DEF Poetry on B'way
Lesbian slam poet StaceyAnn Chin was on BET promoting her role in DEF Poetry Jam on Broadway, and she was out as can be. Her material in just simply amazing, as Chicagoans had a chance to witness during the Fire & Ink Black Writer's Conference last fall here (she performed at Affinity), and she also was the winner of the first People of Color Poetry Slam, in Chicago a couple years back at the Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays Conference.
Lane Round 2 for TV
Nathan Lane is set to play a Barney Frank-like openly gay Congressman in CBS' new Charlie Lawrence, according to the Toronto Sun. Since his last network flop, Lane played successfully in The Producers. Of his failed Encore Encore show, he said: 'Look, it wasn't a war crime.' Laurie Metcalf plays Lawrence's chief of staff.
Cruise Wins Again
Gay.com reports that an LA court has awarded Tom Cruise $10 million in his libel lawsuit against gay porn star Chad Slater (aka Kyle Bradford) who claimed he'd been Cruise's lover. He had told a French magazine about the alleged affair. When Slater admitted the story was false and defaulted on the suit last year, Cruise decreased his claim from $100 million to $10 million. After all, those clothes in the closet are expensive.
Leona's Anti-Gay Baggage
The New York Daily News Jan. 17 reported on Leona Helmsley, accused of anti-gay firing practices. She allegedly ranted against two gay employees, pelted them with slurs, and accused one of trying on her underwear, witnesses testified in court. 'I got rid of one fag, I'll get rid of another,' the 82-year-old hotel magnate vowed, according to her former security chief, Andrew Martinez. She's being sued for $40 million for firing Park Lane Hotel general manager Charles Bell.
PETA Protests Leather Event
365Gay.com reports that animal-rights advocates 'staged a small but colorful protest at the Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend [in D.C.].' People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals supporters held up signs that said 'Pleather Yourself' and 'Wear Fake For The Animals' Sake.' They handed out leaflets telling men entering the Washington Plaza where the event was held that imitation leather was 'the finest form of flattery.'