Adam Lambert and Melissa Etheridge Tear Up ‘I’m the Only One’ at GLAAD
Lambert was the perfect addition to Etheridge’s lesbian anthem.
www.advocate.com/music/2018/5/07/adam-lambert-and-melissa-etheridge-tear-im-only-one-glaad
Daily Archives: May 7, 2018
Jeffrey Tambor: I Was Fired from ‘Transparent’ for Being Cis in a Trans Role
How a Masked Man Ignited the Revolution for Gay Rights in ‘217 Boxes of Dr. Henry Anonymous’: REVIEW
How a Masked Man Ignited the Revolution for Gay Rights in ‘217 Boxes of Dr. Henry Anonymous’: REVIEW
How do you start a civil rights movement when the rest of society thinks you’re mentally ill?
It was a question facing queer people before we were even considered a community, much less one that could agitate for equal treatment.
The man responsible for the removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual of mental illness is the subject of a intimate and fascinating play by Ain Gordon, 217 Boxes of Dr. Henry Anonymous, currently running at the Baryshnikov Arts Center through May 11.
In 1972, Dr. John Fryer addressed the APA’s annual conference with a daring personal speech that began, “I am a homosexual, I am a psychiatrist” — at a time when admitting as much likely meant sacrificing your livelihood. For the occasion, Dr. Fryer donned an oversized tuxedo and a rubber mask that obscured his entire face. He spoke through a voice-distorting microphone, all to hide his identity in service of what became a groundbreaking victory for gay rights.
Homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness the following year; it was 10 more years before Fryer revealed he was the man behind the mask. This year’s APA conference, which coincides with the play’s run produced by Equality Forum, marks the 45th anniversary of the landmark removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
A commission by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Gordon’s play is the result of his deep dive into the society’s holdings of Fryer’s personal papers — 217 boxes of everything from utility bills and patient records to letters from his parents and companions. Of the three characters who assemble a portrait of the man, none of them are Fryer himself.
Gordon’s treatment of this extraordinary history pays some tribute to its subject’s lore of anonymity, while shining new light on a pivotal figure often overlooked. An Obie-winning monologist, Gordon presents three characters who share their own personal stories while revealing the outlines of Fryer, including his impact on them and the broader currents of history.
We hear first from a fellow gay psychiatrist and confidant, the “high swish” Alfred A. Gross (Derek Lucci), who speaks in a kind of Wildean lyrical prose, waxing over how the movement’s origins have colored everything that’s followed, “Our vision is what enables you to now see where we were shortsighted,” he says of a new generation’s calls for greater inclusivity than is encompassed in the term “gay rights.”
Gross is followed by Fryer’s secretary for the last 24 years of his life (delightfully embodied by Laura Esterman), who recalls the scores patients whose files she moved into storage as they succumbed to AIDS. Due to doctor-patient confidentiality, she can’t tell us their names. But she can read us the 17 box numbers they represent among surviving papers of Dr. Fryer, who was a rare psychiatrist willing to treat ailing gay men before anyone knew why they were dying.
It’s Fryer’s father (Ken Marks), the final character, who reads to us his son’s speech in front of legions of peers in the AP. “Rubber casing like a tunnel,” his father imagines Fryer beneath the mask. “All sound, gulps, breath, your own words back to your ears like an echo — of judgment.”
“May I be a little understood,” an arch Gross asks us earlier, “for reveling in how that oppression did also make me spectacular?” It’s a striking reminder that remarkable feats — from Dr. Fryer’s igniting of a revolution, to the everyday triumph of simply being yourself — thrive most in times of great resistance.
Recent theatre features…
The Most Wig-Snatching Snubs and Surprises of the 2018 Tony Nominations
In ‘Transfers,’ a Shot at Privilege Means Reckoning with Stacked Odds: REVIEW
Time’s Up? Not So Fast: ‘Carousel’ Is Back on Broadway: REVIEW
Get in, Losers: The ‘Mean Girls’ Musical Is Fun as Hell: REVIEW
In ‘Three Tall Women’ and ‘Yerma,’ Stunning Portraits of Women on the Verge: REVIEW
Chris Evans and Michael Cera Are Men in Uniform in Kenneth Lonergan’s Superb ‘Lobby Hero’: REVIEW
Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane Star in Electrifying ‘Angels in America’: REVIEW
A Slushy ‘Frozen’ Opens on Broadway: REVIEW
Jimmy Buffett Serves up ‘Margaritaville’ on Broadway, Tequila Goggles Sold Separately: REVIEW
Follow Naveen Kumar on Twitter: @Mr_NaveenKumar
(photos: paula court)
The post How a Masked Man Ignited the Revolution for Gay Rights in ‘217 Boxes of Dr. Henry Anonymous’: REVIEW appeared first on Towleroad.
How a Masked Man Ignited the Revolution for Gay Rights in ‘217 Boxes of Dr. Henry Anonymous’: REVIEW
Advocates and Celebrities Call on Oklahoma Governor to Veto Anti-LGBTQ SB 1140
Advocates and Celebrities Call on Oklahoma Governor to Veto Anti-LGBTQ SB 1140
Human rights advocates and celebrities are calling on the governor to veto SB 1140, dangerous anti-LGBTQ legislation that would allow publicly-funded adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ prospective parents, single mothers and interfaith couples, among others. Children shouldn’t pay the cost of discrimination and neither should taxpayers. That’s unacceptable.
My beloved Oklahoma. Please no. t.co/pHIlJC1VL1
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) May 6, 2018
To all my Okies, please urge @GovMaryFallin to veto #SB1140. This is an important moment to make sure we protect a lot of Oklahoma’s youth and families. Please #VetoSB1140 t.co/B7cpv2467z
— om (@oliviamunn) May 6, 2018
I GREW UP IN OKLAHOMA. PLEASE HELP TO STOP OK GOVERNOR’S DISCRIMINATION & HATE: I stand with @HRC against Oklahoma’s dangerous anti-LGBTQ bill #SB1140. Take action today to stand will all families and urge @GovMaryFallin to put families over politics. t.co/tVcGnUkM8G
— Megan Mullally (@MeganMullally) May 5, 2018
PLEASE #OK MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD���� t.co/JQdSJlC7O0
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) May 5, 2018
NO! Seriously, NO! t.co/RZQm90QpS4
— Yeardley Smith (@YeardleySmith) May 7, 2018
Last month I happily tweeted that none of the 120 anti-LGBT bills intro’d in state legislatures this year had passed. Oklahoma’s #SB1140 broke that streak. So many kids need loving homes. @GovMaryFallin think of them & use your veto t.co/eoK9ImBma8
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) May 2, 2018
As a proud Oklahoman, I am so disappointed in the passing of #SB1140. Call on .@GovMaryFallin to veto !!! t.co/pMwR27tMdv
— Greyson Chance (@greysonchance) May 6, 2018
Tammy Baldwin Reveals Mother’s Drug Addiction in New Ad
Tammy Baldwin Reveals Mother’s Drug Addiction in New Ad
The out senator says the opioid crisis is personal for her.
www.advocate.com/politicians/2018/5/07/tammy-baldwin-reveals-mothers-drug-addiction-new-ad
Stormy Daniels isn’t taking any of Roseanne’s sh*t
Stormy Daniels isn’t taking any of Roseanne’s sh*t
Stormy Daniels is taking on one of Trump’s biggest supporters, Roseanne Barr.
Zeke Smith gives heartfelt speech about the importance of trans role models at GLAAD’s Rising Stars Luncheon
Zeke Smith gives heartfelt speech about the importance of trans role models at GLAAD’s Rising Stars Luncheon
A little over a year ago, Survivor contestant Zeke Smith was accused by another player of being deceptive and lying simply because Zeke chose to not disclose his gender history to the other people on the island. Thankfully, between when the episode taped and when it aired, Zeke, CBS’ Survivor, and GLAAD teamed up to change the narrative – and created a national conversation about trans visibility and acceptance.
One year later, Zeke Smith stood onstage at GLAAD’s GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York. He was there to accept the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program on behalf of Survivor: Game Changers, and to deliver inspirational remarks to an audience of LGBTQ young people and influencers – “GLAAD and Survivor have completely changed my life.”
At the Rising Stars event, Smith described his improbable journey to becoming a role model saying, “Frankly I wasn’t too keen on being super publicly trans. So Survivor put me in touch with GLAAD, and in particular with GLAAD’s king of transgender media, Nick Adams.” Smith continued, “Together with GLAAD, we changed millions of people’s perceptions of transgender people. We shattered stereotypes. We created a global conversation about privacy and respect.”
Finding his own role model helped Zeke get more comfortable being a trans role model himself, especially to the younger generation: “Over the past year, I’ve met a lot of trans kids. Transitioning in middle and high school is hard. I see these kids struggling to retain hope that they’ll have an equal shot in the world. LGBTQ visibility on television matters because for many it is the only chance to glimpse their future. And to see that it is very bright.”
Zeke Smith’s inspiring call for trans representation in media was a shining moment at the Luncheon, where GLAAD also announced the college students who will receive Rising Stars Grants for projects that use media to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance. The 2018 recipients of the Rising Stars Grants in New York included diverse, intersectional artists and advocates Priscila Alegria Nunez, Kosoko Jackson, and Akila Prayaga.
The GLAAD Rising Stars program was presented by Barilla, Comcast NBCUniversal | Telemundo, Delta Air Lines, Turner, and Wells Fargo. Actor Nico Tortorella hosted the event, with appearances by Auli’I Cravalho (Rise), Ellie Desautels (Rise), Joshua Rush (Andi Mack), Milk (RuPaul’s Drag Race), and advocate Blair Imani.
May 7, 2018
Issues:
99 Photos of Men Exploring Their Inner ‘Slut’
99 Photos of Men Exploring Their Inner ‘Slut’
www.advocate.com/photography/2018/5/07/99-photos-men-exploring-their-inner-slut
Broadway star Andrew Keenan-Bolger strips down and sings about boys
Broadway star Andrew Keenan-Bolger strips down and sings about boys
The “Newsies” star stripped down for a manly mashup with the Skivvies.
Roger Stone, Rosie O’Donnell, Andy Cohen, Costa Rica, Kanye West, Adele, Mars, Queer Comics: HOT LINKS
Roger Stone, Rosie O’Donnell, Andy Cohen, Costa Rica, Kanye West, Adele, Mars, Queer Comics: HOT LINKS
RIP. Longtime news producer Dick Jefferson dies at 63.
GIULIANI. White House staffers threaten to quit if the “circus” continues: “f the Giuliani circus continues unabated — with him taking media calls day and night and freelancing on legal and policy matters — White House staff will likely quit, a well-placed source tells me.”
YEARBOOK PHOTO OF THE DAY. Kevin Kodra.
PRIMARY DAY. What’s at stake tomorrow, the first big primary day of 2018. “Will a new political dynasty be born? Will a man not quite a year removed from prison become the GOP’s candidate for Senate? Will Dennis Kucinich finally win a nomination — 14 years after his first quixotic presidential bid? These things could all happen Tuesday, primary day in the great states of Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia.”
ROSIE O’DONNELL. Under scrutiny for campaign donations: ‘“If 2700 is the cut off — [candidates] should refund the money,” she wrote. “I don’t look to see who I can donate most to … I just donate assuming they do not accept what is over the limit.” O’Donnell said she donates often, and uses the online liberal fundraising platform ActBlue. “My anxiety is quelled by donating to those opposing trump [and] his agenda — especially at night — when most of these were placed.”
MALICE. Americans starting to suffer from Trump’s health care agenda.
ROGER STONE. Hasn’t been contacted by Robert Mueller’s team. “I have not.”
CNN’s @ChrisCuomo: “Have you been contacted, directly or through counsel, by anybody from the special counsel’s team?”
Roger Stone: “I have not.” pic.twitter.com/vAUxQwe0H7
— New Day (@NewDay) May 7, 2018
WISCONSIN. Man eats 30,000th Big Mac. “Gorske says he’s eaten at least one Big Mac almost every day since May 17, 1972. He has kept most of the boxes or receipts or has made specific notes in calendars that he’s kept.”
ISRAEL. Andy Cohen to be International Ambassador of Tel Aviv Pride.
I’m extremely excited and proud to announce I will be the 2018 International Ambassador of #TelAvivPride in Israel for the June 8 parade! #LGBTQ #Pride #VisitIsrael
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) May 7, 2018
AS MUCH AS I CAN. An immersive theater experience debuting in New York on Tuesday that shines a light on the need for supportive networks in response to the HIV crisis among black MSM.
COSTA RICA. Enrique Sánchez, first gay member of Costa Rica’s legislative assembly takes office.
WHITE FREEDOM. Ta-Nehisi Coates on Kanye West: ‘What Kanye West seeks is what Michael Jackson sought—liberation from the dictates of that we. In his visit with West, the rapper T.I. was stunned to find that West, despite his endorsement of Trump, had never heard of the travel ban. “He don’t know the things that we know because he’s removed himself from society to a point where it don’t reach him,” T.I. said. West calls his struggle the right to be a “free thinker,” and he is, indeed, championing a kind of freedom—a white freedom, freedom without consequence, freedom without criticism, freedom to be proud and ignorant; freedom to profit off a people in one moment and abandon them in the next; a Stand Your Ground freedom, freedom without responsibility, without hard memory; a Monticello without slavery, a Confederate freedom, the freedom of John C. Calhoun, not the freedom of Harriet Tubman, which calls you to risk your own; not the freedom of Nat Turner, which calls you to give even more, but a conqueror’s freedom, freedom of the strong built on antipathy or indifference to the weak, the freedom of rape buttons, pussy grabbers, and fuck you anyway, bitch; freedom of oil and invisible wars, the freedom of suburbs drawn with red lines, the white freedom of Calabasas.’
EVERYONE GOT WRECKED. At Adele’s Titanic-themed birthday party.
SPACE. NASA launches Mars InSight Lander. “The nearly $1 billion Mars InSight probe blasted off shortly after 4 a.m. local time, roaring south down the coast to the delight of crowds gathered on beaches and church parking lots to watch in the pre-dawn darkness. The lander’s two-year mission aims to understand what makes the Red Planet like Earth and help advance the search for new homes for our species”
COSMIC QUESTION OF THE DAY. Could space aliens on hefty super-Earths be trapped by their own gravity?
KICKSTARTER OF THE DAY. No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics.
MONDAY MUSCLE. Adrien Pillay.
The post Roger Stone, Rosie O’Donnell, Andy Cohen, Costa Rica, Kanye West, Adele, Mars, Queer Comics: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.
