‘Boy wonder,’ scientist and inventor Jack Andraka profiled on ‘60 Minutes’ – LGBTQ Nation.
Happy to see this and watch the clip featuring Morley Safer’s entire piece on Jack. I wasn’t as happy to note that there was no mention of Jack being gay in the piece. I mean, it doesn’t add anything REALLY, but it would be nice to say, “You can be a big science nerd and also be gay.” I think that’s important.
LGBT History Month 2013: 21 Influential Black LGBT Icons.
An important list, I think. Often those of color were so marginalized in society that those that were gay were practically invisible.
Bayard Rustin, the gay, Quaker civil rights organizer. He is one of the unsung heroes of the last century’s social movements.
One social reformer that was not invisible was Bayard Rustin, the main organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Rustin’s sexuality did, however, impact negatively on his place in history. Only now, 50 years after the March and two and a half decades after his death is his importance to civil rights and gay rights in the 20th century being reexamined.
Langford on Soaps: Has “My Husband’s Lover” Jumped the Shark? – thebacklot.com, Page 6.
Scroll down the linked page about halfway to get to Anthony’s top ten list. Sometimes when I read his opinions of soaps, it’s like we’re watching two entirely different shows. A wide divergence of opinion — it’s what civilized discourse is all about, Congress. This time out, however, it’s something else entirely.
Eric Sheffer Stevens (l) joined As The World Turns in its last year on the air as Dr. Reid Oliver. His pairing with Van Hansis’ Luke divided audiences between those who wanted to see the electric pairing of Stevens and Hansis and those wanting a happy ending for Luke and his former love, Noah, played by Jake Silbermann. Reid Oliver’s death was central to the plot of the show’s finale, though it did not satisfy many viewers.
I like his list. I think I would have replaced #s 10, 9, and 5, but other than that, I think he’s onto something.
Like Anthony, I think Reid Oliver and Brendan Brady were, in many ways, some of the most important gay representations we’ve had on television. And, I, too, have a soft spot for John Paul McQueen, Aaron Livesy and Luke Snyder!
Are Gender-Neutral Pronouns Actually Doomed?.
Dennis Baron calls it the word that failed.
Baron, a professor of linguistics at the University of Illinois, has been monitoring the development of epicene—that is, gender-neutral, third-person singular pronouns—since the 1986 publication of his book Grammar and Gender.
I don’t know why I find this so interesting, but I do. I guess it’s along the lines of my longstanding consternation with the inherent gender bias with “husband” and “wife.” Michelangelo Signorile wrote about this recently, and I feel much of the same consternation that he does. And there’s even more eye-rolling with epicene pronouns.
Most of that, I assume, is because English is a language filled with nuance. Someday I’ll become comfortable calling my husband my husband, but I doubt I’ll ever feel comfortable using the alleged pronoun “e.”
The 50 Greatest Gay TV Characters.
Courtesy of The Backlot. I did participate in this poll and I’m pleased to see that a few of my recommendations made it in.
I’m particularly pleased about the page linked above, featuring #s 9, 8 and 7 — the delicious fantasy soap opera trio of Sonny Kiriakis, Will Horton and Luke Snyder! Just think about it for a minute!
Freddie Smith as Sonny Kiriakis
Van Hansis as Luke Snyder
Chandler Massey as Will Horton
I also appreciated the inclusion of Justin Bartha’s David Sawyer (The New Normal) at #35, the exceptional Luke McFarlane as the equally exceptional Scotty Wandell (Brothers and Sisters) and two of my favorites from across the pond: #23 Kieron Richardson’s Ste Hay and #12 Emmett J. Scanlan’s Brendan Brady from the UK sudser Hollyoaks.
With few exceptions — #s 1 and 2 while deserving of inclusion, don’t deserve the top spots — I think this is a great list. At least there’s SOME representation out there. We can always use more, but at least it’s not the desert it was in the olden days!
Liveblogging “Days Of Our Lives:” Home Sweet Hell – thebacklot.com.
Are ya reading the liveblogs of Days on The Backlot? You should be. It’s terrifically snarky and actually way better than watching the whole damn episode. And, I mean, really, we’re all only over there for Will and Sonny anyway, so… Anyhow, highly recommended, though you get less of that adorable Freddie Smith this way.
The aforementioned adorable Freddie Smith, who portrays good guy gay Sonny Kiriakis on Days of our Lives. Smith was nominated for a Daytime Emmy earlier this year.
The online survey of nearly 5,700 SAG/AFTRA members also found that more than half of the gay, transgender and bisexual respondents had heard pro ducers and directors make anti-gay comments while working on-set.
The performers’ union, which is holding its annual convention in Los Angeles, said it pursued the first-of-its-kind research at the request of a committee that represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and as a methodical way to explore an issue usually discussed through anecdotes.
via Report: Hollywood is less gay-friendly off-screen – LGBTQ Nation.
OHMIGOD! How many times have I said this on this blog alone? THIS IS NOT NEWS. News would be actually fixing this problem. LGBT discrimination in Hollywood? Yes. Every day. Dammit.
I am Cassandra!
There’s something infectious about hanging out with someone whose life is on the brink of change. Grand was like a boy who’d won the golden ticket — well-behaved and gracious, and enjoying every minute. It was one of his first public performances, and the fact that it was in an opulent Chicago institution that’s received every president since Harry Truman spoke volumes about where America finds itself in this particular moment.
Out magazine’s Aaron Hicklin chatting with Steve Grand in Chicago. |Image: Out magazine.
Technology, says Out’s Aaron Hicklin, that’s what we’ve got to thank for Steve Grand and for the plethora of entertainment options from across the spectrum that are now available to us thanks to the Innerwebs.
It’s a lovely article. Read it.
Also, search around for Hicklin’s Q&A with Grand from that event. I’ve seen it, but I can’t recall where. Towleroad, maybe? Anyhow, it’s a nice interview. The cut above has a video embed of Grand playing his debut, All-American Boy, at the Hilton.
Below is a link to a recent piece I did, featuring a video embed of his latest, Stay.
Steve Grand Would Like You to Stay
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has ordered the National Guard to stop processing requests for military benefits for same-sex couples, her office confirmed Tuesday, despite a Pentagon directive to do so.
Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said the governor was following the wish of Oklahoma voters, who approved a constitutional amendment in 2004 that prohibits giving benefits of marriage to gay couples.
via Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Gov., Tells National Guard To Stop Processing Benefits For Gay Couples.
*sigh* It’s like living in a country run by wolves sometimes. With apologies to smart wolves.
You’ve got to take a look at this. One of the best political spots I’ve seen in a long time. Maybe that’s because it’s about issues, it’s lighthearted and it doesn’t make out the opposition to be the worst thing since Hitler. He’s selling himself. And doing a damn fine job of it, I think.
According to the Huffington Post, Massachusetts State House member Carl Sciortino, Jr., 35, “is running to fill Sen. Ed Markey’s (D) empty House seat. The special election in the heavily Democratic district is set for Dec. 10, with the primary on Oct. 15. Sciortino is facing four other Democratic candidates.”
Sciortino is having a very busy fall. In addition to running for Congress, he’s set to marry his partner on October 5.
One Last Word 