snyde & sneak

by tracy baim

Celeb buzz

The Grammy Awards are Feb. 23, so look for lots of queers such as Melissa and Elton, up for awards and honors.

In other music news, tickets go on sale Saturday for Cathy Richardson's last Chicago show before her East Coast tour. She's at Park West with Kimi Hayes March 18. Call (773) 929-5959 or (312) 559-1212.

Oscar nominee Kevin Spacey went on 60 Minutes Sunday to clarify the rumors about his sexuality he got in trouble when avoiding the topic with ESQUIRE two years ago. It got blown out of proportion said the private celeb. He sets it all "straight" for Leslie Stahl-he dates women. Gfn.com reports that actor Don Johnson was seen at an adult bookstore spending hundreds of dollars on hardcore gay videos, sex toys and lubricants often used by gay men. Johnson. says he was buying the items as an adult joke for a pal's birthday. That's entertainment

This is still sweeps month, so there are more gay episodes on TV. CBS's Family Law Monday featured a transgenered dad fighting for joint custody of her troubled teen daughter. Very well executed and acted show. The CBS show JAG Feb. 22 was expected to include a 'don't ask' trial of one of the show's new characters, a male assistant in the JAG office. Even the X-Files had a gay couple on its show this week-a Black gay couple a bit over-the-top stereotypical, but they did prove to be so strong as to fend off a "fear virus."

The NBC film about the life of Little Richard did not shy away from his bisexuality and love of "Pancake 31" make-up. At one point, one of his bandmates calls him a sissy: "If you want to call me sissy, make sure you call me a

Film Flair

Madeline Kahn, in one of her last roles, is featured in the new Judy Berlin film, which opens Feb. 25 at the Fine Arts and Evanston Loews theatres. David Gold has returned to his parents' home after a failed attempt at success in California. He runs into former classmate Judy Berlin, still outspoken and charismatic, now a local actress with dreams of stardom. Edie (Sopranos) Falco is Judy Berlin.

Rupert Everett and Madonna's The Next Best Thing opens March 3. We will have lots of features next week.... Robert Downey Jr. plays gay again in the Michael Douglas comedy Wonder Boys, which opens Wednesday at the Esquire and new General Cinema on Western, and Friday everywhere. The film is getting great buzz.

Novella Nelson & Madeline Kahn

The highly anticipated HBO film If These Walls Could Talk 2 airs March 5. This one is about lesbians, and stars Ellen DeGeneres (directed by Anne Heche), Sharon Stone, Vanessa Redgrave, Chloë (Boys Don't Cry) Sevigny, and Michelle Williams. Star Gaze is hosting a promo party for the film Sat., Feb. 26, 10 p.m.

rich sissy," he challenges. He says being called a sissy is minor compared to the racism he has faced. "I am what I am," he says to a woman who wants to marry him, "There are other parts of me, too." The show ends saying Richard's belief in God is as strong as ever today--and so is his belief in Pancake 31.

The delayed FOX 32 news report, "The TransSexual Revolution," has been moved to Feb. 29 at 9 p.m. Among those interviewed: Rikki Swin, Ean Behr, Miranda Stevens-Miller and Randi Ettner.

GEORGE reports that when the stars of Will & Grace made a political TV ad backing gay marriage in Calif., they set off a furor that upset their network-and shocked them. Meanwhile, this week's episode has Jack and Will kissing on a mock Today show. The 'Doctor' is out

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES reports that Dr. Laura's ratings are suffering: "Between the lines of Arbitron survey numbers, one can see shifts in the landscape.... [I]n the most recent survey, among listeners 12 and older, the major development involves one of the most familiar voices of all-Laura Schlessinger. Her often controversial advice show has lost significant ground, posting its lowest audience numbers in the Los Angeles-Orange County market in a year."

THE WASHINGTON TIMES reports that the Paramount Television Group has assured gay activists that Schlessinger's iV show, set to air this fall, will offer "many points of view" on homosexuality and other issues. GLAAD met Feb. 14 with Paramount and representatives of Schlessinger. "The meeting cre-

Biz Briefs: 'Out' mag bought by 'Advocate,' Lauren's Catering closes

Our has been acquired by the publisher of THE ADVOCATE, reports THE NEW YORK TIMES. OUT has been suffering financially. They've also suffered a decline in readership-perhaps since they declared they didn't want female and minority readers, and since one of their string of editors (after the firing of Sarah Pettit) became part of the ludicrous "post-gay" movement. ADVOCATE, which is not among the most diverse in gay media, will also get the out.com website. Lauren Verdich is closing her long-time Chicago catering business, Lauren's

ated a positive exchange of differing perspectives, and the dialogue with Paramount executives is expected to continue," according to a joint statement issued by all involved.

John Aravosis of Wired Strategies has issued a call to action: "When 60 Minutes' Andy Rooney belittled Native Americans, he got suspended. When golf announcer Ben Wright mocked lesbians, he got fired. When writer Jimmy Breslin denigrated Asians, he got suspended. When Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott disparaged African-Americans, she got fired. When football player Reggie White attacked gays, he got dropped by CBS and Campbell's Soup.... But Dr. Laura calls gays 'biological mistakes,' and she's getting a TV show from Paramount." E-mail television@pde.paramount.com

Around town

John Marshall Law School and various gay and non-gay student groups sponsor "Religion, Sexuality and the Law: The Tension Between Civil Rights and Religious Freedom," Tuesday, Feb. 29, 4-6 p.m., 5austin@stu.jmls.edu, downtown campus. Speakers include Sister Jeannine Grammick, author of Building Bridges. She's the Roman Catholic nun whose ministry to the gay and lesbian community has been attacked by the Vatican. Grammick will also be at Dignity/Chicago this Sunday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m., 3344 N. Broadway, (773) 296-0780.

Poet, playwright and educator Bil Wright reads from and signs copies of his Sunday You Learn How to Box, Tuesday, Feb. 29 at Unabridged Books, 7:30 p.m.,

Catering, after more than 10 years in the business. Lauren's Catering was one of the business backbones in the community, serving at hundreds of community events and benefits. Verdich said it was a difficult decision, but that she wants to do something different with her life.

The Gay Financial Network (www.gfn.com) has been completely redesigned. GFN has also made history, launching a $6-million media campaign in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, BUSINESS WEEK, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, FORTUNE, MONEY and more. The ads show stereotyped responses by bankers and brokers to gay customers. The campaign was created by Mad Dogs and Englishmen. The board of directors for the

3251 N. Broadway, (773) 8839119. Wed., March 1, he's at 57th Street Books, 7 p.m., 1301 E. 57th St., (773) 684-1300. His book is a coming-of-age story about a 14-year-old AfricanAmerican boy in housing projects in Connecticut. He's attracted to a neighborhood boy.

Passages

A former Chicago transsexual was found dead in Hawaii recently. The HONOLULU ADVERTISER has reported on the death of Peter Seidel, also known as "Julia" or "Jill," a homeless prostitute with mental problems and AIDS who died Feb. 3 of an apparent drug overdose. Seidel's body ended up unclaimed at the morgue. Our Family Christian Church set up a fund to raise money for "Jill's House," a drug and alcohol treatment center for transgendered people, co-pastor Barbara Riley said. The paper said Tammy Wronski, a transsexual and recovering alcoholic who was a friend of Seidel's, said part of the problem in finding treatment for Seidel was that "there's really no recovery house for us girls."

Barry Bluestein, 49, a former Joan Crawford assistant and author of more than a dozen low-fat cookbooks, died in his Edgewater home Feb. 15 of lung cancer. Kevin Morrissey, his life partner and a collaborator in Bluestein's businesses, told the TRIBUNE his partner "believed" that you could do anything and reinvented himself several times careerwise." He and Bluestein owned Season to Taste Books in Lakeview, and Bluestein also once worked for Motown records, going on tour with Diana Ross.

Millennium March on Washington for Equality recently chose a Virginia-based company to coordinate plans for the April 30 event. Isabelle Rodriguez, an independent producer, has produced various rallies in the nation's capital; she outlined a $612,000 proposal to coordinate the event.

The publisher and editor of the ATASCADERO GAZETTE quit after they were told not to publish material that portrayed gays, lesbians and abortion favorably, reports THE SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE NEWS. Steve Martin, publisher, and editor, Ron Bast, both announced their resignations. Reporter Anne Quinn also quit. The issue arose after a calendar listing for a gay support group was pulled from a recent issue of the GAZETTE after a two-week run, the TRIBUNE said.

OUTLINES Feb. 23, 2000

by Romeo

Deep Inside Hollywood San Vicente

Eartha's an Evil Queen

Sexy septuagenarian singer Eartha

Kitt, famous as Catwoman in the '60s Batman TV show, will be playing evil once again, this time on the big screen. Kitt will be heard (but not seen) in the upcoming Disney animated release, The Emperor's New Groove. Based loosely on Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper, Groove tells the tale of stuck-up Aztec Prince Kuzco (voiced by smarmy funnyman David Spade), who's set to take the throne of the empire on his 18th birthday, at which time his evil aunt Yzma (voiced by the sultry chanteuse) must step down. But like all good villainesses, Yzma isn't about to cooperate. She enlists the help of henchman Kronk (Patrick) Warburton, who played Puddy on Seinfeld) to kill the young prince. Needless to say, wacky antics ensue, most of which teach young Kuzco how to be a better ruler. Disney has been working on Groove, originally titled Kingdom of the Sun, for over four years, and a rumored $30-million worth of completed animation has been discarded in an attempt to work out the story's troubled plot. But the resulting film, including original songs by Sting, is rumored to be Disney's funniest flick since Aladdin. Groove is currently slated for release around Christmas.

What Will Trey Parker Wear? While queer faves Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny (Boys Don't Cry), Tom Cruise (Magnolia), Kevin Spacey (American Beauty), and director Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother) will all be going to the Academy Award ceremony on March 26, there will be one downer for gays. The Academy has vowed to do away with those annoying Debbie Allen-choreographed interpretive dance numbersand Marc Shaiman and Trey Parker's song "Blame Canada," from South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, has been nominated for Best Original Song. What will Brian Boitano do? Bummer. (I'm guessing Celine Dion won't be the one picked to sing this South Park anthem.)

Ed Harris Joins 'Glad'

Actors (and real-life husband-and-wife team) Ed Harris and Amy Madigan have partnered with producers (and real-life couple) Elton John and David Furnish in an attempt to bring the Scottish novel So I Am Glad to the big screen. Glad, written by A.L. Kennedy, tells the tale of a voice-over artist (to be played by Madigan) with a troubled past and a taste for sadism who finds true love when she meets a drug addict. The dark romance is said to be very funny. Knopf plans to publish the novel this month in the United States, and the producers are expected to announce a screenwriter on the project shortly.

Moore Follows in Foster's Footsteps It looks like actress Julianne Moore, who just garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her turn in the high-end, soft-core porn flick-er, I mean classy movie-The End of the Affair, will take on the role of Clarice Starling in Hannibal, the much-anticipated sequel to Silence of the Lambs. Moore, who beat out a host of other actresses for the role, including fellow Oscar nominee Hilary Swank, is perhaps the best choice in the age-appropriate sense. The latest pass at the screenplay, by highpriced Schindler's List scribe Steve Zaillian, is said to leave the door open for yet another sequel-and some more fava beans and Chianti. Hannibal is expected to roll before cameras in June.

E-mail RomeoDeep@aol.com; or see www.gay.com.

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