Elizabeth Montgomery and Agnes Moorehead in Bewitched (screen capture) Smart guy and LGBTQ pop culture historian Matt Baume takes a deep dive into the 1960s sitcom Bewitched calling it “one of the queerest shows” he’s ever seen. From Baume:
The sitcom Bewitched is one of the queerest shows I’ve ever seen — which is a little strange, since it’s about a straight couple.
Just a few years later, Soap had gay characters; Mary Hartman Mary Hartman had a gay couple; MASH had a gay coming-out episode. Bewitched never had any of that.
And yet … it somehow feels more queer than any of those other shows. So, why is that? Well, that’s what I want to show you.
I love how Matt breaks these things down showing us LGBTQ characters and story themes were really out there all the time, we just didn’t know to look for it. For more of my coverage of Matt Baume’s insights into classic TV, click here.
UK rock band Trash Boat (screen capture) New music for your Hump Day listening, and there’s something for everyone ranging from head-banging rock, guitar pop, a classic rock ballad, and pensive, chill hip-hop. First up is the powerful new single from Trash Boat, “He’s So Good,” a concept piece about a young man who, even in the face of abandonment, spite and naked homophobia remains a positive and loyal element in their family; forgiving and loving parents who don’t love him back. “Mercifully, my background is love and support,” explains lead singer Tobi Duncan. “I come from a family who never expected me to be anything other than myself. I will always be thankful for that. I never felt the need to announce that I felt differently, because I didn’t feel different in a way that was upsetting me. I have a brother, a cousin and an uncle, all gay. No issues, just love.” “I too was interested in men the same way I was with women,” continued Duncan. “I reserve my right to be attracted to any one human in the world regardless of their gender/ orientation or whatever. Why box myself in? A label seems limiting. I just felt like me and felt comfortable being so with the support of my family and friends.” It’s not often we get full-on rock music that lands so solidly in the LGBTQ space, but this is terrific. And Duncan’s vocals are killer. The band is teaming up with Hopeless’ Records Sub-City not-for-profit to donate proceeds from merchandise sales to AKT, a charity dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth at risk of homelessness in the UK. Follow Trash Boat on Instagram here.
UK songwriter Lande Hekt (photo credit: Gingerdope) UK songwriter Lande Hekt recently released the music video for “December,” a track from Hekt’s critically acclaimed debut solo album, Going to Hell. Going to Hell is an introspective guitar-pop showcase that represents a time when Hekt was coming out. The record details how there were so many things that didn’t feel right in her life, along with learning how to come to terms with being gay. Or, more accurately, realizing that pretending you’re not gay can’t go on forever. Atwood Magazine called the new album “a rousing, emphatic charge through the mind of Hekt. It’s passionate, powerful and thoroughly entertaining.” A track centered around feeling scared to do anything when you like someone, the video for “December” utilizes a single take for the majority of the clip showing her cutting off her own hair in a very bold move. “My hands were shaking as I chopped my hair shorter than I’ve had it since I was four-years-old, whilst trying to remember the words to the song and not cry,” she recalls. Check out the new video below, and follow her on Instagram here.
Jeffrey St. Germain (image via Facebook) Out singer/songwriter Jeffrey St. Germain recently released his latest single, “Evermore.” The piano ballad shares a message of overcoming difficult obstacles that life often throws at us. The track has a dreamy, classic rock vibe as the Canadian-born singer offers solace and peace repeating the lyrics, “It’s alright, just keep fighting.” The track is dedicated to those who have been affected by addiction, depression or anxiety. And after the year we’ve had, who hasn’t? A favorite frontman for cover bands in downtown Las Vegas, Jeffrey began to create and record original songs during the pandemic lockdown with the help of his musical partner and BFF Kevin Woodall. “We wanted to write music that we felt, had been missing from the market; real, authentic and artistic,” says the musical duo in a press statement. Hit the play button below. You can find more on Jeffrey at his official website here.
Blxck Cxsper’s new single ‘Self Medicating’ (screen capture) Montreal artist and Trans Trenderz label founder, Blxck Cxsper returns with their latest single and video for “Self Medicating.” The track represents a more vulnerable side of Cxsper as they recently opened up about their struggles with suicide, depression, and their recent diagnosis of autism. The vibe is chill and introspective, and leads the listener to a terrifically pensive guitar solo. “‘Self Medicating’ is a song about me, an autistic person who is going through life masking as neurotypical, not knowing that that’s what they’re doing and that that’s why they feel so lonely and so hopeless,” says Cxsper. “And the same way this song helped me find the words to finally learn about myself, I’m hoping it will help others the same way.” Earlier this year, Cxsper was named one of Billboard’s first Change Agents: Leaders Stepping Up In A Year of Turmoil, highlighting their efforts to boost up-and-coming Black Trans artists. “Music has the power to humanize Trans people in the eyes of society,” Cxsper told the magazine. “Building a platform to elevate Black Trans voices into the mainstream music industry is the way that I’m contributing my skills to help.” Stream “Self Medicating” here, and you can follow them on Instagram here.
Scott Cruz (photo via Instagram) Out artist Scott Cruz – who describes his music as “elements of rock and pop with a pinch of soul, blues, R&B, and sometimes funk” – recently dropped his new single, “The Reason.” In that he also works as a TV and film composer, Cruz can spin out classical and cinematic styles as well. “As cliche as it sounds, I like to be seen as a recording artist with different expressions,” says the handsome artist. That wide musical perspective can be heard in “The Reason” as Cruz mixes up the beats with winning results on the track. His muscular vocals soar effortlessly above the pop/rock soundscape.
Cruz told Instinct Magazine the new single was “actually written to the world.” “In this time of massive polarizing divides, the one thing people seem to be certain of are their self entitlements,” said Cruz. “It seems people have gotten so wrapped up with the injustices of the collective and their individual world, they’ve forgotten they must still bring something to the table themselves.” “’The Reason’ is my way of calling it out and reminding people, you still need to give someone a reason to love you too instead of demanding everyone love you. We need to live and be (with every ounce of our being) the reason for people to love us.” Hit the play button for “The Reason,” and follow Cruz on Instagram here.
(image via Hollywood Foreign Press Association) There was definitely some good stuff last night at the 2021 Golden Globe Awards. Queer women, actresses and roles, did really well throughout the evening. Gillian Anderson took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role for playing Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. The very next category, Best Actress in a Motion Picture Supporting Role, went to out actress Jodie Foster who accepted the award for her work in the political thriller The Mauritanian, sitting with her wife wearing matching pajamas.
While those Supporting Actress statues went to out actresses, the two Lead Actress film awards went to straight actresses playing queer characters. Rosamund Pike scored the Best Actress in a Comedy honor for her role as lesbian scammer Marla Grayson in I Care a Lot. And Andra Day (who I adore) won for Best Actress in a Drama for playing Blues legend Billie Holiday in Lee Daniels’ The United States vs. Billie Holiday becoming only the second Black woman to win the award in the history of the Golden Globes.
Rosamund Pike’s gorgeous gown is almost as big as her charm! We interviewed her after her #GoldenGlobes win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy! pic.twitter.com/7ZUZYcK1cU
Schitt’s Creek, whose sixth season was honored with nominations in five categories, won for Comedy Series and for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Catherine O’Hara. Co-creator and series star Dan Levy accepted the award for Comedy Series and in his acceptance called out the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for lack of diversity among the nominees.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (which I didn’t care for) won Best Musical or Comedy, and Nomadland (which I loved) won the award for Best Drama along with a statue for Best Director for Chloe Zhao. She is the first woman to win the award since Barbara Streisand won for directing Yentl in 1983.
And speaking of diversity, the week before the awards ceremony a news report found that out of the 87 members of the HFPA, there are zero Black journalists. Throughout the evening, folks took the HFPA to task for that eyebrow raising factoid. And good for them for doing so. Watch this short report from NowThis News.
Juan Pablo Di Pace in “Te Sentí” (screen capture) Actor Juan Pablo Di Pace recently turned heads when he starred in this holiday season’s gay cowboy Christmas movie, Dashing in December, and found him totally charming. So, I’m excited to learn the Fuller House star (who came out in 2019) is also an accomplished singer and dancer, and has released his first Spanish song, “Te Sentí.” Described as a love letter to his heritage and to his identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Di Pace co-wrote “Te Sentí” with Latin Grammy winner Paulina Aguirre. The new song is from his upcoming EP Vascular scheduled for release later this year. The music video for “Te Sentí” is a gorgeous, sensual affair playing light against shadows, sharing an inclusive story of desire and lost love.
I felt you / Understood love when I stared at youAnd my poor heart beat so fast for you / Left me breathlessI died trying but in the end I lost you
“It’s important for me to showcase a strong musical style and stories that are honest and truthful to whatever is going on in my life at the time…” Di Pace says in a press statement. “With ‘Te Sentí,’ I was inspired by the feeling of losing someone, and that immobilizing pain you feel when you know it just cannot be.” Whether you understand Spanish or not, you’ll understand what the dashing Juan Pablo Di Pace is singing about here. I like 🙂
EVVAN in ‘I’m Not Done Yet’ (photo: Chris Basford) Alt-folk singer-songwriter EVVAN drops the new single and music video, “I’m Not Done Yet,” an anthem born from a yearning to come out. Directed by Chris Basford, the video depicts EVVAN journeying through a black and white world, void of uniqueness and individuality. Fighting through adversaries both internal and external, she holds tight to the mantra, “I’m Not Done Yet,” until her world bursts open with color. The guitar-driven track ebbs and flows amid top-shelf production as EVVAN’s poignant vocals turn from melancholy yearning to primal defiance “I’m really hoping it’ll reach the people who need to hear it most. I know I wish I had something like this when I was younger,” says EVVAN, who identifies as pansexual and non-binary. “I put links to some websites in the description of the video for anyone who is struggling with their sexuality/gender identity.”
I recently had a chance to chat with EVVAN about the new song, the empowering message of the music video, creativity, and more. The Randy Report: Congratulations on the new single! What inspired you to write “I’m Not Done Yet?” (Put another way – was there a specific incident or episode that sparked the idea or was it a gradual evolution?) EVVAN: Thank you! I’m so excited for it to finally be out in the world. In some ways this song was a gradual evolution. The phrases I used for what “they say” were phrases I’d been hearing for years. I started writing them down and one day when I sat playing around on the guitar, I came across these phrases I wrote down and that gradual evolution quickly became a full song I wrote in minutes. TRR: When it comes to songwriting, which comes first – lyrics or music? (Or – can you share a bit about your creative process?) EVVAN: This question is always so difficult for me to answer. I find that each song comes to me differently. I can write something from one word or feel an emotion and start there, but sometimes I will hear a melody in my head and that will set the stage for what I’m about to write. I like to go with the flow and not overthink when I write, just let it all come out however it wants to. EVVAN in ‘I’m Not Done Yet’ (photo: Chris Basford)TRR: How did you come up with the concept for the music video? Besides bringing the music to visual form, is there a message you’d like the viewer to get? I love that the struggle in the video results in bringing color to your world. EVVAN: That’s exactly the idea we were going for! I kept imagining a world of black and white representing the lack of uniqueness and the inability to show your individuality, so I brought this idea to my director, Chris Basford, and he loved it. We wanted this to come alive through the video and show the protagonist fighting through both internal and external demons to the point where that motto of “I’m Not Done Yet” finally sticks and at the end they’re able to burst wide open with all the colors they’re made up of. My hope is if there is a viewer struggling with coming out and accepting who they are, they’ll see this and know they’re not alone. It’s possible to overcome your demons. No matter who tries to tear you down, you’ll always carry your true self with you and they can’t take that away. TRR: Who has had the biggest influence on your music and why? EVVAN: My music is influenced by so many different artists and bands, but I think Fleetwood Mac and Foy Vance would be the biggest ones. I’m such a sucker for harmonies and when I first heard Fleetwood Mac, I was immediately seduced by the sounds they created and wanted to bring that aspect into my own sound. With Foy Vance, he is a pure storyteller and a brilliant one at that. I remember when his album, Joy of Nothing, came out, I had it on repeat and dissected every single line he sang. Hearing the way he told his stories and allowed the music to color his words inspired me to aspire to do the same. Cover art for upcoming EP, Home, scheduled for release April 30TRR: If you could collaborate with any artist right now, who would that be? EVVAN: I think I’d like to collaborate with Brandi Carlile. This answer changes a lot, but in this moment I would love to experience her process in writing and see up close the power and emotion she brings to whichever project she’s working on. Having her talent and passion on a song would be a dream. TRR: What was the biggest thing you learned about yourself in coming out? EVVAN: I would say the biggest thing I learned is how to be carefree. For so many years I felt like a fraud and hid away who I truly was and wanted to be. I got so good at it, too. Friends never knew my struggle, my family didn’t know what was going on, everyone was ignorant to the pain I was unconsciously putting myself through. On the outside, I looked like this happy and healthy girl living her best life. On the inside, I’d cringe at the word girl and ask myself why. I’d second-guess everything about myself and continuously wonder why I felt like a stranger in my own skin. I worked on finding who I am and when I finally figured that out, I worked on finding the confidence to be that person. I’m still learning about what being my most authentic self means and I think I’ll continue to discover bits about myself, but after coming out, I’ve found I care less about what society says or thinks and more about what pair of goofy socks match the pair of “men’s” corduroys I just bought. EVVAN (photo: Ryan B)TRR: What is the best advice you’ve ever received? EVVAN: “Live in the moment.” When I first heard this advice, I thought to myself, “Well, easier said than done.” It took me a while, but eventually this became my mantra. I think we’re so quick to look into the future and worry about everything that needs to get done, but we don’t always have control of the future. It’s easy to fall into the past and dredge up our mistakes, but we can’t fix the “what ifs” and the “could have beens”. Living in the moment allows you to be present and appreciate what you have in front of you, especially the little things. I relate it to taking a photo. You have a perfect shot set up of a sunset, but if you wait too long dwelling on the details of what’ll make it perfect, focusing on what caption you’ll use when you post it, thinking about how you’ll edit it to make the colors pop, the sun will go down and you’ll miss your chance. Life is precious and unpredictable, and you shouldn’t let it pass you by. Make peace with your past, give yourself a little time to plan for your future, but for the rest of it, live in the moment and experience what’s in front of you. EVVAN in ‘I’m Not Done Yet’ (photo: Chris Basford)“I’m Not Done Yet” is available now – click here to stream/download.Click here to pre-save EVVAN’s upcoming EP, Home, scheduled for release on April 30.You can follow EVVAN on Instagram here.
(screen capture from ‘Wish We Were Older’) Queer, non-binary, Indigenous pop singer/songwriter Angel Baribeau – based in Cree Nation of Mistissini, Quebec – tells a tale of love and loss passed to the next generation in this, their newest video for “Wish We Were Older” — available now. Depicting an elderly woman reminiscing with visual memories about her past, the snapshots weave through love and loss and illustrate an uplifting timeline of her life as a queer woman. The pop track bursts with the exuberance of youthful impatience and yearning as Baribeau’s bright, upbeat vocals surge like a dopamine rush.
I want you, and I want you tonightI’ll love you for the rest of my lifeI can’t wait for the day to arriveWe all want to be younger but I wish we were olderI wish we were older
“This music video will be a recounting of a lifetime of true love between an elderly 2 spirit Indigenous couple,” director Patrick Shannon shares of the video’s scope. It shows “the challenges, the joy, the raising of a family in a community where that isn’t common. It’s somber, but beautiful — and a reminder that everyone can find love and bring beauty into this world.” Angel Baribeau (photo: Sukhdev Benning) “Working with an all-Indigenous cast for this video is an incredibly proud moment for me,” Baribeau continues. “I often talk about the importance of Indigenous and Queer representation, and this video is my hope for continuously providing that for Indigenous and Queer youth.” “It’s important to see yourself in the world, and to have an image reflected back at you that accurately represents you,” says Baribeau. “To see that positive imagery is fundamental to a child; at least, it was to me.” “If you don’t see yourself in the world, you might come to question whether your existence is valid,” Baribeau added. “I felt this way for many years while growing up and it was only when I saw more folks like me I realized it’s okay for me to take up space.” For more info head over to Angel’s official website here.
(screen capture via DSquared2) Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: The acclaimed indie film, Ma Belle, My Beauty, a queer polyamorous love story that was embraced by critics when it debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, has scored a distribution deal. • AP News: A federal judge has dismissed a discrimination lawsuit by a transgender fire chief due to a technical flaw with the initial complaint she filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Rachel Mosby led a rural Georgia city’s fire department for more than a decade, then got fired 18 months after first coming to work as a woman. • DSquared2: Model Malik Delgaty (top image) puts on a private show in this provocative one minute spot for the brand’s Stripped2 underwear line. “What happens in the Secret Room will remain at the Secret Room.”
• BosGuy: It’s ‘Furry Friday’ at the Boston-based LGBTQ blog and this week’s hottie ticks the “fur” and “ginger” boxes 🙂 • HuffPost: Six Capitol Police officers have been suspended with pay and 29 others are under investigation for their alleged roles in the riot last month. According to Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), one of the suspended officers took a selfie with a person who was part of the mob that overtook the Capitol. Another wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and appeared to direct rioters around the building. • New York Post: Wait – Sen. Ted Cruz’s Mexico vacation blunder gets even worse. After telling reporters his home, like many Texans, had lost water and heat – he apparently left the family poodle Snowflake behind in the cold.
Don’t vote for anyone you wouldn’t trust with your dog.
Fitness guru Joel Green (via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Fitness motivator Joel Green (above) encourages his crew to take a few moments every day to sit in silence and turn your full awareness inward to connect with your spirit. As we enter the second year of the pandemic, I find that really lands for me as my brain fog can get overwhelming at times. Anyone else? • Washington Blade: Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyetta announced on Tuesday evening his candidacy to run for U.S. Senate, setting himself out on a path that, if elected, would make him the first openly gay Black senator. • HBO Max: The acclaimed new UK drama It’s A Sin (from Queer As Folk creator Russell T. Davies) premieres today in the U.S. The series follows several young people throughout the 1980s and early ’90s as they experience the horrific toll of HIV and AIDS in the London gay community. All six episodes are available now on HBO Max, which requires a subscription, but the first episode is available for free on YouTube.
• The Advocate: The Equality Act, which would ban anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination throughout the nation, was formally reintroduced in the House of Representatives Thursday. The act would amend existing civil rights laws to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation passed in the House in 2019 with a bipartisan 236-173 vote but never got a vote in the Senate. • Instinct Magazine: Nearly three years after a gay couple was bashed after a Pride parade in Miami, the case still hasn’t gone to trial. Plus – it turns out one of the four attackers is gay? • The Gaily Grind: Chasten Buttigieg – husband to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg – shared a picture of the couple kissing on Wednesday in what appeared to be subtle shade following the death of far-right, homophobic radio host Rush Limbaugh, who had mocked the couple throughout last year.
Promo photo for ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Some news items you might have missed: • NewNowNext: A new documentary special, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Corona Can’t Keep A Good Queen Down, takes fans behind the scenes to see how the Emmy Award-winning series pulled off shooting a new season amid COVID-19. • Broadway Cares: The fan-inspiring, steamy stream of ABC Daytime: Back on Broadway, a nostalgic evening of song and conversation with the stars of All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital, raised a stellar $130,565 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the philanthropic heart of Broadway. • Kenneth-in-the-212: It’s Wrestle Wednesday over on KIT212 – click over to see this week’s athletic twunk. (image via kenneth-in-the-212) • Washington Blade: Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) signaled he would oppose the Equality Act, legislation to expand the prohibition on anti-LGBTQ discrimination under federal law, unless Christians get a carve-out to discriminate based on religious grounds. • Revry: The queer streaming platform celebrates Black History Month with an entire February calendar highlighting incredible Black Queer content made by and for the community. Check out the 2019 film Trade which tells the tale of two men, one a streetwise hustler, the other a straight-laced lawyer, who meet and form a relationship that brings to light who they really are. • Disney: Academy Award® winner Emma Stone (La La Land) stars in Disney’s Cruella, an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. Due out May 2021.
• NBC News: Tim Boyd, mayor of Colorado City, Texas, resigned after lashing out at constituents who have been paralyzed by this week’s devastating cold snap. In a Facebook post, Boyd told town residents to stop complaining about the cold weather that has left millions across Texas stranded without power. “No one owes you or your family anything; nor is it the local government’s responsibility to support you during trying times like this! Sink or swim, it’s your choice!” • CNN: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly laughed about Donald Trump’s recent attack statement and has no plans to engage the former President. He’s done talking Trump, with plans to focus on push to take back Senate and focus on Biden agenda. “He’s moving on,” one source said.
“You probably are not going to hear him utter the name Donald Trump ever again,” per one source. Trump also claimed McConnell “begged” for his support and gave McConnell a 20-point boost in polls. The claim has no basis in reality, per sources. McConnell is not planning to engage
