Hollywood's Avoidance of Openly Gay Actors; New York City and Toronto Pride; HIV Vaccine Trials 2019

Hollywood's Avoidance of Openly Gay Actors

I titled this in a totally different way than the article to which I'm linking. But aside from that, it's an excellent piece that discusses LGBT films, characters, and the fact that you almost always see straight actors playing gayface. Gayface, as in the way it relates to white actors/performers who used to play blackface.

But as times have changed and “gay” is no longer a dirty word onscreen, straight actors are reaping most of the rewards (and awards). Assorted performers have come out as gay in recent years, but they aren’t the ones grabbing the bulk of the suddenly coveted gay roles. The Queer Eye guys get more play than Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, and Jonathan Groff combined.

I know for a fact that openly gay Colton Haynes has spoken up about this, and he's usually ignored.  And for the record, I see it happening in book publishing all the time, too. 

Here's the rest. Of course no white actors would ever dare play blackface anymore. And rightly so. Because that would be wrong. 


New York City and Toronto Pride

This is always a huge event in NYC every year, but it's a huge event everywhere. I'm seeing "NHC" signs all over New Hope, PA where I live, meaning "New Hope Celebrates." 

The annual Pride parade, which first took place in 1970, has grown to become one of the largest in the United States, with hundreds of groups marching and more than 100 floats.

Here's the link. I love the history behind it. Imagine, 1970! That's a long time ago, and a great deal has changed, and yet somethings are still the same. 

It was also Toronto Pride, as well. 


HIV Vaccine Trials 2019

Speaking of how much some things have changed. This is monumental. For many of us it's taken our entire lives to read about something like this. 

A new experimental HIV vaccine is to start human trials as early as next year.

The vaccine, which is constructed to fit a vulnerable part of the HIV virus, generated antibodies during tests on mice, guinea pigs, and monkeys. It was successfully able to neutralize various strains of HIV.

Here's more. They refer to this vaccine as "epitome-based," and it gets a little technical but it's worth the read. 

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Opening All The Closets of Hollywood's Golden Age; New LGBT Films/Shows That Are Out; Cop Accused of Raping Man

Opening All the Closets of Hollywood's Golden Age

This is probably something that was bound to happen sooner or later, and I'm shocked there isn't more out there like it. Someone wrote a book exposing all the double standards and the hypocrisy of old Hollywood and now it's a documentary. But I also think it could be classified as part of gay history, too.

In the 1940s and ‘50s, Scotty ran a gas station in the shadow of the studio lots where he would connect his friends with actors and actresses who had to hide their true sexual identities for fear of police raids at gay bars, societal shunning and career suicide. An unsung Hollywood legend, Bowers would cater to the sexual appetites of celebrities—straight and gay–for decades.

Here's more.   There's a discussion on the comment thread about whether or not things like this should be exposed years later. And I worry about the kind of self-loathing gay person that sees something wrong in talking about these secrets so many years later. There is NO SHAME in being gay. It's just a shame that people had to hide it back then.

LGBT Films/Shows That Are Out

Here's a piece that lists a few LGBT film releases that are out, and other shows.

This miniseries looks good...Man In the Orange Shirt

Debuting June 18, this PBS miniseries features Oscar-winning legend Vanessa Redgrave. Inspired by the life of writer Patrick Gale’s father, Man in an Orange Shirt chronicles the secret love affair of two British soldiers against the backdrop of World War II. We’ve seen an advanced copy of the film, and can already say it recalls Brokeback Mounatin‘s sensual love, though this time, with a twist: the love story takes place in flashback, while the soldier’s present-day, also-gay grandson deals with his own issues of love, sex, and masculinity.

Here are the rest. 

Cop Accused of Raping Man

This happened in Salem, MA. The cop is claiming one thing and the alleged victim is claiming another. It's complicated.

A police officer in Salem, Massachusetts is accused of raping a young man in protective custody in 2016, but Patrolman Brian Butler and his defense lawyer claim it was consensual.

On the morning of Halloween, 2016, Butler, now 57, engaged in sexual acts with the young man. However, the victim — who was in a holding cell in the Salem police station, naked but for a blanket — maintains he was coerced.

Here's more. I hate to comment on these things. Let the courts decide.

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Roseanne Spin Off Confirmed "The Conners"; Crowd Cheers Exhibitionist Gay Sex In Hong Kong; Czech Republic and Same Sex Marriage

Roseanne Spin Off Confirmed "The Conners" 

Here's something I've seen going around all day on social media. I have no idea how these things work, or if Roseanne owns the copyrights. If she does, they apparently worked something out. They do mention something about the rights to the Roseanne character at the end of this piece.

The new show will be called The Conners, and will focus on the family, who, “after a sudden turn of events, are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before”, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Here's the rest. I can't be totally sure how this one will work out, but my gut instinct tells me it will crash and burn faster than the time they tried to change Coke. Ricky, Fred, and Ethel all combined could never have carried off I Love Lucy without Lucille Ball. But we'll have to wait and see. I could be wrong.

Crowd Cheers Exhibitionist Gay Sex In Hong Kong

A gay couple in Hong Kong were spotted having sex in front of a huge uncovered window, and everyone's talking about it now.

Whether the couple was conscious of the scene they’d caused or whether they were blissfully unaware, wrapped up in the moment (we strongly suspect the former), the result was the same: the video quickly spread across social media and went viral on YouTube.

They did it in front of an uncovered window, with all the lights on, without realizing everyone could see them.

Here's the rest. You can watch a video of the event and listen to the crowds cheer the bottom guy on in the end as he's getting up. It's SFW. Mostly, it's legs up in the air.


Czech Republic and Same Sex Marriage

The fight for legalized same sex marriage continues in other countries.

Czech Republic just introduced a draft law to legalize same-sex marriage today (22 June).

According to Jsme Fer: ‘Today, the government has issued a favourable opinion with a draft law that would allow gay and lesbian couples to be married!’

Here's more. According to this piece, if this happens, even though there's a long way to go yet, they would be the first post-communist country to do this. It also mentions they've had civil partnerships since 2006.

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Kansas Man Has Sex With His Car: Object Sexuality; Cher and Streep Going After Sexual Abuser; LGBT Elders Reading Letters To Younger Selves

Kansas Man Has Sex With His Car: Object Sexuality

I find this one interesting because there actually is a legitimate fetish called Object Sexuality. I was once asked by a publisher to contribute something to a book with this theme. And yet all I've seen are people laughing and joking about this guy. Clearly, they don't know any better.

First, here's something about Object Sexuality:

Object sexuality or objectophilia is a form of sexuality focused on particular inanimate objects. Those individuals with this expressed preference may feel strong feelings of attraction, love, and commitment to certain items or structures of their fixation. For some, sexual or even close emotional relationships with humans are incomprehensible. Some object-sexual individuals also often believe in animism, and sense reciprocation based on the belief that objects have souls, intelligence, and feelings, and are able to communicate.

And here's the recent story about the guy having sex with his car:

A Kansas man was in the process of getting to home base with an automobile of unidentified make and model (we’re thinking something sporty) when his ménage-à-truck was interrupted by the receiving end of a taser gun.

Here's the rest. I left a comment myself this time in hopes of enlightening them. I really don't understand OS, but I'm not going to laugh about it either. 

Cher and Streep Going After Sexual Abuser 

Here's a story about how Cher and Meryl Streep fought off someone who was about to sexually assault a woman in New York. It doesn't mention whether or not anything was ever reported to the police, though. 

Here's Cher as a bad ass, in her own words:

‘We come around the corner, and this gigantic man is ripping the clothes off of this girl.’

Cher said both of them immediately sprung into action. They screamed and began running at the man who, when he noticed them, also came for them.

‘And just out of — I don’t know — we split and he ran through us,’ she said. ‘And we went up to the girl, and all of her clothes were torn and she was clutching her bag.’

You can check this out here.  Something like this once happened to me not far from there. I was on Christopher Street in the Village, only steps away from my car, and I had this feeling I was about to get jumped. So I walked to the corner of 7th Ave. South, flagged a cab, and told the driver to circle the block a few times. I had this feeling that if I'd gone to my car first they would have jumped me there. 


LGBT Elders Reading Letters To Younger Selves

This is about as endearing and emotional at it gets. And I love that it happened in Palm Springs. 

Davey Wavey teamed up with the LGBT Community Center of the Desert in Palm Springs, CA to film gay elders reading letters to their younger selves. The result is yet another reminder of how much today’s younger generation of queer folks stands to gain from listening to the older generation.

You can check this out, here. There's a video. I haven't seen much about Davey Wavey Lately and I've been wondering what he's up to. 

I've always been fortunate enough to have many older gay friends. One of whom is well into his 80s right now. I've learned a lot from them. 

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In Their Prime by Ryan Field

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FREE GAY BOOKS Ryan Field Many People Having Sex At Work; Nico Tortorella On Gender and Sexual Labels

Many People Having Sex At Work

I don't think this is something new. I remember this happening when I got my first part time job in high school at the mall.

A new study finds that 14% of Americans have done the hanky panky at the office. 2000 men and women participated in the study, which was conducted by EdenFantasys.

And they don’t always get away with it either. Of the 14%, 1 in 5 say they were caught in the act.

Here's the rest. Keep in mind that this is only 14% of the people who admit to having sex at work. I would bet there are more. I'd also bet that most like the thought of getting caught. But no one will ever say THAT aloud. 

FREE Gay Books Ryan Field

Riverdale Avenue Books, a publisher I love working with, is having a giveaway and one of my books is on the list. I don't see as many of these giveaways as I used to, so you might want to check it out. 

Our LGBTQ+ & Diverse Romance sweepstakes is now officially live! 

Please note the promotion runs through next Wednesday, June 27th.

Here's an overview of the essential contest details:

Here's the link to the sweepstakes. 

This is the book of mine in the sweepstakes. 

Nico Tortorella On Gender and Sexual Labels

This is from a piece about Nino Tortorella. In their own words...

The message of this conversation, the way I use the word ‘fluid’, transcends any gender behavior or gender expression. To really shape-shift and to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be all the time–that changes who you’re surrounded by, the environment you’re in and where you are in your life. You can’t break something that bends.

I love whatever Nico says. I also think this is the future for all of us. 

You can read more about him here. If you don't know who Nico Tortorella is, you can find out everything you need to know by reading this. 

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A Jury Sentences Man To Death Because He's Gay; Frank Discussion About LGBTI and Gender Issues For the Vatican; Warwick Rowers Banned From Instagram

A Jury Sentences Man To Death Because He's Gay

This is kind of ironic because it reminds me of the post I wrote last week about the Netflix true crime series, The Staircase. In that post I questioned how a jury reacted to bisexuality, and this confirms my suspicions about a so-called "jury of your peers."

But this is really scary...that people are so stupid they would actually think this...

Some of the jurors who imposed the death penalty on Charles Rhines, who was convicted of murder, have said they thought the alternative — a life sentence served in a men’s prison — was something he would enjoy as a gay man.

Here's the rest. 

Jury selection needs to be reevaluated when it comes to LGBTI people, in general. I think we'll be hearing more about this issue in the future with other cases.

Frank Discussion About LGBTI and Gender Issues For the Vatican

The Vatican asked young people to give them feedback through a survey, for a gathering of bishops next fall. And according to the survey findings, these young people want to hear more about LGBTI issues and gender issues.

Young people in the survey said the church should “face in a concrete way controversial topics like homosexuality and gender issues,” noting that they discuss them “without taboos.”

You can check that out, here.  They use the word "homosexuality" in the article, which I prefer not to do here on this blog. 

Warwick Rowers Banned From Instagram

I didn't know Instagram censored things this way. 

Without so much as a warning shot, the Instagram account of the Warwick Rowers has been removed until further notice.

The collegiate rowing club known the world over for their fundraising photo shoots announced the sudden move on Monday.

You can read more, here. There's a photo of the guys, and there's also a link where you can see more photos. It gets into more about what can and cannot be posted to Instagram.

I stick to landscapes and puppies on Instagram. 

Amazon: Amish Indiscretion

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Smashwords

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A PG Rated Gay Romance

Here's the Amazon link

Altered Parts: Limited Edition

And here's the Amazon link. 

In Their Prime by Ryan Field

Amazon

Smashwords