Outspoken

September 16, 2011 0

“We’ve had maybe three terrorist attacks on our soil with a little over 5,000 people regrettably losing their lives. In the same time frame, there have been hundreds of thousands who have died because of having AIDS. So which one’s the biggest threat? And you know, every day our young people, adults too, … they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ It’s something they have to deal with every day.”

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern, explaining why homosexuality is more dangerous than terrorism, in an Aug. 31 interview with Peter LaBarbera of the anti-gay Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. (Rightwingwatch.org, Sept. 9)

“That is where, I think, for the first time, we in the gay and lesbian movement found sanity in the debate about who we are.”

— Dustin Lance Black, who wrote the screenplay for “Milk,” on why he wrote a new play about the Proposition 8 gay marriage California court case. A Broadway staged reading of “8” includes Morgan Freeman, John Lithgo, Christine Lahti, Larry Karmer and Marisa Tomei among the cast. (Washington Post, Sept. 13)

Topher Payne: Something for everyone

September 16, 2011 0

Playwright and writer Topher Payne The in-laws came to town for the opening of my play – we’ve all discovered that getting together for theatrical events is way more fun than weddings and funerals — and the next night, we took in a very different kind of production: The Stone Mountain Lasershow Spectacular… in Mountainvision!

Okay, y’all. Seriously. Do you have any idea how many people go to this thing? There were more people there than at the last Scissor Sisters concert I attended. I tried to focus on the laser-rendered narratives of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” but my attention kept drifting to the people around me. Particularly when laser Martin Luther King appeared on the side of the mountain, and the man behind us booed.

He actually booed Laser MLK. Preppy shot me Look #32: “I am begging you not to use this as an opportunity to cause a scene.” Out of respect for him, the family, and the dignity Laser MLK would likely have supported, I maintained my composure.

Melissa Carter: Freaks, geeks and letters that jiggle

Outspoken That's What She Said

September 2, 2011 0

Former Atlanta Disc-Jockey Melissa Carter Ah, it’s that time of year again, Atlanta: Dragon*Con.

Many who have never attended the convention see it as just freaks and geeks who like to dress up in elaborate costumes for a weekend. This may be partially true, but Dragon*Con happened to be where I realized something about myself that I had never known before: I have a reading disorder.

Besides parades and parties, Dragon*Con offers a large variety of sessions on everything from costume design to how to conduct a successful ghost hunt. Last year, I attended a session on graphic novels that included a panel of guests.

One speaker was a librarian who expressed his frustration at the difficulty he had in convincing schools and libraries to take graphic novels seriously. He credited these books with saving his education. As a child he had suffered from a learning disorder and the only books he could read growing up were graphic novels.

Topher Payne: We all know reality TV is manufactured, but what does the product say about us?

September 2, 2011 0

Playwright and writer Topher Payne “There are just so many questions I have about this show,” I tell Preppy as we sit on the sofa, absorbing the latest episode of “The A-List: New York.” I can’t really say any of us are watching it, as Preppy and I are both catching up on work, and Daisy has her red ball, which really demands her full attention.

“The A-List: New York” is simply the thing that happens after “Rupaul’s Drag U,” in much the same way as poots happen after eating beans. It’s mildly offensive, but you accept it as part of the process.

“You’re not going to ruin this for me, Topher,” says Preppy. “The A-List is not supposed to inspire questions. Just let it go.”

Topher Payne’s reality check

September 2, 2011 0

Reality TV is manufactured, but what does the product say about us?

Outspoken: Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Perkins and more…

September 2, 2011 0

Actress Kristin Chenoweth

“I’m attracted to girls and that’s what’s going to make me happy. I don’t even like to label myself. … I’ve actually had two boyfriends but I know at the end of the day who I want to come home to and it’s going to be a girl. That’s what I like.”

“So You Think You Can Dance” runner-up Sasha Mallory, in a recent interview about the Fox reality show, where she said she is “not afraid to tell people I’m gay,” but viewers “didn’t really need to know if I was gay or straight.” (AfterEllen.com, Aug. 25)

“To be frank, I didn’t understand why we’re talking about contestants being gay or not gay. I don’t go into my dentist and say, ‘Are you gay?’ I don’t say to contestants on So You Think You Can Dance, ‘Are you gay?’ What does it got to do with me?”

— Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” responding to criticism about the lack of openly gay contestants on the shows. (Entertainment Weekly, Aug. 17)

Melissa Carter: A brief life inspires us to never give up

Outspoken That's What She Said

August 19, 2011 0

Former Atlanta Disc-Jockey Melissa Carter One of the things I admire most about my girlfriend, Katie Jo, is her community. A Georgia native, Katie has maintained friendships with folks from high school, college, graduate school, and her jobs.

Since I moved away from Tennessee, most of my hometown and college friends live hours away. Plus my growing phobia of the telephone hinders any opportunity for those hours-long conversations to catch up on every detail of each other’s lives.

One group of Katie’s friends is the “Book Club.” I put this in quotes since I’m not convinced they actually read books or even talk about them. My take on their monthly meetings is like a shirt I saw recently — they “Read Between the WINES.”

Topher Payne: Yes, you should

August 19, 2011 0

Playwright and writer Topher Payne Eventually the process of electing the next president will begin 20 minutes after swearing in the latest one. A quick Oath of Office, Aretha Franklin sings a little something, and we hit the campaign trail again for the next four years.

America has become the most tragic slut at the bar: Once we give in and spend a night with the trick who’s been wooing us, we immediately begin looking for the next one. I truly thought 2008 was as bad as it would get: John McCain tossing aside all the ideals and beliefs that had once made him the most popular Republican among Democrats, the vitriolic attacks on Hillary Clinton, the implosion of John Edwards, and the herpes infection that was the Palin family. Barack Obama managed to jostle my waning enthusiasm, with a message of hope, change, and reconciliation.

But look at us now. I chose to help elect a president who does not support federal recognition of my marriage, but would let me fight in one of our ongoing wars, if I wanted to. I suppose that is progress, but it’s still pretty twisted if you think about it for too long.

Outspoken: The most outrageous recent quotes on LGBT issues

August 19, 2011 0

Cher, Rick Santorum, Adam Carolla and more sound off

Outspoken: Cher, Adam Carolla, Rick Santorum and more…