Annise Parker Becomes First Openly Lesbian Mayor of Major U.S. City after Houston Win
December 14, 2009
Annise Danette Parker was elected mayor of Houston on Saturday becoming the first LGBT person to lead a major U.S. city.
Parker will replace term-limited Mayor Bill White on Jan. 1.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that Parker drew 53% of the vote, with all precincts reporting.
“The voters of Houston have opened the door to history,” Parker told supporters after her victory. “I know what this win means to many of us who never thought we could achieve high office. But let us at this moment join as one community. We are united in making Houston the city it should be, could be, can be and will be.”
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund – an organization devoted to advancing LGBT leaders in communities across the nation – celebrated Parker’s win in a statement on Saturday:
This is a watershed moment in American politics. Annise was elected by fair-minded people from across the city because of her experience and competence, and we’re glad Houston soundly rejected the politics of division. This victory sends a clear signal that gays and lesbians are an integral part of American civic life, that we’re willing to lead, and that voters will respond to candidates who are open and honest about their lives.
Parker, who ran primarily on a platform of budget reform, will fulfill her term as city controller before taking the mayor’s office on the first of the New Year.
Related Posts:CA Governor Approves Harvey Milk Day, More Rights for Same-Sex Couples
October 13, 2009
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Sunday that will designate May 22 as ‘Harvey Milk Day’ in that state.
The Associated Press reported on Monday that the special day of recognition “will not be a formal state holiday,” but instead, is meant to inspire educators “to conduct exercises recalling Milk’s life and contributions to the state.”
Milk was elected to San Francisco’s Board of City Supervisors in 1977 and played a prominent role in the early LGBT rights movement. San Francisco Mayor George Mascone and Milk were assassinated in November 1978 by former supervisor, Dan White.
Gov. Schwarzenegger also signed a bill on Sunday that will “ensure that couples who wed before the passage of Proposition 8 in November retain their status as ‘married’,” according to the San Francisco Gate. Moreover, same-sex couples who married outside of California after November 4, 2008 will be granted “all rights of marriage save the name” in the Golden state. As the San Francisco Gate clarified in an article on Tuesday, “that means married couples who move to California will not have to register as domestic partners to have their relationship recognized by the state.”
But as blogger Pam Spaulding of PamsHouseBlend.com noted, Sunday was not a complete win for the LGBT community. The governor also vetoed two pieces of legislation considered key items to LGBT Californians. The first bill, AB 1185, would have eased the process by which transgender Californians change their gender on birth certificates. And the second, AB 382 , would have established protections for LGBT inmates. Gov. Schwarzenegger cited legal precedents as rendering those bills unnecessary.
Equality California, an organization devoted to achieving equality and securing legal protections for LGBT Californians, celebrated Sunday’s landmark legislation but expressed disappointment at the vetoes:
“We are grateful to the Governor for signing these critical and groundbreaking measures into law and rising above partisan politics to improve the lives of LGBT Californians,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors.
[Of the vetoed bills] “While we believe it is important to have these protections in statute rather than just as policy or court precedent and are disappointed by the vetoes, the Governor’s reaffirmation of these policies will hopefully help ensure they are enforced.”
GLAAD will continue to monitor the media’s coverage of California legislation meant to protect LGBT people. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Harvey Milk Inducted to CA’s Hall of Fame; Next Stop ‘Milk Day’?
August 27, 2009
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Schriver announced on Tuesday that LGBT rights pioneer Harvey Milk will be inducted into the state’s ‘Hall of Fame’.
The couple noted that each of the 13 inductees “embody California’s innovative spirit and have made their mark on history.”
The Milk honor, however, comes amidst a debate surrounding a new state bill that would honor the slain supervisor by deeming May 22 as ‘Milk Day’ in the Golden State. The Associated Press writes that the bill “would designate Milk’s birthday, May 22, as a ‘day of special significance,’ but not an official holiday.” That bill awaits approval from the CA Assembly before reaching the Governor’s desk.
But as The Sacramento Bee reports, it was just last year that Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a nearly identical bill because it would be more appropriate, he believed, to honor Milk on a local level.
The governor’s decision to include Milk in the state’s Hall of Fame, however, may imply that Mr. Schwarzenegger now recognizes Milk as a much more influential figure than he had first thought.
Schwarzenegger spokesman Francisco Castillo clarified in Tuesday’s Sacramento Bee that “The governor does recognize the positive impact that Harvey Milk had globally and nationally.”
Milk’s legacy recently garnered national attention after President Barack Obama honored the LGBT rights stalwart with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an award bestowed on individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors. The president noted that Milk’s “voice stirred the aspirations of millions of people.”
In any case, the governor’s office said no decisions have been made regarding the new bill. In fact, Schwarzenegger has taken to his twitter page to ask the public’s opinion on Harvey Milk Day.
GLAAD will continue to share the media’s coverage of Harvey Milk Day. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:President Obama Honors Harvey Milk & Billie Jean King with Medal of Freedom
August 13, 2009
As GLAAD previously reported, The White House announced late last month that 16 “agents of change” would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Among the recipients were two openly gay and lesbian people, slain San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk, and tennis legend Billie Jean King. President Obama held the official ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, August 12.
The New York Times, USA Today, and other national news media outlined the prodigious accomplishments of the recipients and highlighted the significance of Milk’s legacy.
The President used Milk’s own words in his remarks about the LGBT leader:
“His name was Harvey Milk, and he was here to recruit us – all of us – to join a movement and change a nation,” the president said, evoking a call that Milk would use at political rallies, “In the brief time in which he spoke – and ran and led – his voice stirred the aspirations of millions of people.”
When speaking of King’s accomplishments, the president highlighted her tennis titles, but said that she was really there because of her activism “off-the-court.” President Obama went on to say that “what [King] did to broaden the reach of the game, to change how women athletes and women everywhere view themselves, and to give everyone — regardless of gender or sexual orientation — including my two daughters — a chance to compete both on the court and in life.”
CNN had live coverage of King receiving her medal as well as Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk, receiving his uncle’s medal:
In an article titled “President Obama Grants Medals to Milk, King,” the Politico.com delved deeper into the event’s significance to the LGBT community.
Writers Alexander Burns and Carol E. Lee acknowledged frustration from some about the Obama Administration’s progress on LGBT issues, such as the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the President’s stance on marriage protections for same-sex couples. The article includes a quote from King, who says she is willing to give the President some more time, however. King notes, “Civil unions, I think we have to get there first. I agree with him…I want to get that done, and then I want to the next step.”
King was also interviewed for a piece by CBS News titled “Billie Jean King More Than Great Tennis.” The article celebrates King’s historical weight as an icon for women’s rights. King addressed her famed “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs, saying, “It’s about history. It’s about changing the way the world thinks.”
On Fox News, The O’Reilly Factor featured a segment in which host Bill O’Reilly, Monica Crowley, and Alan Colmes opined whether or not the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients were ‘worthy’ of receiving the esteemed honor — Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King were both put up to judgment.
Crowley expressed her approval of the choice of Harvey Milk because of his promotion of equal rights. She did say, however, that she believes that the Milk choice “has a political tinge to it.” Crowley also nodded her approval to the choice of Billie Jean King, though she only highlighted the tennis player’s athletic prowess and disregarded King’s sexual orientation when O’Reilly brought it up.
Cindi Creager, GLAAD’s Director of National News, applauded the media’s coverage of this event. She said:
Related Posts:“Its encouraging to see this much national news coverage devoted to the LGBT angle of the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony. It highlights the growing interest in stories that affect LGBT lives. Media reports about this honor bestowed on Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King spotlight their immense historical contributions to bringing our community closer to full equality and allow viewers to see a full range of presidential award worthy heroes.”
President Obama to Honor Harvey Milk, Billie Jean King With Presidential Medal of Freedom
July 30, 2009
President Obama today announced the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among those honored will be LGBT rights pioneer, Harvey Milk, as well as openly lesbian tennis champion and gender equality activist, Billie Jean King.
Milk and King are the first openly LGBT people to be honored by the distinguished prize.
The Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.
In a statement released Thursday, President Obama expounded on the prodigious accomplishments achieved by the honorees:
Each [of the recipients] has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way. Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom.
Others presidential honorees include Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), South African activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Reverend Joseph Lowery, all of whom have championed LGBT equality across the globe. Tutu was honored by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) in April 2008 for his remarkable strides to end homophobia.
Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, an organization devoted to “identifying, training and electing LGBT leaders to all levels of office in every corner of America,” noted the significance of the president’s selection of Harvey Milk:
We are thrilled President Obama is honoring Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom. He’s an American hero and trailblazer whose election more than 30 years ago triggered a political awakening that inspires us still today. This recognition sends an important message about how critical political leadership will be in making all Americans equal in the eyes of the law.
The eleven other laureates are Nancy Goodman Brinker, Pedro José Greer, Jr., Stephen Hawking, Jack Kemp, Joe Medicine Crow, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Mary Robinson, Janet Davison Rowley, and Muhammad Yunus.
GLAAD will continue to watch for more coverage on the Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Actor Won’t Drink Milk, Will Drink the Kool-Aid
March 10, 2009
According to The Advocate, a Brazilian actor has refused to dub Sean Penn’s voice into Portuguese for the local television broadcast of Milk, even though he’s dubbed Mr. Penn’s performances in 21 Grams and All the King’s Men.
The actor, whose name is Marco Ribeiro, is a pastor at an Assembly of God church in Rio de Janeiro and says that the film about martyred gay rights activist Harvey Milk clashes with his religious beliefs.
“I did not feel comfortable with the job,” Ribeiro said, according to Variety . “My voice is involved with other causes, and for the same reason I have refused to work on certain types of advertising.”
Milk is currently playing in Brazilian theaters with Portuguese subtitles, but will be dubbed into Portuguese for television. Riberiro will be replaced by actor Alexandre Moreno.
On Your Shopping List: Milk
March 10, 2009
Buy the kind of milk that never expires: Gus Van Sant’s award-winning Harvey Milk biopic, Milk! It’s in stores on DVD and BLU-RAY HI-DEF and available On Demand (VOD) today!
As you recall, Milk has won a slew of awards, most recently, two Oscars: Best Actor — Sean Penn and Best Original Screenplay — Dustin Lance Black. For a complete list of awards, please visit our Milk Awards Central resource.
Of course, if you want to really show your love for Milk, you can kick it up a notch like activist Tom Gregory did last week: He paid $12,500 for one of the Harvey Milk suits worn by Sean Penn in the film. Proceeds went to benefit Variety: The Children’s Charity of Southern California and New York’s Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of Harvey Milk High School.
Whether it’s thousands of dollars for commemorative merchandise, or just $17.99 for the DVD, supporting Milk always does a body good.
Sean Penn Calls for Harvey Milk Day
March 3, 2009
Actor Sean Penn, fresh off his Academy Award-winning turn as Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant’s biopic, Milk, is in San Francisco today to introduce the Harvey Milk Day Bill.
Harvey Milk
At 11 AM this morning, Penn joined State Senator Mark Leno, State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and Equality California at a press conference to introduce the Harvey Milk Day Bill. Sponsored by Equality California, the bill seeks to educate Californians about the former San Francisco City Supervisor, civil rights activist and American hero whose work helped bring LGBT people out of the closet and into civic life.
The legislation calls on the Governor to proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, designating it as a “day of special significance.”
According to Equality California:
The legislation was originally introduced last year by Sen. Leno but the Governor vetoed the measure on the grounds that Harvey Milk was unknown beyond San Francisco. Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official of a major American city, was responsible for passing San Francisco’s gay-rights ordinance and helping to defeat the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gay and lesbian teachers from public schools. Milk, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, was assassinated in November 1978, but his legacy continues. He was named one of the most influential people of the 20th Century by Time.
Milk Acceptance Speeches Censored by News Corp Subsidiary
February 26, 2009
Film buffs from around the world are still buzzing about this year’s Oscar winners. GLAAD was thrilled about Milk being nominated in eight categories and receiving the Oscar for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY for screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, to Sean Penn for his role as the openly gay leader Harvey Milk.
Both of their acceptance speeches that night received rousing cheers and applause from within the Kodak Theater. But millions of TV viewers missed out on their full speeches because they were censored.
Who is responsible? News Corp.
It’s the same media company under fire from many organizations for its defamatory political cartoon in The New York Post.
Specifically, STAR is an Asian TV satellite company and a News Corp subsidiary. The TV service reaches more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries. STAR aired the full broadcast live, but later in the evening showed an edited version of the recorded telecast. Evening viewers tuning into the recorded awards show found the company had edited out the words “gay” and “lesbian” every time they were said on-stage by the screenwriter or actor.
The Associated Press reported the following reason for why “gay” and “lesbian” were cut out of the telecast:
Jannie Poon, STAR’s Hong Kong-based spokeswoman, stressed that the company had no intention of upsetting any viewers, but said it has ”a responsibility to take the sensitivities and guidelines of all our markets into consideration.”
Poon said she was not immediately aware that the speeches had been censored, but noted that STAR’s preliminary ratings for the Oscar broadcasts indicated ”record-breaking” audiences, especially in India and Taiwan.
I don’t think anyone is surprised by the record-breaking audiences. Millions of viewers from around the world tuned in to celebrate some of the best films of our time including gay cinema. Moviegoers were touched by Milk and its historic story about gay and lesbian inequality.
How is STAR being responsible for editing out the words “gay” and “lesbian” when some of its viewers happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender?
In the same AP story, it reported that some people have spoken out on the censorship by STAR. :
”As a gay man, I am truly offended,” Pang Khee Teik, a prominent Malaysian arts commentator, wrote in a letter sent out to several media organizations. ”Stop censoring the words that describe who I am.”
Pang said the move ‘’sent a message … that gays and lesbians are still shameful things to be censored from the public’s ears.”
For those interested in expressing their concerns to STAR, you can contact them here:
Jannie Poon
Phone: 852-2621-8728
Fax: 852-2621-8620
E-Mail: janniep@startv.com
Uncensored Dustin Lance Black acceptance speech:
Uncensored Sean Penn acceptance speech:
Did you see
Oh What a Night!
February 23, 2009
So many great moments took place tonight during the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Relive the night with a little rundown of the evening, provided by glaadBLOG.
First up was Penelope Cruz, winning Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a woman involved with both a man and a woman in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Next came Best Original Screenplay, awarded to Dustin Lance Black for Milk. (Be sure to read his moving acceptance speech here.)
An hour and a half into the ceremony, we were treated to a hilarious spot featuring James Franco and Seth Rogan watching a series of films that came out in 2008. While they both thought The Reader and Doubt were uproariously funny, a tender scene from Milk (Sean Penn and James Franco himself sharing an intimate kiss) got the two guys misty-eyed, and James even put an arm around Seth to be closer to him. Too funny!
Finally, Sean Penn was awarded Best Actor, calling the Academy, “You Commie homo-loving sons of guns!” He went on to address the protesters outside the Kodak Theatre. “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.”
Take THAT! (Read his entire speech here.)
Congratulations to everyone involved. Though Milk didn’t win all eight of the awards it was nominated for, we are still very happy that such great LGBT-inclusive projects were honored throughout the evening.
Fun fact: Tonight’s awards were produced by GLAAD Media Award honoree Bill Condon.
Sean Penn Wins the Big Prize
February 23, 2009
Though it seemed Mickey Rourke was a shoo-in for Best Actor, Sean Penn took home the Oscar for his portrayal of slain gay politician Harvey Milk. In his acceptance speech, we are delighted he pulled no political punches. We are proud to present the speech in its entirety.
You Commie homo-loving sons of guns! I did not expect this, but I — and I want to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often. But I — I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I scribbled down — so I have the names in case you were Commie homo-loving suns of guns. And so I, I wanted you to thank my best friend Sato Masuzawa. My circle of longtime support, Mara, Brian, Barry and Bob. The great Cleve Jones. Our wonderful writer, Lance Black. Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks. And particularly, as all us actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint to grant us a voice, or they don’t, and it goes from the beginning of the meeting to through the cutting room, and there is no finer hands to be in than Gus Van Sant.
Finally, for those — two last finallys — For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and, 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.
And there are these last two things. I’m very, very proud to live in a country that’s willing to elect an elegant man President. And a country, who for all its toughness, creates courageous artists, and this is in great due respect to all the nominees. But courageous artists who, despite a sensitivity, that sometimes has brought enormous challenge. Mickey Rourke rises again, and he’s my brother. Thank you all very much.
Know Your History… For FREE!
February 9, 2009
Just in time for the Academy Awards, Hulu.com is broadcasting The Life and Times of Harvey Milk in its entirety for no charge. If you haven’t seen Robert Epstein and Richard Schmeichen’s Oscar-winning documentary, it is an absolute must-watch.
Hulu, an online video site that features complete movies and television programs, has this moving film available for viewing now. So what are you waiting for? Click here to watch it. And grab a box of tissues, while you’re at it.
GLAAD Congratulates Milk & Vicky Cristina Barcelona on their Oscar Nominations
January 22, 2009
Today, GLAAD congratulated the creative teams and casts ofMilk and Vicky Cristina Barcelona which received a combined 9 Oscar nominations during today’s announcement of nominees for the 81st Annual Academy Awards.
Below is a statement by GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano:
GLAAD is thrilled with the nominations received by films that tell inclusive stories of our community. The success of Milk is an important reminder to Hollywood that audiences are hungry for films that tell authentic and compelling stories about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Milk has connected with gay and straight audiences alike and created national discussion at a time when our community continues to face opposition in our pursuit of equality.
What people see in the media shapes how they view LGBT people, and inclusive images like these help people embrace their family members, friends and neighbors with understanding and acceptance.
Milk is among the leading Oscar nominees in major categories with 8 nominations:
- BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
- PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – Sean Penn
- PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – Josh Brolin
- ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING – Gus Van Sant
- BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – Dustin Lance Black
- ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN – Danny Glicker
- ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING – Elliot Graham
- BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – Danny Elfman
More from Giuliano:
What writer Dustin Lance Black and director Gus Van Sant have remarkably done is tell a story that celebrates the man, the era and the greater LGBT movement. Their work on Milk has the power to inform new generations of the history of our community and our struggles for equality.
Today’s Best Actor nomination for Sean Penn is so richly deserved. His groundbreaking performance gave audiences the opportunity to get to know Harvey Milk’s conviction, passion and the indelible influence he had on our movement and our community.
Drink It In: Milk Wins Two Critics Choice Awards
January 9, 2009
Last night at the Critics Choice Awards, Milk reigned supreme when it came to acting. Not only did Sean Penn win Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, but the entire cast was honored with the Best Acting Ensemble award.
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization, with more than 200 members in the U.S. and Canada who work in television, radio and the Internet. The BFCA gave Milk eight nominations, but as we all know, this year’s awards race is very tight. The fact the film brought home two awards is absolutely to be commended.
Will Penn continue on his journey of winning every acting award in sight? Be sure to watch the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday at 8/7c on NBC.
Palm Springs Film Fest Honors Van Sant, Penn
January 7, 2009
Hollywood temporarily moved to the desert last night for the opening of the 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. The star-studded event included the likes of Milk’s Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn, both of whom were honored in the awards gala.
Milk star Josh Brolin presented director Gus Van Sant with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award.
And activist Cleve Jones, played by Emile Hirsch in Milk, presented the Desert Palm Achievement Award to Sean Penn. When accepting the statuette, Penn talked about his performance. “I was here last year,” he said. “Daniel Day-Lewis was here last year and when I saw what he did in that movie (‘There Will Be Blood’), boy, it’s challenging. (I thought) ‘I’m going to have to work a little harder.’ And I did work a little harder.”
