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 LYNN REDGRAVE 8 March 1943 - 2 May 2010 by: Memo Menos |
LYNN REDGRAVE, longtime friend to the gay and lesbian community, died Sunday May 2, 2010, at her home in Kent, Connecticut at the age of 67, of cancer. She came from acting royalty, having been born in London to British actors MICHAEL REDGRAVE and RACHEL KEMPSON. She was the youngest of 3 children, with brother CORIN and sister VANESSA both achieving fame in the acting world. Tragedy has come all at once to the REDGRAVES, with CORIN passing last month and VANESSA'S daughter, NATASHA RICHARDSON, also a famed actress who was married to LIAM NEESON, passing in March of 2009 after a fall on the ski slopes. LYNN REDGRAVE rose to fame quickly, in 1967, when at the age of 24 she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film GEORGY GIRL, playing opposite JAMES MASON. She was once again nominated for an Oscar in 1997, this time for Best Supporting Actress, in the film GODS AND MONSTERS. She lost to KATHERINE HEPBURN, (GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER) and KIM BASINGER, (LA CONFIDENTIAL), respectively. GODS AND MONSTERS was the story of FRANKENSTEIN director, and gay man, JAMES WHALE, played by IAN McKELLAN in the waning days of his life. WHALE was preoccupied with his musclebound gardener, played by BRENDAN FRASIER, whilst HANNAH, the housekeeper and general caretaker, played by REDGRAVE, kept things together. The role, and her affection for McKELLAN who came out of the closet around the time in Hollywood, propelled her on a series of high profile gay events, including appearances at The GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS, where she spoke proudly and often about the rights of gay people. At the time, she was one of the few. She was as open and courageous about her personal life, which included her battle with cancer, and a marriage breakup after 32 years. Her husband, JOHN CLARK fathered a child 8 years before LYNN learned of it, with his assistant, who married CLARK and REDGRAVE'S son, BENJAMIN. The scandal brought down both marriages. LYNN REDGRAVE is survived by her 3 children, six grandchildren, and her sister VANESSA REDGRAVE. |
4.4.10 - SISTERS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS by: Memo Menos |
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On this Easter San Francisco was suffering through winter storm warnings, so the celebration was moved inside at the Eureka Valley Recreational Center, just a hop or two off Castro. The event featured local bands ETHEL MERMAN, SILVER SWANS, COCKATELIA, ADONISAURUS with MC TRAUMA FLINTSTONE. And, of course, there were nuns. No matter how many times you see them, you never get used to the elaborate make-up, the outrageous fashion, and, on occasion, the butch nougat inside. There were hats, but it seemed the rain kept the most creative milliners at home. There were elaborate picnic spreads, but again, a sunny day in the park would have been a much more festive setting. There were oblique references to the widening scandal at the Vatican, but this day was more positive than that. Ah, because there were the Alices in Wonderland and friends, as this was SISTERS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. And did they put on a show. One thing the rain did do, was to insure that the gymnasium inside the recreation center was sufficiently crowded. And by the time the main show began there were people hanging from the rafters. The energy level was through the roof. Or is that down a rabbit hole? In any event, the staging, the choreography, the costumes were superb, as Alice interacted with the various characters from the classic tale, all set to modern pop tunes, before she loses her head to a resplendent Mad Hatter. The announcer called it the best theatrical presentation the Castro had ever seen, and I'm quite certain the notorious district has literallly seen it all! Literally. To close the show, SISTER ROMA and two cohorts, SISTER DAYA RECKONING and SISTER BARBITCHKA presented for the audience a coterie of "hunky jesuses", or is that "hunky jesi"? As ROMA put it, this was the adult portion of the show. Not anything you wouldn't see walking the street in the Castro, and a whole lot more entertaining. It was a bright and sunny Sunday, on an otherwise, cold and rainy day. Next Easter, if you're anywhere near San Francisco, spend it with the Sisters. I guarantee it will be loads more fulfilling, and no doubt more enlightening than the typical mendacious Sunday service with that criminal band of pedophiles and conspirators with whom you might otherwise pass this spring time holiday.
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 RICKY MARTIN |
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While it comes as little surprise to any of his real fans, or anyone who saw the 2000 BARBARA WALTERS interview where he refused to answer questions about it, or for anyone who was still paying attention in 2008 when he announced he was having twins, via a surrogate mother, RICKY MARTIN gets a big hurray from us for having the guts to make his big announcement yesterday about his sexuality. It's better late than never. After all, he could have gone on denying it ala TOM CRUISE or JOHN TRAVOLTA. And truth be told, he never really denied it, much to BARBARA WALTERS chagrine as she pressed him like a Cuban sandwich. In case you missed it, the text of his website announcement is listed below, as are some clips over the years, as REEL GAY TV caught up with him every now and then, dating as far back as 1995, for our show OLE LA, before mainstream America had ever heard of him. Back then, he wasn't changing diapers and blogging from the comfort of his Miami Beach enclave. He really was living la vida loca and shaking his bon bon. Okay!
"A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And thisis something worth celebrating. For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that's the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It's my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don't ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I'm at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I'm feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share. Many people told me: "Ricky it's not important", "it's not worth it", "all the years you've worked and everything you've built will collapse", "many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature". Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions. If someone asked me today, "Ricky, what are you afraid of?" I would answer "the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war...child slavery, terrorism...the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith." But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment. These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed. What will happen from now on? It doesn't matter. I can only focus on what's happening to me in this moment. The word "happiness" takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution. I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." RM
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 3.26.10 - "WHITE NIGHT" A MACY'S, AMERICAN EXPRESS AND APLA FASHION. |
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MACY'S Beverly Center in Los Angeles threw a "White Night" party in their men's store, with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, thumping music, live models, celebrities, and the main event, a check presentation from MACY'S to AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES in the amount of $100,000. The funds are as a result of the annual fashion and food extravaganza hosted by MACY'S and AMERICAN EXPRESS, PASSPORT, a fashion palooza, with a raucous big ticket auction hosted by the stunning SHARON STONE, and a runway show that is part fashion, part rock concert and part theatrical riot. It's an event not to be missed in late September. On hand to help celebrate the donation were GINA RAVERA of "Closer" fame, , DEE WALLACE who was the mom on "E.T.: The Extraterrestrial", JOHN LLOYD YOUNG from "Glee" and the Broadway production of "Jersey Boys", JASON DOTTLEY, DEL SHORES and ANN WALKER, who spoke of DEL'S new play opening in June. Get this-it is his most dramatic effort to date, much more intense than "Sordid Lives." APLA Executive Director CRAIG E. THOMPSON was pleased to accept the check, outlining the number of people in the Los Angeles area who had contracted AIDS since the start of the year, as well as the number of people whom APLA had assisted. THOMPSON stressed the importance of this donation, which is magnified by the current economic climate, making it difficult for individuals to contribute to charities like APLA, but also by the severe cutbacks in state and federal funds for these kinds of programs. OUT Magazine was a partner for the "White Night" festivities, which featured gorgeous models in various shades of the hottest white duds, looking nonchalantly across the vast space, impervious to the gawking patrons, holding their bubbling Whiteout Martinis and chowing on stuffed Belgian endive crudite and barbequed chicken meatballs. As an added bonus, everything in the store was an additional 25% off. Now who wouldn't have fun with that one-food, booze, models, and a good sale. It was quite a "White Night" indeed, with the ultimate white knight being MACY'S, once again stepping up to the plate to support a very worthy cause, and showing us all how to have a good time doing so.
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 3.26.10 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! DIANA ROSS, born on March 26, 1944, shown here at "'LADY SINGS THE BLUES" DVD release party in 2005. |
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3.16.10 - "SO BLU" , WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BLU CANTRELL? WHO TURNS 34 TODAY!! |
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 3.8.10 - $ 3.7 MILLION RAISED AT THE 18TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS VIEWING PARTY HOSTED BY THE ELTON JOHN FOUNDATION. |
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Sir Elton John and David Furnish hosted the 18th Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards Viewing Party and raised $3.7 million for the fight against AIDS. The evening began with a cocktail reception, dinner and viewing of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, followed by a very exciting live auction and high voltage performance by the iconic Grace Jones. The costume sold for $30K. A fantastic 48"X48" William Claxton piece, "Chet Baker (Piano), Hollywood, 1954", was sold for 90K. The lucky winner of this photograph also got to take home Claxton's won Nikon F 35mm Camera as well as the "Jazz Life" trade edition book. Guests also had the chance to bid on a watch from the Elton John Watch Collection designed by Caroline Grousi-Scheufele. The dazzling limited timepiece was sold for $90K. Other auction items included an incredible photograph by Robert Mapplethrope called "Grace Jones, 1984" which was sold for $85K and a surprised his guests with the opportunity to bid on a 7-day stay for 10 people in Elton's home in Windsor or Niece and the winners of this bid will also be able to experience the wonderful dishes cooked by Elton's personal chef, and was sold for 140k. Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/5321
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