February 25, 2008

Philadelphia Region Hosts a Stampede of Gay-Friendly Events, May-July 2008

LGBT Sports, Theater, Film And Pride Events Planned For Gay And Lesbian Tourists

PHILADELPHIA, February 25, 2008 — Visitors from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community are in for a treat this spring and summer as Philadelphia makes way for a series of new and annual LGBT events. In May, the city hosts two major sporting events — the Liberty Stampede Rodeo and the Liberty Bell Classic — for the first time. And throughout the spring and summer, annual favorites such as Equality Forum and the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival give visitors plenty of reasons to visit. Making it a night or a weekend is easy with the Philadelphia Freedom Hotel Package at a gay-friendly hotel or one of the many other overnight offers available at gophila.com.

An incredible seven weeks are planned in gay-friendly Philly this spring and summer:

Two Sporting Events, May:

• More than 100 of the top cowboys and cowgirls from North America ride into the city for the Liberty Stampede Rodeo this spring. Making its first Philadelphia region appearance, the rodeo features classic events such as bull riding, steer racing and barrel racing. The Loews Philadelphia Hotel and surrounding “Gayborhood” bars and restaurants will host a series of nightly events, including dances in the Loews ballroom. The rodeo itself will take place at the famous Devon Horse Show Fairgrounds, just a short drive outside of Center City. May 9-11, 2008. www.libertygra.org

• The Liberty Bell Classic is the largest LGBT sporting event in Philadelphia this year, and competing are two of the area’s most popular gay and lesbian sports teams: the Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Team and the City of Brotherly Love Softball Team. Games and matches take place at various venues throughout Fairmount Park and in nearby West Deptford, New Jersey. Nighttime activities in the “Gayborhood” include a Saturday evening block party on Camac Street and closing parties at Sisters and Tavern on Camac. May 24-25, 2008. www.libertybellclassic.org

Five Pride Celebrations, April-June:

• Philadelphia Black Gay Pride features four days of educational panels, networking events and parties for men and women that promote unity among gay and lesbian African-Americans. Kicking off the long weekend of festivities is a retro-themed reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. April 24-27, 2008. www.phillyblackpride.org

Spring in Gay-friendly Philly

• The week-long Equality Forum celebrates international gay culture and politics with parties and educational events made possible by more than 75 regional, national and international organizations. Each year, the event profiles a different country and their struggles and triumphs with LGBT equal rights. This year’s international profile focuses on the Muslim world and includes special guests from the literary and film industries. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico will also be honored. The festivities culminate with a street fair and live concert in Old City. April 28-May 4, 2008. www.equalityforum.com

• Blue Ball, Philadelphia’s international circuit party, now takes place during Equality Forum, and includes three nights of parties for men and women. Presented by the local non-profit Sapphire Fund, Blue Ball’s proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations within the LGBT community. Themed “Illuminate” for 2008, this year’s events showcase internationally famed DJs Manny Lehman, Billy Carroll, Kimberly S. and Joe Gauthreaux. May 2-4, 2008. www.blueballphilly.com

• New Hope, Pennsylvania, an artistic mecca in nearby Bucks County, celebrates gay pride with NHC Pride Weekend, a pride event that includes a softball tournament, parade, dances, tours and various family-friendly activities. May 16-18, 2008. www.newhopecelebrates.com

• An annual favorite, Philly Pride celebrates its 19th anniversary with Pride Day, a festival in Philadelphia’s “Gayborhood” that migrates down to Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River waterfront for a day filled with live music, DJs, food, drinks and more. June 8, 2008. (215) 875-9288, www.phillypride.org

Two Film and Theater Festivals, June-July:

• For the sixth year, the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival will showcase gay- and lesbian-themed performances in several of Philadelphia’s most cherished theaters, including the Arden Theatre, the Walnut Street Theatre and The Mum Puppettheatre. June 12-28, 2008. (215) 627-6483, www.philagaylesbiantheatrefest.org

• The Philadelphia Film Society is gearing up for the 14th annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, the largest gay and lesbian film festival on the East Coast. Approximately 200 films range from award-winning documentaries, international features, slapstick comedy and horror. The festival also boasts some of the summer’s hottest parties, including opening and closing celebrations, award ceremonies and private VIP events. July 10-21, 2008. (267) 765-9700, www.phillyfests.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Posted by: Sapphocrat

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February 10, 2008

Our Second and Final Night as Harvey Milk Extras

My much-better half has blogged our cinematic swansong in “A Sea of Candles and the Sound of Silence.”

I’ll add only this: A shout-out to our faithful Lucas Grabeel fans, who’ve been watching the Lavender Newswire for Lucas news. I hate to disappoint you, but Lucas was not there Friday night, as far as I know… but his name was indeed mentioned by the “extras wranglers.” That’s the best I can give ya! But there’s something you can do that I know will be important to Lucas, and to everyone involved in this film: Spread the word about what an important film this is. Tell your friends that in addition to watching Lucas, they’re going to get a “history lesson” that’s way more interesting, and intense, than that dusty old crap they try to teach you from books all year.

Trust me, Lucas fans: There is no way to be connected with this film and not get how important it is. I don’t know Lucas myself, but I’d bet any amount of money he is as deadly serious and devoted to the meaning of this film as anyone.

So spread the word, not just in Lucas’s name, but in Harvey’s. OK?

Posted by: Sapphocrat

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February 5, 2008

I’m Ready for My Close-Up, Mr. DeMille: The Extras Shoot for “Milk”

My much-better other half Buffy blogged our night out as extras in the upcoming Harvey Milk biopic, Milk — and I’m glad she did, as my arms are tired from punching the air while chanting “Civil Rights or Civil War, Gay Rights Now!“

Hit the link. There are even pictures!

Posted by: Sapphocrat

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January 24, 2008

Q. What’s the Difference Between Fred Phelps and Fox News’ John Gibson?

“Beauty is only skin deep,
but ugly goes clean to
the bone.”
— Dorothy Parker

A. Fred Phelps doesn’t wear glasses.

Otherwise, we can’t see much difference.

Matt at Think Progress has been following the story of Faux News Talking Schmuck John Gibson, and his revolting mockery of the death of Heath Ledger:

John Gibson Mocks ‘Weirdo’ Heath Ledger’s Death: ‘He Found Out How To Quit You’
with audio clip
January 23, 2008

Morning Joe Hosts Blast Gibson’s Ledger Comments: ‘Sick,’ ‘Unconsciable,’ ‘Mean-Spirited’ And ‘Hateful’
with video clip
January 24, 2008

Gibson Defends His Mockery Of Ledger’s Death: ‘No Point In Passing Up A Good Joke’
with audio clip
January 24, 2008

Gibson: ‘To anyone offended by my comments, I’m sorry.’
with video clip
January 24, 2008

Complain to FOX about John Gibson’s mocking of Heath Ledger’s death
NewsHounds
January 23, 2008

Fox News Host John Gibson Cruelly Mocks Heath Ledger’s Death and his Role in Brokeback Mountain
GLAAD
January 24, 2008

Dan Abrams calls out Fox News’ John Gibson and his anti-Brokeback, anti-Heath comments
with video clip
January 24, 2008

Heath Ledger: Fox Newsman Apologizes After Controversy, More Updates
TV Guide
January 24, 2008

Posted by: Sapphocrat

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January 23, 2008

Sign Up to Be An Extra in the Harvey Milk Biopic (We Did!)

BE IN A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE AND HELP RE-CREATE A PART OF SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY

On Monday night, February 4th and Friday night, February 8th, the feature film MILK (directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk) will be re-creating three 1970’s marches through the Castro.

We are looking for volunteers to appear in the these marches in the film. THERE ARE NO AUDITIONS. IF YOU SIGN-UP ON THIS SITE AND SHOW UP, YOU WILL BE USED. All ages, races and genders are welcome. But, you MUST be 18 or over to participate.

Filming will take place from 7pm - midnight on Monday night at Castro & Market and from 9pm - 3am on Friday night at Market & Franklin. Come either or both nights.

As a thank you for participating, we will host a screening for the marchers of the documentary THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK on Monday, February 4th at the Castro Theater at 4:30pm, with introductions by the filmmaker, Rob Epstein, Cleve Jones, Gus Van Sant, and members of the cast. The filming will begin immediately after the screening.

Here’s the sign-up page.

Buffy and I will be there… and I expect to have no trouble finding appropriate “70s wardrobe”; the old corduroys and tobacco Adidas are the only things left in my closet from the 1970s.

Mind you, we have no illusions about the “glamour” of being extras in a movie; it’s going to consist of a lot of long, torturous waiting around. It’s that we want very much, to contribute to this movie, in whatever way we can. I can’t began to describe to anyone who didn’t live through the horror (especially in the San Francisco Bay Area) just how devastating a milestone Harvey’s death and its aftermath was — or, more importantly, how uplifting and motivational Harvey’s legacy is.

By the way, it’s easy to see why they’re putting out an open call like this, and telling you to tell your friends — do you remember just how huge those marches were? I do:

I’m also hoping they’ll need lots of warm bodies to recreate the White Night riots, too:

Posted by: Sapphocrat

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January 22, 2008

Harvey Milk Biopic Starts Lensing in Castro; Damon’s Out, But Spinella, Garber, Luna & Others Are In

At least I avoided using the word “shooting” in the title of this entry, unlike SFist, which, despite the unfortunate word choice in its headline, “Penn to Hit Castro Bars as Milk Shooting Starts,” reports some great news about Gus Van Sant’s upcoming Milk:

Undergoing a procedure to erase 30 years from its face, the Castro neighborhood is going retro, circa 1978, for the filming of Gus Van Sant’s Harvey Milk biopic, Milk, which starts shooting this week. Already the Castro Theatre … and boutique shop Given, formerly Milk’s camera store / campaign headquarters, are being renovated to get that ’70s vibe.

This deb-u-lesbian-te of the Golden Age of Coming Out (that’s the late 1970s for you young-uns) in the Gay Mecca (San Francisco, for those who have been living under a rock for the past few decades) says: Cool!

Well, sort of cool. As welcome a 70s-flashback as it will be to see the Castro as I remember it in those heady pre-AIDS days when my best gay boyfriend Gary and I used to hang out around the grown-up gays in The City (we were about 17 at the time), seeing even a block of the neighborhood as it was will probably send a sharp pang of grief and loss through my heart. It will probably feel like looking at pictures of the World Trade Center.

But enough about me (what do you think of my new outfit?). Other news about Milk (starring, in case you haven’t heard, Sean Penn as the doomed supervisor), due for release sometime in 2009:

Matt Damon isn’t playing Dan “Twinkie Defense” White — now slated is Josh Brolin (who we can’t wait to see metamorphose into Oliver Stone’s Bush).

Also onboard:

• Out-and-proud family member Stephen Spinella, who has played numerous gay roles ever since starring in — and winning Tony Awards for — Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Angels in America: Perestroika. Onscreen (small and big), you may know him best from And the Band Played On (1993) or Love! Valour! Compassion! (1997).

• The wonderful Victor Garber, who’s come a long, long way from playing a New York City Jesus in 1973’s Godspell. (After Titanic, we can’t help but think of him as Sid Luft opposite Judy Davis’ amazing portrayal of Judy Garland in the 2001 made-for-TV movie, Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.)

• The mesmerisingly beautiful Diego Luna, star of Y Tu Mama Tambien, who, alongside his Y Tu co-star and now business partner, Gael Garcia Bernal, has emerged as a dedicated human-rights activist in the actors’ native Mexico.

• The very busy Denis O’Hare (who appeared in at least half a dozen movies in 2007, in addition to a recurring role on ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters“).

• “Freaks and Geeks” brooding-James-Dean-type (who eventually portrayed Dean in 2001) James Franco.

• Last but certainly not least, San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano, as — surprise! — San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano.

Posted by: Sapphocrat

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