Oh, and apparently there’s a couple of lesbian kisses involved in this as well.

Queue the slut shamming!

In truth, most teens lose their virginity by the time they are eighteen, and many talk about sex non-stop. As for the pot and drinking, that happens a lot too. Oh yes, and may girls to make out with other girls while they are young, especially in this day and age.

No one went after Matthew Broderick for Ferris Beuller or Tom Cruise for Risky Business or for that matter, any male star making the transition from teen heartthrob to star.

At one point, Demi Moore’s character tells Lola “You’re my daughter, and I won’t let you turn into a porn star!” According to Moore, though, Miley Cyrus “is a true professional, and she truly has a wonderful family. It really shows.”

As for the slut shaming, it has already begun. As per the source for much of this, “Good for Lola’s mom. Now why won’t Miley’s parents tell her the same thing? It doesn’t matter if it’s in film and fake. This is the image she’s presenting to her fans, and her parents should be ashamed of themselves for allowing Miley to take this kind of role. Now more than ever, Miley’s young fans that were instrumental in her rise to fame are being alienated by her adult career choices.”

Still, as Cindi Lauper said:

Oh mother dear we’re not the fortunate ones
And girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

Source

Roadside Attractions has taken on the distribution of the film, but the movie that premiered at Sundance ‘09 has had a troubled history already with about four or five different release dates.  Now, the distributors of Winter’s Bone, Good Hair, and The Cove, are setting their sights on 3 December to release this gay romcom.

The film will probably be up against many of next year’s Oscar fair as well as coming out at a time when many movie theaters will be showing films which are less likely to pull in the crowds ahead of the Christmas film rush.

Source

Portman has admitted to being uncomfortable and even terrified of kissing Kunis in large part for the concerns that the lesbian sex scene within the story would end up being, as it has, picked up and fed into the sensationalism that can mark the buzz around a movie.

She has stated “I was terrified.  At the moment I lived in a state of inner terror.”  She has done nude scenes in the past.  According to her, “Nudity is something absolutely natural and I’m not prudish — but in a film it can be distracting.  Doing Black Swan I couldn’t say no. The project is a huge opportunity for me to show a new me. I can’t always play the nice mothers. My other problem is that single pictures are being taken out of context and put on the internet.”

Portman has her degree in psychology from Harvard College, which she received while shooting the Star Wars prequels.  She has also starred in a wide range of movies had spent more time in front of the cameras at that point than George Lucas had spent directing.  Kunis, for her part, is probably most famous for her role as Meg on Family Guy, though she too has done a wide range of films over the years.

Source

Film Showing and Reception Set for Sept. 14, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO-  Twenty-five years after its premier, the groundbreaking documentary “Choosing Children”—the first film to explore and chronicle the journey taken by lesbians and gay men to become parents after they came out—will return to the silver screen at the Herbst Theater on Sept. 14 to celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

The landmark film, produced by two Bay Area filmmakers, Academy Award winner Debra Chasnoff and Kim Klausner, was released in 1985, introducing viewers to the first generation of lesbians and gay men who chose to become parents after coming out, and contributed to an expanded definition of family that has since opened the doors for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to become parents. “Before the early 1980s, it was just assumed that if you came out, you gave up the chance and the right to be a parent,” says Chasnoff. “But a small number of brave lesbians and gay men began to challenge that belief. With “Choosing Children” we wanted to share their stories with the world and inspire others that they, too, could redefine family for themselves.”

Chasnoff and Klausner conducted a nationwide search for lesbian-headed families that were navigating what was then a very new legal, political, and social terrain. Ultimately, they found six families who reflected some of the racial and ethnic diversity of our vibrant communities, and who had “chosen children” in different ways. Their stories provide an intimate look at the challenges and joys faced by this early generation of lesbian and gay parents in their quests to build their families—stories that are still fascinating and relevant today.

“Without the pioneering generation that we were able to capture in “Choosing Children,” none of us would have the rights or opportunities for creating families that we have today,” Klausner says. “It is almost beyond comprehension how much the political and social landscape has changed since we made the film.”

The film poignantly captures some of the important history that has contributed to today’s LGBT family rights victories, including the recent Proposition 8 decision by Judge Vaughn Walker here in California. It is partly why so many community groups are cosponsoring this evening celebration for LGBT families, our allies, prospective parents and others.

One of the arenas where the most significant advances have been made is the legal system.

“The legal advances we have made for our families are nothing short of breathtaking,” says National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell. “These gains are largely due to this early generation of lesbians and gay parents, who charted a previously unseen path in order to become parents and raise children, becoming role models for LGBT people everywhere.”

Many Bay Area organizations are joining together for this community-wide screening and celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of Choosing Children, celebrate all the wonderful children LGBT people are now parenting, and raise funds to permanently preserve this historical gem on DVD. The restored 35 mm film print, courtesy of the OUTFEST Legacy Project and the UCLA Film Archive, was a huge hit at last summer’s Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

If you’ve never seen Choosing Children, here’s your chance to soak up a delightful piece of our cultural history. If you are planning on having children, you will be inspired by the courageous pioneers in the film who figured out how to bring kids into their lives, co-parent with a same-sex partner, and handle concerns from relatives and schools. If you saw the film “back in the day,” this will be a trip down memory lane (including a rarely heard song by Holly Near) and a special moment to marvel at how much progress we’ve made.

The 25^th Anniversary Screening and Reception includes a viewing, and remarks by Chasnoff, Klausner, and the Honorable Donna Hitchens, founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights who is featured in the film, and dessert reception The event is presented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Groundspark, COLAGE, Frameline, Equality California, Our Family Coalition, and PFLAG to celebrate the advances our movement has made in family law and society, and to raise funds to permanently preserve this historical film on DVD.

TICKET and EVENT INFORMATION

“Choosing Children” 25^th Anniversary Screening and Reception

What: “Choosing Children” 25^th anniversary celebration to raise funds to permanently preserve this historical film on DVD
When: 6:30 p.m. on September 14, 2010 (Program begins at 7 p.m.)
Where: Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $25 (regular admission); $10 (student admission)

Learn more and order tickets

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• Contacting My Sperm Donor – I Am A Kid who is All Right! (lezgetreal.com)

Gabrielle Lindau is a photographer turned writer, director and producer. Her first short film, “These Showers Can Talk” is set to premier this Thursday in NYC. The film is a comedy about the world of lesbian dating and stereotypes. Lesbian singer and rumored Danielle Staub girlfriend, Lori Michaels stars in the film. To hear about the film in Lindau’s own words, watch the interview below:

To find out more about “These Showers,” check out http://theseshowerscantalk.com/  or become a fan on Facebook

To read a transcription of the interview, download the June issue of www.GAY-e-magazine.com

Melanie Nathan – August 14, 2010

Best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert will join Immigration Equality in lobbying Congress for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), reports  ON TOP Magazine.

My question is – will it be for UAFA as a stand alone or for the inclusion of UAFA into Immigration Reform. Maybe Immigration Equality sees that the choo choo train to reform ought to be via the equality Bill, UAFA, alone  instead of through Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

“Gilbert, whose film adaptation of Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts opened nationwide on Friday, is half of a binational couple herself. She chronicled her experience in her follow-up book Committed.

Immigration Equality has been lobbying for passage of the UAFA, a bill that would allow gay Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship. Currently, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) forbids any federal agency from recognizing married gay couples, reports OUT.

However their report fails to note that for the past year and two months Immigration Equality has taken UAFA out of the realm of a stand-alone Bill with over 120 Sponsors in Congress and spent its time and resources on the currently  nowhere journey through a very controversial crash course with Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).  UAFA is an equality amendment to the Immigration & Naturalization Act.that would include committed permanent partners instead Immigration Equality has pursued the idea of including UAFA in CIR – and cost desperate bi-national couples another year- in limbo – with no guarantee of inclusion, and constant same-old promises.

The House CIR  Bill by Congressman Luis  Gutierrez  (D -IL) specifically excluded UAFA and although Gutierrez has since said in public and the press that he believes NOW (flip flop) that Uniting American Families Act should be  included in CIR  – there is no amendment or action yet in sight.

From the Senate side – we have yet to see more than a framework for the Bill, which does include mention of UAFA.

Immigration Equality assured its supporters over a year ago the CIR was imminent, yet all we have from the Senate and Chuck Schumer is yet another a campaign motivated promise in the form of a framework, clearly a rushed direct response to the recent Arizona Immigration debacle.

Gilbert will apparently join IE September 30 to talk to lawmakers about the inequity,  reports IE.

As an avid activist myself for UAFA – I am hoping that Gilbert will be a proponent for an immediate stand-alone Bill for UAFA and that while we have a majority in congress, Gay and Lesbian couples should be given priority treatment under an equality banner rather than waiting for (yes the much needed) immigration reform for all.

“In addition to being unjust and cruel and unconscionable,” Gilbert said in June, “these laws [separating LGBT families] are stupid because they are taking away some of the best and brightest minds and prospects out of the country … they are forced to do nothing but fight for their lives. And they are in a fight for their lives. And I am proud to be part of that fight; I’m humbled and honored to be part of that fight.”

Elizabeth Gilbert’s life story, the best-selling author, who traveled millions of miles in what ended up being a search for her own, centered self, caused a sensation with her diary of personal discovery, also known as Eat, Pray, Love.

The book, which became a sort of holistic prescription for self-empowerment via self-fulfillment, was passed from person to person and ended up – in a life-changing moment amidst a story full of such karmic twists – in the hands of Oprah Winfrey.

At its peak, Love was at the top of the best-sellers’ list, and was hailed by millions as the holy text for embodying “la dolce vita.” (I learned about it when a friend sent me a Barnes & Noble gift certificate, and proclaimed, “Use this to buy Eat, Pray, Love!”) Readers have debated its place in the lexicon of feminist literature . . . organized book clubs to swoon over its lush storylines . . . and spent more than a few hours daydreaming about throwing caution to the wind, and following in Gilbert’s footsteps, in pursuit of a more perfect union (with themselves).

In short order, the book’s title – Eat, Pray, Love – became a mantra for the masses. And now, it has become a Hollywood blockbuster, too.

Beginning today, movie-goers are expected to flock to theaters to see Gilbert – played by screen icon Julia Roberts – eat, pray and love her way across Italy, India and Indonesia. But when the film stops rolling, another inspiring and empowering chapter in Gilbert’s life will just be beginning: Her selfless work on behalf of lesbian and gay immigrant families.

Continue reading this article at HuffingtonPost.com . . .

So now we are still no where and Bi national couples wait desperately.  By September 30th I know two American citizens who will have already exiled for other countries, one who would have had life threatening major heart surgery without his partner at his side, and probably another 100 e-mails from 2nd class American residents and citizens.

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
www.privatecourts.com

@oblogdeeoblogda

Related articles by Zemanta

• Elizabeth Gilbert: In Her Own Words (observer.com)
• ‘Julia Roberts Doppleganger’: ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Author Elizabeth Gilbert On Good Morning America (huffingtonpost.com)
• Kudos to Elizabeth Gilbert (gaypatriot.net)
• Steve Ralls: Engage, Lobby, Love: Elizabeth Gilbert’s Passionate Advocacy for LGBT Immigrant Families (huffingtonpost.com)
• Eat, Pray, Love … and Fight For LGBT Families (gayrights.change.org)

08/04/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

I know what you are thinking, “Wasn’t she already in a porno?” Not officially. While Tila has stripped, posted nearly nude pictures and starred in the vaguely pornographic A Shot of Love, she hasn’t made the leap into anything hardcore…until now. Tila has had trouble finding work lately. The trainwreck was kicked off of VH1’s Celebrity Rehab a few weeks ago and that really is the least of her problems.  

RadarOnline.com is reporting that a reliable source can confirm that Tila recently signed a deal with a popular porn distributor. The sources are saying that Tila is hoping to make millions off this tape. Considering that one can go to her website and see her pull a bloody tampon out of her hoochie cooch, I’m guessing that might dampen the demand on her sex tape.

A video and photos of Tila buying a new blue $400,000 Lamborgini surfaced earlier this week. Radar says their sources say Tila was able to afford the car with the advance of the sex tape.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Courtenay Semel Wants In on Real L Word (lezgetreal.com)
• The Real L Word: Recap Episode 1 (lezgetreal.com)
• Playmate Kendra Wilkinson is Bisexual: Now with Videotape to Prove it (lezgetreal.com)
• Chelsea Handler Sex Tape Being Shopped to Buyers (lezgetreal.com)

08/03/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Twilight star Ashley Greene is going bi-coastal! Why…what did you think I was going to say? The sexy starlet’s rep reported to Page 6 that Ms. Greene is planning to find a home in NYC in addition to her home in LA. Souces tell Page 6 that:

MurrayHill

She’s been bi-coastal for years. This isn’t news. Ever since high school she’s been moving downtown on either coast. East coast—west coast—it’s all her playground. She just loves it all. I can’t believe the tabloids never picked up on her being bi-coastal before this.

 

Dudeabides

Holy Mackerel what a hottie, it would be better if she was bi-sexual.

 

Brooklyn Douche

the minute you start telling people you’re BI-COASTAL, you just may as well start telling people you’re a MEGA-DOUCHE

Related articles by Zemanta

• Trey Songz and Nicki Minaj Hit Filled with Gay Subtext (lezgetreal.com)
• Playmate Kendra Wilkinson is Bisexual: Now with Videotape to Prove it (lezgetreal.com)
• Lez Ask the Femme: Am I Bisexual or Lesbian? (lezgetreal.com)
• Inception Star Tom Hardy Experimented with Men (lezgetreal.com)
• Christina Hendricks: Being Compared to Marilyn Monroe is Flattering (lezgetreal.com)
• Bisexual (?) Megan Fox Has a New Tattoo (lezgetreal.com)

08/03/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Thea Gill is best known among the LGBT community for her portrayal of Lindsay Peterson, one half of the show’s lesbian couple, on the landmark Showtime series Queer As Folk. Ms. Gill has won a number of LGBT-themed awards, including the National Leadership award from the Gay and Lesbian Task Force and PFLAG.  She has also gone on to star in numerous films, TV shows and stage productions since she QAF wrapped.

Thea’s latest project is Lifetime Movie, “The Boy She Met Online.” The movie is about a young girl who meets a guy online, she thinks he is a college student, but GASP he is actually a convicted felon in JAIL. Noooo! All kinds of drama ensues. Trailer below:

You can catch the movie on the Lifetime Movie Network on August 22nd. Personally, I never miss a chance to watch the lovely, talented Thea act. So I will be watching.

Thea is also working on a LGBT themed project, Spitfire. I had the chance to interview Thea about the project and she had this to say:

TG: I’m producing, alongside with my business partner, Gina Glass, the film version of Gina’s novel, SPITFIRE with our company Wonky Girl Productions and Verite Films with Rene Veilleux  and Donald Roman Lopez. SPITFIRE’S a love story between a fire fighter and a doctor! Very, very romantic….   

Thea also reveals in the interview that if she could have played any other character on QAF, she would have been Brian! I think she would have made a hot Brian. Can’t get enough Thea? Check out her interview in the June issue of GAY e-magazine!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Jennifer Aniston on Cougar Town; Might Play Lesbian Pussycat (lezgetreal.com)
• Katy Perry Loves Exploiting Lesbians! (lezgetreal.com)
• Queer Webseries ‘Anyone But Me’ is Hosting a Webathon! (lezgetreal.com)
• The Real L Word Recap: Episode 7 (lezgetreal.com)

CLICK is a comedy about women trying to connect without too much drama. The premise: When a klutzy young woman gets her heart broken on her 30th birthday, her friends rally round to help her recover. Their solution – revenge and easy hook-ups via online dating sites. Much mayhem ensues.

Directed by Christine Chew, screenwritten by Chew and Yanna Baizer and with music by That’s What She Said, Cozmic Cat and Bitch, the film is set to be hit.

Watch this scene where Kat Letwin as Allie and Allyson Pratt as April show how they click!

Like what you see? Be a CLICK fan on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Click/1…

Related articles by Zemanta

• Margaret Cho Thinks Lesbians are Funny (lezgetreal.com)
• Lindsay Lohan: Disliked by Other Inmates (lezgetreal.com)
• Kylie Minogue Performs with the Scissor Sisters (lezgetreal.com)
• Did Lori Michaels Admit to Dating Real Housewives of NJ Star, Danielle Staub? (lezgetreal.com)

Nelson Mandela Bay - Port Elizabeth

Melanie Nathan – 7-27-2010.  Port Elizabeth, a small magnificent seaside resort in the Eastern Cape (Ciskei) Area of South Africa,  has celebrated its long overdue gay and lesbian film festival. The ‘Port Elizabeth Gay and Lesbian Film Festival’ saw visitors come from different parts of South Africa to see the selection of lesbian, transgender and gay films that were carefully selected reports ” Frank Malaba from http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/port-elizabeth-celebrates-gay-and-lesbian-rights

“We wanted to pick films that would appeal to the broader lesbian, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender’ (LGBT) community. One of the films of interest to the audiences might be a lesbian film called ‘I can’t think straight’ set in the Middle East. It will be a great film because South Africa is a multicultural society and this film explores the elements of diversity”, said a spokesperson for the event.

Apparently transport to the event has caused attendance problems as is often the problem for any event held far from the target audience, in this case the local surrounding townships , now perceived as suburbs, but once considered the nucleus for The Group Areas Act, which separated people of different racial classifications.  However such an event may attract unwanted violence if actually held in a township where gays and lesbians tend to be ostracized through cultural beliefs.

Port Elizabeth is a beautiful seaside resort town, renowned for its surf and pure sandy coastline.  It serves as a stop along the famous “Blue Train” Garden Route to Cape Town.  Having lived there for 13 years of my childhood I remember the “Windy City,” with much fondness, as well as the suffering of the township people.

It is truly sad to me that the people once victimized by the Afrikaner apartheid government now victimizes a minority, – who happen to have a sexual orientation that goes against the cultural Xhosa grain.

While I believe the festival may open eyes serve the community on an educational level, I would hope that the chosen will speak to these differences. That in fact they would inform those with misgivings about LGBT people and rights.

People who happened to walk past the venue did seem to be interested, although the entrance was free or by donation, most of them were too shy to walk through the doors, says the Malaba. An undertone of uneasiness reigned in the local area.  I would suggest, that they were fearful rather than simply shy.

South Africa has taken bold steps in the recognition of gay rights, becoming the only country in Africa to legalize gay marriage in 2006, and to include sexual orientation in its Bill of Rights.  However, very little has been done to enforce hate crimes against lesbians who have been the subject of endemic rape attacks coined there as “corrective rape occurring most often in the Townships.”

The PE GLFF is a much needed tool in the education about gay and lesbian rights in Port Elizabeth and hats off to them for making this bold statement, whichever way it turns out.

“Jolly Good Show- as we would have said way back when!”

Port Elizabeth was named Algoa Bay, when the 1822 British Settlers landed and formed a Colony.  The Area is now referred to as Nelson Mandela Bay – as this is the area where Madiba Mandela, a Xhosa, was from.

Note: Picture depicts the Beach known at a time when it was “whites only”

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
See us on FaceBook

From a pale hotel room in Cambodia, they tell their story.  From a low-rent apartment in San Diego, they tell their story.  From a couch in East Berlin, they tell their story.  It turns out that they aren’t so average after all. They are gay, yes, but unlike most couples, their life together is threatened because they are from two different countries. Tony is American and Thomas is German. As a gay couple, they are excluded from immigration rights in the US. And in this exclusionary law, their story begins.

They met and fell in love in 1993.  After a year and a half traveling through Africa and the Middle East together, their lives were joined.  Permanent.  Committed.  Both in their early twenties, they couldn’t imagine that equal rights for American gay men and lesbian women would be too long in coming.  So, they started stringing together temporary solutions to their immigration problem.

First, a student visa.  Thomas gave up his career in banking in Germany, and settled into a new life as a Community College student in San Diego.  To stretch out his time on the visa, he took class, after class, after class.  Seven long semesters, making a round-about path to an AA.  He was proud to graduate as Valedictorian when he finished his Associate’s Degree.  But that meant his time was up.

In the meantime, they have tried every possible avenue to allow Thomas to stay in the US legally.  They formed a gay and lesbian political organization to fight for rights for bi-national couples.  They tried to find a sponsor for a work visa for Thomas.  They entered Thomas in the Green Card lottery every single year. Sitting in their tiny apartment in San Diego in 2002, Tony and Thomas tell us about all of these failed efforts.

One thing they don’t tell us about is when, out of desperation, they considered a fraudulent marriage to a woman.  It is Laurelle, their long-time friend, who tells us about this.  She shares her willingness to marry Thomas, her devotion to her dear friends, to do anything to keep them in the country.  But the risks are great.  More daunting than facing prison, deportation, and enormous fines, if Thomas married Laurelle, they would all three have to live a lie.  Briefly, for a fleeting few weeks, these risks seemed like they might be worth it.  In the end, it is Tony who says no.

So, Tony and Thomas embark on their next strategy for staying together: moving to Germany.  But before they go, they have to say goodbye to their life in California.   Tony’s mom Freda and step-dad Ken are heartbroken.  But brave. We meet them in their living room and they tell us their story.  They too are a bi-national couple.

Torn from their family in California and battling to come home, they can only wait outside its borders, hoping for equal rights to be granted.  Now, at age 40, they live their lives as nomads, perpetually traveling the world.  They have little left but the road.  And an angry kind of hope. Follow their 16-year journey of immigration struggle and exclusion.

A Film chronicles this horrendous inequity and the journey of this couple; Directed by Prof. Lisa M Nunn, PhD Director/Producer of “Excluded” Professor of Sociology, University of San Diego. In a comment to lez Get real Professor Nunn said, “I am glad to hear that you think the movie might be a useful tool for education and advocacy.  Please do keep in touch. I know how much it means to Tony and Thomas to hear from people who truly understand their difficult situation.  Thanks for your encouraging words. ”

Watch the movie online for free at:  www.excludedthemovie.com
and follow Tony and Thomas on their travel blog as they roam the world:  www.contemporarynomad.com/blog

Per Melanie:

PLEASE Ask Congress and Obama to support UAFA  (The Uniting American Families Act) as a stand alone BILL in this small window of opportunity.  It is time to show why RELYING on being included in CIR is tenuous to say the least. There is plenty of evidence at this TIME to prove this…. Also please how about a special VISA -? See my Petition and SIGN. (Change.org – Melanie Nathan Special Bi-national Visa Petition)

By, Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• Launched- Citizen Non-Citizen – a Stunning Account of Immigration Inequality (lezgetreal.com)
• A Heart Breaking Life with No Hope for Americans Caused by Gay Rights -Lame US Congress (lezgetreal.com)
• SCREAM: President Obama Act Now for Binational Same Sex Couples (lezgetreal.com)
• Immigration Reform Framework -Inclusion of Permanent Partners Angers Hispanic Groups (lezgetreal.com)
• New Breakthrough VIDEO: A Year Since Shirley Tan Gave Testimony at Senate Judiciary for UAFA (lezgetreal.com)
• Excluded – a Bi-national Couple Living as Nomads (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Understanding the Flip Flop – Congressman Gutierrez and UAFA in Immigration Reform (lezgetreal.com)
• The State of California Passes Historic Resolution in Support of UAFA Same-Sex Couples Rights to Immigration equality (lezgetreal.com)
• Excluded – a Bi-national Couple Living as Nomads (lezgetreal.com)
• SF Weekly – Stunning Report on Same-Sex Couples & Immigration Plight (lezgetreal.com)
• Immigration Reform Proposal – Mentions Intent to Include Permanant Partners (lezgetreal.com)

07/26/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Glee creator and newly minted mega-millionaire Ryan Murphy announced at Comic-con that Glee will have a Rocky Horror Picture Show themed episode. Chris Colfer added, “I want to do ‘The Time Warp.’” 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a trans themed musical and a hit among the LGBT and straight set alike. Further queer Glee news includes an update on lesbian cheerleaders, Santana and Brittany. Murphy says there will be a passionate kiss between the two girls and actress Naya Rivera wants fans to know that the correct name for the couple is “Santittnay.” Sounds good to me. I’ve never seen an episode but I might tune in now, because Naya Rivera sounds awesome.

To make things even gayer, Murphy was excited over a fan suggestion of a “Guys and Dolls” themed episode. Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel will also be returing to the show.

[Source]

Related articles by Zemanta

• Glee Creator Ryan Murphy Calls for a Boycott of Newsweek (lezgetreal.com)
• ‘Gays Can’t Play Straight’ Newsweek Writer Headed to People (lezgetreal.com)
• The Hollywood Reporter Asks Jane Lynch and Wanda Sykes the Hard Questions (lezgetreal.com)
• The Real L Word Recap: Episode 6 (lezgetreal.com)
• The Real L Word Recap: Episode 5 (lezgetreal.com)

Westboro Baptist’s protesters were there to protest everything from LGBT rights to what they perceive as a culture of idolaters.

The wonderful people at Comics Alliance documented the whole thing including pointing out that Wesboro’s people have “faced down humans time and again, but Fred Phelps and his minions from Wesboro Baptist Church were not ready for the cosplay action that awaited them today at Comic-Con. After all, who can win against a counter protest that includes robots, magical anime girls, Trekkies, Jedi and…kittens?”

Apparently, many of the counter protesters chanted “WHAT DO WE WANT?” “GAY SEX!” “WHEN DO WE WANT IT?” “NOW!” Given the number of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transpeople, and even drag queens and kings who will show up at Comic-Con, it should not be surprising. In 1999, at Dragon-Con, a man dressed up really well as Queen Amadala from Star Wars: Phantom Menace.

Seen among the crowd were people dressed in costumes from Star Trek, Futurama, and so many, many more.

There are plenty more pictures that can be found here.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Comic-Con: Man Assaults Someone With Pen, Westboro Baptist Not Involved (lezgetreal.com)
• Westboro Baptist To Protest Comic-Con (lezgetreal.com)
• Westboro Baptist’s Lawyer Calls Church’s Stance On Funeral Protests “Hysterical Opinion” (lezgetreal.com)
• Westboro Baptist Protests Against Lady Gaga (lezgetreal.com)

The film is in pre-production according to the IMDB, and stars Juno Temple and Riley Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, as teen lovers.  The film was originally suppose to star Ellen Page in the role taken by Riley Keough.

The forty-two year old actress began her showbiz career in the Australian soap Neighbours in the 1980s. She has since appeared in a variety of movies and released several albums. Minogue is a favorite among the LGBT Community, and especially among gay men, and her music is often played in gay bars.

Below are two new songs off of her latest album.

All The Lovers:

Get Out Of My Way:

The movie apparently will center around a homosexual relationship between a US soldier and an Iraqi. The story begins in the future, but the bulk of it takes place in the story happens in the present to very near future.

Reports are that the two film makers best known for their film The Matrix are currently working on casting. Right now, Speed Racer, and Swordfish vertan Lora Kennedy is the casting director.

Former professional wrestler turned actor and politician Jesse Ventura has stated that he did some filming for a Wachowski project.

There is some speculation that this may not be a full out film due to the secrecy of the filming. The Wachowskis are notoriously close mouthed. Information about Lana Wachowski’s gender appearance change has been notoriously hard to confirm with many competing theories as to whether or not Lana is transsexual or transgender. The IMDB did, however, begin listing her as Lana Wachowski this year.

Source

07/15/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

You’ve all heard the tapes of Mel Gibson threatening baby mama Oksana Grigsomethingreallylongandconfusing. This man has officially offended every race, gender and religious group and yet his career isn’t over. In fact, he is currently doing reshoots on the Jodie Foster (aka huge lezzie) directed film The Beaver.  [Insert lesbian/beaver joke here] The film is about a mentally ill man who communicates though a puppet. Page 6 is reporting that on the set of the NYC based reshoot, Mel was ”in complete shock” and everyone on the set was “walking on eggshells around him. It was the weirdest set ever.” [Source]

That aside, why would Jodie Foster work with Mel Gibson, who was a known homophobe as far back as the early 90’s? Can’t remember that far back? Me neither, but luckily Gawker complied a list of Mel’s greatest hits and now the information is right at my fingertips!

“They take it up the ass. [laughs, stands up, bends over, points to anus] This is only for taking a shit.” —to Spanish newspaper El Pais when asked what he thinks of gays, in 1991, via

“With this look, who’s going to think I’m gay? I don’t lend myself to that type of confusion. Do I look like a homosexual? Do I talk like them? Do I move like them?” —from the El Pais interview, via

“I’ll apologize when hell freezes over. They can fuck off.” —to Playboy in 1995, about whether he’d issue an apology to gays and lesbians, as GLAAD recommended  [Source]

   So why would lesbian Jodie Foster work with him? For the money, way to sell out Ms. Foster.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Real L Word Recap: Episode 4 (lezgetreal.com)
• Rue McClanahan Dies (lezgetreal.com)
• Pop Quiz: What Type of Lesbians Cause Cancer? (lezgetreal.com)
• The Village People are Angry (lezgetreal.com)
• Did Queen Latifah Come Out at the BET Awards? (lezgetreal.com)
• Cybil Shepherd Has Two Queer Daughters! (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Review: Ticked Off Trannies with Knives (lezgetreal.com)
• Christine Quinn Wants You to Queer the Census 2010 (lezgetreal.com)
• Katy Perry Takes a Shot at Lady Gaga (lezgetreal.com)

“The Kids Are All Right” is a movie about the children of a lesbian couple and the search for their sperm donor.

This movie was released in select theaters on July 9th and will be released on a wider scale July 16th. The limited release of this movie has already reached a “high-grossing debut” according to the L.A. Times Blog, and received 5 out of 5 stars from many critics while stamped “Oscar Buzz” in the July 19 issue of People Magazine.

This movie stars Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as lesbian moms, plus Mark Ruffalo featured as their sperm donor.

Their daughter is played by Mia Wasikowska, the Australian actress who starred as Alice in the recently released movie “Alice in Wonderland”; and their son is played by Josh Hutcherson; an American actor you might remember from movies like “Zathura” and “Bridge to Terabithia”. This movie is brought to us by Focus Features and was acquired by them during the Sundance Film Festival. “The Kids Are All Right” opened at only seven theatres in the U.S. and Canada with the most popular theatre being ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, California. The movie will release to 37 more theaters on July 16, 2010.

Here is a behind the scenes video with a more in depth look at the movie, cast, and crew:

You can find the movie playing at a theater near you on the Focus Features main site here.

About the Author: Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her website at www.juliephineas.com.

San Francisco;

The Kids Are All Right

We are a two mom family. We have daughters.  Tonight, together with a friend (who took her grand daughter) I took my thirteen year old daughter to see  the Annette Bening and Julianne Moore film, “The Kids Are All Right“  I was unsure if this would be a good idea, especially as it was restricted citing sexually explicit scenes. I was worried; but weighed up the importance of the film, the maturity of my child, and the fact that – at last – a feature movie provided a story line more profound in its normalcy that the concept of the lesbian family, itself.

That said, seeing the film in limited release amongst a San Francisco mixed audience was most telling.  The movie is a comedy coated with emotion and turmoil, as a family is disrupted by the children’s desire to locate their sperm donor.  Lesbians and gay patrons outnumbered the straights , and even in the dark, one could tell who was gay and who was straight by the reactions and laughter to different scenes and character comments.

My daughter loved the movie; as did her friend. The context of the sex scenes required their bold oddness,  to say the least, we walked out of there calling them acrobatics.   However the lesbian couple of long duration provided the audience with a sex scene between Benning and Moore, that only those experienced in the art of bed-death lesbian would understand as romance turned endurance – a very realistic depiction.

Sitting in the fourth row of a very full theater was a challenge, especially as it meant my daughter and I would be sitting that much closer to explicit sex.   I was not sure how to handle it.  Then came the first scene. I glanced over at my teenager – and lo and behold, she had covered her eyes.  She simply did not want to see.

The next such scene, I glanced over at my friends grand daughter and found that this time, the two kids had turned their respective young heads toward each other  sharing “ew yukee”  expressions,  clearly doing everything in the power to avoid looking.

I asked if they were embarrassed and they both said no that it was simply Odd.  Both made t clear that they were referring to scenes that involved men.  They were completely unaffected by the lesbian scenes.

The story is good – my recommendation, on second thoughts, don’t take your younger than 16 kid.  Too much explaining to do….

It was an endearing movie and loved by the audience evidenced by the loud applause at the end.  How refreshing a lesbian long term relationship, loving family, with all the normal accouterments of lifestyle and success – it was real and a great entertainment. Recommended for sure!  Note purposely not giving too much away.

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Kids Are All Right: The Perfect Lesbian Mom Date Movie (mombian.com)
• Why Lesbians Might Object To The Kids Are All Right [Filmschooled] (jezebel.com)

07/09/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

“The Kids Are All Right,” featuring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as a smoking hot lesbian couple with two children opens today. Go see it after work. To tide you over, watch OURscene tv’s coverage of the NYC red carpet premier.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Julianne Moore Hits The Daily Show to Promote ‘The Kids Are All Right’ (lezgetreal.com)
• The Kids Are All Right: Review (lezgetreal.com)
• Tammy Lynn Michaels Attacks Melissa Etheridge For Filing for Dissolution of Domestic Partnership (lezgetreal.com)
• Jane Lynch Talks About Being Out in Hollywood (lezgetreal.com)
• Tammy Says: Melissa Left Me With 4 Dollars to My Name, Melissa Says: Tammy is Delusional (lezgetreal.com)
• Lady Gaga to Perform on Homophobic Today Show: Ask Her To Cancel Her Appearance! (lezgetreal.com)
• Lindsay Lohan Has A New Girlfriend: Eilat Anschel (lezgetreal.com)
• Today Show “Is Listening” to GLAAD (lezgetreal.com)
• Melissa Etheridge is Grateful to Taylor Swift; Perez Hilton is on Team Tammy (lezgetreal.com)

07/07/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Beautiful actress Julianne Moore star of the soon-to-be-released family themed movie, “The Kids Are All Right” appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart as part of her press rounds for the film. Ms. Moore spoke to Jon about the state of the New York Knicks, where she stands on the Lebron James debate and of course, “The Kids Are All Right.” Watch the video below! You don’t want to miss it.

“The Kids Are All Right” also stars Mark Ruffalo and Annette Bening. Critics who pre-screened the movie have given it great reviews. It will hit movie theaters July 9th.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Kids Are All Right: Review (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Film Review: Every Day (lezgetreal.com)
• Tammy Lynn Michaels Attacks Melissa Etheridge For Filing for Dissolution of Domestic Partnership (lezgetreal.com)
• The Real L Word Recap: Episode 3 (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Reviews: Loose Cannons (Mine Vaganti) (lezgetreal.com)
• Melissa Etheridge Co-Hosts the View: Recap! (lezgetreal.com)
• Lindsay Lohan Has A New Girlfriend: Eilat Anschel (lezgetreal.com)

06/29/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

“The Kids Are All Right” is a feature film directed by Lisa Cholodenko (High Art, Laurel Canyon) and co-written by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg (Keeping the Faith.) “The Kids Are All Right” made a splash at the 2010 Sundance Festival and won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival. But that doesn’t matter, because my opinion is the one that matters, right? Basically, I’m telling you that you need to see this movie.

The movie is about lesbian parents Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) and their two children, 15 year old Laser (Josh Hutcherson) and 18 year old Joni (Mia Wasikowska) The family has a normal life until Laser convinces his sister to contact their sperm donor father, Paul (Mark Ruffalo) Paul enters the scene and sends the little family reeling. The plot is both simple and plausible and allows for Cholodenko and Blumberg to reveal the characters to you subtly, instead of with knock down dramatics.

The film grabs you from the beginning. Part of the attraction to the characters and setting is Cholodenko’s choice to shoot the movie on film; it gives the visual effect of realness, the comfort of movies you watched when you were growing up. We see Nic, Jules and their children eating at the dinner table. The inner workings of the family are automatically exposed. Nic is overbearing but she loves her children, Jules tries to get Nic to lay off, the kids roll their eyes. They are the family you had, or the one you wanted, or your childhood best friend’s family.

The story unfolds from there; Hutcherson deftly portrays Laser’s desire for a male figure in his life and his disappointment with Paul, the one that is offered to him. The laid back Paul is a sharp contrast to the head of the family, overbearing Nic, and Joni and Jules develop relationships with him. The audience will feel genuinely bad for Nic as she realizes that her family is slipping away from her, which they are. I felt really bad for Nic, but that may be because Annette Bening as Nic is incredibly hot. Hot as in, I didn’t know Annette Bening could be so hot. If the movie was just Annette Bening as Nic smiling and waving at the camera, that would have been okay with me.

The acting from all five of the main players is superb and the supporting cast does a great job too. The character of Jules was written with Julianne Moore in mind and it shows; there is no line between Julianne and Jules, they appear to be one and the same. Moore has built a reputation as an on screen lesbian icon and this movie will only add to that. You might recognize ballerina turned actress Mia Wasikowska from Alice in Wonderland. She’s currently Hollywood’s ‘it girl’ and with good reason. This film showcases her talent.

The writing is what really shines in this movie; it’s more than just true to life. Each word has meaning; each sentence furthers your insight into a particular character or situation. Like a well written short story, there is no waste and no fat that needs trimming.

My one complaint? There is a ton of exciting heterosexual sex a few shots of gay male porn and some really sad boring lesbian sex. But the sad boring lesbian sex makes sense Jules and Nic because they have been together for so long. Oh well.

“The Kids Are All Right” uses a lesbian family to portray universal problems faced by all families. If it can garner a large straight audience, it will normalize LGBT families to that audience. The film is one of the best explorations of a long term relationship I have ever seen. It approaches the characters as a family as opposed to a ‘gay family’ while staying true to lesbian culture.

Ultimately, this is a movie about all families, any family, partnerships, gay or straight, parents and children. See it with someone you love. It will hit US theaters on July 9^th.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Real L Word Recap: Episode 2 (lezgetreal.com)
• Did Queen Latifah Come Out at the BET Awards? (lezgetreal.com)
• Angelina Says Shiloh is Like Her; Discusses Gender Identity (lezgetreal.com)
• Margaret Cho Thinks Lesbians are Funny (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Review: Elvis e Madona (lezgetreal.com)

6-28-2010  Melanie Nathan

Sadly all that is left of  icon Marilyn Monroe’s body parts (well sort of) is a set of three X-rays of her chest taken during a 1954 hospital. The X-rays, sold at a movie memorabilia auction at Planet Hollywood, had a $3,000 (£2,000) pre-sale estimate. They fetched a buxom $45,000 today in Las Vegas.

What would a lesbian do with such a purchase; frame it? If you had ownership of this desirable item how would you honor its existence? Any ideas?

A higher higher auctioned item was a dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in musical Funny Face fetched $56,250 (£37,360).

A crystal-studded glove which belonged to Michael Jackson fetched $190,000 (£126,000) at an earlier music sale at Julien’s Auctions at Planet Hollywood.

By Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• Marilyn Monroe chest X-rays auctioned for $45,000 (sfgate.com)
• Marilyn Monroe chest x-rays become collectors’ items (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Marilyn Monroe chest x-rays become collectors’ items (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Marilyn Monroe X-rays snapped up for $45,000 (calgaryherald.com)

06/01/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Riley Keough, model and granddaughter of Elvis Presley, is stepping in for Ellen Page in the movie Jack and Diane. The movie is about a teenage lesbian werewolf, Jack, who falls in love with Diane. The roles were originally going to be played by Ellen Page and Olivia Thirby, who at the time were riding high on the success of Juno and taking advantage of their on-screen chemistry. However, rumors that Page was gay in real life put an end to her participation in the flick and Thirby eventually cancelled too.

The film has been plauged by pre-production delays since then, with the worst of their problems in the area of casting. Keough is the fifth actress to be cast as Jack. I hope she is the last, because she would be hot as a butch(according to Hollywood standards) lesbian werewolf. Straight girls have Twilight, when will lesbian teens get their own werewolf to lust after? Hopefully soon, Jack and Diane is set to go into production in June.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Ellen Page to Play Gay (lezgetreal.com)
• Ellen Starts Record Label (lezgetreal.com)

05/05/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

In honor of Cinco De Mayo (Happy Independance day Mexico!) the trailer for Robert Rodriguez’s B-movie Machete has been released. The movie is about a Mexican who is set up (his job is to take out a xenophobic politician) and left for dead. Then he decides to get payback against the politicians who are deporting Mexicans and descriminating against them in general (zing Arizona). Like Ticked off Trannies with Knives, this is a movie I would like better in theory than in practice. But this movie also has hot and basically of the closet Michelle Rodriguez as a sexy girl who sells tacos…I will resist the obvious taco joke. It also stars Lindsay Lohan as a kidnapped socialite. Oh and some other famous people are in it, like Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, Danny Trejo and either Cheech or Chong.

Watch the trailer below, if for no other reason than to see M-Rod doing her thing.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Fox didn’t f*ck with the wrong Mexican! MACHETE gets a release date! (aintitcool.com)

05/04/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

The NY Daily News seems to think the answer to this question is yes. They report:

Let the rumor mills roll: James Franco dodged some dicey questions at a panel discussion following Sunday’s Tribeca Film Fest premiere of his doc, “Saturday Night.”

“One of the guests asked James a few things that alluded to his sexuality,” says a panel-goer, explaining that the line of questioning was in regards to Franco’s on-camera kiss with Will Forte on “SNL.” “Franco’s rep stopped him from answering, and the crowd got really uncomfortable.”

But Franco didn’t seem to mind: “Will and James were taking pictures of themselves with a Polaroid at the afterparty [at 48 Lounge],” says a spy. “And then James turned to Will and joked, ‘Uh-oh, this one is going to make people talk!’ Will even told a passerby, ‘James is a very passionate kisser!’”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/05/04/2010-05-04_james_franco_dodges_questions_about_his_sexuality_snls_will_forte_says_hes_a_pas.html#ixzz0my2ILB8f

 I think my call on Franco would be bi. He seems like a very artistic person, one that would go with the flow and say “it’s more about the person than the gender.” If Franco’s rep is holding him back from coming out, than shame on him. Let that rainbow flag fly, James!

Elvis e Madona is a fun crowd pleaser from Brazil. The film tackles a gray area of LGBT life, a post-op (with no plans to op, other than a boob job) male to female transsexual, Madona (Igor Cotrim) falls in love with Elvis (Simone Spoladore), a lesbian. Elvis is a sexy pizza delivery boi who aspires to be a photographer. She discovers Madona after Madona’s lover, Tripod Joe, hits her and steals her life savings. Madona was saving that money to produce her own drag show. Madona is devastated, Elvis, the little butch, consoles her. Madona can’t call the cops, they don’t like transwomen, so she accepts the fact that her money is gone. Elvis pursues the warm hearted, flamboyant Madona aggressively.

Their courtship is sweet and simple. For once, there are no homophobes throwing tomatoes on the sidelines. There is little conflict for most of the movie, and the audience can really enjoy seeing these two women develop their relationship. The biggest threat comes from Tripod Joe, who Elvis inadvertently gets locked up after a photograph she takes of a drug deal he is a part of. Meanwhile, the girls get together and have traditional man/woman sex, only Elvis is on top. Are they still gay? The answer is yes, 100%. But both the ladies are thrown for a curveball when…Elvis gets pregnant…and Madona secretly engages in porn with Tripod Joe, to try to recoup the money he stole from her.

There are two problems with this movie. The first being that the English subtitles were awful. The movie is in Portuguese, anyone with a rudimentary understanding of any romance language, can tell that there were whole lines of dialogue that weren’t translated properly. I felt a little jipped, as the native Portuguese speakers in the audience were laughing in places where the English speaking audience wasn’t. There is also the problem of conflict, which is a huge problem for most writers and it is apparent that this is director Marcelo Laffitte’s debut feature. There isn’t enough conflict in the movie and the few obstacles that the women do face and vanquished with little to no real struggle. Elvis forgives Madona for the porn slip just minutes after she discovers it and Elvis’ upperclass family accepts her relationship with Madona after a few choice curse words. However, it’s also the lack of conflict that gives the movie it’s charm. After seeing Ticked off Trannies with Knives, the other trans offering presented by the Tribeca Film Festival, it was refreshing to see a movie that highlights the good in life rather than the bad.

Overall, Elvis e Madona is worth a viewing. It’s a great first date movie and one of the few LGBT movies where the girl gets the girl and they live happily ever after.   

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tribeca Film Review: Every Day (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Review: Spork (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Review: Ticked off Trannies with Knives (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Review: Loose Cannons (Mine Vaganti) (lezgetreal.com)

05/02/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Foreign films burned up the critics best choice picks at the Tribeca film festival and Loose Cannons, a wild card from Italy, is no exception. The movie is light in tone, but filled with the dramatization and passion that characterizes Italian culture. Tommaso (Riccardo Scamarcio) left his small hometown of Lecce to pursue his dream of becoming a writer in Rome. He is deeply in love with his live in partner, Marco and the two have built a life together. Tommaso is called back to Lecce by his brother and father, who want him to help run the family pasta business. Tommaso decides to go back and come clean about his sexuality to his family, who he expects to disown him, then head back to Marco in Rome. Tomasso makes the mistake of confiding this plan to his brother, who steals Tommaso’s thunder by coming out first! Tommaso’s father has a heart attack, leading Tommaso to believe that if he tells him he is a gay writer, it will kill him. So he stays in Lecce and begins to lead the life his father imagined for him…right down to beginning a confusing romance with a woman, Alba. Alba is beautiful, smart and a cutthroat business woman with a taste for amazing shoes. Tommaso first meets Alba when she keys an ex-boyfriend’s car. They slowly get to know each other and Tommaso begins to fall for her, even while telling her that he is in love with Marco. This storyline is unique in that it exposes a part of homosexuality we don’t talk about, sometimes it is about the person more than the sex.

The film’s background characters, Tommaso’s family are funny and believable. There is also a troupe of Tommaso’s gay friends, who are out, proud and hilarious. This isn’t director and screenwriter Ferzan Ozpetek first time at the ball, he has directed several popular Italian films and Loose Cannons is a polished gem that sparkled at the festival. Ozpetek also spoke at the screening, he wanted to highlight the issue of discrimination against gays by their own families. When one woman asked him if homophobia was still so rampant in Italy that a family would disown a son, he replied that homophobia is everywhere and really depends more on the character and make-up of the individuals and families than on geographical location. There are families in Italy that would accept a gay son with open arms and others that would have heart attacks.  

The film differs from American movies the most, in that the ending isn’t cut and dried. You don’t know if Tommaso is going to stay with Marco, you don’t know if he is going to up the ante with Alba or if the three of them will be able to make something work. What you do know, is that nothing in life is certain and you need to choose your own path, the one that works for you and don’t live your life for other people; you only get one and you need to make it beautiful.  This movie is a must see.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tribeca Review: Spork (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Film Review: Every Day (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Review: Ticked off Trannies with Knives (lezgetreal.com)

Fourteen year old Spork (Savannah Stehlin) has a rough life. She is a female identified hermaphrodite, her mother died when she was four, she lives in a trailer with her brother and the other kids at school tease her mercilessly. Director and screenwriter J.B. Ghuman, Jr. spins a tale of friendship, love and acceptance that is really weird, funny and sometimes heartbreakingly sad. It also represents the entire spectrum of the LGBT community, as much as a 80 minute movie can. It centers around Spork participating in a dance contest after her friend, Tootsie Roll (Sydney Park) breaks her leg. Spork also is fixated on the movie, “The Wiz,” which symbolizes to her the ultimate escape from her life and happiness. It’s incredibly touching and it’s also something everyone can relate to. I had hair exactly like Spork when I was 13, so when she was teased for her frizzy hair, I totally identified. The movie comes across a little bit like Napolean Dynamite meets Mean Girls and But I’m a Cheerleader, all with (regrettably) no budget.

The movie has potential as a cult classic, but there is something that falls flat. Unfortunately, I don’t think this film will be picked up by a major distributor. The young actors give it their all and Sydney Park as the crump dancing Tootsie Roll is the breakout star of the movie, but look out for this young cast, they are headed for great things. So is J.B. Grubman, who will probably only get better as he advances his career. Spork probably won’t change your life, but it is one of the better queer films out there, so check it out!  

Related articles by Zemanta

• Exclusive Tribeca Interview: Spork’s Directors And Stars (cinemablend.com)
• Tribeca Review: Ticked Off Trannies with Knives (lezgetreal.com)
• Tribeca Film Review: Every Day (lezgetreal.com)
• Amanda Seyfried and Julianne Moore Discuss Their Love Scene in Chloe (lezgetreal.com)

04/30/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Every Day

Every Day is most likely going to be the breakout film of the festival. Luckily, it is also LGBT friendly. The plot focuses around Ned (Liev Schreiber) who is struggling with his crotchety father in-law (Brian Dennehy) moving in, his overwhelmed wife (Helen Hunt) and his two sons, one of which is an out gay teenager (Ezra Miller) and his crazy gay boss (Eddie Izzard).

Director and writer Richard Levine based the movie on his own life. Levine was a writer for Nip/Tuck He said at the festival that it “spun into fiction,” but the relationships are real and his son is gay. One scene in the film takes place at a gay bar, his son described the scene more as “being every parent’s nightmare of what a gay bar is” than the reality. Even so, parents of gays and potential parents of gays (basically, everyone) should see this movie. The relationship between Ned and his son plays a huge part in Ned’s redemptive arc. Ned loves his son and is struggling with his son’s safety, but each time he opens his mouth, his words come across attack on his son for being gay. Levine deftly shows the daily communication breakdowns and misunderstandings we have with the people we love the most. In the end, Ned is able to express to his son just how much he loves him and how proud he is of him.  

The actors all give solid performances, Ezra Miller really shines as a beautiful gay teen and Izzard is flamboyant and makes the most of his short screen time. Dennehy performs back flips to make his character sympathetic and he and Hunt have chemistry as father and daughter. The only “off” relationship is between Schreiber and Hunt. She seems a lot older than him and there is no chemistry between the characters. However, don’t let this deter you from seeing the movie. It is by turns funny and touching; it captures the essence of what a family is and exposes the vulnerability and love that we have for those closest to us.

Read the rest of LGR’s coverage of the Tribeca Film Festival Here

Related articles by Zemanta

• Queen Latifah Plays Straight in New Movie: Wants Money From Lesbian Fanbase (lezgetreal.com)
• Chaz Bono Speaks About Gender Reassignment Surgery (lezgetreal.com)

Ticked off Trannies with Knives is about a group of transwomen who are violently beaten and left for dead than proceed to exact revenge on those who harmed them. GLAAD has been very vocal about their disapproval of “Ticked Off Trannies with Knives.” They feel the title is a slur against transpeople, especially since the film is directed and produced by a straight man, Israel Luna. The transgender community seems to be split on whether or not to be offended by the title of the film. To try and explain Luna’s intentions, every Tribeca screening of “Ticked off Trannies” comes with a pamphlet. I will summarize it, basically Luna says that hate crimes against transpeople have been on the rise and it makes him sad and upset. As a filmmaker and huge fan of 70’s blacksploitation and grindhouse films, he used a film as his way of expressing his outrage at hate crimes. He also expresses frustration that the LGBT community generally “reaches out” to their attackers to try to understand their actions and to “respond to hate with love.” Luna also feels that the transcommunity is the most “underrepresented and most misunderstood.” He ends the paragraph with “Is fighting violence with violence a good idea? Who knows – but then again, watching the characters of my movie fight back sure made me feel better.”

                I decided to see the movie because I do agree with Luna on some level. The violence against the transcommunity is so prevalent and I would like to see queers bash back for once. While I may not think the title is the greatest, it is a throw back to B movies, such as “Snakes on a Plane” and “Foxxy Brown.” Also, the cast of the movie is made up of transwomen (and one drag queen.) So I gave it a shot.

I expected it to draw some elements of “The Brave One,” starring Jodie Foster. I expected the movie would open up with maybe a 10 minute scene of violence against the girls and then they would wreck havoc for the rest of the movie. I was so wrong. The movie was 110 minutes long, the girls got their asses violently beaten and terrorized for at least half of the film. The violence was very real looking and extremely explicit, as in, I couldn’t eat afterwards, it was so disgustingly graphic. Think blood, hair and gore on a baseball bat. Also, (SPOILER ALERT) two of the girls get killed, not just beaten and left for dead. They die and their best friends, the other girls, seem pretty ambivalent about their deaths.

 The revenge that Luna said he was going to use to empower the transcommunity? That lasted about 15-20 minutes and the girls still got stabbed and punched as they were exacting their revenge. Like I said before, I don’t think the LGBT community has come to a consensus on whether or not the title of this film is truly offensive, but I would say that GLAAD jumped this gun. Watching this movie and then protesting it, would have been the way to go. It’s more of a wet dream for trans haters than it is a revenge fantasy.

Also, the acting was horrible. The main character, Bubbles Cliquot, played by Krystal Summers, is beautiful. So beautiful that you can almost ignore how wooden and unbelievable her acting is. Kelexis Davenport, who plays Pinky La’Trimm, is equally as bad as Summers. William Belli, who plays Rachel Slurr, is alternately awful and funny. He is the only one of the actors that is a drag queen instead of trans and I think that his part should have been given to Jenna Skky. The best acting, by far, came from Jenna Skky, who plays “Tipper Sommore,” unfortunately Skky only appears in the first 10 minutes of the film. Erica Andrews has an equally as short part as “Emma Grashun.” There, now you know all the names of the girls, which is really the most entertaining part of the film. That and Summer’s body. She’s gorgeous, but watching her get stalked repeatedly hit in the head, stabbed and violated in every way imaginable isn’t my idea of a good time. I hope it’s not yours either.  I can’t imagine how this film even made it into the festival.

04/12/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor star in “I Love You, Philip Morris,” a film about two men who fall in love while in prison. The movie premiered at Sundance and had mixed and positive reviews. Since then, the movie’s release has been postponed multiple times. Problems have plagued the film, with sources reporting that:

An early version of the picture was said to have included “graphic gay sex” scenes, and probably because of that, even after completion, the film had problems finding a distributor.

 I guess there is just no room for a Gay dark comedy in Hollywood. It seems like an odd time to push back the release for the film, especially since star Jim Carey is currently relevant in the gossip columns for his split from Jenny McCarthy. Check out the trailer for “I Love You, Philip Morris” and decide for yourself.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Nobody Loves Phillip Morris (screenhead.com)
• I Love You Phillip Morris Pushed Back Yet Again, To July 30 (cinemablend.com)
• I Love You Phillip Morris, You’re Perfect, Now Wait (queerty.com)

04/09/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

The headline says it all. Watch the clip! Gay enough for you? The amazingly talented and LGBT rights activist Cynthia Nixon is back as Miranda, Standford is getting married and Carrie runs into Aidan…in Morocco? If only they were bringing back Samantha’s latina artist ex-girlfriend. Then this movie would be complete.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Zoe Saldana is Butch (lezgetreal.com)
• Alicia Keys Engaged to a Man (lezgetreal.com)
• Martina Navratilova Has Breast Cancer (lezgetreal.com)

04/09/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Openly gay director Bill Condon is on the shortlist to direct the newest installment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn. Breaking Dawn is the fourth book in Stephanie Meyer’s  Twilight series. Each Twilight film has had a different director, Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz and David Slade respectively.

Condon has directed gay hits such as “Dreamgirls” and “Kinsey.” He also directed “Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh” which scared the heck out of me when I was 11. Yes, I did say Candyman in the mirror, in the dark three times. Spoiler alert: I lived the tell the tale.

Other directors on the shortlist are Stephen Daldry (who also directed some great gay movies, The Hours and Billy Elliot), Sofia Coppola and Gus Van Sant. Condon has some touch competition, but the word is that he is the closest to sealing the deal. Maybe the next Twilight film will have appeal for LGBT youth as well as fans of sparklevamps.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Bill Condon In Final Negotiations To Direct ‘Breaking Dawn’ (screenrant.com)
• Bad News, Marlon Wayans: Bill Condon the Top Choice to Direct Breaking Dawn (nymag.com)
• Bill Condon Closer to Directing ‘Breaking Dawn’ (cinematical.com)

The celebration includes a Hebrew language LGBT film series, theatrical and musical performances by prominent Israeli artists, cooking demonstrations, art exhibitions, literary readings, and panels discussions on LGBT culture in Israel and Zionist perspectives.

This Thursday April 8 a local anti-Israel group called QUIT (”Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism”)will be protesting outside the Roxie Theater (16th and Valencia Streets, San Francisco) where the festival will have its opening night films.

This is no time to be bringing  Israel’s political debates or American foreign policy into our LGBT  cultural explorations.  We are   fighting our own struggle here , in the USA – for Equality.    Our struggle is not one that has anything to do with Israel’s policies.  Separate issue, wrong place – I say please quit  QUIT!

Israel is one of the few Countries that treats its Queers with respect and dignity enacting pro gay laws in the Knesset and providing for full equality under the law, notwithstanding its religious basis.

The USA   is a Country that has a reprehensible discrimination record against the LGBT community.  I say QUIT should quit!

This festival is truly a gift and should be supported for what it is.  As an out Jewish lesbian I am grateful for Israel’s  Knesset.  It serves as a shining example and provides hope to us here in the US as we look up to its record on equality.

We are calling supporters of  LGBT equality to turn out and show support for ISRAEL as a country that fully supports LGBT equality. The right wing or religious views in Israel have not hampered equality there as it has done here.

However, my wife, Dorit Nathan-Israel,  who is Israeli disagrees with me completely (here we are -James and Mary) and says that QUIT has ever right to protest – that is their view and this is a legitimate venue to express it.   This, she says, is a human rights issue too, for them and so it is fair for them to be there. She says Quit should not Quit but supporters on the other side of the issue should come out to express heir views as well.

However, Dear Wife, because this post is mine…. I have the last word…. and it goes like this..

So San Francisco we are a Queer first CITY .… when it comes to our needs and right now our need is Equality which will only be engendered through acceptance.  This cultural event moves the discussion toward acceptance and so we are obligated to support it.   When we have full acceptance and full equality here in the USA, then we can afford to protest other issues should we choose.

To QUIT I say this – QUIT! Join the fight for Equality dear brothers and sisters and then we can talk more….

“Out in Israel” is, sponsored in part by the Israeli Consulate, the San Francisco and East Bay Federations, JCRC, BlueStarPR, and Congregation Sha’ar Zahav.

More information can be found about festival at http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67384

Post dedicated to my beloved Granny Rosie, of  blessed memory,  on this what would have been her birthday.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Picture above: My Wedding at Congregation Rodef Sholom
Married by rabbi Stacy Friedman

Related articles by Zemanta

• Israeli Gay Couple Petitions Court to Use Surrogate (lezgetreal.com)

By Melanie Nathan 3-28-10. The Florida Legislature heeded its conscience, not to mention great advocacy from a coalition of 80 organizations under the banner, “Florida Together,” including noise makers from outside the State such as here at Lezgetreal, where we called for a boycott of filming in Florida State , by removing the language from proposed tax credit bills that provided incentives for filmmakers only if they avoided depictions of “nontraditional family values.”

Republican Stephen Precourt proposed a new bill, which was being considered in the Florida house, which would make movie and TV productions with gay characters ineligible for a tax credit.

Precourt claimed he was not targeting the gay community, yet provides a moronic contradiction when he qualifies his statement by saying that he does not want to invest public dollars in shows with gay characters.

“We support bringing film jobs to Florida,” Georg Ketelhohn, chair of Florida Together, in a press statement. “We just don’t think literally paying someone to reinforce negative stereotypes is good public policy.” So the clause was scraped.

“I am proud the Legislature saw the difference between creating jobs in Florida and rewarding discrimination. Florida Together did good work keeping this issue in the spotlight and working with us to fix it,” said Senator David Aronberg, in Florida Together’s news release.

For us at LGR this hails another victory reflecting that US equality activists are on alert and will do all possible to expose, oppose and defeat hate and discrimination in our battle to win equality.

This presents yet another example of why The Civil Rights Act MUST be amended to include sexual orientation. Short of that we will always be fighting for piecemeal legislation, Repeal of this DOMA and maybe more DOMA’s to come, fighting battles at State level that ought not be reposed for discrimination.

Face Book and the Internet, News wires and Bloggers on command, we have found a way to muster up our forces, ad hoc and when needed. If you support equality why not adopt it as your middle name! Many are reflecting their views by doing so already. These are the unsung heroes in our fight,….. keep up the great work.

Keep the tips coming in and if you comment your voice will be heard.

Copy of what I wrote to Precourt – see earlier Post:

Dear Stephen Precourt,Gay Rights Advocates Call for Boycott of Filming in Florida – http://lezgetreal.com/?p=27912

Please get rid of your hate clause in the Bill for film tax credit increase. Hollywood is pro LGBT equality and Gay people will continue to be portrayed in the positive light deserved. For the most part we have every family value attribute possible. That is why we want equality.

You should get to know a few of us before you make such bland judgment calls, probably based on your inability to honor our constitution by separating church from state.

If you came to my home for dinner, you would be impressed with our values and the modeling we provide for our two daughters. You will see the normalcy and love in our family.

In film, we will be increasingly depicted for exactly who we are and your shoddy legislation will never eradicate our de facto and soon to be de jure existence. In fact all it will serve to do is isolate Florida from the industry; as the film industry will rather suffer the loss of tax credit than the freedom of speech and the right to equally portray every kind of family that depicts our real world.

We will Boycott Florida if you fail to withdraw your discriminatory legislation.

Warm Regards,

Melanie Nathan.

THE PROPOSED BILL: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0697__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0697&Session=2010

Melanie Nathan

By: Melanie Nathan Nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Lezgetreal Calls on Movie Industry to Boycott Florida (oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com)
• West Palm Beach votes in support of gay adoption (topix.net)
• Dear Florida, THIS SUCKS! (perezhilton.com)

Mumbai actresses Anaya Das and Neelakshi Singh were filming a scene for the movie, ” Jhansi Ki Rani” which roughly translates to “The Great Escape.” The film is being produced by the Cochin-based Red Ruby Films and is being made in Tamil, but will be dubbed in about four additional languages including Hindi, Bengali and English.

While shooting for a film in Cochin which involved some lesbian and kissing scenes; locals intervened and disrupted the shoot, shouting slogans and pelting the sets and actreses with stones.

According to Flynn Remedios, publicist for Red Ruby Films the shooting was disrupted for about three hours on Thursday. The production managed to convince the troublemakers and the shooting resumed after a long lunch and tea break.

Stories like these are a sad reminder of how far the LGBT community has to go to gain acceptance on a worldwide scale. Das and Singh are brave actresses for taking on these roles. Lets hope that the movie gets completed and the lesbian scenes aren’t left on the cutting room floor.

03/18/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Kristen Stewart stars in “The Runaways,” a film about the 70’s girl band by the same name. Stewart plays lesbian rock and roller Joan Jett. Jett also co-produced the film and as a result, her and Stewart spent a lot of time together working on the movie. Stewart is currently doing the press rounds to promote the film, which is released tomorrow. Stewart spoke to the Wall Street Journalabout the time she spent with Jett, learning how to believably act the performance scenes. Stewart can play the guitarand she tells the WSJ about playing with Jett:

Which is really, really intimidating. Only on a musical level. I am not intimidated by Joan. She’s really great and quite gentle, oddly. But then you pick up an instrument and you’re like, can I please leave?

Stewart also talks about how Jett helped guide her in her acting for the film, helping her get inside of her mindset when these true to life events were actually taking place:

Kristen Stewart: When I first read the script, [the Joan character] was talking to Kim Fowley and I thought, God, he’s so annoying. And he’s irritating at times. But she was like, you’re not threatened by him. She wasn’t threatened by him at all. So when he’s yelling at her and saying “tougher!” she’s laughing at him. That’s something I would have played differently. I would have responded to him all Joan Jett about it, like argh.

The movie is getting tons of hype. It will be released tomorrow, lets hope that this queer-friendly film hits the ground running!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Kristen Stewart Wasn’t Allowed to Grope Dakota Fanning on Set(lezgetreal.com)
• The Runaways: Sundance Review Round-up (lezgetreal.com)

03/17/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

The film “Chloe” stars Moore and Amanda Seyfried (Momma Mia, Mean Girls) as a wife who pays an escort to seduce her husband and said escort, respectively.  Recently, screen shots of the movie have surfaced showing that Seyfried’s character, at the very least, kisses Moore’s character. At first blush, the plot of Chloe sounds more suited to the playboy channel than in the repertoire of an academy award winning actress and the reviews, by critics or movie go-ers have not been great. Now that the film has been released, Seyfried and Moore are doing the rounds of press needed to promote the movie, including talking about their love scene. Moore said of the love scene and of the role:

“Was it different because it was [with] a girl? No,” Moore told reporters in New York Monday about her onscreen tryst with Seyfried. “Whenever you have an intimate scene with somebody, you’re very prepared. Everyone knows exactly what’s happening and it’s usually very choreographed … Amanda and I were comfortable with each other.”

Moore, 49, went on to call her 24-year-old costar “lovely” and “quite impressive.”

Moore is a seasoned veteran and is used to LBQ roles and handeled the interview perfectly. Seyfried, newer to the scene, stumbled a little and said:

But it wasn’t such a clear-cut call for Seyfried, who admits to being so “intimidated” she tried to back out of the movie.

“The risk factor came with the fact that the nudity could potentially create some damage with my American audience,” she said. Still, “I had to do it. It was clearly the riskier choice but I think the better choice.”

Now, Seyfried rates it as her most memorable moment on the set. “The love scene,” she said. “I’ll never forget that.”

Luckily, Seyfried was able to get over her intimidation and play a bisexual character, who need more visibility in film.

The Director of the film, Atom Egoyan, said:  ”They are actors. They use their bodies to express feeling. That’s what their job is about. It’s a great scene and my favorite moment in the film perhaps.”

Well of course it is his favorite scene, it’s what is going to get people out to the movie theater.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Amanda Seyfried: ‘Chloe’ Premiere with Julianne Moore! (justjared.buzznet.com)

Photo by Anthony Citrano

03/11/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning star as Joan Jett and Cherie Curie, respectively, in The Runaways. The Runaways follows the story of a teenage, all girl band that rose to popularity in the 70s. The media has been all over the movie reporting on the relationship between the two characters in the film. A relationship that Curie has characterized as “exploratory” and “fun.” Fanning and Stewart are repeatedly asked about how it felt to “kiss another woman” during their media interviews. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Stewart reveals that because of Fanning’s age at the time of taping, 15, the girls had to be very careful during the love scenes.

“She was 15, and I wasn’t allowed to grope her,” Kristen, 19, told Access Hollywood on Wednesday at the press junket for her new rocker film. “I’m actually not kidding, there are major restrictions that I don’t remember [from] when I was younger.

“I don’t want to give anything way. It’s a really passionate, hardcore scene,” she continued. “No, it’s just a kiss. It’s not really a big deal.”

“It’s just something that happened in their lives,” Dakota told Access of the kissing scene. “In the script, it’s not like a big build up or something that they talk about afterwards.”

While Curie has intimated that her relationship with Jett went beyond a kiss, she is happy with the way the movie turned out. She also said that she understands why the producers cut a storyline that is pivotal in the book the film is based on. Sadly, shortly before joining the band, Curie was raped by a family friend. This information disturbs the film’s story arc, which focuses around the destruction of Curie’s innocence.

On a lighter note, Fanning and Stewart are planning to giveJett and Curie costumes from the film as memorabilia.

“I loved the outfits, I kept most all of them,” Dakota said. “Cherie gave her corsets away and we had them remade for the movie, [so] I’m going to give her one and I think that will be really cool.”

“I gave Joan a leather jacket,” Kristen said. “I wrote all over the back of it.”

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Runaways: Sundance Review Round-up (lezgetreal.com)

Precourt

Posted by Melanie Nathan, 03-08-10. Republican Stephen Precourt has proposed  a new bill, now being considered in the Florida house, which  would make movie and TV productions with gay characters ineligible for a tax credit.

Current state law gives tax credits on productions that are “family friendly,” i.e. no smoking, sex, nudity, or profane language.

Included in a bill, that would  increase the dollar amount of the credit, is a nasty little adjunct in a tacit and implied, yet loud and clear anti-gay  discrimination clause -  to  expand the disqualifications  to productions that include any “exhibit or implied act” of non traditional family values. (associated with wording “gratuitous violence. ”)

Precourt claims he’s not targeting the gay community, yet provides a moronic contradiction when he qualifies his statement by saying  that he does not want to invest public dollars in shows with gay characters.

Who is he targeting? What is a non-traditional family?  Unmarried couples like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel?  Single Mom’s Like the Palin kid?    I know these are not characters in a movie, but these are examples of  what Mr Righteous may perceive as Traditional family.

Extra Note:

Lawmakers push for $75M film tax credit

Florida’s tax incentives for the film industry would be greatly expanded under a measure announced this morning by Orlando Rep. Steve Precourt. Joined by Senate President-in-waiting Mike Haridopolos, the Republican argued the incentive is a good way to encourage economic development. The proposal would offer up to $75 million in credits for qualifying films each year for three years. Credits could be issued immediately but could not be claimed until 2012.  Florida’s film incentives peaked in 2007 with a $25 million budget. That has been slashed to $10.8 million. In the current fiscal year, half of that budget is taken up by the hit TV show Burn Notice.

Hollywood your voice needs to be heard now, before the legislation – send Precourt a letter asking him to withdraw his prejudicial clause and please DO threaten to boycott Florida as a film location.   In any event – imagine going ahead with a production only to find out that Mr. Family Values has decided that one character in your movie disqualifies the credit the Producer thought would be due.

Joe Jervis FB page guest says: Please write this MORON and tell him that GAY people are in EVERY family….. steve@steveprecourt.com and/or

I joined his FB as a fan , just to get the point across that everyone has a gay person in their family. Does that mean no tax credit for anyone by association?  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Precourt/261281122088?v=wall

Update:

Dear Stephen Precourt,

Gay Rights Advocates Call for Boycott of Filming in Florida – http://lezgetreal.com/?p=27912

Please get rid of your hate clause in the Bill for  film tax credit increase.    Hollywood is pro LGBT equality and Gay people will continue to be portrayed  in the positive light deserved.  For the most part we have every family value attribute possible. That is why we want equality.

You should get to know a few of us before you make such bland judgment calls, probably based on your inability to honor our constitution by separating church from state.

If you came to my home for dinner, you would be impressed with our values and the modeling we provide for our two daughters.  You will see the normalcy and love in our family.

In film, we will be increasingly  depicted for exactly who we are and your shoddy legislation will never eradicate our de facto and soon to be de jure existence.  In fact all it will serve to do is isolate Florida from the industry; as the film industry will rather suffer the loss of tax credit than the freedom of speech and the right to equally portray every kind of family that depicts our real world.

We will Boycott Florida if you fail to withdraw your discriminatory legislation.

Warm Regards,

Melanie.

THE PROPOSED BILL: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0697__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0697&Session=2010

Melanie Nathan LGBT Advocate /Activist

By Melanie Nathan,
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• Florida GOP: No More Tax Credits For Movies Made With Gay Characters (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• Florida Lawmaker Attempts To Deny Tax Credit To Movies Filmed With Gay Characters (thinkprogress.org)
• Florida “Family-Friendly” Film Tax Credit Would Exclude Movies with Gay Families (mombian.com)
• Florida “Family-Friendly” Film Tax Credit Would Exclude Movies with Gay Families (bilerico.com)
• FL Bill Seeks To Deny Tax Breaks To Gay Films (towleroad.com)

03/08/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Beloved Golden Girl and Gay Icon Bea Arthur was excluded from the annual Oscar “In Memoriam” montage last night. Farrah Fawcett, who suffered a very public battle with cancer, was also excluded from the montage, which covers all of the Hollywood Royalty who has passed away in the past year. The ladies were both primarily known for their television careers. However, they have had parts in movies in the span of their long and successful careers.

The montage includes those who have passed away from all walks of the entertainment industry, from actors to writers, to producers and sound specialists. This year, the montage opened with Patrick Swayze and closed with Michael Jackson. Perez Hilton points out that Jackson was included, having, arguably, as much movie experience as Fawcett and Arthur. As a child of the nineties, Fawcett’s role in “Man of the House” with Chevy Chase and Jonathan Taylor Thomas, has a special place in my heart. UPDATE: Roger Ebert tweeted that Fawcett’s absence from the memoriam reel was a “major fail”!

If you would like to remind yourself of the great work of these two ladies, check out their IMDB pages.

Bea Arthur

Farrah Fawcett

Related articles by Zemanta

• Farrah Fawcett Left Off Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ Tribute Montage (huffingtonpost.com)
• The Biggest Snub At The Oscars! (perezhilton.com)

By Melanie Nathan.   3/7/10. In Hollywood, female film directors are still the exception, said the LA Times, and tonight Kathryn Bigelow the ex wife and co-nominee  of Avatar’s James Cameron, won the Oscar for the coveted  best Director.

Bigelow-,  “The moment of a Lifetime”  -  is now the first woman to win an Oscar for directing, for ‘The Hurt Locker.’  What an amazing achievement.  Maybe we should make her our honorary lesbian of the Month.  But then there is Sandra Bullock who was the only winner to mention the notion of equality, when referring to sexual orientation in a positive light in her acceptance speech for best female actor.  Oh and not to mention the fact that she considers Meryl Streep a great kisser and her (okay she was just kidding) ‘lover”.   Did I hear right? Well bottom line – she is an approver!

From LGR we say YOU ROCK  our world GIRL!

Bigelow and her ex-husband collaborated on a film, the commercial mega-flop “Strange Days,” four years after their 1991 divorce.  She even asked him to peruse the script of “The Hurt Locker” before committing to the low budget amount of  $11 million for the project.  Cameron’s Avatar was a whopping $230 million spending fest. Apparently he ” told her to immediately drop what she working on and go for it.  ” Will Cameron, the usually severely ego-driven director  twist this advice to his credit now that the “The Hurt Locker” beats out Avatar.  James don’t do that, please! She did it on her own.

Melanie Nathan LGBT Advocate /Activist

Happy Night, Good Night, from this PJ Blogger

Posted by Melanie Nathan

nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• Kathryn Bigelow Gets A Better Oscars Seat Than James Cameron (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)
• OSCAR Lesbian Predictions (lezgetreal.com)
• Curtains rise on Oscars night (cbc.ca)
• `Avatar,’ `Hurt Locker’ Lead Expanded Oscar Parade (abcnews.go.com)
• Oscars a war between ‘Avatar’ and ‘Hurt Locker’ (cnn.com)
• Will Oscar Smash Hollywood Glass Ceiling? (news.sky.com)

March 3- 2010 by Melanie Nathan.  Far from the eagerly anticipated and globally televised event it is today, the first Academy Awards ceremony took place out of the public eye during an Academy banquet at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Two hundred seventy people attended the May 16, 1929 dinner in the hotel’s Blossom Room; guest tickets cost $5. It was a long affair filled with speeches, but Academy President Douglas Fairbanks made quick work of handing out the statuettes.

In couple of days Hollywood will celebrate another Oscar Award evening.  For some reason this year feels more certain and less exciting than in years gone by.  I am hoping that we will indeed be amused by Steve and Alec.  But that depends less on them and more on the writers.  We wonder who they are?

Oscar- Oscar ‘give me the answer too; I’m half crazy all for the love of you; it might be a stylish marriage, but I can’t afford a carriage, but you’ll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle made for two! ‘ Don’t ask and I won’t tell!  Okay, Open that damn envelope already…. hohum

Tis I Melanie – movie goer and that is it. No great credential on this one. The RED is my OSCAR Prediction. The Green is my personal favorite and the PINK is lesbian Choice

Best Picture

Avatar James Cameron and Jon Landau

The Blind Side Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson

District 9 Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham

An Education Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey

The Hurt Locker Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro

Inglourious Basterds Lawrence Bender

Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness

A Serious Man Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Up Jonas Rivera

Up in the Air Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman

Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges Crazy Heart

George Clooney- Up in the Air

Colin Firth A Single Man

Morgan Freeman Invictus

Jeremy Renner The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Supporting Role

Matt Damon Invictus

Woody Harrelson The Messenger

Christopher Plummer The Last Station

Stanley Tucci The Lovely Bones

Christoph Waltz Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock The Blind Side

Helen Mirren The Last Station

Carey Mulligan An Education

Gabourey Sidibe Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Meryl Streep Julie & Julia

Actress in a Supporting Role

Penélope Cruz Nine

Vera Farmiga Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhaal Crazy Heart

Anna Kendrick Up in the Air

Mo’Nique Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Melanie Nathan LGBT Advocate /Activist

Posted by Melanie Nathan nathan@privatecourts.com

www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com
www.privatecourts.com
Human Rights Advocacy
www.visualcv.com/melnathan

Related articles by Zemanta

• ‘Hurt Locker’ producer barred from Oscars (cnn.com)
• An aggregated list of expert Oscar predictions. (slate.com)
• Hurt Locker Producer Is BANNED From Academy Awards!! (perezhilton.com)
• Avatar’s James Cameron Snags Golden Globe (wired.com)
• For Best Picture: “Precious” (cbsnews.com)

02/16/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Matt Damon will Co-Star alongside Michael Douglas in the upcoming biopic on Liberace. Douglas, will play the closeted Liberace and Damon will play his much younger lover, Scott Thornson.

Liberace was a popular pianist/singer/entertainer in the 1950s-1970s. He was well known for his outrageous costumes and larger than life personality. Many entertainment rags at the time entertained the idea that he was gay. However, he always denied this rumors and even sucessfully sued the UK’s Daily Mirror for libel in 1957. Despite Liberaces denials of his sexuality, Thornson sued him for palimony when they two split after five years of co-habitation. The court threw out the suit, but they settled for 95,000.

This is a very different type of role for Damon to take on. Damon is best known for his work in 1997’s Good Will Hunting as well as the Ocean’s 11 and Bourne Identity movies and subsequent sequels. Despite his “tough guy” roles, Damon is not completely new to the gay scene, as he appeared in an episode of Will and Grace in 2002 as a closeted straight man in Jack’s gay chorus. Damon was lauded for his comical performance on the show.

The film is expected to be released in 2012.  

Related articles by Zemanta

• Michael Douglas and Matt Damon to Play Lovers in Liberace Biopic (towleroad.com)
• Douglas and Damon Official for Liberace Biopic (themovieblog.com)

02/06/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Natalie Portman was “terrified” when she had to kiss Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, That 70’s Show, Family Guy) in her new movie ‘Black Swan’. Black Swan is a movie about two rival prima ballerinas in the high stakes world of ballet dancing. In the movie (spoiler alert, only if you are planning to see the movie, which I’m pretty sure you aren’t) Portman and Kunis have a sex scene together. In an interview Portman states:

“I was terrified. At the moment I lived in a state of inner terror.”

Inner terror? Kissing a beautiful accomplished actress is terrifying? Portman who has previously shot nude scenes and played a stripper in the movie “Closer” is also worried the lesbian sex sequence is overshadowing the plot of the film and worries it will make her be taken less seriously as an actress. She added: “Nudity is something absolutely natural and I’m not prudish – but in a film it can be distracting. But stripping isn’t? Portman goes on to say:

“Doing ‘Black Swan’ I couldn’t say no. The project is a huge opportunity for me to show a new me. I can’t always play the nice mothers. My other problem is that single pictures are being taken out of context and put on the internet.” Right, Portman is always playing the nice mother, or the nice stripper. Playing a nice lesbian is a huge leap for her. There is nothing wrong with strippers, but it’s sad that Portman regards playing a lesbian as her least family friendly role.

Portman studied psychology at Harvard has a reputation for being “I can guarantee you I’m not one of the most intelligent actresses of the world.” I completely agree with you Natalie and to prove it, I’m running some of Portman’s best quotes below:

“Star Wars hasn’t changed my life at all.”

Except for the millions of dollars you made and the wooden acting that eventually will become your legacy among the millions of Star Wars fans worldwide.

“When a guy tells me I’m cute, it’s not something desirable. Cute is more like what you want your pet to be.”

Cute is awesome. We can’t all be devastatingly gorgeous in a half-fed way.

And then there was the time she compared meat lovers to rapists: I say that Foer’s ethical charge against animal eating is brave because not only is it unpopular, it has also been characterized as unmanly, inconsiderate, and juvenile. But he reminds us that being a man, and a human, takes more thought than just “This is tasty, and that’s why I do it.” He posits that consideration, as promoted by Michael Pollan in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, which has more to do with being polite to your tablemates than sticking to your own ideals, would be absurd if applied to any other belief (e.g., I don’t believe in rape, but if it’s what it takes to please my dinner hosts, then so be it).

Portman told Allure magazine in an interview, regarding being famous: “I’m not black, but I know what it feels like.” That quote speaks for itself. Natalie Portman: Not America’s Smartest Actress.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Natalie Portman Terrified of Lesbian Kiss (inquisitr.com)
• Natalie Portman is Black Swan Serious (justjared.buzznet.com)
• Kunis + Portman = “aggressive sex” (wwtdd.com)

02/01/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Out creator Darren Star, best known for his work on HBO’s “Sex and the City” series is being tapped by HBO to direct a biopic of anti-gay activist, Anita Bryant. Anita Bryant was a well known beauty queen, singer and celebrity spokesperson. However, her lasting legacy has been her political campaigning to further alienate the LGBT community from mainstream society.

Some illuminating quotes from Bryant, during her campaign to repeal anti-discrimination legislation in Florida are:

“What these people really want, hidden behind obscure legal phrases, is the legal right to propose to our children that theirs is an acceptable alternate way of life. [...] I will lead such a crusade to stop it as this country has not seen before.”

“As a mother, I know that homosexuals cannot biologically reproduce children; therefore, they must recruit our children” and “If gays are granted rights, next we’ll have to give rights to prostitutes and to people who sleep with St. Bernards and to nail biters.”

“All America and all the world will hear what the people have said, and with God’s continued help we will prevail in our fight to repeal similar laws throughout the nation.”

Chad Hodge, who has worked on Tru Calling and Runaway, is set to write the script for the biopic. Hodge had a personal connection to Bryant, as they both went to Northwestern together. Hodge insists that Bryant has had an interesting life and is a worthy object for biopic. Despite her career being pretty mundane and overall, a failure. The most interesting thing about Bryant, is the reaction she provoked in the gay community. Gay Bars in Florida, banded together to protest Orange Juice (Bryants most widely known shilled product) by removing screw drivers from their menus and naming a drink after her.

The real question is, why is a gay director attached to a project about an anti-gay activist? We will have to wait and see.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Anti-Gay Miss California to Pen Book (sfist.com)
• Watch Cynthia’s Florida Fight (advocate.com)

1/25/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

The much anticipated Joan Jett biopic, The Runaways debuted at Sundance last night. The Runaways focuses on the all-girl group of the same name that rose to popularity in the 70’s. The film is directed by Floria Sigismondi. Which brings into full circle the “girl-power” message of the both the group and the film.

The movie has been getting a lot of attention from LGBT-ers because of the sexual orientation of Jett and the romance between her and fellow band mate Cherie Curie. In particular, there has been much coverage of the kiss between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, the actresses who play each band member, respectively. Fanning is fifteen, so this film is great for teenagers who either are out and proud or those who are questioning and looking for role models.

The marketing campaign for The Runaways focused on Joan Jett as the center of the film, however, the film is actually based on the book “Neon Angel,” by Cherie Curie which explains the heavy focus on Curie in the film. The reviews of the movie range from “okay” to “good.” Entertainment Weekly comes down on the film for being too scattered in terms of it’s portrayal of Curie’s character and for not giving Jett’s character a deeper storyline. A few reviewers stated that they went into the movie without high hopes and came away surprised. Fanning’s ability as an actress was never in doubt. But there was concern about whether Kristen Stewart could pull off the part of Joan Jett, based on her wooden acting in the Twilight movies. Cinematical had this to say

Beware Twihards and Twi-Moms, this is not your sweet and innocent Bella. Kristen Stewart’s Joan Jett urinates on electric guitars, pops pills, snorts coke, and loves other ladies. Just a fair warning.

Quality LBQ movies are few and far between. Hopefully, The Runaways will make a bigger splash when in wide-release. Read the rest of the review here: http://www.cinematical.com/2010/01/24/the-runaways-sundance-review/

For more reviews, check out these links:

http://movie-critics.ew.com/2010/01/25/the-runaways-is-no-knockout/

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16166/sundance-review-the-runaways-

Related articles by Zemanta

• ‘The Runaways’ Premiere: Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning In Joan Jett Biopic (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)

1/24/2010-by Natasia Langfelder

Julianne Moore is straight. She is married to director Bart Freundlich and they have two children together, a boy and a girl. However, Moore has never shied away from taking on unconventional roles, roles that perhaps most straight actresses wouldn’t want to take on.  Moore first made it onto my radar when I read a quote from the actress saying that she was hungry all the time.  It’s rare for an actress to admit, with that type of honesty, that she has to make that kind of sacrifice to be able to practice her craft. Moore first made it onto the LGBT radar when she starred in The Hours (2002), alongside Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep, as a closeted 50’s housewife who goes on to leave her husband and child in order to stay true to her identity.  Moore’s performance was as beautiful as it was heart-wrenching and she was nominated for her work in the film by both the Screen Actors Guild and the Academy.

Moore is getting a lot of buzz for her recent choices in roles in two soon to be released movies. The film “Chloe” stars Moore and Amanda Seyfried (Momma Mia, Mean Girls) as a wife who pays an escort to seduce her husband and said escort, respectively.  Recently, screen shots of the movie have surfaced showing that Seyfried’s character, at the very least, kisses Moore’s character. At first blush, the plot of Chloe sounds more suited to the playboy channel than in the repertoire of an academy award winning actress. But so does the plot of Boogie Nights, a film that earned Moore nominations from the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and the Academy.  The LBQ audience has to trust that Moore would not take this role unless it depicted the community in an honest light, if not in the most flattering light.

Moore will be starring as a lesbian parent, alongside Annette Benning, in the film “The Kids are Alright.”  The film centers around two lesbian parents who conceived their two children through artificial insemination with sperm purchased from a sperm bank. When the children want their biological father brought into the picture, complications arise for the family. The movie was recently shown at the Sundance Film Festival.  

Moore’s three LBQ roles could not be more diverse and truly do represent the diversity among women who love women. Moore’s stable background as a heterosexual wife and mother combined with her prolific on-screen roles and artistic consistency in her acting, probably helps to account for her sustained popularity among straight audiences as well as gay. However, if this stability helps her to explore and break new ground in queer films, it proves her commitment to the LGBT community and to visibility for an often overlooked group of people.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Annette Benning and Julianne Moore as lesbian moms in ‘The Kids Are Alright’ (topix.net)

01/18/10-by Natasia Langfelder

In a refreshing change of pace, Eva Green, best known for her role as a generic Bond Girl #48923 in Quantum of Solace, expressed a desire to delve deeper into the sexuality of her lesbian character. Green is referring to her role as Ms. G, a headmistress at a boarding school, in the movie Cracks.

Cracks has been released overseas and will be released in the US in 2010. The movie focuses on Ms. G, the headmistress of a boarding school for girls. Ms. G has the admiration and respect of her students and her relationship with them borders on flirtation. However, one student in particular catches her eye leading her to cause jealousy among the other women.  Green is currently making the rounds and giving interviews to promote the film.  In one of her many interviews, Green states:  

“The love scene is soft – I wanted to go even further. In the book, she’s more sexual.  I read the book many times, which was very helpful to understand Miss G’s obsession.  She’s completely obsessed in the book. She’s quite manly, she’s wearing overalls and smoking cigars! She’s more sexual. In the film, she’s very delicate, sophisticated and feminine – it’s not the same.”

I love this quote. It’s rare for anyone in Hollywood to refer to a gender-bending woman as sexy or express a desire to play a less feminine role. Most actresses giggle and talk about how the other actresses they had love scenes were “hot” or how different it was from kissing a man.  

Perhaps this is because Green isn’t a Hollywood native. She’s French and created a stir when she was cast in Casino Royale as she never really fit the bond girl mode. I’m going to see the movie. I hope that it portrays it’s queer characters as well as Green does.