Category: Entertainment

Ricky Martin’s memoir due November 2

LGBTQ Nation • Thursday, August 19, 2010 • Filed under: Books and Authors, Celebrities, Music • Comments (1)

Ricky Martin is set to release his memoir, Me, on November 2.

Martin said in a statement Thursday that the project led him to extract memories that he had erased from his mind. He said the book was not easy but allowed for an “incredible spiritual journey.”

USA TODAY’s Cindy Clark reports that the Grammy-Award winning artist opens up for the first time about his early childhood, his experiences as a member of the boy band Menudo, and coming to terms with his sexuality. Martin also talks about being a father and his work with children around the world.

Martin has said that preparing to write the book was one of the reasons he decided to reveal earlier this year that he is gay.

There will also be a Spanish language edition released in Spanish the same day, titled Yo, which is Spanish for “I.”

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Neil Patrick Harris and partner David Burtka expecting twins

LGBTQ Nation • Saturday, August 14, 2010 • Filed under: Celebrities • Comments (1)

Neil Patrick Harris confirmed rumors on Saturday, and announced via Twitter that he and longtime partner David Burtka are expecting twins in the fall.

The pair have already started planning their baby shower, according to E! News, who first reported the twins were on the way, via a surrogate.

“So, get this: David and I are expecting twins this fall. We’re super excited/nervous/thrilled. Hoping the press can respect our privacy,” Harris “tweeted.”

Later in the day, the expectant dads hammed it up at Disneyland.

Harris is up for three Emmys this month — one for Best Supporting Actor Comedy on CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother,” a second for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for “Glee” and a third for hosting last year’s Tony Awards.

Burtka has experience with twins; he helped to raise twins from a relationship with a previous boyfriend, although he wasn’t a primary parent to them.

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NJ library bans gay teen book over complaint from Glenn Beck follower

LGBTQ Nation • Saturday, August 7, 2010 • Filed under: Books and Authors, New Jersey • Comments (7)

A controversial book aimed at gay teens has been banned in the Burlington County, NJ, public library, the decision of a lone librarian acting on a single complaint by a Glenn Beck follower.

The book, Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology — a collection of first-person essays by LGBT teen sharing their stories of coming out of the closet — was pulled from the county library after objections from Beverly Marinelli, a Lumberton, NJ woman and a member of the 9.12 Project, a conservative group founded by Beck, a Fox News Channel pundit.

Marinelli described the book as “pervasively vulgar and obscene.”

According to series of emails obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey through a Freedom of Information Act, the Library Commission supported the decision by Gail Sweet, the library’s director, to remove “Revolutionary Voices” from circulation, though “no official challenge” was made, and “no actual vote by the commissioners” was taken.

The emails reveal that Sweet not only wanted the book pulled off the library shelf, she wanted to get rid of any trace of it.

“How can we grab the books so they never, ever get back into circulation?” Sweet wrote to a fellow staffer. “Copies need to totally disappear, as it is not a good idea to send copies to the book sale.”

In April, Marinelli, along with others in the local chapter of the 9/12 Project, successfully lobbied in to have the book removed from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, NJ.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) describes “Revolutionary Voices,” edited by Amy Sonnie, as “the first creative resource by and for queer and questioning youth of every color, class, religion, gender and ability.”

The book features first-hand coming-out accounts from gay students, and “reflections on identity,” according to the School Library Journal, the largest and most authoritative reviewer of children’s and young adult content. It was named as one of the best adult books for high school students by the Journal in 2001.

Sweet cited her decision to remove the book was that it constituted “child pornography.”

The emails can be read here (PDF).

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CBS plans more gay characters since receiving ‘failing’ score from GLAAD

LGBTQ Nation • Sunday, August 1, 2010 • Filed under: Television • Comments (1)

CBS has announced plans to add more gay characters to its fall line-up after receiving a “failing” grade in the annual Network Network Responsibility Index, a media survey by GLAAD that monitors the portrayal of gay, lesbian and transgender people on television.

In the season that starts in September, the network said a gay character will join “The Good Wife,” a lesbian character will join “Rules of Engagement” and a gay character will appear in the new sitcom “$#*! My Dad Says.”

Speaking last week to television reporters, Nina Tassler, CBS entertainment president, said the network was adding the characters to its prime-time programs “because we’re very disappointed in our track record so far.” Continue reading…

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Spiderman comics to feature gay kiss on October cover

LGBTQ Nation • Friday, July 30, 2010 • Filed under: Books and Authors • Comments (3)

A comic classic, The Amazing Spiderman, will debut what is likely the first gay kiss to be featured on the cover of a mainstream comic book.

The comic, out this October by Brian Michael Bendis, is about a bummed out Spider-Man, on the outs with his buds, girlfriend, and the world at large.

The cover art by David LaFuente Garcia captures Spiderman feeling sorry for himself in a couples-crowded Central Park. Among them, two men embrace as they lean in, eyes closed, for a kiss. (Look center-right.)

Kudos to Marvel Comics for simply illustrating that the LGBT community is a normal part of everyday society.

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GLAAD gives MTV high marks in fourth annual Network Responsibility Index

LGBTQ Nation • Thursday, July 22, 2010 • Filed under: Television • Comments (1)

MTV has been awarded high marks from Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), earning an “Excellent” rating from the advocacy group for its portrayal of gay, lesbian and transgender people on television.

GLAAD released its fourth annual Network Responsibility Index (NRI) on Thursday, a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people on television. Prime time programming on the five broadcast networks was evaluated as well as original prime time programming on 10 of the highest-rated cable networks.

“It is with great pride that GLAAD honors MTV with our highest mark of excellence in recognition of the network’s commitment to fair and accurate representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.

“From their inception, MTV programs like ‘The Real World’ and ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ have offered richly diverse portrayals of gay and transgender people that help Americans better understand and accept our community,” said Barrios.

Of MTV’s 207.5 hours of original prime time programming, 42% included LGBT-inclusive images that reflected the ethnic and racial diversity of the LGBT community as well as a strong cross-section of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, said GLAAD.

GLAAD reviewed more than 4,700 hours of prime time programming for inclusion of LGBT characters or issues on the five major networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox and NBC) from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010. GLAAD also examined 1,227 hours of original prime time programming on 10 highly-rated cable networks. Each hour was reviewed for on-screen LGBT representations.

Based on the quantity, overall quality and diversity of these representations, a rating was assigned by GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Program to each network: Excellent, Good, Adequate, or Failing.

Here are the findings from the GLAAD Network Responsibility Index:
(Download a copy of the report here.)

Broadcast Networks

  • After three years in second place, The CW is now the top broadcast network with 35% of its prime time programming hours being LGBT-inclusive. This is the highest percentage ever recorded for a broadcast network, though it should be noted that The CW airs less prime time programming hours than the other four broadcast networks.
  • ABC dropped to third place in terms of its percentage of LGBT-inclusive programming hours (26%). ABC received a “Good” rating because of the quantity and strong quality of its LGBT images.
  • Fox ranked right behind The CW in its percentage of LGBT-inclusive programming hours (30%) but received an “Adequate” rating because of the stereotypical and defamatory nature of some of its content. NBC also received an “Adequate” because of the comparatively low quantity of LGBT stories (13%).
  • CBS once again received a “Failing” rating with only 7% LGBT-inclusive hours of primetime programming, the vast majority of which came from its reality series.

Cable Networks

  • In addition to MTV’s groundbreaking “Excellent” rating, for the first time a majority of cable networks received higher than an “Adequate” rating. ABC Family (37%), TNT (34%), Showtime (32%), Lifetime (31%) and HBO (26%) all received “Good” ratings for the quantity and quality of their LGBT-inclusive original programming.
  • FX aired a significant amount of LGBT-inclusive programming (27%), but often relied on stereotypes or problematic representations of the LGBT community.
  • USA (4%), A&E (3%) and TBS (2%) all received “Failing” ratings for their lack of LGBT-inclusive images.

“When television networks share real stories of our community, audiences begin to see the common ground that we all share,” said Barrios. “Over the last year, viewers across the country celebrated the arrival of Mitchell and Cameron’s baby on ABC’s ‘Modern Family’, while teens and parents everywhere were moved by Kurt Hummel’s relationship with his father on Fox’s ‘Glee.’ These images and stories are being noticed by viewers, critics and Awards programs and we urge other networks to open their airwaves to such powerful and inclusive messages.”

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Westboro bigots picket Lady Gaga concert with ‘God hates fags’ signs

LGBTQ Nation • Sunday, July 18, 2010 • Filed under: Missouri, Music • Comments (0)

Westboro bigots outside the Lady Gaga concert in St. Louis

Homophobic hate-monger Fred Phelps’ gang of Westboro Baptist Bigots has taken a break from picketing military funerals with its “God hates fags” message to picket the Lady Gaga concert in St. Louis on Saturday night.

“Now what type of wicked hypocrites would we be if we did not warn this little false prophetess and all of her over-indulged sycophants that they are each one, individually heading straight to hell in a gender-confused, self-loathing, tone-deaf hand basket,” said Westboro, via their website.

In response, about an hour prior to her concert, Gaga posted this message to fans, via Facebook:

“At the risk of drawing attention to a hateful organization, I would like to make my little monster fan aware of a protest being held outside the Monsterball in St.Louis tonight. Although we have had protesters before, as well as fundamentalists at the show this group of protesters are hate criminals and preach using lude and violent language and imagery that I wish I protect you all from.

Their message is of hatred and divisiveness, but inside at the Monsterball we preach love and unity.

My request to all little monsters and public authority is to pay these hate criminals no mind. Do not interact with them, or try to fight. Do not respond to any of their provocation. Don’t waste your words, or feelings, no matter what you hear or see.

You are more fortunate and blessed than they are, and in your heart just pray for them. Although I respect and do not judge anyone for their personal views on any politics or religion, this group in particular to me, is violent and dangerous. I wanted to make my fans aware of my views on how to approach, or rather not approach, these kinds of hate activists.

Be inspired to ignore their ignorant message, and feel gratitude in your heart that you are not burdened or addicted to hate, as they are. X”

And post-concert, via Twitter:

@ladygaga: Tonight love and hate met in St. Louis. And love outnumbered the hate, in poetic thousands. Hate left. But love stayed. + Together, we sang.

Westboro is a small church in Topeka, KS, and is not affiliated with the Baptist denomination or any other Baptist church. According to news reports, almost all of its members — fewer than 100 — are related to founder Fred Phelps either by blood or marriage.

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Renee Zellweger signs petition in support of gay marriage

LGBTQ Nation • Sunday, July 18, 2010 • Filed under: Celebrities • Comments (0)

Props to actress Renee Zellweger, who showed her support for marriage equality this week by taking a break from her daily dose of caffeine at a Los Angeles-area Starbucks to engage with a gay rights supporter — and sign his petition in support of same-sex marriage.

Actress Renee Zellweger chats on her phone while enjoying a relaxing coffee break in Los Angeles, CA where she shook hands with an equal opportunity, gay marriage supporter petitioner as she left. Fame Pictures, Inc

Renee, you had us at “hello!”

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GLAAD pressures ‘The View’ to correct statements on HIV, African Americans

LGBTQ Nation • Tuesday, July 13, 2010 • Filed under: Health and Wellness, Television • Comments (0)

Refusing to be ignored, GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has teamed with the Black AIDS Institute and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and placed a full page ad in Monday’s Variety magazine, calling on ABC Television and its popular morning program The View, to correct a misleading quote about the spread of HIV among African Americans.

Last month, co-host Sherri Shepherd and guest host, comedian D.L. Hughley, blamed increased HIV rates among straight African American women on gay and bisexual black men men who are secretly gay, often referred to as “on the down low.”

“When you look at the prevalence of HIV in the African American community, it’s primarily young women who are getting it from men who are on the down low,” Hughley said on the June 22 broadcast.

Shepherd added, “It’s so big in the black community with women because they’re having sex with men who have been having sex with men.”

The Variety ad placement comes nearly three weeks after GLAAD issued a “Call to Action,” charging The View with perpetuating “dangerous myths,” despite evidence to the contrary from the Centers for Disease Control.

(The ad appears below; click on image to enlarge.)

Click to enlarge

After the show aired, thousands of people stood with GLAAD and demanded an apology and a correction. But so far, ABC and The View have remained silent on the issue.

“ABC and The View’s refusal to correct these inaccurate remarks comes at the expense of African American gay and bisexual men, straight African American women and millions of audience members who need facts about HIV/AIDS, not myths. It’s extremely disheartening to see a program that usually covers our community with respect, unwilling to correct this serious lapse in editorial judgment,” said Rashad Robinson, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Programs.

GLAAD has cited a 2009 interview in which a senior CDC official said that heterosexual black men with multiple sex partners — not bisexual men who secretly have sex with men — are responsible for high rates of HIV among black women.

In that interview, Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, said, “We have looked to see what proportion of infections is coming from male partners who are bisexual and found there are actually relatively few.”

“More are male partners who are having female partners and are injecting drugs or using drugs or have some other risks that may put those female partners at risk of acquiring HIV,” he added.

As of late Monday, still no comment from ABC or The View.

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‘Today’ show opens annual wedding contest to gay couples

LGBTQ Nation • Friday, July 9, 2010 • Filed under: Television • Comments (0)

Just days after it was revealed that the Today Show‘s “Modern Day Wedding” contest excluded gay and lesbian couples, NBC — bowing to activist pressure — has opened the contest to same-sex couples, and is extending the entry deadline to allow gay couples time to participate.

Following a “call to action” earlier this week by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Today announced that it will allow gay couples to enter its annual contest, which each year features one couple to marry on live television, after voting by the show’s viewers. Among the prizes, an all-expense paid honeymoon.

Late Thursday, following a meeting with GLAAD, NBC issued this statement:

Over the past few days TODAY has received a considerable response regarding our wedding contest application. The rules stated that eligible couples must be able to be legally married in New York, where we will host the wedding, therefore excluding same-sex couple applicants.

Our intent was not to be discriminatory or exclusive.

In 2005 when the wedding took place outside of New York, the application process was open to same-sex couples. We have listened to every voicemail and read every email. We take this feedback seriously, and we will change our application process. TODAY is a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, and GLAAD considers us an ally. We are committed to keeping those relationships strong and positive.

We have opened up the application process to same-sex couples, and will extend the deadline to Monday, July 12. Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive of all couples.

GLAAD’s call to action prompted thousands of phone calls, emails and letter to NBC, urging the network to allow the gay community the same opportunity to participate in the contest.

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