The Daily Sheet September 1 - 15, 2009

[Stilllearning]

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Profile: Ennis Del Mark

1. Are you a morning person or night-owl, peace-maker or comfortable with confrontation, more of a sun-bather or rock-climber, life -of-the-party or desiring a quiet cup of coffee with a few friends?If I have a LONG nap I can be a night owl, otherwise once I get waked up, as they say, I'm usually a morning person. I actually miss going in to work at 5:00 a.m. sometimes. God, I'm a peacemaker--I hate confrontation. I run from it.  I'd rather laugh than argue.  I am reading a book on agoraphobia, and one of the chapters is how to be assertive without being aggressive. That one is really up my alley. A sun-bather, definitely. Nothing more relaxing than lying out in the sun, though I know I'll end up paying for it. Used to want to be a life-of-the-party type; as I get older just give me one or a few friends and a quiet cup of tea (I don't drink coffee) and some good conversation.    2. What’s the strangest food/food combination that you’ve ever eaten? Caviar and Brussels sprouts. 3. Currently listening to? The hum of the computer tower and nothing else--a nice quiet day so far. 4. What is the greatest gift that you have received? Why? My parents--I got two great ones.  They made some mistakes, but then so did I. I miss them. 5. Currently reading? Can't think of the title but it's a history of Technicolor. 6. Biggest challenge? Learning all about my job and in this horrid economic state, keeping it. 7. Your perfect day? Sleep late, some quiet time, a good meal with a good friend. 8. What’s your indulgence? DVDs and BBM reunions (the fact that I didn't go to any this year shows how broke I am at the moment). 9. If you could take a class on something that interests you, what would it be and why? Economics for Dummies, as I need to improve my knowledge of finances, budgets, etc.. 10. Last major purchase? New car in May, 2008. 11. First job? Bagging groceries in a supermarket. 12. What was your most embarrassing experience or the strangest situation that you found yourself in? Once at a friend's house, with his family and my family and others present (about 30 people in all) I was asked to say grace. With every head bowed I said, "grace."  (I was only about six and we always said "say the blessing" at my house. I wasn't trying to be funny--I thought they actually wanted me to say "grace.") There are many other answers to this question but this is the first that comes to mind. 13. If you were able to re-do something in your life and do it differently, what would it be and why? I would have started acting long before age 38, even if it was community theater. 14. Other than BBM, what movie has impacted you the most? Why? THE WIZARD OF OZ, I guess. When you grow up with it as I did it just seeps into your psyche. When you can hear the opening credits music for the 50th time and still get chillbumps that has to mean something. 15. What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received? Never judge people because you don't know what you may end up doing. 16. If you could ask God one question, what would it be? Do you still consider homosexuality a sin? 17. Other than your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? A tie--a college professor of mine, and Lucille Ball, who regretfully I never got to meet. 18. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Hiya, Mark! Let's do lunch tomorrow!" 19. What's one thing that you just can't stand, so you're trying to help fix it? Tie--My financial situation and my agoraphobia. 20. What’s your inspiration? Older people who refuse to get OLD, oh, and my faith in God. 21. What do you know for sure? I wish I'd had more sex during my 20s and 30s. 22. What brought you to the Forum? When BBM lost the best picture Oscar I was so upset and so angry that I was looking for an outlet to vent and that's how I found the DC Forum.   23. What do you appreciate the most about this site, what is the most important thing that you have learned as a result of being here? Just knowing how this movie has affected other people, that I was not alone, that others know how I feel and understand, when so many close to me don't get it, this place is a godsend. 24. Are you more like Jack or Ennis? Why? Ennis, as I'm too scared to commit or look for happiness, and I'm as poor as a church mouse at the moment.  But unlike Ennis, I never had a "Jack" in my life--no one's ever been in love with me. 25. Your favorite threads? Photo caps, daily sheet, diner, sharing joy, sharing sorrow, what movie did you last see, just to name a few. 26. How many times have you watched BBM? On the big screen, six; on DVD, four. (It's hard to watch alone.) 27. Who is the one person that you would most want to see BBM and why? My brother, but I can't figure out why. 28. Your favorite BBM scene? The 1967 reunion scene--just the joy these two men have in seeing each other again always brings tears to my eyes; plus, those are some damn hot kisses! 29. What was your take-away message from BBM? What affected you the most? That life is short and fragile and that I don't want to grow old alone. My family and friends I for years thought could be all there was but seeing BBM made me realize that there was a gap that I want to be filled (not THAT gap, you ninnies!). What affected me the most were the performances of Heath and Jake. Both superb. And the tasteful direction of Ang Lee. In a column I wrote for my local paper I said that "in lesser, cruder hands (Joel Schumacher, anyone?) BBM could have turned into a sordid mess, but Lee brought out the emotional core of the story."

Member Profiles in The Daily Sheet

Today's edition of TDS brings back the Member Profiles, which were regularly featured in past issues. We hope to continue the feature on a somewhat regular basis, and we look forward to your participation in making the Member Profiles theme a success. There are different ways to approach the profile -- using the traditional 29 question format, or trying something new and getting creative with one of the other suggestions outlined last week. If you would like to contribute a member profile to The Daily Sheet, please send an email to tds@davecullen.com. We'd also like to remind readers about some previously published editions of TDS featuring profiles with Annie Proulx and other individuals attached to Brokeback Mountain, all of whom hold a very special place in our hearts. James Schamus Profile - May 4, 2006 Annie Proulx Profile - July 21, 2006 Diana Ossana Profile - September 12, 2006 Larry McMurtry Profile - October 13, 2006 Rufus Wainwright Review - August 15, 2007

Calendar of Events

If you have ideas about initiating a gathering, go to Start Your Own Threads
and get the ball rolling to plan a get-together near you.

Mini-Slash Bash
Philadelphia - October 23-25, 2009



Let us know of any events you’d like listed here.

The Daily Sheet is a production of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum at www.davecullen.com/forum.

Editors emeritae: CactusGal, Marge_Innavera, tellyouwhat, Stilllearning, MissYouSoMuch

Researchers: BayCityJohn, BrokenOkie, Killersmom, Kittyhawk, Marge_Innavera, Stilllearning

Today's edition by gnash

Formatters: denim girl, gnash

Today’s edition formatted by gnash

We count on you to send us your news items, questions, and nominations for posts of the day.
If you have items you’d like to see published, send them to tds@davecullen.com.

To subscribe to The Daily Sheet, click the “Notify” button at the top or bottom of the page.
When a new issue of TDS is posted, you will be notified by e-mail.

The Daily Sheet Archives
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[Stilllearning]

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Harvey Milk Tapped for State Hall of Fame

"Harvey Milk, the slain gay-rights activist made more famous by the recent Oscar-winning film Milk, didn’t make Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cut for the a statewide day of recognition last year. "But today Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver announced their selection of Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the state, into the California Hall of Fame. "In 2008, Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation to proclaim May 22 – Milk’s birthday – a date  of "special significance." In his veto message, Schwarzenegger wrote that Milk’s "contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted" during his term as a San Francisco supervisor. Milk was assassinated while holding that post in 1978. "Today, Milk was among 13 Californians the governor and first lady honored because they "embody California’s innovative spirit and have made their mark on history," according to the announcement." Read more.  Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com Other inductees to the 2009 California Hall of Fame include George Lucas, Carol Burnett, Danielle Steele, and Fritz Scholder. See more by visiting californiamuseum.org

Gay Pride and Prejudice

The federal case on Prop. 8 could get ugly, with every canard about homosexuality being put on trial. "The issue before a federal judge in January will be same-sex marriage in California and whether the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, with its guarantees of equal protection and due process of law, prohibits Proposition 8 and other bans on the right to marry. As a constitutional case, it will involve its share of arguments about meeting legal tests for various levels of judicial scrutiny and whether homosexuals constitute a "discrete" group. Dry stuff indeed, and yet the lawsuit against Proposition 8 also threatens to be an emotionally wrenching case about the nature of homosexuality, just as the proposition itself was one of the most rancorous and divisive issues to face California voters in recent years. "Is sexual orientation inborn or a choice? Can it be changed? If so, should it be changed? Do gay and lesbian partners make good parents? As good as straight parents? Do homosexuals contribute as much to society as heterosexuals? Would their marriages harm the unions of heterosexual couples and the institution of marriage? As the case unfolds, it could pose those and other questions, presenting an opportunity to debate seemingly every prejudicial canard about gays and lesbians. And what's especially disheartening is that it is the plaintiffs -- those seeking to end the state's ban on same-sex marriage -- who may force the debate for the purpose of dismissing those tired biases and strengthening their constitutional argument. "In legal filings this month, attorneys seeking to overturn Proposition 8 indicated that they would bring in expert witnesses to testify that sexual orientation is inborn and immutable, that homosexuality is not considered a disorder by the psychological or medical establishments (the American Psychiatric Assn. took it off the diagnostic list 36 years ago) and so forth. The testimony is intended to show that homosexuality deserves the same high-level constitutional protections as, for example, race. " Read more.  Source: latimes.com

Uruguay To Legalize Gay Adoption

"In yet another bold move by Uruguay’s socialist government, lawmakers voted yesterday to allow adoptions by gay and lesbian couples. The measure, which was approved 40-13, still needs to pass through the senate, a move considered a formality since it was already approved there on a first reading. "This is the third such legal action taken by the Uruguayan government in the last two years to extend more rights to homosexuals. In December 2007, the Congress legalized civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. In May of this year, Tabare Vazquez, the first leftist president in Uruguayan history, opened access for homosexuals to military schools. "As expected, the Roman Catholic Church is less than excited about these legal actions. "The biggest cultural issue standing in the way of any progression in the gay rights movement in Latin America is machismo, and an inherent aversion to homosexuality in the Hispanic culture. However, The Economist reports that homosexuality is accepted more widely than it used to be ... " Read more.  Source: examiner.com   Graphic by arteywebcreaciones.com

Wedding Unites 9 Gay Couples at Des Moines Church

"Eighteen Minnesotans crossed the state line into Iowa on Saturday morning with an entourage of friends and family. Nine married couples of the same sex returned home that evening, singing karaoke aboard the self-styled "love bus" on their merry way. '"To actually be legally married is a dream come true," said Judith Weir, 73, who married her partner of 17 years, Olly Staneslow, 75, at the First Unitarian Church in Des Moines. Both previously married to men, they now live together in St. Paul. "It's like maybe we can stop being treated as second-class citizens. You can't choose who you fall in love with." "Iowa drew the eyes of the nation in April when the state Supreme Court opened the door to same-sex marriages, and it has been drawing those couples themselves ever since. "Roughly 45 percent of the same-sex marriages performed in Iowa in the first three months since the ruling were for out-of-state couples, according to state data. "Of the 5,214 marriages certificates issued between April 27 and July 27, at least 676 were for same-sex couples, data show. Another 339 couples concealed their genders on their marriage certificates. "Of the known same-sex couples, 312 came from outside Iowa, including 57 from Illinois, 38 from Nebraska, 37 from Missouri and 36 from Minnesota.

Newly married Olly Staneslow, 75, and Judith Weir, 73.

'"The hospitality shown to us by this state and this congregation is unparalleled," said the Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs of Unity-Unitarian Church in St. Paul, who helped organize Saturday's trip to the Des Moines church. "She vowed to take the fight for the right of same-sex marriages back to Minnesota. "The fight is not over in Iowa; the court ruling may have in fact escalated it by raising the stakes." Every Party Has A Pooper Not everyone is happy that Iowa is performing gay marriages. Hawkfanforlife writes in the comments section of the above Des Moines Register Article: "Who in their right mind thinks that gay marriage brings extra money to our state? All it brings is more people we don't need. If they want to get married they should go to California. I'm so sick and tired of seeing gay couples around here. The bible says Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve!!! Gay love is against everything that is right in the world. Anyone in their right mind would see that it's wrong. Everyone else is full of it." Read more.  Source: desmoinesregister.com

The Portrait. Photography as a Stage  --  From Robert Mapplethorpe to Nan Goldin

"I am visible, I am image."    — Jean Baudrillard, 1993 "When the history of photography began to unfold with portraiture, one’s own image was cause for astonishment and rapture. Since its discovery, beginning with early daguerreotypes and nineteenth century studio portraits,photography has satisfied people’s desire for their likeness and largely replaced the more costly and demanding painting. The image of the face, as the constitutive element of the portrait, is traditionally regarded as a mirror of the soul and a medium of identification. "The face is where we are," says photographer Jonathan Miller: "We kiss, eat, breathe and speak through it. It’s where we think of ourselves as being finally and conclusively on show. It’s the part we hide when we are ashamed and the bit we think we lose when we are in disgrace." "Starting with Robert Mapplethorpe’s formalist studio photography, Peter Hujar’s intimate psychological pictures, and Nan Goldin’s visual diary, the internationally geared exhibition explores the innovations in portrait photography since 1980. Motivated by the search for beauty and a personal visual language, social sympathy and affection, artists have since then developed an unconventional art of portraiture encompassing glamour and mise en scène as well as radical realism, snapshot, and documentary objectivity. "Contemporary photography, which is no longer subject to censorship and sometimes proves to be a mode of ruthless self reflection, centers on the individual and questions the relationship between society and subject. Whether lovers, friends, or family (Sally Mann and Tina Barney), Hollywood stars (Greg Gorman) or rock musicians (Anton Corbijn), young people (Rineke Dijkstra), or villagers (Roger Ballen) — the portrayed and their social backgrounds are as diverse as the artistic approaches by means of which the personalities are captured in an unorthodox manner. Read more.  Source: arttattler.com The Portrait. Photography as a Stage From Robert Mapplethorpe to Nan Goldin Kunsthalle Wien, Hall 2 July 3rd through October 18th, 2009 For more information on the exhibition in Vienna, Austria, please see kunsthallewien.at

Greg Gorman, Heath Ledger, Venice, 2004

THE MARIT ALLEN COLLECTION

Auction: Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 "Marit Allen was an extraordinary person. In her lifetime she managed to have two extremely successful but very different careers but both linked by her love of dress – firstly as a fashion journalist and Vogue editor in the groovy London of the ‘Swinging Sixties’ and latterly as a world renowned film costume designer. Those who knew her and worked with her also commented on her generosity of spirit and kindness – rarely found traits in the competitive worlds of fashion and film. "Marit’s personal wardrobe from the 1960s-1990s is included in this auction and these designers and photographers are well represented. The clothes range from the John Bates futuristic silver vinyl and white cotton wedding ensemble she wore when she married film producer Sandy Lieberson in 1966, through the hippy chic 70s (her three children were also dressed in the latest Biba fashions see lot 43) to Alaia of the 80s and Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garcons and Prada of the 90s. The latter part of the auction is devoted to costume, accessories, fabrics and trimmings used and collected for her second career as film costume designer. There is also an extensive library of dress-related and photographic books which are useful to both fashion historians, costumiers and film buffs alike." LOT NUMBER: 79  A group of Western/Cowboy style shirts, mainly modern, approx 19, mainly cotton, some with embroidered detailing, chest sizes mainly 96-102cm, 38-40in (qty) Marit bought the majority of these shirts when designing and making the costumes for Brokeback Mountain in 2005." Read more.  Source: kerrytaylorauctions.com

Anti-Gay Reggae Star's U.S. Tour Canceled by Promoters

"The Jamaican dancehall star Buju Banton has a long-standing reputation for inciting anti-gay sentiment (his 1992 single “Boom Bye Bye” proposes pouring acid on homosexuals and shooting them in the head with an Uzi, among other things; in 2004, he was tried and acquitted on charges that he participated in the beating of six gay men). "Says L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean in a formal statement: "I hope this victory sends a deafeningly loud message to other promoters and concert venues that singers who glorify violence against LGBT people, or any group of people, should never be welcomed. It shouldn’t be necessary for us to pressure promoters to do the right thing; people like Banton should never have been booked in the first place."' Read more.  Source: music-mix.ew

Soccer Tarnished by Cold-Shoulder to Gays

"Marcello Lippi, Italy's World Cup-winning soccer manager who seems to have both feet planted in the 19th century, says he's never come across a gay player in his 40-odd years in the sport. "Clearly, Lippi needs to take an eye-opening trip to Milan. "There's a gay soccer team there, competing weekly in an amateur league. The players' sexuality doesn't affect how they play. The ball, after all, is round for everyone. "Last season, Nuova Kaos Milano finished a creditable fourth in its league of 16 teams, not bad considering their opponents frequently try harder against them to avoid the "dishonor" of losing to gay players, says Nuova Kaos defender Klaus Heusslein. '"Here, people think, 'They have to share the same changing room. Who knows what might happen if they have gays in the locker room? They might attack people,'" says Heusslein, a 48-year-old German who lives and works in Milan.

'"In Italy, it will take another 100 years to get rid of these misconceptions." "How depressing. "Lippi, in a video interview with the Internet-broadcast program KlausCondicio, said he would advise gay players to stay in the closet. Because of the huge amount of attention that soccer gets in Italy, a gay soccer couple would create scandal if they came out, he argued. '"If a player came to me and confessed his homosexuality, I'd advise him not to express it, because it would create problems and could be exploited," he said. "I don't think it would be possible in football to have a relationship of this type. Maybe it already exists, I don't know." "Somewhere in Italy, perhaps in the national team he coaches or in the Serie A sides that Lippi once managed or played for, secretly gay players must have been shaking their heads. "Heusslein, the openly gay amateur, certainly did. "It's just repeating the same old stereotypes," he said. "He's either blind or he's stupid."' Read more.  Source: google.com

WikiWhat? Uruguay is the WikiWhat? for this week, and here are a few snippets from its lengthy Wiki entry: Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (Spanish: República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country located in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to 3.46 million people, of whom 1.7 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area. An estimated 80-88% of the population are of mostly European and/or mixed descent. Uruguay is one of the most economically developed countries in Latin America, with a high GDP per capita and the 47th highest quality of life in the world. It was the first Latin American country to legalize same and different sex civil unions at a national level in the year 2007. Uruguay is distinguished by its high literacy rate (97.3%) and a large urban middle class. During the 1970s and 1980s, an estimated six-hundred thousand Uruguayans emigrated, principally to Spain, Italy, Argentina and Brazil. Other Uruguayans went to various countries in Europe, Australia and the USA. Although the majority of Uruguayans do not actively practice a religion, they are nominally members of the Catholic Church and other communities. Uruguayan life is what political observers consider Uruguay is the most secular country in South America In 2004 Uruguayans elected Tabaré Vázquez as president, while giving the Broad Front coalition a majority in both houses of parliament. The newly elected government, while pledging to continue payments on Uruguay's external debt, has also promised to undertake a crash jobs programs to attack the widespread problems of poverty and unemployment. The climate in Uruguay is temperate: it has warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters (variable weather). The predominantly gently undulating landscape is somewhat vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts. It receives the periodic influence of the polar air in winter, and tropical air from Brazil in summer. Without mountains to act as a barrier, the air masses freely move by the territory, causing abrupt weather changes. The main sport in Uruguay is football (soccer). In 1924, Uruguay sent its national team to the Olympics in Paris, the first South American nation to compete in Europe. They won gold at the competition, as well as at the next Olympics in Amsterdam in 1928. For a droll peek into Montevideo, check out a wonderful little film from 2004 (directed by two Uruguayans) called Whisky. No, it's not about the brown juice. Want a slightly different view? Check out the globalgayz.com's Surprising Ways of Gay Uruguay web page with more facts and figures (and pictures) on South America's smallest country, plus conversations with gay Uruguayans like Hector, Miguel, Eduardo, and Ricky. "Being gay is not an issue in most of Uruguay, eating lunch is." That said, I can think of only one thing: alfajores.

The Forum Image

Posted by CellarDweller115 in Cowboy Up!

Post of the Day

Posted by Flyboy in How the Dave Cullen Forum Has Affected Me

"Today is my 2 year anniversary on this Forum. As luck would have it, I wrote a really thoughtful post earlier today, when all was fresher in my mind, then lost it to cyberspace...........ah, such is life some days...........what to say? I have many thoughts, how to articulate them decently. But here goes: "I first became a fan of the SS way back when, could not get it out of my mind. Then when I heard Ang Lee was making it into a film, after many false starts elsewhere, I became obsessed with seeing it. Could not get enough info about it, that's how I found DCF. So, many thanks to Dave Cullen for this site. I saw the film four times in January 2006, and for whatever reason, it did not move me as much as the SS. I'm drawn to the written word anyway, can't help it. The film, all parts of it, was simply excellent. So, I lurked around this forum, discovered the 'wonder' of it all in the members here. But something held me back from joining until this day in 2007. And I have not regretted a moment since that day. "I have met some of the most interesting, intelligent, sincere, passionate, warm, caring, and yes, at times, challenging people in here. I wouldn't trade one moment with any of them now. Some are still here, some have slowed their posts, some have left, moved on, some have also passed away, it's called life............ "To me this place encompasses all countries, all cultures, all religions, all races, all political leanings, all of life. In every aspect, life is represented here in the many different topics and threads, it's amazing to me. We are all the same really, we all need food, clothing, shelter, but most of all, we all need and want to love, and be loved. Love knows no boundaries, it's the same need no matter what country you live in, what government you have, what culture or religious practices, or politics you adhere to, love simply is............." Read the rest of Flyboy's post.

Quote of the Day

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds....”

~ Bob Marley ~

Photocaption of the Day

By MsMercury in Photo Captioning Fun 5

"I found this one on LOL Celebs. I thought it was so great I had to share it here."

Contributors: CellarDweller115, Flyboy, Lyle (Mooska), MsMercury

Calendar of Events

If you have ideas about initiating a gathering, go to Start Your Own Threads
and get the ball rolling to plan a get-together near you.

Mini-Slash Bash
Philadelphia - October 23-25, 2009

Let us know of any events you’d like listed here.

The Daily Sheet is a production of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum at www.davecullen.com/forum.

Today's edition by gnash

Formatters: denim girl, gnash

Today’s edition formatted by gnash

Researchers: BayCityJohn, Killersmom, Kittyhawk, Marge_Innavera, Stilllearning

Editors emeritae: CactusGal, Marge_Innavera, tellyouwhat, Stilllearning, MissYouSoMuch

We count on you to send us your news items, questions, and nominations for posts of the day.
If you have items you’d like to see published, send them to tds@davecullen.com.

To subscribe to The Daily Sheet, click the “Notify” button at the top or bottom of the page.
When a new issue of TDS is posted, you will be notified by e-mail.

The Daily Sheet Archives
Respond to The Daily Sheet

[Stilllearning]

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Eloping To Iowa

Last spring, Iowa legalized same-sex marriage and became one of the six "equality states" in the US. As the other five states are in New England, Midwestern Iowa has become the closest destination for most same-sex couples who want a legal ceremony. And so far, it’s been profitable. According to a 2008 study done by the Williams Institute at UCLA College of Law, the state could get as much as $53 million a year, translating into $5.3 million in tax revenue. The study estimated that as many as 56,640 same-sex couples could marry in Iowa over the next three years. Spending for each Iowa resident couple should average $5,772 and $2,618 for out-of-state couples. Already, in the nearby states of Minnesota and Missouri, groups of couples have boarded "equality buses" bound for Iowa, although the marriages will not be legally recognized in their own states. While there was speculation last April that Iowa could become a popular wedding destination, the numbers might exceed expectations. In the three-month period between April and July, 312 of the 676 same-sex couples getting marriage licenses were from other states – about 45 percent.

My Iowa Gay Wedding.com includes a welcome statement from Iowa Senator Matt McCoy, the state’s highest-ranking openly gay politician, noting that being the first Midwestern equality state is consistent with its overall history of civil rights: "In 1839, which was 26 years before the end of the Civil War, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that gave slaves their freedom the moment they crossed the Iowa state line. Just a few years later, the Iowa Supreme Court rules in 1869 that racially segregated ‘separate but equal’ schools had no place in Iowa [85 years before the landmark US Supreme Court decision]. And 91 years before the US Supreme Court ruled on the matter, the Iowa Supreme Court in 1873 ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations. In 1869, when Iowa admitted women to the practice of law, it was the first state in the Union to take that step." Predictably, there has been some negative reaction. Last spring, US Rep. Steve King, who helped write the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, warned the State Legislature that if they did not act immediately Iowa would become "the Las Vegas of same-sex marriage in America." More recently, the anti-marriage equality NOM (National Organization for Marriage) recently spent $86,000 on the unsuccessful campaign of Iowa House of Representatives candidate Stephen Burgmeier. And not everyone in Iowa’s wedding industry wants to participate. Beau Fodor, a Des Moines event and wedding planner who hosted a gay wedding expo this summer, ordered flowers for a lesbian wedding and was told by the florist afterward that they would be "unavailable" from now on.

The business community has been mostly positive, however, with an increased interest in gay-oriented events as sales opportunities. The Holiday Inn in Bettendorf had a booth at Davenport’s PrideFest this year, showcasing photos of a recent gay wedding reception. Penni Steen, owner of Skellington Manor in Rock Island, had a booth as well. "We're open to everybody," Steen said. "This is not something we've done before, but we thought this would be a great opportunity for us to get our name out." ................... Blind Photography and the “only glass chapel in the state of Iowa”, Willow Creek Glass Chapel are among of the gay-friendly wedding businesses hoping to attract business. Both are featured on the Iowa’s Gay Wedding Planner website.

Lambda Weddings specializes in Iowa destination weddings.  The $1,199 “Marry Me In Iowa” package includes "a private and intimate wedding in an elegant country mansion" with up to 10 guests, plus champagne, cake, a photographer and transportation to the venue and license office. Recommended local honeymoon destinations: "in the Bridges of Madison County or in any one of the quaint Bed & Breakfasts in Iowa’s beautiful countryside." In the Quad Cities (Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa & Rock Island and Moline, Illinois), Quad Citians Affirming Diversity has trained employees of the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau and the county’s recorder’s office in "hospitality acceptance." One open question at present is how many of the visiting couples might later relocate to Iowa, where their marriages will be legally recognized. In the meantime A.J. Bockelman, an activist in Missouri, expects to see some traveling between his state and its immediate neighbor to the north. "It feels good to have our relationships validated."

Budapest Gay Dignity About 2,000 people participated in Budapest's Gay Dignity march on Saturday.  There had been concerns about the event due to incidents in 2008 where neo-Nazis and others threw eggs, tomatoes and bottles at the participants. This year, homophobic antics were actively discouraged by an unusually large security force.

Indy News reported after the event that the earlier violence was exacerbated by "the government headed by ex-prime minister Gyrcsany (who visited the Pride Parade 2009!) as before 2007 and 2008 the Pride Parade was peaceful and boring for the media."   According to UK Gay News, violence at this year's event was limited to a minor incident where a man eluded the security and tried to snatch flags from marchers. However, "there were no onlookers and well-wishers along the route which was cordoned off a block each side of Andrássy Road, one of the main streets of the city. So the “Gay Dignity” march became more of a TV event, as far as any campaigning directly to the public for LGBT rights is concerned. And TV news later in the day covered the march in considerable depth."  Onlookers were able to watch the parade from behind fences. The turnout was somewhat lower this year; but had considerable competition due to a football match between Hungary and Sweden on the same day.  UK Gay News reported that "prior to the march setting off, the marchers were addressed by representatives of the International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe.

“ 'The reason we are here today is to let you know that you are not alone in your struggle for equality and respect ... and your struggle against violence and intimidation,' Juris Lavrikovs, a Latvian who is now based in ILGA-Europe’s Brussels headquarters, told marchers. 'Let’s march with pride, dignity and determination. Let’s show Hungary and the whole of Europe that violence, threats and intimidation will not defeat us,' he added. "Mr. Lavrikovs pointed out that for many years, Hungary was a ‘role model’ for many countries and many LGBT people, especially in Eastern and Central Europe. 'What is happening recently here is worrying not just for you, it is worrying for all of Europe. [The rise] of racist and homophobic sentiments here in Hungary is not just a problem for Hungary, it is a problem for all Europe. Therefore, we are here today to march with you, to let you know that the hearts and minds of millions of Europeans are with you today. Let’s march with pride, dignity and determination. Let’s show Hungary and the whole Europe, that violence, threats and intimidation will not defeat us. Because we know – the future of Hungary and Europe lies not in hatred, violence and division, it lies in unity, respect and equality!'

... The UK Embassy showed support by displaying the rainbow flag

"Paata Sabelashvilli, a member of the ILGA-Europe executive board and the president of the Inclusive Foundation in Georgia, said he was pleased to be in Budapest to show his solidarity with the Hungarian LGBT community. 'When I heard of the violent attacks against Pride marches in recent years, I was shocked,' he said. 'I could not imagine this would ever happen in Budapest, the city where I lived and studied at Central European University 8 years ago … where I came out, … I got involved in LGBT activism … [and] where my life was changed dramatically. [Yet] it was here where I first felt proud of who I was. And today I am bringing this pride back to you, to support you and cheer you up. Be proud and never give up!” More coverage, and comments, at Towleroad.

First gay rights march in Namibia The African country of Namibia's first gay and lesbian rights march took place in the city of Keetmanshoop last Saturday.  The event was supported by the Czech Republic organization People in Need (PiN). In a press statement issued yesterday, PiN Sexual Minorities Co-ordinator Jacobus Witbooi said the march would also mark the inauguration of a new project for sexual minorities known as Ada Ma /Hao, meaning 'Let's Stand Together'. According to All Africa.com, "PiN Sexual Minorities Co-ordinator Jacobus Witbooi said the march would also mark the inauguration of a new project for sexual minorities known as Ada Ma /Hao, meaning 'Let's Stand Together'. Witbooi said the project advocates equal rights and opportunities for gender minorities in southern Namibia. According to Witbooi, the project would focus on enhancing empowerment of marginalised sexual minorities in areas of human rights and HIV-AIDS. " 'Human rights, including justice, equality, humanity, respect and freedom of expression, and the rule of law are the foundations upon which democratic states are built,' Witbooi said. 'Indeed, International Human Rights Law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,' he added. "Members of the Karas Regional Council described the gay and lesbian initiative as 'funny' after a presentation at a council meeting at the end of July. 'Do we really need to promote homosexuality in Karas?' Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency councillor Hilma Nikanor asked at the time. "Supported by Karas Constituency councillor Paulus Efraim, she charged that it was "immoral to promote homosexuality", while Oranjemund Constituency councillor Toivo Nambala said PiN had "brandished a funny project". Witbooi urged local people to join the march. " 'Join us as we embrace the concept of unity and equality and commit ourselves to achieving a world in which all people can live in safety and freedom, no matter who they are or whom they love,' Witbooi said. 365Gay.com reports that "sodomy is illegal in Namibia, though LGBT rights groups like Sister Namibia and Rainbow Project operate freely in the country’s major cities. The last sodomy case was tried in the late 80s."

In the Cyber-Neighborhood: BFI Recognizes Beyond Brokeback

The British Film Institute has released its list of new acquisitions for April-June of 2009, and these acquisitions include the Forum's own Beyond Brokeback: The Impact of a Film. Each entry on BFI's list includes the author, publisher, place and date of publication, number of pages, ISBN number and a brief one-line description. Beyond Brokeback's entry (page 13) notes that the book "contains contributions by members of the Ultimate Brokeback Forum internet site." BFI's archive includes "cinemas, festivals, films, publications and learning resources".  They also offer theatres as venues for organizations and corporations, including two 36-seat preview theatres.

 
Fabulous Bisexual Macadamia Butter Pecan

Another US state earned a star on the Equality Flag recently: Vermont, the home of the popular Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Ben and Jerry's announced a slight change to the name of one of their well-known ice cream flavors in honor of this event: "In partnership with [Vermont] Freedom to Marry we are gathered here to celebrate Vermont and all the other great states where loving couples of all kinds are free to marry legally. We have ceremoniously dubbed our iconic flavor, Chubby Hubby to Hubby Hubby in support, and to raise awareness of the importance of marriage equality. "If you live in Vermont, or visiting, you’re invited to celebrate the pride-filled occasion with an all naturally fabulous union of Peanut Butter Cookie Dough ice cream, fudge and pretzels. Enjoy our Hubby Hubby Sundae for the month of September in Vermont Scoop Shops!" The event has been noted in news media around the world, including the Chicago Tribune, UK Telegraph, the Boston Herald and the New York Daily News.  It's also been viewed with alarm and disapproval in some quarters. "Liberals love shaking their tiny fists at God, but some day they’ll have to face Him," was Americans For Truth's grim prognosis, followed by suggestions for other flavors that included "Two Moms Macadamia", "Fabulous Fudge Nut" and "Bisexual Butter Pecan."

To contact Ben and Jerry's with comments, call 802-846-1500, or email Sean Greenwood, Head of Public Relations at Sean.Greenwood@benjerry.com

Brokies In Boston

... "There were 4 genuine Brokies in attendance: Sandy (memento), Paul (southendmd), yours truly, and Lynne (Lynne) and we made up about half of the population of movie-goers. We had awesome seats with unobstructed views."

Forum member donnab attended the Brokeback screening in Boston last month, and writes in the Boston Screening thread: "Hey kids! I am back home after my very first-ever viewing of the movie on the big screen! I want to send a big thank you to Bay City John, who made me aware that BBM was coming to Boston. I never thought I would have this opportunity to see BBM huge! The theater was a quaint little place that seats only 235 people. "The main thing that struck me about seeing it on the big screen was how many things I noticed for the first time. I could probably list 100 things if I went through screencaps right now. Heath's tattoos, a smear of nail polish on Lureen's hand during the phone call, Ennis has a red shirt on during the sledding scene, some weird tattooed woman is in the dance scene with Ennis and Cassie... I could go on and on... "Strangely enough, one dude chuckled when Alma saw the boys in the reunion kiss. I know that was a huge thing here 3.75 years ago... maybe not so important now, but I sort of anticipated it. "One thing that was particularly thrilling at this screening was that it was Paul's first time seeing the movie since he returned from Alberta and visited the filming sites. I also found out later that, among other artifacts, Paul owns Lureen's red hat - what a treat!

"Well, with such Brokie goodwill emanating through the air, I never thought in a million years that I would cry like a baby, especially after seeing the movie as many times as I have. But, cry like a baby I did! "Tell you what... sometimes... (I started crying right here during this wicked long pause) I miss you so much I can hardly stand it." And I pretty much cried from there on out."

...
" I never thought I would have this opportunity to see BBM huge!  
The theater was a quaint little place that seats only 235 people."



...
"There wasn't a huge marquee, but there was this... we went to the 4:15 showing."

Annie Proulx in Seattle

BayCityJohn reports in Brokeback Mountain Screenings and Events:   Seattle Arts & Lectures 2009-10 lineup: Annie Proulx, Richard Price and David Byrne Oct. 7: Annie Proulx, the Pulitzer Prize/National Book Award-winning author of "The Shipping News" and "Brokeback Mountain," the story that inspired the movie of the same name. For times and ticket prices, go to www.lectures.org or call 206-621-2230 Single event tickets available beginning August 24, 2009 http://www.lectures.org/tickets.html The Screenings and Events thread is an information-only thread with no posting.  If you hear of any BBM screenings or related events, please help get the word out to other Forum members by contacting BayCityJohn via PM.

Keep On Bloggin'

KittyHawk writes: "We've got some pretty good writers in our Forum, including several bloggers! Every blogger wants more readers. So we're going to maintain a list here of blogs by our Forum members. "We hope you'll give each blog at least a quick try. You may find one that you want to visit again and again. Bloggers may even want to add some of these to your own blog roll and generate a bigger audience for everyone. " Consult the new Forum Bloggers thread for links to our members who have their own blogs.

  

Fun Question of the Week

This week’s Question: What do the stars on the flag of the European Union represent? Let us know your answer in the response thread. Last week's question and answer: What do "W D" and "40" stand for in the spray lubricant WD-40? Huntinbuddy got this one right - he knows about the good stuff! Water Displacement, 40th attempt - the full name comes from how many times it took the scientist to get the formula to effectively prevent corrosion.

The Forum Image

Our members continue to give us fresh looks at Nature.

Trigger Hippie, at Life Through the Lens 3:  




and huntinbuddy at The Orchid Hothouse

Quote of the Day

“Two wrongs don't make a right -- but three lefts do.”

~ Anonymous ~

Photo Caption of the Day

A photocap that's ahead of its time for Ennis and Jack -- a good two
decades before airlines started picking travelers' pockets at baggage check-in.

From Marz a Photo Captioning Fun 5:



jack :'we are only going for one night ennis, you sure we need all this stuff'

Contributors: donnab, Trigger Hippie, huntinbuddy, Marz, BayCityJohn

Calendar of Events

If you have ideas about initiating a gathering, go to Start Your Own Threads
and get the ball rolling to plan a get-together near you.

Mini-Slash Bash
Philadelphia - October 23-25, 2009



Let us know of any events you’d like listed here.

The Daily Sheet is a production of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum at www.davecullen.com/forum.

Editors emeritae: CactusGal, Marge_Innavera, tellyouwhat, Stilllearning, MissYouSoMuch

Researchers: BayCityJohn, Killersmom, Kittyhawk, Marge_Innavera, Stilllearning

Today's edition by Marge_Innavera

Formatters: denim girl, gnash

Today’s edition formatted by denim girl

We count on you to send us your news items, questions, and nominations for posts of the day.
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[Stilllearning]

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

Emile Hirsch Inspired by Heath Ledger

"Alpha Dogs actor Emile Hirsch claims a conversation with passed actor Heath Ledger about famed director Ang Lee is a "big part" of the reason he ... signed on for ... Taking Woodstock, despite not reading the script. '"I'll always remember talking to Heath Ledger just after he finished [Brokeback Mountain] and he was going on about working with Ang and how incredible he was," says the 24-year-old. "When offered the role, Hirsch states he accepted on the spot. '"As soon as I heard Ang Lee was interested in me, I knew I was going to do the film even before I got the script," Hirsch revealed, saying, "I've been a fan of Ang ever since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which I absolutely adored." "While it's Ang Lee who brought Hirsch to the film ... some wonder whether or not the film's hippy influence tempted the actor, who described his own childhood living in a 'hippy community' in Topanga, California. "Hirsch said, "They have this festival there called Topanga Days, which is like this cool kind of eclectic hippy mix with a few tourists from the rest of LA, but it's like a mini Woodstock in a sense."' Read more.  Source: examiner.com

Dr. Parnassus Finally Secures A Release Date

"For a while The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus seemed destined to be the latest of Terry Gilliam's noble failures, given that Heath Ledger died in the middle of filming and the film struggled to find distribution even after miraculously getting finished. But now with distributor Sony Pictures Classics securely in place, Parnassus will at last hit (U.S.) theaters on Christmas Day." Read more.  Source: cinemablend.com

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: the New Heath Ledger?

"Joseph Gordon-Levitt's eyes don't feature on the poster for (500) Days of Summer. Hair? Yes, carefully tousled into an emo mop. Stubble? Check, though more dappled than grizzled, in keeping with the genre – 500 Days is a whimsical romcom for the Wii generation. Lush eyelashes are especially well showcased. But the only clue to his mood, as he peers down at a T-shirt featuring stills from the film, is his smile: rueful, demure – an embarrassment of dimples... "...these days the name he's most commonly mentioned in the same breath as is Heath Ledger, whom he worked with on 10 Things I Hate About You, and whom he resembles; indeed, he's just finished shooting Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan's latest, Inception. '"I never intended to only do dark, serious things. I just wanted to do good stuff. And it's just a lot less common to find good stuff that also manages to be funny." Does he think there's still some snootiness about the genre? "There's an absolute prejudice that good movies are dramas and comedies are more dismissable. But I couldn't disagree more. I think a lot of the best movies are comedies and they're harder to make. Comedy takes a very specific technique, specific skills. Drama is different. Someone who's never acted before can give a great dramatic performance if they just forget the camera is there and be real and feel it. You can't with comedy. It's much more practised and precision-oriented."' Read more.  Source: guardian.co.uk

Tom Cruise Rejected as Heath Ledger Replacement

Director Terry Gilliam decided not to cast Tom Cruise as one of the stand-ins for the late Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus as the pair were not close friends "Tom Cruise lobbied to be one of the replacements for Heath Ledger in his final role, but was rejected because the pair were not friends. "Gilliam has now revealed that Cruise's name was also put forward. "I'm not sure if it was Tom or his agent," the director told Total Film magazine. "I know there was a period when Tom's agents were keen. The thing is, I was only interested in people who were friends of Heath. Simple as that. I wanted to keep it in the family." "Certain aspects of the film, however, were impossible to realise without Ledger. So great was his posthumous influence on the movie, in fact, that Gilliam considered giving him a co-director credit. "Some scenes we couldn't do because Heath wasn't there," he said. "And I was like, 'The bastard's directing this film! He's telling me what I can and can't do!' The film is better for these things. That's why I said at one point I wanted him to be co-director on the film." Read more.  Source: guardian.co.uk

Painting Has All the Hallmarks of a Sure-fire Hit

"The awarding of the People's Choice Prize [from the 2009 Archibald Prize] to Vincent Fantauzzo for his portrait Brandon comes as no real surprise. As a painting it is replete with the hallmarks that would make it a sure-fire hit with the public, no matter what the context. "Brandon" Vincent Fantauzzo with his painting, "Heath" (People's Choice Award for the 2008 Archibald Prize) "Brandon is a demonstration of a level of technical skill that most people associate with real art and, in an Archibald year dominated by ostentatiously big canvases, its scale seems almost modest by comparison. "But more than that, Brandon has the winning ingredient - a sentimental backstory. "The boy, Brandon Walters, had leukaemia but fought through. He was in a huge film, Australia, and he promoted the film and the country through television and cinema advertising. And he is Aboriginal." Read more.  Source: smh.com.au

Virginia Gov Candidate Wrote Anti-gay Masters Thesis

"Virginia’s Republican candidate for governor said Monday he no longer believes his argument in a graduate thesis written 20 years ago that discrimination against gays and other groups is acceptable for the benefit of straight, married couples. "Bob McDonnell’s research paper, first reported Sunday by The Washington Post, shakes up what had been a smooth campaign. McDonnell has maintained a clear lead over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds in statewide polling. "In his first public comment on the 93-page conservative manifesto he wrote at the close of the Reagan presidency in 1989, McDonnell dismissed the paper as a long-ago academic exercise. He said life had moderated views he held then that government should “prefer married couples over cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators.” Working women and feminists were also a detriment to families, he wrote. "The treatise, titled “The Republican Party’s Vision for the Family: The Compelling Issue of the Decade,” singled out the Supreme Court’s 1973 ruling legalizing abortion and a ruling the previous year that legalized contraceptives for unmarried people. McDonnell, a Roman Catholic, has said abortions should be performed only to save the life of the mother. "Deeds’ campaign adviser Mo Elleithee said McDonnell was 34 and on the verge of running for the Virginia House of Delegates when he wrote the paper, and can’t shrug it off as misguided youth." Read more.  Source: 365gay.com

Gay Newspaper Cuttings at LAGNA

"The Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive (LAGNA) is a national archive of press cuttings, campaigning material and other resources relating to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. "Whether you are interested in the recommedations of the Wolfenden Committee in the 1950s, who wore what and why at the Gateways Club in the 1960s, the Gay Liberation Front and the Festival of Light in the 1970s, Clause 28 and the ranting of James Anderton in the 1980s, pink pounds and gay villages in the 1990s or Todd Grimshaw's coming out on Coronation Street in 2000s; if the press covered it, we have the story. "LAGNA consists primarily of a collection of an estimated 200,000 press cuttings covering all aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans experience from the late nineteenth century to the present. Sources include broadsheets, tabloids, local newspapers, magazines, journals and specialist publications. The cuttings are organised by subject matter, biographical content and location and a catalogue of all those from the 1930s to 1969 is available on this website. "The Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive has over 200,000 cuttings and copies from the 'straight' press covering all aspects of gay life from the 1890s to the present time. Both the local and national (broadsheet and tabloid) press is well represented and there are some from overseas. Currently we only have cuttings from 1937 to 1969 indexed. The bulk of continuing work centres on the indexing of the tens of thousands of remaining cuttings and any new ones that are donated to LAGNA. " Read more.  Source: lagna.org.uk

In Memoriam

Albert L. Gordon dies at 94; attorney fought for gay rights "Albert L. Gordon, an attorney who helped advance gay rights in the 1970s and '80s by challenging discriminatory practices and laws, including a successful effort to decriminalize consensual homosexual acts, died Aug. 10 in Los Angeles. He was 94. "Gordon, a heterosexual whose twin sons were gay, became a lawyer in his late 40s and devoted most of his practice to defending the rights of homosexuals and battling the bigotry of law enforcement. Often working for free, he became known as "the leading pro bono lawyer to L.A.'s gay community," historians Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons wrote in their 2006 book "Gay L.A." '"Before there was a straight-gay alliance in America, there was Al Gordon," the Rev. Troy Perry, a longtime activist and founder of the gay-friendly Metropolitan Community Churches, said in an interview last week. "When other people wouldn't touch us, he did. He was a hero."' "One of Gordon's most memorable cases stemmed from a notorious raid on a gay bathhouse on Melrose Avenue in 1975, when scores of Los Angeles police officers broke up a mock slave auction staged as part of the entertainment for a gay community fundraiser. Apparently not amused by the gimmick, the police treated the event as actual human slave trafficking, a felony, and arrested 40 participants. Gordon helped win their release. "He loved antics. He liked to really stir things up and fight for the little guy," said Los Angeles lawyer Thomas F. Coleman, who was a UCLA law student when he began working on gay rights issues with Gordon in the early 1970s. "He helped change the legal system in California, particularly in Los Angeles," Coleman said. "The gay and lesbian community really owes him a debt of gratitude." Read more.  Source: latimes.com

WikiWhat? This week's WikiWhat? concerns itself with gay publications. We'll cover just two papers: The American newsmagazine, The Advocate, and the U.K.'s now-defunct newspaper, Gay News. "The Advocate is an American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) monthly newsmagazine. Established in 1967, it is the oldest continuing LGBT publication in the United States. "The Advocate was first published as a local newsletter by the activist group PRIDE (Personal Rights in Defense and Education) in Los Angeles, California. The newsletter was inspired by a police raid on Los Angeles gay bar the Black Cat Tavern. Richard Mitch (using the pseudonym "Dick Michaels") and Bill Rau (under the name "Bill Rand") joined PRIDE and, along with artist Sam Winston, transformed the newsletter into a newspaper, which they titled The Los Angeles Advocate. The first issue bore a cover date of September 1967. By Early 1968, PRIDE was struggling to stay viable and Mitch and Rau paid the group one dollar for ownership of the paper in February of that year. In 1969 the newspaper was renamed The Advocate and distributed nationally. By 1974, Mitch and Rau were printing 40,000 copies for each issue. It attracted the attention of David Goodstein, an investment banker from San Francisco who bought the publication in 1974." Visit The Advocate's official website. See old Advocate covers and a few racy (NWS) Advocate ads from the 1970s. Source: thomaskraemer.blogspot.com "Gay News was a pioneering fortnightly newspaper in the United Kingdom founded in June 1972 in a collaboration between former members of the Gay Liberation Front and members of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE). At the newspaper's height, circulation was 18,000 to 19,000 copies. "Gay News challenged the authorities from the outset by publishing personal contact ads, in defiance of the law — in early editions this section was always headlined "Love knoweth no laws." "In the first year of publication, editor Denis Lemon was charged and fined for obstruction, for taking photographs of police behaviour outside the popular leather bar in Earls Court, the Coleherne pub. "In 1974, Gay News was charged with obscenity, having published an issue with a cover photograph of two men kissing. It won the court case." Two's not enough? Check out Wikipedia's comprehensive List of Gay Periodicals.

The Forum Image

Posted by fritzkep in Gardeners' Corner (Plant people too)

Tomatoes the size a apples!



"We found out that these are called green zebra tomatoes, an
heirloom variety, and they are barely acidic, rather sweet and tasty!"

Post of the Day

Posted by garyd in Topic Of The Week - 50th Edition - 8/30/09

The Question: "Brokeback is definitely a romantic drama...however, there were humorous moments in the film. What were some of your favorite humorous moments? What lines or situations made you laugh? Also, think of audience reactions when you saw the film, where there times there was laughter that you found strange or off-putting?" I found nothing that was laugh out loud funny. A few humorous visuals and clever dialogue to break the tension and to demonstrate character exposition. The only time I had to physically control my reflex to laugh out loud was during (and this is going to cause all kinds of hell) the infamous "iconic 4th of July fireworks scene". So over the top, obvious, cliche "symbolism". I have to look away everytime I view. Oh well, one must allow AL one little indulgence. Read more varied thoughts on the subject over in last week's Topic of the Week.

Quote of the Day

“Love is a game that two can play and both win.”

~ Eva Gabor ~

Photocaption of the Day

By chapeaugris in Photo Captioning Fun 5

The Dalai Lama's Mantras for Living, no. 1/19:



Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

Contributors: fritzkep, garyd, Lyle (Mooska), chapeaugris

Calendar of Events

If you have ideas about initiating a gathering, go to Start Your Own Threads
and get the ball rolling to plan a get-together near you.

Mini-Slash Bash
Philadelphia - October 23-25, 2009



Let us know of any events you’d like listed here.

The Daily Sheet is a production of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum at www.davecullen.com/forum.

Today's edition by gnash

Formatters: denim girl, gnash

Today’s edition formatted by gnash

Researchers: BayCityJohn, Killersmom, Kittyhawk, Marge_Innavera, Stilllearning

Editors emeritae: CactusGal, Marge_Innavera, tellyouwhat, Stilllearning, MissYouSoMuch

We count on you to send us your news items, questions, and nominations for posts of the day.
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When a new issue of TDS is posted, you will be notified by e-mail.

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[Stilllearning]

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Remembering Alan Turing

The last 60 years might have been quite different if it were not for the work of mathematician Alan Turing. Winston Churchill believed that his role in code-breaking, particularly the "Enigma" machine nodes providing detailed information on U-boat activities, was the single greatest contribution to the Allies' victory in World War II.

Turing's later work with computer technology and artifical intelligence continues to have an impact today. "Everyone who uses a keyboard," said Time Magazine, "opening a spreadsheet or a word processing program, is working on an incarnation of a Turing machine."  He published a seminal paper in 1936, "On Computable Numbers", and in 1950 invented the 'Turing test' to measure the intelligence of a machine. Turing's accomplishments and contributions didn't bring him the honor he had earned, however, due to his being gay.  In 1952, when homosexuality was a criminal offense, Turing was prosecuted for the "gross indecency" of a sexual relationship with another man. In order to avoid a prison sentence, he agreed to an alternative that destroyed his health as thoroughly as the arrest had destroyed his career.  He was required to be chemically castrated and receive injections of female hormones on a regular basis for a year. The experience, which he described to a friend as "horrible and humiliating," was followed by his suicide in 1954, at the age of 41. "It was a good thing the authorities hadn't known Turing was a homosexual during the war because if they had, they would have fired him -- and we would have lost."   --Professor Jack Good, colleague during World War II

Decades later, many of Turing's friends and colleagues were determined that he and his history-changing work would not be forgotten. Computer scientist John Graham-Cumming started a petition for a posthumous official apology, which was signed by thousands of people including Stephen Fry, Ian McEwan and Richard Dawkins. It was Turing's biographer, Andrew Hodges, who kept Turing in the public eye during the 1980s.  In 1983 he published Alan Turing, the enigma, which playwright Hugh Whitemore adapted into a play, Breaking the Code. The play opened at the Haymarket Theatre in London's West End in 1986, and had its New York premiere at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York in November 1987, where it ran until April 1988. Turing was played by openly gay stage, screen and TV actor Derek Jacobi. Recently British Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued an official apology, stating that on behalf of the British government and "all those who live freely thanks to Alan's work, I am very proud to say: we're sorry -- you deserved much better. Alan and the many thousands of other gay men who were convicted, as he was, under homophobic laws we treated terribly." Prime Minister Brown added that "for those of us born after 1945, into a Europe which is united, democratic and at peace, it is hard to imagine that our continent was once the theatre of mankind's darkest hour. . . . it is thanks to men and women who were totally committed to fighting fascism, people like Alan Turing, that the horrors of the Holocaust are part of Europe's history and not Europe's present.' Read Prime Minister's entire statement on the Number 10 website.

,,, 1997 Masterpiece Theatre production

The Brokeback Highway

FindingBrokeback.com has consistently been the best resource for photos and information about filming sites and the history of the making of Brokeback Mountain in general.  The tireless volunteer staff describes the site as "our simple tribute to the committed and creative people who gave their talents to writing and telling the Brokeback story." After more than three years, it would seem likely that there are no more sites to discover, but this year's trip to Alberta proved otherwise.  "We finally found exactly where the Wyoming and Texas highways are, and we even found a new location “up on Brokeback," the website announced last month. "Behold, you are looking at the most elusive of Brokeback Mountain’s alluring sites! "Year after year, again and again, love-struck Jack drove some 14 hours toward this place. We expended even more time and gasoline trying to find it. From very early in our search, people associated with the film assured us that this scene was filmed near the Divorce Cabin on Hwy 520, west of Claresholm. Two people who actually lived in that area told us that the coulee and road were, indeed, very close by. Over the course of five trips to Alberta, beginning in 2006, we became intimately acquainted with many of the back roads “north of Hwy 3, west of 2, and east of 22.” But try as we might, we could never find this enchanting and suggestive place where the road magically undulates before a dark and distant chasm. "In 2009, after almost 'four [you-know] years' of searching, we finally found it while looking to see what was around a curve in the road east of the tiny village of Dorothy, a three-hour drive north of Claresholm! And, as was often the case while scouting these filming locations, we also found another one that had eluded us—the “Texas Highway”—by turning around and looking in the opposite direction! "The filmmakers may have forgotten this enchanting place, but thanks to the epic efforts of our volunteers, we never will." "The 'Entering Wyoming' and 'Texas Highway' scenes were filmed from opposite directions on the same road. And opposites they truly are. "The 'Entering Wyoming' landscape is one of activity and anticipation. The road sign helps; it marks an entrance, and the lively Wyoming Cowboy motif underscores the theme of action. Consider, too, this extremely wavy section of highway, one in which motion occurs not only from near to far, but up and down, as well. The truck is, quite naturally, 'red-lining' it. And, in case you have not yet grown anxious enough, Jake Gyllenhaal’s gleefully pregnant 'King of the Road' completes the effect. Energy and expectation are everywhere: the words, the bucking horse, the rippling road, the speeding truck, and in Jack’s song and smile. "Aptly, the 'Texas Highway' scene is quite different. It consists of a terribly bland, straight road. The road goes uphill. A hillside to the rear of the shot is covered with mature grasses. The road sign conveys neither immediacy nor action, but distance. Laden as it is with contrasting imagery, it is an appropriate venue for one of Jake Gyllenhaal’s most convincing performances, one of pure grueling emotion—not a word was needed." See FindingBrokeback.com  for directions and more details.

The Forum Blogosphere: Neatfreak

Our Forum is fortunate to have a number of members who have their own blogs. The Daily Sheet will be presenting
a series of profiles in the coming weeks.  If you have a blog you'd like featured, contact KittyHawk or Marge Innavera.





Be the change you wish to see in the world.
 - Mahatma Gandhi -

"All God's Children" When her older brother David succumbed to AIDS in 1995, Betty (forum name neatfreak) made the painful discovery that her brother, who was gay, "was afraid of being abandoned by his family and so lived as though he’d already been rejected, making rare and brief tension-filled visits over the years. His friends confessed that David was especially afraid of me because I am a Christian. I had come to my faith late—age 30—and it joined me to the world for the first time. But that which had given me a sense of connection separated me from my brother."  Betty longed to find a way to help prevent that 'schism' from happening in other families.  Ten years later, other life changes and some new online friendships resulted in her facing a number of issues "with the question that has become my mantra for making difficult decisions: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Through her online friendships with gays, Betty became deeply troubled at the hostility and distrust between Christianity and gays. Feeling that she was called to be a force for healing and bridge-building, she eventually approached her pastor about an ongoing 'welcoming church' project.  One of the results was a series of four classes titled "Our Families", "Gay and Christian", "The Science of Sexuality" and "What the Bible Says About Sexuality".  Attendance grew with each class session, and, Betty relates, there were many moments that were both revealing and moving.   After the first class a longtime church member in his 60s asked about starting a church support group for gay members.  Two speakers from Methodist churches, both described as being from loving homes, described the challenges they nevertheless faced: "Linda" "was well aware of the possibility [of hostility and discrimination in society] and that had kept her silent for a long time.  "Ray's" journey had taken him from several years in an ex-gay ministry to "a long-term committed relationship, and he and his partner have recently adopted a young boy. His 'gay lifestyle' consists of tons of laundry, trips to school, chores on the weekend, and work." At the second class a doctor of pediatrics gave a presentation on adolescent development, focusing on gay and lesbian children. The class discussion that followed challenged, in a non-confrontational way, the aggressive messages that parents of gay children often get about their responsibility to "heal" their son or daughter.  "Three different people asked three different ways, 'is it a choice?' ", Betty recalls. "The speaker answered thoughtfully and at length to say 'no' three different ways. One of those questioners asked when it's a good time to intervene and change a child's orientation. After the long answer that said it isn't possible, the petitioner asked 'so, we need to go younger?' That person has a long way to go." Betty's account of her spiritual journey, the people she has met and the part she has taken in being part of a healing and reconciliation process runs throughout the blog.  Too many signs of seen outside curches saynig "Everyone Welcome" still have invisble postscripts reading "except gays", and the literature of too many faith groups still pointedly inserts quotation marks around the words marriage and family when referring to same-sex households. But Betty's account of the difference one person can make, extending out in ever-widening ripples, is heartening. On the lighter side, Betty has plenty of entertaining entries: movies she's seen, her "outdoor office", teasers to her posts as a guest blogger on Bilerico Indiana and an account of a visit to southwestern Florida (with plenty of pictues) are just a few.  Her assessment of the "Gator Bites" she sampled in Florida: "Not bad: mild, bright white, more like fish than chicken. Kelly had a similar reaction. In this dish there was more flavor in the batter than in the gator." To visit, start here. Posts about the "All God's Children" classes: All God's Children week one All God's Children week two All God's Children week three All God's Children week four

Something's In the Kitchen

With colder weather approaching (in the Northern Hemisphere), huntinbuddy has contributed some good fall recipes, in the Recipe and Cook's Corner: Crispy Apple Muffins 1/4 cup shortening 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1 & 1/2 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup milk 1 cup chopped apples 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup nuts Cream the shortening and sugar together, and add to beaten egg, and blend it together.   Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk. Fold in apples and place in greased muffin tins.   Sprinkle the tops with a mixture of the brown sugar, nuts & cinnamon.   Bake at 375 F for 20-25 minutes.   Makes about 20 muffins.

Fun Question of the Week

This week’s Question: How many men have walked on the moon - can you name any of them? Let us know your answer in the response thread. Last week's question and answer: What do the stars on the flag for the European Union represent? "The flag of the European Union represents Europe's unity. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements." Source

The Forum Image

killersmom, at Life Through the Lens 4:  




janjo shares photos of a restored locomotive in Railfans:




"Beyer-Garratt NGG16 (2-6-2 + 2-6-2T) locomotive, formerly from South Africa, running on the narrow gauge 1'11 1/2"
Welsh Highland Railway, which following restoration now runs for almost twenty miles from Caernarfon to the Pass of
Aberglaslyn. It is planned to run as far as Portmadog once restoration is completed next year."

Photo Caption Classic

A classic posted by TwistandShout from the original Photo Captioning Fun thread:




Hell, how'd that damn heart get on that damn sleeve so fast. . .

Contributors: killersmom, Nax, dejavu, TwistandShout, janjo, huntinbuddy, neatfreak, Jim Bond

Calendar of Events

If you have ideas about initiating a gathering, go to Start Your Own Threads
and get the ball rolling to plan a get-together near you.

Mini-Slash Bash
Philadelphia - October 23-25, 2009



Let us know of any events you’d like listed here.

The Daily Sheet is a production of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum at www.davecullen.com/forum.

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Today's edition by Marge_Innavera

Formatters: denim girl, gnash

Today’s edition formatted by denim girl

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