GLBT interest in celebrities

Thoughts I sent to Billy Masters on his column on celebrities, etc.

As I was watching the movie The Proposal on TV last night, and saw the scene where the two stars are naked, I of course thought of you and your column. I wonder what type male and female stars your readers are most interested in? While your coverage of the White Party is good, I wonder if even the guys who are there all are interested in the same types.

I asked some young women who they find interesting and they came up with people like Haley something, which I think is good. But do they find sexy women the most interesting or those with personality like Ellen, etc? And the same with men-I find, for instance I like men like Ashton Kutcher or Colin Farrel--isn't he the one in A Home at the End of the World?

But did you see The Proposal? I find (I think his name is Ryan Reynolds) has a great body, but he also has a great personality. I think you would want to be with him after sex. I wonder if women feel the same way about Sandra Bullock—I like her too. There are some movies I can watch more than once, such as Pretty Woman or The Notebook-again, Ryan Gosling is a great person more than a sexy person—but I'm not sure I will remember the interchangeable people in most TV shows such as 90210, Melrose, etc. But I immediately like the man in Life Unexpected. And find the men in police shows such as Castle and The Mentalist very interesting.

Just wondered what others think. I of course read you all the time in Windy City Times. Thanks for the news and views.

Response to Question on Motorcade

Don Schneider filmed the Motorcade in Los Angeles in May, 1966, these are his thoughts:

Thanks for this inside information on how you took the film of the Motorcade. I was there, as the saying goes, and did not know the actions you describe. I don't remember if we showed the film in the office or not. I sure hope you can get a new copy made and you and we can get it on the record, as you deserve much credit for this and it is historic.

I doubt many people then or now even heard of the Committee To Fight Exclusion of Homosexuals From the Armed Forces-even though we drove through the city and had put notices on cars at gay bars all over the area, etc. And people like Jim Kepner refused to work on the project, which was nationwide, as a NACHO project-think it was because it might be thought as supporting the Vietnam war, which was Morris Kight's reason, but Dorr, nor any other local group supported us. That is why it was good then to have the interviews with Connie Chung and Tom Brokaw on Fairfax. The question is do those tv stations have this footage in their archives? The same would be good to know of the taped tv shows we were on, such as Louis Lomax, Regis Philbin, etc.


Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:58:04 -0400
Subject: Re: Response to Question Motorcade


Hi, Billy - Motorcade was first shown in Hollywood Theater, southside of Hollywood Blvd, a bit west of Western Ave. I remember being there, and hearing audience comments without their knowing I was within easy ear-shot in the crown in lobby. We knew each other,but in the crunch of people didn't get to acknowledge that before the others disappeared out the door. There was another city it was sent to, would have to refer to journal notes for details. when, where, what theater, showing date(s).

We have the printing elements here in the museum, so a new print can be made from them. They are the A and B rolls of 16mm, and the 16mm track (sound).

Didn't we run it on Cahenga in the office of Tangents? It seems that would be the thing to do, easily possible, just bring in the projection table to put the projectoron, an extension cord if needed to get to an electric outlet, the projector, film, take-up reel and speaker and a Screen. For one of the montghly meetings.

What it needs is discussion of the issue at stake with the military, pos, cons, effects, whatever. Also, get a print of the tv interview with Don Slater talking.

When Don stopped to conduct the interviews on west side of a north-south main street, I and my driver were interviewed at our car, so I didn't get to film the interview. (silent filming).

That caught me by surprise, so I made the most of it. I learned a lesson, if I ever do such again, I'd prepare by having another person prepared to be interviewed, so I could stick like glue to the main event I waas supposed to be covering. Let someone else say what I said, so we'd accomplish both, especially not lose Don's major moment.

Separate detail: For safety from anyone who might attack Don or his car, we had our own people drive cars surrounding his car as if we were in traffic. They also surrounded my car on three sides, two sides and back. I was in car directly behind Don's car, filming unobtrusively, not to draw interruption from any protester. I was in my own plain, inconspicuous car, and Jack Pfirrman was my driver. I was set-up in the front passenger seat.. I'd have to see the film to say, but I must have been beside his car sometime. I wouldn't have wanted the whole thing to be from his back. We also planned at what point on the route I would change film. If I started with 100' feet, change to a 400' roll, or the reverse, which would be less smart planning, to do. Because I knew the route was laid-out as so-and-so with no special activity until the TV stop. So, I should have the longer length of film available to use, for that and whatever followed, because I didn't know how long, or whatwould happen from there to returning to the office. I couldn't be changing film during THAT period.

/ - Don Schneider

Why and how all religions will eventually have to change their attitude toward homosexuals

The idea that religions do not change is nonsense. And the fact that, for instance, Mormons did change their idea on polygamy or black members is only one example.

The fact that black Americans and white Americans today in my home town, Bossier City LA, are not legally separated is proof that society can change-no matter the motive. I grew up in a racially segregated town, and heard vicious racial slurs by preachers and politicians, including my own kin, who said we would have segregation forever-all the time knowing that was a lie.

Today I hear these latter day preachers—quoting the same Bible the segregationists did—and politicians saying homosexual Americans will never have equality in marriage, military service, etc. They will change their sermons and votes soon.

The more the bigots talk about honoring the Constitution or the Bible, the more they show their ignorance of both. Both accepted slavery. I want them to say that we should go back in time and have slavery here. This nation’s founders were smart and brave but they also lived in the real world. They compromised on some issues. There is no longer a reason to compromise on the dream that all men are created equal.

The reason why the churches/religions will not find it hard to change and admit they were wrong is that, like slavery, homosexuality is not a basic teaching of religion. It is a tangential issue. And a few wise and good men in each religion will step forward and point this out. The Catholic Church and Islam, for instance, are suffering bad PR. While the religion may not die over such issues as pedophilia and hatred of Jews, they will be harmed until such issues go away they get back to the basics—why they exist.