Media Watch - 2193 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News

From the 'When-a-Coward's-Not-a-Coward' file, The New York Times Book Review ( April 13 ) tells us about the gay songwriter, playboy and playwright Noel Coward who, it turns out, was a major spy for the British during WWII. Coward, who died in 1973, only referred to his secret career one time in his life, in an interview a few months before his death. He was trained ( along with his friend, Ian Fleming ) in Britain's hidden espionage headquarters and then spent much time before and during the war touring three continents singing, partying, acting as a courier and 'filing eyes-only reports on influential people. Coward's spycraft had a Scarlet Pimpernel side. The idea was to use his public personality—the merry playboy, the 'don't ask/don't tell gay celebrity—as a mask for his passionate antifascism.' He reported on the pro-Nazi Duke of Windsor and his even more pro-Nazi wife. ( Hitler planned to put the abdicated duke back on the British throne. ) Coward carried messages to President Roosevelt and with his fellow celebrity spy, Cary Grant, he assessed pro- and anti-British opinion. Turned down for a major ( and still unrevealed ) spying assignment, Coward revved up his patriotic creativity & immediately wrote Britain's famous song 'London Pride,' the movie In Which We Serve and the immensely funny play Blithe Spirit.

From the 'Interesting-If-True' file, columnist Michael Sneed, in the Chicago Sun-Times ( April 16 ) , reports Pope Benedict XVII on the plane to the United States for a visit clearly indicated to reporters that he knew the distinction between homosexuality and pedophilia—and that he would speak against the sexual abuse of children only. We'll see.

From the 'Lesbian-Hottie-Hauls-In-Housewives' file, The New York Times ( April 13 ) says that Jackie Warner, TV's lesbian fitness trainer, has quite a few surprising fans: 'I think my top demographic are not the gay and lesbian community, but housewives.' She goes on: 'I have women that send me photos of themselves with their husbands and three teenage boys ... with a love letter attached.' Ms. Warner is secure enough to think of reasons why straight women would like her: 'Women are attracted to someone ... who's self-posessed and confident. ... It's not looks. ... They want a feeling of safety.' Let's just say that with her level of fitness, one could feel pretty safe.

From the 'Gay-Rights-Runs-Into-Conspicuous-Consumption' file, The New York Times ( Apr. 11 ) reports that in those states that allow same-sex unions and/or weddings, a large wedding industry has quickly grown up: 'Many northwest states now hold gay and lesbian wedding expositions.' Think tiaras, custom rings, civil-union packages at lodges, multiple guests, pavilions on the beach weddings, out-of-town guests, pagan-themed weddings and science-themed weddings. The list ( and expense ) goes on. One big geographic area that's interested is the South, where there is no local possibility. The gay old South is coming north to get hitched.

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985