"I like dick. 'Are you gay?' Where've you been? I'm REALLY gay. I love it. I love being gay. Happy Pride everybody." —Adam Lambert's response when someone on social media asked if he's gay. Asked and answered.
Last week, tragedy struck in the form of a white pickup truck careening through a fence and into the Wilton Manors Pride festivities in Fort Lauderdale! It resulted in the death of one person, while another remains hospitalized. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis—an eyewitness to the incident—called it "a terrorist attack on the LGBTQ community," adding that "it was deliberate, it was premeditated." His account was called into question by Justin Knight, president of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus. Knight claims that not only was the driver a 77-year-old member of the chorus "family" (and wearing their Pride tee), but so were the two people he hit. The next day, Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton called it "a tragic accident." An investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile in nearby Delray Beach, a man was arrested for vandalizing the brand-new LGBTQ Pride Crosswalk. Dashcam video shows Alexander Jerich swerving and burning rubber on the mural … and in broad daylight. He surrendered to police shortly after the incident, and was charged with reckless driving, evidence of prejudice, and criminal mischief more than $1,000. Allegedly, the incident occurred during a caravan celebrating Donald Trump's birthday. Well, as long as he had a good excuse…
In happier news, Disney+ will be hosting "This Is Me"—a Pride Celebration Spectacular, and it'll air for free on YouTube and Facebook. The show will feature people like Alex Newell, Todrick Hall and oodles of others—even a Muppet or two! Check it out Sunday, June 27, at 8 p.m. ET.
By the by, a new family is moving onto Sesame Street consisting of Dave, husband Frank and daughter Mia. Dave is Nina's brother (I guess Nina lives there—but I haven't watched since Mr. Hooper died.) While researching this story, I learned a fun fact. Back in 2002, "Takalani Sesame"—the South African version of the show—introduced an HIV-positive Muppet!
What a fabulous time we had on "Billy Masters LIVE" last week. We celebrated the continuing legacy of "Broadway Bares"—created in 1992 by Jerry Mitchell. I thought it would be fun to chat with some performers in the current show and from previous years. Those included Christopher Sieber, Sebastian LaCause, Patrick Boyd, Jay Armstrong Johnson and Mark MacKillop. What a hunk-a-licious time we had!! If you wanna watch "Bares," check out BroadwayCares.org/Bares.
This Thursday, June 24, we'll feature a special Pride panel which will include the beloved Bruce Vilanch. Tune into "Billy Masters LIVE" on our YouTube channel, Billy Masters TV, or on BillyMasters.com/TV.
We even broke a little news on "Billy Masters LIVE." Pre-pandemic, Christopher Sieber was in previews for Broadway's gender-bending version of Company, with Patti LuPone. They will resume Dec. 20, with the opening scheduled for Jan. 9. Innocently, I asked, "Will the whole cast be returning?" Christopher kinda stuttered, and finally said, "Well … I can't say that." And, whaddaya know? the next day it was announced that the lovely and talented Kyle Dean Massey will not return to play Theo (Kathy in the original). Why? Massey posted, "Taylor [Frey] and I are expecting our first child this fall and I want to be 100% present for that." There's no word on his replacement—yet.
As for the lovely LuPone, it's been announced that she will be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022. And nobody deserves it more … except, perhaps, my beloved Jenifer Lewis, who was inducted this year. Due to that pesky pandemic, she opted to have the ceremony next year. Details to follow…
Our "Ask Billy" question is more of a comment. Oscar in San Diego writes, "Colton Haynes just posted that XY Magazine cover that he did in 2006. I guess he's not embarrassed by it anymore."
"Times have changed, and we've often rewound the clock, since the Puritans got a shock, when they landed on Plymouth Rock." So, what can I say? He's older, wiser and over it. What was troublesome when he was a tyke trying to make it is now passe."I've never posted this picture before. In fact, I spent a big part of my career trying to erase it from the internet while I was still in the closet. Partly because so many ppl in Hollywood told me I would never work as an openly gay actor, but part of it was because I was incredibly ashamed. It made me sad to see these pictures I had taken as a 15 year old model," he began.
He went on and on, but ended with, "Being gay is worth celebrating. I wish I'd figured that out sooner, but I'm so glad I know it now. To everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community, I hope you celebrate yourselves this month & always, exactly as you are." Except, of course, Colton is not quite ready to celebrate himself exactly as he was—he edited the post and changed "15 year old model" to "teenage model." The more things change … the more you can see on BillyMasters.com .
When Colton Haynes is touchy about his age, it's definitely time to end another column. You can touch yourself while checking out =BillyMasters.com—the site that is brought to you by the letters X and Y. If you have a question, send it along to Billy@BillyMasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before a special episode of Sesame Street when Ernie and Bert go to a sperm bank! Until next time, remember: One man's filth is another man's bible.
