The West Hollywood Supper Club

WeHo Supper Club and TheSmokingCocktail.com
Combine forces for the first time to bring you a

SUPER SMOKING HOT SUPPER CLUB

To kick off HALLOWEEN weekend!

Benefiting the LA Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Join us Wednesday, October 28th to Kick-Off Halloween Weekend as we rotate to…

O-Bar Restaurant and Lounge
8279 Santa Monica Blvd. in WeHo
Call Now for Reservations!! – 323.822.3300
*Be Sure to mention WeHo Supper Club to ensure a portion of your food/drinks benefit the charity.

Happy Hour from 6-8pm!!!

Dinner Service 6pm – 11pm

Valet Parking is available. Street parking is also available for first-come, first-served.

Walk or take a cab if you live close by!

Come for drinks or for a spa treatment even if you can't do dinner!

- This Week Benefitting LA Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce! www.laglcc.org

* About the LAGLCC - The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (LAGLCC) is an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gay-allied businesses, professionals, and individuals, who have joined together to effect positive growth in ourselves, our work, our community and our future.



(This Menu is ONLY for WEHO Supper Club)

Three Courses $34
With Wine Pairing $54

CHOICE OF APPETIZER

· SOUP OF THE DAY
Made fresh daily

· WILD ARUGULA AND ROASTED BEETS
Candied Walnuts, Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberry-Walnut Vinaigrette
And Dried Cranberries

Pairing: Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé, Louis Bouillot, “Perle d’ Aurope,” France, NV

CHOICE OF ENTREE

· PAN ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST
Wild Mushroom / Marsala Pan Sauce and Crispy Shoe String Potatoes

Pairing: Mercury, Domaine Michel Juillot, Côte Chalonnaise, France, ‘05

· HONEY-DIJON GRILLED SHORT RIBS
Horseradish-Chive Potato Purée, Grilled Asparagus and Port Wine Demi Clacé

Pairing: Syrah, Strange, Napa ‘05

· PISTACHIO CRUSTED YELLOW TAIL
An O-Bar Favorite. Cooked to Perfection and Served with a Potato-Leek Purée, Tomato-Caper Relish and Chive Burre Blanc.

Pairing: Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Arona, New Zealand, ‘09

CHOICE OF DESSERT

· BROWNIE A LA MODE
Cream Cheese-Fudge Ice Cream, Fudge Sauce and Cocoa Candied Almonds

· CHOICE OF SORBET OR ICE CREAMS
Served with Homemade Biscotti

Pairing: Port, “Late Bottled Vintage,” Douro Valley, Portugal 2000

For questions or groups, call 310.271.0059 or visit www.chadhudsonevents.com

After party to follow - Garage at Here Lounge

TheSmokingCocktail.com Mixer is this evening

Hello Kittens,

As you probably know, this web site hosts a mixer once a month here in West Hollywood so that artists, activists and professionals in the lgbt community can mix, mingle, schmooze and dish.

This month, I am cohosting with several lovely LGBT non-profits so you can get a chance to meet their staff, board and volunteers and see if you'd like to get involved. From 7-9 pm we'll have appetizers and boths hosted by The Point Foundation, Glaad Tidings, Friends of Project Ten and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, October 21

O Bar Restaurant

7982 Santa Monica Boulevard

West Hollywood, CA

7-11 pm.

Half price bar beverages until 8 pm and valet available.

As always, the mellow sounds of Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald accompany the evening.

The Mormons vs The Gays: New Doc on Prop 8

Check this out, and get more info at http://www.mormonproposition.com/

Jon Stewart on FOX's Coverage of the National Equality March

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Queer and Loathing in D.C.
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Video Highlights from Today's National Equality March on Washington, DC

It is estimated that 200,000 people gathered on the steps of the Capitol today in what the New York Times is calling the largest protest of it's kind in over decade.

The National Equality March was a grassroots effort to pull together a protest for LGBT rights. It seems to have worked.  Speakers included politicians, celebs and community organizers and the event was covered by all the big, national media today.  Those who spoke include Lady Gaga, Cleve Jones, Dustin Lance Black, Judy Shephard, Cynthia Nixon and more.  

This came the day after President Obama spoke at an HRC dinner in Washington, DC last night. Most of the comments from the podium today challenged the president to put words into action.

Here are video highlights Part One.  Look for Part Two tomorrow.

And here's some photos:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Gay Video of the Week!

Of course, this week the Gayest Video on the web is hands down President Obama addressing the HRC dinner in Washington, DC on the eve of the National Equality March (today - National Coming Out Day!!!

We have two runners up!

Jon Stewart on the Daily Show about Don't Ask, Don't Tell and his message to Obama.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Gay After Tomorrow
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Rep Louise Gohmert from Texas compares homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia. Rachel Maddow calls him out.

TOP TEN GAY STORIES OF THE WEEK

1) National March on Washington - October 11
Check it all out  in video and pictures here.

Then go to www.nationalequalitymarch.com

2) President Obama Speaks at HRC Dinner!!
Watch the video here that is dividing the lgbt community:

Obama Speaks at HRC Dinner.

He starts by stating, "I'm happy to be here tonight to open for Lady Gaga."  Obama then gives one of his usual inspirational and well-worded speeches in full support of the LGBT community.  Some say enough is enough and it's time for actions to speak louder than words.  Other say this is historical since no U.S. President has ever spoken out in office for our rights. Whatever your thoughts, people let's all remember to support each other, k?

3) It's National Gay History Month

And you must visit this site where every day they post video biographies of our gay brothers and sisters in history.  Including Cherry Jones, Alvin Alley, Rachel Maddow and more.  Brought to you by Equality Forum.  Click here and then bookmark it and share with your friends on Facebook!

4) House Passes Hate Crimes Bill
It's been 10 years in the making. Judy and Dennis Shepard have held the torch all these years, and if it passes the Senate, the president has vowed to sign it. Let's all remember Bush was against this.  Details can be read here.

4) Huffington Post Posts Worst Anti-Gay Marriage Commercials
You can watch and rate here.  It would be funny, if it weren't for the fact that some people believe this shit.

5) Gay Man to Run Walt Disney Studios
Gays running Hollywood?  My god, what will happen next? Jews in the business?

Read the LA Times Story on Rich Ross - the first gay studio head here.

6) October 11th is National Coming Out Day
The single most important thing you can do in our movement is coming out.  In a poll taken by GLAAD, the results showed the biggest reason people change their opinions on gay rights is because they know someone who is gay.  YOU MUST COME OUT TO AT LEAST ONE PERSON who does not know you're gay.  Okay?  Do what I do....just dial 411 a few times and come out to the operator.

7) October 12th is the Anniversary of the Slaying of Matthew Shepard
Shepard is the symbol of violence against homosexuals in this country.  Every month at least 5-7 LGBT people in this country are brutally/fatally attacked.  Other well known murders include Brandon Teena and Laurence King.  The Vanity Fair article in 1999 gave an in depth depiction of the Matthew Shepard slaying and can be revisited here.

8) Television Programming Depicts Positive Coming Out Stories
Thank god we've reached the day where questioning youth can see positive representations of homosexuals coming out on television (or on their little iphone devises)- this week: BBC's SKINS, Season Two and Fox's GLEE.  Also on television, gays on ABC's Modern Family and Brothers and Sisters and recent out lesbian Wanda Sykes premieres her HBO special on Oct. 10th.  As well as most of the contestants on Project Runway, and one out of every seven couples on those home redecorating/remodeling shows on HGTV.  You can catch most of these shows on HULU - so if your parents, friends, coworkers or spouse don't know you're gay, you can watch on the privacy of your laptop.  Do it immediately then proceed to step #6 on this list.


9) Another Lesbian TV Show Picked Up at Showtime

Carol Leifer - an openly lesbian comic/writer - has just sold a pitch to Showtime for a 1/2 hour, single camera comedy about a woman who divorces her husband, embraces her homosexuality then finds out she's pregnant with her ex's kid. While we're all still scratching our heads about the new Ilene Chaiken reality/lesbian program, we can all be happy about this one.  Hollywood Reporter article here.

10) Mormon Kisses Gay Man on National Television

During this week's Dancing with the Stars, there was a long, awkward fake-kiss between Donny Osmond and Bruno, the openly gay judge.

TIVO ALERT

CNN to broadcast Obama's speech at the HRC dinner in Washington, DC LIVE TONIGHT AT 8 PM EASTERN!

This is on the eve of the March on Washington, and National Coming Out Day. Monday also marks the anniversary of the slaying of Matthew Shepard.

Watch Video: Mormon Donny Osmond Kisses Gay Judge on Dancing with the Stars

On last night's network reality show Dancing with the Stars, contestant Donny Osmond - you know, a Mormon - you know that religion that raised a lot of money to make sure we didn't get lgbt rights in California - stunned everyone when he pounced on openly gay judge Bruno and did the wild thing.

When the host broke it up (finally) Osmond commented, "I don't think they're going to let me back in Utah."

Which was rather nice of him to say as I sensed that was a bit of a fuck-you to the Mormon Church's anti-gay policy.

Watch the clip here, from E!.

The 100 Most Banned (or challenged) Books in America

These are the books people don't want you to read.  I just posted this in case you want to plan your winter reading.

It's a list of the "Most challenged books" in the United States from 1990-2000, as compiled by The Library Association of America (ALA).

What does "challenged" mean?  While we allegedly don't have a formal censorship, the public library system lists these titles as the most "challenged", meaning groups of people have actively sought (sometimes successfully) to keep the general public from reading them, and have hit the library system as one of it's means.

Some of the listings are titles removed from community or school libraries, or removed from high school curriculums. 

I'm amused since 3 of my favorite books are on this list.   

In order to fight the attempt to ban books by individuals and organizations, The ALA has created BANNED BOOK WEEK (it just ended), celebrating the books that are banned every year. Their motto is "Read.  Speak.  Know."

Scary Stories (Series), by Alvin Schwartz

Daddy’s Roommate, by Michael Willhoite

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

Forever, by Judy Blume

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

Heather Has Two Mommies, by Leslea Newman

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

The Giver, by Lois Lowry

My Brother Sam is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris

Alice (Series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Goosebumps (Series), by R.L. Stine

A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck

The Color Purple, by Alice Walker

Sex, by Madonna

Earth’s Children (Series), by Jean M. Auel

The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson

In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak

The Witches, by Roald Dahl

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle

The New Joy of Gay Sex, by Charles Silverstein

Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous

The Goats, by Brock Cole

The Stupids (Series), by Harry Allard

Anastasia Krupnik (Series), by Lois Lowry

Final Exit, by Derek Humphry

Blubber, by Judy Blume

Halloween ABC, by Eve Merriam

Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George

Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane

The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison

What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters, by Lynda Madaras

Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton

The Pigman, by Paul Zindel

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier

Deenie, by Judy Blume

Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes

Annie on my Mind, by Nancy Garden

Beloved, by Toni Morrison

The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar

Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat, by Alvin Schwartz

Harry Potter (Series), by J.K. Rowling

Cujo, by Stephen King

James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl

A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein

Ordinary People, by Judith Guest

American Psycho, by Bret Easton Ellis

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)

Bumps in the Night, by Harry Allard

Asking About Sex and Growing Up, by Joanna Cole

What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons, by Lynda Madaras

The Anarchist Cookbook, by William Powell

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume

Boys and Sex, by Wardell Pomeroy

Crazy Lady, by Jane Conly

Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher

Killing Mr. Griffin, by Lois Duncan

Fade, by Robert Cormier

Guess What?, by Mem Fox

Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut

Lord of the Flies, by William Golding

Native Son by Richard Wright

Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies, by Nancy Friday

Curses, Hexes and Spells, by Daniel Cohen

On My Honor, by Marion Dane Bauer

The House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende

Jack, by A.M. Homes

Arizona Kid, by Ron Koertge

Family Secrets, by Norma Klein

Mommy Laid An Egg, by Babette Cole

Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo A. Anaya

Where Did I Come From?, by Peter Mayle

The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline Cooney

Carrie, by Stephen King

The Dead Zone, by Stephen King

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain

Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison

Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez

Private Parts, by Howard Stern

Where’s Waldo?, by Martin Hanford

Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Greene

Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume

Little Black Sambo, by Helen Bannerman

Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett

Running Loose, by Chris Crutcher

Sex Education, by Jenny Davis

Jumper, by Steven Gould

Christine, by Stephen King

The Drowning of Stephen Jones, by Bette Greene

That Was Then, This is Now, by S.E. Hinton

Girls and Sex, by Wardell Pomeroy

The Wish Giver, by Bill Brittain

Jump Ship to Freedom, by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Designer Tom Ford's directorial debut, is the next gay film coming to your local theatre

There's a new gay film coming to your local theatre soon.  A SINGLE MAN recently debuted at the Venice Film Festival, then caused a stir at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it garnered rave reviews and got distribution care of the Weinstein Company.

The film is directed by designer Tom Ford and stars Colin Firth as a closeted gay man in 1962 who tries to continue on with his life after the sudden death of his long time partner.  It's based on a short story by iconic gay writer Christopher Isherwood (who also penned Berlin Stories, from which Cabaret was based).

The film costars Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin and that tasty Lee Pace.  

Time magazine has already referred to Colin Firth's role as "the part of a lifetime".  Firth already won the Best Actor Award at Venice, and there's sure to be more to follow.

Keeping with true independent form, Ford financed his first feature himself, and the film was shot in 21 days.  After the sold out screening at Toronto, there was an all night negotiation session before Weinstein's company swooped up the rights,  looking to cash-in on the Mad Men craze, since this has similar production design, look and feel.  IndieWire called the film, "striking!".   BBC reports that the main character, "lives in s spotless world of pressed Italian designer suits, fresh linen and minimalist Scandinavian furniture."  Variety reports it sold for seven figures.

The script was written by an undiscovered screenwriter, David Scearce, who is actually a lawyer who runs an animal rescue shelter.  He loved the short story so much, he wrote the script on spec, then sent it to Isherwood's lover, Don Bachardy, who gave it his blessings.  The script was then passed on to CAA, a big agency in Hollywood.  Ford was searching for a good first project, and the match was made (Ford went on to rewrite and has a co-writing credit).

Here's the trailer:

Here is an interview with Colin and Ford at the Venice Film Festival:


Here is a Q&A with Tom Ford, Colin Firth and Julianne Moore from the screening at Toronto:

Fall Gala Preview: A Breakdown of all the LGBT Non Profit Parties and Events of the Season

Here's a little sneak peak at all the fundraisers happening in Southern California for LGBT non-profits. Attending an event is a wonderful way to support your local charities, as the cost is tax-deductible and in exchange for your donation, you can enjoy an evening of entertainment with other members of the LGBT community. To enlarge the invite, single-click on the image. To then download the invite, right-click.


Organization:  The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Special Guests:  Hal Sparks, Daniela Sea, Frenchie Davis, Alan Ball and Adam Bouska.

Tickets:  $100

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Buy tickets here

Organization:  OUTFEST, The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Special Guests:  Laura Linney, Alan Poul, Bruce Vilanch

Tickets: Location:  The Directors Guild of America

$125, $200, $500

Buy tickets here

Organization:  The Trevor Project

Special Guests:  Neil Patrick Harris

(more to come)

Wiltern Theatre

Tickets:  $35 - $1500

Buy tickets here

Organization:  The Point Foundation

Special Guests:  Cherry Jones, Adam Shankman, Frenchie Davis and Lily Tomlin

The Hollywood Renaissance Hotel

Tickets:  $500

Buy tickets here

Organization:  Roots of Equality

Special Guests: Lillian Faderman

$45

Buy tickets here.

Organization:  Power Up Films

Special Guests:  Eric Dane, Michelle Clunie, Rebecca Gayheart, Daniela Sea, Peter Paige, Gabrielle Christian and Mandy Musgrove

Social Hollywood

Buy tickets here

Organization:  GLSEN

Buy tickets here.

Organization:  Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing

Buy tickets here.

Organization:  The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center

Special guests:  Wanda Sykes, Coco Peru, Chelsea Handler

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel

Buy tickets here

$150-$400

Outfest Toasts Gay Hollywood at Stunning Gala

If we're having a recession, you'd never know it from the absolutely stunning bash Outfest threw last night to raise money for their non profit organization.  The house was packed and it was an elegant, star-filled evening at the Directors Guild of America.

Their annual OUTFEST LEGACY AWARDS raises money for lgbt film preservation and all the work the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival does for our community year-round.

Last night, the honors went to uber-producer Alan Poul.   He is not only an accomplished producer (Six Feet Under, My So Called Life, To Wong Foo, Swingtown and the iconic Tales of the City) but also a director (Rome) and a huge supporter of our community.  Poul sat on the Board of Directors for OUTFEST for years, and continues to put positive representations of lgbt folks in mainstream film and television - something he's been doing for twenty years.  

As you can see from Poul's resume, he has always done quality lgbt work - dating back to the 

ground-breaking Tales of the City from Armistead Maupin.  MTV's  My So Called Life had one of the first openly gay characters on television.  When the actor playing that character - Wilson Cruz - wanted to come out of the closet in real life in order to lend support to other gay teens, producer Poul was there to help him.  Let me tell you - in those days NO ONE was out of the closet and there were NO representations of gays on television.  That move alone helped an entire nation of gay folks have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in not only that high school character, but also the brave actor that - at 19 - came out of the closet himself to provide a role model for struggling teens.

"I have so much love to Alan Poul," says Cruz, "I owe him so much.  He taught me what my responsibilities were and continues to live the example of that responsibility with so much grace."

I met Mr. Poul back in my previous life on the horror flick Candyman, which he produced with another uber gay, Clive Barker.  My favorite tid-bit about Alan is that when he was just out of college, he did an apprenticeship with one of my other gay heroes Stephen Sondheim!

Actress Laura Linney was there to present the award to Poul, and Bruce Vilanch hosted the evening.

The pre party and the after party were just outstanding - a packed house full of the who's-who of Gay Hollywood, and the most wonderful food from Rosa Mexico and Cake O's, with passed hor d vevours and several free flowing open bars, compliments of Absolut.

(pictured left, actor Wilson Cruz with The Totally True Adventures of Two Girls in Love director Maria Maggenti and Guillermo Bass)

I wish I had more photos, but honestly, I was sucked into so many wonderful conversations, the night got away from me!  But here's a few.

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