You Oughtta Be In Pictures: So Submit Your Script!

This is a really great program and I highly recommend it for everyone from the novice to the accomplished for screenplays with lgbt content.

Outfest Screenwriting Lab Submissions Deadline Extended Until 2/6

We are now accepting submissions for the 2009 Outfest Screenwriting Lab! Continuing Outfest's commitment to supporting LGBT-themed films from conception to exhibition, this Lab nurtures screenwriters and promotes feature-length screenplays featuring LGBT characters and/or themes.

We've extended the deadline to February 6, 2009.

Click link below to submit
http://www.outfest.org/outfest/

Watch the Oscars with the Cool Kids, and Give to The Trevor Project!

Screening of Gay Doc at Writers Guild

THE NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE
in association with
The Writers Guild Gay & Lesbian Writers Committee
proudly presents the Los Angeles Premiere of
the award-winning documentary

"for my wife..."
a love story about marriage equality
Directed By DAVID ROTHMILLER
Produced by: LD THOMPSON

WRITERS GUILD THEATRE
135 South Doheny Drive
Beverly Hills

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009
Reception: 6:30 p.m. Film: 8:00 p.m.
RSVP: info@trickdogfilms.com

Here's the trailer:

President of GLAAD Steps Down

This is a reprinted press release, direct from GLAAD's press office:
___
GLAAD ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT NEIL G. GIULIANO

Board to Announce Search at Later Date

Los Angeles, Wednesday, January 28, 2009 – Neil Giuliano, the president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), today announced his resignation to pursue personal interests while completing his forthcoming book about his public and political life. Giuliano has served as president since September 1, 2005 and will continue as president until a date to be announced later this year. Prior to GLAAD, he served for ten years as the mayor of Tempe, Arizona and had retired from a 25-year career as a university administrator and faculty associate at Arizona State University.

"I have informed the national board of directors of my decision to step down as president later this year and look forward to a successful and smooth transition of leadership for GLAAD," said Giuliano. "It's been an honor and privilege to work professionally in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality for the last three and a half years. The views of the American people on LGBT issues are clearly moving in the right direction, toward supporting full equality, and it has been a great experience to serve on the front lines, leading an amazing organization at such a historical time in the movement."

Under Giuliano's leadership, GLAAD's budget has grown from $7.5M to $11M, with expanded individual, corporate and foundation support for its media advocacy and anti-defamation work on behalf of the LGBT community. Giuliano expanded GLAAD's influence as a national voice against the defamation gay people often face and began media programs reaching out to young adults, communities of religion and faith, and the vast sports media world while increasing GLAAD's outreach and media relations support to local, regional, statewide and other LGBT advocacy organizations. GLAAD also acquired Queer Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 and will launch an advertising media program later in 2009 with the assets of the former Commercial Closet Association. Giuliano's tenure is also marked by his focus on creating capacity and long-term sustainability for GLAAD. Under his direction, GLAAD successfully completed the their 2003 strategic plan and in Fall 2008 announced a new five year plan to build on awareness, support, volunteers, programs and results for the maturing organization as a way to meet the growing expectation of its constituents and the greater LGBT movement.

"These programmatic areas are where GLAAD needs to be to further influence the culture and the change hearts and minds of people with regard to full equality for gay and transgender people" said Giuliano. "The growth and expansion of GLAAD's influence is due to the many stakeholders who support our work, especially those serving on the National Board of Directors."

Yvette Burton, the Co-Chair of the GLAAD National Board of Directors said, "Neil has been a strong leader for GLAAD and has advanced the organization significantly in the last three years. He will leave GLAAD a better and more effective organization than when he arrived and we appreciate his years of dedication and service." Added Co-Chair Laurie Perper, "The board of directors will begin conversations about this important leadership transition period, and the search process for a new president, at our upcoming board meeting February 6-8 in Los Angeles. This is a signature role in the movement for LGBT equality and we are sure there will be great interest in this opportunity."


About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.

SHELTER nabs GLAAD Media Award nomination

Here's the video with clips from the nominees (it's worth watching just to catch the girls from Desperate Housewives making-out from last year's awards show!)


For a full list of nominees, click here.

And now some photos from SHELTER.

Two Events, Tuesday Night

"Prayers for Bobby" Viewing Party

True story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance.

Hosted by
Equality Network

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
8:30pm - 11:30pm
The Abbey
692 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA

Russell Mulcahy, Director of "Prayers for Bobby" will be at the Viewing Party. Charles Robbins, the Executive Director & CEO of the "Trevor Project" will also be speaking prior the viewing.



Talkin' Q Politics - David Codell
California Supreme Court Review of Prop 8

Hosted by HRC Los Angeles

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
6:30pm - 9:00pm

East West Lounge
8851 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA

Join HRC for an evening of Talkin Q'Politics, our popular monthly series hosted by the Los Angeles Political Committee.

The speaker for January is Dave Codell, an attorney who was part of the team who wrote the brief to the California Supreme Court, resulting in the 15 May 2008 decision ruling that denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry is unconstitutional.

3 Quick Vlogs - dishing, fighting and questions from the Summit

JD's First Vlog from the Equality Summit Downtown

I'm With Cupid

Dennis Hensley and the Mismatch Game

The Lily Tomlin Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center

and Dennis Hensley Present...

The MISMATCH GAME

Your comedy stimulus package for 2009

See the show that METROSOURCE LA calls,

"A low-tech screamer...not to be missed."

With Your Host, Dennis Hensley, an All-Star Cast

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 - 8 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 - 8 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - 7 PM


SCHEDULED TO APPEAR:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 - 8 PM
Jack Plotnick as Paul Lynde
Ted Biaselli as Miss Piggy
Tony Tripoli as Charles Nelson Reilly
Jackie Clarke as TBD
Felix Pire as Ricardo Montalban
Madeline Long as Shelley Winters

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 - 8 PM
Jack Plotnick as Paul Lynde
Tony Tripoli as Charles Nelson Reilly
Tom Lenk as Margot Kidder
Oscar Quintero as Charo
Madeline Long as Shelley Winters

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - 7 PM
Drew Droege as Karen Black
Tom Lenk as Heidi Klum
Tony Tripoli as Charles Nelson Reilly
Nadya Ginsburg as Cher
Felix Pire as Ricardo Montalban


For clips and more, visit: myspace.com/mismatchgame


The Renberg Theatre
1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood
(One block east of Highland, just north of Santa Monica Blvd.)

Tickets $15
Call 323-860-7300
By tickets online at:
http://www.lagaycenter.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TE_ON_OUR_STAGES


WE NEED PRIZES!
The MisMatch Game is always looking for items for our contestant prize bags.
If you have a swag hook-up or other offering, drop Dennis a line at dhensley@aol.com

81st Annual Academy Award Nominations

You can tell the Oscars aren't gay, because if they were, they would only be 29.  29 and holding.

Here are the noms from this morning's announcement for the 81st Academy Awards.

And here's the list of nominations MILK received.

You Are Cordially Invited...

Hello Kittens, well the next big SmokingCocktail.com mixer is this Wednesday night in West Hollywood at O Bar Restaurant from 7- 11 pm.

This month's mixer is cohosted by GLAAD and Wolfe Video and is celebrating the release of the dvd comp HE LIKES GUYS, which spotlights the very best of the gay shorts from last year's festival circuit.  Film makers and stars in attendance, info on GLAAD and the upcoming Glaad Awards as well as free swag bags and 1/2 drinks (including premium) until 8 pm.

If You Liked the Music from SHELTER and Shane Mack

Just a quick note to all you fans of SHANE MACK and/or the music from the SHELTER soundtrack.

TIVO ALERT!!!! TIVO ALERT!!!

Lee Anne Womack will be performing a song on Jay Leno's TONIGHT SHOW this evening written by Shane Mack.   This is the same song that received a Grammy Nomination for Shane this year.

So if you loved the music from SHELTER, check out this new tune.

Sundance Day Two: Distribution for Your Short Film and Feature

Hi Kids, I've spent all day at the Queer Lounge on Main at Sundance and the panels have had to do with distributing and promoting your shorts and features online, at film festivals and to distributors.

Here are the sites the panelists have urged new film makers to know:

www.wolfevideo.com

The Screening Room at youtube.com

www.indiegogo.com

www.videotransform.com

www.jaman.com

I'm Too Old for This: Sundance, Day One - The Queer Lounge and The Programmers' Speakeasy

Hello darlings,

Well, this is already a fantastic Sundance Film Festival.  It seems like the crop of films this year are just spectacular, and with the thinning of the crowds, it's easier to navigate around town.

At the Queer Lounge with Derek Curl who runs production and development at queer distributor TLA, the company that released Latter Days, Another Gay Movie and Adam & Steve.

Jennifer Morris, the Executive Director at Frameline:  The San Francisco LGBT International Film Festival - the largest LGBT film festival in the world and Carol Coombes - programmer from the prestigeous Philadelphia International LGBT Film Festival, which is run by TLA.

Kathy Wolfe and Maria Lynn from Wolfe Video - the lesbian owned and operated lgbt distribution company that has been around for 24 years and this year released ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE, THE NEW TWENTY and BUTCH JAMIE.

With Roberta Munroe, who is a former Sundance Film Festival programmer whose new book HOW NOT TO MAKE A SHORT FILM is being released THIS WEEK nationally.

I'm quoted in Roberta's book in the section on "What Does a Producer Do?"

Michelle Ehlen, star and director of Butch Jamie - at the Glaad Thank God It's Friday party at the Queer Lounge on the second floor balcony overlooking Main Street.

I caught a gaggle of fabulous lesbians hitting Main Street.

I fell in love with my condo mate when he immediately ran out and bought a fancy smelly candle for our condo.  SO GAY.  So perfect!

The firepit outside our condo at around 1:30 am last night.

The Report from Sundance

Hello Kittens,

Well I just landed at Sundance and I've checked into my fabulous place right in the center of everything, hit the Queer Lounge, ran into LA and New York film maker friends and met my first Sundance 2009 Film maker.

It's absolute beach weather here (mid 40's, like me), and I've never seen the mountains so devoid of snow.

I'm about to head out to the Glaad Mixer at the Queer Lounge and to destinations yet unknown.

Producer Constance Kowtna from Brooklyn.  Her film HUG is screening tonight.

Elliot Elsner from GLAAD with writer Dasha Snyder at the Queer Lounge.

Coalition Building Beyond Prop 8

I urge anyone interested in continuing our equal rights work to continue post Prop 8 to attend this meeting.

JRC/API Equality/Bienestar Meeting

Thursday, January 15, 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm

Asian Pacific American Legal Center
1145 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

For more information: 323/727-7896 Email: ccorrales@biensestar.org

Since prop 8 passed there have been many forums, protests, rallies, blogs, websites and coalitions that have popped up to mobilze against it. However, there has not been an opportunity for people of color, both LGBT and Allied to come together to strategize about moving our communities forward collectively, to unite in support for marriage equality and LGBT community members and to move us all beyond prop 8.

Out and Equal

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

Upcoming Town Call

Sponsored By
Genentech

Pride! The Time is Now!

Thursday, Janaury 29, 2009- 12:00 noon Pacific Daylight

(1:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight; 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight; 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight)

In 2009, Pride events around the country celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall! The struggle for LGBT equality continues not only in the United States but around the world! For the last eight years, Pride events have come and gone and there is renewed hope that a new US President will signal a new day that includes all of us! What does the new administration mean to inclusion for all of us? How do we garner that additional 5% support that would have made the difference in the California Proposition 8 campaign? What is Pride for and how do we outreach to those who do not know about the LGBT community? What can your companies, Employee Resource Groups and LGBT employees do to continue educating and changing attitudes toward equality in the workplace?

This important Town Call will explore some examples of multi-programmatic and cross-company approaches to Pride, both locally and globally – and frame how you can start thinking about Pride, your workplace, your community and visibility. Join our presenters as they discuss the possibilities and start your Pride planning now!

Presenters:
Pat Baillie, Training & Professional Development Manager, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Tom Kulaga, Executive Creative Director, Marketing, New York Times

Philene Frazar, SAP DW Developer, Pepsico & member of the Chicagoland Regional Affiliate Council

RSVP BY CLICKING HERE.

Prayers for Bobby

Tivo alert my friends. Sigourney Weaver stars in a new Lifetime movie about a mother coming to terms with her gay son and his suicide. I think I might be PMSing because I cried during the following trailer. (be forewarned, I think they show the entire movie in this short preview).



The film is based on a critically acclaimed 1995 non fiction book of the same name by Leroy Aaron. Set in the 1970's, Weaver plays a strict Christian who will not accept her teenage son when he discovers he might be gay.

It premieres on Lifetime on January 24. So set your tivoes!

Frameline Seeks Communications Coordinator

Frameline - The San Francisco LGBT Film Festival - the largest and most notable queer film festival in the world has an opening. And I know alot of y'all are looking for work.

Here's their blurb:

NOTE: Full Job Description available via download at: http://www.frameline.org/participate/employment.aspx

NATURE OF THE POSITION
Frameline is seeking an energetic and independent Communications Coordinator with a passion for building nonpofit media arts constituent, member and customer bases, traditional and online communication, and LGBT film. The Communications Coordinator is responsible for the identification and management of Frameline's diverse communication strategies, conducts outreach to the educational and consumer markets, serves as the point of contact for Frameline's public relations firms, oversees website content maintenance, and identifies cross-market and intra-programmatic opportunities.

The Communications Coordinator will also work closely with the Outreach Coordinator. This is a part-time and temporary position. Work schedules require expanded hours and flexibility during peak periods and to be available for major Frameline events.

Salary: $2,500 per month
Status: Temporary
Schedule: February 2 - July 31, 2009, 75% time
Reports to: Distribution Director & Festival Director

TO APPLY
Please send cover letter with resume and writing sample by January 23 to:

Frameline
Communications Coordinator Search
145 Ninth Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94103
Or via e-mail: desiree@frameline.org
Subject: Communications Coordinator Search

No phone calls, please.

Frameline is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. Frameline strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, height and weight, disability, marital status, partnership status and any other characteristic protected by law.
__._,_.___

Rachel Maddow on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Sigh.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Rachel Maddow

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Golden Globe Winners

BEST FEATURE - DRAMA
WINNER: "Slumdog Millionaire" - Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.; Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.

BEST FEATURE - COMEDY
WINNER: "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" - Mediapro; The Weinstein Company

DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE

WINNER: Danny Boyle - "Slumdog Millionaire"

ACTOR - DRAMA
WINNER: Mickey Rouke - "The Wrestler"

ACTRESS - DRAMA
WINNER: Kate Winslet - "Revolutionary Road"

ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
WINNER: Colin Farrell - "In Bruges

ACTRESS - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
WINNER: Sally Hawkins - "Happy-Go-Lucky"

SUPPORTING ACTOR
WINNER: Heath Ledger - "The Dark Knight"

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
WINNER: Kate Winslet - "The Reader"

SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
WINNER: Simon Beaufoy - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
WINNER: "The Wrestler" from "The Wrestler" - Music & Lyrics By: Bruce Springsteen

Sundance: Queer Lounge Announces Panels and Events

Hello Homos and those who love them,

The Queer Lounge at Sundance has announced it's fantastic line-up of panels and events today.

Panelists include Christine Vachon, Jim Carrey, and more!

The Queer Lounge is brought to you by Absolut and Glaad.  I know I'll be there a lot during my stay!

Check out the entire line up here.

AfterElton.com Names SHELTER on List of Top Gay Films This Year

I'm loving the AfterElton audience and reporter tastes!

In the viewer poll, SHELTER came in #2 and in the journalists' pick, we also came in #2 right under MILK.

Thanks guys!