Abook entitled Hiding in Hip-Hop: Confessions of a Down Low Brother in the Entertainment Industry, by former MTV producer Terrance Dean is set to go on sale tomorrow, and I’m not sure if I’m as excited as everyone else. It doesn’t seem to name names, and is more of an awareness tool about the industry. While the press alludes to scandalicious details, it seems more like a book that says “there are gays in the entertainment industry,” which is, you know, redundant. A quote from Dean in a recent article in the Guardian:
Leading hip hop artists such as Eminem, DMX and Ice Cube have all been targeted by gay activists for using homophobic lyrics. One of Eminem’s songs famously included the line: ‘Hate fags? The answer’s yes.’ In his book Dean describes a world in which hip hop stars and executives often berate and denigrate homosexuals, and the use of the word ‘faggot’ is common place. He says that too often he let such abuse pass by, and writing a memoir was a way of making up for that. ‘I am a part of this culture. I was getting by, saying it’s OK when those things are said. But then I realised they are actually talking about me too,’ Dean said.
We’ll either be pummeled with headlines about this book or it will be a footnote, but it will be a historical piece about a culture that is very ‘out’ about their homophobia. Buy it at amazon.
What would you say to a late-twenties Buffy fan who was curious about starting Firefly?
I believe that “Firefly” occupies a controversial place in the “Buffyverse”. Wait, I think they call it the “Buffysphere”. Or is it the “Buffyzone”? As a huge Buffy fan, I have floated on the periphery of this so-called Buffyverse or sphere or zone (ie: got into the comic books and “Angel”, but have avoided any conventions, chat rooms or fan/fic.) So I’m no expert, but have been geeky enough to have some Joss Whedon conversations at dinner parties and the like. From my limited study of the subject, “Firely” and it’s spin-off movie “Serenity” seem to have been embraced by some Buffy fans but rebuked by an equal number. So it certainly seems worth it to give it a try.On a personal note, I am a fan. A Sci-Fi Western about independent types flying around the galaxy defying the oppressive central government, cool. Plus the guys are hot, especially the fancy-pants doctor, and got themselves even hotter by the time the movie was shot.
Side-note, currently trying to watch “Wonderfalls” the even shorter lived series created and produced by some of the “Firefly” folks, about an underachieving young woman working at a Niagra Falls gift shop when inanimate objects start speaking to her. Thus far, a little painful, but gonna try to muscle through one disc before giving up.
Their LGBTQ Youth CloseUp will include research on the following topics:
* LGBTQ Youth cultures;
* Cyberworlds and LGBTQ Youth;
* LGBTQ Youth resilience;
* LGBTQ Youth of color;
* LGBTQ Youth in rural environments;
* Homelessness among GLBT Youth;
* LGBTQ Youth suicide;
* Special health issues faced by LGBTQ Youth;
* Making schools safe for LGBTQ Youth
If you are a nonprofit and are doing work in the field of LGBTQ Youth please register at IssueLab today. They are asking that organizations list their research with IssueLab by the last week in May
This a cool electric version of “Chelsea Girls,” very different from the downer strings that accent the original version from the album “Chelsea Girl.”
Chicago is always lucky. Even during the crappiest weather this side of Montreal, we always have so many talented people trying to get shot done. David Perez, artistic director for Pavement Group, gathered a group of friends he knew from working at the Steppenwolf and decided they wanted to transform theatre. If indie music venues all over the city can be sold out, why can’t the same be true for indie theatre? This month, Pavement Group attempts to speak to younger art fans who are still trying to find their live for theatre with “Lipstick Traces–A Secret History of the 20th Century.” Adapted from a book by Greil Marcus, “Lipstick Traces” is about the birth of punk told through the story of Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols. The hate/love message that came with a new subculture really inspired Perez to try and realte that to today’s disenfranchised youth. From May 9th through June 1st, the AV-aerie will be hosting the production. Tickets are available from www.pavementgroup.org.
Unless you have a blog yourself, you might not be aware that whenever you google something, and then click on a link for a search result, WE KNOW. I can’t tell you how many people are looking for pink radios and how many people stumble onto TPR when tenderly searching for “gay dick.” In any case, with Tegan & Sara’s tour winding down, the hip, rock -oriented ladies want more of tour mates An Horse. Kate Cooper, also plays for the band Iron On, is a queer lady. Her own band, An Horse, might be better. I’ve already posted some snips from this Australian band, but since I Love You so much, I am reposting some mp3’s here so you can enjoy. Please buy An Horse’s record, “Not Really Scared,” from itunes.
Bjork–Wanderlust(Ratatat Remix)
Santogold–You’ll Find A Way
The Blow–The Night Full Of Open Eyes
Portishead–Silence
Feist–I Feel It All
Matmos–Polychords
The Gossip–Yr Mangled Heart(Live In Liverpool)
Coyote Grace–Songs
El Perro Del Mar–Inside The Golden Egg
Lykke Li–Dance Dance Dance(Live)
Goldfrapp–Caravan Girl
The Presets–This Boy’s In Love
Die Monitr Batss–Girls Of War
Radiohead–Nude(We Plants Are Happy Plants Remix)
Psychic TV–She Was Surprised(Disco Mix)
Health–Triceratops(CFCF Remix)
Cut Copy–Hearts On Fire
The Breeders–Night Of Joy
The New Bloods–Oh, Deadly Nightshade!
The Magnetic Fields–The Nun’s Litany
Crystal Castles–XXZCUZX ME
CSS–Rat Is Dead ( Rage)
Peter Moren–Social Competence
Hercules Theme–True False Fake Real
A recent New York Times Magazine article about a Real! Live! Gay! Couple! that is married with a home and is functional (what?! gay function?!) was so pointless. Former Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns is having a Brittney moment and getting divorced to his husband of 10 months is trolling around, staining our lives with his bitter tears about how gay men are promiscuous predators…REALLY? The non-scandalous revelation that gay marriage is just as problematic and nuanced as any law-blessed union is as tired as the race for a democratic nominee, maybe more so. Perhaps the most level headed thing I’ve read about unholy communion come from Norma Love via Chicago’s Free Press.
You remember that video for “Dirty is the New Black,” and it’s resonating with Logoonline.com fans, as he is in the top spot on the click list! Watch the video and vote for an out artist on Logo. Who would have thunkit?
