All posts tagged: lgbtq

Wednesday’s ‘Where Are They Now’ Post – Brett Barsky

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Brett Barsky is an actor most well known for his role as Trevor in the 1994 short film ‘Trevor’. The film follows this young, closeted boy who dreams of nothing more than to be fabulous in a time when being ‘out and proud’ was not the reality it is today for a lot of people. If the title of this film rings a bell to you then here is probably why. The movie inspired what we now know today as the Trevor Project; a suicide prevention hotline for at risk LGBTQ youths in the United States. The creators of the film were astounded that when preparing to air the movie, there were no suicide prevention hotlines available to youths who might have been facing similar suicidal feelings as Trevor. And so, in 1998, The Trevor Project was born. Barsky has been in some productions since his break including ‘The Jurer’ (1996), Boys Life 2 (1997) and ‘Daria: Is it College Yet’ (2000). However there’s no doubt that his role as Trevor back in 1994 was …

Glee's Chris Colfer is a Talented Writer Aswell?!

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Chris Colfer, better known for his golden globe winning role on Glee has proven his talents do not just remain on screen. Colfer has recently published a children’s book ‘The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell’ and I was more than excited to read it! This page turner had me living in my 10 year old body for a few days as I was engrossed in a fairy tale world. The story tells of 12 year old twins Alex and Conner who get lost in their grandmas story book. Forget the classic Disney versions of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Chris pulls inspiration from Hans Christian Anderson and the Grimm brothers. From the very beginning I fell in love with both characters, Alex the quiet and reserved girl who loves reading and Conner the typical class clown boy who has trouble staying awake in class. Throughout their adventures they each bring their own humour to the story. It all starts with a book given to Alex on her 12th birthday that she and her brother …

Perth Rally for Marriage Equality

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Crowds gathered at Stirling Gardens in Perth on Saturday August 11 for the eighth annual Marriage Equality Rally. That’s right! It’s been eight years since the ban on marriage equality in Australia. The event, organised by Equal Love WA included speakers Lynn Maclaren (Greens), Louise Pratt (Labor), Bec Leighton (National Union of Students), Owen Bandura (regional high school student speaking out against homophobia in schools), Amber Maxwell (Equal Love WA) and Sam Cavallaro (Curtin University Queer Officer). For further information about Equal Love WA click here. But for now, check out these photos!

Jason Leaver Talks Out With Dad

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By Stephanie Lane Though I’ve never met Toronto Director Jason Leaver, he was more than happy to talk with me about his web series ‘Out With Dad’. In his words it’s a quirky drama about a teenage girl and her single father, at a time when Rose is coming of age and coming out of the closet. Sound interesting? Well I thought it did, which explains why I’ve watched both seasons two or three times over already. Here Leaver talks about how the show came about, his busy schedule and the importance of LGBTQ media on the web. Check it Out. You’re a corporate video producer, you have a number of personal projects past and present and a number of awards. How do you fit the time in to do all the work you do? What’s your schedule like, it must be pretty crazy by the sounds of it? Life gets pretty crazy! I do my absolute best to juggle it all. However, it’s getting more and more challenging all the time. Last fall, for instance, I got …

Ellen vs. Jane – Battle of the Books

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 I had the pleasure over the last couple of weeks of actually having time on my hands to read a book or two. And so what did I decide to read? Two of the biggest gay books I could find, Jane Lynch’s memoir Happy Accidents, and Ellen Degeneres’ Seriously…I’m Kidding. Let me just start with the fact that both of these woman are very amazing and inspirational. From struggles in their past, to the positive influence they have in the media world and the LGBTQ community today, they are two very awesome people. Because of this, it’s very difficult for me to give either of their most recent books a bad review, however I’ll try my best to be a little critical (as much as it pains me). Happy Accidents is Awesome (oh, my attempt at being critical just went down the drain). I know I know, I love her as an actress so I’m being pretty bias, but I’m sure anyone who picked up the book not knowing who she is would enjoy it just as much, honestly. …

Miriam Margolyes’ Magical Masterpiece

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‘Dickens’ Women’ was created for the 1989 Edinburgh Festival by Miriam Margolyes and Sonja Fraser. It has since traveled internationally throughout six countries and was nominated in 1992 for the prestigious Olivier Award. As part of a worldwide celebration of 100 years of Charles Dickens, Margolyes will continue the tour throughout this year sharing carefully chosen characters to honour the man himself. As I entered His Majesty’s Theatre on Hay Street in Perth, I felt like the youngest person in the room with the rest of the attendees averaging around an estimated 55-60 years old, and all dressed up to the nines! Everyone settled down for the show to start, just a few minutes after 8pm and a man entered from stage right to sit at the grand piano placed to the side of the stage. John Martin would be Margolyes’ sole accompaniment this evening as he played a few pieces in a build up to Margolyes’ entrance. She staggered on stage in a drunken stupor, in full character of her first portrayal. As she …

Bully – A Documentary with an R Rating

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I think it’s safe to say everyone has experienced bullying in one way or another. Whether you were being bullied, you were the bully or you were someone on the sidelines.  In the past and even in present times we’ve seen this being attributed to maturity, child’s play or that ‘boys will be boys’ sentiment, but why? Is it really ok for a kid/s to taunt, tease and bully another kid simply because of their age or their maturity level? And what about the effects of bullying? Does the name Tyler Clementi sound familiar to you? What about Seth Walsh or Rafael Morelos? The list could go on and on, and it’s a list of teens who have committed suicide because of bullying. The idea that bullying is just a part of life has to be stopped. It shouldn’t be the deaths of our youths that work as a wake up to us all. We should all be doing something before it gets to this stage. I was watching a clip from the Ellen Degeneres …

Equal Marriage Rights in Washington: Senate Approves Bill

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The Washington State Senate Passed a bill on Wednesday that will legalize same sex marriage. Gov. Chris Gregoire supports the measure and has agreed to sign it into law when it gets to the House. Applause broke out in the public galleries when the Senate passed the measure, a 28-21 vote. Democratic Sen. Ed Murray, a gay lawmaker from Seattle, and the bill’s sponsor believes those who vote against gay marriage should not be accused of bigotry nor should those who vote for it be accused of “undermining family life or religious freedom.” “Marriage is how society says you are a family” he said. Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester argued against same sex marriage saying it will change the definition of marriage and “will lead to the silencing of those who believe in traditional marriage.” A referendum clause has been rejected, meaning opponents will have to wait to file a challenge once the law is passed. If opponents aren’t able to gather enough signatures, same sex couples will be able to get married starting June. For further information click here.