Angels in America on Sky Atlantic

Excellent news for British Sky subscribers.  The wonderful HBO adaptation of Tony Kushner's play, Angels in America is to be broadcast on the Sky Atlantic channel from Monday 12 December.

At the age of around 13 or 14 I visited Manchester Contact Theatre on a school trip.  My childhood had been a game of two halves, an idyllic first few years followed by varying degrees of misery until I left for sixth form and probably the five happiest years of my life.  An unhappy and bullied child, the visit to Contact theatre was a moment when I was suddenly surrounded by people that seemed to 'get me', and who I could relate to.  When I look back, they probably saw the scared gay kid and reached out.

We had a look around, messed around, created a structure that had to survive a wind machine (as you do) and someone who was part of the studio talked to me about Angels in America.  To this day, I don't know why, I can't even remember the gender of the person.  I just know it happened.  I picked up flyers on my way out and put myself on their mailing list.  Theatre seemed an exciting world of possibility and something that was alien to my working class background.  It seems silly now, but flyers for Beautiful Thing and Angels in America excited me, and drew me in - and were a powerful connection to a complex sexual identity at a time before the Internet meant you could reach out to millions via your phone.

So, this play has always been special to me on a personal level.  When I finally read the play (it's actually two plays) and watched the HBO production, it blew me away.  Music to make your spine tingle, actors whose performances affect you like never before and a script that will touch your soul.  The epic power of the play, the wondrous use of language, it's utterly brilliant.  The play is now commonly used in schools, particularly in the USA to examine issues of sexuality and HIV, and it many ways it has less power than when HBO first adapted the play for television but it remains potent.

That said, whenever I've used scenes from the mini-series, or play extracts with my students studying human rights law or law and sexuality, there has always been at least one person who is so moved, so touched as to go out and buy the DVD set.  At least one who is so touched, so excited by this visual feast that they have to come and talk to me about, have to share their thoughts and responses.  It gets under your skin.  So, if you've not yet seen it, please do.  If you like it, read the play as there are some sections not in the series, but other than that, the series is true to the original script.  I won't spell out the full story, as I think it's best to approach the series with a fairly blank canvas, but it is set in an 80s America with the Reagan presidency in the background; AIDS is in full swing and a famous US lawyer - Roy Cohn - appears in a semi-fictionalsied form in this production (played by Al Pacino).  Check out the original HBO trailer below.

 

This Stupid Little Street

Off to Manchester tomorrow for our annual field trip (steady the buffers, we're on our way).  Hugely excited to be hearing from Greater Manchester Police and their approach to policing in the Village - and the priorities that they currently face (I understand sex work/prostitution to be a key 'issue' at the moment).

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation have also been generous enough (mad enough?) to have us back to their gorgeous HQ at the heart of the Village for a chat about their work.  I will as ever be giving the students my socio-legal walkabout around the village (so if you see us, say hello), and my optional more general walkabout on history, culture and sexuality (Hacienda, raves, Marxism, Liberalism, the Suffragettes, Coronation Street).   Some of us will also be off to Canal Street on Monday night but I feel far too old and fat for such escapades these day (a theme that Stephen Whittle has written about more generally).  Yes, I am essentially a mildly intoxicated tour guide for two days.  Fun times.

I ask my students to watch the UK series' of Queer as Folk before the trip, because the series was so important and it offers so many strands of discussion.  A scene towards the end of Queer as Folk 2 encapsulates so much about the Village, but I can't find any video clips of it to embed (if you can find it, please add a link in a comment).  Instead, I offer the quote below which makes up the key scene:

"What, come back to this? The ghetto: alleyways stinking of piss, beggars in every doorway, straights and students coming to look at the freak show, and all the idiots saving all week, saving their stupid money from their stupid idiot jobs so they can come and shoot their load with some stranger. And just you look after it, this stupid little street. It's the middle of the world. Cos on a street like this, every single night, anyone can meet anyone. And every single night, someone meets someone."

- Stuart Jones, Queer As Folk 2

UPDATE - located the scene...here you go (1.29 onwards is they key bit)

 

Hold the Confetti! No Wedding For Bert and Ernie

I confess I am a bit of a Muppets fan, and as a child, like so many generations, I was a big Sesame Street fan. I was therefore pretty thrilled with the campaign to marry Bert and Ernie. Whatever your thoughts on marriage (and I remain in the sceptic camp) I do believe that same-sex marriages should exist and it would be great for children to see two much loved male characters get married.

Sadly, the BBC reports the campaign has not succeeded. A statement from the show's makers said: "They remain puppets and do not have a sexual orientation."

But they conceded that the pair are "male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics".

The confirmed bachelors have lived together for 40 years and sleep in the same bedroom, albeit in single beds.

"Bert and Ernie are best friends," the statement from Sesame Workshop added. "They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves.

If you've had some sort of deprived life and have never seen Bert and Ernie check out the clip below. Personally, they've always struck me as looking like Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell (with wig) - maybe Ernie will one day be found bludgeoned to death by a hammer? As it is, we see a much more gentle relationship in the clip below but I'm sure I'm not the first one to think Ernie was to later say: "this one's really hard Bert, what's in my pants?"


In case you were wondering...Grover was always my favourite character.

A Snip of Captain Jack

I'm rather late to the joining the Captain Jack outrage party but here goes (or rather, here doesn't go)...

As some of you may know, last night saw the screening of Torchwood: Miracle Day in the UK. This is the fourth series and marks a move to the US as the previously BBC production, becomes a collaborative product of the BBC and US network Starz (better known for sexy romp Spartacus: Blood and Sand).

Maria Boyd of Georgia State University, has previously considered the scholarly issues of sexuality in Torchwood (I can't find a published paper) at a conference back in 2009. She considered reviews of the earlier series' and found them limiting, stating that: 'The hegemonic, heterosexist language used by TV critics covering Torchwood has framed the program in such a way that it limits audience’s ability to make meaning of the text themselves.'

The latest controversy surrounds the editing out of one scene from last nights episode - but only in the UK and on the BBC. The scene was *drum roll* a sex scene between central character Captain Jack and random barman 'Brad'. The cut scene was quickly available on the net and can be viewed here (it's pretty tame stuff but I don't want to take chances with the Google police by embedding it).

John Barrowman - the gay actor who plays Captain Jack - defended the decision of the BBC to edit the scene out of the shown episode.

“I do agree with the decision that was made. Some younger kids are going to watch Torchwood. If they’re sitting watching it with their parents, it might make it a little uncomfortable [and] the parents might click off. In order to stop that from happening, we’ve just taken a snippet off the end of it. You still get a good chunk of it.”

That statement echoed the official BBC line that: "Even though the show airs after the watershed, it has a lot of young fans who would have been shocked at the graphic nature of the sex."

Despite the online brouhaha surrounding the decision, it seems to me - after watching it -a fair enough decision. It cut down the straight sex as well as the gay sex - and whilst I think the world wouldn't cave in if a teen did watch a show, designed for adults, and shown after 9pm, the BBC decision is at least coherent.

More important, it seems to me, is how the rest of the show dealt with sexuality. Other than the camp air steward denying he was gay in the previous episode (which was a little grating), this was the first episode to take a more direct approach to Jack's sexuality in this series.

Preceding the sex scene Jack heads to a gay bar called 'Golden Gopher' (write your own jokes). This is a real bar in LA which you can check out here and is presumably now inundated with gay geek fans. Anyway, outside the bar, a small huddle is gathered in jeans and tops and to the side of the door, one guy on his own in an elaborate leather jacket. All appear young. As Jack enters he exchanges a brief but suggestive glance with leather jacket boy which is returned. It is incredibly brief but is actually one of the most convincing 'cruising' scenes I've seen on television. prior to crossing over to the bar, Jack had explained to fellow character, Gwen, that he is entering the Golden Gopher to satisfy his 'mortal needs'. We are left with the distinct impression that Jack is entering the bar with a keen appetite for sex and alcohol (or however you define 'mortal needs').

Once inside (as it were), Jack pats a hand naked male dancer on the chest and heads to the bar which is in an a dancey mixed sex, but male dominated venue. The barman we quickly learn is called 'Brad', surely a play on the archetypal American guy - as seen in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's a name that brings to mind Lichtenstein prints of a square jawed all American hero appearing suitably masterful.

We later move to a clothed Jack standing in bathroom (presumably Brad's) kissing the now totally naked Brad as Brad rips Jack's clothes off. Brad is displaying a bum that in those immortal words of Absolutely Fabulous' Patsy, looked so tight you could bounce him off the walls. At this point, a rather interesting verbal exchange occurs (now now, not like that).

"You have protection?" Jack asks.

"What for? Can't die now, don't need nothin in between" Brad replies.

Jack pulls back his head whilst still gripping Brad's arm and appearing joined at the groin. He conveys doubt and desire through his own physical positioning.

"That's not how it works anymore. Lifetime of regret just got even longer" Jack states.

"Fine. You're calling the shots" Brad responds and with that that Jack says "Yes, yes I am" and as he grips Brad now by the shoulders, Brad disappears down Jack and out of camera shot, presumably to inspect the quality of floor tile grout work or alternatively to give Jack a blow job. This being Britain and the BBC, we are left to our imaginations (which in my case is a dangerous thing and presumably for those delicate children presumed to be watching doesn't include fellatio).

Later we see Brad snoozing on the bed (very nice sheets) and Jack, with his groin strategically covered by a sheet is on the phone to his female best friend (or Fag Hag as Gwen should now be known).

The cut scene appears to have been taken between these two moments and we are left to wonder how Jack and Brad made it to the bed from the bathroom and how they managed to while away the time until Jack could get a sneaky phone-call in. I once had an ex who insisted on post coital phone calls to a fag hag whilst he had, well, a fag. It drove me nuts but he was half Italian and had abs that you could play like a washboard. It was a long time ago. Anyhow, I digress...

The scene is far more interesting than depicting 'gay sex' - although that is important - for it also displays attitudes to condoms. Non-viewers should know that Jack is mortal - now the only person in the world in that state. So, the scene tells us that if given a choice, freed of consequence, gay men choose to fuck without condoms - a key argument of barebackers. It tells us that condomless fucking - bareback sex - is the more 'natural', 'true' expression of desire. Yet, Jack, the sensible character talks of a "lifetime of regret", presumably not aimed at himself but the other character? What is this pain, these problems he is suggesting?

In so many ways the scene encapsulates the current debate around HIV/AIDS and condom usage. On the one hand we have 'true' desire, and on the other, the voice of 'reason'. Yet, if there are no consequences, if you don't die, would we not all engage in bareback sex? If Miracle Day was a reality, would Mates and Durex become companies servicing an entirely straight 'breeding' market? It seems so.

Moreover, the current HIV treatments do remove the spectre of death and in doing so, provide for their own 'Miracle Day', in contrast to the earlier era of death. Yet with the removal of that threat, what does that do to our behaviour? In Torchwood, we have a new cult, the Soulless. In the treatment age we have the self-styled cult Treasure Island Media. The parallels are striking and thought provoking.

Striking too is the presence of law, with the US Supreme Court positioned in the background desperately seeking to respond to a changed society. In Torchwood, it is grappling with a criminal justice system with the death penalty but no death. In our world, post 'Miracle Day', it is attempting to respond to bareback through regulation and HIV transmission increasingly with criminalistion; both represent unsure grasping of straws in an air of desperation and consternation.

In addition to these earlier scenes, we have a follow when Jack meets up (with a hangover) with the rest of his Torchwood 'crew'. Rex, who in the opening episode was seriously injured with a stake through his chest is taking some painkillers, and Jack asks for some. Rex responds with: "You weren't impaled". Jack replies "You should have seen the other guy. Ooo that face. Rex doesn't like his jokes too gay."

Here we have another layer - addressing homophobia, and presenting Jack as a confident, witty and proudly gay character. This - and innuendo as humour - ads a British and pro-gay feel to the episode which is far more important than a brief bed romp. Moreover, the episode offered far more than a censored sex scene. It addressed issues of homonormativity, law, assimilation, and authentic desire.

Who needs the snipped scene?

Netting a Mum and the Manmercial

The weekend papers had quite a few gender and sexuality stories (still need to read some) but one that caught my eye was about Mumsnet. This is the website that describes itself as 'by parents for parents' and it's increasingly been seen as a key player in the UK General election - giving access for politicos to a key demograph and a space that enables 'mums' to come together. It's probably be seen as sometimes a bit closer to Cameron's Tories (members get a 10% discount at Boden apparently) but as it is a collection of individuals it would be wrong to suggest the 'group' has a political leaning, rather it reflects the middle class nature of a group that log on and share info/ask for advice about being a mum (as opposed to Jeremy Kyle). Crucially, it is just about the Mum. What about Dads? That's the question that the Sunday Times asked this weekend and you can read what Matt Rudd found here.

From mums to Dad's and their hetero manliness. I've previously blogged on a recent Lynx advert and this morning I came across a US ad for 'Old Spice' (does anyone really still buy this?). It brightened up my Monday morning and made me laugh. Take a look and see what you think of this 'manmercial' below.

Values and Kids TV

My favourite character in the political drama The West Wing was Toby (no surprise to those who know me) and one of my favourite scenes is where he defends PBS and Sesame Street. This (and my last post) got my thinking about kids TV. A quick trawl of YouTube highlights so many value laden shows that I grew up with in the 80s.



One of the earliest shows I watched was 'The Get Along Gang' (I had the toy haunted mansion. lol), clip below. A show based on the whole notion of 'getting along' and overcoming difference.



Then there was the endless string of shows about battling 'evil', from Thundercats and Transformers through to He-Man and the Gummi Bears. Then there were the shows that fostered a sense of conservative values such as one of my favourite shows as a child, The Wind in the Willows:


There were also shows that celebrated difference. Listening back to the opening credits of Raggy Dolls, it's hard not to find new meaning in the lyrics:



Later on, we even had shows that addressed the emerging issue of the environment - notably Captain Planet.



When I look at my generation, now in their late twenties or early thirties, it's a generation that has so clearly been affected by these values. If those shows socialised us into the people we are today, how are today's children's shows socialising kids? How are they shaping conceptions of gender,sexuality, right and wrong? Lacking kids, I really don't know the answer, but I hope those who do will post some comments. What shows did you watch as kids?

Reflections on Quentin Crisp

I have nothing to say other than 'read this'. The ever brilliant Mark Simpson has written a really interesting piece on Quentin Crisp and 'Hurtian Crisp'. His observations on the AIDS campaign are very engaging. Take a look here. Strangely, when I hear the Thames logo at the start of the first clip, I am back as a child in the mid 80s waiting for Dangermouse. So too does Hurt take is back to a forgotten world.

Women get bored easily...apparently

Oh Lynx thank you. I'm conscious I seem to have posted an awful lot of important and serious posts recently and it's time for a lighter (but I would suggest equally important) story. Lynx deodorant (better known as Axe to some readers) has a new advert for 'Lynx twist' which is supposed to be an evolving fragrance. What's particularly interesting about this ad is it's like a throwback to a forgotten age. All men are heterosexual seeking to attract women. Women are these feminine creatures that do so get easily bored so if you keep changing how you smell she will stay interested. Of course, it's progress of sorts that it is the man seeking to persuade the demanding women of his charms. Lynx has always traded as the ultra-masculine fragrance and you could say it hasn't done them any harm. It would just be nice if once in a while they recognised that maybe it's not just straight men who buy it (although I'm not one of them. lol). Watch the advert bellow and tell me what you think by clicking comments.

The Big Questions?

I normally avoid the BBC's 'The Big Questions' like the proverbial plague. Dull, old fashioned and like a time wharp to the early 1990's it needs a re-boot. It is of course the BBC's effort at religious/ethical programming and bless them they try. The trouble is it's probably too dull for attracting new viewers and far too 'trendy' for those who want good honest, wholesome like granny religious programming. Anyway, I was drawn in this morning by a trailer before saying one of the questions would be 'should you be honest about your sexuality'. Peter Tatchell was one the 'panel' so I Sky plused it and watched it later so I could skip through the other stuff. Well, it was largely as dull as I remembered. You can (if you're a UK viewer) watch it again on the BBC site here. To be honest, I could link to any programme like this that has discussed the topic in the last 20 years and the programme would be the same. There's also a discussion board that has a fair bit of activity on this subject here.

What disappointed me was how unoriginal the arguments were (hey, I was being optimistic that I might be surprised). It was all a bit Groundhog day. Tatchell was joined by a trendy woman vicar (surprise surprise, the slightly more progressive one) and an older woman member of the church synod (the let the homos burn in hell one). The audience was the usual smattering of the barmy and the worthy. A glimmer of hope was raised when the presenter, Nicky Campbell asked about whether we should be open about all aspects of our sexuality - by extension - fetishes, fantasies and so on. Now that was a subject far more worthy of debate and one we've not had endlessly. Alas, it didn't really develop. Watch the programme yourself here.

Happy New Year and the Goggle Box in 2010

Happy New Year everyone! Well let’s start the year with something that really matters. Telly. Yes, the old goggle box catches up with the US this month with series 3 of the fabulous Mad Men comes to British screens. The last series saw the evolving story of Salvatore "Sal" Romano. I understand for the net that he has an important scene in the series opener (involving getting caught with a bell boy) although he apparently gets fired later in the series so maybe that’s him gone. The character has been important for exploring the life of a middle class homosexual male in the 60s but the series is fascinating for examining genders and sexualities.

My prediction for the big ‘gay’ show will be Glee. Already a huge hit in the States and kicking off on E4 here alter this month. I watched the ‘preview’ before Christmas and enjoyed it but I’m not sure I’ll be able to stick it (characters a bit predictable and yes, this boy can have too much camp). That said, I can think of many camp chaps who will love it and it’s already a smash in the States.

Finally, BBC2 will be showing a one off drama called The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister starring Maxine Peake (Shameless, also fab in one of the Myra Hindley dramas, I forget the name). Anyway, she plays a lesbian who keeps a coded journal of her love-life in a 19th century Yorkshire village. Sounds excellent and let’s be honest, we don’t see enough lesbians on TV.

Today also saw the Doctor Who ‘switchover’ and it will be interesting to see if Steven Moffat (the better writer in my view) sustains the sexual revolution that Russell T Davies introduced. As a reminder of that revolution, you can view some clips below of Captain jack and the Dr in an earlier episode

Pre-Module Filmography

If you’re starting LAW326 or LAWM28 in 2009/10 and you are particularly enthusiastic, you might want to spend the final few weeks of the summer break taking a look at these films/TV shows. I’ve put them in order of use for the module, and it’s a pretty easy way to familiarise yourself with some of the socio-legal themes we will explore on the modules:

Angels in America (TV show of a play – 6hrs). This gives a good overview of issues and is is great for exploring identity and power.

Queer as Folk UK (two series, only need series 1) Landmark 90s drama set in Manchester which amongst its various achievements, mainstreamed awareness of the word 'rimming' (watch episode 1). All episodes available for free via 4 On Demand. Click here. You should watch this series before the Manchester Field Trip.

Milk (film) Dramatisation of the life of Harvey Milk. You should watch this film before the San Francisco Field Trip (LAW326 only).

The Life and Times of Harvey Milk (film). This is a documentary but worth a watch before the SF field trip.

Irina Palm (film) Addresses sex work.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (film) (pictured right) Explores trans and identity issues in a musical.

The Laramie Project (film) Drama of a real life project followign the murder of Matthew Shepard.

Victim (film) Classic film exploring blackmail in 50s Britain.

The Children’s Hour (film) One of the first films to explore lesbianism and prejudice.

Rick and Steve (TV – two series) (bottom picture) Series 2 currently showing on E4. Animated comedy take on modern gay life.

Brokeback Mountain. Surely no introduction needed? Gay cow boys.

The L Word (ongoing –several series to date, dip into) Kind of a lesbian 'Queer as Folk'.

Queer as Folk USA (5 series) (top picture) US version of UK series. Worth dipping into.

Channel 4 has released lots of interesting and useful documentaries on 4OD. Take a look here.

If you’ve worked through all these and would like further suggestions, give me a shout. If you think there's something that should be recommended, and I've missed it off, just click the 'comment' link below and add your suggestion. There's a slight delay in comments appearing as they are all moderated.

GT Sex Survey

I've renewed my subscription to GT after bit of a lapse and the new issue has just arrived. it includes the annual sex survey which always makes interesting reading. The total number of respondents isn't given but 88% identified as gay, 11% bi and 1% as other or don't know. 64% were aged 18-28%, 30% were 29-45 and the rest over 46.

Only 12% said a big penis was essential for good sex while less than a 1/4 require their body to have a fit body (there was many a cork popping at that news). 16% were always active in bed, 21% passive and 56% were versatile.

I love the relationship stats. 41% were in a relationship, 53% single and 6% weren't sure. lol. 40% have been unfaithful and 43% say they have been cheated on.

The number of sexual partners came as a real shock to me (in terms of how low). A whopping 44% have had 1-10 sexual partners while 25% had been 11 and 50. The figures get less clear with 8% virgins and 10% were beyond 151 - "the 10% club". Just 10%?! This seems v.far out or maybe I only hang around with sluts, I don't know.

The issue also includes an interview with an escort which makes for interesting reading (and gives him a plug on GT escorts) and includes an interview and info about the developing romance between Captain Jack and Ianto in Torchwood (which shifts to BBC1 in July). Girlfriend gets turned into a Cyberman and then you find yourself seeking some action with Captain Jack - who hasn't been in Ianto's position?

Whatever Happened to Camp?

Two stories conspire to prompt the question "what happened to camp?". First off, the new Sky Magazine promotes the new Knight Rider. Yes, it's back and the Hoff has a cameo apparently. A bit of googling suggests the series has been cancelled in the USA so don't get too excited. I've put the new credits at the bottom of this post followed by the original 80s credits which for a child of the 80s like me continues to provide flashes of childhood excitement (I wanted to be Devon Miles, played by Edward Mulhare when I grew up. lol). If you're not familiar with the series, KITT (the car) featured the voice of William Daniels. Although Daniels is straight, he provided KITT with a rather camp character. In the 2008 series, Val Kilmer takes over from Daniels and makes him rather husky and 'butch' from what I've seen. If anything, the car and the opening credits suggest a much more 'butch' series format.

The second story that sent my mind racing (well gently cantering at any rate) concerns Eurovision which is the camp ritual due to take place later this month. The Guardian carries a piece today that goes behind the scenes of the UK entry and preparation and continues the Scooch bashing (the 2007 entry). Now I loved that entry and it was one of the campest ting I've ever seen (local boy, and I think Sunderland student, David Ducasse saying "would you like something to suck on for landing sir" - fabulous) but this year the competition is being 'taken seriously' and such campness seems out. Camp = naff.

Of course the Dr Pepper ad that features the school guy who has "hurt his little friend" is in the camp tradition of innuendo but where are the camp characters on TV? Simon Cowell is as camp as a row of tents but is "straight". Graham Norton had a camp semi-lobotomy on joining the BBC from Ch4 and I really can't think of other characters on TV. I'd love people to add comments of anyone they can think of any.

Is it possible that the legal reform that the UK has witnessed in the last ten years has done much to de-queer homosexuality? Civil partnerships, adoption rights, goods and services regulations and so on have done much to place homosexuality within a heteronormative framework.

I can't embed the new opening credits but it can be viewed here and airs on Sci Fi/SCi Fi(HD) on 12 May at 8pm. Thanks to what I guess are the over zealous activities of the networks, I also can't embed the original credits but you can view them here. The New KITT is pictured below.

Bob the Builder

The Sunday Times has rather a fun little piece on Bob the Builder today. You can see an original design for Bob on the right. The ST points to camper origins and the Village People writing:

'Some observers have remarked that, with his chunky moustache and hands on hips, the early sketch of Bob bears a resemblance to David “Scar” Hodo, the “construction worker” character who sang with the Village People, the camp 1970s disco ensemble best known for the song YMCA'.

Rather like the New Labour project, Bob was stripped of his moustache in the final version.

Read the full article here.

Stan Collymore on Jeremy Kyle

A friend flagged up this appearance via a text this morning but by the time I read it it had already passed. Thankfully there is ITV2 (and there's a sentence I didn't think I'd ever type). Stan Collymore, former footballer, appeared in the compilation show this morning presented by Jeremy Kyle. I've heard of the show before but never actually watched it - this seems to have been a good decision going off the rest of the show. Anyway, there was this bit where he did talk about his rather infamous dogging encounter. I think Kyle's attempt to suggest that this form of public sex behaviour is some sort of indicator of someone who is totally F***** up is pretty wide off beam but the bit from Collymore is pretty good. The book, 'The Isle of Dogs', by Daniel Davies and published last year by Serpents Tail includes a character very similar to Collymore (including the personal number plate).

In writing this, I'm really avoiding writing more on my book - Public Sex: Silent Desire to be published by Routledge-Cavendish next year which aims to tackle some of these issues. In case you were wondering, yes do expect more shameless book promotion between now and it coming out in Autumn/fall next year.

I tweeted the Collymore clip earlier and I've also embedded it below. You will need to turn your volume up (sorry folks)

In the New Century I think We Will All Be Insane

As I'm sure I've previously mentioned on this blog over the years, I adore Tony Kushner's Angels in America. 'Brilliant' just doesn't do it justice but I was inspired to think of it once more earlier this evening during when I decided t carry on down market Street for a wander whilst others shopped. As I headed towards the city hall and went through a slightly seedier and for more engaging part of the city, I encountered not one or two but several men and women who were more than likely homeless and in all cases talking to themselves, shouting what might be called obscenities and generally being like someone society might call a 'crazy'. As I continued along, I passed a woman who stank of weed and who was singing and waving her arms to a portable CD player she was carrying. She caused those in front to pick up pace including a camp young man who joined the young woman all ready in front of me. They exchanged pleasantries and joked they were both fleeing from the "crazy" woman behind them . The guy remarked that he had just had a "blow job" from down the road (BlowBuddies and a few other similar sex club style joints were close by) and the girl said "oh I've just been shopping" as a perfectly normal exchange between strangers. Fabulous, and not something you often overhear in Sunderland or Newcastle.

As I continued further along another guy came towards me wildly waving his arms about and walking about in n erratic manner He was screaming "I'm gonna pop that nigger" and a range of other things. Another "crazy", no as I soon realised a guy talking into his hands free mobile.

In Angels in America, towards the end of a conversation between Thompson (playing a "crazy" homeless woman) and Streep (playing the Mormon mom of another character coming to terms with his sexuality) Thompson's character remarks: "In the new century, I think we will all be insane". As I walked down Market Street tonight, I found myself in a postmodern thought process- are we already insane and what is 'sanity' in our society. Why is one form of public shouting and someone we can not see or hear acceptable and it unacceptable, even fear inspiring, in others.

Tomorrow we are all visiting the University of San Francisco and I'll let you all know how that goes.

Milk

I went to see Milk last week and found it amazing. There were so many layers to the film. The candle lit parade had echoes of the AIDS vigils that I've seen and attended. It brought back memories of standing outside Sheffield Civic Centre on a cold day during what must have been 2000 or maybe 2001 desperately trying to stop my candle from going out. Throughout the film there are many scenes like that which have an immediate meaning within the context of the film but I suspect trigger memories, sadness, laughs and a whole assortment of emotions in many gay and lesbian viewers. The film is equally of importance to straight audiences to understand who this guy Harvey Milk was and why he's so damn important. The film also explains with passion the importance of being 'out' and explores the controversial idea of forcibly 'outing' people. I found the argument persuasive for the first time in a scene in which Sean Penn as Milk delivers a passionate advocacy of forcibly outing folks.

There is this amazing video based on a speech (which is also in the film) delivered by the real Harvey Milk. I've also re-posted the Milk trailer below it.

The Jungle Gets Rather Gay

I am normally amongst the first to have a go at the various trash celebrity programmes. However one programme always manges to appeal to my trashy side - I'm a Celebrity Get Me out of Here. This year they've got 'the oldest' ever contestant - George Takei at 71. I'm slightly horrified he's lowering himself but I'm also convinced that he'll challenge our image of the gay man and given the age and wide audience that watch the show that's got to be a good thing. As a former Star Trek actor and star of Heroes he will have a huge following already and I suspect he'll do rather well. Given I've said that he'll probably be voted out first. The Sun (yes how low can this blog post sink) has done a piece today and he's the star whilst the full list of celebrities can be viewed here.

Takei is joined by 52 year old out lesbian and former tennis star Martina Navratilova. I'm expecting gay marriage and prop 8 to come up at some point and I suspect the average viewers don't normally listen to debate on these subjects. The pair are joined by amongst others, 'glamour model' Nicola McLean. The Sun is presumably backing by their inclusion of a pre-breast implant page 3 picture. Hmmm, maybe it is just trash after all.

TV Gay Kiss

Now the course is up and running I'll be posting more regularly! In the last workshop we had an interesting discussion at one point about gay characters in television and film, so it struck me as timely that the Pink News carried a story relating to this subject over the weekend. Eastenders (which you'll have to forgive me I gave up watching some years ago) included a scene where two male characters kissed in last Tuesday's episode. This has been controversial in the 80s and 90s for the soap but what surprised me was that the BBC had 145 complaints, some complaining that the kiss was shown before the watershed.

Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World

Rick & Steve, originally shown on the US gay network, LOGO, came to the UK this week via the E4 channel. I wasn't sure what to expect but I've fallen completely in love with the show already. It's fresh, witty and has scarily life-like story lines! BBC2 used to show Queer Duck years ago but I can't think of anything else. In fact, there really isn't much gay themed TV these days. The official Rick & Steve website can be viewed here. The show goes out Wednesdays at 10.30pm on E4 and the opening credits can be viewed below: