Belle of Amherst

This image, just reminds me of something very Emily Dickinson-esque.

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Emily Dickinson

This was a Poet — It is That

Distills amazing sense

From ordinary Meanings —

And Attar so immense

From the familiar species

That perished by the Door —

We wonder it was not Ourselves

Arrested it — before —

Of Pictures, the Discloser —

The Poet — it is He —

Entitles Us — by Contrast —

To ceaseless Poverty —

Of portion — so unconscious —

The Robbing — could not harm —

Himself — to Him — a Fortune —

Exterior — to Time —

Was Emily Dickinson a Lesbian?

A question that intrigues scholars and readers alike: was Emily Dickinson a lesbian? While there's not (to this date, anyway) direct evidence that Dickinson was sexually active with either men or women, she did write passionate letters to women (as did many women of that age). Some historians find this as evidence of what today would be called lesbianism -- others point to incidents where she seemed to be in love with men as counter-evidence.

Art and Degas

I have been working this weekend on some promotions for my schools new art club.  This has gotten me to think about art, and though, Edgar Degas was characterized as an "old curmudgeon" this quote below is quite beautiful.

Young Spartans Exercising, also known as Young Spartans, is an oil on canvas painting by French impressionist artist Edgar Degas. The work depicts two groups of male and female Spartan youths exercising, though the subject matter of the painting has, in recent times, been challenged. The work is now in the permanent collection of The National Gallery in London.

Edgar Degas was a French artist famous for his work in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism although he rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist. A superb draftsman, he is especially identified with the subject of the dance, and over half of his works depict dancers. These display his mastery in the depiction of movement, as do his racecourse subjects and female nudes. His portraits are notable for their psychological complexity and depiction of human isolation.

Early in his career, he wanted to be a history painter, a calling for which he was well prepared by his rigorous academic training and close study of classic art. In his early thirties, he changed course, and by bringing the traditional methods of a history painter to bear on contemporary subject matter, he became a classical painter of modern life.

Mother's Day

I hope that we all think of our mothers today. I love my mama, but like all mothers, she drives me crazy sometimes. She has been in a long, five year period of depression since she found out I was gay, but that was relieved somewhat by the birth of my niece, so she now has the grand-baby she always wanted. She is still convinced I am going to hell, but she doesn't say it as much anymore. As long as it is a "don't ask, don't tell, don't discuss" situation, we get along great.

So even if your mother drives you crazy, I hope that you still have a good relationship with her and tell her how much you love her today.

I love you, Mama.

(She would surely die if she ever saw this blog, but I did choose a picture of sunflowers because they are her favorite.)

Moment of Zen: Quiet Darkness

I suffered from a terrible migraine that just would not go away on Thursday, so my moment of Zen was when I found a quiet, dark place to rest and recover.  If you suffer from migraines, then you probably know what I mean.

Beauty and Sarcasm

Taking the Day Off

I would love to say that I was working so hard last night grading papers that I just didn't have time to write a post today; however, I was actually hanging out with a friend of mine.  It was a she, we were drinking beer, and not naked like the picture above, but we still had a good time, even if we were at it longer than we should have been considering we still have to be at school to teach today.  It was a much needed break to a busy week, and it was fun had by all, so I am taking the day off from a "real" blog post. FYI: A slight addition to this post.

President Obama has confirmed that Vice President Biden's comments forced him to move up his timetable on announcing support of gay marriage.

Obama told ABC's Good Morning America that he had planned to discuss the issue just before the Democratic convention in early September, but things changed over the weekend when the vice president announced he was "very comfortable" with same-sex marriage.

Biden "probably got out a little bit over his skis, but out of generosity of spirit," Obama told Robin Roberts shortly after making his own announcement on ABC.

While the president seemed somewhat irritated with his veep, Obama added: "All's well that ends well."

Obama also told Good Morning America that actual decisions to legalize gay marriage should remain with the states, which are "arriving at different conclusions at different times."

"I think that's a healthy process and a healthy debate," Obama said.

Also: "This debate is taking place at a local level. And I think the whole country is evolving and changing. And, you know, one of the things that I'd like to see is that a conversation continue in a respectful way."

Thanks Sean for bringing this to my attention.  I had not even checked the news today

Video from Trick

I realized that my post today was missing the video from the movie Trick.  I will try and fix it later and embed the video.  In the meantime, check out this link to the video.


Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lebkS2ClmlM&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Sent from my iPad

Steve Hayes: Not Just Any Tired Old Queen

When I was first coming to terms with my sexuality, I discovered gay cinema at a local video store which had a wonderful selection of foreign and independent movies. The first video I picked up was the 1994 French movie "Wild Reeds.". I will have to do a post soon about my gay cinema journey to coming out, but that is not what this post is about. This post is about the delightful actor Steve Hayes. The other night I came across a YouTube clip on Joe.My.God of Steve Hayes, an actor who I had first saw in the movie "Trick," one of the first Fay movies I saw. If you have not seen it, it is a delightful movie and I have included a synopsis below and a clip of Hayes in it.

Trick:

Gabriel, an aspiring writer of Broadway musicals, meets Mark, a muscled stripper, who picks him up on the subway. They spend the night trying to find somewhere to be alone... forced to contend with Gabriel's selfish roommate, his irritating best friend, and a vicious, jealous drag queen in a gay dance club. The sun rises on a promising new relationship. Steve Hayes sings a memorable and catchy little tune in the movie, and I have to admit, I have loved him since I first saw it. There is a clip below.

Now on to Steve Hayes. As already mentioned, Hayes starred as Perry in the Fine Line Features motion picture "Trick" directed by Jim Fall and starring Tori Spelling and Christian Campbell. "Trick" was nominated for Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival. He recently completed the film; "The Big Gay Musical," in which he sings three songs and plays GOD. He won Oustanding Actor at the International New York Fringe Theatre Festival. As a comedian, Steve is a nine time nominee and three time winner of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs MAC Award for Outstanding Comedian and Characterization. He is also the recipient of the Backstage Bistro Award for Comedy Performer of the Year. He is a six time recipient of the ASCAP.

All that aside, the YouTube clip I came across was a series he hosts. Hayes is the host of the information/comedy show "STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies," which is seen weekly around the world on YouTube. "Tired Old Queen At The Movies" offers the dish on the classic movies we thought we knew and most likely didn't. How they were made, why they're classic, and what happens when they become the fixation of a man from upstate New York who was "raised by Warner Brothers.". From Film Noir to Screw Ball Comedies, Social Dramas to Camp Classics, nothing escapes his scrutiny. Using his vast knowledge of film and Hollywood history, he not only describes the various films, but provides the inside scoops on who got who to do what to whom in order to get what was made, made. With a new segment every week, each two to four minute segment is shot on location in Thornfield Manor, Steve's overly-opulent , nostalgia filled, sumptuously cluttered, Studio apartment and hosted by fellow actor John Bixler, Steve recommends what classics to see, what to avoid, what to take seriously, what not to and what to run out and rent as soon as the show is over. He also has a sharp, sexy wit that you just don't find in the many gay men today, the kind where he can be giving you an explanation about why a movie is wonderfully horrible, take a tangent on why one of the actors is so sexy that your boxers will quiver, and then get right back onto the topic at hand without missing a beat.

In short, he really is an old queen, the delightful kind we don't see often enough any longer. And I love, Love, LOVE that he's out there making these great little pieces.

I started watching the clips, and before I knew it, two hours had passed and it was well past my bedtime. I couldn't help myself. He reviewed movies such as "All About Eve," "Auntie Mame," "Key Largo," "Roman Holiday," "The Lion in Winter," and so many more of my favorite classic Hollywood movies. It is obvious that his favorite Hollywood icons are Katherine Hepburn and Audrey Hepburn and director and producer Joseph Mankiewicz. Then again, they may just be part of my favorite movies, so it seems that they are his favorites. So, if you have ever wished that TCM's Robert Osbourne was a bit funnier and camper, then you will love Steve Hayes.

P.S. Don't get me wrong, I love Robert Osbourne and wish I had his job, but Steve is a lot more fun.  TCM really needs to hire him.

Romance Sonambulo

Photograph by Gregorio Prieto Muñoz (1897-1992), born in Valdepeñas, Spain, he was one of the lovers of Federico Garcia Lorca. I love how the man is superimposed with the tree trunks.

Romance Sonambulo by Federico García Lorca translated by William Logan (Original poem in Spanish after the jump) Green, how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches. The ship out on the sea and the horse on the mountain. With the shade around her waist she dreams on her balcony, green flesh, her hair green, with eyes of cold silver. Green, how I want you green. Under the gypsy moon, all things are watching her and she cannot see them. Green, how I want you green. Big hoarfrost stars come with the fish of shadow that opens the road of dawn. The fig tree rubs its wind with the sandpaper of its branches, and the forest, cunning cat, bristles its brittle fibers. But who will come? And from where? She is still on her balcony green flesh, her hair green, dreaming in the bitter sea. --My friend, I want to trade my horse for her house, my saddle for her mirror, my knife for her blanket. My friend, I come bleeding from the gates of Cabra. --If it were possible, my boy, I'd help you fix that trade. But now I am not I, nor is my house now my house. --My friend, I want to die decently in my bed. Of iron, if that's possible, with blankets of fine chambray. Don't you see the wound I have from my chest up to my throat? --Your white shirt has grown thirsy dark brown roses. Your blood oozes and flees a round the corners of your sash. But now I am not I, nor is my house now my house. --Let me climb up, at least, up to the high balconies; Let me climb up! Let me, up to the green balconies. Railings of the moon through which the water rumbles. Now the two friends climb up, up to the high balconies. Leaving a trail of blood. Leaving a trail of teardrops. Tin bell vines were trembling on the roofs. A thousand crystal tambourines struck at the dawn light. Green, how I want you green, green wind, green branches. The two friends climbed up. The stiff wind left in their mouths, a strange taste of bile, of mint, and of basil My friend, where is she--tell me-- where is your bitter girl? How many times she waited for you! How many times would she wait for you, cool face, black hair, on this green balcony! Over the mouth of the cistern the gypsy girl was swinging, green flesh, her hair green, with eyes of cold silver. An icicle of moon holds her up above the water. The night became intimate like a little plaza. Drunken "Guardias Civiles" were pounding on the door. Green, how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches. The ship out on the sea. And the horse on the mountain.

Sean Harris Is No Christian

He may be the pastor of a Baptist Church, but he is no Christian.  As usual he is a pastor who picks and chooses what parts of the Bible he wants to take literally and which ones he wants to claim are allegorical.

Sean Harris, senior pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Fayetteville, spoke at length in support of North Carolina's proposed Amendment 1, which would define marriage in the state constitution as between one man and one woman and would outlaw civil unions and domestic partnerships, during an hour-long sermon on Sunday. In this clip, provided by Jeremy Hooper of the blog Good as You, a man identified as Harris is heard urging his congregation to attack their children if they appear to be exhibiting behavior outside of gender norms.

Notes Harris:

"So your little son starts to act a little girlish when he is four years old and instead of squashing that like a cockroach and saying, 'Man up, son, get that dress off you and get outside and dig a ditch, because that is what boys do,' you get out the camera and you start taking pictures of Johnny acting like a female and then you upload it to YouTube and everybody laughs about it and the next thing you know, this dude, this kid is acting out childhood fantasies that should have been squashed.

Dads, the second you see your son dropping the limp wrist, you walk over there and crack that wrist. Man up. Give him a good punch. Ok? You are not going to act like that. You were made by God to be a male and you are going to be a male. And when your daughter starts acting too butch, you reign [sic] her in. And you say, 'Oh, no, sweetheart. You can play sports. Play them to the glory of God. But sometimes you are going to act like a girl and walk like a girl and talk like a girl and smell like a girl and that means you are going to be beautiful. You are going to be attractive. You are going to dress yourself up.'"

The Fayetteville Observer reported that Harris now says he was joking during the sermon. Though he noted he "would never ever advocate" hitting a child, Harris nonetheless defended his belief in the need to reinforce traditional gender roles in children:

"If I had to say it again, I would say it differently, no doubt," Harris is quoted as saying. "Those weren't planned words, but what I do stand by is that the word of God makes it clear that effeminate behavior is ungodly. I'm not going to compromise on that."

Harris retracted the statements of violence but continued to defend his comments about the "importance of gender distinctions that God created," as well his condemnation of homosexuality, citing the Bible. But he was not able to explain other passages in the Bible, such as those condoning slavery, saying he didn't realize the interview would "slant and redirect the conversation."


"I had no idea that the video would be chopped and posted in the blogosphere in a such a manner in which the entirety isn't understood," Harris said in an interview on Michelangelo Signorile's radio program on SiriusXM OutQ. "Those were not the best choice of words. If I had to do it over again again I would not choose those words. I was using hyperbole in an effort to communicate the importance of the gender distinctions that God created. I would offer an apology to anyone I have offended. I don't make an apology for those gender distinctions that are the word of God."

In trying to explain why he used violence to convey his message even though he is now retracting the statements, Harris said: "In the context of the scripture, Mark, chapter 9, Jesus conjures up violent images as well, when he says, 'If your hand is causing you to sin, cut it off.' He's not speaking literally. He's speaking figuratively, using hyperbole to convey the importance of the offense."

Harris said the comments were taken out of context because in the rest of the video of his sermon, "I get ready to tell the church, 'We are not to be homophobic. We are to love the gay person.'"

Nonetheless, Harris defended his condemnation of homosexuality by quoting the New Testament and the Old Testament. When asked about passages in the both the Old Testament and the New Testament condoning slavery, however, he said those passages are taken "out of context."

"I didn't realize this was going to be an interview on slavery," he added, when asked why he selectively used the Bible. "It's unfortunate that [I was not told] you were going to slant and redirect the conversation. It's unfortunate that I accepted this phone call."


North Carolina residents will go to the polls on May 8 to vote on both the same-sex marriage measure and to pick a Republican presidential candidate.

Last week, however, Public Policy Polling reportedly released a new poll showing that support among North Carolinians for the proposed anti-gay amendment has dropped to a record low.