New TV Ad for Marriage in Iowa
April 22, 2009
This morning, One Iowa released a new TV ad in support of marriage for all Iowa families.
From One Iowa:
Today, One Iowa launched this ad to start a conversation with Iowans about the Supreme Court decision that brought marriage equality to the heartland. We can’t take this victory for granted. Right now our opponents are working hard to reverse the decision. They are well-funded and well-organized. We need your help NOW to keep this positive ad on the air and protect marriage in the heartland. Whether its $5 or $500, your contribution is vital to protect this victory!
Camilla Taylor, Lambda Legal attorney and lead architect of the Varnum v Brien case, said in One Iowa’s press release:
“This ad beautifully illustrates how the Iowa Constitution’s guarantee of equality for same-sex couples and their families is consistent with Iowa’s long tradition of independence and fair treatment for all families.”
One L of a Ride
March 6, 2009
It’s hard to believe that The L Word will air its last episode on Sunday. For six seasons, showrunner Ilene Chaiken has delivered titillating storylines, drama-filled relationships, real-world twists and turns, and, oh yeah, a lot of hot sex.
But what will our televisions look like without the weekly dose of lesbian and bi women teetering our way in their fabulous shoes?
- With The L Word off the air, that leaves us clinging to Callie and Arizona on Grey’s Anatomy for views of any significant lesbian relationships — and right now it seems the show’s sights are squarely set on Meredith and Derek’s romance.
- Angela (Bones) and Thirteen (House) are both (apparently) bisexual women, but are rarely seen dating any real, live ladies; they’re usually just making out with them in “very special episodes.”
- Nip/Tuck ended this week with lesbian anaethesiologist Liz Cruz marrying Dr. Christian Troy because she’s lonely and he thought he was dying.
- Heather on Big Love may be gay, but she’s a devout Mormon and very comfortable in that closet of hers in Utah.
- The teen soapy drama South of Nowhere regularly featured two queer gals, but sadly, it signed off permanently last fall.
- All I can say is, Weeds better hurry up and return because pre-teen Isabelle may be the only openly gay woman on cable left!
We’ll miss the ladies of The L Word. Bette, Tina, Jenny, Shane, Alice, Tasha and Helena are fabulous women who, for the most part, dress impeccably and seem to have a pretty darn good time dating, working, partying and, most of all, living openly and honestly.
The series finale of The L Word airs Sunday, March 8 at 9 PM on Showtime, with a retrospective of all six seasons airing at 8 PM.
NBC Adds a Gay Character (or Two) to Its Lineup
February 25, 2009
The new NBC drama Kings premieres March 15, and according to gay pop culture blog Queerty, the series will feature at least one, if not two, gay characters.
Sebastian Stan
According to NBC:
Kings is an inspiring exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle. The show is set in a modern metropolis under siege, where the fighting has gone on for too long and cost far too many lives. When David Shepherd, a brave young soldier, rescues the king’s son from enemy territory, he sets events in motion that will finally bring peace. Suddenly, David is thrust into the limelight, earning the affections of women – including the king’s daughter. When he’s promoted to Captain, he becomes the reluctant poster boy for hope. But for David, the line between his allies and enemies will blur as the power players in the kingdom go to great lengths to see him fall.
And now in Queerty’s words:
King Silas Benjamin (played by Ian McShane) showers all of his attention on handsome hero soldier David Shepherd (actor Chris Egan), who saved the life of his son, Prince Jack Benjamin (played by Sebastian Stan), in war. But Prince Jack is gay! Which means the king would rather leave his throne to his son’s savior, who is macho and straight and, unlike Prince Jack, does not have a gay boyfriend!
Will Kings rise to power, or be knocked off its throne? Tune in Sunday, March 15!
GLAAD Supports Local Activists’ Successful Efforts to Prevent Anti-Gay TV Program from Airing
February 11, 2009
On Monday morning, we heard concerns from community members about the anti-gay infomercial Speechless: Silencing the Christians, created and distributed by the anti-gay organization the American Family Association. When we found out the program was scheduled to air in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio, we reached out to partner organizations on the ground to find out more information and support local efforts.
After viewing the infomercial, the intent was clear - it was designed to perpetuate a climate of hostility toward our community and to create a culture where we are less safe, less secure, and where our families are put in harm’s way.
Since Monday, we have been working with local community members in Grand Rapids, offering them assistance as they led efforts to mobilize community members to express their concerns to the station management at WOOD-TV (NBC), where it was set to air.
The organizing was led by Colette Beighley, who serves as assistant director of the LGBT resource center at Grand Valley State University and a GLAAD-trained spokesperson. Colette is also serving as the community’s lead spokesperson on the issue, and she continues to work with GLAAD on media monitoring and interview prep this week.
Thanks to the efforts of community members on the ground, WOOD-TV first postponed the airing. The station then said it offered the American Family Association another timeslot. General Manager Diane Kniowski said: “We made a gesture of the 2-3 p.m. Saturday time period. It’s been 24 hours and we had no response. Our station is being bombarded with calls and messages, and we find ourselves in the middle of someone else’s fight. Ours was a fair offer and we are removing ourselves from this matter.”
WSYX-TV (ABC) in Columbus, Ohio, has also decided to postpone airing the anti-gay informercial after hearing concerns from community members, and will issue a decision later after the general manager has had an opportunity to review. A new air date has not been set.
The anti-gay infomercial aired in Traverse City, Michigan (WPBN – NBC); Toledo, Ohio (WUPW – Fox); and Charlotte, North Carolina (WJZY – The CW) on Saturday, Feb. 7, with very little fanfare, and the information aired with no traction. Yesterday afternoon Equality Toledo issued an action alert urging community members to engage in dialogue with WUPW about their decision to air this anti-gay programming.
We’re Mad for Bryan Batt
October 21, 2008
Bryan Batt is one of the few openly gay actors in television today portraying a gay character — and is certainly the only one on a show recently awarded an Emmy for Best Dramatic Series.
Salvatore with his wife Kitty
Mad Men is a phenomenal drama you need to be watching. Set in the advertising world of the 1960s, Batt plays Salvatore, an art director who is married to a woman, but harbors feelings for his bachelor co-worker, Ken (played by Aaron Staton).
Batt was recently interviewed by Washington Post columnist Liz Kelly. The two talked about the hit show, Salvatore’s love life, and the state of gay TV. Here’s an excerpt:
Liz: I was reading in Entertainment Weekly about a new study from GLAAD about the unprecedented number [16] of gay characters on network TV. So, unfortunately Sal wasn’t included [because the show airs on cable]. But Mark Harris at EW pointed out that despite having 16 characters, there aren’t any shows where the gay character is a central character to the show. And he finds it surprising considering the success of “Ellen” and “Will & Grace.”
Bryan: I am surprised at that mainly because — and I’ve said this before — Hollywood and the TV industry, the film industry, it’s a business, a money-making business. And I’m surprised because “Will & Grace” did so well that there aren’t other shows who have gay main characters. I’m a firm believer that if those shows who have gay characters sell tickets or get great ratings and the money’s flowing in, they [should] make them in a second. How many copies of “Friends” do we have? All those great series that turned the corner or did something different? Everyone else ripped them off.
Definitely read the full story here to learn more about the cast of Mad Men, as well as what the characters may have in store for Season Three.
And check out this behind-the-scenes look into a recent episode, entitled “The Jet Set.” Batt is interviewed, as is star Jon Hamm and showrunner Matthew Weiner.
The season finale airs Sunday, October 26 at 10/9c on AMC. And you can catch the entire season on On Demand now. What are you waiting for? WATCH IT, ALREADY!
Got Spashley Fever?
October 10, 2008
South of Nowhere premieres tonight! Get psyched up for the final season by checking out a series of very special retrospectives on The Click, The N’s award-winning web site.
You saw one of the videos yesterday, where leaders in the LGBT community discussed the lasting impact the show has had on gay and questioning teens. (Did anyone else tear up besides me? If not, you’re a bunch of heartless readers. Don’t deny it!)
Not feeling something heavy on such a beautiful Friday? More light and fun segments on The Click include “The Spashley Rollercoaster,” “The Best Fans,” and “Name all the Love Triangles.”
Don’t work today, sillies. Watch them now! And be sure to tune in TONIGHT to the one-hour season premiere at 9 pm ET on The N.
TiVo Alert: South of Nowhere Premieres Tomorrow!
October 9, 2008
I know not every reader of this blog is planning to stay in tomorrow night to watch the season premiere of South of Nowhere. That’s why I’m giving you a heads-up to set your TiVos NOW for a season pass to the greatest lesbian teen storyline ever. Trust me: you won’t regret it.
Spencer and Ashley
South of Nowhere is a super-fun, super-dramatic, super-LGBT-inclusive series that has been nominated twice for GLAAD Media Awards. It is groundbreaking, funny, heart wrenching and ultimately feel-good without being syrupy. I don’t know how it walks this tight rope with such success, but it really is a quality series.
If you love Dawson’s Creek’s drama, Gossip Girl’s fashion, Buffy’s lesbian love story and GREEK’s sense of fun, I daresay you heed my words and set your DVR. The one-hour premiere is Friday, October 10 at 9 pm ET on The N. After that, the show will head to its regular time slot of Fridays at 8:30 pm ET.
Of course, I’m not the only one who thinks South is remarkable. Check out this retrospective video, where GLAAD’s own Director of Entertainment Media Damon Romine, The Trevor Project’s Executive Director Charles Robbins, showrunner Tommy Lynch and many cast members discuss the series’ importance in the lives of LGBT youth.
Now pick up your remote!
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Skins Delights the Eyes and Ears
August 28, 2008
BBC America is currently running a teen drama entitled Skins. With a good-looking cast of diverse characters, the series appears to be a British Gossip Girl… With 100% more swearing, sex, and yes, skin. In fact, it’s intended for “mature audiences only” so basically it’s a teen drama for adults. My favorite kind.
And yes, there’s a gay character. Maxxie (played by Mitch Hewer, pictured) is an adorable blond who is comfortable with his sexuality, even if his parents aren’t. BBC America told cineQueer that Maxxie’s presence on Skins “means having shows on TV with gay characters who are real people, not caricatures, and that’s what we strive for.” God Save the Queen, indeed!
Though Skins premiered August 17, BBC America is re-airing all the episodes so that we slow-moving Yanks can get caught up and indulge in the juciness the Brits have to offer us.
Meet Maxxie by viewing this introductory video here.
And watch as some of the cast talk about the show’s handling of gay characters.
Skins airs Sundays at 10/9c on BBC America.
Doctor’s Orders: Paris Barclay is Executive Producer
August 25, 2008
Director/writer/actor/all-around television genius Paris Barclay has been upped to executive producer status on HBO’s In Treatment, according to Daily Variety. Barclay, an openly gay TV veteran, has a long list of LGBT-inclusive credits, including directorial stints with Weeds, In the Life, ER, Dirt, and, most recently, In Treatment, which he co-executive produced and directed 12 of the 43 half-hour episodes in the show’s first season, including the episode in which Blair Underwood’s character comes to realize he is gay.
In Treatment was recently nominated for three Primetime Emmys, including a Best Actor nomination for the series’ star, Gabriel Byrne. HBO has ordered 35 episodes for the second season, and asked several new producers to sign on, including Hagai Levy, Warren Leight, Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson.
