Hollywood, je t'aime at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival
USA | DIR Jason Bushman CAST: Eric Debets, Chad Allen, Michael Airington, Diarra Kilpatrick, Jonathan Blanc
After a spat with his boyfriend, Jerome escapes a wintery Paris in search of his California dreams, finding romance and friendship with the pot dealers, drag queens and locals of the "real" Hollywood.
FIFTY! is a reality re-creation of Carlease’s 50th birthday party. Audience members/party-goers actively participate from the very beginning and then Carlease morphs into the guests who arrive a bit later. You never know who may show up at this milestone celebration. It’s safe to say the party may not be the only surprise in store. In keeping with the reality theme, on opening night June 5th, there will be a real cake onstage, courtesy of Cake Divas, to be enjoyed by all.
Opening Night June 5, 2009 Runs through June 28, 2009 Fridays and Saturdays 8PM Sundays 2PM (Q & A after every Sunday matinee)
Yesterday the court upheld Prop 8, denying us the right to marriage, but gave a pass to the 18,000 marriages that occurred during the brief time same-gender marriages were allowed. This is essentially giving us some wiggle room, because this is - in layman terms - some crazy shit.
This is where we are. Obama has openly said he wants to address Don't Ask, Don't Tell and mentions LGBT people openly in his town halls. The prez has appointed a record number of gay people, and he even asked Gene Robinson to speak at the inauguration as well as having the recently self-outed Wanda Sykes speak at the correspondence dinner.
The Governator said on the Tonight Show last night that he feels this ban will eventually be overturned.
According to a poll by GLAAD, when citizens are asked what has changed their minds regarding gay rights, the number one tipping point is "knowing someone that is gay". So at the end of the day, coming out is still the most powerful thing anyone of us can do. Because of the courage of LGBT youth/gay-straight alliances in high school and college, plus the years a very accessible gay-friendly show like WILL & GRACE was on prime time - as well as Queer as Folk and The L Word - more people are exposed to homosexuals at an early age than ever before. Ellen DeGeneres couldn't be more gay and out, and she is in America's living rooms every day in addition to being a "cover girl" for the epitome of Americana mainstream - Cover Girl make up. Even Republican Jane Duprey voted "no" on a gay marriage bill in NY, but eventually voted "yes" because she said she has a lesbian couple of neighbors. As Dan Butler said on CNN several times during the November storm post-prop 8, our biggest opponents are old white republicans... and we're going to outlive them.
Mass, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and Iowa now have same-gender marriage in the books, and it looks like New York and New Jersey will follow suit.
Several gay servicemen have "thrown themselves on the sword" and come out - ending their military careers - but allowing their situation to be known on national news shows, blogs and newspapers across the country in hopes of overturning Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Because of the recession left to us by the Bush administration, it's going to be harder for those who seek to oppose us to raise money and generate interest in taking down homosexuals, when pretty much everyone is too concerned with their own mortgages, jobs, kids' educations, etc.
Obama is appearing today at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. If you live in the Los Angeles area, you might want to turn out there for a protest. It won't just be us... many different causes will be represented:
Join us at a rally at 6PM in front of the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday, May 27th.
At 7PM we will be joined by Lt. Dan Choi and other LGBT servicemen & women in opposition to Don't Ask Don't Tell. They will ask for response from President Obama to the letter signed by 136,000 people asking the president not to fire Lt. Choi by ending DADT
We want to call on President Obama to honor his promises and commitments for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Equal Rights.
We are calling for "Full Equality Now - full and equal protection under the law for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.”
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=99571489016
The biggest concern in California regarding the proposition system has been: Do we trust the same people to run another campaign considering what a train wreck the No on Prop 8 Campaign was. They raised a record $36 million, and managed to piss off the general public, as well as most lgbt organizations with their tactics and approach. Afterwards, when confronted by grassroot organizers, they stood by their decisions and approach, which did nothing but make things worse as far as public support.
This lead to the emergence of a large myriad of gay rights organizations, including FAIR, COURAGE CAMPAIGN and countless others.
It all looks like the French Resistance again all over again out here now considering none of these gay rights organizations really get along with each other, and there has been tons of positioning over who will lead the way in our next proposition fight.
Meanwhile, two lawyers have now decided to take the loop hole left by the California Supreme Court decision and take a case to Federal Court. This has brought a big press push for us, and may look like an easy solution to bypassing this entire "proposition" system in California wherein if you have enough money, you can pass any law in this state. The two lawyers taking on this case also got Bush elected in the Bush v. Gore lawsuit.
This Saturday, everyone and their brothers will be driving up to Fresno for Meet in the Middle. This is going to be a huge gathering, and I highly recommend everyone make the trek. Charlise Theron, Dustin Lance Black and Perez Hilton - among countless other celebs - are appearing at and promoting this gathering.
For you, my friends, in closing, I think you will really enjoying taking 5 minutes and watching the following video. It combines two of my favorite things - music as the voice of the soul, and the fact that we are all one in this world.
From "Playing for Change", these film makers travelled around the world for one giant group number, that includes musicians from Italy, California, Russia, South Africa, New Orleans, South America and more. Truly inspiring and an important message for us all to remember: We are all beautiful, soulful people who travel only once on this earth and the sooner we realize it behooves us to love and support all others on this planet we share, the better the world will be. So basically, bitches get over your hang-ups on religion, culture, race, sexual identity and fucking get with the program.
And the call to arms for lgbt people - beautifully done.
It's only a few hours now until you kids decide on whether to uphold Proposition 8 and honor - or invalidate - the 18,000 marriages that happened last year when same-gender marriage was legal for a few months.
I've been following this pretty closely and have tried to educate myself on the entire proposition system and the intricacies of the arguments placed before you on my birthday - March 5th - when we challenged the popular vote from November. Well, as much as one can who never studied law but instead got a degree in watching old movies and playing with video cameras.
I know it's complicated, but I'd like to point out one thing - if you keep the ban on gay marriage, what message will that send to Californians about equal rights? If you uphold the ban, that means we are not equal. We are less than. When that message hits the television sets, blogs and newspapers...what essentially are you telling people about us? What are you teaching children with this message? Do you realize you will reaffirm bigotry and hatred and fear? You can double talk your way around it, but this is all still discrimination.
Think about the message. A ban is a pretty serious thing. BAN... it even sounds harsh. We're banned from getting married - a right every citizen has.
You know, sometimes I like to cruise around youtube and watch cute little videos made by lgbt youth (like the one below). When I see their adorable faces, bright smiles... I think, wow, what wonderful, beautiful people. Why would anyone want to hate them? Discriminate against them. Tell them this country is not their's. Then I think, wow...we've come a long way and isn't it great how LGBT teenagers now can be out? I mean seriously - all you from my generation, do ya remember pretending to be straight? Dating in high school just to cover? Thinking only going to some dark, scanky gay bar was the only place you could be accepted?
Supreme Court, sweeties, darlings, pussycats....why would you tell them they are not equal? Why would you tell their classmates they are not equal? Why would you send this message?
Anyway, just a thought. I hope you make the right choice. Considering the way things are heating up on the east coast with legalized marriage, and Obama's promise to overturn DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell... you will surely be sitting on the wrong side of history maybe even during your own lifetime.
Thanks for listening. Oh, and if you decide on hate and discrimination, my reaction to you is best said by this video:
This video was made to try to empower young lgbt folks in battling homophobia and discrimination. Its message is to encourage kids who are bullied to not internalize their pain, or fall into self-hate, or even commit suicide, but instead to stand proud and brush off any hate directed at us.
Pres. Obama will at a fundraiser for the DNC at the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday, May 27th - the Day after the California Supreme Court Decision on Prop 8.
Join us at a rally at 6PM in front of the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday, May 27th.
At 7PM we will be joined by Lt. Dan Choi and other LGBT servicemen & women in opposition to Don't Ask Don't Tell. They will ask for response from President Obama to the letter signed by 136,000 people asking the president not to fire Lt. Choi by ending DADT
We want to call on President Obama to honor his promises and commitments for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Equal Rights.
We are calling for "Full Equality Now - full and equal protection under the law for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.”
• Tuesday, May 26th – Decision Day o 7 PM – West Hollywood - Santa Monica and San Vicente o California Supreme Court is announcing its Decision on Prop 8. There are demonstrations scheduled across California and the Country in the evening. There will be a Demonstration and March in West Hollywood at 7 PM at Santa Monica and San Vicente. o http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58312918863 o For other events and actions go to http://www.dayofdecision.com/
• Wednesday, May 27th - Demo to Call for Pres. Obama to act on Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender Rights o 6 PM - Beverly Hills Hilton o We want to make a call to President Obama to honor his promises and commitments to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Equal Rights. Pres. Obama will at a fundraiser for the DNC at the Beverly Hills Hilton on Wednesday, May 27th - the Day after the California Supreme Court Decision on Prop 8. o We are calling for "Full Equality Now - full and equal protection under the law for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.” o http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=99571489016
• Thursday, May 28th – Equality Network Action Meeting o 7 PM – Plummer Park Community Center, West Hollywood o Planning meeting for future actions and events o http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=83585397661
• Saturday, May 30th – Meet in the Middle o 1PM – Fresno City Hall, Fresno o Rally for national LGBT equality the first Saturday AFTER the California Supreme Court issues its rulings on the Proposition 8 cases. o http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/
Ok, we have official confirmed 6 locations around CA to hold a vigil at 7pm Friday. Bring signs with quotes from Milk or relating to the movement and candles!
The Locations are:
San Francisco: Steps of City Hall, acrross from Civic Center Plaza. Make sure candles are in cups. Map: http://tinyurl.com/prmcke
Sacramento: West steps of the state Capitol Map: http://tinyurl.com/qtz9oe
Fresno: Peace Corner(Shaw and Blackstone) Map: http://tinyurl.com/ogezhv
Los Angeles: West Hollywood, Corner of San Vicente and Santa Monica Map: http://tinyurl.com/pfe5bz
Orange County: Huntington Beach Pier. Meet at the top. Map: http://tinyurl.com/oxwzrj
San Diego: Outside of Rich's Night Club, By the Marriage Equality Wall Map: http://tinyurl.com/olw9p9
Hope everyone has a fantastic time honoring Harvey Milk!
At 8:39 pm an earthquake hit Los Angeles at an estimated magnitude of 4.7 (according to the gov quake site) about 1 mile east of the city of Lennox, which is near Inglewood.
Even after Miss California bashed homosexuals and nudie photos emerged of her as a teen, Donald Trump decided to let Carrie Prejean keep her post.
Pictured left, new topless photos of Miss California from TMZ.com
In a tearful statement, the bigot read from a statement written for her, "I just spoke my mind. It's the freedom of speech my grandfather fought for his country to protect."
Made me curious which country she was speaking of. Germany, circa 1936? My father fought for the US in WWII and was stationed in Korea and Vietnam. And I was raised to accept everyone. "Liberty and justice for all." Seriously, my parents had me in their grasp for about 18 years, and there was nothing but positive statements about just about everyone and I even remember being told this as a small child when exposed to people from difference cultures, religions and countries.
Anway, so whatever. We have Maine, Vermont and hopefully New Hampshire. So to make this news easier, why not take advantage of the free scoop of ice cream every Haagen Daz store is giving out today. Food is love. To celebrate bees, Haagen Daz will be giving away a free scoop of any bee built ice cream between 4 pm - 8 pm today. If you live in Los Angeles, that includes the store at The Grove. To find your local participating store, www.haagendaz.com.
And if you're in LA, stop by the gorgeous Palihouse in WeHo this evening around 6:30 pm when the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts GET TO KNOW - a monthly after-work cocktail mixer to get your ass in gear and involved with our gay rights! This month, we introduce everyone to GLAAD - The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
I love the Palihouse - great vibe, soft couches, a fireplace, casual patio and fantastic food. Here's a snap of the location of our mixer tonight.
Well, this week could possibly be exciting. Rumours are flying that Miss California may be dethroned AND we may actually hear the Surpreme Court Ruling on the validity of Prop 8.
Meanwhile, if you're in the Los Angeles area, come on out and mix and mingle at this event I am hosting.
Come mix and mingle with staff, board, volunteers and members of both GLAAD and The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Part of a new series of mixers hosted by The Chamber to introduce our membership to fantastic LGBT advocacy and support organizations in SoCal.
This month, Get to Know GLAAD!
Tuesday, May 12th 6:30- 9:00 pm
Palihouse 8665 Holloway Drive West Hollywood, CA 90069 323 656 4100
Actress Charlize Theron has joined up for Meet in the Middle and will be at the event.
For more information and to sign up, please visit www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com
This is the protest that will occur the first Saturday after the California Supreme Court gives its decision on the validity of Prop 8. It urges everyone to drive to Fresno and partake in a march and rally that includes major lgbt activists and celebrities and will be televised around the country.
If you live in Los Angeles, I can't recommend this show highly enough. Coco is a wonderful storyteller who will have you laughing out loud one moment, and sighing the next. Irreverent stories with heart and huxpa!
Click on the image to enlarge.
LA Weekly says of her: "a stunningly expert entertainer...a kind of revelation!"
If you don't live in Los Angeles, then here's some news for ya: Marie Osmond has a lesbian daughter. The Mormon mom has a surprisingly supporting statement when she calls into a local radio station. Queerty had the story here.
Now is the time, my friends. The day is nearing when we will hear from the California Supreme Court on their ruling regarding the validity of PROP 8, which was passed by vote in November and funded by a bunch of bigoted assholes, and removed the Surpreme Court's earlier decision to allow same gender marriage.
As I suspected, following the new ad campaign of NOM and homophobic Miss California has already become interesting. Stacey sent me a hot tip that dirty, sexpot photos have been found of Miss California at www.dirty.com. Not very "family" and clearly her journey to gaining fame by getting naked.
Meanwhile, the movement for our equal rights in the U.S. has been going very well the last few months. California, however, will probably deny us same sex marriage. We are still waiting to hear from the California Supreme Court, and should get that ruling by or around June 1st.
We are approaching a tipping point for our LGBT rights, and now is the time - even in this horrible economy - where we need everyone's support.
If you cannot attend the Meet in the Middle rally, the first Saturday after the ruling comes down, please consider sending them a check - even for $10 - to ensure they can create a fantastic showing and generate the publicity and public education we need to gain our equal rights, and protect LGBT citizens with the laws and respect each and everyone one of deserves.
You know, if Stanley Kubrick directed a script by Paddy Chayefsky, you might in fiction find something as remotely or ridiculously satirical in nature to this little true fact I am going to share with you right now:
Miss California, Carrie Prejean, aka "I believe in opposite sex marriage", will be the star in the commercial sequel to A Gathering Storm for NOM.
I don't even know where to start with this, so I might just have to Jackson Pollock my comments.
First of all, it was reported that this will be a $1.5 million ad campaign. Where are they getting their money?
Secondly, NOM's commercial of A Gathering Storm spawned more spoofs than that kid hiding under his bed sheets screaming to "Leave Britany Alone!" The best was probably Stephen Colbert's. Scroll through the blog, videos all there.
NOM is such a ridiculous organization that would take the cake for idiotic, thoughtless campaigns if it weren't for the "Tea baggers". Most gays are thrilled to have these dull pennies as adversaries, because essentially it seems to only be helping us.
NOM is so stupid that on their blog, they listed the intense lambasting they got on Colbert Report as positive press.
My advise of the month - aside from buying stock in Purel and Tamaflu - would be to start casting your Miss California NOM PSA spoofs NOW so you can hit youtube first.
If their PSA costs $1.5 million...hmm, I wonder how much her salary will be?
Just a reminder, two 11 year old children in the US last month were bullied into committing suicide, with the most taunting coming from being called "fag" and "gay". Not one, but two kids.
Some good news from of all places, the Miss California people, as quoted on CNN: "We are deeply saddened Carrie Prejean has forgotten her platform of the Special Olympics, her commitment to all Californians and solidified her legacy as one that goes beyond the rights to voice her beliefs and instead reveals her opportunistic agenda," the group said.
That was a bitch slap, by the way.
One final note as to my opinion on her statement - she is hiding bigotry behind religion. I'm sick of people being bigots and anti-American by pretending it's their religion telling them to be that way. This has angered me so dramatically in the last week, because I'm flabbergasted that people feel like they are being religiously persecuted or that gay marriage will someone hurt their religious beliefs. In my head, I just keep hearing the word "gay" replaced with "Black" or "Jewish". If she said she didn't think one Jewish person should marry another Jewish person because her religious beliefs said that, "And I'm just speaking from my morals"...I mean, seriously, how does that sound?
On a moderately brighter note, I got to hang out with some cool gays and some fabulous canines this morning in the Hollywood Sirius radio studio when I guest co hosted with Doria Biddle on OutQ. Nothing really exciting, but it was just swell to chat to some fun, creative homosexuals. Gotta keep on that homosexual agenda, ya know, by promoting out gay artists and gay owned businesses!
Here's a clip where Tracy - the Senior Editor of SheWired - talks about breaking the story of Kelly McGillis (The Accused, Top Gun, The L Word, Witness) coming out of the closet. Mainly the clip is about Colin, a rescued dachshund who sat on my lap for three hours.
I'll be cohosting with Doria Biddle on The Frank DeCaro Show, Monday morning, 8-11 am Pacific (11-1 Eastern). Sirius Channel 109, XM Channel 98. Call in!
Come mix and mingle with staff, board, volunteers and members of both GLAAD and The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Part of a new series of mixers hosted by The Chamber to introduce our membership to fantastic lgbt advocacy and support organizations in SoCal.
This month, Get to Know GLAAD!
Tuesday, May 12th 6:30- 9:00 pm
Palihouse 8665 Holloway Drive West Hollywood, CA 90069 323 656 4100 Discounted valet and drink specials : Liberty Hill Foundation
Sunday, May 3, 2009 4:00pm - 6:00pm At the home of Richard Llewellyn & Chris Caldwell 4771 Cromwell Ave Los Angeles, CA
rsvp: ktaday@libertyhill.org
Last November, we suffered a defeat on marriage equality, but the passage of Proposition 8 only intensified our resolve to make the investments needed to advance full equality. Post-election research made clear the need for building bridges between LGBTQ communities, communities of color and communities of faith to foster understanding and awareness.
Liberty Hill is committed to bridging that divide through intensive organizing, educating and coalition building in L.A.’s faith communities and communities of color.
Since 2000, Liberty Hill has invested more than $1.8 million in LGBTQ organizations through the Lesbian & Gay Community Fund. In 2009, we’ll bring new focus toorganizations working on LGBTQ rights in communities of color and communities of faith, and deliver the funding and leadership training they need to deepen their roots, build staff, recruit volunteers, and execute their outreach programs to open minds and change viewpoints.
Learn more and support Liberty Hill to make this happen.
With Special Guest Speaker Reverend Eric Lee - SCLC-Los Angeles.
RSVP at 310.453.3611 x116 or ktaday@libertyhill.org
USA | DIR Jason Bushman
