Check Out This Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Remade With Original Trilogy Footage: VIDEO
A shot-for-shot recreation of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer using footage from the original trilogy films.
Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP…
Here’s the original for comparison (you know you want to watch it again):
Kyler Geoffroy
8 Events To Titilate Your Christmas Spirit
While San Francisco’s December temperature may seldom dip below a brisk 55 degrees, that doesn’t prevent the Christmas Spirit from taking hold. From shimmering snowflakes on Market Street lightposts to Santas in their undies, San Francisco knows how to fab it up for the most wonderful time of the year.
If you have time to spare, be sure to check out the events and the snazzy guide from SF Travel that list’s all the things not to miss.
Santa Skivvies Run
Strip down to your skivvies for a good cause. The Santa Skivvies Run (Dec. 6), an annual romp down Market Street from UN Plaza to the Castro, benefits the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and is sponsored this year by Lookout Bar.
Cocktails and Crafts
The California Academy of Sciences NightLife becomes a shopping bonanza (Thursday, Dec. 11), hosting local artisans and craftsmen peddling local wares in time for gift-buying season. That’s in addition to a full bar and super-cool science exhibits. Not that they’ll make much sense after a few fizzy drinks.
If You’re a Fan of Peppermint Patty
…then you’re in luck, Chuck! The “Peanuts” gang is paying a visit to the San Francisco Symphony (Dec. 19 – 24) for a stunning, live-action performance “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Get ready for some jazzy tunes, dazzling vocals and mesmerizing animated backgrounds—and, of course, a feel-good holiday story.
Bending Minds and Bodies
You may have already noticed Cirque du Soleil’s whimsically colored tent bedecking the overflow parking lot at AT&T Park. They’ve been in town since Nov. 14, and will tightrope walk their way through San Francisco’s Indian Summer until Jan. 18. Sure the show is not exactly Christmas fodder, but the indoor venue is a perfect spectacle for friends, family and out-of-town visitors who may have gotten tired of the other spectacle that is Castro Street.
Kinky Boots
San Francisco’s Orpheum Theater is being taken over by drag queens and fetishists Dec. 2 – 28 with Harvey Fierstein and Cindy Lauper’s raved-about musical, “Kinky Boots.” About a flagging shoe factory that finds its saving grace in a drag queen, this show is pretty much home away from home for anyone who loves a shimmying, singing chorus of boys dressed as girls.
Make the Yuletide Gay
Join the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Well-Strung, a highly versatile string quartet, for less-traditional renditions of holiday favorites. The Chorus is hosting three fabulous events—on Dec. 12, 13 and a not-to-be-missed extravaganza on Christmas eve, featuring local drag celebrities, a 1980s Nativity and a de rigeur ugly sweater contest. Watch out for gay hipsters in their natural habitat.
A Bit of “Light” Drama
This year, San Francisco is home 16 high-tech “dramatic light art installations” scattered across the city as part of Illuminate SF. Through January 2015, ditch the drama on television and experience it in a more positive way in neighborhood art tours, illuminated walks, artist talks and other events. Check out the schedule of events on their website.
Bonus: Pointy, Large and Covered in Fir
If you’re into pointy, large things covered in fir—namely, Christmas trees—you’re in for a treat. San Francisco’s festive Christmas trees are springing up all about town: Displays at Union Square, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square are ideal outdoor distractions on a holiday walkabout of the City by the Bay.
mr_brennan
feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/fgfdSK7zWFQ/8-events-to-titilate-your-christmas-spirit-20141206
Dancing Diva Brendan Jordan Strikes a Pose in New American Apparel Ad
Everyone’s favorite spontaneous Las Vegas showstopper Brendan Jordan is back in the spotlight in a new American Apparel ad showing off some of Brendan’s fiercest poses.
From the ad:
Brendan is from Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s half Peruvian (his dad was born and raised in Peru) and he learned Spanish from his extended family that helped care for him. He enjoys taking photos, shopping and collecting Disney memorabilia. In the future Brendan hopes to have his own TV show and design a clothing line. His biggest inspirations are his great grandmother Lucy and Lady Gaga. We were inspired by Brendan after seeing his fearless act of spontaneity and applaud his efforts with the LGBTQ community. His favorite styles of ours include the Clear PVC Circle Skirt and anything high-waisted.
Check out the full ad (which includes Brendan working it in the circle skirt) as well as an American Apparel video featuring the diva-in-training AFTER THE JUMP…
Kyler Geoffroy
www.towleroad.com/2014/12/dancing-diva-brendan-jordan-strikes-a-pose-in-new-american-apparel-ad.html
The Day I Held My Boyfriend's Hand
I held my boyfriend’s hand the other day. I caught it and held it until we reached the main gates of University College Cork, as I usually do on campus, only this time I didn’t let go after we’d passed through. We moved along the Western Road, toward Washington Street, and as we reached the innards of Cork City, something strange lingered over me.
I had become anxious, and soon I wasn’t speaking. I was afraid.
In my silence, I shot glances around, searching for anyone who might do us harm. I felt an unease as cars slowed down next to us. I wondered whether they would shout “Faggot!” or “Queer!” at us, as they had done before when I had been in previous relationships or had otherwise felt like showing my love and affection through the simple act of hand holding. I wanted to keep holding because it was cold, and my boyfriend’s hand felt so comforting, but I did not want to put him through the hurt and pain that words can cause. It was then that, having consulted my conscience, I almost let go.
But something very different happened. I felt a torrent of anger at the world. I felt angry at society for making me feel this way, for telling me that I can’t hold my boyfriend’s hand without feeling fear, without feeling trepidation, without feeling a niggling sense of shame. And I felt angry at myself for even entertaining the idea that this was not something that I should be doing. Suddenly I felt proud, and yet despite the fact that no one had yelled slurs at us, I still felt like it could happen any minute.
That day I felt so scared that I became angry at the homophobia that I had ignored since my teens, and I felt so angry that I couldn’t let go. I held my boyfriend’s hand all the way to Paul Street in the center of the city. I felt defiant, and elated that it felt normal to me, but I still felt afraid. I still felt anxious. I still felt homophobia.
Homophobia is the secret that we share, and a secret of a “civilized” society.
I’m very proud to be a part of UCC LGBT*‘s #HumansofHomophobia campaign, a campaign to highlight the very human face of the effects that this heinous behavior has on people, real people, people like me, who just want to hold their boyfriend’s hand. In the cloud of promises and notions of being “good” people, #HumansofHomophobia aims to deliver a stark and visual reminder of the reality of homophobia in our society.
I’ve heard many say that homophobia doesn’t really exist anymore. To those people I say that so long as I feel that tremor of fear as I take my boyfriend’s hand in public, homophobia exists. I felt that fear because I’d stepped outside that little box that society put me in, demanding that I be “normal,” do what others do, not show the smallest dram of affection in public.
I call on people to engage and share the campaign. The visual aspect of it is so important in raising the issue beyond just words and empty sentiment. Homophobia is the ghost of our oppressive past. Let’s not continue to create an oppressive future.
It is important that this conversation happen now rather than later. So much time has been spent discussing and wishing the problem away. Institutionalized homophobia is something that I am not OK with anymore.
I am someone who would have always said I never really experienced very bad cases of homophobia growing up, but this campaign has showed me that not only have I experienced homophobia but I live it on a daily basis when I feel that fear as I walk into Paul Street holding hands with my boyfriend.
And that is not something that I am OK with feeling anymore.
An earlier version of this post appeared on olanharrington.wordpress.com.
Since UCC LGBT* launched #HumansofHomophobia, the photo below, along with the story behind it, has gone viral on social media.
You can share the campaign on Facebook here.
Favorite Moments of 2014: Muslim Father Opens Arms to Lesbian Daughter
Coming out is a difficult but brave step for an LGBT person to take, but when your father accepts you without blinking an eye, it makes the courageous decision particularly special.
HRC.org
PHOTOS: Spend 2015 With Rodiney Santiago
We don’t know about you, but all we want for the holidays is the Rodiney Santiago 2015 calendar. Our favorite Brazilian beauty has taken it upon himself to enter our homes in the form of this hot calendar. The calendar was shot by famed photographer Michael Stokes, who’s work shows masculinity in a colorful, yet also gritty way. He uses only the sexiest and buffest male models out there, so it’s no wonder the two teamed up together for the calendar project. Imagine this: as next year goes by, you have the face (and body) of Rodiney helping you through every month.
For more information, go to The Underwear Expert.
Photo credit: Michael Stokes
Underwear Expert
feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/BakksaxIyPc/photos-spend-2015-with-rodiney-santiago-20141206
Ultimate Animal Fails Compilation: VIDEO
Dogs, cats, horses, squirrels, sheep and everything in between. No animal is immune to the power of the fail.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
Kyler Geoffroy
www.towleroad.com/2014/12/ultimate-animal-fails-compilation-video.html
LGBT Jewish Clergy Gather for Historic Retreat in San Francisco
A retreat for LGBT clergy is bringing together more than 60 rabbis and students for theological discussions and community building.
Stevie St. John
Ten Queens Who Should Be on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7
The wait is almost over: Mama Ru is set to announce the contestants for her seventh strut down the reality runway on Sunday after the NewNowNext Awards. To quench their mounting thirst, many superfans have already taken to stalking the social media of their favorite female impersonators to look for conspicuous absences that line up with the show’s summer filming schedule. We’re not going to make predictions about who will be included, but rather have some suggestions for who should be. If these names don’t get called, the producers are welcome to use this as a shortlist for Season 8.
1. Cee Cee Russell
This diva hails from the same club that brought us our first winner, Bebe Zahara Benet. A seasoned performer, she’s been burning it down for decades with signature impressions including Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick and a scarily accurate Whitney Houston. Her experience would help her to excel, and to coach the newer contestants.
2. Miss Fame
Known primarily for her YouTube tutorials, this polished princess is heavily rumored to be a frontrunner in this season’s competition. Anyone who’s tried to follow in her footsteps knows that painting a mug that precisely is next to impossible, even when she’s telling you how to do it step by step. The question is whether she has the personality and performance skill needed to back that flawless face.
3. Cupcake
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have this delightful mess. Not everyone is striving for perfection, as Cupcake shows us by running gleefully in the opposite direction. Anyone known for wearing a sandwich board that says “SUK MOR DIK” is aces in our book, and we’d love for her to bring her unique brand of mayhem to the main stage just to see what the judges would make of it.
4. Nina West
Actress, activist, foodie, performance artist, hostess: whatever you want to call her, don’t call her lazy. 2008’s Entertainer of the Year certainly isn’t content to rest on her laurels. When she’s not giving it her all on stage, she’s giving back to the community to raise money for a host of local charities. RuPaul has chosen her share of dim bulbs, and it’d be nice to see a smart, savvy, sometimes political queen get in a few words.
5. Bob the Drag Queen
We’re pretty sure Bob is performing or hosting somewhere 365 days a year. Savagely funny, she would slay in the backstage interview sequences. There is no situation for which she could not provide hilarious running commentary. Plus, we’d love to see her do Viola Davis in the Snatch Game, slowly taking off her wig and lashes as the questions rolled on. (She’s also a dead ringer for Whoopi Goldberg.)
6. Vicky Vox
We’ve already gotten Willam and Detox, so this selection seems like a no-brainer. It’s unclear if Vicki has auditioned and been denied or just isn’t interested in participating, but either way, she’s been overlooked for the coming season. Maybe the producers are searching for fresh new faces, but the other DWV girls were so fantastic that it seems a waste not to go for the trifecta.
7. Fade-Dra Phey
Seeing a row of pretty drag queens is nice, but a break from the norm can be so much more exciting. The audience could count on Fade-Dra to turn out crazy, unexpected, confusing, confrontational creations on the runway. Her presence might be polarizing, but just imagine the fireworks when Michelle and Santino fight over the details of her outfit every single episode.
8. Queen Bee Ho’
Puerto Rico’s main export seems to be flashy drag queens, and this Queen Bee is no exception. Her high energy dance moves and gorgeous paint job will surely set her apart from the crowd, but two mysteries still remain. First, will language become a barrier for her, as it has for every Boricua gal since Nina Flowers? Second, what the hell is that apostrophe in her name for?
9. Robbie Turner
Following in the proud footsteps of Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, Robbie brings with her the Seattle scene’s trademark theatricality. Her combination of vintage glamour and Broadway bombast, all served with a twist of wry humor, would help each episode reach the campiest heights. Let’s just hope she leaves her Lady Gaga costume at home, since it’s been dead weight for two ladies already.
10. Ariel Italic
She’s the winner of Reddit’s Lip Sync For Your Life competition, an online equivalent of Drag Race (albeit on a much smaller scale). She’s also me. But if you can’t promote yourself, how in the hell are you gonna promote someone else? Can I get an amen?
So, readers, what do you think of this list? Who would you like to see on the show? Share your favorite queens in the comment section below!
Chris Kelly
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