Tuesday, September 30, 2008

In Case You Need a Laugh


and you live in LA:


Erin Foley, Jason Dudey, Jessica Golden, Michael Cornacchia, Jennie McNulty along with our headliner
POPPY CHAMPLIN, fresh off her P-town and Queer Queens of Comedy Tour!!!

Wednesday October 1st, 2008
7:45pm
Hollywood Improv
8162 Melrose Avenue one block west of Crescent Hgts
RSVP suggested: (323) 651-2583
$13 cover at door, but only $10 with attached flyer (print it out)

Ellen and Portia Appear at Fundraiser over the Weekend

Talk show host and out lesbian Ellen DeGeneres and her wife actress Portia DeRossi attended a YES! On Prop 2 House Party last Sunday night in Los Angeles (pictured left c/o Getty Images)

Prop 2 is the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act.

"It makes no sense to confine animals in tiny cages their whole lives with no chance to stand up, turn around, or extend their limbs. I'm voting yes because I care about the humane treatment of all animals, including farm animals." – Ellen DeGeneres


Ellen cares so much she had the president of the Humane Society of America, Wayne Pacelli, on her show last Friday to bring attention to our country of the inhumane treatment of animals in the US due to factory farming.

I know a lot of you make fun of me at fundraisers and parties when the server brings a plate of chicken satay around on a platter and I have to stop to say a small prayer and then ask our god father to forgive us humans for doing this, as I mumble heavenwards "they know not what they do", but you know, there it is.

As with any corrupt big business/corporate money-making system deregulated by the government, factory farming in this country doesn't work for anyone on any level.

First, it's inhumane to animals. Secondly, it puts real farmers out of business (which is really sad if you consider that some families have been farmers for generations), and thirdly it produces extremely unhealthy meat for consumers (full of hormones, antibiotics - not to mention a million stress and pain chemicals the animal produced under these conditions).

It's sad that we have to vote on issues like this and force people to be kind, just like we have to urge people to believe in Civil Rights with the No on Prop 8 issue, but there it is.

Here's a video that shows this issue. You might want to look away at the very beginning as it is violent, but stay tuned because many people discuss all the issues involved in factory farming.


Here is an interview I saw last year with famed chef and restauranteer Wolfgang Puck about him going free range at all his establishments last year.



Please consider making a donation by click here for http://yesonprop2.com/.

Monday, September 29, 2008

YES ON PROP 8 ADS start...they hate us, they really really hate us

Make sure when you view these, you don't have anything break-able around.







Please. We all need YOU. Yes, you. Give often, give as much as you can.

http://www.noonprop8.com/

Please remember people like Lawrence King, Sean Kennedy and Matthew Shepard and the countless other young people that have been MURDERED just for being gay.

NO ON HATE
NO ON 8.

Sara Palin Tina Fey Side by Side Comparison

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Hollywood Icon Paul Newman Dies



Hollywood icon and philanthropist Paul Newman died yesterday of lung cancer at the age of 83.

He knew the end was near last month and he chose to leave the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York to be near bis wife and children at their farmhouse near Westport.

Newman married actress Joanne Woodward in 1958, his second marriage, and they have three daughters together.

Newman is a Hollywood legend, starring in over 70 films and tv shows in his career.  He broke on the scene with beautiful blue eyes and a soulful quality, then continued making films up until a few years ago showing acting chops that transcended nearly all his contemporaries.

Do yourself a favor and have a dvd film festival at your house and watch "Cool Hand Luke" next to "The Verdict", then "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" next to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" just to get a taste of his range.

After being in the Navy for three years, Newman was educated at the famed Yale Drama School then the New York Actors Studio (alumns include James Baldwin, Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brando, Ellen Burstyn, Anne Bancroft, Robert De Niro, James Dean, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, Al Pacino and his wife Woodward).

He made his Broadway debut in my favorite playwright - William Inge's "Picnic" (brilliant play, still relevant). 

The gay character he did play on screen was Brick in out-playwright Tennessee William's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.

Because of studio concern and meddling, the true reason that Brick was ignoring his cat-ish wife and dwelling on his track buddy was squelched.  




He started his Newman's Own in 1982 and and was once quoted as saying, "The embarrassing thing is that the salad dressing is outgrossing my films." He has given over $200 million dollars to charity through his Newman's Own label.

He also directed several film and tv projects including "The Glass Mengerie" and "Rachel, Rachel" starring his wife Joanne, and "Harry & Son", "The Effect of Gamma Rays on the Man in the Moon Marigolds" and the tv version of one of my other favorite plays, "The Shadow Box" (also starring Woodward, and another of my fav all time actors Sylvia Sidney).

To get a good taste of the scope of his work, check out: "Hud", "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "Fort Apache, The Bronx", "The Sting", "The Hustler", "Exodus" and "The Verdict".  Just to get a taste of the range of his talent.



Thursday, September 25, 2008

Sarah Palin Answers Questions from Katie Couric

New Drinking Game for the Kids

We at the SmokingCocktail don't advocate drinking to access, but we have recently come up with a new drinking game for the college set.  

Turn on an episode of UGLY BETTY and drink every time you see a person come on screen that is not a straight, white man.

You'll be tanked in ten minutes.


It goes something like this:

Gay, latino, latino, black, gay, transgender, gay icon Judith Light, black, latino, latino, gay, white woman, black, latino, Lindsay Lohan (that's a lesbian! Drink twice!!), latino, black, gay, gay, gay.

Starring in FREAKY FRIDAY Will Make You A Lesbian!

In yet another entry in the "duh" files (two in a row now), Lindsay Lohan confirmed her relationship with Samantha Ronson on a local LA radio show the other night, followed by a fun evening of romantic photo ops at the Emmy's.

If you're been keeping track, Ms Lohan has not gotten into any trouble, arrested for DUI or thrown into rehab since being involved in this lesbian love relationship.


HMMMMmmmm.


For the full story on Lohan from REUTERS click here to go to blogs.reuters/fanfare


In similar news, Jodie Foster also came out in a subtle way last December at a Hollywood Reporter luncheon when she thanked her partner, Cydney after being together fourteen years and having two children together.

A few months after that, Foster was in a new relationship with screenwriter/producer Cynthia Mort.

HMMMmmmmm.

Well, I think coming out early in life might be a good thing.



Clay Aiken Comes Out on Cover of People Magazine


Well, here's another one for the "duh" files. And the "I told you so" files. And the "Does anyone care anymore files."

The later is true. Compared to other photo exclusives, Aiken only bagged $500,000 for this exclusive. Rumour has it, no one else really wanted it.

Well, better late than never! Good luck and welcome to the 'mo squad.

No On 8 YoutubeVideo

Might be nice if y'all embedded this in your facebook and myspace pages for all the straight folks and to spread the word.


Cocktailing For Queer Youth

Let's Face It, You Need a Laugh

If you're like most folks, you lost 75% of your financial portfolio last week. So to avoid jumping off a building or falling into prescription drug or alcohol abuse, do like me and .... enjoy a good laugh!

These are two awesome events that I promise you will make you smile and feel awesome, all while supporting some of the FUNNIEST and most talented out lgbt comics in the world.
If you'd still like to drink away your sorrows, the following performance is outdoors, under the stars at the Ford, so bring a few bottles of wine! Also, it's a fund raiser for NO ON 8, so if you haven't written your check to them yet you can feel better that you have lent a hand to our cause.


Click on either flyer to enlarge for more information.

TEXT, You're It!


California Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Wednesday that would make it illegal to text while driving in California making it a fine offense starting January, 2009.

That is, if anyone in this country can still buy gasoline by then, much less a cel phone plan.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Spielberg Donates $100,000 to NO ON 8

Director Steven Spielberg and his wife donated $100,000 to NO ON 8, which brought national television, radio and newspaper press to our fight for marriage rights in California.

So you know, I don't know about you but I'll rent that new Indiana Jones movie the first day it comes out on dvd.

The Art of Networking - This Wednesday Night!!!

Upcoming Events for the Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce:


THE ART OF NETWORKING
Wednesday, September 24, The Art of Networking – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., Room 3, West Hollywood 90046

By our member's overwhelming request, the Educational Committee is pleased to bring you: The Art of Networking Join us for an exciting evening of Q & A about how, why and where to network and grow your business relationships to create new opportunity for yourselves. Our guest panel will be: Board member Anthony Vulin, team leader with Keller Williams; JD Disalvatore from the TheSmokingCocktail.com and film producer of several highly acclaimed LGBT movies; and Board member Maureen Steinberg, real estate investor and CEO of Conmo, Inc.

Monday, September 22, 2008

A Lesbian In Paris Part 3: Side Trip to Ireland

A Lesbian in Paris 3
Shannon Connolly

Before I continue regaling you with stories of my European adventures, we need to have a quick flashback.

It’s August 9, 1990. I’m in Pennsylvania. It’s raining out, so my third birthday party (yes, I know, insert necessary gasp of horror that I was 3 years old in 1990) has been moved inside the garage of our suburban home. I’m wearing some little dress and have my blonde hair pulled back in a bow. We cut birthday cake, smash a piñata to pieces with a wiffle ball bat, and open presents, all under the watchful eyes of my parents and a tall, skinny 11-year-old girl. The girl is wearing hot pink fluorescent shorts and an Oakley tee-shirt. We laugh, we play, I pull and tug on the 11-year-old girl asking her for another piece of cake, and a drink, and to come play with me. We actually have all of this on home video, by the way.

Flash forward to September 11, 2008 and that same girl, the one who wore the eighties shorts to my third birthday, is picking me up from the airport in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Bernadette, neighbor and babysitter extraordinaire throughout most of my childhood, is now 29 years old and lives in Belfast with her husband, Alan…and I spent this past weekend there with them.

We had a ball. Belfast is a beautiful city to visit, and I was lucky enough to experience a rare warm weekend with no rain.

Also, after living in the hustle and bustle of Paris, it was so lovely to be out in the country, surrounded by farms and trees and open land. We spent a lot of time catching up over Guinness beers and Guinness cake (yes, really, a cake made with Guinness beer as an ingredient), we visited a castle (a requirement for any trip to Ireland), and we toured around the city of Belfast for an afternoon. I have to say, my time there was easily my favorite part of this trip overseas so far.

As much as I have been enjoying this Parisian adventure of mine, I was definitely hitting a low point last week before my trip. It’s hard to always be “getting to know” the people around you.

By the end of my third week here, I had spent ten days in a hotel with seven students I had never met before, learned my way around a foreign city with those same students, moved into a home with a family of strangers, started classes with professors I didn’t know, and started speaking a language on a daily basis that I’ve really only ever used in a classroom before.

All of it has been at once exciting and exhilarating and fairly overwhelming. After several weeks of everything being foreign, I was craving being around people who already knew me. So, the trip to Belfast to visit my old friend and pseudo “big sister” came just at the right time.

Returning to Paris after my weekend away was nice though. I felt refreshed, ready to re-embrace this new city of mine, ready to appreciate and soak up all it has to offer. And in doing so, I have discovered my new favorite place in Paris. I can’t give myself all the credit for finding it though, I was actually led there by another student in my program. I would love to tell you that what I have found is the best gay bar in all of Europe, or that I have stumbled upon a restaurant where the most beautiful women in Paris are waiting tables, but in fact, my new favorite place in Paris is a bookstore. It is called Shakespeare and Company and it is fantastic.

Located in St. Michel, right across from the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, the shop has the look and feel of a used bookstore, but in fact carries a wide variety of both new and used books – mostly in English.

If you are much of a reader, or a writer, and ever find yourself in Paris, the Shakespeare and Company bookshop is a must-see. It has been a lovely spot for me to visit in the evenings and get away from my schoolwork for a few hours.



Although my classes seem to have taken a backseat to my social and cultural adventures, I must say that school here has been significantly more enjoyable than school in the United States.

My art history class in particular has been a real treat, and all because of the professor. Did you ever watch the show The Nanny? You know, the one with Fran Drescher? Well, imagine if Mr. Scheffield had had a flair for hand gestures and a combination French and British accent and there you would have our art history professor.

On top of his endlessly amusing body language, sitting in his class is bit like playing the game Mad Libs. He projects slides onto the wall in our classroom and points to a painting, usually cocking his wrist a bit more than necessary, and says, “And you see students, what we have here is a…?” And we, the students, are never quite sure what to say. His fill in the blank is always so open-ended that all we know is that it must be a noun. So, from the six of us in the room come various options:

“Um…painting?”

“Watercolor?”

“Impressionist piece?”

And he stands, shaking his head in mock exasperation, until finally a student tries the most obvious answer, “Woman?”

“Yes, yes that’s right, a woman,” our professor will respond, nodding fervently, satisfied that we have successfully completed his sentence.



I kid you not, four out of five sentences are fill in the blanks, and we have caught on by now that the more obvious the response seems, the more likely it is correct.

Over the past few weeks though, we have come to love this professor and his quirky ways. The six of us in the class traipse around Paris behind him, as though he were a sort of pied piper, visiting Musée D’Orsay, letting him lead us on architectural tours of Montmartre and the 16e arrondissement, filling in sentences such as:


“And, dear students, this here is a…?”

“Building?”

“Yes, yes that is right. And look at how the gate is the color…”

“Green?”

“Yes, yes of course, a green gate made to blend in with…?”

“Nature?”

And so it goes. For four hours a week we play Mad Libs with our lovely and endearing nutty professor.







Oh, and before I go, in case you were enticed by the Guinness cake I talked about at the beginning, you can find the recipe on Oprah’s website at:

http://www.oprah.com/recipe/food/recipesdesserts/food_20020916_guinnesscake

First No On 8 Television Commercial



The No on 8 campaign has broadcast their first NO ON 8 commercial on local airwaves.

To help support them, and if you'd like to see this ad a lot, consider making a donation to the Center on their KEEP OUR AD ON TV site.

Fresno Reel Pride 2008: The Weekend Wrap Up

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Fresno Reel Pride 2008: The Weekend - The Filmmakers Have Landed


Hello Darlings,

First of all...okay, the town is called "Clovis", not Clover - I am so brain dead from the lack of sleep because of the bevy of activities up here!

And I did go there yesterday ready for a fight with some right wing republicans, and I found that a lot of people commented favorably on my NO ON 8 button, so there it is.

Secondly, I have not seen a cow yet. What the fuck? I thought it was rural here!

So, the films have been fantastic, and starting Friday all the filmmakers from around the country flew in. I'm going to post most of the photos below.

Jon Carroll and I did a wonderful radio show on Friday where I got to find out more about the lgbt community in Fresno. It was KFCF with Jeff and Kirk and the show was It's a Queer Thang.  I love how they warned us not to swear or get too controversial considering the right likes to listen in and find any excuse to pull them off the air or fine them.  They play every 3rd Friday of the month starting at 5 pm.

Here I am with director Jane Clark with the local rally outside the theatre for NO ON 8.

Everyone in my cast noted at dinner that you would never see this in LA outside of OUTFEST. For a rural area, there is a lot of community spirit and support. The Gay/Straight Alliance is always in the lobby, and there are several organizations and groups that raise money for various LGBT causes.  Even the bear/leather/porn stars put on shows that raise money for the LGBT community here.

I've actually been listening to a lot of local radio whilst here - all Bible, all Right wing and Jesus Christ, Hannity's show like runs 24/7 here.  What is he, the new Elvis?

I've met three of the most fabulous New York actors that flew out here with Casper Andreas' BETWEEN LOVE AND GOODBYE. .  Jane, Rob and Simon - look for them in the photos below.

Also, two of my favorite comedians are visiting from NY with LAUGHING MATTERS:  THE NEXT GENERATION - Amy Tee and Gloria Bigelow.  Ryan and Daniel are also up here - but they're local LA guys.  I like spending time with our LGBT folks from NY since I never get to see them.

I have to dart out to what I'm sure is going to be an action packed day yet again. The short I produced is playing today in the Boys Shorts and there are six very attractive actors here from the cast.  2 pm at the TOWER.

If you're local, make sure to catch the live show of LAUGHING MATTERS on Monday night.  It's fantastic and it'll seriously be the highly of this season and you probably will be able to forget just for an hour that the stock market just lost your entire 401K.

Anyway, I am off to the brunch now at Salazar's. Looking forward to hanging out with more of those BIKERS!

Also, I have my beloved Charlie with me (you might remember her from my film SHELTER where she beautifully played "Dog on Beach"), so there's some photos of us in the hotel room.

Kisses, tootles, JD

Friday, September 19, 2008

Fresno Reel Pride 2008 - Day one



Hello darlings! I'm in Fresno for Reel Pride 2008 and I have my dog Charlie with me!

I didn't really get a lot of pictures of Thursday night, although it was an absolutely blast (the press photographer has to teach class at 7 am, so check back for official photos!)

Meanwhile, I'm staying at the Fresno Holiday Inn that has a glorious indoor pool with a waterfall. I know, at a Holiday Inn!

I headed over to the glorious TOWER Theatre (built in 1939) last night and was immediately greeted by all the Fresbians I've come to know and love over the years! 

Then we closed the place down at the Girl After Party.
I'm very excited because I figured there might be a lot of Republicans here and I'm on a mission to make sure everyone votes Democrat.  I was told to go to a nearby town named "Clover" so heading there today and start changing hearts and minds.

Today, a gaggle of some of my favorite film people are coming up including the stars of NEUROTICA, Casper Andreas with his features, director Jane Clark, the entire cast of LAUGHING MATTERS THE NEXT GENERATION, my friend Laurence - it's just going to be a heck of a party!


Have to run, but I'll be doing a guest spot with Jon Carroll at 5 pm on a local radio show called THE QUEER THING, so if you know where or what that is, tune in.


Charlie and I are off to the dog park now. More later. Kissing the air next to your cheek!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

TheSmokingCocktail.com Mixer Photos

The Last Frangela

What a fantastic SmokingCocktail.com Media Mixer! 

We had special guests Frangela and Suzanne Westenhoefer, plus a gaggle of fabulous folks from all areas of media including actor Alan Cummings, Advocate publisher Michael Phelps, comedians Erin Foley, Poppy Champlin, Gloria Bigelow and Jenny McNulty, Greg Inunza, editor of CLOUT, columnist Billy Masters, Dalila Ali Rajah from Cherry Bomb, Brad Fuhr from PRIDE RADIO, reps from HRC, Liberty Hill and EQCA and so many more!!

Thank you to Billie and O Bar, The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists LA Chapter, CLOUT magazine (especially for bringing the fabulous wine for the raffle!) and Brian Putnam for taking the photos!

Brad PItt donates $100,000 to NO ON 8. Is Surprised More Celebs have not

LOS ANGELES — Brad Pitt has donated $100,000 to fight California's November ballot initiative that would overturn the state Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

"Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8," Pitt said Wednesday.

Trevor Neilson, Pitt's political and philanthropic adviser, told The Associated Press that Pitt was surprised that his colleagues in the entertainment industry had not donated more money to support the battle against Proposition 8.

The current status shows that the opposition to us is raising money 3 -1 over us, so now is the time to write a check!!!

When you start seeing the insidious anti gay commercials on tv in a few weeks, it will be too late, so donate now even if it's just $25.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

We're going to Fresno!


Hello Darlings,

First, the mixer is tonight.  For you locals, I hope to see you there.

Second, I'm going to Fresno.  No, I have not been sent to prison.  I'm going up for Fresno Reel Pride and I'm taking the men of NEUROTICA with me.

One of the shorts I produced last year is playing so we're all going up, along with a bunch of other film makers from around the world.  


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Thrills, chills, Cocktails, Civil Disobedience, Cha cha cha....

I am so excited about this week's mixer, darlings. 

Ever since I was a little baby dyke (okay, shut up people that know me, I realize I was actually a little show tune gay boy - I mean, I was playing the Broadway recordings of My Fair Lady and Camelot on my Fisher Price record player when I was 5) - anyway, I always wanted to host my own version of the Algonquin Round Table - where smart people gather for clever discourse on the arts and politics, get dishy and aren't afraid to get all anti-establishment speaking out for civil rights and against war.

If that's your idea of fun, come on down as I'm reviving political discourse, snarkiness and civil disobedience in an atmosphere of networking and cocktailing!

I'm so excited this week because in addition to some fun surprises, we have special guests! In the spirit of TheSmokingCocktail these folks are outspoken, clever and hysterically funny. I mean, laugh out loud funny and of course, never afraid to speak their minds on politics or equal rights. 


I'm psyched if you don't know them already to introduce you to lesbian comedy superstar Suzanne Westenhoefer and radio personalities (and so much more) Frangela, aka Francis Callier and Angela V Shelton.

Back in the day when no one was OUT, Suzanne actually came out as a lesbian on the comedy circuit. This was back when Rosie and Ellen were still in the closet. She was the first lesbian to have her own HBO special, and ever since has been wowing crowds around the country with her sharp wit.


Frangela is the name given to the writing/acting duo of Francis Callier and Angela V Shelton. You might know them from VH1's Best Week Ever, but they also host a radio show and shot a pilot for Fox last year. 

Last week when they filled in for the national radio program The Stephanie Miller Show, not a day went by that they didn't 
mention our struggle here in California to defeat Prop 8 - usually shouting, "Since when in this country do we vote on Civil Rights? No on hate. No on 8."

This week, we're also having our fabulous raffle giveaways that are free to enter for wonderful dvds/dvd box sets of gay and gay sensibility programs. It's free to enter because I know at the end of the night ya'll are going to write a check for a much bigger amount for NO ON 8. Right?

Also, until 8 pm, it's half price everything at the bar.

Now, a little video on our special guests!

Here's a special behind the scenes video of Suzanne's sold out Dinah Shore show, with green room interviews with Suzanne, Doria Biddle, Jill Bennett, Cathy DeBuono, Elizabeth Keener from The L Word and so many more as we sip champagne and frolic in the VIP room. Suzanne also pulls off her shirt to show her tattoos (but not all of them)



Suzanne is gearing up for a super rare Los Angeles area performance! More info at www.womenonaroll.com We'll also be giving away two tickets to this!

Here's Frangela speaking at the Young Stonewall's Hero awards. I mean, this is so funny I could cry.



And here they are on VH1's BEST WEEK EVER talking about Sherri Shepherd

"You have to work hard for me to think Elizabeth is smarter than you!"

"She is the biggest f*cking idiot ever. Of all time. She rivals the people that poisoned Socrates for asking too many questions."



For more hysterical clips, and info on their upcoming Thursday show in LA, go their web site at www.frangela.com


Sunday, September 14, 2008

TR Knight, Kristin Chenoweth, Bryan Batt all Show Up For Point

bryan battLast night, The Point Foundation had it's annual Los Angeles fundraiser at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood.

If you're a movie geek like me, you'll know the Henson Studios used to be the famous Chaplin Studio built in 1917 by film pioneer Charlie Chaplin.

Fabulous classic Hollywood ambiance, darlings!

The Point Foundation is a wonderful new national organization that grants scholarships to LGBT students of merit.

pictured, Judith Light, Bryan Batt and Kristin Chenoweth at the after party


TR Knight

Those in attendance included TR Knight (Gray's Anatomy) with his boyfriend Mark Cornelson, Bryan Batt (Mad Men), Camryn Manheim, Darryl Stephens (Noah's Arc), Clementine Ford (The L Word), Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors, Pushing Daisies) and of course Dame Judith Light (we have an expression in the lgbt community in LA that goes, if a gay fundraiser in Hollywood happens and Judith isn't there, did it ever really happen?).

The astonishingly talented Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies) was honored with the Point Courage Award.

She caught the eye of our community a while back when a Christian group threatened to cancel her appearance at an event because of her support of gay rights.

pictured, Darryl Stephens from Noah's Arc.

Chenoweth refused to rescind and they fired her. Chenoweth is a devout Christian and also a big supporter of LGBT rights. When she accepted her award, she cried. "This means so much to me because it's not about talent, it's about character."


Clementine FordWells Fargo got the Point Inspiration Award because they are not only extremely supportive of us, but they are currently sponsoring 4 full college scholarships through Point.

Their speech and presentation was so moving, everyone at our table decided to switch banks on Monday. Sorry Wamu.

pictured left, Clementine Ford from The L Word.

It was a very moving evening as several Point Scholars took to the stage and told the stories of being disowned by their parents and unable to attend college because of financial reasons.

They all expressed so much gratitude and mentioned Point was really their true family now.

Ellen Greene Point FoundationEllen Greene: "I cook like Betty Crocker and I look like Donna Reeeeeeeeed"

One of the absolutely STELLAR moments of the night was Ellen Greene taking the stage and belting out SOMEWHERE THAT'S GREEN.

It's here if you want to listen (along with the standing ovation that followed).



Here they are: some of the best and brightest and the future of LGBT America.
Some of the current Point Scholars, going to college because of The Point Foundation


And here's the tribute reel for Kristin Chenoweth which includes clips of her work including Wicked, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, The Apple Tree, Running with Scissors, Bewitched and more.



Before and after the dinner and show, there was so much wonderful mingling.















photos by Brian Putnam.