Superman's Gay Subtext, Lil’ Kim Free, and Fourth of July

June 30, 2006

Flooding in the Northeast. Broiling heat waves in the west. Rain all over the country. And no OUTzone updates until Wednesday.

So go check out the guys at Manhunt http://www.outzonetv.com/Manhunt/after reading this story … and before you head to the Cineplex.

Because we know that's where you’re going. You, and a zillion other Americans, want to see for yourself how queer Brandon Routh’s version of Superman really is.

Folks at OUTzone have seen the flick and found it lacking. Seriously. But then again, we’re old enough to remember how “good gay” -- as in seriously campy -- the Christopher Reeve movies are.

But … we will give thanks for the subtle, very subtle, gay subtext between Routh and James Marsden, Lois Lane’s boyfriend. The two guys are aching to crawl under the cape together. It’s kinda hot.

Or this weekend, you can stay home and think about Lil’ Kim.

The mini-diva will be celebrating July Fourth by getting out of prison early, on Monday, July 3. The rapper was sentenced in September to a year and a day in prison for lying about a shootout outside a hip-hop radio station. She’s getting out early for good behavior.

''I am thrilled to be coming home,'' Lil' Kim said. ''I thank all my fans for all their letters, as well as my family and friends for all their support throughout the past 10 months.''

For some reason, Ms. Kim has many, many gay fans even though they couldn’t whistle a tune of hers if they were paid to. Kim has graced the cover of Out magazine and been the guest of honor at numerous gay parties. Why? Because she dresses like a crazy hooker with a Platinum Amex. And she changes outfits regularly.

And we gays have always appreciated a good costume change.

So while we’re changing costume (several times) this weekend, spend some time with the boys from Manhunt (did we already suggest that?) until we return on Wednesday.

J.Lo at NYC Pride, Then in Court

June 30, 2006

Days after Jenny from The Block disappointed New Yorkers with a hackneyed, off-key set of “songs”—she warbled and lip-synched at a dance party to celebrate gay pride Sunday night—J.Lo's name was front and center in Manhattan Supreme Court.

That's where one of two men who allegedly tried to sell a copy of her stolen wedding video back to her and her hubby Marc Anthony for $1 million pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted grand larceny.

Steven Wortman, 49, a retired postal worker from Sayreville, N.J., said that he and Tito Moses, 31, tried to get a ransom for the stolen video in amounts ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

Wortman pleaded guilty in exchange for a sentence of three years' probation. A video copy of Lopez and Anthony's June 2004 wedding was in a laptop computer that was in Anthony's Cadillac Escalade when it was stolen in Linden, N.J., in October 2005. The car was recovered in Newark, N.J., but the laptop was gone.

Now, if only the guy had tried to bootleg a copy of the performance the singer/actress/personality gave at the Pier Dance Sunday night. He couldn't have earned a dime. The diva was so off-key that audience members didn’t believe it was her and kept guessing: “Is it Daphne Rubin Vega? She's short and has a lot of hair.”

Most disappointing to the gay men and women in the audience was that J.Lo headlined a gay pride event without saying the G-word gay or the P-word Pride. “I love ‘you” was all she could muster.

Wouldn't it be nice if performers making money from gay consumers would at least recognize whose dollars are filling their pockets?

TV Tranny Becomes Army Brat

June 30, 2006

The army doesn’t like gays, let alone cross-dressers, unless they only play them on TV for laughs.

Tom Hanks, one of TV’s original trannies, has been inducted into the U.S. Army's Ranger Hall of Fame as an honorary member, the first actor to receive such an honor.

Hanks, 49, was unable to attend Thursday's induction ceremony. But that had nothing to do with Mr. Hanks making a silent protest against the military’s discriminatory policies against gay men and lesbians.

The actor was cited for his role in Saving Private Ryan and his continued commitment to honoring those who served in World War II. He was also honored for being among the writers, producers and directors of the Emmy-winning 2001 miniseries ''Band of Brothers.'' Hanks was cited for serving as the national spokesman for the World War II Memorial Campaign and for being honorary chairman of the D-Day Museum Capital Campaign.

Nothing like a PR event to further reveal government hypocrisy and discrimination.

Elton and k.d. Unite

June 29, 2006

In honor of singer Tony Bennett’s 80th birthday, Elton John and k.d. lang will sing duets with Mr. B. in a musical variety show to air on NBC. Bennett turns 80 on August 3.

The queer artists and icons also appear on Bennett’s new (clumsily titled) record, “Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic.” The to-be-televised affair is getting an extra dose of pizzazz from gay director Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha).

And not to be outdone by the real gays, Bennett is promising to sing his signature hit, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Is Bennett an honorary gay? If not, he should be.

Men in Tights

June 29, 2006

The last time a selfish conservative was in the White House (Ronald Reagan), movies were filled with testosterone-infused action heroes with rippling muscles and huge guns: think Rambo.

Now, with Bush II, the curtain has been drawn back to reveal that heroes need support, and so they wear tights.

Also the tights epidemic seems to have Hollywood and cultural critics ridiculously nervous. Last week Brandon Routh was trotted out to declaim his (and Superman’s) heterosexuality. This week, the costume designer, Louise Mingebach, released a statement explaining that Superman’s tights are actually “hi-tech, ultra-thin Milliskin, a Spandex blend.”

And now Nacho Libre and NBA stars are entering the conversation.

“'Men are not used to showing off their legs,” Mingebach said, “But Routh was strangely unselfconscious about it. Maybe because it was Superman, so he knew what he was going into. He probably knew he couldn't just wear the cape,'' she says.

Routh isn't the only guy in tights this year. NBA stars, such as Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter, are wearing them on the court and even far-less athletic-looking Jack Black is wearing them on screen in Nacho Libre.

Graciela Mazon, the Nacho Libre costume designer who put Black in a wrestling outfit of sky-blue tights, a crimson cape and boots, thinks men look regal in tights.

''Tights really frame men. I think you can capture the virility. Men have worn tights forever, think of the 16th century. They were strong men and no one questioned that,'' Mazon says.

Oh, okay, so now it’s a “virility” thing.

NBA players seem to like the tights for other reasons. Superstar LeBron James said he wore tights under his Cleveland Cavaliers shorts to help prevent injuries. Milwaukee Bucks forward Joe Smith said he was just trying to keep his knees warm after having knee surgery.

As the star of Nacho Libre, Black at least has a sense of humor about the tights anxiety gripping the nation.

''I wouldn't wear it to the laundromat or to the grocery store,'' he said. ''But it does have a certain amount of power when you dress up like that. It really grabs the attention of all the people around you.''

Hmm ... Sounds like something a few Trannies we know would say.

Favorite Friend-of-the-Gays Can Fly

June 29, 2006

As usual for the actress, Parker Posey steals every one of thescenes she's in ... no matter that it’s the blockbuster media circus called Superman.

Supervillain Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) and handsome, but oh-so-straight Brandon Routh, are fine. But it’s Posey as Luthor’s accomplice that brings necessary levity to the film.

Posey flies with Routh after driving a runaway car into danger. The actress’s enthusiasm for the scene is classic Posey-restrained. She says it reminded her of hang-gliding.

There is not enough of Posey in Superman. So her gay fans will have to wait for this fall’s For Your Consideration, a reunion with the cast and director of two of Posey’s most popular films, Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman.

Kate Moss Becomes British Cultural Icon

June 28, 2006

Who says a drug problem is bad for your career? When shots of supermodel Moss surfaced in London tabloids last year allegedly showing her doing drugs, many of her modeling contracts were cancelled. Now they're coming back -- big time.

The fashion world ran from Ms. Moss as if she was tainted and drugs were a foreign substance in the milieu. But now one of Moss’s biggest backers, Burberry, has called her back into the fold. She's the featured face in their Autumn/Winter 2006-2007 campaign. Moss, 32, appears in a white lace trench coat.

Question: “White lace trench coat?” For real? Where is that ever going to be practical? Or even funny? That thing is one glass of water away from becoming a fashion disaste.

Superstar photog Mario Testino shot the black-and-white ads, which, according to Burberry, “feature British cultural icons" including Moss and Jeremy Irons's son.

Earlier this month, British prosecutors announced that Moss would not be charged over the tabloid claims, saying there was insufficient evidence.

Although Moss also lost contracts with Chanel, H&M and Gloria Vanderbilt after the photos were published, her career seems to have suffered no lasting damage.

After apologizing to ''all the people I have let down'' and visiting a rehab clinic in Arizona, she signed new modeling contracts and appeared on several magazine covers.

Boy George Update: Garbageman or “Sanitation Department Employee”

June 28, 2006

To stay out of jail, the one-time Culture Club singer signed up for five days community service in Manhattan yesterday and was assigned to the Department of Sanitation.

''He will be part of our team,'' said a department spokesman. ''We won't know exactly what he will be doing for several weeks, though.''

The singer, born George O'Dowd, has reportedly struggled with drug problems for years and was ordered to do community service after pleading guilty in March to false reporting of an incident. He called police with a bogus report of a burglary at his lower Manhattan apartment last October, and the responding officers said they found cocaine.

Lest anyone get the wrong idea, we must state that OUTzone loves Boy George. We know he’s had a rough time and look forward to him putting his community service behind him. Until then, gays gotta be doing their community service just like everyone else. So we’re mighty happy to report that he signed up and is on track to clear his record.

Sleater-Kinney Call It Quits

June 28, 2006

After 11 years, the queer punk-pop trio Sleater-Kinney is taking a break. After they finish a summer concert tour, the group will take an “indefinite hiatus.”

The band released a statement on their website. ''The upcoming summer shows will be our last. As of now, there are no plans for future tours or recordings.'' The statement did not give a reason for the decision.

The group took their name from a road near Olympia, Wash., the city where the openly lesbian Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein formed the band.

As far as music news goes, this totally sucks. It leaves Ani DiFranco and Melissa Etheridge (as well as The Indigo Girls) to carry the lesbian music flag into 2007. Not that there's anything wrong with them ... but Sleater-Kinney rocks!

Boy George Out of Jail ... For Now

June 27, 2006

The former Culture Club singer got a scolding from the judge yesterday for not complying with the terms of his sentence on a drug charge. ''I'm not going to give you another chance,'' Criminal Court Judge Anthony Ferrara warned.

O'Dowd pleaded guilty in March to third-degree false reporting of an incident. The charge followed his false report of a burglary at his Lower Manhattan apartment where police said they found cocaine.

Under his plea deal, O'Dowd was to enter a drug program in England and do five days of community service in Manhattan. He was also ordered to pay a fine of about $1,000 and to avoid arrest for the next six months. But O'Dowd didn't do the community service, and earlier this month, Ferrara demanded the 45-year-old singer show up in court or face arrest.

''You have to do the community service,'' Ferrara told O'Dowd on Monday. ''It's up to you whether you make it an exercise in humiliation or in humility. If you don't do the community service, I'll make you a promise: You're going through that door,'' Ferrara said, pointing toward the entrance to the jail cells.

O'Dowd left the courtroom and immediately went to the probation offices to get his assignment. ''I never minded doing the community service,'' he said as he walked down the hall to the office.

His lawyer, Louis Freeman, said O'Dowd always intended to comply with all the terms of his conditional discharge, but had proposed working with an HIV/AIDS charity while he was in an outpatient drug-treatment program.
The judge rejected that proposal.

''He'll probably be raking leaves in Central Park, or something like that,'' Freeman said of O'Dowd, who was referred to the Sanitation Department for possible assignment. When O'Dowd left the community service assignment office, he quipped, ''I'm going to be teaching basketball in Harlem.''

Some Celebrities are Just So Gay

June 27, 2006

Rush takes Viagra with him on vacation. And Naomi freaks out when she can’t find her favorite jeans.

Not that all gay men take Viagra or have a favorite pair of jeans, but we all have a “friend who does” … probably.

Limbaugh was stopped in Palm Beach after stepping off his private plane. Just back from a jaunt to the Dominican Republic, customs officials found Viagra issued to his doctor, not to him, and confiscated it. Taking Viagra is not illegal for the arch-conservative radio host, but Rush is on a kind of quasi-probation stemming from drug convictions last year.

Naomi is back in court—at least on paper—because a former maid filed suit in state court in Manhattan on Monday accusing the supermodel of “civil assault, civil battery” and other wrongs.

Unfortunately for Ms. Campbell, this new claim was made on the eve of a scheduled Manhattan Criminal Court appearance by on charges of assaulting another maid.

Question: Why work for Naomi? Can she really pay her "help" that well?

The new suit claims that Naomi hit her, called her names and threatened to have her arrested when she couldn't find a specific pair of jeans. Campbell's court hearing Tuesday deals with a similar charge and a similar situation, in which the supermodel couldn't find a pair of jeans.

Maybe Naomi isn’t so gay after all. Because every gay man knows that when he finds a brand, size and style of jeans that fit like a second skin … he buys about three pair.

How The Grinch Stole Broadway

June 27, 2006

Only five years ago—although it feels like only yesterday, the scars are still fresh, our ears still ringing—“Seussical” the musical screeched across the musical theater landscape.

Now, the Dr. Seuss is back from the dead to horrify theater queens this holiday season. “Grinch,” the musical will make its Broadway debut in November. Previews of the show begin Oct. 25.

Theodore Geisel, the creator of all things Seuss, died in 1991. His widow has given her blessing to the new show. Doesn’t she—or anyone—remember how off-kilter “Seussical” was? Doesn’t anyone remember how not even Rosie O’Donnel as a crass, butch “Cat in the Hat” could save it? And for heavens sake, the movie with Jim Carrey was a disaster.

Please, everyone: leave the Dr. Seuss books as books!

Internationally Phenomenal

June 26, 2006

Forgive the odd grammar, but at after a weekend of Gay Pride parades, marches, protests and parties AROUND THE WORLD, it seems appropriate to say that the gay rights movement is a struggling, but truly international event.

This weekend there were events in giant cities such as New York and Athens, small countries including El Salvador and Guatemala, and a plethora of countries and cities in between: Italy, Hungary, France, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Atlanta.

The parade in Guatemala City, Guatemala was dubbed a protest against violence against homosexuals, while the march in Atlanta passed by a courthouse currently reviewing anti-marriage laws for same-sex couples.

In San Francisco families were everywhere, in New York it appeared that church groups outnumbered other groups, and in India — Calcutta to be exact — the parade was small, but focused on human rights (including the right to be not beaten up).

And through it all, a carnival atmosphere reigned supreme. What is it about gay men and lesbians that they can turn even a serious, political event into a party? Now that is a talent worth celebrating.

Supermodels of the World Unite

June 26, 2006

If not unite, at least converge.

That’s what the beautiful men of the world are doing in Milan this week for men’s fashion week. Starting today, dozens of designers -- including Armani, Gianfranco Ferre, and more -- are revealing what they think boys of all ages should sport in Spring 2007.

Striding down the runways are models wearing looks that won’t be in stores until January, but need to be seen by buyers and fashion editors months before. (Hmmm… this must explain why there was no line at Dunkin’ Donuts on 42nd Street in Manhattan this morning. All the editors are out of town.)

The shows run through mid-week. Check back on OUTzone tomorrow for a slideshow of the hottest new looks.

The Boy is Back … In Court

June 26, 2006

When Boy George allegedly violated the terms of his probation on a drug charge, he incurred the wrath of a judge in NYC. He’s due to face the stern (and angry) jurist today.

Boy George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was under orders to attend the hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court to explain why he violated the terms of his “conditional discharge” by not reporting to a community service office or paying $1,200 in fines and fees.

In March, O'Dowd pleaded guilty to third degree false reporting of an incident. The charge followed his false report of a burglary at his apartment where police said they found cocaine.

Under his deal O'Dowd, 45, was to enter a drug program in England and do five days of community service in Manhattan. He was to pay a $1,000 fine and a $160 surcharge and avoid arrest for any reason for six months.
In court earlier this month, Ferrara said O'Dowd had not paid the money and had never reported to the office that decides what kind of work a defendant does to fulfill a community service requirement.

O'Dowd's lawyer, Louis Freeman, promised that Boy George would be in court later today to face the music. Check OUTzone news tomorrow for an update.

Kylie’s Back and Ready to Tour

June 23, 2006

Diagnosed with breast cancer last year, Kylie Minogue is well enough to resume her postponed world tour. She underwent surgery to remove a lump from her breast and is reportedly still undergoing cancer treatment.

But she’s doing well enough to reschedule cancelled tour dates. The first concerts will be Down Under, in her home country, starting in November.

“Kylie’s definitely through the worst of everything, she's so determined and she can't wait to see you all,'' said the tour’s producer. ''Obviously she's still got a few mountains to climb, but we're very, very confident that the tour will be going ahead.''

Minogue had completed dates on her ''The Showgirl Tour'' in Europe and was heading to Australia for homecoming concerts when she was diagnosed with cancer in May 2005. The concert series in Australia will be renamed the ''Showgirl Homecoming'' tour.

Memorials and Progressive Politics from WeHo

June 23, 2006

While the folks in Manhattan haggle over how, where and what kind of memorial to build to commemorate 9/11, West Hollywood has hung a street sign commemorating Matthew Shepard, whose brutal beating death in 1998 captured the nation’s attention regarding anti-gay violence.

Now the town is touting its political progressiveness—beyond placing memorial street signs. The gay majority city wants to become a marijuana free-zone, as in free to smoke. Unfortunately, the marijuana statute is non-binding because they are only a municipality, and drug laws are state and federal.

But two cheers for the many, many gay men and women in WeHo who are trying some politically progressive moves in the terribly conservative era.

Transgender Pride in San Francisco … Permanently

June 23, 2006

Three years before Stonewall, a group of transgender people in San Francisco stood up to the police. Forty years later they are getting remembered.

Yesterday, a plaque was laid at the site of the altercation. It reads: “Here marks the site of Gene Compton’s Cafeteria Where a Riot took place one August night when transgender women and gay men stood up for their rights and fought against police brutality, poverty, oppression an discrimination in the Tenderloin. We, the transgender, gay, lesbian and bisexual community, are dedicating this plaque to these heroes of our civil rights movement.” Dedicated June 22, 2006.

In the audience were police officer Sgt. Stephan Thome, right, a pioneering transgender police officer and retired Sgt. Elliot Blackstone, seated. Blackstone was the city's first liaison between the police department and the gay community.

Silver Fox Swap?

June 22, 2006

Is a gay-fave newsreader after Larry King’s job? With two high-profile celebrity interviews in a row, Anderson Cooper is rapidly moving in on King’s chat-with-celebs turf.

While Larry King is still hugely popular, his show has become a place that old-timers go to wallow in their infirmities (mental and physical). This week, Dan Rather extolled the drama of leaving CBS. And a few weeks ago, Elizabeth Taylor joined the chat host to tell people she did not have Alzheimer’s.

Meanwhile, Cooper scored the in-depth interview with Angelina Jolie. And tomorrow, he’ll be airing an interview with Cher about how she does not support the war in Iraq, but supports the troops.

Maybe because he’s a non-threatening host, both gals have opened up to Cooper in ways that have made headlines days before the interviews actually aired. Young Coop is becoming a master of buzz.

The Cop is Putting Himself Away

June 22, 2006

The Village People are missing Gay Pride. The cop, Victor Willis, is in rehab. All is not lost: Willis released a statement saying that he’s getting better.

“The nightmare of drug abuse'' is being lifted from my life, Willis said.

Now 54, the original policeman has been undergoing in-custody substance abuse counseling since his arrest in South San Francisco in March for drug possession and giving false identification to a police officer.

Willis said his attorney will ask a San Mateo County (Northern California, just south of San Francisco) to approve his release into a residential drug rehab program at his pretrial hearing set for July 3.

As “The Cop,” Willis co-wrote hits such as ''YMCA'' and ''In the Navy,'' and left The Village People in 1980. After allegedly jumping bail last fall, he was featured on a December episode of the TV crime show ''America's Most Wanted.''

Show Queens, Start Your Chanting

June 22, 2006

The latest Off-Broadway musical rumored to be ripe for a Broadway move began with Buddhists—New York City Buddhists, but meditating-chanters nonetheless. In fact it was chanting that brought songwriter Duncan Sheik and playwright Steven Slater.

And while Buddhism isn’t actually rife with gays, at least not officially, the musical, “Spring Awakening,” does have a few homosexual twists.

Sheik and Slater first met during a chanting session, they say. Slater mentioned he was working on a play that needed a song; Sheik asked to see the lyrics. The composer sent back a melody, Slater loved it and out of that initial effort, the two agreed to write a musical version of the 19th-century German classic, "Spring Awakening," which is receiving accolades at the Atlantic Theater Company.

Although the source material is more than 100 years old, Sheik’s music is au courant. Rock verging on punk. Slater calls it “pop-contemporary.”

Whatever you call it, the show is a hit. Sheik and Slater are now working on new musical productions together including an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Nightingale."

Sheik says that in the process, he has developed a new respect for musical theater. "I never realized how passionate about this I would be," he says. In honor of his newfound enthusiasm, OUTzone Sheik an honorary title: Theater Queen-in-Training.

Ang Lee … Please Stop Talking!

June 21, 2006

First he made movies no one watched (Pushing Hands). Then he made a film everyone loved (The Ice Storm). Then a flick no one could stomach (The Hulk). And finally, a gay love story that folks flocked to and he won an Oscar for (Brokeback Mountain).

Yet, director Ang Lee keeps putting his foot in his mouth.

Last year he explained that shot the gay love scenes for Brokeback first just to get them out of the way. During the awards season, he repeatedly mentioned the universality of Brokeback and how it wasn’t really a gay movie.

Now Lee says he doesn’t need Hollywood to be successful because Tinseltown “is the world’s least free place for making movies because it has a fixed model.”

Huh?

At OUTzone we are not about to defend Hollywood from the accusation that they make the same movies again and again. But come on. Would Lee really prefer to be a filmmaker in China -- the country that banned his own Brokeback Mountain? China, among other countries, censors filmmakers and will not tolerate, let alone support, directors who criticize the state.

Liberal Runs to The Center, Again

June 21, 2006

Gay men and lesbians in the U.S. shouldn’t be so disappointed that politicians they hope will be most supportive of gay rights ... are not. One example? Hillary Clinton refusing to support gay marriage.

Our brothers and sisters to the South are being left behind now, too. Andreas Lopez Obrador, the leading liberal presidential candidate in the race to become Mexico’s next president, is swinging toward "the center" (translation "away from gay rights").

Obrador is alienating liberals by refusing to take a stand on abortion and gay marriage in an attempt to appeal to more conservative voters. But what he gains there, he is losing in support from the left.

Now nobody is happy, the conservatives or the liberals. But everyone will have to decide to vote one way or the other soon -- the election is July 1.

Broadway Shows Play With Fire

June 21, 2006

Las Vegas is not yet a gay travel destination. But it is a popular, family-friendly vacation spot for straight people (AKA everyone else). Maybe that’s why valiant attempts to bring Broadway shows to The Strip has so far failed.

In recent weeks, “Avenue Q” and “Hairspray: The Musical” both closed before they made any money.

This week, “Phantom of the Opera” opens. The show will try its luck with the non-theater-queen audience in town.

To make the show more appetizing (digestible, perhaps?), the producers have made radical changes. The running time is now only 95 minutes; the phantom disappears amid fiery blazes; sparks now shoot out of his sleeves; and the chandelier is so dramatically dropped that a warning sign cautions audience members to not be afraid.

The show even has a new name: "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular." And a brand-new theater built just for it inside The Venetian.

Total cost: $75 million. If "everyone else" doesn't start seeing Broadway shows in Vegas after this, then producers should just give up. Where's the fat lady when you need her?

Terminator Wants Gay Friends

June 20, 2006

The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, made no friends with the gay community last year when he vetoed a gay marriage bill in September.

But now he wants back in the gays' good graces. Schwarzenegger is headlining a fundraiser for gay Republicans in Hollywood next week. It will be his first appearance in front of a “gay audience” since he was elected in 2003.

Arnie is also trying to gain favor with the gays by supporting a good (but harmless) bill that would require significant events from gay and lesbian history to be included in public school textbooks. Then again, the meeting is payback for Log Cabin Republicans who supported the governor against then-governor Gray Davis three years ago.

Two Queens Travel Travel 54 Miles

June 20, 2006

Truly earth-shattering queer news from Europe: Dutch Queen Beatrix, left, and Belgium's Queen Paola met for the first time in 25.

The distance flown by Queen B. to visit Queen P. is less than sixty miles.

No reason was given for why the two queens have not visited each other more often. Officially, the three day visit will “solidify ties between the two neighbors.”

Oh come on. As any queen worth her crown knows, you can’t stay good friends if you don’t visit your neighbor more than every 25 years … even if you wear an Easter bonnet in June.

More Cumming Attractions

June 20, 2006

While wrapping-up performances in the critically-panned production of “The Threepenny Opera” on Broadway, gay superstar Alan Cumming is putting the finishing touches on his directorial debut: Suffering Man's Charity.

The indie film co-stars David Boreanaz and is about a struggling writer who is murdered by an obsessed man who then swipes his unpublished manuscript.

''I'm the obsessive weirdo,'' Cumming says. ''Duh. Hello?''

Other films featuring Cumming later this year include Sweet Land, where he plays a Minnesota farmer in the 1920s opposite Alex Kingston; Grey Matters, in which he plays a taxi driver who falls in love with a lesbian, played by Heather Graham; and a documentary about the 2003-2004 Broadway season called Show Business: A Season to Remember.

On TV, Cumming hosts ''Midnight Snack'' for Sundance Channel. And though he doesn't appear in the new X-Men movie, he did lend his voice to ''X-Men: The Official Game,'' reprising his role as Nightcrawler.

Superman is Totally (Totally!) Straight

June 19, 2006

No matter that director Bryan Singer is a high-profile Hollywood homosexual. His new film, Superman, is not gay. He’s “probably the most heterosexual character in any movie I’ve ever made,” Singer said.

And now the actor who plays the clean-cut, super-stud tells Vanity Fair, “"You find whatever message you want. Everybody is going to interpret the film differently.... People will see the movie and realize that Superman is certainly not gay. And I am not (gay) as well, but people will have that discussion as much as they want — it is a topic for people to talk about."

This after the L.A. Times reported that the some studio heads were expressing concern that a “gay vibe” would harm the film at the box office.

Well guys, we at OUTzone will also remember that a topic for discussion is whether we should spend our dollars when the film opens. Maybe our money has a bad “gay vibe,” too?

Religion, Not So Progressively Served

June 19, 2006

The Presbyterians are meeting in Birmingham, Alabama this week. And despite the conservative surroundings, they managed to elect a woman -- Rev. Joan Gray, of Atlanta -- as moderator of the General Assembly. A huge step forward for women (which we usually cheer for), but Gray is apparently no friend of gay men and lesbians.

She says: “I can’t get my mind” around the idea that homosexuality is part of God’s plan.

OUTzone to Gray: Have you had a personal phone call from the Almighty about His plans? If so, you have an awesome cell phone.

Meanwhile, the Episcopalians are meeting in Columbus, Ohio this week. They already elected a gay bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson, although conservative parishes keep threatening to quit because of it. Robinson has brought workers from HRC (Human Rights Campaign) to help keep the Episcopal General Convention from inserting any new anti-gay platforms into church policy.

Some Episcopalians want “the church” to promise not to approve any more gay bishops. Robinson is okay, but just no more.

Hmm … that makes a lot of sense.

Gay Pride, Supersized

June 19, 2006

Across America and around the world it is gay and lesbian pride month. Which in the big city is, unfortunately, greeted with a shrug and the question: Where’s the best party?

Well, everyone should take a look at what hard-core, real, authentic gay pride looks like in Brazil. A parade in Sao Paulo attracted two million people.

Several hundred thousand were in the parade, and a million-plus were watching. That’s more than twice the number of people who live in San Francisco.

And remember, Brazil is generally a conservative, predominantly Catholic country. So three cheers to the enormous crowd and may we all be inspired.

Fashionista Flick Brings Book Back to #3

June 16, 2006

Two weeks before the release of The Devil Wears Prada (June 30), buzz about the thinly-veiled profile of working for Vogue editrix Anna Wintour has brought the book it was based on back to the bestseller list.

Next week, USA Today ranks Lauren Weisberger’s novel at #3.

Fashion fans and gossip hounds have been salivating over the release of the movie ever since it was optioned… not least of all, because Meryl Street plays the Wintour character. Will she be channeling Witches of Eastwick or evil mom in Manchurian Candidate?

Either way, she’ll be dressed like a drag queen. We know. We’ve seen the previews.

Weisberger -- no matter how badly her book was reviewed -- does beat Ann Coulter, whose controversial book of essays, “Godless,” is #4. And surprise, surprise, Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” retains the top spot.

Cher Protects Soldiers in Iraq

June 16, 2006

The singer and actress entered a Capitol Hill hearing room Thursday through a back door and 20 minutes after the session was scheduled to start. Once Cher was in the “House,” the hearing soon got under way.

Cher has donated more than $130,000 to the group Operation Helmet, which pays about $100 to modify the inside of soldiers' helmets to make them better able to absorb shock from a bomb blast.

Cher, wearing a white lace top under a black pant suit, looked solemn as she sat behind the group's founder, Dr. Bob Meaders, while he testified. Meaders said Cher didn't want to cause a distraction by testifying herself.

Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, noted that Cher's ex-husband, the late Rep. Sonny Bono, had served on the subcommittee. He called it a ''special irony and really great tribute'' to have her there.

We always (always) liked Cher. But showing up and making such a powerful statement without opening her mouth just further confirms for us what a classy lady Ms. C really is.

Liza’s Ex Accused of Paying Someone Else to Sexually Harass

June 16, 2006

In the never-ending saga of David Gest -- superstar producer and ex-husband of Liza Minnelli -- now lies a sexual harassment lawsuit. A former personal assistant filed a lawsuit in federal court.

''David A. Gest made sexual comments, touched plaintiff in a sexual nature, wrote sexual comments in plaintiff's calendar, paid another employee to touch plaintiff,'' the assistant, 35, wrote in a complaint he filed himself.

Gest's attorney, Edward Bearman, said his client tried to do Beyer a favor by giving him a temporary job that lasted only nine weeks. Gest is completely innocent until proven guilty. But, what’s most fascinating and exciting -- almost titillating -- is that Gest “paid someone else to touch the plaintiff.” ??!!

Really, if you’re going to do it Dave... just do it!

Straight People Allowed to Choose "Inspiring" Films

June 15, 2006

Not that there's anything wrong with them, but when it comes to picking films that move anaudience to tears -- or better yet, action -- shouldn't gays have been in charge? We specialize in inspiration. Or at least we used to.

The American Film Institute, a film school and foundation that seeks to further film awareness In the U.S., sent ballots to 1500 film artists, critics and historians asking them to pick their favorite inspirational film.

While the identity of the judges has not been released, there is firm evidence that they were not very gay. “The Wizard of Oz” at #26. So 25 other movies are MORE inspirational? Come on.

Other horrors include the naming of “The Sound of Music” to #41. Oyster-eating “Spartacus” to #44. Lesbiana “Silkwood” at #66. And -- heaven forbid! -- but “Fame” pulled up the rear, so to speak, at #92.

Warhol's "Taylor Hicks" Wig For Sale

June 15, 2006

Long before the new King of Pop made gray hair cool, Andy Warhol (the original King of Pop Art) did it with a bad wig. Not that it was so “bad,” actually; it was just New Wave before New Wave existed.

This piece of history, Andy’s silver wig, is being hawked by his nephews at Christies, June 22. Fans can except to pay at least $5,000 for the fake hair. Also for sale: a bracelet given to Andy from Carole Lombard to Clark Gable.

The fire sale is courtesy Andy’s nephew, Jeffrey Warhola. After selling some actual art by his uncle last year and making millions, Mr. Warhola has found memorabilia Christies estimates will earn him several hundred thousand bucks.

Collectors of Warholiana can also vie for a 1977 Polaroid photo of Muhammad Ali signed by Andy himself. The few inch square piece of history will set you an estimated $7,000 to $9,000.

Shocking Discovery: Gays In Cuba

June 15, 2006

Homosexuals have been spotted not just on the streets walking, in stores shopping, and at home sleeping, but also on television.

Seen/Not-seen everywhere else was apparently fine. But TV! So now Cubans have their knickers in a knot because a favorite, but state-sponsored soap opera (meaning Fidel pays for some of it), featured gay characters. Fictional homosexuals were seen on “''La Cara Oculta de la Luna,'' or the ''Dark Side of the Moon.'' But since this is Fidel’s land, one of them got AIDS.

The official line is that the character’s mere existence is supposed to be teaching people about HIV and AIDS. ''From now on, these themes will have to be discussed with more frankness,'' said Freddy Dominguez, scriptwriter for the telenovela that has sparked discussions among Cubans of all ages and walks of life.

Reactions from some viewers were so intense that the government brought together a panel of experts to discuss the show. One viewer called in, outraged that homosexual relationships were presented ''as if they were natural.'' Until the 1960s, gay men in Cuba were sent to “work camps” as punishment for their “crimes.” So considering that state of affairs, maybe getting HIV on TV isn't so bad.

David Letterman Saves Strangers With Candy

June 14, 2006

In exchange for a plug of his world famous Explod-O-Pop microwavable popcorn, the “Late Night” host gave Amy Sedaris and her creative cohorts finishing funds to wrap up their film, Strangers With Candy.

The flick is a prequel to the Comedy Central cult-comedy written by Sedaris and now more-famous-than-her Stephen Colbert. The film has been playing gay festivals this summer to lukewarm reviews -- unless you’re a hard-core “Candy” fan... then the applause has been rapturous.

The film, which cost a cool $3 million to make, follows Jerri Blank’s exit from prison and return to high school where she hopes to succeed (on many levels) and snap her father out of a coma.

Strangers With Candy opens June 28.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Protest! Eminem is "Acting" Again

June 14, 2006

Not yet, thankfully. The unrepentantly sordid rapper issigned on for a remake of the television Western “Have Gun, Will Travel,” re-written just for him.

Oh, joy!

Because really, right now, the world needs another display of machismo from the notoriously homophobic "singer." He split the community almost down the center years ago, and could again. Some gay and lesbian artists -- such as Elton John and Melissa Etheridge -- defended his right to hate as free speech. Other activists, such as the folks at GLAAD, tried to protest his every move. The result: more publicity than ever for his creepy-gay-ish songs and pseudo thug persona.

So please, Paramount, just kill the project now and save us all the unnecessary drama.

Richard Chamberlain Plays It Straight

June 14, 2006

But only on TV this Saturday night on the Hallmark Channel. That’s when he’s reuniting with his “Thorn Birds” co-star, Rachel Ward for “Blackbeard.”

Just how fun is being bad after Chamberlain came out of the closet last year? “I am a very bad guy in this,” says the 72-year-old actor. “It was great fun.”

In “Blackbeard” he plays a “corrupt governor who will stop at nothing -- including having his adopted daughter killed -- to get what he wants.”

Unfortunately, what he wants (in this movie, to be aired on the Hallmark Channel) is not a hot fireman. Oh well, maybe next time?

What The World Needs Now: A New Mary Poppins

June 14, 2006

Move over Julie Andrews — an unknown is trying on your pinafore. Ashley Brown has been cast as the magical nanny in the new Broadway production of the Disney classic opening this fall.

Only Broadway-aholics will recognize Ms. Brown. She was Belle, briefly, in “Beauty and the Beast” on the Great White Way.

The rest of the cast of the mega-budget revival is slightly more recognizable. Rebecca Luker (“Nine,” “The Music Man”) and Daniel Jenkins (“Angels In America,” “Big River”) will play Mrs. and Mr. Banks, the parents who hire Ms. Poppins.

Previews begin October 14.

Beals Gets Fame, She Gets $2,300

June 13, 2006

Way back in 1982 — before Flashdance set tongues wagging, girls (and boys) cut the necks out of their sweatshirts, and J.Lo paid homage to the film in her video for “I’m Glad” — a young woman named Maureen Marder sold her story for to Paramount Pictures for $2,300.

That story was about a construction worker by day and exotic dancer by night. And that story became Flashdance the cinematic sensation that’s grossed more than $150 million domestically.

Marder, understandably disappointed in not having signed a better contract, has been trying for years to get a little more cash for her life story. But she’s hit another brick wall. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco affirmed a lower court’s decision that while “unfair,” the contract is valid.

Next time you’re watching Beals go balls-out on “The L Word,” think of poor Marder... for at least a moment.

Singer Downed by Dumb Punks

June 13, 2006

Singer, performer, drag artist and all-around crazy-ass club/nightlife denizen Kevin Aviance is recovering from a gay bashing in Manhattan.

Aviance, who had chart-topping dance hits in 2002 and 2004 with his songs “Give it Up” and “Alive” was jumped by a handful of youth while walking home from an East Village bar. He was dressed as a boy and alone at the time.

He was scheduled to perform at multiple Gay Pride events later this month, but his jaw was broken and is now wired shut.

Police have labeled it a hate crime and NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg called the attack a “disgrace.” Four men (or boys) ranging in age from 16-20, have been arrested on charges of first-degree assault.

Rosemary’s Baby Can’t Stop Thinking About Darfur

June 12, 2006

Genocide is no laughing matter. And any attention celebrities can draw toward overlooked disasters around the world is a good thing.

But why are we not surprised to hear that Mia Farrow has taken up the slack when it comes to Darfur?

Farrow, as a goodwill ambassador, is on her second visit to the region. This time, she’s brought her 17-year-old son Ronan.

“I never spend a day without thinking about it,” says Woody Allen’s ex-wife. “It’s impossible to put Darfur out of one’s mind. Humanitarian workers are doing such heroic work here, while politicians have done very little.”

Visit unicef.org for more info.

Mariah Goes Back For More

June 12, 2006

Not satisfied with the critical "acclaim" she received for the movie Glitter — most critics, and the public, ran screaming from theaters showing the flick — Ms. Carey is heading back in front of the camera.

Maria will play a waitress in Tennessee, directed by Lee Daniels, producer of The Woodsman and Monster’s Ball. (Maybe she’s hoping for a big meltdown scene like Halle Berry got to do in MB?)

Daniels says he didn’t see Glitter.

“He’s a risk-taker,” Carey says. “Obviously it would be a risk in a lot of people’s minds to cast me.”

Kudos to Carey for keeping it real.

Tony Awards Are Really, Really Gay

June 12, 2006

While any theatrical event is underlined with queerness, last night’s distribution of the Antoinette Perry Awards (aka Tonys) was gayer than usual. At least, once Alan Cumming and Cindy Lauper stepped onto the red carpet. But oh, they do look cool and totally BFF.

“The History Boys,” a play about a boy-loving teacher (imagine Dead Poet's Society if Robin Williams couldn’t keep his hands to himself) was honored as best play. The testosterone-filled show also scored a handful of other awards: Best Actor for the touchy Richard Griffiths; Best Director for openly-gay Nicholas Hytner; and Best Featured Actress for the nouveau fag hag Frances de la Tour. The damn thing won two design prizes, for sets and lighting, even though the only set was a classroom (boring) and the lights were florescent-ish (like in a classroom).

Oprah and Julia Roberts were in the house to dole out prizes. Julie Andrews showed up. Young gay John Tartaglia of “Avenue Q” fame worked the red carpet. Harry Connick Jr. swiveled his hips as did much as the unknown but handsome men of “Jersey Boys.”

Last but not least, our newest out lesbian sister, Cynthia Nixon, won for Best Actress in a Play.

Oh, and did we mention the dozens and dozens of “chorus boys” who graced the stage? Thanks, Tonys.