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By Dan Renzi,
| Jul. 2 at 6:24 PM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
Check out our listing of July 4th activities--maybe we'll even see you somewhere!
JULY 4th BBQ
The Florida Coast Chapter of American Veterans For Equal Rights (AVER)
is having a July 4th BBQ sponsored by New Moon Bar, 2440 Wilton Drive
from 11 am. to 4 pm. A bucket of beer is $8 and there will be grilled
hamburgers or chicken with sides for $5 and hot dogs for $2. There will
be prizes to raffle. All proceeds will be donated to AVER.
JULY 4th COOKOUT
Mona’s tradition continues this Fourth of July with their annual
cookout! The big event starts at 3 pm and features delicious flame
broiled hot dogs with trimmings, plus sausage and peppers, penne
pasta—and you can’t miss John’s Famous Homemade Potato Salad and Honey
Baked Beans and a great pickle! (No jokes please.) The event is
free!!! Mona’s is at 502 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.
954-525-6662.
4th of JULY CELEBRATION
Celebrate Fourth of July at Karnival! There is no cover before 8 p.m.
and there is a $5 entrance fee, which includes a free drink and a
rooftop fireworks show! Karnival is at 90 Sunrise Lane (at NE 9th and
A1A). 954-588-3363.
FOURTH OF JULY TEA CRUISE
Today, to celebrate July 4th weekend, there’s a “Gay Fireworks Cruise.”
The cruise boards at 7:00 p.m. near the S.E. 3rd Avenue bridge and
sails from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. There is an open premium bar, an appetizer
bistro, plenty of great music and a spectacular view of the Fort
Lauderdale fireworks all about the 87-foot Musette party yacht. Tickets
are $85. Space is limited to 50 passengers and these prices include a
free ticket on Peter’s monthly Gay Tea Cruise. For more information,
call Peter Burke at 954-649-1107 p.m.
SPLASH!
Come to the weekly pool party at Fort Lauderdale Beach at Exit 66!!
Hosted by cabana and pool boys, Paolo Pincente, Jeff Hoppy and Jordan
Bailey. Doors open at 2 p.m. The first 200 guests get in free. Exit 66
is at 219 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. www.exitsixtysix.com
KARNIVAL!
Come to the beach for Karnival’s Saturday T-Dance! D.J. Scott Mann will
spin at 2 p.m. (doors open at noon) and the party continues at night
with free well and drafts from 10 to 3 a.m.! Karnival is at 900 E.
Sunrise Lane (SE 9th St. and A1A).
HEAD TO PALM BEACH
H.G. Rooster’s in West Palm Beach is hosting a special July 4th party,
starting at 10 pm. Hosted by the glamorous Delores Cartier, who will
hand out fabulous raffle prizes. 823 Belvedere Rd., WPB, 561-832-9119.
FUERZA BRUTA
Adrienne Arsht Center and S2BN Entertainment Present Fuerza Bruta
through tomorrow. Check it out at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the
Arsht Center in Miami. www.arshtcenter.org.
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jul. 2 at 5:28 PM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
Oh, Dish is in such a terrible state. All this bad news! Hollywood has
been losing some of its greats this week. Dish has been beside herself
with grief after the death of Farrah Fawcett—it seems like just
yesterday that Dish wiled away the hours, perfecting her Farrah Fawcett
flip hair-do, which so perfectly framed Dish’s delicate facial
features. Actually, it was just yesterday. Dish loves giving herself
The Farrah.
Of course all the news has been eclipsed by the death of Michael
Jackson. London-based SkyNews reports 12 fans have committed or
attempted suicide around the world, which is crazier than Jackson
himself. Dish would say Jackson died “before his time,” but honestly
the man was a ticking time bomb. Even Liza Minnelli, Jackson’s close
friend and confidant, alluded to his (still technically unconfirmed)
terrible drug habit. And if anyone knows about pills, it’s Liza:
"All of us who knew him well really know what he was like," she said on
CBS’s “The Early Show.” "…I'm sure when the autopsy comes, all hell's
going to break loose. So, thank God we're celebrating him now."
Jokes aside, Dish is saddened for Jackson’s children, who now face life
amid terrible media scrutiny and without any parents. If anything
positive can come from this, perhaps Jackson’s death can add emphasis
to Heath Ledger’s awful demise, and wake everybody up to the perils of
prescription drug abuse.
Dish hopes the tragedies stop rolling in for while, it’s becoming too
much. Even just this morning, Dish was giving her stockings a gentle
rinse in some OxiClean, and no sooner than she scooped out the powder
she saw the face of Billy Mays. Dish will never look at her delicates
the same way again.
Happy Birthday Lindsay
Speaking of white powder: Dish sends her most heartfelt birthday wishes
to Lindsay Lohan, who turns 23 on July 2. It is hard for Dish to
process the fact that La Lohan is only 23, she seemed to grow up so
fast. Although some of her internal organs must show age beyond their
years, due to strenuous and constant filtration of illicit substances.
Lohan started the birthday festivities early in Las Vegas this weekend,
partying at some irrelevant nightclub while promoting tanning
products. Although none of her actual friends (read: paramour Samantha
Ronson) were there, so it obviously was just for the cash. Is this
what Lohan must do to make a buck? Maybe when she blows out her
birthday candles this year she should wish to get her career back.
T.R. Knight works it out
Speaking of reinventing careers: Dish’s most favoritest TV doctor,
openly-gay T.R. Knight, has finally left Grey’s Anatomy, having
released a statement in June that it “was not an easy decision” to
make. Translation: “This show has completely jumped the shark and my
character is going nowhere, but those paychecks sure are nice!”
But don’t count him out yet! The cheeky 36-year-old Knight has signed
on to a Broadway revival of the (very funny) Lend Me A Tenor, to be
directed by Stanley Tucci. Dish wishes Knight the best with his new
endeavor, and hopes the play will be a hit. No word on whether
Knight’s boyfriend, Mark Cornelson, will uproot from L.A. and tag along
across the country to the Great White Way. Although at only 20 years
old, how many roots can he possibly have?
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AP photo |
By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 29 at 11:39 PM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
By CHRIS JOHNSON
Lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender leaders enthusiastically cheered
President Obama and shouted "I love you!" during a White House
celebration this week commemorating Pride and the 40th anniversary of
the Stonewall riots.
Obama returned the love to his audience at Monday's event and
recommitted himself to fighting for LGBT rights during his
administration.
"Even as we face extraordinary challenges as a nation, we cannot
— and will not — put aside issues of basic equality," he said. "We seek
an America in which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on
who you are or who you love."
The event comes as many activists are urging the president to
take greater action on LGBT issues including the repeal of the anti-gay
Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
During the event, Obama made news on his strategy to end the law
banning open service in the U.S. military, announcing that he's working
with defense leaders to determine the best way forward in implementing
repeal.
"[A]s commander-in-chief in a time of war, I do have to a
responsibility to make sure that this change is administered in a
practical way and a way that takes over the long term," he said.
"That's why I asked the secretary of defense and the chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan on how to thoroughly implement
repeal."
Obama said he believes "preventing patriotic Americans from
serving their country weakens our national security" and he's
"confident we'll look back at this transition and ask why it generated
such angst."
The president also recommitted himself to legislative repeal of
the Defense of Marriage Act and reiterated his endorsement of hate
crimes legislation, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the
Domestic Partner Benefits & Obligations Act.
While committing himself to legislative change, Obama said
"progress depends not only on changing laws but also changing hearts"
in the struggle for LGBT rights.
"That's why I've spoken about these issues not just in front of
you, but in front of unlikely audiences," Obama said, "in front of
African-American church members, in front of other audiences that have
traditionally resisted these changes. And that's [why] I'll continue to
do so. That's how we'll shift attitudes."
About 300 invitees came to the event to hear Obama and mingle in
the East Room of the White House among white roses and hors d'oeuvres.
Participants were a veritable "who's who" of LGBT leaders that came
from different regions across the country.
Those who came from distant parts of the country included Kate
Kendell, executive director of the California-based National Center for
Lesbian Rights; Steve Hildebrand, a South Dakota-based political
consultant and who served as the highest ranking openly gay person in
Obama's presidential campaign; and Jarrett Barrios, a Massachusetts
resident and incoming president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation.
Locally based leaders also were in attendance, such as Joe
Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign and Andrew Barnett,
executive director of the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League.
Obama paid particular tribute to one invitee — legendary gay
activist Frank Kameny — for the work he's done for LGBT Americans for
more than half a century. Among other accomplishments, Kameny worked to
allow open gays to serve in the federal government after being fired
from his job in 1957.
"In 1965, [Kameny] went to protest outside the White House,"
Obama said. "It was, at the time, both an act of conscience, but also
an act of extraordinary courage, and so, we are proud of you Frank — we
are very proud of you."
Obama's praise for Kameny elicited extended applause and celebratory howls from the audience.
The president also paid homage to the Stonewall riots, which are
widely seen as the catalyst for the modern LGBT rights movement. Obama
said that before the time of the riots, police often conducted raids on
gay establishment because homosexuality was considered obscene and
immoral.
"But on this night, something was different," he said. "There
are many accounts of what happened and much has been lost to history,
but what we do know is this: people didn't leave, they stood their
ground and over the course of several nights they declared that they
had seen enough injustice in their time."
Obama called the riots a "defining moment" in which "folks who
had been marginalized rose up to challenge not just how the world saw
them, but also how they saw themselves."
Chuck Wolfe, president of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund,
said after the event that Obama's speech "was an important step in
moving policies forward for the LGBT community."
"It shows presidential support for pro-LGBT policies, it helps
other elected officials around the world and around the country know
that embracing LGBT civil rights is not harmful to your political
career," he said.
Michael Guest, who's gay and a former U.S. ambassador to
Romania, said he thought the event "was really heartening" because it
showed that LGBT people were welcome at the White House "as activists,
as people who are committed to change."
Guest said Obama's speech showed the president "wants to see progress and that we are going to see progress" on LGBT issues.
The former ambassador said he had a "very brief" exchange with
Obama at the event and expressed appreciation for rectifying partner
benefit issues at the State Department.
Guest in 2007 retired as a Foreign Service officer over
differences between how the State Department treated the same-sex
partners of employees and spouses of straight workers — a situation the
Obama administration has since changed.
Kendell said Obama "really hit the right note" with his speech
and with his reiterated commitment "to be a moral leader on the issues."
"It certainly allayed my concerns," she said. "It's certainly
not a substitute for our own vigilance and relentless demands, but I do
feel that the president who I believed was a true advocate for LGBT
equality is, in fact, the person I thought he was."
Kendell said she didn't have a chance to speak with the president, but her 13-year-old son got the opportunity.
She said she had hoped her son would have a chance to speak with
Obama because her son is "an African-African bi-racial kid raised by a
bi-racial lesbian household."
"That was a very important moment to him," she said. "I think
the president said something like, 'Hey buddy, it's good to see you!'
So my son is still on cloud nine and that's all the conversation there
was, and that's fine by me."
During his speech, Obama addressed criticisms that he's not
working fast enough to address LGBT issues as well as concerns that he
betrayed his promise to repeal DOMA with the recent release of motion
to dismiss a federal lawsuit against the statute.
"I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I
believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides,"
Obama said. "And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way
lessens my commitment to reversing this law. I've made that clear."
Despite his pledge to uphold existing laws, even when they may
be considered anti-gay, Obama committed himself to working toward
advances for LGBT Americans and promised change before his
administration ends.
"I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by
words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my
administration keeps," he said. "I suspect that by the time this
administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings
about the Obama administration."
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 29 at 11:20 PM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Hello, hello, hello. (Applause.)
Hey! Good to see you. (Applause.) I'm waiting for FLOTUS here. FLOTUS
always politics more than POTUS.
MRS. OBAMA: No, you move too slow. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: It is great to see everybody here today and
they're just -- I've got a lot of friends in the room, but there are
some people I want to especially acknowledge. First of all, somebody
who helped ensure that we are in the White House, Steve Hildebrand.
Please give Steve a big round of applause. (Applause.) Where's Steve?
He's around here somewhere. (Applause.)
The new chair of the Export-Import Bank, Fred Hochberg.
(Applause.) Where's Fred? There's Fred. Good to see you, Fred. Our
Director of the Institute of Education Sciences at DOE, John Easton.
Where's John? (Applause.) A couple of special friends -- Bishop Gene
Robinson. Where's Gene? (Applause.) Hey, Gene. Ambassador Michael Guest
is here. (Applause.) Ambassador Jim Hormel is here. (Applause.) Oregon
Secretary of State Kate Brown is here. (Applause.)
All of you are here. (Laughter and applause.) Welcome to your White House. (Applause.) So --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.) (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Somebody asked from the Lincoln Bedroom here. (Laughter.) You knew I was from Chicago too. (Laughter.)
It's good to see so many friends and familiar faces, and I
deeply appreciate the support I've received from so many of you.
Michelle appreciates it and I want you to know that you have our
support, as well. (Applause.) And you have my thanks for the work you
do every day in pursuit of equality on behalf of the millions of people
in this country who work hard and care about their communities -- and
who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. (Applause.)
Now this struggle, I don't need to tell you, is incredibly
difficult, although I think it's important to consider the
extraordinary progress that we have made. There are unjust laws to
overturn and unfair practices to stop. And though we've made progress,
there are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family
members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old
attitudes; who fail to see your families like their families; and who
would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And I
know this is painful and I know it can be heartbreaking.
And yet all of you continue, leading by the force of the
arguments you make but also by the power of the example that you set in
your own lives -- as parents and friends, as PTA members and leaders in
the community. And that's important, and I'm glad that so many LGBT
families could join us today. (Applause.) For we know that progress
depends not only on changing laws but also changing hearts. And that
real, transformative change never begins in Washington.
(Cell phone "quacks.")
Whose duck is back there? (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: It's a duck.
THE PRESIDENT: There's a duck quacking in there somewhere.
(Laughter.) Where do you guys get these ring tones, by the way?
(Laughter.) I'm just curious. (Laughter.)
Indeed, that's the story of the movement for fairness and
equality -- not just for those who are gay, but for all those in our
history who've been denied the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship; who've been told that the full blessings and opportunities
of this country were closed to them. It's the story of progress sought
by those who started off with little influence or power; by men and
women who brought about change through quiet, personal acts of
compassion and courage and sometimes defiance wherever and whenever
they could.
That's the story of a civil rights pioneer who's here today,
Frank Kameny, who was fired -- (applause.) Frank was fired from his job
as an astronomer for the federal government simply because he was gay.
And in 1965, he led a protest outside the White House, which was at the
time both an act of conscience but also an act of extraordinary
courage. And so we are proud of you, Frank, and we are grateful to you
for your leadership. (Applause.)
It's the story of the Stonewall protests, which took place 40
years ago this week, when a group of citizens -- with few options, and
fewer supporters -- decided they'd had enough and refused to accept a
policy of wanton discrimination. And two men who were at those protests
are here today. Imagine the journey that they've travelled.
It's the story of an epidemic that decimated a community -- and
the gay men and women who came to support one another and save one
another; and who continue to fight this scourge; and who demonstrated
before the world that different kinds of families can show the same
compassion and support in a time of need -- that we all share the
capacity to love.
So this story, this struggle, continues today -- for even as we
face extraordinary challenges as a nation, we cannot -- and will not --
put aside issues of basic equality. (Applause.) We seek an America in
which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on who you are or
who you love.
And I know that many in this room don't believe that progress
has come fast enough, and I understand that. It's not for me to tell
you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience
to African Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half
century ago.
But I say this: We have made progress and we will make more. And
I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words,
not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration
keeps. And by the time you receive -- (applause.) We've been in office
six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over,
I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama
administration. (Applause.)
Now, while there is much more work to do, we can point to
important changes we've already put in place since coming into office.
I've signed a memorandum requiring all agencies to extend as many
federal benefits as possible to LGBT families as current law allows.
And these are benefits that will make a real difference for federal
employees and Foreign Service Officers, who are so often treated as if
their families don't exist. And I'd like to note that one of the key
voices in helping us develop this policy is John Berry, our director of
the Office of Personnel Management, who is here today. And I want to
thank John Berry. (Applause.)
I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of
Marriage Act to help end discrimination -- (applause) -- to help end
discrimination against same-sex couples in this country. Now, I want to
add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so
in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty
in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this
law. I've made that clear.
I'm also urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits
and Obligations Act, which will guarantee the full range of benefits,
including health care, to LGBT couples and their children. (Applause.)
My administration is also working hard to pass an employee
non-discrimination bill and hate crimes bill, and we're making progress
on both fronts. (Applause.) Judy and Dennis Shepard, as well as their
son Logan, are here today. I met with Judy in the Oval Office in May --
(applause) -- and I assured her and I assured all of you that we are
going to pass an inclusive hate crimes bill into law, a bill named for
their son Matthew. (Applause.)
In addition, my administration is committed to rescinding the
discriminatory ban on entry to the United States based on HIV status.
(Applause.) The Office of Management and Budget just concluded a review
of a proposal to repeal this entry ban, which is a first and very big
step towards ending this policy. And we all know that HIV/AIDS
continues to be a public health threat in many communities, including
right here in the District of Columbia. And that's why this past
Saturday, on National HIV Testing Day, I was proud once again to
encourage all Americans to know their status and get tested the way
Michelle and I know our status and got tested. (Applause.)
And finally, I want to say a word about "don't ask, don't tell."
As I said before -- I'll say it again -- I believe "don't ask, don't
tell" doesn't contribute to our national security. (Applause.) In fact,
I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country
weakens our national security. (Applause.)
Now, my administration is already working with the Pentagon and
members of the House and the Senate on how we'll go about ending this
policy, which will require an act of Congress.
Someday, I'm confident, we'll look back at this transition and
ask why it generated such angst, but as Commander-in-Chief, in a time
of war, I do have a responsibility to see that this change is
administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the long
term. That's why I've asked the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for how to thoroughly
implement a repeal.
I know that every day that passes without a resolution is a deep
disappointment to those men and women who continue to be discharged
under this policy -- patriots who often possess critical language
skills and years of training and who've served this country well. But
what I hope is that these cases underscore the urgency of reversing
this policy not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it
is essential for our national security.
Now, even as we take these steps, we must recognize that real
progress depends not only on the laws we change but, as I said before,
on the hearts we open. For if we're honest with ourselves, we'll
acknowledge that there are good and decent people in this country who
don't yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters -- not yet.
That's why I've spoken about these issues not just in front of
you, but in front of unlikely audiences -- in front of African American
church members, in front of other audiences that have traditionally
resisted these changes. And that's what I'll continue to do so. That's
how we'll shift attitudes. That's how we'll honor the legacy of leaders
like Frank and many others who have refused to accept anything less
than full and equal citizenship.
Now, 40 years ago, in the heart of New York City at a place
called the Stonewall Inn, a group of citizens, including a few who are
here today, as I said, defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent
movement.
It was the middle of the night. The police stormed the bar,
which was known for being one of the few spots where it was safe to be
gay in New York. Now, raids like this were entirely ordinary. Because
it was considered obscene and illegal to be gay, no establishments for
gays and lesbians could get licenses to operate. The nature of these
businesses, combined with the vulnerability of the gay community
itself, meant places like Stonewall, and the patrons inside, were often
the victims of corruption and blackmail.
Now, ordinarily, the raid would come and the customers would
disperse. But on this night, something was different. There are many
accounts of what happened, and much has been lost to history, but what
we do know is this: People didn't leave. They stood their ground. And
over the course of several nights they declared that they had seen
enough injustice in their time. This was an outpouring against not just
what they experienced that night, but what they had experienced their
whole lives. And as with so many movements, it was also something more:
It was at this defining moment that these folks who had been
marginalized rose up to challenge not just how the world saw them, but
also how they saw themselves.
As we've seen so many times in history, once that spirit takes
hold there is little that can stand in its way. (Applause.) And the
riots at Stonewall gave way to protests, and protests gave way to a
movement, and the movement gave way to a transformation that continues
to this day. It continues when a partner fights for her right to sit at
the hospital bedside of a woman she loves. It continues when a teenager
is called a name for being different and says, "So what if I am?" It
continues in your work and in your activism, in your fight to freely
live your lives to the fullest.
In one year after the protests, a few hundred gays and lesbians
and their supporters gathered at the Stonewall Inn to lead a historic
march for equality. But when they reached Central Park, the few hundred
that began the march had swelled to 5,000. Something had changed, and
it would never change back.
The truth is when these folks protested at Stonewall 40 years
ago no one could have imagined that you -- or, for that matter, I --
(laughter) -- would be standing here today. (Applause.) So we are all
witnesses to monumental changes in this country. That should give us
hope, but we cannot rest. We must continue to do our part to make
progress -- step by step, law by law, mind by changing mind. And I want
you to know that in this task I will not only be your friend, I will
continue to be an ally and a champion and a President who fights with
you and for you.
Thanks very much, everybody. God bless you. (Applause.) Thank
you. It's a little stuffed in here. We're going to open -- we opened up
that door. We're going to walk this way, and then we're going to come
around and we'll see some of you over there, all right? (Laughter.) But
out there. (Laughter.)
But thank you very much, all, for being here. Enjoy the White House. Thank you. (Applause.)
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 28 at 8:42 AM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
It was the scream heard ‘round the World Wide Web: Perez Hilton has
been the victim of violence! While at the Much Music Awards in Toronto
(the Canadian version of MTV), Hilton was confronted by Black Eyed Peas
vocalist Will.I.Am., who was defending the honor of his fellow bandmate
Fergie—a frequent target of Hilton’s utterly unnecessary
maliciousness. Alas, somehow the altercation turned physical, and
Hilton got socked in the face by their tour manager, Polo Molina. Dish
is exhausted by the names of these people.
At first Hilton blamed Will.I.Am for the incident, and posted an irate
video blog referring to Will.I.Am as a “faggot.” That is obviously not
true; the singer is one of the most notorious skirt-chasers in the
industry, or on Earth for that matter. But Hilton said he used the
slur because it’s the worst thing you could ever say to a hip-hop
artist, and he wanted to be extra-mean. Dish suggests in the future,
if you want your slurs to be effective, they should first make sense.
Hilton has since written an apology on his blog, saying he did not mean
to offend anyone with the f-word, and said he over-reacted because he
was so upset. Dish would think he’d be a bit tougher, as this
certainly can’t be the first time someone took a swing at him.
Never one to miss an opportunity, Hilton once again lashed out at his
critics: ‘Would I have ‘deserved it’ if I had been stabbed? Or shot? Or
killed?” Dish hasn’t heard that line since she talked to her mother
this morning.
On a serious note, Dish would like to point out that words can be just
as violent as fists. Hilton does not get a free pass in this situation
just because he hurts people from behind a computer screen. Abuse is
abuse, no matter its form of delivery. Dish herself takes Muay Thai
kickboxing lessons three times a week, in anticipation for such a
confrontation. That, and the workout makes her buns look spectacular.
Sarah Jessica Parker welcomes twins
Congratulations to darling Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew
Broderick on the arrival of their twin girls, birthed via surrogate.
The twins are named Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick and Tabitha Hodge
Broderick, and both were born near a robust six-pound mark. The duo
already has a 6-year old son, James Wilkie Broderick, but Parker has
alluded to complications from that pregnancy that prevent her from
bearing any other children.
This is a happy ending to what has been a terribly stressful pregnancy
for the poor surrogate mother: two police chiefs are under
investigation for allegedly breaking into her home in Martins Ferry,
Ohio, to dig up dirt in exchange for a big-bucks payout from an
as-yet-unidentified reporter. Dish swears she had nothing to do with
it.
Nevertheless, birth mother and babies are healthy so all is well.
Although Dish could speculate why the Brodericks chose to have babies
at this stage in their lives—Mrs. B is 44, while her hubby is 47—and
warn of the dangers of having children in a last-ditch effort to fix a
(husband was caught having an affair) relationship. But no. Dish is
focusing on the positive here.
Ellen & Portia plus zero
Speaking of babies: in an interview with AOL Inside/TV, Ellen Degeneres
said she and her wife Portia de Rossi are not planning on bringing
children into their brood.
“I don’t think we’re going to have kids,” Degeneres said. “We
definitely thought about it. And it's something I think most people, as
a relationship goes on, explore. But it's just a huge responsibility,
and I don't know that that's something we want to take on.”
Dish understands what Degeneres means. Dish adores the little ones,
but she is far too exhausted coddling the fragile egos of the celebrity
elite to raise any actual children. Dealing with the famous can be
more strenuous than raising a set of twins and a younger set of
sextuplets while your passive-aggressive husband is on vacation with a
younger woman because he is sick of you being such a nagging wench.
Oops, did Dish say too much?
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 25 at 9:49 AM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
Rising Action Theatre presents the 30th Anniversary production of the Martin Sherman play "Bent," which tells the remarkable story of gay life in 1934 Berlin that goes from debauchery to Dachau Concentration Camp and
fighting to survive. Warning: “Bent” contains adult content, sexual
situations, and nudity. Tickets are $35 and are available at 800-595-4849. For
$60 you can also get a three course dinner at Primavera Restaurant. Call for
showtimes, discounts, and specials with other local restaurants.
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 22 at 10:35 AM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
Sometimes it’s just fun to make noise and bang on stuff. And how great
that someone thought to turn it all into a show? You’ll be amazed at
how trash cans, newspapers and brooms can be used to make music, as the
performers dance around and hang from the ceiling. If you go to this
show and don’t have fun, that means you’re probably dead and you can’t
have fun anywhere. Tix $20-50. Au Rene Theater, 201 SW 5th Ave. www.browardcenter.org. 954-462-0222. Tonight thru June 28.
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 20 at 5:27 PM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
By the goddess, Dish is exhausted!
She has been vigorously cleaning out her closet, searching for her old
Girl Scouts uniform. There is a new patch Dish wishes to add to her
sash: the “Coat of Many Colors Patch,” created by country music/gay
community icon Dolly Parton.
Parton, who is honored as a “Girl Scout For Life” and even has her own
tailor-made uniform, created the badge in honor of her 1971 song “Coat
of Many Colors,” which tells the story of a coat sewed by Parton's
mother from scraps of rags. Despite taunts from her schoolmates for
being poor, she wore her coat with pride. Fashion can be so courageous!
To earn the patch, Girl Scouts must design a collage of what makes them
special, and then perform acts of service for others. Dish is already
hard at work planning how she may earn her badge. Dish hasn't been this
excited to service others since she spent that night entertaining a
team of Australian rugby players, helping them work out their
post-match excitement. Those boys were more delicious than a box of
Thin Mints. Perhaps there is a patch for that kind of service? If so,
Dish deserves many, many of them.
Kelly Clarkson begs for a man
Speaking of rumored lesbians: Kelly Clarkson is blaming those pesky
Sapphic rumors for ruining her love life, saying potential boyfriends
often steer clear because they presume she plays for the other team.
Clarkson has been publicly single for several years, but gossipmongers
believe it is a ruse to hide her relationship with another woman.
“Those (lesbian rumors) are not helping me on the dating front!” she
says. Not that there’s anything wrong with that: “I’m extremely
flattered when I do get hit on by girls,” she continues, “but I’m not
into it. I like boys.”
Dish thinks Kelly Clarkson is cuter than a basket of Pekingese puppies,
but Dish must point out Clarkson’s songs are a trifle vindictive. Take
“Never Again,” for instance: “But when your day comes/and he’ll be
through with you/you’ll die together but alone!” Dish wouldn’t give her
phone number to Kelly Clarkson either.
Lindsay Lohan accused of jewel theft
Speaking of people who aren’t getting much action lately: perpetually
unemployed actress Lindsay Lohan is suspected of stealing approximately
$500,000 worth of jewelry from a recent UK photo shoot for fashion mag
Elle.
Scotland Yard issued a statement that they are questioning the
disappearance of earrings and necklace Lohan wore in a shoot—which were
on loan, but vanished coincidentally around the same time she left the
set.
Dish hopes this is not a trend. Now that Winona Ryder is making a
comeback, every unemployed starlet in Hollywood is going to shoplift in
the hopes of getting some post-arrest publicity.
This is not the first time Lohan has been accused of pilfering from an
Elle shoot. In 2007, New York Post’s Page Six reported La Lohan swiped
some Louis Vuitton garments from a shoot; in response, LV execs
reportedly cut ties and refused to give her anything else to wear. How
poor Lindsay suffers without her fashion labels!
Throwing cold water onto the story, however, reps from Elle issued a
statement defending her in the face of these most recent accusations.
"Elle has no reason to believe that Lindsay Lohan was in any way
responsible and has no further comment to make," they said.
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 18 at 4:47 PM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
Wilton Manors welcomes all of South Florida to the Stonewall Street Festival this weekend: starting Saturday night with a parade (at 7 pm) the big fun continues through Sunday's street festival (starting at 10 am). And you can't miss "Cinema Under the Stars" on Friday! Here's the schedule:
FRIDAY
• Cinema Under the Stars: Screening of Before Stonewall,
a historical documentary film about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) community prior to the 1969 Stonewall riots. Hosted
by Human Rights Campaign and Oakland Park Main Street; 8 p.m; Jaco
Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Hwy., Downtown Oakland Park; free.
• Uprising-Official Opening Party: 9 p.m., Living Room, Las Olas Riverfront, 300 SW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale
SATURDAY
•
Rebellion-Bash by the Sea: Features rock and R&B musician Teri
Catlin; 11 a.m; Karnival Beach Club, 900 E. Sunrise Ln., Fort
Lauderdale
• Taking It to the Street: People
gather on Wilton Drive to lift their voices in unison. Features DJ
Daniel Kirstopherre, a video tribute and celebrity videos; 5 p.m;
Wilton Drive; free.
• Stonewall Pride Parade: Features radio anchors Malcolm Nitzey and Craig Stevens; 7 p.m; Wilton Drive; free.
•
Georgie's Alibi and Bill's Filling Station's Main Stage: Features Teri
Caitlin Band, recording artist Sean Ensign and singer-songwriter Ray
Boltz; 9:30 p.m; Wilton Drive; free.
• Georgie's Alibi and
Bill's Filling Station's After Party: Midnight at Georgie's Alibi (2266
Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors) and Bill's Filling Station (1243 NE 11th
Ave., Fort Lauderdale) (is there admission for this one?)
SUNDAY
•
Stonewall Vendor Street Fair: Features Shine Ministries and Caanan,
Holy Roller Gospel Hour with Lady Fancy and Nancy Ross, Teri Caitlin
Band, DJs Andre Azerot and Ray Boltz; 10 a.m., Wilton Drive; free.
• Wilton Drive's Waiter's Dash: Presented in association with Florida AIDS Walk; 1 p.m.
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By Dan Renzi,
| Jun. 16 at 10:01 AM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
This weekend is the season finale for the FTL Gay Men’s Chorus. Join them for their musical revue "Celebrating Life Together,” June 19, 20 and 21, 8 pm. Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Ave., FTL. www.ftlgmc.org or call 954-832-0060.
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