VIDEO: Black LGBT Media Images Explored
March 26, 2009 by Damon
Members of the entertainment community came together recently to discuss the state of African American LGBT images in the media. And with The Wire, Noah’s Arc and The L Word all part of television history, these images are slimmer than ever. Thanks to our friends at Screen Actors Guild, the 90-minute panel is now available for viewing — and in HD — right here at glaadBLOG.
“Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media” was a standing-room only event that took place at Screen Actors Guild, sponsored by GLAAD and the National Black Justice Coalition. The panel was co-sponsored by SAG’s LGBT Actors Committee and the Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch of the NAACP.
The panel began with opening remarks from SAG Interim Executive Director David White, and featured Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear, the creative duo behind The DL Chronicles; actor/director/writer Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry, The Ski Trip); performer J. Karen Thomas, founding member of the SAG LGBT Actors Committee; TV personality Marcellas Reynolds; performer and trans activist Ashley Love, host of the online series LGB to the T; actor and NAACP Image Award nominee Sonja Sohn (The Wire); and Willis Edwards, member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. The event was moderated by Rashad Robinson, GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs and featured a special appearance by Alice Huffman, President of the California State NAACP.
To read more about the panel, check out this post, or just sit back and watch it for yourself here:
Special thanks to Kevin Curran, Screen Actors Guild
TV Academy Fetes Brothers & Sisters
March 19, 2009 by Damon
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced its sophomore lineup of Television Academy Honors, featuring TV programming from 2008 which tackled important social issues. ABC’s Brothers & Sisters is among the eight honorees.
Last season’s finale, which featured the wedding of Kevin and Scotty, is the specific episode nominated. The story resonated with the coincidental timing of the Califonia Supreme Court overturning the ban on same-sex marriage. The episode was the first same-sex wedding on broadcast TV between series regular characters.
Other programs being feted by the Academy include A Home for the Holidays, a CBS special on adoption awareness; the HBO doc Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football; Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – “The Martirez and Malek Families”; the PBS WWII concentration camp film God on Trial; the multi-network special Stand Up to Cancer; the FX series 30 Days for its ongoing examination of prejudice; and Animal Planet’s Whale Wars.
The selection committee screened 150 entries — scripted comedies and dramas, TV movies, reality and documentary programs — before selecting the eight honorees. The ceremony will be held April 30 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Ashton Kutcher: An Ally & A Friend
March 11, 2009 by Damon
Actor Ashton Kutcher and wife Demi Moore have become tabloid fodder for their Twitter updates (tweets), and now Kutcher is getting attention for tweeting his disgust at people who use “gay” and “fag” as insults.
Users of the popular social networking site communicate in 140-character bursts of text, with optional capitalization and punctuation. Kutcher wrote: “can we just get clear, calling some one ‘gay’ or ‘fag’ is as derogatory as calling someone a ‘ni**er’. U look like an idiot when you do it.”
According to the Southern Voice, Kutcher’s statement came in an exchange between Kutcher and another user on the popular social networking site. One of the followers of Kutcher’s Twitter feed wrote, “…learn how to punch and learn how to stop being so gay,” a reference to an earlier tweet from the actor about hurting his hand hitting a punching bag.
The call to “stop being so gay” drew Kutcher’s rebuke. The person who wrote it later posted that he reportedly only sent the insulting tweet to see if celebrities on Twitter will respond to comments by non-celebrities.
(Thanks to Towleroad for the screengrab.)
Out Idol Becomes One to Beat
March 11, 2009 by Damon
Fox’s American Idol kicked off their Top 13 this week, and out performer Adam Lambert showed off his superstar appeal with an audience-pleasing cover of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White,” a clear anthem for equality. With that, he became the contestant to beat as the judges unanimously declared him the best performer of the evening. 
The overwhelming praise, even from judge Simon Cowell, caught the artist by surprise as he seemed to be holding back tears. At age 26, Adam just came off of a two-year stint as a member of the Wicked ensemble in Los Angeles—which adds to his seasoned ability to command the Idol stage. He’s also been a regular performer on the local LGBT benefit circuit and has performed often with the LGBT-centric Upright Cabaret, where Neil Patrick Harris and Michael Urie have also taken the stage (check out YouTube for a sampling of some of Adam’s greatest hits to date).
As usual, Idol showcases their finalists with video vignettes about their personal lives, their family, spouses, loved ones and children. To date, we’ve met Adam’s parents and it will be interesting to see if the show will give viewers a chance to meet Adam’s friends or significant other, if indeed he’s currently involved. His official Idol online profile reveals that his proudest moment in life has been “falling in love.”
While on-air, Idol has yet to specifically make it clear that Adam is out, a column in Tuesday’s Los Angeles Times may just help push the needle. On the front page of the Calendar section, above the fold was a full-color photo of Adam next to the headline: “American Idol Needs to Open the Closet Door.” Writer Ann Powers called for the show to end the “fiction” it dispenses of a “unified mainstream,” and for host Ryan Seacrest and judge Simon Cowell to cease the frat-boy homophobic innuendos which GLAAD has called them on the carpet for in the past.
When we asked Fox directly yesterday if there are other out contestants this season, we were told that the network doesn’t ask Idol contestants their sexual orientation. They may not ask, but in the coming weeks, producers shouldn’t omit information about Adam’s life when they have an opportunity to do good (Hello? Idol Gives Back!) by reaching millions of young people who can look up to an out Idol contestant as a role model on the road to success.
While the judges may consider Adam the front runner for now, there are ten weeks to go in the competition and Adam will need national support to keep him in the running. So keep those call-in votes coming!
New Family Guy Serves Up Stereotypes in Spades
March 8, 2009 by Damon
There are some shows that have a reputation of “offending everyone” and relish in the fact that they can get away with most anything as long as its funny. Fox’s Family Guy is just one of those shows that has built a cult following with its non sequiturs, purposefully lame double entendres, and culturally offensive one-liners and visual gags. Sunday’s episode, entitled “Family Gay,” delivered all that and such a piling heap of rapid-fire gay stereotypes that it could be perceived as more defamatory than funny.
The set up: Peter, terribly in debt, participates in medical research to make extra cash and is injected with the experimental “gay gene.” Fox’s official press synopsis takes the high road and says the gene “leads him to a new mate, leaving a broken-hearted Lois behind. Although the family is crushed, they quickly realize the most important thing is that Peter is happy.” If only it was that 7th Heaven.
As a longtime fan of Family Guy, I don’t consider myself overly sensitive to its satire, but there was such an excess of offensive gay images crammed into a short amount of time that it felt more like a show from 1979 than 2009. Bundle center square Paul Lynde with Jodie Dallas and faux-mo Jack Tripper and you might get a sense of how “gay Peter” was portrayed.
Peter minces, wears a scarf and speaks with an affectation (but Lois accepts her gay husband because he is “fabulous”). The episode makes it clear that gay men love musicals, as evidenced by a show-stopping number staged by the men who find themselves at “Straight Camp.” But clearly they love something even more in the show’s hypersexual universe: Cruising for anonymous sex, sodomy at “Straight Camp,” an orgy, and plenty of double entendres are on display or discussed while Peter is under the effect of the “gay gene.” If Peter having that always-dreamed-about 11-way orgy wasn’t enough, the chorus line of underwear-clad men he beds all have limp wrists!
Limp wrists? Who decided to dig up that long-buried anti-gay gem and introduce it to the kids again?
Baby Stewie’s Bible-thumping views on homosexuality is an ironic nod to regular viewers who know he grows up to be gay, but for everyone else, his words, along with those of the “Straight Camp” counselor provide a stinging reminder of the kind of vitriol gay people live with every day.
Any one of these “moments” could usually be overlooked, and may even be considered humorous in the context of the offenses Family Guy regularly offers up, but the continuous barrage of negative images in this episode without the balance of any fair and accurate gay characters on the show is harmful and irresponsible.
Last week, the California Supreme Court heard arguments about overturning the discriminatory Prop. 8. Separately, federal legislation was introduced that could end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” These two events are historic in the gay rights movement, but in the same week, viewers of Family Guy saw an episode that shined an extended spotlight on stereotypes and grossly-exaggerated misrepresentations about the gay community that have long harmed us and stalled our achievement of equal rights.
GLAAD has met with representatives of Fox and Family Guy to discuss the volume of damaging images in this episode, and are cautiously optimistic that there will be greater sensitivity moving forward.
To be fair, yes, there are two positive messages delivered in the episode: The gene therapy doctor says, “homosexuality is genetic, and not a matter of choice or environment.” While Lois concludes, “A person’s sexual identity is no more a choice than the color of his skin. This is who you are. I can’t change you and it would be wrong for me to try.”
Even with this pretty bow on top, a nice message delivered in wrapping that is derisive, misleading and offensive is perhaps a gift best left unopened.
Watch the Court’s Prop 8 Challenges
March 3, 2009 by Damon
On Thursday, March 5, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases challenging Proposition 8. Last May the court made history by striking down the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples. The arguments will be broadcast live on the California Channel and streamed online.
One of the cases, Strauss vs. Horton, was filed jointly by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Another case was filed by the City and County of San Francisco and joined by other municipalities (including the City and County of Los Angeles), and the third by a private attorney. Jerry Brown, California’s attorney general, has urged the court to overturn Prop. 8.
Following the oral arguments, questions the court will consider include whether Prop. 8 is a constitutional revision rather than an amendment and whether it violates the separation of powers doctrine. If Prop. 8 is not invalidated, the court will address whether the measure will affect the thousands of same-sex couples who wed prior to November 4.
A ruling is expected by no later than early June.
TiVo Alert: DLB on Friday’s Oprah
February 26, 2009 by Damon
Before you leave for work on Friday, make sure to set your DVR to capture Oprah, with special guest Dustin Lance Black, fresh off his Oscar win for Milk.
It’s not often that Oprah interviews screenwriters, but Lance’s emotional and moving speech on Sunday has garnered him international attention, bringing the discussion of LGBT rights and religion to the forefront.
If you haven’t seen it yet (and, really, who hasn’t at this point), check out Lance’s motivational words here:
And here is Oscars.com exclusive “Thank You Cam” with Dustin Lance Black:
A Real Housewife Apologizes for Slur
February 23, 2009 by Damon
The season finale of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County last week upset many fans when it aired uncensored the slur “homo,” uttered by housewife Tamra Barney as an insult. Barney has now reached out to fans and the LGBT community with an apology: “I wish so badly that I could take it back.”
After hearing from constituents about the on-air defamatory comment the day after it aired, GLAAD contacted Bravo immediately. The cable network moved quickly and a spokesperson confirmed that day that the slur has been edited from future airings.
To Barney’s credit, she personally reached out with an apology to bloggers who covered the on-air slur, and sent the below message to GLAAD, asking us to share it with the community:
I am reaching out to GLAAD and the gay community today to apologize for the ignorant comment I made on last week’s episode. I wish so badly that I could take it back. I of all people have nothing against the gay community and support gay rights 100%. The word I used was “homo” and not the word I was searching for and not a word I condone. I am highly embarrassed and ashamed. I have several gay friends and family members. I have been suggesting to Bravo for the past year to bring in my friends Ricky (who filmed with me this season at my pool party) and Diego (his husband) as the new “housewife.” I think it would be extremely educational for the viewers to see that gay men can be married, have kids and there is nothing remotely wrong with it.
This does not reflect the type of person I am and I hope you accept my sincere apology.
Tamra Barney
The Real Housewives of Orange County
GLAAD Applauds Oscar Wins for Milk, Vicky Cristina
February 23, 2009 by Damon
GLAAD congratulates the creative teams and casts of Milk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona which received three Oscars at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Milk was nominated in eight categories and received the Oscar for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY for writer Dustin Lance Black, and PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, to Sean Penn for his role as Harvey Milk. Vicky Cristina Barcelona was nominated and won for PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE, for star Penelope Cruz, who plays Maria Elena, a woman who has a relationship with Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem).
“GLAAD applauds those who have brought the important story of Milk to so many millions of people, and congratulates Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn for their well-deserved Oscar wins,” said Neil G. Giuliano, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “They are to be commended for telling a story that has the power to inform future generations about the history of our community and our struggles for equality. Through Sean Penn’s own connection with the character, he was able to give audiences the opportunity to learn more about Harvey Milk’s lasting influence on our movement and our community.”
““The success of Milk has tremendous impact in creating awareness, understanding and acceptance during a time when our community continues to face opposition in our pursuit of equality,” added Giuliano. “The images of our community that these and other LGBT inclusive films bring to audiences around the country help people embrace the LGBT community with understanding and acceptance.” According to Harris Interactive’s recent Pulse of Equality survey commissioned by GLAAD, nearly 20 percent of Americans say their feelings toward gay and lesbian people have become more favorable over the past five years. Respondents whose views have become more favorable cited seeing gay or lesbian characters in movies (29%) as a contributing factor.
In openly gay writer Dustin Lance Black’s moving acceptance speech he called for LGBT equality: “If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours.” During Sean Penn’s acceptance speech he also called attention to LGBT equality. “I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone,” Penn said. Transcripts of both speeches are online at glaadBLOG.
Both Milk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona are nominated for Outstanding Film – Wide Release at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which honor media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community. The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 28, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE; and in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.
Wheel of Fortune Tribute to Late, Gay Stylist
February 18, 2009 by Damon
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak took a moment at the end of the February 16 episode to remember the show’s wardrobe stylist, Alan Mills, who recently passed away.
A visibly emotional Sajak spoke highly of how caring Mills was, both as a staff member and as a friend. With Vanna White by his side, Sajak acknowledged and offered his condolences to Mills’s partner, Ivan, as well as Mills’s family and friends with the following words:
“Between the time that we taped this show and we aired it tonight, we lost our dear friend Alan Mills. Alan officially took care of my wardrobe on the show, unofficially took care of all of us. He was the kindest, gentlest soul you’d ever want to meet. To his family, to his circle of friends, to the love of his life, Ivan, our sympathies. We’re very sad here. Goodbye, Alan. We love you.”
Check out the message near the end of this clip:
Crossroads: The Intersection of Black & LGBT Images
February 13, 2009 by Damon
With both The Wire and Noah’s Arc now part of television history, there are currently — and depressingly — few on-screen television characters who are both gay and black.
Marcellas Reynolds and Sonja Sohn
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the NAACP and the 40th NAACP Image Awards, the lack of African American LGBT representation was the crux of a forum hosted in Los Angeles this week by GLAAD and the National Black Justice Coalition. “Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media” was a standing-room only event that took place at the Screen Actors Guild, co-sponsored by SAG’s LGBT Actors Committee and the Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch of the NAACP.
The evening began with a historical video retrospective of black and LGBT images produced by Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear, the creative duo behind The DL Chronicles. The two were also part of the evening’s lively panel discussion alongside actor/director/writer Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry, The Ski Trip); performer J. Karen Thomas, founding member of the SAG LGBT Actors Committee; TV personality Marcellas Reynolds; performer and activist Ashley Love, host of the online series LGB to the T; actor and NAACP Image Award nominee Sonja Sohn (The Wire), and Willis Edwards, member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. The event was moderated by Rashad Robinson, GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs and featured remarks from SAG Interim Executive Director David White and Alice Huffman, President of the California State NAACP.
PSA Featuring Michael & Xavier
The forum explored potential reasons behind the under-representation and how this history of invisibility may have affected voting on California’s Proposition 8. Apropos, the 30-second commercial from GettoKnowUsFirst.org featuring the African American family headed by Michael and Xavier was shown to the audience. The spot ran in California television markets during the inauguration, Super Bowl, and the NAACP Image Awards. The absence of these kind of images on television, the panelists suggested, makes the idea of someone being gay and black something foreign and strange to many in the African American community. “Most communication is non-verbal. Whether it’s in a film or on TV or in a commercial, we’re very affected by what we see,” said panelist J. Karen Thomas. “So just by having an image of a black gay, bisexual or lesbian, it alters your awareness and your imagination of what can be possible.”
The panelists agreed that African American representation, LGBT or not, is influential. “When I first saw A Different World and The Cosby Show, I thought, ‘I can go to college,’” admitted Deondray Gossett. “These images really affected the way I thought about the future. I think these images are absolutely essential. If it’s done well, TV can shape young minds.”
"Knocking" panel audience
Featuring black LGBT representation provides a necessary and accurate reflection of the African American community. The panelists, like GLAAD, understand the impact the entertainment industry has on America and the world, and all are working to not only help the industry understand that responsibility, but to realize that diversity and inclusion is also good business.
Monday Night is Right by Cherry
February 9, 2009 by Damon
With her role on the Fox series 24 as Commander in Chief, out actress and two-time Tony-winner Cherry Jones gets presidential.
“It wasn’t something I ever thought I wanted to do,” she told the New York Post about making the transition from Broadway, where she won accolades for Doubt, to television. “To get to play the president of the United States is something that few middle-aged actresses could get a chance to do,” Jones says. “I’m embracing all mediums. For the rest of my career, I hope to be doing everything.” Meanwhile, she credits the series for enhancing her quality of life. “There’s a thing called ‘the weekend’ that I’ve never had before. . .Dinner parties at night – that I’ve never had before. I think it’s maybe called more of a normal life, which I’ve greatly enjoyed these last couple of months working on 24.”
Jones’ partner of five years, actress Sarah Paulson (Studio 60), returns to television in March in ABC’s romantic comedy Cupid.
WGA Honors Milk, Gay TV Projects
February 8, 2009 by Damon
In what is seen as a precursor to the Oscars, The Writers Guild of America handed out its top awards on Saturday, with key feature prizes going to Slumdog Millionaire as best adapted screenplay and the biographical drama Milk for original screenplay.
Writer Dustin Lance Black received a standing ovation after his win for Milk. In one of the night’s most emotional moments, Black thanked “God for a dream come true and I thank God for giving us Harvey Milk.” Black also won the previously announced Paul Selvin Award.
There were a number of other WGA winners for gay-inclusive television projects, including:
Dramatic series: “Mad Men,” Lisa Albert, Jane Anderson, Rick Cleveland, Kater Gordon, David Isaacs, Andre Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton, Marti Noxon, Robin Veith, Matthew Weiner
Comedy series: “30 Rock,” Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Donald Glover, Andrew Guest, Matt Hubbard, Jon Pollack, John Riggi, Tami Sagher, Ron Weiner
New series: “In Treatment,” Rodrigo Garcia, Bryan Goluboff, Davey Holmes, William Merritt Johnson, Amy Lippman, Sarah Treem
Episodic comedy: “Succession” (“30 Rock”), Andrew Guest & John Riggi
Daytime serials: “As the World Turns,” Jean Passanante, Leah Laiman, Courtney Simon, Lisa Connor, David A. Levinson, Peter Brash, Richard Culliton, Susan Dansby, Cheryl Davis, Leslie Nipkow
Photo Finish From Successful Queer Lounge
February 5, 2009 by Damon
From a press conference with Jim Carrey about his new film I Love You Phillip Morris, to a look at the homophobia in communities of color in La MISSION, to a viewing party of the inauguration, the GLAAD Queer Lounge, sponsored by ABSOLUT Vodka, during Sundance and Slamdance was a resounding success.
Here at glaadBLOG you’ll find videos from all of our filmmaker panels and one-on-one interviews with those on the cutting edge of LGBT-inclusive film.
If a Flickr slideshow is more your speed, then click here to see all the highlights.
OutQ to Rebroadcast Laramie Special
February 5, 2009 by Damon
XM Radio subscribers have been missing out on the fantastic LGBT programming available to Sirius subscribers—until now. The newly merged Sirius XM line-up includes OutQ, which can be found on Sirius 109 and XM 98.
Among my favorite programs on the queer satellite service is Derek and Romaine, which airs at 6pm ET. Co-host Romaine Patterson — a former GLAAD staffer — conceived and produced the two-hour radio documentary The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later – The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard, which GLAAD is honoring with a Special Recognition Award at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards.
The special rebroadcasts this Friday at 8pm ET on OutQ.
The doc originally aired on October 10, 2008 to commemorate the 10-year memorial of Matthew Shepard’s death. Romaine was a friend of Shepard’s and in the special examines the impact the award-winning play-turned-film The Laramie Project has had on attitudes towards hate crimes, featuring interviews with Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Company. The special also features an introduction by legendary journalist and SIRIUS XM host Barbara Walters and is narrated by critically-acclaimed actress Stockard Channing.
The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 28, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A.; and in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.
