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sundance
Was Sundance's Prop 8 Compromise Just Lip Service?
After Proposition 8 passed and some in the film community were calling for a Sundance boycott, fest director Geoff Gilmore promised to take special steps to appease their concerns about supporting anti-gay businesses. Did he? More » -
the view
Also on 'The View' Today: Elisabeth Getting Schooled by Melissa Etheridge
As delightful as it was to see even President Bush rescind his friendship with Elisabeth Hasselbeck today, we'd be remiss if we didn't address Lizzy's other smackdown this morning. -
gays
Jay Leno to Wanda Sykes: 'I Made You Gay'
Nature, nurture, or Leno? That was the question last night when Jay Leno hosted the newly out (and pissed at Proposition 8) Wanda Sykes. -
sundance
Snow Job: After announcing the 2009 lineup, Sundance organizers are now speaking out about adjustments they've made in the wake of threatened, Prop 8-related boycotts. Fest director Geoff Gilmore told the NY Times that Sundance "will make certain that no film is screened only in the Holiday Village theater in Park City, operated by Cinemark, a chain whose chief executive, Alan Stock, donated to Proposition 8’s backers in the November election. The idea is to give anyone who has qualms about Cinemark the opportunity to see a movie somewhere else." [NY Times] -
brad pitt
Brad Pitt Gives a Clooney-Questing Ellen Some Man-on-Man Tips
Hypersexual lesbian temptress Ellen DeGeneres usually keeps her daytime chat show somewhat neutered, but today's Brad Pitt interview (beamed via satellite from New Orleans, where he was busy building homeless shelters using only the telekinetic energy stored up in each ab) really brought out the gay. -
gays
Finally: The Star-Studded Anti-Prop 8 Musical We've All Been Waiting For
History has show us that, when faced with adversity, less-fabulous civilizations' first response is force; more fully evolved, showtune-revering peoples, meanwhile, respond by PUTTING ON A MUSICAL!!! And so it goes with the ongoing battle for gay marriage acceptance in California, with Hairspray and South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut composer Marc Shaiman, in association with The Sacramento Community College Players, mounting Prop 8 - The Musical. It might be an exercise in literal choir-preaching written "six weeks later than he shoulda," but that doesn't make it any less of a heartwarming experience—at moments capable of sending jolts of pure theatrical electricity up your spine (we expect that to be hanging from a placard if this ever makes it to Broadway). And, let's face it, it's cheaper than tickets to the Celine Dion Taking Chances World Tour. Turn it into a game by trying to identify famous faces in the cast, then checking the credits at Funny or Die to see how many you got right. -
proposition 8
He Speaks! Ever since his Proposition 8 contribution came to light, LA Film Fest director Richard Raddon has maintained radio silence. Now, with his resignation confirmed, he's finally issued a statement about the brouhaha. We've got it for you after the jump: More » -
proposition 8
Following His 'Yes on 8' Donation, LA Film Fest Director Richard Raddon Resigns
For all the rumblings about a Cinemark boycott at Sundance or an El Coyote fatwa after the anti-gay Proposition 8 passed, one troubling scenario hit a little closer to home for a newly mobilized gay Hollywood. Almost two weeks ago, it came to light that LA Film Festival director Richard Raddon gave $1500 to the "Yes on 8" cause, a revelation that caused Raddon to tender his resignation to Film Independent. At the time, the board did not accept Raddon's offer, though the move didn't quite stem the debate over Raddon's future and whether a potential boycott would devastate the festival when it returns next summer. Now, David Poland breaks word of a new development. More » -
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prop 8
BREAKING: Six of seven CA Supreme Court agreed today to review the legal challenges to Prop 8 brought by married same-sex couples. Until they rule, all further same-sex marriages are suspended, and the status of those already wed remains to be determined. What are the chances they'll overturn the challenge? Slim, but they have done so in the past: "In 1966, the California Supreme Court struck down an initiative that would have permitted racial discrimination in housing. Voters had approved the measure, a repeal of a fair housing law, by a 2-to-1 margin." Hang in there, D.L. Hughley—we realize how confusing all of this can be! [LAT] -
proposition 8
New Chuck Norris Fact: Thinks Gays Are Anarchists
If there's one thing Chuck Norris is good for, it's the 1995 canine buddy cop movie Top Dog. If there are two things Chuck Norris is good for, we would have to think long and hard to come up with a second thing, as we've already disavowed the campy appeal found in Walker: Texas Ranger (for it led to Paul Haggis) and Norris's political endorsements (for it led to this). Still, Norris continues to press on with the politics, and now he has contributed an article to the conservative website Town Hall that bashes gay people rallying against Proposition 8. It is entitled, "If Democracy Doesn't Work, Try Anarchy." Let's have a look! More » -
south park
'South Park' Creators' 'Mormon Musical' To Light Up Broadway With Magical Underwear
File this under "good timing": just as the passage Proposition 8 ignited a gays vs. Mormons clash so intense that only David Archuleta can mediate a resolution, word has leaked about the next project from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, a Broadway-bound show entitled Mormon Musical. The two have set openly gay Xanadu alum Cheyenne Jackson to star, and Jackson opened up to Pop Wrap about what to expect (besides, obviously, the angel Moroni slathered in gold body glitter): More » -
gays
Wanda Sykes: So In Favor of Gay Marriage That She Had One Herself
Though Wanda Sykes has taped PSAs asking us to never again use the phrase, "That's so gay," we hope she'll make an exception in this case, because you know what's so gay? Wanda Sykes! The comedian has been a constant presence at the anti-Prop 8 marches in Los Angeles over the last week and a half, but on Saturday, she popped up at a Las Vegas rally and officially came out as a lesbian. What's more, she revealed that she went ahead and married a woman in October — and it wasn't Julia Louis-Dreyfus! Yes, we just made a joke about a New Adventures of Old Christine plotline. We're sure that five of you are very pleased. After the jump, relive the biggest hint Sykes ever gave us — her riff on gay marriage from the stand-up special Sick and Tired: More » -
proposition 8
A LAFF Riot: We had just recovered from wiping up our salsa wounds after the tortilla chip Yes on 8 massacre at El Coyote when news broke of a brand new front in the Proposition 8 culture war. According to reports, LA Film Festival director Richard Raddon gave $1500 to the "Yes on 8" cause, a revelation that will surely give pause to the Hollywood demographic David Poland is most worried about: "indie publicists, most of the male species of which are gay." Meanwhile, reps for the Palm Springs Film Festival issued a statement reassuring Hollywood that they're as queer and movie star-ass-kissing friendly as ever. Free appletinis at check-in! [The Advocate] -
proposition 8
Cinemark CEO's 'Yes on 8' Contribution Adds Heat to Sundance Protest
Though many "No on 8" protesters have been talking about a Utah-penalizing boycott of the Sundance Film Festival, we initially wrote the idea off as unrealistic (though it provides a great face-saving maneuver for rejected indie filmmakers!). Now, though, David Poland has brought to light a direct impact that one "Yes on Prop 8" donor — the CEO of the Cinemark theater chain — could potentially have on the festival: More » -
proposition 8
'No on 8' Lunch At El Coyote Even Worse Than Their Fajita Plate
We'd previously teased today's El Coyote throwdown between "Yes on 8"-donating manager Marjorie Chrisoffersen and a crowd of gays hungry not for quesadillas but for vengeance; now, word has come out about the confrontation, and it sounds like things went not so well. The blog Shut Up! I Know! has a first-person account: More » -
proposition 8
Si Se Puede: If the anti-Prop 8 movement has begun to realize that a Sundance boycott isn't quite in the cards, at least there's one homegrown establishment they can direct their ire towards: the Beverly Blvd. mainstay El Coyote. After word circulated that Marjorie Chrisoffersen, the restaurant's family manager, had donated to the "Yes on 8" cause, the gay community decided to boycott El Coyote's potent mixture of cheap Mexican food and kitsch. A panicked Chrisoffersen has now thrown together a hasty "early lunch" at the restaurant (tomorrow at 11am) to talk to protesters. Better pick up the tab, Marge! [Box Turtle Bulletin via Towleroad] -
proposition 8
Will Hollywood's Gay Mafia Take Its Prop. 8 Anger Out on Sundance?
After a week of attention-getting protests against Proposition 8, gay activists and allies are ready for their next big target — and some, like blogger John Aravosis, are suggesting a boycott of the Sundance Film Festival. Sure, the Prop, 8-pushing Mormon Church has no direct ties to Sundance, but the Park City fest could be affected by a growing movement to boycott not just Mormon-owned enterprises but the entire, caffeine-fearing state of Utah in general. So, should Robert Redford be shaking in his stylish snow boots? We think not, for these reasons: More » -
james franco
Hollywood PrivacyWatch: No on 8 Edition! 11/8 — I was at the "No on 8" rally/march/protest on Saturday night in Silver Lake when a friend pointed out GUS VAN SANT to me. I was skeptical at first, but the hoodie with something Portland related on it confirmed suspicions. He was with a younger (20s) blonde guy. Later at the same event, I saw one of the stars of Van Sant's Milk, JAMES FRANCO. He looked happy to be among his people. [Hollywood PrivacyWatch is written by and for Defamer readers; send your sightings to tips@defamer.com.] -
proposition 8
No, Courtney Love Didn't Not Vote No on Prop 8. Yes?
Last week, addled ghost flapper Courtney Love celebrated the elections the best way she knew how: with a confused blog entry indicating she mistakenly voted "yes" on the anti-gay Proposition 8. Not one to let Drew Barrymore and James Franco hog all the credit, Love has now posted a series of blog updates meant to rectify the matter: More » -
prop 8
Prop 8 Donor Database Confirms Brad, Ellen, Geffen Love Gays, Someone Named 'Mel Gibson' Not So Much
If you've not yet discovered the LAT "Follow the Donors" feature yet, it's a searchable database tracking every individual who donated to either side of the Prop 8 campaign, alongside their corresponding place of business. It's a great way to check up on that receptionist with the troll dolls on her computer who's always yammering on about how great the new Michael W. Smith album is. You can also plug in celebrity names, of course, and see what pops up. More » -
james franco
Evidence! Though we were certain that was James Franco at the Drew Barrymore vehicle known as the Silver Lake Prop 8 protest, here's photographic proof, thanks to Deeply Shallow. In a clever career move, Franco is seen appealing to both of his 2008 audiences: the gays who will flock to see his turn in Milk, and the Pineapple Express-worshiping stoners who know a deeply toked face when they see one. (Sorry, Nights in Rodanthe fans — Franco's unbilled cameo warranted nary a bit of synergy.) Click through for full-size. [Deeply Shallow via Towleroad] -
proposition 8
Drew Barrymore Extends 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Winning Streak With Prop 8 Protest
LA's Prop 8 protests reached a high point on Saturday, as a Silver Lake rally/march drew an estimated 12,500 — and, crucially, a higher class of celebrity endorsers! We spotted actors like Milk's James Franco in the crowd, and when thousands of protesters broke away from the main group to head west on Sunset, they were eventually joined by Drew Barrymore, who addressed them at Sunset and San Vicente. After a tearful speech, the Beverly Hills Chihuahua voice actress descended into the crowd, while an organizer reminded the Drew-lovin' masses to treat her as just another protester (translation: no autographs, and please, no Facebook profile pics). [YouTube] -
the view
Sherri Shepherd Vows to Defend Biblical Definition of Marriage That She Cannot Remember
Who would've thunk it: apparently, The View's dunderheaded, error-ridden discussion of California's Proposition 8 didn't go over so well with the gay community! On today's show, Whoopi Goldberg divulged that the co-hosts had received angry phone calls from both GLAAD and Ellen DeGeneres in the wake of Friday's conversation. Unfortunately, Goldberg's list of errata and fact checks didn't stop Sherri Shepherd and Elisabeth Hasselbeck from committing a few more blunders. More » -
proposition 8
Courtney Love Reveals Her Confused, Anti-Gay 'Yes on Prop 8' Vote
Now that California's Proposition 8 has passed, many celebrities are decrying the anti-gay rights measure — and then there's addled songstress Courtney Love. Your Defamer put in some time phone-banking for the "No on 8" cause before the election, and often we discovered that people thought they'd be granting gay people equal rights by voting "yes" on the proposition, a misconception they needed to be hastily disabused of. Sadly, Love never got the memo, and she took to her Myspace blog to brag about her yes vote and celebrate the proposition's passing: More » -
the view
Sherri Shepherd's Goodwill Vanishes as She Repeats Insane Prop 8 Falsehoods
Yes, we know, Sherri Shepherd used to think the earth was flat, and thus, we never should have put too much stock in her opinions. Still, it was hard, America! She really appeared to be trying, often showing up with research, shouting down false statements made by Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and then finally earning our affection with a tremendously affecting Obamalogue this past Wednesday. Sadly, the good times could not last, as Shepherd wandered back into the wilds of ignorance for today's View discussion of Proposition 8. More » -
proposition 8
T.R. Knight Faces Shouting and Homophobia Somewhere Other Than the 'Grey's' Set
T.R. Knight was the first high-profile gay star to contribute to the "No on Prop. 8" cause, and he didn't simply stop there. The Advocate has just published a first-person piece by the actor in which he recounts the sometimes-stormy volunteering he did outside a polling place on Election Day. While holding up signs, Knight was met with a steady stream of Isaiah Washington-style invective, and he details the culprits: More » -
the one
David Archuleta Caught In Crossfire Between Mormon Church And 98% Of His Fanbase
We find ourselves absentmindedly doodling pictures of littlest karaoke soldier David Archuleta in the margins of our publishing software, wiling away these final days until his totally-going-to-blow-Cook-out-of-the-water debut LP drops. But listen, Archie—our little shaved koala, our 300-lb. gospel powerhouse in the body of a 17-year-old Mormon twink—the times, they are a-changin', but not a-quite fast enough. You've already begun to do your part, releasing a catchy single called "Crush" whose video remains titillatingly unspecific about which of the several boys splashing around in a lake you secretly want to take Christmas Tree shopping. But things are escalating. More » -
proposition 8
The Gays Strike Back as Prop. 8 Protest Targets Mormon Temple
An estimated 10,000 marchers descended on Westwood last hour to protest the passage of Proposition 8, leading to a bust of outrage large enough to encircle the Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Blvd. before overtaking the thoroughfare itself. Streaming live footage from KNBC features a mostly peaceful protest to date, with only minor incursions resulting in a driveway shout-down and a bit of get-the-homos-off-my-lawn resistance from cops nudging marchers off a sliver of LDS property. The crowd spilled onto Santa Monica around 3:15, shutting down westbound traffic en route to Westwood Blvd. More » -
prop 8
Revolution! "We hope that everyone would treat [each other] with civility, with respect and with love no matter which side of this issue they were on," said Elder L. Whitney Clayton, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Presidency of the Seventy. Just in case the angry crowds protesting the gay marriage ban overwhelmingly underwritten by out-of-state Mormon dollars don't feel the same way, however, precautions are already being taken to ensure things don't get out of hand. A reader working at the BET offices near the Mormon Temple sends us this shot, where police line tape has already gone up in anticipation of the 2 p.m. rendezvous. [Defamer] -
proposition 8
Massive Prop. 8 Protest Galvanizes Gays, Allies, Random Celebs
"NO MORE MR. NICE GAY," read one of the many signs last night in Los Angeles as Defamer attended a huge anti-Prop. 8 rally that drew several thousand — then set them marching all over the city. (Your Defamer was also partial to another sign, referencing the easily-passed, animal rights-granting Prop. 2: "I Want What the Chickens Got!") It was powerful, emotional stuff, and even more fireworks should erupt today at 2pm, when the crowd takes their fight to the Mormon temple on Santa Monica Blvd to protest the many millions the church sunk into passing the anti-gay Prop. 8. Until then, though, let's relive the night the best way Defamer knows how: with celebrity spottings and silly anecdotes! You can see the Robert Rodriguez-less Rose McGowan protesting up above — who else was there, and who wasn't? More » -
proposition 8
Guinness Confirms 'Yes On 8' Skywriting Campaign Is Biggest Hate Message On Earth
A reader sent Towleroad this snapshot of the sky above Warner Bros. in Burbank, probably the largest and most nausea-inducing "Yes on 8" sign yet erected in the ongoing, Mormon-underwritten campaign to strip gay Californians of their Constitutional right to marry. Luckily, God got one look at the message and blew it away: More » -
ellen degeneres
Ellen DeGeneres Finally Puts Her Money Where Her Mouth Is On Prop 8
For nearly a month, we've needled gay Hollywood to contribute to the "No on Prop 8" cause that, for a while, seemed to be the exclusive domain of straight allies like Steven Spielberg and Brad Pitt. Most visibly MIA was Ellen DeGeneres, whose marriage this summer to actress Portia De Rossi should have given her even more reasons to fight Prop 8, which is designed to take away marriage rights awarded to same-sex couples in California. Now, finally, DeGeneres has stepped up to the plate, donating $100,000 so that the "No on Prop 8" campaign can air a new ad DeGeneres has recorded about how the proposition affects her personally. Props must be paid. The ad, after the jump: More » -
tr knight
T.R. Knight Becomes First Actually Gay Star To Donate To 'No On 8'
It's often said that gays are on the cutting edge of most trends, but when it comes to defeating California's Proposition 8 (which would thwart the same-sex marriage laws enacted this summer), most out celebrities have fallen pitifully behind their straight allies. The first high-wattage Hollywood name to donate to the "No on 8" name was Brad Pitt, whose $100,000 donation was quickly matched by Steven Spielberg. Now, after straight B and C-listers including Pete Wentz and Chelsea Handler gave money to fill the gay gap, The Advocate brings word that Grey's Anatomy power-gay T.R. Knight has finally become the first high-profile out star to contribute to the cause. So who's still missing? More » -
julia louis-dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Joins the 'No On Prop 8' Cause, Courtesy of Ellen (and Wanda Sykes)
We're not sure whether Julia Louis-Dreyfus is angling for a "guest actress on a talk show" Emmy that doesn't exist, but she's certainly put in game performances over the past week, whether she's enlisting in the Letterman/McCain War or stealing from Tina Fey on the advice of a mischievous Conan O'Brien. Louis-Dreyfus's latest target was The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and she smoothly changed promotional gears to talk about the newest storyline on her sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, which finds her character entering into a gay marriage with Wanda Sykes to help the latter stay in the country (even though immigration is a federal issue that California's same-sex marriage laws can't circumvent). Naturally, Ellen had a few Prop 8-related words to say on the subject — though, Ellen? Money talks, too. [The Ellen DeGeneres Show] -
ellen degeneres
Jay Leno to Ellen DeGeneres: How Can People Be Homophobes When West Hollywood is So 'Clean'?
Though Ellen DeGeneres still hasn't announced a major donation to the campaign to fight California's homophobic Proposition 8 (despite hosting a fundraiser for the animal rights-friendly Proposition 2), she at least denounced the proposition last night while guesting on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Even Leno himself got into the act by spreading a queer-friendly message of tolerance — one he no doubt hoped would erase memories of the time he badgered Ryan Phillippe to give the camera his "gayest look." Noting to DeGeneres that he spends a lot of time in West Hollywood, a surprised Leno called it, "the nicest area, the cleanest area, the safest area!" Is it the most "articulate" area, too, Jay? [The Tonight Show] -
steven spielberg
Spielberg Follows Brad Pitt's Gay-Positive Lead, Actual Gays MIA
Hot on the heels of a philanthropic Brad Pitt, director Steven Spielberg has become the latest celebrity to make a major donation to the campaign to defeat the anti-gay Proposition 8. Spielberg matched Pitt's donation of $100,000 to fight the proposition, which would take away the same-sex marriage rights awarded to Californians this year. As terrific as it is for the industry's straight allies to open up their pocketbooks, we can't help but take a page from homo icon Kathy Griffin and wonder: "Where my gays at?" Specifically, why haven't gay stars like the recently married Ellen DeGeneres contributed to a movement that still lags millions of dollars behind its well-funded, religious opposition? IN magazine broke down some of the other queer power players who are too busy watching Work Out reruns to contribute: More » -
brad pitt
Donate After Reading: Brad Pitt has famously said he won't marry Angelina Jolie until gay marriage is legalized all over the country, and now, he's putting his money where his mouth is. According to the LAT, Pitt has become the first A-list celebrity to make a major donation ($100,000) to the campaign to fight Proposition 8, which is designed to take away the same-sex marriage rights awarded to Californians this summer. In a statement, he said, "Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8." Your move, Babs! [LAT]
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