Chris Bryan has given us a real gift of an extraordinary video and music. The video is of waves in slow motion. The result is a breath-taking work of art. Watching the forms and motion is mesmerizing. The beauty is so fresh and so new as we get to know the ocean up close and personal. Enjoy!
Yep, that's right! Six years have passed since Brokeback Mountain was released and robbed of its Academy Award for 'Best Picture.' Where is the next great movie where the stars of the film are openly LGBT characters presented in a positive and heroic light? Been listening carefully but haven't heard of one in the pipeline with the caliber of stars and excitement that was generated by this magnificent film from director Ang Lee.
Maybe it's economics. Perhaps creating such pieces of art surrounding the LGBT community doesn't make money. Nope, that is wrong. Brokeback Mountain was made and released for just about $20 million. International and domestic gross came to a grand total of nearly $178 million and that doesn't count other sources of income generated by the movie. So it can't be that you lose money on the deal, can it?
Hollywood, you are overdue for another milestone picture featuring LGBT characters played by major Hollywood actors helmed by a powerful director. The options are endless ranging from a love story in either the Civil War or World War II to a true, handsome, suave LGBT action hero. Hell, maybe the next James Bond should be a gay man or a lesbian. The time has come to up the ante. Our characters this time don't have to be tragic and never know fulfilled love. They don't have to make love in dark shadows or isolated places. All they have to be is real.
The LGBT community has come a long way, Hollywood, and it is time for you to catch
Actor Alan Cumming has been everywhere, played everyone and leaves his peers and the public in total awe of his talent. The actor has won a Tony Award (Cabaret), been nominated for two Emmy's (The Good Wife), won the prestigious British Oliver Award (Accidental Death of an Anarchist) , as producer won an Independent Spirit Award (Ali Slim's Sweet Land) and the list could go on and on.
One of the most profound acknowledgements of his talent was when Queen Elizabeth II anointed him with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2009 for his acting and activism within the LGBT community.
The actor can be found in mainstream movies (X-Men, The Spy Kids, Circle of Friends, Golden Eye, etc), starring in a hit television series (The Good Wife, Masterpiece Theater), performing to packed houses in a cabaret act (Feinstein's Regency, Joe's Pub), releasing a solo record (I Brought A Blue Car Today) and working with some of the amazing talent in the entertainment industry (Stanley Kubrick in Eyes Wide Shut).
He is simply an original. There is no one like him in the entire entertainment industry.
As an actor who is in love with his craft, he is often found supporting with hard work other actor's projects. One night people were startled to see him playing a role in New York's hit "Sleep No More." He thrives on edgy projects and challenging new roles that others with his success would pull back for fear of hurting their career. Cumming's joy of being an actor drives him to embrace his profession in every conceivable way.
Proving the point, he has just agreed to be the only actor in a production of Shakespeare's "MacBeth." He literally will play every single role in the play. People are already astonished by the daring and courage he is showing taking on such a challenging project.
Alan Cumming, more importantly than any of his credits, awards or hits, is a man of great principles and values. He passionately and intensely cares for the planet and the people on it. At every opportunity he will appear at events to raise money and awareness for many different causes but especially the battle for full equality for the LGBT community and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Artist Illustrator Grant Shaffer and he have been married five years this month. As a native of Scotland he is a citizen of both Britain and the United States.
Here are "Five Questions For....."
1. You did the English version of the television show "Who Do You Think You Are?" and it resulted in an incredibly dramatic ending. What did you find out about your past and did you wish you hadn't agreed to do the show?
The thing about doing a show like that is that you have no idea what is going to happen and you really do find out the information they have unearthed for the first time on camera. Before it started I thought that it was the best thing ever about being famous - these amazing resources made available to me because of my celebrity. Then I ended up in a tiny village in southern Malaysia being told my grandad died playing russian roulette there, and I thought it was the worst thing that ever happened to me because of being famous - the fact that I had to go and tell my Mum this information. But after the initial shock we were able to see how good it was to finally find out the truth about him, and no, I don't regret doing it. It was a catalyst for huge things to happen in my life and even though some of them were really upsetting I am a big believer that everything that happens brings you to the person you are and the place you are in, so if you are happy how could you wish anything to have been different?
2. You are going to play every role in the play "Macbeth." There are well over a dozen characters in that production. How in the hell did this idea surface and are you overwhelmed with the idea of playing each and every character solo?
I have wanted to do Macbeth for a long time. My professional debut was actually playing Malcolm in a production of it in Glasgow in 1985! But over the years I had developed this idea that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth should flip roles each night, much in the way the actors playing Romeo and Mercutio do sometimes. First of all Lady Macbeth is such a great part and I wanted a go at her! But mostly there are so many references in the play about masculinity and gender and I thought it would be a really interesting way to portray those themes by flipping the genders each night. Also I thought Macduff and Lady Macduff could do the same thing too, and in turn that would open up the other roles to not being so gender-specific in terms of the casting. But then I did a reading of the play with me playing Lady M for the first half and Macbeth in the second. Just as I was processing how it had gone, and thinking about maybe asking if we could do another reading to make sure that it worked, Andy Goldberg, who is the co-director with John Tiffany, just said why didn't I do all the parts. And instead of it seeming an insane idea, well, in addition to it seeming like an insane idea (!) I just thought it was a brilliant, super-challenging idea, and if I had enough balls to play both the Macbeths then why not do the rest?! Also John and Andy came up with a brilliant narrative about why I would be one person playing all the roles and so the whole thing came together. I am completely overwhelmed but I know that every couple of years I have a need to do something that so terrifies me and is such a risk and so I just go with it and fling myself at it with all my heart and all my body. I imagine I will be a husk by mid July!
3. You became a US Citizen in order to vote in the 2008 election. Did you feel backlash from that action from your Scottish friends and fans?
I am actually a joint citizen because I did not have to give up my British citizenship, but in terms of Scotland I actually feel more connected to my country. I campaigned for the incumbent First Minister Alec Salmond at the last election, and he is the head of the Scottish National Party which ultimately aims for Scottish independence, so I still feel very Scottish and am very vocal within Scotland, despite my nascent Yankee-ness.
4. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you on stage?
I think maybe the time during the run of '"The Threepenny Opera" on Broadway when the actor playing Lucy fell asleep in his dressing room and just didn't come onstage at the end of my song. I had to busk it for many minutes, quite difficult when you are in a prison cell. I ended up just talking to the audience and saying how lucky they were to be there on the performance when Lucy went AWOL. It was utterly mortifying as I didn't know if he would ever appear at all, but of course the audience loved it. He finally did appear, really flustered and without his wig.
5. Who are your heroes and mentors?
I am a big fan of men and women who do it their own way. That can mean in terms of their performances or their politics or both. I have an abject fear of uniformity - socially, artistically or politically and so I am drawn towards people who teach us by confounding our expectations like Nelson Mandela in the way he preached forgiveness and compassion for the perpetrators of apartheid after his liberation from them. I am so moved by people who speak from their hearts. I remember being at drama school and hearing a speech by Neil Kinnock, the Labour Party leader, just days before the the 1983 general election. It is known as the 'I warn you' speech and it ends...'If Margaret Thatcher wins on Thursday I warn you not to be ordinary, I warn you not to be young, I warn you not to fall ill, I warn you not to get old'. It completely moved me and spurred me to everything I believe in now. I got to meet Neil a couple of times when he came to performances at the RSC when I was there. He is the best Prime Minister Britain never had. I also got to know Susan Sontag a wee bit at the end of her life and she left the most amazing impression on me. And there are many heroes in my life now, like you David, and Ian McKellen and Dr Mathilde Krim.
-Sexy actor Daniel Craig has a very low opinion of elected officials. Craig is quoted by "Politico" as say that "politicians are shitheads." Craig was had a few more choice words when he also stated “That’s how they become politicians, even the good ones. We're actors, we're artists, we're very nice to each other. They'll turn around and stab you in the fucking back.
-Republican candidate for President Ron Paul evidently has a problem using rest rooms that homosexuals use. Hmmm, wonder if he uses the one in his own campaign headquarters?
-Broadway's hit musical "Jersey Boys" just passed "Ave Q" to become the 21st longest running show in the history of Broadway. On Monday, December 26th, they will have played 2,535 performances!
-More lists are coming out about the last year. GLBTQ.com has published their compilation of "The Top Ten Stories of 2011". It is an interesting list.
-The New York Times published a moving and long obituary for John Lawrence who was the plaintiff in the famous Supreme Court Case -Lawrence v. Texas who passed away on November 20th. Please read since this our history and our heroes.
-Since it is still holiday time and we can be frivolous, Greg in Hollywood published the result of poll of readers on Soaphunks.net. Winning 'Best Eyes" was Brandon Beemer (photograph above) of "The Bold and Beautiful".
-In the latest rankings, Brazil has overtaken Great Britain and has the world's sixth largest economy. The United States is still number one followed closely by China.
-Given up the cutbacks in budgets around the country, the mentally ill are seeing their services and support vanish. The problem is so severe that emergency rooms are being flooded by those mentally challenged and desperately seeking assistance.
-For the first time in quite awhile, Gallup Poll shows that President Obama has more people approving of his job performance than disapproving. It's about time!
-Not everyone was happy with their Christmas Cards this year. Lulu the Cat was not a happy camper at all with her greetings.
-OutTraveler.com has picked the "Top 20 Gayest Destinations In the USA" for the year 2011. You will be surprised to hear that P-Town is number 20!
-Insideline.com picked the "100 Worst Cars Of All Time". Going through the list and pictures I was shocked at some of their picks. The number one pick of worst car ever was the 2001 Pontiac Aztek.
-A little historical fact from OMG Facts. In 1979, homosexuality was classified as an illness in Sweden. One day thousands of Swedish citizens called in 'sick' to work giving as their reason "homosexuality'. As a result of that action, Sweden became one of the first countries to say homosexuality is not a mental illness.
-Former "Today Show" host Meredith Vieira (photograph above) was dining at the Glass House Tavern with her husband journalist Richard Cohen. At another table was pioneering table show host Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas. Finally the beautiful actress Blythe Danner graced one of the tables at the Tavern.
-There is new site called "Celebrities on the Subway." People send him their pictures of celebrities riding the trains or subways. Love the one of Hugh Jackman!.(via JoeMyGod)
-When we first heard about the reports of the tropical storm hitting the Philippines the death toll was projected to be 600 from the flash floods. Now fisherman are finding bodies sixty miles out to sea that were washed away in the storm. The toll is near 1,300 dead and counting.
-One of my favorite sites for this year has been Boston.com's Big Picture which is the modern day version of the old "LIFE" magazine. They recently published "Best Photos From The Natural World" for 2011. Here are my favorites and you can click to see the rest and received the all important photographer credits
The Learning Channel (TLC) has a program about American Muslims. The reality show follows around several families in the heavily populated Arab area of Dearborn, Michigan. If you have watched "All-American Muslims" you witnessed the usual reality television of Americans dealing with everyday issue. The only difference is that they choose to worship differently than some other Americans.
The show itself is mostly devoid of politics or the selling of any religion. In fact, despite being somewhat boring, it breaks down misunderstandings and stereotypes about the American Muslim community. TLC has given us a show that actually can improve America and increase tolerance among all people. Wonder if "Jersey Shore" can make the same claim? The Florida Family Association, who as far as anyone can tell has few members and even less followers, proclaims that this was Muslim propaganda and must be taken off the air. The intolerant religious fringe group announced a boycott of any advertisers. After all, isn't it dangerous for Americans to find out that their Muslim neighbors deal with many of the everyday issues as they do?
No one really expected this little-known group to have much affect. That is until Lowe's Home Supply Stores entered the picture and withdrew all of its ads from "All-American Muslim". Rarely have we seen such cowardice in response of so little pressure. By capitulating to this tiny fringe group, they gave great credence to their bigotry. Lowe's should feel the heat of those disgusted by their lack of backbone. Most of all they should be totally ashamed of their actions.
As sure as the sun comes up in the east one thing is certain. LGBT citizens are great travelers and love adventure. Even with the budding family building taking place in the community new opportunities are even being created for LGBT family vacations. Places like P-Town have 'family weeks' and cruises are being created for LGBT families.
One of the most compensative reports so far on LGBT travel has just been released by Community Marketing, Inc. This is their "16th Annual Gay and Lesbian Tourism Report." Here are some of the key findings and you can find out incredible more details by clicking here.
-CMI’s annual destination rankings did not see much change from the previous year. However some cities did see a more significant increase. New York City has always been the number one LGBT destination in the U.S. and the city slightly increased its lead. New Orleans continued to gain visitors and is approaching pre-Katrina rankings. Miami also continued to trend upwards and has jumped back into the top ten for U.S. destinations on the survey.
-New York City scored the highest in all three key indicators; actual visits to the destination in past 12 months, most gay-friendly destination in the world and personal favorite destination. Las Vegas, San Francisco and London also scored well in all three indicators.
-Considering their size and number of hotel rooms, Provincetown, Key West and Palm Springs scored extremely well in all three indicators. If the data is analyzed by the number of hotel rooms in a destination, these three destinations would be the most popular in the U.S.
-LGBT travelers, and especially gay men, are much more likely to describe themselves as “urban core travelers” than “eco travelers” or “outdoor adventure travelers.”
-Survey results suggest the mid-range market is the biggest group among LGBT travelers, followed by economy/budget and then luxury.
-The LGBT economy/budget market is larger than often assumed. More LGBT travelers consider themselves to be “economy/budget travelers” than “luxury travelers,” indicating an opportunity for every tier of travel marketers
-Once gay men or lesbians have children, family-friendly travel preferences become more important than LGBT-friendly travel preferences by a 2-1 margin.
-Before booking a trip, gay men and lesbians compare on average three to four websites before making a purchase.
-Results indicate that gay men and lesbians are more likely to avoid a destination because of recent LGBT violence as compated to anti-LGBT laws.
-71% of gay men and 62% of lesbians own a smart phone, and 60% of LGBT smartphone owners use their smartphones during their trips to finds local tourism resources
A few weeks back Matt Doyle answered "Five Questions For..." and stirred an enormous amount of interest among readers of this blog. The star of "War Horse" and "Spring Awakening" is becoming one of Broadway's hottest and most sought after stars. This past Monday he made a guest appearance at Joe's Pub as a benefit for Broadway Impacts. One of the songs he sang was "What You Stole" an original composition by Doyle and Will Van Dyke. It is simply spectacular. Enjoy!
Los Angeles
City Councilman Bill Rosendahl and City Council President Gil Garcetti Endorses Torie Osborn
-The race in California's 50th Assembly District is dividing the LGBT community in Los Angeles. Pitting long time lesbian activist and visionary Torie Osborn against a more establishment straight ally, Betsy Butler. Blogger Karen Ocamb of LGBTPOV has written an interesting article about the race.
-With the addition of former Equality California's Development Director Eric Harrison, the California organization "Love Honor Cherish" is still hoping to place marriage equality on the California ballot next November. Harrison will serve as Executive Director. At this stage, they face an uphill battle.
-In New York, three term Mayor Matt Alexander of Wappingers Falls has announced he is seeking the 19th Congressional district seat as an openly gay Democrat. The district lies just north of New York City and is currently held by a Tea Party Republican! The town, by the way, named after a native American tribe, lies in Duchess County,
-Climate change is all about extremes and not necessary being warm all the time. In a massive report, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that extreme weather events are already occurring, inflicting great damage and loss of life. They urge all governmental entities to start preparing immediately for extreme weather events.
-The last week or two has been like an award show at the Glass House Tavern. Seen breaking bread at the West 47th Street eatery was Tony-nominated actor Bobby Cannavale (photograph), The Good Wife's Alan Cumming, Patti LaPone, Mandy Patinkin, Angela Bassett, Courtney Vance, Frances McDormand and husband Joel Coen , jazz legend Dave Koz and NBA's Commissioner David Stern!
-Herman Cain is the gift that keeps giving - at least to Newt Gingrich. As news of an alleged long term affair surfaced this weekend, Cain supporters are flocking to Newt. This strengthens the momentum that Gingrich is building. By the way, Iowa is just 33 days away....that's right...a little over a month!
-Speaking of Newt, the latest National poll has him at 32% and Romney at 23%. The spread keeps getting larger as Cain's gets smaller. Also a new CNN Poll has him with a seven point lead over Romney in Iowa. He lays it out for Iowa Conservatives by saying, "I don't claim to be the perfect candidate. I just claim to be a lot more conservative than Mitt Romney."
-Legendary blogger and radio personality Michelangelo Signorile has been anointed by the Huffington Post as the new "Editor-at-Large" on their "Gay Voices" page. This is a real coup for the Post.
-Former Massachusetts State Senator and President of GLAAD, Jarrett Barrios, has been selected to be the new head of the Massachusetts Red Cross.
-Universal Pictures cracked one billion dollars domestic gross so far in 2011 and another $1.3 billion in overseas revenues. Someone is getting a nice holiday bonus!
-Violent floods swept Italy this month and the following video will give you a taste of them.
-George W. Bush had to cancel a trip to Switzerland for fear of being arrested on torture charges. Just when you think it is all behind you, that pesky 'War Criminal' sobriquet rears its ugly head....
-Believe it or not, this is not good news. The Brazilian Wandering Spider can cause a four hour erection. Sound good? Not so fast buddy.....it also can cause intense pain and inflammation.
-If the Russian election for President were held today, Vadimir Putin's party would get only 53% according to the latest national poll.
-According to Sky News at least six people are dead in England after some evangelical churches had convinced them that they had been healed of HIV/AIDS by Jesus. They insisted the members of their churches stop taking their meds!
-At least 7% of American homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure. Take a look at these listings for some homes selling for as much as $100 million and they are being bought by the 1%!
-Over 1,300 Germans were arrested (photograph above) as they attempted to stop a shipment of nuclear waste by rail across their country.
-Really bad news has arrived from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. They have run out of money to fund any new grants around the world and won't be making any new ones until 2014!
- Meanwhile, according to CNN, southern American cities such as Atlanta, Memphis, New Orleans, Orlando and Charlotte are showing a dramatic increase in the number of new case of HIV/AIDS
-Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey looks good for re-election in Pennsylvania. The latest Public Policy Poll has him with the closet Republican candidate still trailing by 11 points.
-To fully understand the impact of the great Japan earthquake watch the following video. It might appear confusing at first because of the language barrier but when it reaches the end of March you will have a shock. You only have to watch the first two and a half minutes. Be patient and check it out.
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