Media news
A Coors Brewing Co. beer ad that is a takeoff on "American Gothic," Grant Wood's painting of a rural man and woman, has caused concern among the two organizations that control the artwork, reports UPI. The ad, designed for placement in gay and lesbian magazines, features two men together. But the Art Institute of Chicago, which displays the painting as part of its permanent collection, or the Visual Artists and Galleries Association ( VAGA ) , which together with the Art Institute controls its use, say they are not complaining about the two menbut rather that it's about beer. Sure, how many times have you seen that Gothic image used as a take—off, for hundreds of ads and other concepts. VAGA and the Art Institute have policies to not grant use of 'American Gothic' for alcohol or tobacco. Coors, which itself has a very mixed record on gay issues ( the company has many gay—friendly policies, but the Coors family donates to right—wing anti—gay causes ) , also did not get permission for using the image.
They just announced a merger with Advocate and Out, and now PlanetOut is buying the premiere gay travel info publication, Out & About. Out & About's properties include the award—winning travel newsletter, in—depth city guides, travel calendar and website for gays and lesbians. Out & About co—founders David Alport and Billy Kolber—Stuart will manage the development of PlanetOut Travel while continuing to run Out & About properties.
The Wisconsin Light, a weekly gay and lesbian newspaper serving Wisconsin, closed its doors March 28, leaving IN Step as the only gay newspaper serving Wisconsin. Besides the state's risk—adverse business climate and underwhelming support from the straight ad community, a "self—destructive competitive environment held advertising rates to amongst the lowest in the country," the publishers said in stating reasons for the closing. Hmmm.
That's entertainment
The Chicago—based Aluminum Group was among the nominees announced for the Gay and Lesbian Music Awards. They are up for four GLAMAs ( Best Album, Best Band/Duo/Group, Song of the Year, Best OUT Recording ) at the April 24 awards show in NY. Also up are Chicagoans Martie Marro of Stewed Tomatoes, for Best Video for her band's "Smoke My Cowboy" effort; and Ellen Rosner's CD The Perfect Malcontent is also up for a GLAMA Award, for best debut CD. The Windy City Gay Chorus is up for Best Cast Recording, as well as Choral Recording. Their sister group, Unison Windy City Lesbian and Gay Chorus, is also up for Best Choral contribution. WCGA's subgroup, Windy City Slickers, is up for Best Comedy recording. Other nominees include Scott Free ( for Best Male Artist and other awards ) , Gaye Adegbalola, Kamys, Toshi Reagon, k.d lang, Lee Lessack, Suzanne Westenhoefer, SONiA, Pet Shop Boys, Kevin Aviance, Joi Cardwell, Boy George, Lea DeLaria, Fred Hersch, Zrazy, Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, MeShell Ndgeocello, Meg Hentges, Catie Curtis, Ned Rorem, Hedwig & the Angry Inch. Live Radio Broadcast nominees include Chicago's Charles Monroe Kane at Lesbigay Radio.
ABSOLUT VODKA and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation have announced the ABSOLUT BEST Lesbian and Gay Films of the 20th Century as determined by a popular vote of more than 23,000 from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The list was topped by 1994's The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. 2. Beautiful Thing; 3. Torch Song Trilogy; 4. Philadelphia; 5. Longtime Companion; 6. Gods and Monsters; 7. The Crying Game; 8. The Birdcage; 9. Jeffrey; In & Out; 11. Bound; 12. The Color Purple; 13. My Beautiful Laundrette; 14. Maurice; 15. Love! Valor! Compassion!; 16. The Wedding Banquet; 17. The Rocky Horror Picture Show; 18. The Incredibly True Adventure Of Two Girls In Love; 19. La Cage Aux Folles; 20. Boys on the Side. Heavily weighted toward gay guy films, the list is missing some some lesbian classics such as Desert Hearts and Personal Best, as well as many great lesbian—inclusive foreign films like Fried Green Tomatoes and Antonia's Line.
Sat., April 8, is Howard Brown Health Center's "Who's That Girl." The show returns to the Park West, ( 773 ) 388? ext. 3344. "Where's That Girl Been?" since the show skipped 1999? Event creator and producer is Patrick Russo; there will be an auction for a Mae West gown.
News to use
Two lesbians have become Britain's first married gay couple after getting around laws banning same—sex weddings because one of them was born a man. Diane Maddox and Clair Ward—Jackson were married at an official registry office wedding in Aldershot, southern England. Maddox, who underwent a sex—change operation several years ago, was able to provide a certificate proving she was born a man.
A March 20 Newsweek poll shows encouraging results for gay officeseekers, according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. By a margin of 71 to 24 percent, Americans believe gay people should be "hired" to serve as "major political office holders." The poll found that clear majorities of even the most conservative Americans believe that gays should hold major political office, and that there should be equal job rights for gay men and lesbians.
Sundance Cable Channel screens Me & Will, with filmmakers Melissa Behr and Sherrie Rose starring as Jane and Will in this trailblazing road trip, April 4, 9:30 p.m., also airs April 30. Part of She Said Cinema month.
The U. of Chicago Lesbian and Gay Studies Project presents "Objects of Desire: Homosexualities and the History of Collecting," April 8. It will explore the role of homosexual desire in the history of art collecting. 9 a.m.— 6 p.m., 924 E. 57th St., ( 773 ) 834— 4509. 9 a.m: Michael Camille on the Duc de Berry, Rebecca Zorach on the Artificial Lesbians in the Renaissance, Veronica Bierman on Queen Christina of Sweden, and Christoph Martin Vogtherr on Frederick II of Prussia. 2:30 p.m.: Whitney Davis on 19th Century Homoeroticism, Catherine Stimpson on Gertrude Stein, Richard Meyer on Interior Decoration, Deborah Bright on Andy Warhol, and Adrian Rifkin on Collecting Internet Men.
That's entertainment
The Film Center of the School of the Art Institute Contemporary Cuban Films/ Lecture Series includes the gay film Strawberry and Chocolate ( Fresa y Chocolate ) being screened April 4, 6 p.m., Columbus and Jackson streets, ( 312 ) 443— 3733. This is an award—winning film about gays in Cuba, made 1994, by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea.
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus presents H.M.S. Pinafore. Performances will be on April 14, 15, 21 and 22, at the Athenaeum, ( 773 ) 935— 6860.
At Unabridged Books April 4, writer, editor and former callboy Matt Bernstein Sycamore discusses and signs his book Tricks and Treats: Sex Workers Write About Their Clients, 7:30 p.m., 3251 N. Broadway, free, ( 773 ) 883— 9119. His book has first—person accounts by male, female and trans sex workers, from phone—sex workers to escorts, strippers and streetworkers. Writers include Dan Savage, Annie Sprinkle, and Kate Bornstein.
Weir Cooking in Chicago presents special cook—and—dine programs with Joanne Weir, host of the public TV series Weir Cooking in the Wine Country, next week. Call 1— 800— 955— 7687.
Literary Exchange's 1st Wimmim of Color Music Festival is April 8— 9. Gaye Adegbalola, Dani, Stefani, Linda Thomas—Jones, C.C. Carter and more are featured. Call ( 773 ) 509— 6881.
Write it down ...
Chicago residents are calling for height limits to preserve the look of neighborhoods, as taller and taller monstrosities go up in places such as Ukranian Village, East Village, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Roscoe Village and more. Vintage buildings are being torn down and replaced by taller, ugly and denser properties, uprooting trees, yards, and causing increased parking problems. The East Village Association is part of a drive to change height limits in Chicago residential neighborhoods. Call ( 773 ) 489— 7409 for details on how to participate.
GLSEN Chicago is offering support group meetings for gay, lesbian or bisexual educators ( teachers, social workers, nurses, speech therapists, principals, psychologists ) . The focus of the support groups is to meet with other educators who are dealing with what it's like to be a gay/ lesbian/ bisexual educator in traditionally conservative/homophobic school systems. The group will be co—facilitated by two GLSEN members ( one male, one female ) . The group will meet for five sessions: April 13 and 20, May 4, 11 and 18, 7:30 p.m., Horizons Community Services, 941 W. Montana; ( 312 ) 409?.
Nightlines columnist Kathie Bergquist is moving to Paris, France, April 27, to "do the expatriate thing." So, she's raising some bucks for the move Tuesday, April 18, at Big Chicks, 5025 Sheridan, ( 773 ) 728— 5511.
Barry Manilow's Family Values
Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Barry Manilow is making a one—night only stop in Chicago Sat., Apr. 15 to perform at The Children's Place Association gala, "Once Upon A Time ... at the Copa Cabana." Manilow's commitment to AIDS—related charities is noteworthy; not only is he breaking from his concert tour to make this Chicago appearance, but is donating his performance. A. Finkl & Sons Company ( 2011 N. Southport ) is donating use of their grounds on which a large tent will house the vibrant and sparkling Latin colors reminiscent of the Copa's hey—day. The Children's Place Association operates the Chicago area's only facility specializing in residential care and medical treatment for AIDS—affected children. Call ( 773 ) 826?.
The Family Pride Coalition, a national coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered parenting organizations, recently received a $50,000 grant from the David Bohnett Foundation for general operating support. This gift is the largest contribution in the organization's history. Family Pride provides support through a coalition of 160 affiliated local parenting groups who are facing a tidal wave of state legislatures and agencies attempting to restrict legal protection.
Subaru making way for women
Subaru of America, Inc. is receiving high praise for their new TV ad featuring women jocks touting their cars in a "What do I know" campaign. It plays on the fact that women are accused of not knowing anything about cars, and Martina Navratilova is among the women featured promoting the new 01MY Subaru Foresteralong with golfers Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon, and two—time Olympic medal skier Dianne Roffe—Steinrotter. Subaru has already done heavy advertising in the gay and lesbian market.
Erotic director Cadro murdered
Gay erotic film director Steve Cadro has been found brutally murdered in his apartment in his native city of Budapest, Hungary. While details of Cadro's murder remain vague, Hungarian authorities have conducted an exhaustive search and have apprehended a suspect. The suspect, identified as Cadro's former model named "Sanyi," has been charged with the crime. Authorities believe that Sanyi had attempted to extort money from Cadro for modeling services. When Cadro reportedly refused the request, authorities concluded that the suspect stabbed and bludgeoned Cadro to death.
Hungarian officials have not officially ruled whether Cadro's death was in fact a hate crime, but representatives at Cadro Films believe that the murder may have been motivated by the suspect's suspicion and hatred for gay people. Cadro is best remembered for his depictions of gay sexuality. One of the hallmarks of Cadro's work was his attention to character development, location, and model selection. The majority of Cadro's films are set in exotic locations such as Hungary, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Canary Islands where filming of gay erotica is hazardous at best.
Cadro's Loss Of Innocence is currently one of the top 10 gay erotic releases, according to Adult Video News, with the DVD version being rated the No. 1 gay erotic release in the U.S.