Who Will Win? Emmy Awards Offers Unique Opportunity for LGBT Community
Ahead of the 67th Emmy Awards tonight, it is clear that Television Academy has a chance to make LGBT history.
HRC.org
Category Archives: NEWS
This Year’s Gay Days Weekend At Disney Will Be The Most Thrilling Yet
This Year’s Gay Days Weekend At Disney Will Be The Most Thrilling Yet
Eddie Shapiro (left) with friend
For one weekend this fall — October 2-4, to be specific — the happiest place on earth becomes one the gayest places on the planet. That’s when thousands of LGBT revelers walk through the gates of the Magic Kingdom transforming Disneyland into a landscape of red T-shirts. Since 1998 when it was organized by Eddie Shapiro and Jeffrey Epstein (who also coauthored the guide book Queens in the Kingdom), the annual event Gay Days Anaheim has drawn many thousands of fairy tale fans to the amusement park to thrill to both the exhilarating rides and the exciting parties. Shapiro, who now produces the weekend solo, chatted with Queerty about how Gay Days has evolved over the years, what he has planned for guests next month and how to maximize your pleasure during the weekend.
Queerty: This will be the 18th annual Gay Days weekend. How do you keep the activities fresh every year?
Eddie Shapiro: One of the things I adore about producing Gay Days is that I can add whatever I want, so if I can imagine it, I can add it to the weekend. I asked Audra McDonald if she wanted to perform last year and she couldn’t, but this year she could so, poof, it’s on the schedule. Ben Rimalower is a friend of mine and I saw his fantastic show, Patti Issues, off-Broadway. I asked him if he wanted to do it at Gay Days, he did, and, poof, It’s on the schedule. At the same time, we keep a lot of the favorites like our three signature parties, but even those change every year with different headliners. And we keep our in-park activities as Gay Days traditions because people love them!
How involved is Disney in the actual organizing of the weekend?
They are both very involved and not at all. On the one hand, all of the programming decisions are done by me, but on the other, I couldn’t make most of them work without Disney’s facilitation. They are very cooperative as long as we stay respectful of their mission, which is to provide a great Gay Days experience while at the same time not disrupting the resort for the non-Gay Days guests. That doesn’t mean that we have to “tone it down” or anything, but it does mean that we don’t own the park. We all wear our red shirts, but we don’t walk down Main Street chanting or anything.
Since it’s primarily a family-oriented theme park, how receptive have you found the typical hetero-headed families to be toward the significant presence of LGBT folks?
That has changed so much over the 18 years we’ve been doing this. There are always people who roll their eyes, who mutter under their breath and stuff like that. But I think these days, homophobic people are a little embarrassed to be overt in showing their homophobia, just as racists now know better than to proclaim their racism.But I have to tell you, I get lots of email from straight families who are totally complimentary about Gay Days. We have a reputation of being polite and fun-loving and it’s infectious. I get far more fan mail from straight families than hate mail.
People are encouraged to wear red T-shirts. What’s the significance of this?
It’s really just so that we can spot each other easily. But it’s amazing how powerful it is. When you see all that red in the park, the feeling that we are, on this weekend, the majority and not the minority is glaringly obvious. It’s really rewarding looking around the park, no matter where you are, and seeing red everywhere.
What are some of the notable ways the weekend has evolved over the years?
When we started, we began just like Gay Days in Orlando began: a few friends spread the word to show up on a given Saturday, wearing red. We handed out fliers in WeHo, we sent messages in chat rooms. There was no Facebook then. After a couple of years, as our numbers grew, we started planning unofficial events. Meet us in the park and stuff like that. And then, in year six, we added the first “official” event, Kingdom, our dance party, and we’ve been growing ever since. It helped that the park grew, too. When we started, there was no California Adventure. Now there are two parks and a whole downtown area that allows us to create a weekend’s worth of fun.
This is the first Gay Days weekend since the Supreme Court ruling for marriage equality. Are there any events planned to commemorate this?
You know, we always have a proposal or two, and this year, like last, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings will have a table in our Welcome Center, marketing same-sex weddings. How’s that for progress?
What have been some of the most memorable highlights from past years for you?
Oh, there are so many. I expect the Audra McDonald concert to be one of them. The Q & A I did with Carol Channing a few years ago was an absolute highlight. Our first pool party. Jennifer Hudson singing at Kingdom. But really, the thing that what I truly enjoy the most is walking down Main Street and just seeing the joy. It really is something. I think we as a society, and even as a gay society, are a little jaded these days. But boy, people really get in touch with their joy at Gay Days and watching it manifest throughout the park always makes me very happy.
Each year major talent performs in concert, such as Audra McDonald this year. What’s the appeal for this caliber of performers during this particular weekend?
Every performer knows that there is no more adoring audience than a gay audience. Chita Rivera once told me, though, that gay audiences are also the most discerning, so having their love was especially meaningful to her. We are an ideal audience, if I do say so myself. And then, of course, there’s getting to add “playing Disneyland” to your resume!
What are the secrets to maximizing the time at the park and enjoying as many rides as possible?
It’s funny, because on most days of the year, when I am in a Disney park, I am known as a bit of a sergeant. I am there at park opening very strategically getting Fast Passes and rushing from ride to ride before lines get insane. It’s important to have a strategy planned, leaving the less crowded rides, such as Small World or the Tiki Room, for the middle of the day. But on Gay Days. it’s very different. I think the thrill is meandering around taking in the environment, awash in red. And riding the rides like the steam boat, the Jungle Cruise or the train, where you can talk to other guests. I don’t usually ride those on other days, but I do on Gay Days! And I will always cram in Space Mountain if I can. And if I am seeing someone, the Haunted Mansion. Twice.
For more information on Gay Days, go here and watch the official teaser for the festivities below.
Jeremy Kinser
Mike Huckabee’s Response to the Out Gay Army Secretary Nominee Was Typically Despicable
Mike Huckabee’s Response to the Out Gay Army Secretary Nominee Was Typically Despicable
Mike Huckabee offered a despicable response on Saturday to President Obama’s nomination of Eric Fanning as Army Secretary. Fanning would be the first out gay man to serve in the position.
Huckabee’s response, in a statement released by his campaign:
“It’s clear President Obama is more interested in appeasing America’s homosexuals than honoring America’s heroes. Veterans suicide is out-of-control and military readiness is dangerously low, yet Obama is so obsessed with pandering to liberal interest groups he’s nominated an openly gay civilian to run the Army. Homosexuality is not a job qualification. The U.S. military is designed to keep Americans safe and complete combat missions, not conduct social experiments.”
The post Mike Huckabee’s Response to the Out Gay Army Secretary Nominee Was Typically Despicable appeared first on Towleroad.
Andy Towle
Mike Huckabee’s Response to the Out Gay Army Secretary Nominee Was Typically Despicable
PHOTOS: Adonis Bosso Really Lives Up To His Name
PHOTOS: Adonis Bosso Really Lives Up To His Name
After Adonis Bosso was recently picked up by Dolce & Gabbana for the brand’s men’s wear show and campaign, he said, “I thanked Domenico Dolce so much because he put three black guys in his show. It was one of the first times that Dolce & Gabbana has done that, and it was so important. Domenico was telling people that black people are attractive. Like Lupita Nyong’o says, she grew up not having people to look up to and think, ‘This person is beautiful and they look like me.’ I feel it’s something that’s really lacking in our community.”
But while Bosso may owe Dolce for a jump up the career ladder, we can all agree that he more than holds his own.
Wait what year are we ? @girlswhodressboys
A photo posted by Adonis Bosso (@adonisbosso) on
Dan Tracer
Texas man on a 1-man mission to get US Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling reversed
Texas man on a 1-man mission to get US Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling reversed
A 27-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas has formed a federal super PAC to fight the US Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage.
On July 16, Ammon J. Taylor named himself president and treasurer while registering the Restore Marriage PAC with the Federal Election Commission, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
He has opened a bank account, created a Facebook page and website, notified the press and is now seeking support and volunteers among those who oppose same-sex marriage.
His main mission is to rally a convention of states to amend the Constitution (Article 5) to enable states to quash the Supreme Court’s June ruling that legalized same-sex marriage.
Thirty-eight states would need to ratify changes.
‘Most Americans think that since the Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage, the issue is settled. It is not,’ Taylor, who is a Mormon and married with one child, said.
‘Article V of the Constitution allows for a meeting of the States to propose constitutional amendments. This is a check and balance on the Federal Government, including the Supreme Court. It is our only Constitutional recourse to save marriage,’ he said in a press statement.
Taylor’s father, Art, an Iowa attorney, is his advisor having himself spearheaded Nebraska’s initiative to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. It passed overwhelmingly in 2000 but was nullified by the recent court decision.
The news report quoted Professor Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia and an expert on the Constitution, calling Taylor’s initiative a ‘pipe dream.’
‘Money or no money, wise or unwise, there is very little chance of an Article V Convention happening anytime soon. There is too much fear that it might rewrite large sections of the Constitution, among other reasons.’
Proponents and PACs that back same-sex marriage say they stand ready to oppose Taylor’s initiative.
The post Texas man on a 1-man mission to get US Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling reversed appeared first on Gay Star News.
Sylvia Tan
Release of Indian movie about struggles of gay people stalled as homosexuality is akin to ‘social evil’
Release of Indian movie about struggles of gay people stalled as homosexuality is akin to ‘social evil’
The release of a Gujarati movie which features a special message from the ‘gay prince of Rajpipla’ Manvendra Singh Gohil could be stalled for several years as it is embroiled in a court case relating to its tax exemption status.
According to media reports, the Gujarat Government denied tax exemption to the Meghdhanyshya — The colour of life stating that it encourages homosexuality, could cause disharmony in the society, and no ‘decent family’ would want to watch it.
The Gujarat High Court in February last year snubbed the government, saying its decision deprived director KR Devmani of his fundamental right to freedom of expression, and held that a movie cannot be stalled only because it is based on a controversial subject.
Gujarati colour movies produced after April 1997 are entitled to receive a 100% tax exemption. The exemption is however denied to films depicting evil customs, blind faith, sati, dowry and ‘social evils’ and those ‘against national unity.’
Same-sex relations is illegal under Section 377 of the Indian Penal code.
According to the film’s website, it notes that there are no sexual scenes in the film and that it is a ‘family drama and can be watched with the whole family.’
The state government challenged the verdict in Supreme Court where Justices Anil R Dave and Adarsh K Goel last week granted leave in the matter which means the case will only be heard after arguments in all cases, filed and admitted for hearing before it, are concluded. The bench also stated that its interim order, denying tax exemption to the movie shall continue.
The Indian Express estimates that the case won’t be heard for another three years.
‘I think the movie is killed,’ Devmani was quoted as saying.
‘It cannot wait for another three or four years when there is no certainty that the court will eventually rule in my favor. It is ironical that movies showing extra-marital relationships and containing scenes of rape and violence are given the exemption but a movie depicting sufferings of a homosexual person does not pass the state’s muster,’ he added.
The movie was originally denied exemption by the State Tax Commissioner who said that it would send a message that the state was endorsing and encouraging homosexuality, and would create friction in the society.
The Censor Board has cleared the film for release.
Devmani argued that the Tax Commissioner cannot play the ‘super Censor Board.’
‘Denying tax concession because subject is controversial or unpopular is hostile discrimination and curtails fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. Being homosexual is not illegal per se under Section 377, IPC,’ he argued.
The Supreme Court judges said this week ‘there are people in whose views this may be akin to social evils’ and that Devmani can release the movie without seeking tax exemption.
The post Release of Indian movie about struggles of gay people stalled as homosexuality is akin to ‘social evil’ appeared first on Gay Star News.
Sylvia Tan
Jackie Collins Dead at 77
Jackie Collins Dead at 77
Novelist and gay icon Jackie Collins passed away after a battle with breast cancer, reports People magazine.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today,” the Collins family told People in a statement. “She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over 4 decades. She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.”
Collins, was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 6 years ago, sat down with The Advocate in 2014 and candidly discussed her history as a gay icon.
“I had just written the book Hollywood Husbands and I went on the Tonight Show when Joan Rivers was hosting it,” she told The Advocate of the first time she realized her large gay following. “I wore a jacket and a black shirt – with a couple of the buttons undone – and a white tie. It was a very sexy and effective outfit. Then a few weeks later, there was a gay parade in Hollywood and tons of people were dressed as me and Joan Rivers. It was crazy. My friends drove up and down the boulevard taking pictures of them and that’s when I knew.”
In honor of Jackie, the Collins family asks fans to consider making donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization.
Read our full 2014 feature with Collins here.
Jase Peeples
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2015/9/19/jackie-collins-dead-77
Novelist Jackie Collins Dead at 77
Novelist Jackie Collins Dead at 77
Novelist Jackie Collins, the author of more than 30 books which sold more than 500 million copies, has died at age 77 after losing a battle with breast cancer, People reports:
“It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today,” the Collins family tells PEOPLE in a statement.
“She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over 4 decades. She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.”
Actress Joan Collins, Jackie’s sister, told People: “I admire how she handled this. She was a wonderful, brave and a beautiful person and I love her.”
Collins was always mindful of her gay audience and fan base. She told The Advocate in 2014:
“It may sound cliché, but some of my best friends are gay and I always have a better time with them than I do straight people. That’s why I’ve written gay characters into so many of my books. Some have bigger parts than others, but I like to write about all colors, all identities, all sexualities – gay, straight, whatever. I write characters that I see in my own life.”
If you have a reminiscence about Jackie Collins you’d like to share, please leave it in the comments below.
(image cyotethndr – wikimedia commons)
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Andy Towle
HRC: Mike Huckabee is Blinded by His Own Bigotry, Unfit to be Commander in Chief
HRC: Mike Huckabee is Blinded by His Own Bigotry, Unfit to be Commander in Chief
Other candidates should immediately condemn Huckabee’s smear of Eric Fanning
HRC.org
U.S. Government to Begin Using Term ‘Sexual Rights’ to Advocate for LGBT, Reproductive Rights Abroad
U.S. Government to Begin Using Term ‘Sexual Rights’ to Advocate for LGBT, Reproductive Rights Abroad
The U.S. government has announced that it will begin using the term “sexual rights” in talks relating to sexual and reproductive health issues globally. The remarks were made at a UN meeting this week.
Said Richard Erdman, Senior Advisor and Acting Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Ambassador:
Our understanding of the term “sexual rights” draws heavily from paragraph 96 of the Platform for Action adopted at the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference. That language characterizes the human rights of women to include rights relating to sexuality and stresses equality between men and women in matters of sexual relations and sexuality. As a result, the United States understands the term “sexual rights” to include all individuals’ “right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.” With further reference to paragraph 96 of the Beijing Platform of Action, we note that “equal relationships between [individuals] in matters of sexual relations and reproduction, including full respect for the integrity of the person, require mutual respect, consent and shared responsibility for sexual behavior and its consequences.” Finally, we wish to clarify that the United States will use the term “sexual rights” or “sexual and reproductive health and rights” to express rights that are not legally binding. Sexual rights are not human rights and they are not enshrined in international human rights law; our use of this term does not reflect a view that they are part of customary international law. It is, however, a critical expression of our support for the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The AP adds:
The Washington-based Center for Health and Gender Equity pointed out the statement Thursday and said it was delighted.
“On one level, it’s symbolic. It also sends a signal to the global community that sexual and reproductive health and rights are a part of the global development agenda,” Serra Sippel, the center’s president, told The Associated Press. She said it follows “huge strides” made under the Obama administration on LGBT issues.
The announcement comes days before more than 150 world leaders gather at the U.N. to launch an ambitious set of development goals, including one of gender equality. One of the agenda’s many targets is to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights by 2030.
The post U.S. Government to Begin Using Term ‘Sexual Rights’ to Advocate for LGBT, Reproductive Rights Abroad appeared first on Towleroad.
Kyler Geoffroy
U.S. Government to Begin Using Term ‘Sexual Rights’ to Advocate for LGBT, Reproductive Rights Abroad
