20 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

MARCH 6, 1998

ON THE AIR OFF THE PRESS

Former Judas Priest front man comes out on MTV

We really are everywhere...

First appearing on MTV's Web site on February 5, and then on the MTV News 1515 a day later, former "beast from Judas Priest" Rob Halford came out as gay.

"I think that most people know that I've been a gay man all my life, and that it's only been in recent times that it`s an issue that I feel confortable to address," the heavy metal band's former lead singer told MTV. “It's something that I've been comfortable with forever... and this is the moment to discuss it and to go into the reasons, and the whys and the wherefores as to the statement, the so-called coming out phase."

In March, Halford's new band Two will release their first album, Voyeurs.

"A lot of homophobia still exists in the music world," Halford said. "I wouldn't say it's any more phobic in metal or rap . . . but just something we all have to address in our own lives. If we have a problem with it, I think we should seek help and find out why we do have a problem with it."

MTV said Halford hopes his openness will inspire others. "I think it's difficult for everybody, especially if you're a teenager," he said. "Maybe people like myself, that do step in front of a camera and let the world know, maybe it's of some help, where there's an individual that's been successful . . . and not let the issue of sexuality be something to hold them back.”

MTV said they will be taking a look at

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No Oscars for Rose

Belgian director Alain Berliner said he was both "surprised and disappointed" that his film Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink), failed to win an Oscar nomination. In January, it won a Golden Globe award for best foreign language film, which led many to predict it was a sure bet for a nod from the Academy. In the past 15 years, 11 films that took best movie honors at the Golden Globes got the same at the Oscars.

"Everyone around me was so sure it would be nominated, I ended up believing it too!" Berliner said.

Ma Vie en Rose stars Georges du Fresne as Ludovic, a sweet, wide-eyed 7-year-old with a dimpled smile who wants to be a girl. In the end, the love of family conquers all, even when Ludo's father loses his job, and his wife and children are ostracized by the whole neighborhood. Since hitting American screens in September, the film has grossed more than $680,000 in sales, respectable for a foreign film.

Berliner said he was drawn to Chris Vander Stappen's script of Ma Vie en Rose because it was about being different. He added that he has no interest in making films "where an explosion takes place every five minutes."

Berliner said he has "no doubt" that the film's underlying theme of homosexuality disturbed the Academy jury, but added that he is not the kind to worry about something he can't change.

"When you enter a competition, you must accept the jury's verdict," he said in an interview. "In any case, they can't take the Golden Globe and the other awards away from me.'

Ma Vie en Rose is currently playing at the Cedar-Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights, and is set to open soon at the Drexel East in Columbus.

That's Sir to you

Openly gay singer Elton John officially became Sir Elton John when he was knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on February 24 at Buckingham Palace. John's partner, David Furnish, and his parents were there to witness, as he knelt before the queen while she dubbed him on each shoulder with the investiture sword.

"I am extremely proud," John told Reuters news service. "They don't come much bigger than this."

Several hundred fans gathered outside the palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of the star as he was being honored for his music and AIDS charity work.

"He deserves it," said Londoner Susan Leal, "because of all the work he does for AIDS charities. It's not as if he keeps all the money to himself."

John recently established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and donated $33.4 million of the proceeds from re-written "Candle In The Wind" to The Princess Diana Memorial Fund, which has several AIDS organizations among its beneficiaries.

It was fun while it lasted

Even though ABC's official position has been to say that the network has not made a decision on the fate of the Ellen show and has no plans to do so until May, Ellen DeGeneres said the network has given her "strong indications" that it will not be renewed next season.

During the taping of the show on February 20, the openly lesbian star was asked by a member of the audience whether this was the last season for Ellen. DeGeneres answered matter-of-factly, "Yes, it is."

Ellen is being replaced by a mid-season newcomer, titled Two Guys, a Girlanda Pizza Place, beginning March 11. If that show bombs and the picks among the newly-developed shows are weak, then ABC may need Ellen for the fall sweeps, Variety reported February 25.

In a segment of Entertainment Tonight that aired February 23, DeGeneres summed up her battles with network executives over the show's content, direction and future.

"I'm gay, the character's gay and that's the problem everyone has with the show. It's just too controversial. Nobody wants to deal with it."

Ms. magazine honored DeGeneres as one of their "Women of the Year" in their January/February issue. Ms. wrote: "For the thousands of lesbian and gay fans of the show, from teenagers to closeted adults and out activists, watching the familiar trials and tribulations of Ellen Morgan on prime time television is profoundly affirming. [Her] one small step for herself became a giant leap for lesbian and gay visibility."

Compiled from wire reports by Doreen Cudnik.

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