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WATCH: Wendy Williams on Bruce Jenner — Transphobic or Not?
Commenters are differing on whether it was appropriate for Williams to speculate on a possible gender transition by the former Olympian, and a misquote has added fuel to the fire.
Dawn Ennis
Dear Morehouse Football
Dear Morehouse Football,
When I see you, I see my brothers, myself. When society sees me, they see a threat, a Black man. When the Black community sees me, they see their inferior, a Queer man. When I saw Lionel in Dear White People, I saw it all. Lionel played by Tyler James Williams speaks to my truth. I’m an outsider among outsiders — oppressed by the oppressed. Even at Morehouse College, there are times that I feel like an oppressed minority. As a result, I wasn’t surprised by the news of you all’s recent fiasco at a showing of Dear White People in Columbia. Though I’m not surprised, I am disconcerted. I’m upset because you all’s bombastic reactions say that my brothers support my demise. The idea that like Lionel my humanity could be erased if my sexual preference is discovered is daunting. However, what is even scarier than that is homophobia itself and the hyper-masculine culture here that fosters it. Morehouse cannot afford to foster the former nor the latter.
While at Morehouse, I’ve learned a great deal about others and myself. One thing I’ve come to learn is that my classmates and I are more similar than different. Frankly, football players are no different than me. At face value, we’re both unofficial college ambassadors. I am too a member of organizations supported by the school. Though I’m not on a team, I understand camaraderie, teamwork and dedication — all fundamental principles to a team’s success. As members of historic organizations, we stand on the shoulders of others, and we seldom are lauded for who we are individually. Ergo, I’ve internalized an African proverb Ubuntu, meaning, “I am who I am because of what we all are.” It suggests interdependence, and the notion: We are stronger as a collective than as individuals. In short, it is not our individuality by which we are distinguished, but rather by our collectivity.
Before Dear White People premiered, I previewed the film and engaged in dialogue with the director Justin Simien at a special screening. The screening was hosted by Morehouse’s Cinema & Emerging Media Studies (CTEMS) program; both students and faculty members from the Atlanta University Center filled the audience. During the film, audience members expressed various reactions to Lionel, because of his sexuality. The audience groaned with disappointment at Lionel’s advances toward a same-sex love interest; however, conversely, they cheered with thunderous applause as Lionel kissed the antagonist as a sort of lethal attack — which I thought to be a fallacy in character delineation.
The film’s pivotal moments, such as those mentioned above, sparked great dialogue amongst the audience and the director following the film’s showing. As CTEMS director Dr. Stephanie Dunn mediated, we engaged in intellectual discourse on race, gender identity and sexuality. Morehouse must do the same. In order for Morehouse to thrive, we must increase the active, progressive intellectual discourse on campus even that about race, gender identity and sexuality. As assumed, it starts in the classroom; then into Chivers Hall, the cafeteria; into the residence halls; and finally, internalized into the minds of men of Morehouse. As college students, we should eagerly invite and foster intellectual discourse. For Dear White People, discourse could have centered around Lionel’s lack of character motivation to kiss the antagonist, be it that he begins as an aloof and feeble character that would not be assumed to have enough gall to kiss his oppressor on the lips. Another could be how Simien uses homosexuality as a weapon of emasculation — Lionel kissing the antagonist makes the antagonist weak, less manly. Why is homosexuality still a weapon of mass destruction? Why are men of Morehouse entertaining such a contention?
If we cannot have intellectual discourse, can we have humanity? Four years ago Vibe Magazine published the infamous “Mean Girls of Morehouse” article. Today it seems that we’re at the other end of the spectrum. This polarizing change is concerning. We need to address and deal with the prevalent culture centered on performed, hyper masculinity at Morehouse. It’s neither healthy nor prolific. Instead of fostering competitiveness and distinction, the community should encourage its students to consider the humanity of others.
Did One Direction's Harry Styles just come out as bisexual?
Singer says gender ‘not that important’ when it comes to a potential love interest
gregh
www.gaystarnews.com/article/did-one-directions-harry-styles-just-come-out-bisexual041114
Federal Judge Blocks Kansas’s Ban on Marriage Equality
U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree issues preliminary injunction ordering Kansas to stop enforcing discriminatory marriage ban
HRC.org
This Filmmaker Will Send You A Nude Selfie If You Donate To His Kickstarter Campaign
Lithuanian filmmaker Romas Zabarauskas certainly knows the way to a gay man’s heart: he’s offering naked photos to anyone who donates to his Kickstarter. Well, okay, if you insist!
He apparently also knows that gay men are cheapskates when it comes to porn, because for only $1 you can get his “racy photo shoot.”
The project is called You Can’t Escape Lithuania, and it appears to be a semi-autobiographical mostly-fictional artsy-craftsy hipster story about two young people on a dangerous road trip. Lithuania isn’t exactly a safe place for queers: like Russia, lawmakers have been instituting increasingly homophobic laws to punish and imprison gays. It’s not a fun place.
Those elements will probably pop up in Romas’ new film.
His previous works, Porno Melodrama and We Will Riot, combined sex and politics too, and played at various international film festivals. He used Kickstarter for his earlier work as well, but this might be the raciest of his projects. “The more money you will send me, the more of my body you will see,” he says in his pitch video. Donors over $50 will get a signed naked photo if they hit their $20,000 target.
Other rewards: temporary tattoos, digital downloads, a t-shirt — you know, the usual Kickstarter stuff. That’s all well and good, but we came for flesh.
matt baume
NEWS: Election Day, Teotihuacan, Ice Bike, Ben Stein
Another friendly reminder to VOTE!
Will Michael Fassbender step in to play Steve Jobs in the Aaron Sorkin-penned bio-pic now that Christian Bale is out?
Archaeologists unearth treasure horde at ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan: “A large offering found near the entrance to the chambers [inside a tunnel], some 59 feet (18 meters) below the Temple of the Plumed Serpent, suggests they could be the tombs of the city’s elite. “Because this is one of the most sacred places in all Teotihuacan, we believe that it could have been used for the rulers to … acquire divine endowment allowing them to rule on the surface,” Gomez said.”
Meet the world’s first ice bike.
In case you weren’t quite over Halloween: Beyonce also dressed as Frida Kahlo for All Hallow’s Eve.
Speaking of Beyonce, more Bey is coming your way.
LISTEN: Chvrches release their song “Dead Air” from new Hunger Games soundtrack.
Iceland’s ban on gay men donating blood to be challenged: “Our blood is not infected. This is a completely clear example of discrimination based on sexual orientation.”
VIDEO: Davey Wavey has straight guys try to explain gay slang (Warning: possibly work unfriendly).
Sun’s out, guns out: the boys of Magic Mike XXL are in the final days of filming.
Are Miley Cyrus and Patrick Schwarzenegger an item?
Conservative pundit and TV personality Ben Stein says President Obama is the most racist president ever: “He is purposely trying to use race to divide Americans.”
Steven Tyler opens up about alcohol and drug abuse: “I am also a drug addict and alcoholic and fighting it every day…I had it all. I didn’t care. And I hurt my family and my children and my friends. If it wasn’t for the program of AA, I would have nothing. I’m a better drug addict and alcoholic than I am a musician. I got to keep it in check.”
Angelina Jolie is open to running for political office someday.
Sean Mandell
Mike Michaud Is Your LGBT Candidate | Quickies
Mike Michaud, from Maine, is United States’ first openly gay candidate for Governor. Find out more at news.logotv.com! SUBSCRIBE: logo.to/ZirLXq LogoTV’s Official Site: logo.to/ZiqD…
Why Every Man Should Dress in Drag at Least Once
I never really had the desire to dress up as a woman. For years I had a hard time understanding why some gay men were so obsessed with drag.
Photo courtesy David Bonner
This Halloween I was in drag for the second year in a row. A friend initially prompted me to do it, and I loved it so much the first time that I decided to do it again.
Something happens when you put on a dress, a wig, and some makeup. Your personality transforms. You just can’t help it.
It was a hoot, but it also served as a teaching moment. I think every man — gay, straight, or in between — could benefit from a day in drag. And here’s why:
More Empathy Toward Women
Growing up in a house with a mother and two sisters, I watched as they applied makeup every day, not thinking much of it. I didn’t realize what was really happening. They were painting on a face every single day. On Halloween I found out just how long a process this is. And don’t get me started on the heels. After just a few hours in low heels, my dogs were barking. I can’t imagine spending an entire day in stilettos. It’s torturous!
Feeling Pretty Feels Good
Some men are used to hearing terms like “handsome,” but being told you are pretty is pretty awesome. I received a lot of compliments among the West Hollywood crowd, but I was touched when half a dozen women throughout the night looked me in the eye and told me I was truly beautiful. How’s that for a self-esteem booster?
Feeling Like a Star
Dozens of people from all walks of life wanted to pose with me for a picture. There were so many flashbulbs it felt like the paparazzi were there. It was as though I were on a red carpet. This was great for the ego and gave me a tiny taste of celebrity.
Photo courtesy David Bonner
Feeling Free
Dressing up in character allows us to switch identities and loosens up the inhibitions. It allows us to say things we might not otherwise utter in our more reserved lives. It allows us to be bold and approach people we might otherwise find intimidating. Though we’re in character, dormant parts of our personalities start to emerge, and I believe that’s a good thing.
Flaws Are Forgiven
When you dress in drag, people like the campiness of it. They admire the boldness it takes to get into character, and I find they forgive your flaws. If you have a little extra fat around the waistline, it doesn’t matter. If your arms are hairy, they expect it. If your makeup isn’t perfect, they embrace the effort it took to slap it on. In a world where we are so critical of others, it’s nice to get a pass. And when men put on dresses for Halloween, they’re given that pass.
I won’t be competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race anytime soon, but I am looking forward to picking out a dress for next year. I’ll be smarter too and wear flats!
Newlywed David Burtka to star in wedding themed Broadway musical directed by David Hyde Pierce
Hubby of Neil Patrick Harris to return to Broadway stage after a decade-plus away in It Shoulda Been You
gregh
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