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2008-03-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

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Ryan Phillippe Doesn’t Give Jay a ‘Gay Look’

2008-03-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

UPDATE, 3/25: Avenue Q creator Jeff Whitty goes Round Two with Leno.

Jay Leno left viewers of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and guest Ryan Phillippe scratching their heads on Wednesday, March 19, when he tried to goad Phillippe into turning to the camera and giving his “gayest look.”

The unfortunate request came because Phillippe, on the show to promote his new film Stop-Loss, got his acting break playing a gay character on the daytime soap One Life to Live. The role was daytime’s first gay teen character and put the actor on the map. But instead of applauding the groundbreaking storyline, Leno instead began to riff on the sexuality of the character, asking Phillippe to reenact his work on the soap by giving his “gayest look” to the camera. Phillippe tried to laugh it off, deflecting the jokes with integrity, but Leno persisted, ribbing him about appearing nude in an Armani ad directed by out photographer David LaChappelle. Visibly upset, the actor stood up and half-jokingly threatened to leave but stayed for the rest of the interview.

View the interview here:

Leno has long walked the fine line between providing LGBT visibility while offering up gay jabs and punch lines. With Leno’s latest rant, we would start counting down the days until he’s replaced by Conan O’Brien -- if only we could be certain that O’Brien’s frat boy humor would be an improvement.

Write Leno Here

Gossip Girl ups its inclusivity

2008-03-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Michael Ausiello (over at TVGuide.com) has a huge scoop! Looks like the CW's Gossip Girl will soon have more gay representation than just Blair's infrequently appearing gay father... In the April 21 return of the show, a male character will be revealed as gay!

Ausiello's clues include the following:
- The revelation significantly impacts the lives of at least three people.
- The aftershocks will be felt on both sides of the East River.
- Some viewers will be surprised by the twist, others not so much.
- In the Gossip Girl novels, Dan was known to be a bit of a switch-hitter, a fact which may or may not be relevant.

Early online speculation seems focused around Serena's brother, Eric (seen at right). If true, it would not be the first gay role for the actor, Connor Paolo, who played a young Alexander the Great in Oliver Stone's Alexander.

Tune in on April 21 to find out who it is!

Social Activism Fellowship

2008-03-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Do you have a demonstrated commitment to social justice and an interest in documentary filmmaking and new technology? Working Films is looking for you! Apply for the George Stoney Fellowship by March 31, and you could assist in conceptualization, writing and research for Working Films campaigns. Regular responsibilities include sitting in as a colleague in all development meetings between filmmakers, activists and other Working Films staff, and traveling when necessary to rough-cut screenings and community organizing meetings.

Working Films has a solid track record of linking social interest documentary films with activist outreach, including supporting a discussion tour of Sandi Simcha DuBowski's Trembling Before G-d, the story of gay and lesbian Hasidic and Orthodox Jews grappling with the intersection of their sexual identity and their faith.

The fellowship is expected to last 8-10 weeks in the Wilmington, NC office, starting in May or June 2008. The Fellow will serve as part-time, temporary staff, earning $10-15 an hour. For more information, visit www.workingfilms.org.

R.E.M. Frontman Michael Stipe Comes Out

2008-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

In an interview found in the current issue of Spin magazine, R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe came out. Though he had been open about his sexuality with his family and his band for nearly three decades, Stipe had been reluctant to publicly come out, telling Spin that he "didn't always see" how coming out could help others.

"Now I recognize that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there," he says.

Stipe first hinted at his sexuality in a 1991 interview with Time magazine, in which he described himself as a "queer artist," but had not officially discussed his orientation, telling Spin, "I thought it was pretty obvious."

The Spin interview hits newsstands today. R.E.M. releases their 14th studio album, Accelerate, on April 1.

Thurs: Make Me a Supermodel

2008-03-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Make Me a Supermodel is a must watch this week. Openly gay model Ronnie is in the bottom two -- will he get voted off? And in a guest appearance, Project Runway 4 winner Christian Siriano gives the remaining contestants catwalk lessons!

Tune into Bravo at 10 PM this Thursday for the next episode of the show that the folks over at Outzone (among others) are highlighting as one of the gayest offerings on television!

19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards: NEW YORK!

2008-03-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

Last night, the good people of New York were treated to a star-studded event at the Marriot Marquis. The 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards honored so many deserving media professionals, like MTV President Brian Graden, journalist Barbara Walters, the boys from As the World Turns (Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann, pictured) and many many more. For a complete list of recipients, please click here, and be sure to check out ticket information for upcoming galas in South Florida (April 12), Los Angeles (April 26) and San Francisco (May 10). See you there!

Out HBO president steps down

2008-03-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Strauss, HBO's out entertainment president, confirmed on Sunday with The Hollywood Reporter that she was stepping down. Strauss, a 22 year HBO veteran, is expected to continue at the premium cable network in some capacity, but the details of her new position have yet to be determined.

According to the Reporter, Strauss is an "unassuming and press-shy executive with a solid reputation in the creative community." Under her direction, Strauss ushered in many hit LGBT-inclusive programs, including Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, The Wire and Entourage.

Her successor has yet to be announced.

ROAD TO THE MEDIA AWARDS: Judge David Young

2008-03-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

Judge David Young will be presenting at the South Florida GLAAD Media Awards on April 12th.

He recently did a Q & A with Ramon Johnson over at the Gay Life section of About.com, offering insight into his experience of the courtroom -- plus his tip on how he's managed a 13-year relationship with his partner! Enjoy the interview excerpt below, then head over to About.com for the full text.

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You’re an openly gay judge on national television. What does that mean to you?
Having a voice and being a role model for GLBT youth and their parents is crucial. It’s the only way we’re going to demystify the stereotype that we’re all a bunch of leather queens or that we ride in gay pride floats wearing boas with our rear ends sticking out. Some of us do that and God bless them for doing it, but there are others of us who are lawyers and doctors and hold positions of power in all spheres of government and business.
I think it’s a wonderful opportunity if GLBT kids can watch me on a daily basis and say, “Hey I can do this. I will do this. Look at Judge David. His sexual orientation has never been an obstacle for him.” We need role models. Anything is possible if you work hard for it. One’s sexual orientation should not be an impediment to success.

The CW's First Gay Geek!

2008-03-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Last night, on the Season Five premiere of The CW's reality competition series, Beauty and the Geek, viewers were introduced to Greg, a self-proclaimed "Gaysian" who was upfront about his orientation with the cast from the very beginning.

This is Beauty and the Geek's first gay geek, which isn't too surprising, as past seasons of Geek have been about pairing beauties with geeks in (potentially) romantic couples. However, Season Five has a twist, in which the gorgeous, dim-witted gals will compete against the nerdy smart guys. It's men vs. women, and the winner is anyone's guess.

The CW has a strong track record of including LGBT people in its reality series (Think America's Next Top Model and The Pussycat Dolls: Girlicious) so we're happy to see that the opportunity to include a gay contestant on yet another unscripted show was not missed.

Of course, the girls immediately take to the sweet-natured Greg, affectionately calling him "Greggy" and letting him sleep in their rooms. In a tender scene, Greg opens up to Leticia and Cara. He begins crying as he wails, "I don't know if I'm, like, geeky enough to be a geek. All the other geeks are, like, so smart, and I'm, like, the artistic gay guy."

Clearly moved, Cara, an aspiring soap star, tells the camera, "He's not just a gay guy and he's not just a geek. He's Greggy, and he should be proud of who he is."

Ne'er a truer word spoken, Cara.

Greggy just may have the win in the bag. "Geeky enough" or not, Greg certainly was smart enough to befriend the ladies right off the bat. After all, it's the girls who decide which of the geeks will be eliminated, and unless he really fouls up, Greg's not going anywhere.

Logo Produces Hate Crimes PSA

2008-03-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

The folks over at Logo have brought together a wide range of talents - including Ashanti, Andre 3000, Sara Bareilles, Janet Jackson, T.R. Knight and Portia de Rossi - to speak out against hate crimes in a new public service announcement. The PSA was produced in the wake of the murder of 15-year-old Lawrence King, a gay teen in Oxnard, California, by fellow student Brandon McInerney, who is being charged with a hate crime. MTV Networks will be carrying the PSA, its latest contribution in a long history of hate crime education (did you know that back in January 2001, MTV replaced 18 hours of programming with nothing but names and stories of hate crime victims?).

You can view the ad now by clicking here.

GIRLS ROCK!

2008-03-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of checking out a new documentary called Girls Rock! Though it was not new information to me that girls did indeed rock, the subject matter was certainly intriguing.

Two male filmmakers, Arne Johnson and Shane King, spent a week in Oregon at the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls, a place where young women ages 8 - 18 gather to learn not only how to play music and write songs with fellow campers, but also take self-defense classes, talk about overcoming negative body image, and other very cool self-esteem-building activities.

Founded in 2001, the camp has grown from a tiny day camp held on the Portland State University Campus to a four-session behemoth with its own facilities and wait-listed attendance. All adult mentors attend the camp on a volunteer basis and work day and night to ensure the campers get the best week possible.

Girls Rock! follows four campers' first Rock Camp experience. Palace (pictured) is 7 years old and has an excellent scream of a voice. Amelia, 8, is a creative genius who doesn't shy away from noise rock. Laura, 15, is a free spirited young woman who vacillates between loving and hating herself -- and ultimately gives an incredible end-of-week performance. And Misty, 17, has overcome battles with drug addiction and eating disorders to learn the bass and feel comfortable up on stage.

The film features interviews with a ton of musicians, notably out rockers Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney) and Beth Ditto (The Gossip).

Girls Rock! is making its very limited nationwide tour. For cities and dates, please click here and support independent filmmaking!

ROAD TO THE MEDIA AWARDS: Ilene Chaiken

2008-03-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

The end has come for the women of The L Word. Showtime has announced it will renew one of its longest-running dramas for what will be its sixth and final season. Set in Los Angeles, the series follows a group of lesbian and bisexual women as they navigate romance, friendships, family and careers.

"The L Word has been a truly groundbreaking series, setting new standards for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender visibility on television through its portrayal of a unique and compelling group of women," says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "We applaud the cast and creative team for the sense of fun and drama that they bring every season in their depictions of both the day-to-day lives of LGBT people and the challenges and struggles faced by our community."

"It has been a privilege to do this series and tell these stories and have these characters in my life and to share them with the show's passionate fans," Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of The L Word said in a statement. "I am thrilled that Showtime has given us this final opportunity to conclude this journey we have all taken together."

Chaiken is being honored at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco on May 10 with the Davidson/Valentini Award, an honor given to an openly gay media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.

Hot on the heels of Showtime's hit gay series Queer as Folk, the network debuted The L Word in 2004, making it primetime's first lesbian drama on television. It has garnered four GLAAD Media Award nominations and one win, for Outstanding Television Drama. Showtime has ordered eight final episodes, set to go into production in early summer for a 2009 premiere.

The Season Five finale airs March 23, 2008 at 9 PM ET/PT on Showtime.

PALEYFEST '08

2008-03-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

From March 14 to 27, the Paley Center for Media will be presenting its 25th Anniversary PALEYFEST at the Cinerama Dome of the ArcLight in Hollywood, California. Events will include panels on Mad Men and GLAAD Media Award-nominated Dirty Sexy Money; a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion (the actresses playing Tara and Willow, seen at right, will both be there! Will anyone talk about the comic book?); and an appearance by out choreographer Bruno Tonioli in a panel devoted to Dancing with the Stars. There will also be a Pushing Daisies panel, where perhaps an audience member can inquire about the mystery gay character! Maybe another audience member can inquire at the Gossip Girl panel about future on-screen appearances by Blair’s gay dad...

Find all details about PALEYFEST here: http://www.paleycenter.org/festivals/paleyfest2008/index.htm

Scroll down to our previous blog posting for details on other LGBT-inclusive Spring programs from the Paley Center.

Road to the Media Awards: Sarah Silverman, GREEK, and Kyle XY

2008-03-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Spring programs at the Paley Center have been announced, and GLAAD Media Award nominees are among those featured!

The cast and creative team behind GLAAD Media Award-nominated The Sarah Silverman Program (Outstanding Comedy Series) will be on hand to discuss the show April 21 at 7 PM. For details, click here.

GLAAD Media Award-nominated programs GREEK (Outstanding Drama Series) and Kyle XY (Outstanding Individual Episode in a series w/o a regular LGBT character) will also get their own dedicated panels. Hear the cast and creators of GREEK at 7 PM on April 28 and the cast and writers of Kyle XY at 7 PM on April 7. For details on either of those two events, click here.

Tickets may be purchased in series subscription packets for a pre-selected grouping of three events (for instance, The Sarah Silverman Program is featured in a comedy series which also includes events for George Carlin and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) for $65 starting March 8 at noon, or tickets to individual events may be purchased for $25 starting March 14 at noon. If you are a member (or choose to become a member!) of the Paley Center, you will get a reduction in ticket cost and will be able to access tickets earlier than the general public.

Once tickets go on sale, you can obtain them by visiting paleycenter.org or by calling 310.786.1091 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm daily. Tickets will also be available at the front desk, Weds to Sun, 12:00 to 5:00 pm. The Paley Center for Media is located in Los Angeles, at 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.

Kenneth Cole launches new inclusive campaign

2008-03-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

To mark the 25th anniversary of designing hip, wearable fashion for the masses, Kenneth Cole is launching a new ad campaign, "We All Walk in Different Shoes."

Departing from the typical use of professional models, Cole selected "bold, unexpected people of substance," according to a release.

One of the ads features Joanna and Nicoletta Tessler, a gay married couple, with their daughter, Ruthie (right). Another subject is Patrick Sammon, the President of Log Cabin Republicans (left).

Complete images of the campaign, as well as biographies and interviews with each image's subject, can be found on the official web site of Kenneth Cole.

Women of ABC Unite!

2008-03-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

It's Women's History Month, which means it's time to celebrate the women whose accomplishments and efforts make a positive impact on each of our lives.

Six actresses from the most LGBT-inclusive network -- ABC -- recorded a PSA together as part of our "Be an Ally & a Friend" campaign. In the spot, they urge viewers to accept and love their friends and family members, regardless of their orientation or gender identity.

The stars appearing in the spot are as follows (listed in order of appearance): Rebecca Romijn (Ugly Betty), Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters), Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin (Dancing with the Stars), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), Kate Walsh (Private Practice) and Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy). Check it out!

If you live in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, or New Haven, CT, this PSA will be airing on your local ABC affiliate! Keep your eyes peeled!

We are very proud of all the straight allies who participated in GLAAD's PSA campaign, taking a stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere.

How do you say "amazing" in Spanish?

2008-03-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

The always lovely and talented Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy) has recorded a new PSA in Spanish as part of GLAAD's ongoing "Be an Ally & a Friend" campaign. The spot has already appeared on Terra.com, the largest internet access provider in Spain and Latin America, and will make its debut next week on mun2 television, Telemundo's very popular music and pop culture network.

Don't speak Spanish? Here's a translation:

"Hi, I’m Sara Ramirez. Discrimination and intolerance affect our families. What happens when that discrimination is against a brother, sister, niece, mother, or uncle who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender … Would you accept it? For a more inclusive world say ‘no’ to stereotypes and discrimination. For more information, please visit the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation: glaad.org."

Inclusive Dance Show Debuts

2008-03-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

On Friday night's series premiere of Your Mama Don't Dance, we were introduced to the father/daughter teams. One of these teams featured professional dancer Celia paired with her openly gay father Silvano. Though they didn't get the lowest score, they ended up in the "drop zone," with their future to be decided by viewers at home.

To help keep them in the competition, cast your vote at Lifetime's website. Ten votes are allowed per person, and voting ends at 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday night. Tune in on Friday night to see if Silvano and Celia make the cut, and to meet the mother/son teams (including out contestants Dante and Jonathan!).

For more information about the show, read GLAAD's Eye on the Media piece here, or visit the show's website here. Catch the clip below for Silvano's "behind the scenes" interview!

Only Four Hours of Splashley Remain!

2008-03-03T10:25:00.000-08:00

Confession time: I am a straight 30-year-old woman, and the sapphic teen soap South of Nowhere is one of my all-time favorite shows. When The N is running new episodes, I am running to my TV every Friday to check in with Spencer and Ashley and the latest trials and tribulations of their rocky romance.

That's why it saddens me to learn that the series has not been renewed for a fourth season.

South of Nowhere was a breakout hit for The N when it debuted in 2005, consistently boasting ratings nearly equal to the network's juggernaut Degrassi: The Next Generation. The drama's first two seasons were nominated for GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Television Drama, which is remarkable, as the "little drama that could" was battling for attention with the likes of ABC's Brothers & Sisters and Showtime's The L Word.

Though our beloved Splashley will sorely be missed, lucky for us, The N will be wrapping up their story in the series' eight final episodes, slated to air April 11, 2008.

Not good enough for you? Let your fingers do the talking and join the folks over at SaveSplashley.com and let your voice be heard!

QFR interviews Yvonne Welbon

2008-02-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

QueerFilmReview.com recently held a Q & A with Yvonne Welbon, an African American lesbian filmmaker whose work includes the documentary Living with Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100. Ruth Ellis, the oldest living African American lesbian at the time, was an activist who agreed to be the subject of Welbon’s film because, in her words: "People who don't like gays and lesbians don't know us. I want to show them that we are just like everybody else." The 1999 film is available for order online ($35 plus s/h).

To read the transcript of the interview, which includes Welbon’s list of her favorite queer films, click here: http://www.tatenova.com/queerfilm/?p=55

For more about Yvonne Welbon, visit: http://sistersincinema.com/filmmakers/ywelbon/statement.html

Angelika

2008-02-28T13:01:00.000-08:00

A beautiful young transwoman made the impossible possible last night by bringing together two of my faves into one magical TV hour: Oprah and America's Next Top Model.

But how? you ask.

The answer is: Angelika.

Angelika was a featured guest on the GLAAD Media Award-nominated episode of Oprah entitled "Born in the Wrong Body." In the hour, she candidly talks about her difficult childhood and confidently tells Oprah about how her life has changed for the better since her transition.

Last night's episode of Top Model involved a fashion shoot designed to highlight the problems facing homeless youth. The model hopefuls had to pose among young girls who have faced homelessness. And who should I spy, but the gorgeous Angelika, looking like a model herself!

Check her out in the picture above: she's the one on the far right, looking so totally fierce and definitely out-posing the girl we're supposed to look at.

Cycle 11 should be casting soon, Angie. How 'bout giving Top Model a try?

Freeheld Wins Oscar!

2008-02-24T19:09:00.001-08:00

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) congratulates director-producer Cynthia Wade and producer Vanessa Roth on their Oscar® win for the short documentary, Freeheld. The award was presented this evening at the 80th Annual Academy Awards®, held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

Freeheld documents the 2006 struggle of New Jersey Detective Lt. Laurel Hester in her effort to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree, in the months leading up to Hester's death. With less than six months to live as cancer spread to her brain, Hester battled the Ocean County Freeholders, the locally elected officials, to give to Stacie the security for her partner that married couples receive automatically. The film captures both the very public and urgent dispute with the Freeholders, as well as the couple’s intensely private struggle as they come to terms with Hester's terminal illness.

"Freeheld is such a poignant and powerful documentary, and we are proud to count Cynthia as a strong ally to the gay community," says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "We are so thankful the film – and Laurel Hester's memory – have been honored tonight with a prestigious and well-deserved Academy Award®."

ROAD TO THE MEDIA AWARDS: As the World Turns

2008-02-18T10:43:00.001-08:00

The Bay Area Reporter gave a great Valentine's gift to its readers by recapping the love story of Luke and Noah — or "Nuke" as As the World Turns fans know the couple.

Supercouple is more like it, a brand designation reserved for soap pairings that have viewers rooting for more. Ratings for the 52-year-old soap have even turned around with new viewers tuning in to see Nuke (or checking them out on YouTube). The inclusive storyline garnered As the World Turns its second GLAAD Media Award nomination in as many years.

Of course, the road to being a supercouple is riddled with potholes, detours and roadblocks, and Nuke is no different. The couple is the first gay male relationship portrayed on daytime and they are the first to share an onscreen kiss. The duo locked lips for the cameras twice in 2007, and have had other kisses which have been implied but not shown, infuriating some fans who are demanding Nuke be treated the same as other couples in the fictional city of Oakdale.

Networks know their daytime audience is predominantly female and they have always geared their stories to this demo, staying away from gay male romances. With Nuke, CBS and As the World Turns have expanded the kind of stories daytime can tell and they've expanded their audience, but along with this may be some growing pains. Viewers want to see this couple portrayed as realistically as all other couples are on daytime, and that's a good thing. Problem is, getting the show to catch up with what viewers are begging and ready for.

The daytime genre is six decades old and it's taken this long to feature a male couple. All My Children broke new ground last year with daytime's first transgender story, also garnering it a GLAAD Media Award nomination. While tremendous strides have been made in the past year alone on soaps, it's clear that we're not at a place where LGBT people are treated the same on daytime as they are on primetime or cable.

But the needle continues to move ever so slightly.

Knight Rider Inclusive!

2008-02-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Having grown up watching the original Knight Rider (and having my own KITT Matchbox car!), I was excited to catch the new 2-hour update of the series from NBC, if only for nostalgia and kitsch value. While some of the pacing was reminiscent of the original (Mission: Impossible it ain't), a welcome twist occurred during the opening title sequence for the tele-film. As the various characters are established, we see young Michael Knight (Justin Bruening) in bed with two young ladies in Vegas. While at a beach house we see a surf diva get ready for work as an FBI special ops agent, saying goodbye to a young lady she's leaving behind in her bed. This isn't the '80s Knight Rider!

34-year-old actress Sydney Tamiia Poitier — the biracial daughter of Oscar winning actor Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus — plays FBI agent Carrie Ruvai. If Knight Rider returns as a series, it will be interesting to see if the character continues to be lesbian or bisexual, or if this plot point is conveniently overlooked to create future sexual tension between Carrie and Michael.

For years, I've said how refreshingly inclusive it would be if just one of the crimefighters on a network procedural show like Law & Order and CSI was also gay. HBO's The Wire figured it out long ago. Now NBC has a chance to show just how inclusive it can be: If Knight Rider becomes a series, its Agent Ruvai may be the only queer leading lady of color on scripted network television. And as AfterEllen.com points out, if Cashmere Mafia doesn't return next season, she may be the only LGBT leading lady on network TV.