A Disturbing Stonewall Anniversary Moment

40 years to the day from the historic Stonewall Rebellion -- when police raided the namesake bar and arrested patrons on trumped-up charges because they were gay -- the same thing has happened again, in Texas. Why isn't this kind of brutal police bigotry national news? And for that matter, why aren't the major television networks covering the Stonewall anniversary at all?

It's important for all LGBTQ people to celebrate this moment, and to enjoy ourselves and our few hard-won freedoms. But the important flipside of pride, as Quentin Crisp famously noted, is the absence of shame. It's important that we make sure we are heard, seen...and that prejudice like that in Ft. Worth isn't allowed a place in the 21st century.

A Lesson In Karma: When Big, Hypocritical Celebrity Bloggers Get Exactly What They Deserve

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If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've delighted greatly in this story over the last few days; in my opinion, anyone who punches He Who Shall Not Be Linked in the face should be celebrated as a national hero. Few daydreams give me more pleasure than the ones in which I give Perez a massive beatdown. Call me a bastard if you want, but to paraphrase Stewie Griffin, I say Perez's uppance has finally come.

Yes, I know, violence is never the answer...especially when there's barely even a question. If there's anything to be learned from this sad affair, it's this:

1) Perez is an unaccountable liar. (Turns out Will.I.Am didn't punch him at all, as he claimed. It was a bodyguard, and Perez knew it, but he decided to drag Will's name through the mud anyway.)

2) It is now acceptable to admit to liking the Black Eyed Peas' new CD, The E.N.D.

3) The true savagery of this story isn't Perez's exaggeration of the "punch" (breaking news -- Perez somehow survived), but his use of a particularly homophobic epithet that led to the fracas. If you haven't heard, Perez ended his verbal catfight by calling Will a "faggot." Yes, kids...the big fat homo is a big fat 'phobe.

If you're like me, you got hip to Perez's poisonously hypocritical bullshit years ago, and this new wrinkle is unsurprising. But like the (totally gorgeous and brilliantly funny) FourFour pointed out yesterday, most people do not realize that Perez is a human wastebin; in fact, he's one of the most successful bloggers of all time, benefiting from lowest common denominator gossip and hateful idiocy. In a medium where great, passionate, talented writers like Nathaniel struggle and work incredibly hard to be professionally successful, it's a travesty that Bigmouth has a wholly undeserved platform for his adolescent bile.

I know Perez has recently been reinventing himself as a nascent equality advocate. But that's as phony as his hair color. Exposing Carrie Prejean last spring was really, really easy...and both she and Perez got a lot of mileage out of that shared moment. Now that his true nature has been revealed -- even after being called out by GLAAD, he refused to apologize for the epithet -- it'll be interesting to see if his fans stick by him...or decide to move on to better, wittier, funnier gossip sites. Or at least, sites that don't call people "faggot" as a slur.

UPDATE: Finally he's apologized, from the bottom of what he calls a heart.

Getting Pumped (For Gay Pride)

There's no better way to get in the mood for Gay Pride this week than to watch the greatest documentary about LGBT history ever made: The Times Of Harvey Milk. If you only know Harvey's story from last year's Sean Penn film, or (gasp) don't know him at all, this is required viewing. And it's free on YouTube, which makes it the perfect I-should-be-working diversion.

And to all the disappointed, weak-willed gay political leaders in America fumbling the marriage debate (yes, that means you, Barney), this is what courage is SUPPOSED to look like.

ModMusic: Kristine W "The Power Of Music"

In the life span of dance divas, thirteen years is an eternity. So who can blame Kristine W, after seven releases, thirteen Billboard #1 dance hits, a life-threatening battle with leukemia and a vastly changed industry, for changing up the formula on her new CD, The Power of Music? How long can a dance artist keep the bass and beats going?

To claim that The Power of Music is "new" is itself a reinvention; four of the album's sixteen tracks -- "Walk Away," "Never," a cover of Diana Ross' disco confection "The Boss," and "Love Is The Look" -- have been previously released in the last two years, all to massive club success...with a fifth single, "Be Alright," poised to join them. Like all dance artists in these uncertain times, Kristine is experimenting with formats (EPs, CDs, web releases, etc.), release dates, delivery mechanisms, and styles (the era of Timbaland-style production having mercifully come to an end...now if we can only get rid of Auto-Tune).

But a funny thing happened to Kristine on the way to her fourth full-length recording...she dipped her toe, ever so gently, into nostalgia. "Be Alright" isn't a dance floor stomper, but a midtempo pop-rock riff (courtesy of guitar legend George Lynch) that wouldn't be out of place on a Celine Dion or Shania Twain disc from the 90's. (I confess to vastly preferring the remixes, including the Boris Blind Faith Mix, which you can download for free here.) Snatched from the 1980's, iconic rapper Big Daddy Kane offers up an overblown guest appearance in the album's title track. To top it off, Kristine cribs from her own back catalog with a re-recorded version of her 1994 single "Feel What U Want."

In fact, it isn't until one reaches "Never," a quarter of the way through The Power of Music, that Kristine's signature house-disco asserts itself and the disc begins to soar. "Never" is a phenomenal work of thundering energy, featuring fierce wails over an insistent pulsing beat. A superb new bootie-shaker called "Window To You World" is the obvious follow-up single, and "Groove's Inside" recalls underground legends like Alison Limerick and Shawn Christopher.

Kristine's one Achilles Heel, balladry, has occasionally thrown off the flow of previous recordings; neither her powerful voice, nor her disposition for synths and drums, suit the form well. Luckily, The Power of Music sees only two of them, and only one is truly misguided ("Not So Merry Go Round"). Experiments with guitars and retro stylings aside, The Power of Music keeps a dancefloor legend in the currents of modern pop without sacrificing what put her there in the first place.

If Lady GaGa Sounded This Good, I Might Not Want To Squeeze Her Until She's Dead

Super-cutie indie pop combo The Mission District recently covered the gagging diva...and does her better than she does herself. Just dance, bitches. (And by the way, Arjan, you totally deserve one of ModFab's deluxe complimentary handjobs for your red-hot blogging. You've been on a serious roll!)

Full Court Press On NY Marriage Equality

Towleroad has so much great daily content (how many people work there, anyway? Am I the only blogger in the universe who didn't jump aboard when they were looking for correspondents?) that it's easy to miss some of their best posts. For New Yorkers, however, this one bears repeating...and I'd encourage each of you to cut, paste, and pass it on in e-mails and blog posts of your own:

I've been hearing from some key sources up in Albany that the work for a vote on marriage equality is still very much underway.

However, and this is especially important for those of you living in certain districts in New York City, there are a few Democratic senators that really need to know how important the marriage bill (S. 4401) is, and that we want it brought to the Senate floor before the session ends.

A few Senators are apparently expressing that all they want to do before the session ends is tie up a few tax matters that expire and call it quits. What I'm hearing is that if you live in one of the districts listed below, it's vitally important that you make the points above known to your legislator.

These districts are:

SD 23 - Sen. Diane Savino (Staten Island, Brooklyn – Southwest): 518-455-2437
SD 25 - Sen. Daniel Squadron (Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn – Northwest): 518-455-2625
SD 26 - Sen. Liz Krueger (Manhattan – Midtown East, Upper East): 518-455-2297
SD 31 - Sen. Eric Schneiderman (Manhattan – Northwest): 518-455-2041
SD 34 - Sen. Jeff Klein (Northern Bronx, Lower Westchester): 518-455-3595

Of course it's important for everyone to call his or her Senator, but according to my sources, these five are particularly vital.

Read the entire Towleroad article here.

Obama, The Betrayal, and The Way Out Of This Mess

So it's probably time for me to weigh in on the Obama-as-homophobe business. Because I've been hearing from friends (interestingly enough, all of whom supported Hillary in the primaries) that Obama has finally been revealed as a sham, an empty suit, and worse, a despicable betrayer of promises to the LGBT community. And because the other 5,784,419 blogs writing about it apparently aren't enough.

What to do. What we got here is a conundrum. A puzzle. How DO you solve a problem like Maria.

Here are my random, sprawling, incoherent thoughts on the subject:

1) You can't deny the facts. The fact is Obama has done nothing -- zero, zip, nada -- to improve the lives of LGBT Americans in the first five months of his presidency. The "benefits memo" yesterday doesn't count, since it had no health care provision and was an obvious attempt to cover the president's political ass over the DOMA brief scandal (which MIGHT, I say MIGHT, not have been as homophobic as you've heard). Obama, judging on his performance so far, must be considered a complete and utter failure to the LGBT community, and we've got every right to be furious about that.

2) But. Obama still has 3 years and 7 months left to deliver on his promises to the LGBT community. So calling him a traitor and a liar is premature at best. He may, deep in his heart, truly hate us...but there's no evidence for or against that idea yet. No major movement in the first five months strikes me as completely understandable...as a manager myself, I know it would take me at least that long to change significant policy, and I only run a small theatre organization.

3) We never learn, do we? LGBT people have been here before...in 1992, to be precise. Back then, we had suffered under a two-term Republican president and Congress, only to elect a "different kind of Democrat"...and realize that the promises that Democrat made to us were pretty empty. Sound familiar? The last name then, by the by, was Clinton, for anyone feeling high and mighty.

4) What needs to happen now: Obama MUST move on social issues...trying to avoid them is merely delaying the inevitable. I know he doesn't like to tangle with conservatives; in fact, I and many others elected him for that very attractive quality of thoughtfulness and his bent towards bipartisanship. But there's no wiggle room on equality...you're either for it or agin' it. We're for it. They're agin' it. It's time for him to put up or shut up.

5) It's our own fault. Gay expectations for Democratic leadership are WAAAY too high. When will we learn that Democrats are BETTER than Republicans, but NOT a cure to all of the world's ills? And while I'm complaining, let's talk about the sorry state of gay leaders: LGBT action groups are pathetically incompetent to deal with this moment, and even Barney Frank has become an Obama stool pigeon. Ugh.

6) Listen up gay folk: if you wanted equality for you and your spouse above all other social and political concerns last year, you should have voted for the only true liberal who ran for President: Dennis Kucinich. Kucinich was the ONLY one who would have repealed DOMA on the spot. He was the ONLY one who would have overturned the military ban in his first 100 days. Not Hillary, Edwards, Paul or McCain. Remember, because when Kucinich runs again in 2012, you'll have another chance to pull the lever for him...and watch him lose (again).

7) But you didn't vote for Kucinich, because you knew better. You didn't. And the gay community didn't. And I didn't. Instead, we voted for a moderate centrist. He never lied to us about that; Fox News might call Obama a "liberal," but anyone who did the research knew better. Obama is a smart guy with good ideas and a near-pathological obsession with listening to all sides. But a progressive? Girl, please.

So this is where we are -- a president who doesn't respond to every whim of the left, including ours. A president who ducks what's ethically right sometimes, in favor of what he believes to be a larger vision. That's the car we bought, and you know what? We're stuck with it. So the best thing we can do, I think, is apply intelligent pressure to get him to keep his promises, and stop hoping he'll suddenly be someone he's not.

The boycott of the DNC fundraiser is a great start. The National March For Equality in October is not a bad idea, either (except it is the exact same day as Kylie Minogue's NYC concert, which is a scheduling snafu of Herculean proportions!). And get your letter writing, e-blasting, Facebook-linking jive on, and make your voice heard on the issue.

Because in the end, no one's going to hand you your rights. Not Obama, or anyone else. We're going to have to fight for them. So let's get to work.

Kelly Rowland Says Hi (ModFab Goes Weak In Knees)

Yes, yes, I know that I'm one of the few people who actually like The Fashion Show, Bravo's new clone of Project Runway. But I have an excuse...it's because I have developed a small obsession with Kelly Rowland. Okay, not so small. She's fierce, she's stunningly gorgeous, and she's got a richer voice (and better silhouette) than Beyonce. She may not have a lot to do on TFS, but for me, it's totally okay if she just stands around being beautiful. She is my own, personal, individually-packaged diva.



So how THRILLED was I when a video shoutout to ModFab readers arrived, from Miz Rowland herself! It's a promo for her new single with David Guetta, "When Love Takes Over," which had already become one of my summer disco anthems. Enjoy!

Well, At Least Someone's Still Hiring...

I'm not at all qualified for this position, but hey, I have smart, sexy readers who might be. Anyone want to hold the fate of an entire art form in their hands?

The Votes Are There. Bring It To The Floor!

A truly historic moment! The New York state senate has enough votes to pass the marriage equality bill. Now the only thing that stands in its way is Democratic Senate Leader Malcolm Smith, who must bring it to a floor vote. There are only about three weeks left in this session, so it's got to happen quickly.

If there was ever a time, people, that your political voice needed to be heard, this is it. Smith has waffled mightily on this issue, and will need, ummm, encouragement to do the right thing here. You can reach Smith

by e-mail directly at masmith@senate.state.ny.us, or
by filling out this page, or
by faxing his office at (212) 298-5605, or
simply call his office at (212) 298-5585

and let him know that you INSIST he bring the marriage equality bill to the floor.

Who knows...maybe someday, even a young gay thing like Adam will be able to marry Brad.

I Swear, I Don't Like Billy Elliot That Much: ModFab's Guide To The 2009 Tony Awards

The 2009 Tony Awards® are upon us! And after 364 days that revealed a surprisingly accomplished and intelligent season (good on you, Broadway!), there's nothing left to do but pick the winners...and to grouse about who should have really won.

BEST PLAY
Dividing The Estate
God Of Carnage Will Win
reasons to be pretty
33 Variations Should Win

Carnage, the star-studded diamelle of the bunch, has the added benefit of being a crowd-pleasing comedy, the only one in the bunch. You can't fight farce; it should waltz easily to a win, provided sentiment for the late, great Horton Foote doesn't push Dividing The Estate into contention. (For what it's worth, I didn't think any of these plays were all that; the best works of the season, Ruined, Wig Out and Black Watch, all premiered Off-Broadway instead. But if I had to choose a favorite, I'd go with the elegant symmetry of 33 Variations.)

BEST MUSICAL
Billy Elliot Will Win/Should Win
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical

Honestly, it's really adorable how Next To Normal fans think they actually have a shot. Just adorable. Adorable, and ridiculously myopic. Because they don't. (Though I still find Rock of Ages, pound for pound, to be the most entertaining of the four.)

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Billy Elliot, Lee Hall
Next to Normal, Brian Yorkey Will Win
Shrek The Musical, David Lindsay-Abaire
[Title of Show], Hunter Bell Should Win

The widespread infection obsession with Next To Normal edges out Billy Elliot here...but don't count out Hunter Bell, a well-liked actor/writer in the industry, whose tiny cult musical has a more rabid following than Normal. Die vampire, die!

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Billy Elliot, Elton John and Lee Hall Will Win
Next to Normal, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey
9 to 5: The Musical, Dolly Parton
Shrek The Musical, Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire Should Win

It's quite possible that the fervor for Normal will move it to the winner's circle here...but it's hard for me to believe that Elton John isn't foolproof insurance for Billy. I really don't care for any of these scores, to be frank...but since I'm of the opinion that Shrek is better than the reviews gave it credit for, I'll put a mark in its column.

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Mary Stuart Should Win
The Norman Conquests Will Win
Waiting For Godot

2009 was the best year for play revivals in my lifetime, period. In addition to these four stellar examples, consider the ones that weren't nominated: All My Sons, Blithe Spirit, Desire Under The Elms, Equus, The Seagull, Speed-The-Plow, and the season's most surprising masterwork, Exit The King. I loved loved LOVED the queens of Mary Stuart, but with the momentum of precusor awards Drama Desk and Outer Critics, I don't think there's any question that Norman will succeed with the Tony conquest.

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Guys and Dolls
Hair Will Win/Should Win
Pal Joey
West Side Story

It seems that industry opinion has swayed strongly to the hippies of Hair in the last month. But it's not much of an accomplishment, frankly...the other three efforts are flawed at best (and horrific at worst).

BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT
Liza’s at The Palace Will Win/Should Win Slava’s Snowshow Soul of Shaolin You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush

I'm sorry to burst your bubble of hope, Shaolin monks.

LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King Will Win/Should Win
Thomas Sadoski, reasons to be pretty

In a rare trifecta, Rush took the Drama League, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics prizes for King. As well he should...it's nearly irresistible awards bait, a showy tour de force that attracts attention like moths to a flame. It's a shame there are no runner-up prizes at the Tonys, though. Esparza is overdue for a statuette, and would have had it if Rush hadn't swept in this spring. Sorry, dude, better luck next time.

LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations Might Win
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage Might Win
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart Should Win/Might Win
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

Honestly, I think the three-way race between Fonda, Harden and McTeer is almost too close to call. My heart leans toward McTeer, who gave, IMHO, the performance of the year. But Harden exhibited a surprising flair for comedy, and Fonda dazzled in her dramatic deterioration. So I'm guessing McTeer...but just barely.
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot Should Win
Gavin Creel, Hair
Brian d’Arcy James, Shrek The Musical Will Win
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

The early awards coalesced around James, a Broadway veteran who does the heavy lifting in his musical. It's not a dazzling performance, but it's solid, yeoman's work. Personally, I'd lean toward Creel or the Billy boys, but James is such a great guy (and such a talented artist) you can't be upset with his win.

LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical Should Win
Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal Will Win
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

The chatter says that Ripley is a shoo-in. But Janney upset her at the Drama Desks, and Scaglione and Foster tied at the Outer Critics. That means she's 0 for 2. Still, it's the most natural place for Normal fans to make their ardor evident. As good as Janney is in 9 To 5, her poor singing keeps me from pulling for an upset. So I'll go with my beloved, Foster, who hams it up beautifully in Shrek.

FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations Should Win
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Will Win

With Ritter probably pulling a few votes from the (more appropriately laudatory) turn by Mangan in the same play, I think this category finally began to coalesce last week in the minds of the voters for a winner -- Robinson. He's not only a revered character actor finally getting his due, but his win does double duty of recognizing Joe Turner, which isn't seriously figuring into any other major category. But if I had my way, I'd fete Grenier's marvelously tormented turn as Beethoven.

FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, reasons to be pretty Should Win
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit Will Win
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

At least a small sentimental vote will be going to Hallie Foote (her late father wrote her play), and Marin Ireland, in the toughest of parts, was also the best in this category. (And also a LEAD, not a supporting performance, no matter what the Tony eligibility gods say.) But I'd be shocked and awed, frankly, if Lansbury didn't strut away with this. She's widely loved and enjoying rave reviews (in an otherwise uninspired revival). She's won many times before...but not in a while. And she's Jessica Fletcher...don't think it doesn't matter. It does.)

FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
David Bologna, Billy Elliot
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot Will Win
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson, Hair Should Win

Yes yes, I know you need me to pick a winner. But may I completely gay out for a minute? I'm madly in love with Swenson and Sieber, and Kudisch ain't bad either. Who to choose, among my fantasy theatrical paramours? The answer is easy...none of them. Bologna, the fey friend in Billy Elliot, is a charming memory for voters, one of the great comic relief turns of the decade. And as Billy's father, veteran Jbara brings pathos to the (admittedly silly) procedings. I'm hoping Swenson has paid enough dues to pull it out, or that Sieber benefits from a surprise Shrek uptick in votes. But damn, that Bologna is going to be formidable.

FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot Will Win
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey Should Win
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot

When assessing this category, it's important to remember three things:
1) The best thing in West Side Story is Olivo.
2) The best thing in Pal Joey was Plimpton.
3) The best thing usually doesn't win Tonys.

Now, I'm not saying Olivo or Plimpton won't win...actually, I'd put even money on Olivo to pull it out. But of the five, the truly memorable performance is Gwynne's...she's already won a slew of trophies for her portrayal in London, which she'll add to on Sunday night.

And quickly, my other guesses:

SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King Should Win
Rob Howell, The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane, 33 Variations Will Win
Michael Yeargan, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot Will Win/Should Win
Scott Pask, Pal Joey
Mark Wendland, Next to Normal

COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Dale Ferguson, Exit the King Will Win
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart Should Win

COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages Should Win
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical Will Win
Michael McDonald, Hair

LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
David Hersey, Equus
David Lander, 33 Variations Will Win/Should Win
Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart

LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Kevin Adams, Hair Should Win
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal Will Win
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY
Paul Arditti, Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke, Equus
Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King Will Win
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Should Win

SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Acme Sound Partners, Hair
Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical Will Win
Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages Should Win
Brian Ronan, Next to Normal

DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart Should Win
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage Will Win
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair Will Win/Should Win

CHOREOGRAPHY
Karole Armitage, Hair Should Win
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical Will Win
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

ORCHESTRATIONS
Larry Blank, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Should Win
Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal Will Win
Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical