Versace: The Vehicle

September 30, 2006

We don’t know why this is so gay, but are gaydar went off as soon as we read it.

Versace has designed a car. Not Donatella, or Gianna from the grave, but the whole fashion house, supposedly. And it ain't just any old car, of course, but a gaudy Lamborghini.

How much will it cost? Good Lord, who cares, but there’s an article on fashionweekdaily.com that told us that not only is the car complete with the famous House of Versace Greek motif. (Just so you don’t forget who designed it.) It’s available in both “Isis” and “Aldebaran” versions.

In other words: white or black.

Beefcake Alert: Costner + Kutcher

September 29, 2006

Last week the cinema satisfied our homosexual urges bywith Jackass.

This week, another pseudo-straight movie will be getting our rocks off. The Guardian starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher is surely the White Squall of 2006.

Even if the reviews are mediocre – “a slow boat ride to Anchorage, standard-issue heroics and flavorless dialogue gone stale long before the movie arrives at the big, valorous finish” -- we are salivating over this.

“Men hurling themselves into peril to save others in Alaska's churning waters.”

Water. Wet clothes. Hot men. What else do we need?

Costner plays a legendary Coast Guard rescue swimmer who takes on a temporary assignment training recruits, with Kutcher as his arrogant but promising protege.

Oh, daddy. Will there be a discipline? Please, please, please.

JT Leroy: Dead to Us

September 29, 2006

Old news, yes. But the chick behind the fraud is talking. And she should shut up.

For those who have forgotten (and we don’t blame you), JT Leroy was the queer, drag, druggie hustler who’s mom pimped him out as a kid. He grew up and wrote a few books about the experience.

Queer audiences flocked to him. Gay icons loved him. Gus van Sant, Sandra Bernhard … they all supported his two books: ''Sarah'' and ''The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things,'' which was made into a film. We were touched by and had honest sympathy for JT. Not because he was a good character, but because he was a real person.

Oh, but then it turned out that he's not real. He's actually some horrible shrew named Laura Albert.

Yes, the old hag who made up the character of JT Leroy says in an article in The Paris Review's fall issue, that she invented the character in therapy. Her psychiatrist encouraged her to write down her stories.

Well, bully for her! While she's at it, we wonder if she could be any more flip about her subject matter?

''I wish I could've had my own voice,'' she told The Associated Press at a tea party Wednesday in San Francisco. ''It's not unusual that people can't be themselves.''

Yeah, ACTUAL queer kids are actually often forced to live in a way that little of us can imagine. Those kids, like the one you pretended to be -- they can't often be themselves either. But no, go ahead, stay glib.

When an admirer approached and asked her to sign a book, she asked whose autograph the man wanted. ''I've gotten the JT LeRoy signature down,'' she said, laughing.

Yeah, that's hilarious. The way that you created a media hoax about an actual queer person so that that the public could misdirect it's pity toward a tragic gay figure? High comedy. And dash cunning the way you exploited the sadness and pain of actual gay people's lives because yours was too milquetoast and pedantic to be interesting reading.

So, her response to the AP asking whether or not she felt bad about any of it?

''I bleed, but it's a different kind of shame... If knowing that I'm 15 years older than (LeRoy) devalues the work, then I'm sorry they feel that way.''

You have got to be kidding us. You think this is about your age?!

We love fiction. When it's on paper. When it's acted well, or written gloriously. But to cash in on the tragedies of actual gay teenagers who are forced into prostitution, be it by their mothers or the cold reality of a world that won't accept them -- is tacky. To off-handedly comment about how funny that is, while not assuming any responsibility -- is downright disgusting.

Too many real queer writers can’t get a damn bit of attention for their fabulous books, and this bitch lied her way to the top. Stop by the OUTzone offices, Laura. We'd love to chat.

Michael C. Hall is Dead

September 29, 2006

Oh, how we loved “Six Feet Under.” Oh how we love Bravo for bring the show back in repeats. (Click the link!)

But our hero-ish squirmy brother in gayness, actor Michael C. Hall. What have you done? Your new show has us worried.

“Dexter,” features Hall as a blood-spatter expert with the Miami Police Department.

Hunh? A “blood splatter expert?” Is that like an art historian who certifies Jackson Pollock paintings?

''I didn't anticipate that I'd jump into another television series,'' says Hall, whose five-season run as dutiful mortician David Fisher on HBO's ''Six Feet Under'' ended in August 2005.

''The thing that scared me and excited me the most about playing him,'' Hall says, ''is his insistence that he's without authentic human emotions.''

Oh, yeah. Without Human Emotions. When we see that in a television listing (or online in a personal ad) we run.

Good luck, Mr. Hall. Let us know when you’re coming back to Broadway. We loved your stint in “Chicago.”

Return of Pedro Almodovar

September 29, 2006

He’s the gayest thing is movies – person, director, yes, sorry, “thing” is not nice. And we love him. Really, he makes us crazy with admiration.

The movie opens here November 3.

Pedro Almodovar is going back to the Oscars this year. That’s our bet now that Spain is sending his latest movie Volver -- a comic drama about women making do without men (something we know a lot about) has been chosen to represent Spain among movies vying to be candidates for the best foreign film Oscar.

Volver, stars Penelope Cruz, who thank goddess returned to her Spanish roots and to Almodovar to save her career. He discovered her. Made her. And then she went off to Hollywood and became of Freak! Remember Vanilla Sky and the pseudo-Tom Cruise affair? Gross.

Almodovar's All About My Mother won the 2000 Oscar for best foreign film and Talk to Her won the 2003 Oscar for best original screenplay.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce its five candidates for best foreign film Jan. 23. The Oscar ceremony will be held Feb. 25 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

Sexy And Still in The City

September 28, 2006

Cynthia Nixon is kind of our favorite lesbian right now. We like her because she’s pretty, she’s down-to-earth, and she’s smart. She sends her kids to a public school in New York City, she’s about to open in The Prime of Miss Jean Brody Off Broadway, and she’s the most sensible lesbian on earth.

In the current New York Magazine, Nixon gives an interview in which she describes her coming out:

"I never felt like there was an unconscious part of me that woke up or that came out of the closet. There wasn't a struggle, there wasn't an attempt to suppress. I met this woman, I fell in love with her and I'm a public figure."

So how did she deal with all the press coverage when she left her long-term male partner and father of her two children for her new female lover, Christine Marinoni?

“I was on the front page of two daily papers, there was paparazzi outside my house … They almost put me on the cover of People magazine. And then it died. Because there wasn’t really anything to say. I can’t remember in what context they tell people this, but if someone is chasing you, stop running. And then they’ll stop chasing you.”

If only we’d thought of that in junior high.

It’s Not Gay if You Don’t Say Gay.

September 28, 2006

The New York Post has always had a special place for bashing the gays in print.

In 2003, when The New York Times added gay commitment ceremonies to it’s wedding pages, The Post printed an editorial cartoon of a man and his chicken filling out their engagement announcement at The Times.

This morning, on Page Six, there's a story about Hollywood publicist Stephen Huvane’s marriage to Palm Beach artist and gallery owner Steven Janssen.

We were shocked. Does this mean The Post likes gay marriage now?

No, they just like kissing celebs' (and publicists') ass. The wedding was attended by a flock of A-listers, including Jennifer Aniston and Kirsten Dunst. It’s big news when a power couple ties the knot – careers are affected, money changes hands. This, apparenly, is gossip that folks should know.

So how did they skirt the issue? Not once in the article is the word “gay” used. And while we want to find that admirable – this is The New York Post we’re talking about. And if they have to print a story about gay people, they’re sure as hell not going to do anything to help the cause by using the word "gay."

What a bunch of cowards.

Like it or not, gay marriage is going to be around for a long long time, no matter how many right-wing hate rags want to pretend it’ll just go away. You can write the editor here.

Porn, Fashion, Porn, Fashion, Porn

September 27, 2006

When our friends at “The Dish" sent us this it wasn't good. Our computers crashed. We rebooted, downloaded. And got no work done for an hour. Or so.

French Fashion House “Shai,” has launched an interactive online catalogue … of porn. Yeah, seriously, Porn.

Our first response was “oh for heaven’s sake, why this?”

But then we went to the site (what? Of course we did.) They’re totally equal opportunity! You can watch girl/boy, boy/boy, or girl/girl. And they’re actually using some pretty seriously hot models for it.

Thing is – there’s no fast forward button so you have to watch the whole thing if you wanna see … well … the “ending.”

As far as the clothing goes: that part is pretty damn funny. The models wear the clothing for as long as humanly possible. (The very hot straight guy kept his shirt on throughout.) Even after the clothing is off, it’s still featured in the shots. We especially liked how one of the models grabbed the prominently featured label at the height of things.

Ah, product placement at its finest.

Sex, Sex, Sex and The Shortbus

September 27, 2006

Okay. Now, we're pissed. The OUTzone staff is about as gay as can be. Really, really gay. Even the straight boss is kind a gay in that totally metrosexual-New York-gay-kind-of-way.

So why is it that we were not invited to the premiere and glam party for Shortbus?

And to rub it in, the most famous gay at Bravo! (our parent? sister? whichever...) got invited and wrote all about it in his blog. Look here: Andy.

Or if you're lazy, like we are (It's Wednesday, don't feel guilty. We don't.) here's the skinny.

Sex, sex, sex in the film. It's John Cameron Mitchell's porno-arty-film, and his follow up to the amazing Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Our friends (or ex-friends!) saw it in Cannes and loved it. Loved it! Scary loved it. Which makes us think that we won't love it. But now Andy loves it, too, and so we're afraid we're going to love it again.

JCMitchell has been getting as much press as is humanly possible. But then again, you have cumshots in your movie: people are going to talk.

Justin Bond (Kiki of Kiki & Herb) is in it. We (heart) Kiki. And in the soundtrack, one of our favorite gay bands, The HIdden Cameras.

Scissor Sisters: Too Gay for America?

September 26, 2006

They’re huge mega-hit, superstars n England. They’re all cute as buttons and play catchy toe-tappers that are fun to dance to on Friday nights. Or when we're naked vacuuming. Yes we do.)

They just released their new album, Ta-Dah!, and now … there are interesting quotes coming out of The Scissor Sisters camp.

The Advocate is reporting on an interview with Billboard magazine in which Jake Shears claims: “"American music fans are just as musically open-minded as their British counterparts. But the powers that be in the U.S. may not be as open-minded. Which, to a degree, will hold us back in the U.S ... Tons of Americans would love our music, but they don't know we exist."

Them’s strong words: Is the American music industry dissing gay musicians? The Scissor Sisters clock in at three gays and two straights. And when you get right down to it – America is a little obsessed with dividing its spotlights into gay and straight. We know PR Coordinators who do this for a living.

It's business, yes. But it's bullshit, too. There's got to be a way to merge the two.

"People have lots of preconceived notions about us," Shears said. "But they get over them by hearing us or seeing us live."

The Sisters will appear this week on "Dancing With the Stars" (ABC) and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." So you can check them out – and see for yourselves.

Of their latest single, I Don't Feel Like Dancin' -- Shears is all confidence: "People just need to be exposed to this song—and our music in general," said Shears, "They'll get it. People may look at us and think, 'What a bunch of weirdos.' But give them time, and they'll see that we're pretty special.”

George Michael is a Dixie Chick

September 26, 2006

The better half of Wham returned to the concert stage last night. George Michael (after a tumultuous few months of getting caught in the bushes, again, and having his wedding called off) took the stage this weekend in his first solo concert in 15 years, singing his greatest hits to 18,000 fans packed into Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi arena.

Michael kicked off his ''25 Live'' European tour, which will travel to 28 cities before Dec. 15, with a concert Saturday night. His performance included favorites such as ''Faith,'' ''Father Figure'' and ''Too Funky.''

Even better: George Michael is the new Dixie Chicks. At the end of the first set, Michael sang his 2002 controversial anti-Bush song, ''Shoot the Dog.''

During the song, an enormous balloon depicting a cartoonish President Bush rose out of center stage, drawing whoops and yells from the crowd. But the real surprise came when Michael leaned down to unzip the balloon's trousers, and out popped a British bulldog draped with the U.K. flag. The dog was stuck to the balloon's inflated crotch, wagging its tail.

George Michael: http://www.georgemichael.com

Liza Wins Round 67

September 26, 2006

The judge threw out David Gest’s latest salvo against Liza. He asked for $10 million for the headaches he got because she gave him herpes and beat him up.

The judge granted Minnelli's dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that Gest's doctor had failed to rebut the 60-year-old actress-singer's medical expert, who said Gest's headaches were caused by a strain of herpes that causes shingles and not by beatings.

Gest's lawyer, Lorraine Nadel, said she would appeal the ruling. She said that although Minnelli's physician diagnosed Gest's headaches as being caused by herpes zoster, Gest's doctor said he tested negative for the virus.

Oh, whatever kiddos!

Americn Airlines Shuns Gays

September 25, 2006

Apparently, you're not allowed to make out on American Airlines unless you're straight.

Page Six of The New York Post reports that Nicolette Sheridan and Michael Bolton couldn't keep their hands off each other on an American Airlines Flight last week. Which is fine, and sort of gross, but whatever.

But then last week, The New Yorker ran a "Talk of the Town" item about an American Airlines pilot and flight attendant nearly throwing journalist George Tsikhiseli and his writer boyfriend Stephan Varnier off a flight for showing romantic affection for each other.

According to the New Yorker, Varnier nodded off shortly after take off and leaned his head against his boyfriend's shoulder. Suddenly the flight attendant came over and told the couple: "The purser wants you to stop that." The couple didn't understand at first and asked "Stop what?"

"The touching and the kissing," the flight attendant said before walking away.

Like any good, red-blooded gay couple in 2006 should, the boys complained to the purser, and the pilot. But they were told to sit down and drop the matter or American Airlines would "divert" the flight.

Ooh, hiss, hardball!

Later when The New Yorker reached American Airlines for comment, the airline spokesman, Tim Wagner, said the reaction to censor the couple was appropriate.

"Our passengers need to recognize that they are in an environment with all ages, backgrounds, creeds, and races," Wagner said, "We have an obligation to make as many of them feel as comfortable as possible."

Oooh, hiss!

Homophobia and hypocrisy clear and simple. American Airlines, (and gays!) we have two words for you: Jet Blue.

Reichen's Powerful Details

September 25, 2006

The bible of all-things-IMPORTANT -- Details magazine surprises us again. Again!

The not-gay-gay magazine named Reichen Lehmkuhl the Fourth most powerful person (in the world?) right now. Why? Because he’s a “closet cleaner.”

Sounds kinky. And hot.

But to give the ex “Amazing Race” star some credit, Details says: “Reichen Lehmkuhl was the catalyst for the biggest outing since Ellen. Last summer, the Amazing Race contestant was out; his best buddy, the former ’N Sync singer Lance Bass, wasn’t. The blogs were abuzz and the New York Daily News wondered why Bass was borrowing Lehmkuhl’s T-shirt. Bass finally scratched the itch in July with a People magazine cover: I’M GAY. Lehmkuhl’s lesson? The Gay Rumor remains the entertainment world’s most potent weapon.”

Okay. Questions, people. “Best buddy”? How about boyfriend? Partner or partner?

And, uhm, do we really think that Reichen had that much to do with it? Gay bloggers pushed Lance Bass out of the closet. One of our good friends, the ever-popular Towleroad hounded the guy in Ptown this summer like Michelangelo Signorile of Andrew Sullivan's barebacking shenanigans years ago. That was outing 101. This is outing 101.5.

But Reichen is hot. And Details LOVES their gay readers. So I guess this them throwing “the gays” a bone(r).

Tutu Loves FruFrus, Thank God

September 25, 2006

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in the first authorized biography “''Rabble-Rouser for Peace,'' said he was ashamed of his Anglican Church's conservative position that rejectes gay priests.

The Nobel Laureate wrote in a 1998 letter to then Archbishop George Carey, that he was ''ashamed to be Anglican,” after the Lambeth Conference of Bishops rejected the ordination of practicing homosexuals.

Apparently their sexual relations were ''incompatible with scripture.''

Tutu also said he was deeply saddened at the furor caused by the appointment of openly gay V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

''He found it little short of outrageous that church leaders should be obsessed with issues of sexuality in the face of the challenges of AIDS and global poverty,'' wrote John Allen, who was Tutu’s former Press Secretary and author of the book.

Who knew? The gays have an Archbishop friend. Pretty cool.

Madonna Knocks on Wood

September 22, 2006

Will someone, somewhere give Madge a break!? Now NBC is pondering the cross in her show and its place in her televised concert.

In every country she’s visited during her "The Confessions Tour," Madonna has got-up-on-her cross and sang: “Live to Tell.” And controversy has ensued. See, people got a thing about the cross. They think it was Jesus's and Jesus's only.

England was angry; Russia went ballistic; Italy wanted her excommunicated. Even the Muslims and the Jews thought she was out of line.

And she hasn’t changed her show.

Which is why the latest news that NBC is flirting with the idea of cutting that section of her show made us all yawn. Don’t get us wrong, we’re excited and we want to see her concert on telly. This is just one of those stories that won’t go away.

Madonna has been urging people to see her show before criticizing her act. NBC plans to air a Madonna concert in November culled from various stops on her current ''Confessions'' tour. Madonna said in a statement Thursday that there had been so many ''misinterpretations'' about her act ''I wanted to explain it myself once and for all.''

''This is not a mocking of the church,'' she said. ''It is no different than a person wearing a cross or 'taking up the cross' as it says in the bible. My performance is neither anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole. I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing. Please do not pass judgment without seeing my show,'' she said.

Here’s the point being made by “The Catholic League” -- Last winter, the world went nuts over some Danish cartoons that depicted the Prophet Muhammad. NBC News did not show the cartoon. So, the League is saying that showing Madonna’s “mock crucifixion” will send a message that Christianity counts less than Islam.

They claim that, by their count, 85% of the country is Christian, and go on to make the (relatively absurd) point that making Muslims seem more important than Christians is “not a decision that any responsible person or company can afford to make.''

NBC has supposedly not made a decision, but they have said: ''We viewed it and, although Madonna is known for being provocative, we didn't see it as being ultimately inappropriate.''

So far, the scene is still in.

Ruper Everett's Pity Party

September 22, 2006

"Dear Diary, I am feeling too old for dating." signed, "Rupe."

Mr. Everett seems a little bitter, lately. In an interview with London's "Daily Telegraph," Everett was quoted as saying: "Unfortunately, I am single, yes, but I'm too exhausted for anything else and being gay is a young man's game."

Well, that rings a little hollow. Has anyone seen the arm candy that Sir Ian McKellen has been hanging around with? Sir Ian has been gay WAY longer than Rupert Everett.

So how is anyone ever "too old" to be gay?

Has Rupert seen how fab and sporty Tim Gunn of "Project Runway" fame is? That man is sleek, chic and hot.

Everett goes on in the article to say that he just can’t find a boyfriend because of his age.

"Now no one wants me. Being gay and being a woman has one big thing in common, which is that we both become invisible after the age of 42. Who wants a gay 50-year-old? No one. Let me tell you."

Well, sure, but if he's going to draw that comparison, whatever happened to "40 is the new 30"? There are LOTS of young gay men who like older guys. There are plenty of older guys dating happily throughout the spectrum of age.

Rupert's been on a tear lately, claiming that gay men can't get good roles in Hollywood, older gay men can't get dates, he's only known as "that gay guy from My Best Friends' Wedding."

Oh Rupert, we're not sure being gay is your problem. It's just that nobody likes a negative Nancy.

Clay Aiken: "Mind your own business"

September 22, 2006

Poor little Clayken. He just can't get a break.

Really. If Clay is gay, then he should come out. If now is not the right time, we don't want to push (heaven knows it's a hard thing for almost everyone). But dude! When is the right time? You're a big-time "American Idol" winning public personality.

Yesterday, Diane Sawyer asked him point blank on “Good Morning America” if he’s a 'mo. And he told her to mind her own business.

Score one for Clay for pushing back against media intrusion. Here’s the whole quote:

“It's one thing to try to be open and talk to people and try to share as much as I can and, of course, I want to. But at some point it becomes just really rude, you know?"

Clay wanted Sawyer to know he didn’t think SHE was rude, but that he objected to the question: "I don't understand why it's any of your business," he said. "I don't think you're rude … people have a job to do … I'm not spending my time with this anymore. "

Although straight people don't hedge their bets this much, do they?

He went on to say that he’s moving home to Raleigh, North Carolina, so he can be a little bit more “grounded." It sounds to us like he’s going through what every male around his age goes through. We have nothing snarky to say about him. Well, we do. But we'll try to minimize it.

We don’t listen to his albums, we just know he’s in the public eye and folks want to know if he’s a homo. On the bright side, we wonder if someone is afraid that if he comes out -- Clay might actually be a good role model for gay youth?

The problem is that this still matters to some folk who don’t understand what it actually means for him personally. What a twisted web ... that we find a little depressing.

k.d. lang Adds Lesbian Spice to Black Dahlia

September 21, 2006

The only interest we had in Black Dahlia, the quasi-controversial new movie from infamous director Brian De Palma.

But it features Scarlett Johansson, who we loved in Woody Allen’s Match Point, and if we were straight, we would want to wed. And Hillary Swank, our girl from the tranny-masterpiece Boy’s Don’t Cry. (She’s also superfriend of the gays and shows up at a million benefits for gay and lesbian causes.)

Yet the real reason we now have to see Black Dahlia is because someone just filled us in on k.d. lang’s performance.

“Keep an eye out for k.d. lang doing a fine rendition of ''Love for Sale'' during a lavish production number at a lesbian nightclub,” said one intrepid reporter to our own, un-intrepid reporters here at OUTzone.

So if you don’t see any more updates on OZ today, it’s ‘cause we’re at the movie.

Bye!

Damn Sexy Website

September 21, 2006

You know how you get that afternoon lull at the office and you just start clicking around at stuff?

We do too, and this is how we came across modellaunch.com. We’re pretty sure this site was built to encourage the next generation of male models to come forward and take off their shirts (and get some work). For now, though, it is the best collection of eye candy in the whole world.

This is one of those rare occurrences where you actually can “read it for the articles.” We’d like to draw your attention to the Channing Tatum article. Best quote ever: (on photographer Rudy Martinez):

“He said that's what I want: ‘Come get it, but if you touch me I'll f#@& you up.’ That's exactly what he said to me. (laughs) I love the way he shoots. It was my very first New York test -- gym scenes, a shower, naked basically, but I like taking beautiful pictures."

Thanks, Channing. We like that too.

And they sell cool T-shirts, (model not included. Damn!).

All Men, Only Men, All The Time

September 21, 2006

Slow news day at CNN? Yesterdays speeches and fighting words, "Bush is the devil," from Venezuala's chief. Iran vs. USA in competing speeches.

And yet the news site is reporting on a supposedly growing trend of “Mancations” – wherein a group of guys check into a hotel together, spend the weekend “bonding” and fly home to relive the memories later.

How this differs from men escaping their wives to play golf, drink a lot, and go to strip clubs for the weekend -- which they've been doing since just after the Stone Age: we're not sure.

And how does this differ from what gay guys have been doing their whole lives? Fire Island? Ptown? Hello...

"These trips are about a group of people that most likely met in college and are sort of just extending their yesterdays," said Josh Lesnick, president of “I'm in!”, which is a “mens-vacation” travel agency: "It's once a year or twice a year. It's sort of a rite of passage. It's sacred territory."

The "Urban Dictionary" definition for mancation is: “men engaging in masculine activities such as sports, camping, gambling, chasing women and drinking, without the presence of wives, mistresses or girlfriends.”

Has CNN never been to the Fire Island Pines?

Throw in some hot weather and a lot of beer, and you’ve got yourself some awesome gay porn.

Robbie Williams: Hot and Unhealthy

September 20, 2006

Everyone’s favorite wannabe Frank Sinatra and BFF to Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams has canceled the Asian leg of his world tour, citing health concerns.

The 32-year-old pop star, who is midway through his ''Close Encounters'' tour, called off shows in Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; and Mumbai and Bangalore, India, which were set for Nov. 4-26.

A spokesman for Williams told the British Broadcasting Corp. that honoring the dates ''would be asking too much.''

A statement to promoters said it had become clear ''that the stress and exhaustion of the Asian tour, coming so shortly after the end of the European and South American dates, would seriously impact his health,'' the Shanghai Daily said Friday.

''Throughout the summer Robbie Williams has performed in more than 40 shows around the world to more than 3 million people,'' the statement said.

Uhm… so what’s the health problem? Do these PR hacks think we can’t see through the fog? “Exhaustion and stress” are code words.

Readers! Tell us what is wrong with Robbie!? Please.

Opera Queens ‘R’ History

September 20, 2006

Gay kids coming out in high school. “Queer Eye” is a hit of massive proportions. Life is changing. Gays are at the OutGames, not the opera.

Previously a bastion of gay-ness, basically responsible to keeping the companies in business: gays are not filling seats anymore. Evidence the Metropolitan Opera – undoubtedly one of the most prestigious (and expensive and glamorous) opera houses in the world is resorting to a free ticket give away to promote its fall season.

The company is doling out 3,000! free tickets to Friday's dress rehearsal of Puccini's ''Madama Butterfly.''

Can we get fries with that? Oh yeah, no Burger King. Not Burger King.

The 11 a.m. dress rehearsal will be part of a daylong open house at the Met on Friday, which will also include a panel discussion with cast members.

The free tickets are another move in the opera company's attempt to expand its audience. Earlier this month, the Met said it was expanding its broadcast presence by transmitting six live performances to movie theaters in North America and Europe this season and broadcasting more than 100 live over the Internet or on digital radio.

Good luck. Now why don’t they hire some younger folk, some GAY-er folk to liven up the shows. “Madama Butterfly?” So tired! So tired. Why not try making shows people want to see, like an opera based on Brokeback Mountain!

Fox Loves Christians and Carol

September 20, 2006

Chalk this one up as: Best to know thy enemies. The home-video division of Twentieth Century Fox said Tuesday it will acquire as many as a dozen family friendly movies a year and market them under the FoxFaith banner.

Word up. These will not be very pro-gay films. In fact, they won’t even be neutrally just-okay-for-the-gays films.

With budgets of less than $5 million each, the films will be aimed at the same Christian audiences that helped boost box-office receipts for such films as ''The Passion of the Christ'' and ''The Chronicles of Narnia.''

''We saw the opportunity to fill the needs of an underserved marketplace,'' said Steve Feldstein, senior vice president of marketing at Fox Home Video.

(OUTzone staffers scream here. “Underserved!” Hello! The Christians get allllllll the attention in this country. What are these people talking about?!”)

The studio said last year it was forming the FoxFaith unit as part of a broader effort to reach audiences seeking family friendly films. Tuesday's announcement brought specific details. FoxFaith could be successful if it concentrates on the home-video market rather than theatrical releases, which cost more to market and carry more risk, media analyst Harold Vogel said.

Bright (and crazy) spot in this mess?

The Fox-faithful are stupid. They picked the gayest musical … ever? To include. Hello Dolly!
Yes, it’s true.

More information, or a place to send an email asking where the movies about gay men with faith are: check out these websites:

http://www.foxfaith.comhttp://www.foxfaithmovies.com

Reading James E. McGreevey

September 19, 2006

It all started out so nicely. “I am a gay American,” said James E. McGreevey, governor of New Jersey. With his then-wife at his side, his parents nearby, the man stood proud and made us weep at his strength.

Then we found out he’d given his lover, Golan Cipel, a job. He’d been running around skranking with Cipel while his wife was in the hospital. It was closeted-cheesiness. And then he had to resign.

But somehow, we were still proud. For a few days, America had an openly gay governor, and one who used his final weeks in office to pass a few good anti-corruption laws.

Then two years passed. Golan went back to Israel, recanted his accusations of abuse, and declared that he’d never had sex with McGreevey. Whatever. Bitter queen, we figured.

Now the book, McGreevey’s “The Confession” is out. Oprah had him on, but we didn’t watch. Too sappy. We know the story. We’re more interested in seeing “Jim” get back on his feet and do something fabulous.

Then last night, New York magazine arrived in our mailbox and it had … James McGreevy on the cover with an excerpt of his book inside.

The juicy parts. The sexy parts. The shameful parts.

And we read the whole damn thing without stopping. It was kind of great, actually. The New York Times had another interview with Cipel saying that, like Clinton, ‘He’d never had sex with that woman! Ms. Lewinsky.’ Except Ms. L. is Mr. M.

So who knows, really? There’s a touching paragraph in the book/article where McGreevey admits that Golan may not be gay. The language is highly nuanced and interesting. Maybe, McGreevey suggests, Golan only wanted power, and sex with him was his way of getting power. Fascinating. Real. We loved every word.

Mr. Rogers, Homosocialist

September 19, 2006

So it turns out that Mr. Rogers had a BFF (Best Friend Forever).

Not that they did anything about it. But it’s what queer theory folks would call a homosocial relationship. And the man, a Mr. Tim Madigan, has written a book about it.

''I'm Proud of You: My Friendship With Fred Rogers,'' is Madigan recount of the bond the two men developed. It was strong enough to help Madigan deal with a crisis in his marriage, his battle with depression and his brother's diagnosis of incurable lung cancer.

Uhnhuh.

Their friendship began with a phone interview in 1995 for a story he was working on for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about violence on television and continued until Rogers' death of stomach cancer in February 2003.
Last summer, Madigan decided it was time to write about what Rogers had meant to him.

''It just kind of poured out of me,'' said Madigan, who has been a reporter at the Star-Telegram for 22 years and has written two other books. ''It was one of the easiest writing jobs I've ever had.''

Yes, he did. He used the “pour” word. It “poured out of him.” Dude, that is love.

''The world is full of the examples of evil, but he was an example of the power of goodness,'' said Madigan, 48.
Besides being an inside look at Rogers, it is also a book about a male friendship, said Erin Moore, senior editor at Gotham Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA.

''What we don't see a lot of in this business is thoughtful books about friendship among men,'' said Moore, who edited the book. ''Tim and Fred Rogers were just so completely open to one another.

Tim Madigan's Web site: www.timmadigan.com

Mr. Universe & Mr. Jayne Mansfield

September 19, 2006

Mickey Hargitay, the actor and world champion bodybuilder who was married to 1950s sex siren Jayne Mansfield and whose daughter is Emmy-winning winning actress Mariska Hargitay, has died. He was 80.

Hargitay died Thursday in Los Angeles, according to a family statement issued Monday through publicist Gary Mantoosh. The cause of death was not released.

Born Miklos Hargitay in 1926, he emigrated from his native Hungary to the United States after World War II. He became interested in bodybuilding in the 1950s and was named Mr. Universe, Mr. America and Mr. Olympia in 1955. He parlayed his perfect physique into a performing career when Mae West tapped him to be one of the musclemen in her stage show.

It was there that Hargitay met Mansfield, whom he married in 1957. He went on to star opposite his wife in three films: The Loves of Hercules, Promises! Promises! and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?

The couple had three children together, including Mariska, before divorcing in 1964. Mansfield died in a car crash in 1967.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger played Hargitay in the 1982 TV movie The Jayne Mansfield Story. He offered his condolences and called Hargitay ''a magnificent individual.''

''Mickey was such an inspiration and always had such a positive attitude,'' Schwarzenegger said in a statement. ''He was a role model of mine for being a successful immigrant who came to this country and pursued his dreams.''

Best wishes to the family. And thank our lucky stars for this amazing picture of Hargitay and Mansfield. It’s what we here at OUTzone call, “Perfect.”

The Guy Loves “Habits”

September 18, 2006

Blair Fell, our esteemed colleague over at BravoTV.com has a new musical. And we OUTzone dudes were able to catch one of its sold-out performances. (If you’re in town, you can scalp a ticket or wait in the cancellation line: so not all hope is lost!)

“The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun” is running at St. Clement’s Theatre in Manhattan for only six shows as part of The New York Musical Theatre Festival. It’s a showcase for new musicals.

Blair wrote the book (the words between the songs) and “additional lyrics” (show-men are so careful about credits!). The story is funny—singing nuns are funny. The show is damn sad, too, though. This nun’s habit involves pills and alcohol, closeted lesbianism and delusions of, well, let’s just call them delusions.

All in all, we laugh and cried. No, actually we didn’t cry. We mostly laughed.

Checked out: www.singingnunthemusical.com

"Runway" Finalists Revealed

September 17, 2006

Cloudy skies. Wet. Like January but not as freezing. Mug, hot and sweaty ... certainly like the nervous designers. After all: Today is the final “Project Runway” fashion showsduring Olympus Fashion Week.

Bravo’s website crew showed up at 8:45 am to get inside the tent. Four designers showed because one more won’t be Auf’d until next week, remember.

So it was Jeffrey, and Uli, Laura and Michael in the spotlight.

The front row was star studded. Heidi and Nina and Michael, of course. Harvey Weinstein next to them. Elizabeth Hasselback from “The View” was there. Brandy, we think. And then all the “Runway” designers.

Vincent almost side-swiped us with his ego, er, coat and target printed T-shirt in the lobby. (Ugh.) But Chloe and Daniel V. from Season Two were happy and charming.

And then the lights dimmed and Heidi came out to introduce the show. (Oh yeah, this was after about 75 people didn’t make it inside the packed house!) She was a picture of loveliness and courtesy, congratulating the designers and seeming like a happy mother. “This is the day we have all been working so hard towards.”

We could feel her pride.

Then Jeffrey came out to introduce his show: he was first. He wore short, Thom Browne-style pants and he was Nice! Friendly and cute. He smiled and dedicated the show to his son and then sauntered off as the lights went down.

Rock music began throbbing… and the show began.

One hour later it was all over.

No clues. No reveals. Everyone onstage and off was happy. Everyone was impressed by the talent. The chattering classes chatted. “So much talent!” The buzz was buzzing.

At the end of the morning, one thing was obvious: Four new voices have joined the fashion choir. Everyone one of these designers could have their own line and succeed. We wish them all well.

Elton vs. George: The Finale?

September 14, 2006

What does it mean to end a public feud? The press is a gaggle today about Elton John supposedly ending his tiff with George Michael, saying, ''George and I are fine.''

Two years ago, John said the former Wham! star was miserable and needed to get out more. Michael responded with a furious open letter saying John was no friend of his.

Wham! Bam! I am.. "Ouch!!!!"

In an interview Friday, John said with a laugh, ''George and I are fine. He came and stayed down (at) my house last year.''

Was this before or after he was caught in the bushes?

''It's up to him what he does with his life, and I don't really want to get into that anymore,'' the 59-year-old rock legend, Sir John, said.

John provoked the pair's fallout when he said of Michael: ''He's quite happy just being at home all the time, and I think that's a waste of talent. There seems to be a deep-rooted unhappiness in his life and it shows on his latest album.''

The rocker hit back by saying: ''Elton John knows nothing about George Michael. We have spoken rarely in the last 10 years, and what would probably surprise most people is that we have never discussed my private life. Ever.''

Earlier this year, Michael, 43, said the comment by John had made him ''really vulnerable to the press.''

Really? Because from here at OUTzone, both of these fellows have been in the press so much and for so many damn years … we thought they were over/bored of the press by now. Not intimidated.

Michael first gained fame as one-half of '80s duo Wham! His 1987 solo album, ''Faith,'' sold more than 10 million copies.

He is scheduled to begin a European tour in Barcelona, Spain, on Sept. 23, according to his Web site. He hasn't toured since 1991.

In 1998, Michael was arrested for lewd conduct in a public toilet in Los Angeles after being spotted by an undercover police officer. Soon after, he said publicly for the first time that he's gay.

He later released a single and video ''Outside'' that poked fun at his arrest.
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On the Net:
George Michael: /
Elton John:

Madonna in Space? Nyet.

September 14, 2006

Despite the country’s financial stuggles, political challenges, and overall developmental issues: Some wise ass Russian lawmaker proposed sending Madonna into space – for the publicity.

Oh Mary! This after they practically ran her out of the country for her antics on stage? Whatever.

But Madonna will not be sent into space.

It all started with State Duma member Alexei Mitrofanov. He proposed that the lower house of parliament send a formal inquiry to the Russian space agency about organizing a space trip for her in 2008.

''Because of the television possibilities, it would be a pretty serious event in the year of elections in the United States and Russia,'' he was quoted as saying by the RIA-Novosti news agency.

The Duma turned down the proposal, agencies reported Wednesday without specifying the vote tally.

There is a god.

BTW: Madonna concert on Tuesday went off without a hitch. She took the stage at Luzhniki Stadium on where a crowd of about 35,000 watched her perform in spite of religious protesters' threats to disrupt the concert. No disorder was reported.

Don’t Hit Ellen!

September 14, 2006

Or should we call it the Battle of the Porsches?

The woman involved in a traffic collision with Ms. DeGeneres has been charged with drunken driving.

Ooh! Hiss!!

Jeanne Werber, 52, of Los Angeles, was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor DUI, said Nick Velasquez, a spokesman for the city attorney's office.

Werber was driving a 2002 Porsche Carrera on Sept. 1 when she slammed into the back of a 2002 Buick LeSabre, which then struck the back of DeGeneres' 2006 Porsche Carrera, police said.

Wait, two Porsche Carerra’s? That’s just sooo L.A. we can’t stand it.

Werber was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving at the time after refusing to take a chemical sobriety test, Velasquez said.

DeGeneres and her passenger -- a woman in her mid-30s -- and the men in the Buick had minor injuries. No one required medical attention, police said.

If convicted, Werber could face up to six months in prison and a fine of $1,000. She also was charged with failing to provide proof of insurance, an infraction punishable by a $100 fine, Velasquez said.

Soft Spot for Whitney Remains

September 14, 2006

Although the announcement of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown’s divorce is no surprise, we’re still a little touched in that kind of half-sad, half-hopeful kind of way.

For so many of us at OUTzone, Whitney Houston was part of our childhoods, teenage years (and adult lives). How many Houston tunes did we dance to? How many times did we mutter (or belt out) her lyrics as if they were our own?

Too many to count.

So we hope that this is good news. It’s been painful to watch and follow the ugly rumors and ugly stories about their marriage. We don’t pretend to know the half of what makes two people fall in love, but we don’t doubt that there was something genuine between the two pop stars…at least in the beginning.

So far, Whitney is keeping custody of their 13-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and is staying in Laguna, California. She says she wants Bobby to have visitation rights, and they will discuss property division later on. (That sounds so civil; we hope it’s true.) As far as Bobby goes, he has no comment at this time. However his lawyer told the media: "It is a legal separation. It is not a divorce or a divorce petition.”

Does that mean there’s still hope? Or is that legal wrangling?

Whitney is working on a new album … her first since 2002. So that’s great news. The woman has some serious pipes. And she can almost act. She made us fall for Kevin Costner. That shit is worthy of a Golden Globe award.

Godspeed to both of them.

OUTside the Tents: Butch

September 13, 2006

While the world – okay, the fashion world, an admittedly much smaller place – ducks in and out of runway shows this week looking at drippy, boring stuff… We here at OUTzone were, uhm, excited to preview one of the sexiest menswear collections for next spring/summer: Butch.

Yeah, that’s the bad part, “preview.” We can’t get our hands on the clothes till January, or so. Bastards! What a tease! Get to the website (www.getbutch.com) for all the pictures. This is just one we could get our hands on. The rest are just as sizzling.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t think Juliano Corbetta, the brains behind Butch hasn’t hit a home run with this collection, the shots of which just went live this week. Really, his stuff is hot in a sexy way. Fun in a sequined sailor shirt way, and cool, in a shiny surf jams kind of way.

Juliano is Brazilian (he writes blogmadeinbrazil.com, a picture/words mecca for Brazilo-philes). For the images of the new collection, he teamed up with photographer Dean Isidro and art director Matthew Betmaleck. Now, clever boys that they are…fooled us. We thought the local was Brazil, for sure. But it was Montauk.

“We shot in late June. We shot by the bay, so it has somewhat of a tropical feel, but in a quiet way. It was the only sunny day in a long period of rain, which made me very happy. The water was freezing, but the models pushed through.”

We love it when models “push through.”

Corbetta continues: “I wanted it to feel like the boys were hanging out on the beach but I did not want any sort of sexual tension between them. I wanted them to somewhat resemble very cool lifeguards or sexy surfers, and to put a spin on the whole thing while keeping it clean and a bit understated. Blah, blah, blah... Sounds like a bunch of BS, but both Dean and Matthew know me so well it was easy for them to figure this all out. We opted together to have a long portfolio of images because some of them came out really beautiful in my opinion.”

Surprisingly, it doesn’t sound like BS to us. Sounds genuine and authentic. And damn if the pics are not H.O.T.

Now, we want to know why doesn’t Bravo, home of the gays, put some sexy male challenges into “Project Runway?” But that’s a whole ‘nother story.

And why is the official Fashion Week, which has been unfolding only blocks from our offices…Well, when did it become so a-sexual? They need to recruit sexy designers like Juliano to spice op the joint.

For now, we’ll just covet those taffeta surf shorts.

Why The Gays Don't Love Britney?

September 13, 2006

Why don’t we go cucko for Britney? Or why don’t we even like her, in a fun/campy way? Today, on the day of her birth-ing, we dudes (and dude-ettes) at OUTzone want to know exactly how did Britney never gain the adoration or ridicule of gay men?

Straight people love to watch her bobble children; make fun of her lyrics; poke fun at her marriage. And the gays? Nothing.

So if any of you have any ideas why WE JUST DON’T CARE… Add a comment on the community page of OUTzone.

But, the good news is that: It’s true. The bulge Britney Spears revealed on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar magazine was not from KFC! She and K-Fed really have reproduced, again.

It’s a boy. Healthy. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that this birth certainly means we must endure another “Where Are The Pictures?” drama on par with Tomkat. Please, someone, just take a picture and sell it to Animal Husbandry magazine and get it over with. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

The Federline spawn was delivered Tuesday morning at 2 am by Cesarean section. (Maybe they should consider installing a zipper? Oh, sorry, that wasn’t very nice. Really, we’re happy for Brit and her healthy baby. Really.) The unnamed child came out a few day’s before Sean Preston’s birthday. If you didn’t know – As if! -- Sean Preston is the fecund couple’s first child. So, does that mean Britney and Feddy have sex on the same day every year?

Federline – the most virile, but hated, man in tabloidsville -- also has a daughter and a son with actress Shar Jackson.

And the gays? Well, we just don’t care.

AIDS-inspired Altar Tours USA

September 13, 2006

It’s not even World AIDS Day, but since we’re not as lame as most news outlets who only talk about AIDS on World AIDS Day…we wanted to plug this story.

As AIDS and unemployment ravaged their rural district of Hamburg in South Africa, the women of the fishing village decided to fight back with the weapons they were given: embroidery needles.

And what began as their simple plan to earn money for medicine through handicrafts has led to the creation of several massive and elaborate communal artworks -- the most recent of which is on display here above the altar of St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago as the first stop of a U.S. tour.

The Keiskamma Altarpiece, named after a river that flows past Hamburg, is a huge work -- 13 feet high and 22 feet wide when fully extended. It combines intricate embroidery, appliqué and beadwork with life-size portrait photography to express both the horrors of the South African AIDS epidemic and the resilience of Hamburg's people.

''It took more than 120 women and three or four men about six months of full-time work to create this,'' said the project's originator, Dr. Carol Hofmeyr, as cathedral staff opened the altarpiece like a cupboard to reveal all three of its layers. As she explained the piece's complex multiple images, Hofmeyr also told of how she came to Hamburg and became involved in the artwork.

The Keiskamma Altarpiece was shown at St. James Anglican Cathedral in Toronto during a recent international AIDS conference there. It will be on display in Chicago until Sept. 20, when it will move on to Los Angeles for several months at the University of California at Los Angeles, which partly underwrote the cost of the tour. Later stops may be arranged.

''We want to bring it back to Hamburg, but we have no church there,'' said Mangwane. ''We Anglicans take turns meeting in one another's homes, and the Methodists and Baptists do the same. We also have no post office, and only one tarred street, but that doesn't bother us, because we also have no cars.''
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On the Net:
Keiskamma Trust:
St. James Cathedral:

Hilarious Runway Spoof

September 12, 2006

Why are we the last ones to hear about this!? Come on, people, we work here! You have to tell us these things! Our editor sent this to us this morning and we’ve watched it at least 40 times before noon. It keeps getting funnier.

(Maybe because we don't FEEL like we were breast feed either.)

The video tells the story of season two finalist “Raisin,” who fights with Michael Kors about which color is the “new black,” as well as fending off Heidi Klum’s sexual demands. We’ve seen some pretty interesting spoofs of the show, and this one actually wins our special Outzone prize for commitment.

We’re proud of anyone who does a tasteful and hilarious spoof on Project Runway. If you’ve made one, send us the link, we’d love to see it.

CNN Anchor Comes Out!

September 12, 2006

Talented or Hot? We think both.

And that's why we're so tickled (as our granny once said) that CNN anchor Thomas Roberts has come out of the closet.

He did so in an address to the annual conference of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. Telling the audience of his struggle to gradually come out at work over the past few years, Roberts confirmed months of internet speculation.

Funny thing is, we've been to those conferences, and they are usually (or at least the one we attended) boring.

According to the CNN website, Roberts has been racking up accolades for years, he’s had an Emmy nomination, he received a 2001 Edward R. Murrow Award, and in 2005, Jezebel magazine named him one of the "50 Most Beautiful Atlantans." We at OUTzone applaud him for his courage. It was a bold step to do this before a group of peers.

Of course, on the other hand, we all think “big deal.” Is it necessary (in 2006) to still be hanging around in a closet?

Roberts sums this all up best in a line from his speech: "When you hold something back, that's all everyone wants to know.''

Wonder if his new openness will be infectious over at CNN. No, we're not talking about him, but about her, or maybe another him.

Will Gays Embrace Naked Cowboy

September 12, 2006

The hell with Brokeback Mountain. Straight people been lovin’ cowboys for eons. Marlboro Man, John Wayne, etc.

And the “Naked Cowboy” who isn’t really naked, he wears white Y-front briefs while singing and strumming his BIG guitar in Times Square New York City, is a crowd favorite.

Gays think he’s nutz. But they think the hordes who pose with him are crazier.

Now, certainly, the world has gone completely mad. NC (Naked Cowboy) is finishing a real music album.

The disc, which he's hoping to push out next year is a ''little bit country, little bit rock 'n' roll,'' the Cowboy (real name Robert John Burck) said.”

''There'll be blues, R&B down the line and Naked Cowboy -- it's its own genre of music,'' he added.

Some of the tracks have eyebrow-raising titles, the most printable, perhaps, being ''Get Your Ass Kicked by a Man in his Underwear.''

Hmmm… Maybe he’ll finally earn some gay fans after all. There are plenty of cool homos who would love to kick (or get kicked) by a man in his underwear.

Madonna in Moscow: Queen of Pop Arrives

September 12, 2006

Not since Michael Jackson toured the world with an entourage to rival the Pope, has a pop star made such a glorious stink in Russia. Madge flew in yesterda