure; and Jodie did it all in heels! I was fortunate to have a nice chat with this extraordinarily busy beauty about how she got her start, her music career, and what she plans on conquering next.

You first started your drag career while you were a student at the prestigious London School of Fashion. Was a relationship with fashion part of what initially drew you to drag?

To this day I still don’t really know why I started drag. It wasn’t something I planned for months or dreamt of from the age of ten. I moved to London the second I turned 18 – I literally couldn’t wait to get there. In my first university semester – in fact even before the first semester – I was running around town in drag. One day I thought “I’m going to do drag tomorrow night” and asked some friends to help me get it together, and since that day I’ve dressed like this most nights a week. Fashion has always been something I was into – the acquisition of desirable labels and forward-thinking aesthetics, a playfulness with trends, a disregard for gender-specific clothing. I think drag saved me from being a dandy or a hipster twat….I just went the whole hog.

Photo Credit: Tim Bret Day

What are the biggest inspirations for Jodie Harsh’s unique style?

Hairspray and sequins. Both of those things keep me upright. I like trousers rather than skirts, I don’t use padding or wear fake tits. I guess it’s quite a London look – a bit rock and roll, a little androgynous, but always colourful.

There are a lot of big name drag queens who create their own music, but almost none have had the success you’ve achieved with your fantastic dance tracks. Was a music career always something you wanted to pursue?

Again, career-wise, it was a total happy accident. I’ve been music and pop culture obsessed since I was a kid, but it was only when I started my parties and DJ’ing the warm-up sets that I thought I could make music myself.

The public’s relationship with drag is different in the UK than here in the States, thanks in part to legends like the fantastic Danny La Rue. How do you think this long-standing tradition of famous, relatively mainstream drag queens relates to the success you’ve achieved as Jodie Harsh?

Britain’s always been accepting of the quirky, the camp, the left of centre. It’s sort of just what we do. American drag comes from a different place – the dance floor and the pageant culture. Ours was born to seaside culture and comedy. I guess American drag’s heritage is beauty and talent and ours is banter and brains, ha!

Photo Credit: Tim Bret Day

You started your first club night Circus when you were quite young, and followed it up with Room Service just a few years later. What has made the events you promote so astronomically successful?

Parties are fun but they’re bloody exhausting. Circus and Room Service both lasted for years. It’s something I’m good at (and you’re only as good as your team – we put together awesome collectives with each club brand) but it’s not something I’ll do forever. I’m almost 30, I don’t want to be handing drinks tickets out at 40 having spent more than two decades awake all night. Throw a party like you’re inviting friends round for a cuppa and make everyone feel like they’re having the best night of their lives and they’ll tell their friends…and everyone will want to come. A sound is important – select the DJ’s carefully and make the music policy clear from the outset- it’s your main attraction. That’s the best advice I can give.

You can count some fantastic stars among your friends. What was it like for you when first began to meet fabulous people like Kelly Osbourne and Lily Allen?

Totally normal. They’re just people. I don’t really treat anyone differently because they have a cool job.

There are rumors flying all ’round the Internet that RuPaul is thinking of taking Drag Race to the UK, and that you might be involved. Can you shed any light on that?

Wouldn’t that be fabulous?! It would go down a storm in the UK. Let’s wait and see.

You released an awesome EP with Melanie C., of Spice Girls fame – who are some other artists you’d like to collaborate with?

I love a lot of the hip hop girls at the moment. Azealia Banks put out one of the best albums of 2014. I always wanted Lil’ Kim rapping on a dance track of mine. I like unconventional girls – Goldfrapp, Roisin Murphy, Lykki Li, La Roux, Banks. Then obviously all the biggies…Madonna would be nice…Rihanna….

Photo Credit: Greg Bailey

Other than continuing to DJ all over the world, what is next up for Jodie Harsh?

Studio all of January and February working on music for some artists, then a bit of touring, and putting out some of my own productions. I wanted to drop an EP at the end of 2014 but I got a bit caught up in making music for other people, which will start dripping out in summer 2015. It’ll be an exciting year!

Keep up to date on all things Jodie Harsh:

www.facebook.com/jodieharsh

twitter.com/jodieharsh

instagram.com/jodieharsh

www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-podell/interview-with-jodie-harsh-the-drag-queen-of-england_b_6375378.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices