|
Top queerNEWS on the Qt!
|
| queerVOICE
Santorum's Win Means We Fight
copyright 2012
|
Well surprise, surprise!
Ultra-conservative Rick Santorum lives to hate another day. With his razor thin second place finish behind moderate Republican Mitt Romney Tuesday night, in Iowa, as a result of the statewide political caucus, Santorum now has a good chance of chasing Romney into the primaries in the Deep South where he will appeal to even more conservatives/evangelicals with his brand of homophobia and anti-abortion.
Santorum's brand of homophobia and queer-bashing seems to be running contrary to the national trend of greater acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, even among Republicans. A majority of Americans supported the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. They also support same-sex marriage and non-discrimination laws that are inclusive of queers.
However, Santorum, the poster child for homophobia, intolerance, prejudice and divisiveness, continues to appeal to the far right of the GOP. With Michele Bachmann's suspension of her campaign (read: she's finished), he is sure to pick up momentum, particularly from even more supporters from the far right.
Rick Perry is the next to fall and many of his supporters will look to Santorum as the next best conservative option (AKA: anybody but Romney.)
Should we fear the Santorum surge?
Well not really, there is no chance that Rick Santorum could receive the Republican nomination; he will be beat up with Romney's money and political allies. Romney will do to Santorum what he did to Newt Gingrich--crush him with SuperPAC money and opposition ads.
But, if he can continue to run well, he can perhaps secure the Vice-Presidential slot on a Romney ticket.
Imagine a Romney/Santorum ticket! It would appeal to both the moderate and the far right of the Republican Party who feel the Romney is not conservative enough for their liking.
Here is what we should definitely be concerned about as queer voters and citizens.
Can you imagine Santorum as the Vice President of our country? I can't and don't want to--neither should you!
This is just one of the reasons we need to secure a second term for President Obama. The first gay President (a la Bill Clinton being the first black president.)
But I have deep concerns when it comes to the support some of our community will offer Obama.
Many are upset that he has not done enough for us, yet he has done more to advance our equality then any other President in history. And there are still Hillary supporters in our community who have yet to reconcile the fact that Obama won and that we now need to rally around him to secure a second term.
To that, I recently had a conversation with one of these Hillary Clinton supporters who stated that he could care less if Obama won another term and that he would do nothing to help even if it means the Republicans win. This is both thoughtless and selfish.
A Republican win would portent poorly for the advancement of our equality. An Obama win will only secure more equality.
Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines of history. Santorum is running his little homophobic heart out. So is Romney who will most likely get the Republican nomination. We must do the same.
ALL who consider themselves progressives and/or fair-minded independents must do all that we can to secure a second term for Barack Obama. We must lay aside our differences and secure a win for equality for generations to come.
Comments:james@QUEERtimes.net
|
 |
What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2012
|
While the heralding in of the New Year was greeted the wishes, hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow and future for us all in the crazy, mixed-up contemporary world that we find ourselves living and surviving in each day, I thought that I'd devote this week's column, the first in 2012 and for the rest of the month in "review of 2011", on a variety of topics, many of them, perhaps light-hearted on the surface but still with a serious tone.
 In memoriam tributes to those who passed away in 2011, they all universally began with the lost of the iconic queen of Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor.
Truly a legend who was larger-than-life, even a Hollywood starlet life, became someone who found a purpose in life beyond the glitz and glamour, the love affairs, marriages and divorces, the diamonds and jewelry, once she publicly declared her support, loyalty, friendship and love, for her iconic gay film star, in his own right, Rock Hudson, who revealed his HIV/AIDS status, her life profoundly changed.
Taylor, never one to have problems speaking her mind and almost, seemingly, a glutton for controversy, relishing her truthfulness and playfulness with the media worldwide, used her commanding stature and celebrity status to challenge her own community, the Hollywood community, and the studio industry, both of which she was ever mindful (as Rock Hudson grew up with) of how intrinsically homophobic and hypocritical the world was, the very world that she was raised in as a child film star in "National Velvet."
Ironically, during the course of her career, she was surrounded by queer men, artists of all kinds, from actors to playwrights and beyond.
 Of course, it was a closeted time, so there was little discussions about the sexual orientation of major American queer playwright Tennessee Williams whose dramatic plays, from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" to "Butterfield 8," to mention but two, gave Taylor challenging and complex roles in addition to her first Academy Award for Best Actress. She was cast, naturally, in part, for her box office appeal that included her beauty and glamour on the big screen but if you watch these ahead-of-their-time films, I think that you'll recognize Taylor's acting talents that have all too often been underappreciated and, therefore, underrated.
Much later in her career, Taylor is again cast by the brilliant director Mike Nichols in the screen adaptation of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?" by yet another major American queer playwright, Edward Albee. Yes, Taylor's performance of Martha opposite her husband and ex-husband, the classically-trained Shakespearean Welsh actor, Richard Burton, won her another Academy Award for Best Actress, but, again, I recommend you go back and watch this film one more time. From the opening scene, Taylor absolutely captures your attention and commands the screen, no matter what size, and you can feel her unforgettable acting talents.
But many, including her closest friends, critics, supporters and biographers, tend to agree that Taylor's greatest performance of her career and life was her fight against HIV/AIDS and the establishment of amfAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research).
 In the year's end issue of Entertainment Weekly (December 23-30, 2011), the magazine's editors asked queer legendary music entertainer Elton John (who has his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, based in Atlanta) to write a tribute to Taylor.
"She was without doubt the most glamorous movie star that ever existed. Then she had all this incredible turmoil in her personal life, which made her so much more fascinating." John observes.
John writes lovingly: "As an activist, she was a trailblazer. She spoke out about HIV at a time when it was incredibly unfashionable. And it came from a woman, which was great because everyone was calling AIDS a gay male disease. She was fearless in what she said. She set up amfAR and saved millions of people's lives. She became known for her activism even more than her acting, and I think she would be happy with that."
On his most personal recollections of his friend, Taylor, John shares with the public: "We used to insult each other and send each other up. She had the most incredible sense of humor, and she never took herself seriously at all. I miss talking to her on the phone and hearing that wicked laugh of hers. She had a cackle of a laugh. I miss dishing the dirt with her. And I miss her compassion most of all."
comments@QUEERtimes.net
|
|
Thom's Travel World
Out in AC
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2012
|
Here's a New Year's resolution worth adhering to--travel far and wide and more often in 2012!  You begin fulfilling this resolution by attending the fourth annual 2012 "OUT in AC Weekend," January 21-22, at Harrah's Resort, hosted by Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City.
Whether you're a repeat visitor or a first-timer to OUT in AC, the fun-filled, event-packed two-day period will include "all the classics of this festive event," according to organizers, including Pre Miss'd America Loft Party and Out of Control Brunch and Bingo to round out the queer tailored weekend. "Caesars Entertainment is extremely proud to play host to the fourth annual Out in AC Weekend," said Jennifer Weissman, Regional Vice President of Marketing for Caesars Entertainment.
"Every year these uniquely tailored events bring in new guests ready to experience Atlantic City in a whole new, open light. Out in AC Weekend is all about diversity, pride, and of course having a little fun," she continued.
 The Pool at Harrah's Resort will serve as the prime location for the Pre Miss'd America Loft Party, from 2 p. m. to 6 p. m., January 21.
Weissman said that "Drag Queens will host this open to the public, no charge event which features themed cocktails, nimble dancers, and club music." (Guests wishing to attend can gain free admission at Pool must be 21 years of age and older and have two forms of identification for entrance.)  The party will then move to Boardwalk Hall at 8 pm for the return of the high-profile and ever-growing in popularity Miss'd America Pageant, a spoof of the world-famous Miss America Pageant, which was world-famously synonymous with Atlantic City.
The delightfully entertaining pageant will star drag queens strutting down the world's most famous runway and will be hosted by Carson Kressley, of "Dancing with the Stars" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame. He will be returning to entertain the audience as much as the performers and contestants in the pageant. Legendary recording disco diva, "Weather Girl" Martha Wash., will be the featured performing headliner of the evening this year. After all that dancing, socializing and partying on Saturday night, guests will be pleased and revitalized in the Ballroom at Harrah's Resort will host Out of Control Brunch and Bingo from 11 am to 3 pm on January 22. The Sunday brunch will feature everything from delicious food to signature Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Guests will also have the opportunity to register to win big at the outrageous Bingo event, hosted by Bianca del Rio, to conclude the Out in AC weekend festivities. Tickets are $40 per person and open to the public. For tickets to all "OUT in AC" events, call 800.745.3000 or online at Ticketmaster.
Special hotel room rates and packages for "OUT in AC Weekend," are available at Harrah's Resort by booking online at outinac.com With an ongoing commitment to the LGBT community, savvy consumers will be pleased to know that "Caesars Entertainment speaks loudly [for diversity] and has proven to align resorts and casinos with the gay community as the only gaming company to earn perfect 100 scores on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index four years running."
|
|
|
What They Said and Did!
Copyrighted 2012
|
Every city in the nation, indeed, the world, would like to have a native son like Justin Timberlake. The multi-talented, gay-friendly, handsome, sexy, entrepreneurial and philanthropic 30-year-old was  recently interviewed in anticipation of the observance of Elvis Presley's birthday to the editors of Sky Delta magazine (December 2, 2011) and had only praise for Memphis, named after the mythological Egyptian city, also known as Bluff City, complete with its own manmade Pyramid, and set along what Mark Twain always enjoyed calling "the Mighty Mississippi [River}." The Memphian (that's what the natives are called) who comes from the city credited as both the original "Home of the Blues" and "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll" has strong tides to his musical heritage as well as his Southern roots. On the uniqueness of birthplace, he observed: "Maybe there's something in the water here, but it's just a very soulful place. From gospel and rhythm and blues to country and rock 'n' roll, Memphis is the melting pot of style and the crossroads of culture." On Memphis influencing his rise to superstardom, he replied: "Absolutely. One thing I learned a long time ago about Memphians is that they're honest. If we don't like you, we're not afraid to tell you. Memphians have always been my toughest critics, but it's an honesty I've always appreciated and grown from." On the city's musical influence, he admitted: "The music industry may be built on genres, but I just don't think genres really exist here. Memphians simply look at music and see it as two kinds, good or bad. And we don't know how to make bad music in Memphis." On his favorite things about Memphis, he said: "It's where I grew up, so it obviously feels like home. Not only are there good people, great food, amazing music and hospitality--but all of those great things stay consistent. It's what makes Memphis the type of place you can always count on." Timberlake, among his other enterprises, has also invested in his city as a co-owner of Mariachi, considered to be one of the word's most eco-friendly golf courses in the world.
____________________________________ Justin Bond, half of the sensational cabaret act, Kiki and Herb, doesn't like others to categorize him/her. In this gender-bending world, Bond "has always self-identified as transgender" over being  referred to as a drag queen, according to the editors of Paper (April 2011). In attempt to clarify for everyone this identity, the performer's new name is now Mx. Justin Vivian Bond with an emphasis on the "V". Spring 2011 also saw the premiere of "Dendrophile," Bond's first solo album, received with enthusiasm by her followers and the critics alike. What kind of music? Well, you guessed it, Bond, likes genre-bending, too, when it comes to music. The handpicked songs pay homage to an eclectic mixture of 1970's classics from Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and the Carpenters. "I wanted it to be sort of like n early '70s folk-pop variety album because my favorite singers are people who aren't easy to pigeonhole, like Judy Collins, who introduced me to the music of Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, old British folk songs, contemporary pop songs and show tunes. She refused to be stuck in one genre," explained Bond. What about the drag queen label? Bond was empathetic at saying: "I don't want to imply in any way that I'd be ashamed to be a drag queen . . . but I also think at a certain point I have to correct the misconception." ____________________________________ Vampires (and other creatures from other worlds), we have learned from the renaissance of interest in these other-worldly inhabitants, from the Twilight film franchise to True Blood to the Vampire Diaries,  have their origins from practically anywhere. So how about Pittsburgh-native and Sicilian-raised Joe Manganiello who plays Alcide Herveaux, "the husky werewolf and protector of True Blood's heroine, Sookie," played by Anna Paquin? Manganiello's character is perhaps True Blood's "most humane" among the vampire, werewolf and shape-shifters, in queer creator Alan Ball's HBO award-winning series. Of Alcide, the 34-year-old, 6' 5", hunk (who appears shirtless in more scenes than dressed), hits his gym twice a day, explains to the editors of Paper (April 2011): "He's very morally strong. He gravitates to her [Sookie's] higher moral character--even if it means turning against his own kind. He's very self-loathing."
 |
|
