That's not us

From the Huffington Post - they say it better than me. But I will say that I enjoyed this film very much, both times.

“That’s Not Us” is a compelling new film executive produced by and starring Mark Berger, who has previously worked as associate producer for the 2014 Broadway production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” The film follows three couples — one straight, one gay and one lesbian — as they travel to Fire Island for a vacation during the last days of summer. What is intended to be a relaxing vacation swiftly turns into an examination of the nature of love and what it takes to make love sustainable in the modern age.

Mes chers parents - vidéo Dailymotion

One of the lovelist, warmest, 'touchuingest' short gay films I've ever seen. Believe me, I've seen zillions. An uncomprimising letter home for the oldest of reasons.


Mes chers parents - vidéo Dailymotion: Un jeune homme envoie un film à ses parents après douze ans de silence. Il veut leur montrer l'homme qu'il est devenu. Réalisateur du court métrage : Martin Amic - Acteurs : Florence Cabaret, Christel Martinez, Pierre Banderet, Julie Williamson, Patrice Boutin, Claire Caigneaux, Victor De Oliveira, Isabelle Gagnat. Sélectionnée par gaynormandie.com, le portail lgbt de Normandie : http://www.gaynormandie.com sur le blog de Fred : http://blog.gaynormandie.com/fred et le portail de la vie gay en France : http://www.guidomo.fr

Fair Haven - a very watchable gay indie feature film.

I've just watched this film and was at first a bit annoyed at its dour mood, so common in gay films. I want to scream, lighten up, at so many of them. A great tale can be told without it being a never-ending tragedy. But this film really cut it. It's sensitive and understated. The boys are lovely, and I wouldn't have minded a few more scenes of their intimacy. But it was above-all the father-son relationship under the microscope. Mother has passed away and Dad is dealing with his business, his widower status and his very un-chip-off-the-ole-block son. Do watch it.

Ben Whishaw interview PLUS partner from Down Under

Marvellous NY interview from 2010.
Stylised presentation.
Movement ... what's the word?

Elsewhere he speaks of the great difficulty it takes to come out.
And the immense bravery

He's now married to an Australian composer, whom he met when they were making Jane Campion's film about Keats, Bright Star.

Ben W also plays in Lilting, of which they write:

Coming to terms with his boyfriend's death, a young man forms a relationship of half-truths and unspoken feeling with his partner's mother in this deeply moving portrait of grief.

Oh, and B's husband? 

Mark Bradshaw.

Coming right up!

... about whom more can be found at Wikipedia, believe it or not.

It consumed me too

Deserved winner of many awards. A masterpiece.

I just had an email who pointed out that this little film is a rip off of Tom Tykwer's film True. The info on TT's website says that the project stalled. Not the project Paris, Je t'aime. I saw this project and I don't remember True in it, but Wikipedia assures me it's there. I was surprised that this film dealt with a wide range of loves, but there was not one gay in the village. 

Maybe Tykwer created a new "genre" that It's consuming me employs. As they say, Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It often happens in art that the works created by the inventor of a genre are not as good as those which are made in its image and I think It's consuming me is a stronger, snappier and sharper exemplar of this genre. 

Now at Amazon

Just came across my little volume in the Amazon.co.uk catalogue. Wow. That's cool.

Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit

Ok, so it's only been a decade in the making, but thanks in no small part to Lulu.com, my very own soap opera, Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit, is now published as an ebook. The paper copy is coming very soon.


I originally wrote it to use as the basis of an e-learning course, but like so many projects, the 90% perspiration was never quite there to bring it to fruition.

It's set in the lovely Czech city of Brno, and includes a romantic excursion to Vienna. There is a healthy mix, or an unhealthy one, some might say, of Czechs and ex-pats engaged in all sorts of business activities and not all of them involve money exchanging hands. Sometimes it's the hands exchanging that makes it a bit steamy at times.

Bear in mind that it was written for gay guys learning English as a foreign language, not as an attempt on great literature. This also explains why each chapter begins with some vocabulary and cultural notes.

Anyway, the boys are lying in wait for you at Lulu, should such a read take your fancy. And if you are only interested in it for the cover picture, well, I can't blame you. He's a little hottie for sure. Let me know and I'll pass on your compliments.

In between men

Their website.

What's on offer at McDonalds!

Gandhi was gay?

Another publication,
another ban,
another sales boost.
another law: please can we have a law that says Gandhi was not gay? or so they cry in India upon the publication of Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India. (Joseph Lelyveld)

See India state bans book hinting Gandhi had gay loverwhere you will read:

It has become a fashion to tarnish the image of great Indian leaders for self publicity and sale of books,” said Sanjay Dutt, spokesman for the ruling Congress Party in Maharashtra. “The government should invoke a law to severely punish anyone who tarnishes the image of the father of the nation.

I, the author of this blog, would like to call for a law that banned people from equating outing someone with tarnishing their image.

As you will also read, the relationship with Kallenbach was platonic.
Oh, I get it. No sex = no gay. Feelings count for nothing.

I'm sure there are millions of teenage virgins around the world today and throughout the history and pre-history of mankind whose hitherto unfulfilled sexual desires doesn't mean that they are not gay. And don't get me started on the Papacy and all that flounders in her.

Is it time to add Gandhi to that great T-shirt, What a difference a gay makes?

The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green

Could someone please tell me how I have managed to not hear about this? PLEASE. According to my unfavourite Wikipedia, it's a comic strip that started in 1989. The film started doing the rounds in 2005. I can't say that the name is overly appealing, but heck, what's in a name? Well, Eric Orner has created it all and here is just one sample, whose message certainly rings true over here.

We two boys together clinging

A fine piece about gay sensibility from none other than the Guardian (UK).

Do you recognise this title? It's the opening of a poem by Walt Whitman, a well-known homosexualist poet from the end of nineteenth century USA. Click here for Gay history's long piece about our forefather.

The picture is one of David Hockney's.

And here's what all the fuss is about - a compact little piece that packs it's own quiet punch.

WE two boys together clinging,
One the other never leaving,
Up and down the roads going—North and South excursions making,
Power enjoying—elbows stretching—fingers clutching,
Arm’d and fearless—eating, drinking, sleeping, loving,
No law less than ourselves owning—sailing, soldiering, thieving, threatening,
Misers, menials, priests alarming—air breathing, water drinking, on the turf or the sea-beach dancing,
Cities wrenching, ease scorning, statutes mocking, feebleness chasing,
Fulfilling our foray.

Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900.

Good luck guys

Scouring the web for Down Under gayzines RSS feeds to add to the homepage of my Gay English course, I came across a story about Tim Campbell coming out. Well I'd never heard of him. That's him on the right. Then there was some mention of his attachment to Ant Callea, whom I've barely heard of. That's him on the left.

Thankfully, Wikipedia does them both proud. The ole chook was born 27 September 1975 in Sydney wheras the kid was born December 13, 1982 in Melbourne to Italian parents. One wonders what predictions an astrologer would make for their potential longevity as a couple.

Let’s wish Tim and Ant as much longevity as they desire. It ain't no picnic. It was rather brave of them to out their relationship given the media’s notorious respect for people’s lives.

The question was asked a while ago and we weren't, but we have gotten to a point where we are very happy together.

(Quoted here and heaps of places)

For the press, everyone and everything we do is little more than print-fodder. Performers have speical pressures like their commitment to their careers, their egos, their managers and teams and of course to their fans. The public does not want to see a performer having an off day. Not even teachers are allowed that! Performers keep non-family hours, are away on tour often for long stretches, with people who are also away from home and their loved ones. Our testosterone and libido never leave us - this opens those little trapdoors of temptation for the traveller just as for the partner back home. Coupled with temptation, there is also suspicion. I know, I lived with a muso for 12 years myself. Good luck T & A!

It seems they are all out these days. Don't start me on Darren Hayes, Matthew Mitcham, Peter Allen or Portia de Rossi. Ahh, these showbiz marriages ... Leave them for another day.

Good Australians have so much to be proud of.

PS: still haven't found an adequate RSS from Down Under gayzines.