What to Watch: An icon becomes an icon, a wannabe gay president and a beloved series bids farewell

What to Watch: An icon becomes an icon, a wannabe gay president and a beloved series bids farewell

Renee Zellweger with Finn Whitrock in Judy. Photo by David Hindley

Stepping out on a movie date this weekend? Netflix and chillin? Whatever your entertainment needs, we got your back (and hopefully your mind) with Queerty’s weekly “Culture Club” column with some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting, and what to drink while you watch.

The Step-Out: Judy

At long bloody last, the the much-buzzed about biopic of a legend opens wide, ready to swallow a new generation. True to form, Oscar-winner Renee Zellweger makes one Hell of a big-screen comeback as the mother of all comebacks, Judy GarlandJudy focuses on the Garland’s last London concert series just months before her death, and all the triumphs and disasters that came along with them. A work of fiction to be sure, it nevertheless captures what made Ms. Garland an icon, anchored by Zellweger’s performance–the kind of give-it-her-all work that Judy became famous for.

The Binge: The Politician

Ryan Murphy strikes again with his most savage comedy to date. The Politician stars Ben Platt (Tony winner for Dear Evan Hansen) as Peyton Hobart, a raging closet case born to be President of the United States. Of course, to get to the White House, he needs to become class president first. The Politician bites into American politics with rabid satire, sending up countless political figures (we won’t spoil who), not to mention the entitlement of the uber-rich. Gwyneth Paltrow has some fun with her own image as Platt’s vapid mother, as do Jessica Lange, Judith Light and Bette Midler. Needless to say we fell in love with the show, and are already rooting for four more seasons.

The Stream: Transparent – The Musical

After four seasons of groundbreaking comedy, drama and scandal Transparent takes a bow with a totally surreal and bizarre musical finale. Series star Jeffrey Tambor doesn’t appear, his character having been killed off courtesy of ongoing protests over his casting as a transgender woman and his habit of harassing his fellow cast members. In a way, that liberates the show to focus on more interesting characters, played by Judith Light, Gabby Hoffman and Alexandra Billings. It’s a shame Tambor’s casting and behavior will forever overshadow Transparent’s legacy; the show did more to help transgender performers and artists than anything else prior. This musical finale makes for a dignified and satisfying send off…not to mention hints at a Tamborless spin-off that could have been a laugh riot.

The Wacky: Diamantino

If David Lynch directed a gay soccer movie, it would probably look something like Diamantino, the hallicinatory and homoerotic Brazillian-Portugese film about a soccer star on a hallucinatory and homoerotic journey. The film won the Grand Prize at Cannes last year and developed an immediate cult following on the festival circuit. Now it lands on Blu-Ray, bringing its wacky satire to the masses. Oh, and star Carloto Cotta spends much of the film shirtless. So, there’s that.

On Blu Ray Sept. 24.

The Harrowing: Trapped – The Alex Cooper Story

The Lifetime network takes on conversion therapy in this new telefilm, based on the memoir Saving Alex by Alex Cooper. Like the book that inspired it, Trapped tells the story of a 15-year-old Mormon girl (Addison Holley) whose affection for another beautiful queer woman lands her in a harrowing situation. Shipped off to Utah for de-gayifying, Alex must endure the physical and mental abuse of a painkiller addict and his sadistic wife. Trapped isn’t exactly Boy Erased, though it does add to the growing chorus of voices that testify to the damaging effects of conversion therapy, both on the subject, and on his extended family.

Airs on Lifetime Sept. 28.

The Destination: Little Shop of Horrors

The musical classic from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman gets the revival treatment, this time at southern California’s esteemed Pasadena Playhouse. Amber Riley, George Salazar and MJ Rodriguez headline this stripped-down and gritty production that brings a new level of street realness to the story. Both the casting of Riley as the carnivorous plant Audrey II and Rodriguez as the ditsy Audrey mark a new level of inclusion; Riley becomes the first woman to voice the plant, while Rodriguez becomes the first out-transwoman to play the female lead. Early reviews are glowing, and we can’t wait to hear Rodriguez belt out “Suddenly Seymour.”

Runs at the Pasadena Playhouse Sept 24-Oct 10.

The Sip: The Judy Garland

In honor of Judy & Judy, what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail named for the grand dame herself.

  • 1 oz of grenadine syrup
  • 3 oz of cherry vodka
  • 10 oz of sprite soda

Mix together over ice & stir.

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#AM_Equality Tipsheet: September 26, 2019

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: September 26, 2019

HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID IN USA TODAY — “FOR TOO LONG, LGBTQ PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED IN OUR FIGHT FOR JUSTICE”: In an opinion piece for USA Today, David (@AlphonsoDavid) writes: “As the Human Rights Campaign approaches its 40th year, we have much to be proud of. But we also have to engage in real self-reflection to strengthen this organization in the decades ahead. We owe it to our 3 million members and supporters fighting each day to build on our momentum for change. We owe it to young LGBTQ people of color yearning to see themselves in us and in our work. And we owe it to ourselves, to our mission and to our organization to become stronger by coming together.” More from USA Today.

.@HRC has much to be proud of, but we also have much work to do. We owe it to our supporters and to LGBTQ people of color yearning to see themselves in our work. And we owe it to ourselves, to our mission and to our organization. My op-ed in @USAToday: t.co/ks2d1U5FIr

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) September 26, 2019

SATURDAY — CHUCK SCHUMER TO SPEAK AT HRC’S NATIONAL DINNER: “From the earliest days of his political career, Senator Schumer has been a strong and unwavering ally in the fight for LGBTQ equality, both in New York and across the nation,” said HRC President Alphonso David . “From his early support of marriage equality in the Empire State to his commitment to pass the Equality Act in the Senate, we are grateful for his leadership and continued commitment to our community.” Schumer will join previously announced speakers, honorees and special guests including Ricky Martin, Dominique Jackson, Jake Choi, Ryan Russell and more. More from HRC.

PERSON OF INTEREST NAMED IN KILLING OF BEE SLATER, TRANS WOMAN IN FLORIDA: A man in the Belle Glade area has been named a “person of interest.” Police have also identified a second man who posted threatening messages directed at Slater before her death, but he has not been arrested or named a suspect. “In a lot of cases, the murder occurs in the context of underground economies, so they are very difficult to solve,” said HRC’s Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride). “Then in some cases, law enforcement just doesn’t put their full resources behind solving them.” More from The New York Times.

  • Man arrested in Dallas shooting of transgender woman. Domingo Ramirez-Cavente, 29, reportedly admitted to shouting slurs at a transgender woman before shooting at her on Friday night. The woman, who has not been identified publicly, survived. Ramirez-Cavente has been charged with aggravated assault, and Dallas police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. More from CBS and Newsweek.
  • Arrest made in 2018 shooting death of Celine Walker, a black trans woman in Jacksonville, Florida. Sean Bernard Phoenix, 21, was arrested on a warrant for murder, and faces additional charges of tampering with evidence and shooting deadly missiles. More from The Florida-Times Union.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — MATTEL LAUNCHES GENDER-INCLUSIVE DOLL LINE: Wow — I wish I had these as a kid! Each doll comes with two hairstyles and clothing items that allow a child to dress the doll in a variety of gender expressions. More from Mombian and The Washington Post.

A �� without labels means everyone is invited to play. Welcome to #CreatableWorld, where we let toys be toys so kids can be kids. #AllWelcome

Shop now: t.co/YetMkzG7bq pic.twitter.com/AOi1bNYJVO

— MATTEL (@Mattel) September 25, 2019

HRC ANNOUNCES CARMARION D. ANDERSON AS ALABAMA STATE DIRECTOR: Said Anderson, who has managed local and national prevention initiatives focusing on HIV and AIDS and serves as the National Co-Minister and South Region Coordinator for TransSaints ministry of TFAM (The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries):  “Now more than ever, it’s important for our community to stand together against any attacks on LGBTQ people and work toward a more fair, equal Alabama for all. Additionally, it’s important for our movement to reflect the diversity and challenges of its members. As a transgender woman of color, this is personal, and I’m looking forward to getting to work.” More from HRC.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

U.N. RIGHTS CHIEF MICHELE BACHELET TALKS ABOUT RISE IN ONLINE HATE SPEECH: Bachelet described how the LGBTQ population is disproportionately targeted by hate speech, and what we can do to end it. More from the United Nations.

INSIDE THE HORRIFYING ATTACKS ON LGBTQ RUSSIANS: An anti-LGBTQ extremist group known as “Pila,” or “Saw” in English, is claiming credit for the death of a LGBTQ advocate, and is sending disturbing photos and threats to others. More from Daria Litvinova (@dashalitvinovv) at Reuters.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Washington City Paper discusses the growing diversity of D.C.’s food scene and previews HRC’s annual Chefs for Equality event next month (get your tix now!!)

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

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Gay sex ban in Singapore challenged by this man’s new legal action

Gay sex ban in Singapore challenged by this man’s new legal action

Dr Roy Tan (Photo: Facebook)

A 61-year-old retired general practitioner in Singapore has filed a legal action against the government to end the country’s ban on gay sex.

Dr Roy Tan, a local activist for LGBTQ rights and one of the former founders of the Pink Dot festival, filed his action last weekend.

Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code criminalizes acts of ‘gross indecency’ between men with a penalty of up to two years imprisonment. Tan calls the Colonial-era law, “A relic of the Victorian age.”

Related: Singapore Mega-Pastor Calls Repeal Of Gay-Sex Law “A Looming Threat”

Tan says the archaic law suggests gross indecency can only take place between two men when acts of gross indecency can also take place between two women or a man and a woman. Because of this, it should be ruled unconstitutional and dropped.

He also points to a discrepancy between the police being obliged to investigate all complaints made relating to 377A and the public prosecutor using its discretion not to prosecute those acts conducted in private. He says this causes gay men unnecessary distress.

Singapore has been under increasing pressure to review its criminalization of gay sex in recent years. This has ramped up since the Supreme Court in India dropped the country’s gay sex ban last year.

Getting countries to drop their laws against gay sex either involves governments voting in new laws, or the highest courts in the land decreeing old laws to be unconstitutional or obsolete.

It’s the latter method that many activists around the world are pursuing in places such as Jamaica and Singapore.

Since India decriminalized gay sex last year, two other men have filed action against the Singapore government.

Local DJ, Johnson Ong, also known as Big Kid, launched an action in September. LGBTQ rights advocate Bryan Choong filed another last November.

Dr Roy Tan carries a rainbow flag at Sydney Mardi Gras (Photo: Supplied)

Tan tells Queerty, “A pre-trial conference has been set for the other two challenges as well as mine in October 2019.” When the High Court then issues a ruling is unknown. It could be within months or more than a year.

In a statement, Tan says, “This anachronistic law adversely affects the lives of gay men. By institutionalizing discrimination, it alienates them from having a sense of belonging and purposeful place in our society, and prevents them from taking pride in Singapore’s achievements.”

“On a personal and professional level, I am extremely concerned about the mental and physical health aspects of retaining Section 377A.

“In my practice, I regularly see how the law can adversely impact the mental health of LGBT people, who frequently present with depression, social isolation, and even suicidal tendencies.”

Related: Singaporean singer Wils comes out in music video with his boyfriend as the leading man

Speaking to Queerty, Tan said, “I feel frustrated, dejected and somewhat angry that our government and courts have refused to repeal this archaic law even as many other Commonwealth countries who, like us, inherited anti-gay laws from the Indian Penal Code drafted by the British during colonial times, have already done so.”

He said Singapore’s Religious right “wields influence out of proportion to its numbers”, and many Singaporeans remain conservative in their attitudes.

“If the government were to take the lead, ignoring popular opinion, and reverse its stance, the populace would accordingly change its attitudes too as we are very much a top-down society when it comes to governance and mindset. ”

“Regardless of the causes, as long as Section 377A remains on the statute books, we will never give up trying to get it struck down.”

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HRC Hasn’t Always Defended LGBTQ People of Color — We’re Changing That

HRC Hasn’t Always Defended LGBTQ People of Color — We’re Changing That

This article originally appeared in USA Today.

Four hundred years after the first African slaves were brought to the shores of North America, we still have a responsibility to confront — honestly and without qualification — the painful truth that the United States continues to oppress people of color on the basis of race. 

At this juncture in our history and in our ongoing struggle to realize America’s promise of equality and justice for all, we must confront this fact with unambiguous moral clarity and make intentional commitments to act as individuals, organizations and institutions. 

For me, this is deeply personal.

A few weeks ago, I became the first person of color to lead the Human Rights Campaign, the world’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for LGBTQ people. 

Stepping into this role, I feel an acute responsibility to ensure the Human Rights Campaign fully lives up to its mission by becoming the organization I wished had been there for me. 

Being Black, and Gay, in America

I was born in the United States, but at a very young age, my family moved to Liberia, a nation built by freed slaves from America seeking to build a future of their own. A few years later, my life was turned upside down by a violent coup that forced my family to flee.

Because my brother and I are American citizens, our family was fortunate to find refuge in the United States. Suddenly, I was a teenager growing up in Baltimore navigating a new reality.

For the first time, I was confronted with what it means to be Black in America, and therefore to be treated like an outsider. In fact, in those formative years of my life, I was the “other” in just about every room that I was in. 

At the same time, I was as a gay man beginning to understand my sexual orientation. When I finally came out to my parents, my father — who I so admired — told me that he wished I’d never been born. Over time, he came to accept that my sexual orientation was not something I could change. But for a crucial period in my life, I understood as so many others do too, the pain of being rejected by those you love the most. 

Racial Inequality Within the Movement

I know that many LGBTQ people have similar stories, or know someone who does. And that is why there must be space and room for everyone in this movement, including at the Human Rights Campaign.

The truth is that LGBTQ people of color have long been marginalized within our community — and by our organization. They have seen their contributions to our collective history diminished or forgotten, and their needs and priorities sidelined. While we have fought and won important battles on issues including marriage equality, we have historically failed to also engage in consistent and meaningful work to address the impact of racial inequality on LGBTQ people across all aspects of their lives — including on issues such as voter suppression, health and economic disparities, and violence. It is our responsibility to make that right and to demonstrate our commitment every day. 

Living up to our mission — to realize a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community — requires that the Human Rights Campaign fully represent the diversity and breadth of the LGBTQ community through our staff, programs, values and priorities. 

There is no doubt that the Human Rights Campaign has come a long way, especially over the last few years. We’ve increased recruitment of LGBTQ people of color on staff, stepped up investments in our HBCU program, voting rights work, and other programs that specifically serve and engage communities of color. For example, in 2017, the Human Rights Campaign and the NAACP partnered to turn out Alabama voters to help elect Doug Jones to the U.S. Senate and defeat Roy Moore.

We’ve done big, bold things that have expanded rights for all LGBTQ people. But we simply cannot achieve full equality while LGBTQ people of color continue to be oppressed. We must lean into our responsibility to advocate for those within our community who are multiply marginalized and shut out by systems and institutions because they are people of color and LGBTQ. We must also address the ways racism shows up in our own community and confront it head-on.

Equality, Inclusion Must Address Race

This is why I believe that racial equity and inclusion cannot simply be a sliver of our work — it must be the core of our work. We must actively challenge systems, laws and policies that disproportionately disadvantage LGBTQ people of color. We must challenge leaders and individuals who target communities of color through hateful policies and rhetoric that threaten to undermine our fundamental rights. We must deepen our support of, and partnerships with, organizations leading the fight against racial oppression. Our staff and volunteer leadership must reflect the great diversity of the LGBTQ community. And we must all lean into the conversations that deepen our understanding about race, racism and implicit bias and how it impacts our communities and our institutions. 

We recently delivered a statement of principles on racial equity and inclusion to our boards, our volunteer leadership, and our staff in order to be clear about our goals and to guide our work. Today, I am sharing these commitments unequivocally and publicly — in part, to ensure that in the years to come, we will be held accountable, and that our organization put down the marker. 

As the Human Rights Campaign approaches its 40th year, we have much to be proud of. But we also have to engage in real self-reflection to strengthen this organization in the decades ahead. We owe it to our 3 million members and supporters fighting each day to build on our momentum for change. We owe it to young LGBTQ people of color yearning to see themselves in us and in our work.

And we owe it to ourselves, to our mission and to our organization to become stronger by coming together.

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