(MATT BAUME) Why are Trans People Banned from Bathrooms?

What's the REAL reason for "bathroom bans"? Those are laws that prevent transgender people from using the bathroom unless it matches their birth certificate. The politicians pushing them claim that they just want to protect people. And they're right -- stopping trans people from using the bathroom will protect people. But not the people they say.

Let me know your thoughts on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mattbaume
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And on Tumblr: http://mattymatt.tumblr.com

(SHOWCASE) Broadway Composers Team Up to Raise Money for Beaverton High School Spring Musical!

By MK Scott

If you have lived in Portland for the past 40 plus years, you may have heard of the late great musical theater director, James N. Erickson, who was a staple at the Lakewood Center as well as the now defunct Portland Civic Theatre, Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre and the Musical Company. Plus he produced Breakfast with Santa for Meier and Frank for over 30 years.

Erickson was also the head of the Beaverton High School Theater Arts Department for 29 years from 1970 to 1999, and was an enduring mentor for many of Portland’s thriving theater scene from Jay Horenstein, Greg Tamblyn, Dale Johannes, and John Oules to Broadway stars such as Brooks Ashmanskas and Shoshanna Bean.

After Erickson’s retirement in 1999 and sudden death in 2004, the Beaverton High Drama Department struggled for over a decade up until last year, when Shannon Dery stepped up to lead a new generation of theater (and queer) students.

To gain some support, I contacted my celebrity friends and was able to get Olivia Newton-John to do a small shout out to ask people to help save the school’s 2016 production of “Grease.”

We raised over $3,000, and as a bonus, many alumni that hadn’t visited their high school in decades came back and pledged their support for Erickson’s successor.

So how do we top Olivia Newton-John? It was luck that Beaverton chose Terrence McNally’s adaptation of the classic film of “Catch Me If You Can,” which made its world premiere at Seattle’s famed Fifth Avenue Theater, which I have a connection to. They encouraged me to get in touch with the composers, Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman (Hairspray), who agreed to record the shout-out — and totally surprised me with a cameo by the king of Broadway himself, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton)!

We need volunteers and contributions to give these kids the professionalism and the support that only the legacy of Erickson can provide.

Check out our Campaign video at www.gofundme.com/support-bhss-musical-fund.

(Blank on Blank) George Washington Carver on Ego and Self!

"You can’t get very far in life if you don’t get away from Self" - George Washington Carver in 1939

The famed scientist and inventor best known for the amazing work he did with peanuts -- he cooked up over 100 uses for peanuts incluing plastics and gasoline -- gave this rare interview four years before he died in 1943. It's an inspiring story about the importance of scientific discovery and putting ego aside in the search for facts and the truth.

We uncovered this rare tape via the George Washington Carver National Monument. Special thanks to Curtis Gregory at the National Park Service and Peter D. Burchard. Learn more about George Washington Carver here: georgewashingtoncarver.us

(Matt Baume) Betsy DeVos Poses Immediate Danger to LGBT Students!

 

Meet your new principal, America: Betsy DeVos, Donald's new Secretary of Education. She's now in charge of the nation's schools -- or at least, in charge what's going to be left once she's finished dismantling them. Betsy's built her career on undermining public schools. And wouldn't you know it, among the things she's likely to take apart are some potentially life-saving protections for LGBT students.

OVTV: (TIME-Warp) This Week in History: Rove Vs. Wade; LBJ; Victoria; Laugh-In; Mozart!

Highlights of This Week in History: Rove vs. Wade decision; Lyndon Johnson dies; Britain's Queen Victoria dies; The Crucible debuts on Broadway; Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in premieres. Soviet troops liberate concentration camps; Paris peace accords signed, ending Vietnam war; Mozart born.

(MATT BAUME) Donald Trump's 10 Worst Appointees!

Donald Trump's the most pro-gay Republican president-elect in history, right? Well, no -- he's stacking his administration with people who've spent their entire careers going after queer people. Here are the ten most dangerous people Donald's appointed, the harm that they could do in their new jobs, and what you can do to stop them.

Call your representatives and tell them to oppose these appointees: 1-844-USA-0234

Connect on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mattbaume
And Facebook: http://facebook.com/mattbaume

(MATT BAUME) Queer Icons Still Alive in 2017!

Seems like we lost a lot of queer icons recently -- but look at how many are still alive and still producing work! Whether they're queer themselves or just beloved by queers, we have more people to love, admire, look up to, and be inspired by than ever before.

Who are your favorite living queer icons? Let me know in the comments or at http://twitter.com/mattbaume
Connect on Facebook: http://facebook.com/mattbaume
And Instagram: http://instagram.com/mattbaume

Check out my podcast The Sewers of Paris where gay men tell personal stories about how entertainment changed their lives: http://SewersOfParis.com

(MATT BAUME) The Biggest LGBT Advances of 2016!

 

Do we have to do a year in review for 2016? This was a rough one, but what if I told you there were some really great milestones for LGBTs this year? It's true! Amidst all the bad news, 2016 had some real bright spots. And 2017 could have more -- or it could be much, much worse.

Connect on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mattbaume
And Facebook: http://facebook.com/mattbaume
Subscribe to my LGBT issues podcast: http://DefiningMarriage.com

(92nd Street Y) Annette Bening and Mike Mills on "20th Century Women"!

Annette Bening and Mike Mills discuss their film, "20th Century Women," for the Reel Pieces with Annette Insdorf series.

(BLANK on BLANK) Jimmy Carter on Power and God!

"The fact that a person has deep religious convictions doesn't necessarily mean that that person always thinks that he's right, that God's ordained him to take a dominant position" - Jimmy Carter in May 1976, six months before he was elected President.

Originally aired on WNET's Bill Moyers Journal on PBS

We loved uncovering this interview with Jimmy Carter talking about his humble upbringings and vision for America under his watch. He talks the impact of God and religion in his path to public service, experiencing with world while in the Navy, missing the final years of his father's life, and the true meaning of helping people overcome injustice in all forms.

(Matt Baume) How Republicans Could Repeal Marriage Equality in 3 Easy Steps!

The National Organization for Marriage says that now Donald's president, they have a plan to undo marriage equality. But can they do that? Is marriage equality really at risk? Well, yes -- and in fact, they could repeal marriage in just three steps.

Connect on Facebook: http://facebook.com/mattbaume
Connect on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mattbaume

PODCAST (It's FAB): Shared Rooms w/ Bernadette Peters and Director, Rob Williams!

Welcome to It's FAB with MK Scott. We got a 2 great chats, one with the one of favorite Gay indie writers/directors, Rob Williams (Men next door/Role-play/Make the Yuletide Gay) to discuss his new Holiday classic, "Shared Room". But first, the Iconic Bernadette Peters on Sondheim, Mozart in the Jungle and what she thinks of the new administration.

(TIME-WARP) When Liz Taylor Crashed a Wedding 35 years ago TODAY!

Luke and Laura married on November 17,1981, in a lavish ceremony officiated by the mayor of Port Charles, with hundreds of residents from Port Charles and Beecher's Corners in attendance. However, Mikkos' widow Helena Cassadine (then portrayed by Academy Award winning actress Elizabeth Taylor) arrives. She secretly places a curse on the couple during their reception, as she blames the duo for her husband's death. Later, Scott arrives. After catching Laura's bouquet, he declares he is contesting his divorce. As had occurred at Luke's aborted wedding to Jennifer, the men begin to fight. This time, Luke is the victor.

(Matt Baume) Is Hillary Really Worse than Donald?

What will President Hillary Clinton do to improve the lives of queer people -- or will she make them worse?

Awhile back I made a video about how Donald Trump is no friend to the gays. And ever since then I've been getting comments about how Hillary is an even bigger threat. So is she? Let's clear up a few things.

PODCAST: (It's FAB w/ MK) The ICON show with Dolly Parton and Tab Hunter!

It's Fab podcast has got them. True Icons.

Last month I was one of a dozen members of the LGBT press to be part of a live phone conference with the iconic, Dolly Parton. Dolly is in the middle of a concert tour. Dolly is also promoting her new album, Pure and Simple. Here are the highlights from the 20-minute LGBT press conversation.
Later, I chat with Film Legend, Tab Hunter, subject of the film, Tab Hunter: Confidential.

(TIME Warp) Where is TED HAGGARD Now, 10 Years Later?

Ted Haggard, the evangelical superstar turned tabloid fodder, has been exceptionally busy in his efforts to rebrand his image after a highly-publicized 2006 gay sex scandal. In the seven years since that time, Haggard has started a new 'inclusive' church (albeit one where gay marriages are prohibited), shed his 'heterosexual with issues' label (he identifies as bisexual now), and even swapped wives with Gary Busey.

Now, in a 2013 video sent to "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" Haggard gives an update into his family, his marriage, and how he remains 'grateful' despite the struggles and scandals of the past.

(92nd Street Y) Natalie Portman on A Tale of Love and Darkness!

On the occasion of the release of A Tale of Love and Darkness — directed and adapted by Natalie Portman from Amos Oz's autobiographical novel — the Oscar winning actress discussed the new film, and her career, with Moderator Annette Insdorf.

Portman also stars in A Tale of Love and Darkness, a Hebrew-language drama about a Polish Holocaust survivor — seen through the eyes of her young son — who is trying to adjust in late 1940s Israel. For her feature directing debut, she chose cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, who photographed Kieslowski's Double Life of Veronique as well as Three Colors: Blue. Portman's previous work as a director includes the short Eve — starring Lauren Bacall and Ben Gazzara — and a segment of New York, I Love You.

(Blank on Blank) Nora Ephron on Crazy Salad!

"It’s okay being a woman now. I like it. Try it some time.” - Nora Ephron, in a 1975 interview with Studs Terkel

To many, Nora Ephron is best known as the screenwriter behind some classic movies like When Harry Met Sally, Julie and Julia, Sleepless in Seattle, and Silkwood. But before she turned to writing screenplays, she was a journalist and a writer. Ephron got her start at the New York Post in the 1960s and soon she was writing for New York Magazine and Esquire.

It was at Esquire that Ephron made her name through with her personal essays, such as the one about the smallness of her breasts (A Few Words About Breasts). Ephron mixed humor with honesty, and captured the ups and downs of both being a woman--and the growing women's movement. It was around this time she sat down with Studs Terkel. Ephron had recently released a collection of her essays called, Crazy Salad.

Listen to the full interview, more about her place in the women's movement, her thoughts on writing and movies, and an inspiring message for graduates (“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”)

http://blankonblank.org/nora-ephron/

The lost interview comes from the WFMT Studs Terkel Radio archive: http://studsterkel.org

(MATT BAUME) Mike Pence: Even Worse than Trump?

Mike Pence may look comparatively stable next to Trump. But he's actually way more extreme when it comes to LGBT issues -- here's just a sampling of some his worst hits. This is the guy who could be second in line to run the country, and that's a huge problem since Trump's one of the most impeachment-ready candidates we've ever had.

(SOAP Q) Happy 41st Anniversary to Ryan's Hope and GH's Delia Reid Ryan Ryan (Crane) Coleridge!

Ryan's Hope is an American soap opera created by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer, originally airing for 13 years on ABC from July 7, 1975 to January 13, 1989. It revolved around the trials and tribulations within a large Irish-American family in the Riverside district of New York City. Notice Kate (ST-Voyager and ONTB) Mulgrew as Mary and Michael Hawkins (Father of Christian and Helen Slater) and Helen (Broadway legend) Gallagher in the original cast.