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Screening of “A Few Best Men” with Olivia Newton-John

Last night I attended the AusFilm/Australians In Film screening of Olivia Newton-John’s new movie “A Few Best Men.” Also in attendance were co-stars Kris Marshall and Rebel Wilson as well as director Stephan Elliott.

There’s been a lot of buzz about the film and I can see why. The audience was packed, and I can honestly say the reaction was terrific. The audience was laughing the entire movie. I had read some “reviews” of the film based on it’s recent screening at the Mill Valley Film Festival and while I see how a critic may have their say comparing this to a “serious” film, this movie is pure fun. As I watched the film, I felt it was like a snowball rolling down the mountain getting bigger and funnier and faster with each minute.

The movie, to use an analogy, is like “The Hangover” meets “Bridesmaids” in Australia.

Olivia has a hysterical journey as the wife of an Australian senator, who through a series of events turns from proper to party girl over the course of the movie. Kris Marshall is also a standout as the groom’s best friend who watches the chaos unfold with a mix of indifference and concern.

The audience was laughing throughout and I’m not talking a few chuckles.  It was a fun ride of a movie and it was clear the crowd had a great time.  Is it “The King’s Speech”?  No.  It’s a LOT more fun.

Click on the pics below to see larger versions.

Producer Lawrence Malkin, director Stephan Elliott, Rebel Wilson<
Olivia Newton-John, Kris Marshall and producer Share Stallings

Olivia with producers Lawrence Malkin and Share Stallings
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This week’s Marriage Watch with Matt Baume

It’s been a crazy week, with secret anti-gay activists unmasked and then re-masked in Washington state. A Maryland football player is our new best friend, DOMA contributes to crumble but not before costing taxpayers $520 per hour. And why Australia’s Prime Minister resisting a marriage equality measure that would increase public support for her party?

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My NOH8 Campaign pic

Last month during Las Vegas Gay Pride, I took part in being photographed for the NOH8 Campaign.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.

Nearly two and a half years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 13,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.

The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, and has appeared in various local and national news programs and publications.

Michael also participated as well as LGBT allies, The Chippendales.

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American Airlines welcomes Out & Equal Summit to DFW

Today, as a Titanium Sponsor of the event, American Airlines welcomed the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) professional conference, the 2011 Out & Equal Workplace Summit. Organizers of the Summit report they will host more than 2,500 business leaders from more than 26 nations and more than 250 major corporations.

American Airlines partners frequently with diverse multicultural organizations and business gatherings including the LGBT community. The company has consistently earned a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

American Airlines is also pleased to formally announce that 2011 will be the first year to include employee health benefit enhancements for gender reassignment procedures, as well as ensuring that same-sex domestic partners are included under Family and Medical Leaves of Absence.
Via press release

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“My Uncle’s Wedding”

Great reviews for this children’s book that helps explain tolerance, love and equality to young ones. I think this is great for parents to sit and read with their children to address these important life issues with respect and sensitivity.

Check it out here.

About the book:
There’s so much to do now that Uncle Mike and Steve are getting married. Follow Andy on this enjoyable journey as he talks about his uncle’s wedding, how it affects him, and the things he gets to do in preparation for the ceremony. You’ll laugh and smile as you read this adorable story about marriage and family.

Reviews:
“It’s never too early to teach our nation’s children about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. And ‘My Uncle’s Wedding’ does just that, showing children that marriage is about love and family. Eric Ross perfectly demonstrates that LGBT families share the same values as any other family, and his book will undoubtedly educate and inform generations to come about the freedom to marry. Bravo!”
Kate Kendell, Esq. – Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights

“My Uncle’s Wedding is the sweet story of Uncle Mike and Uncle Steve’s wedding as experienced through the eyes of their nephew, Andy. This children’s book is the perfect gift for any child who loves a good story and especially children with gay people in their family. The author approaches the subject of same-sex marriage with a child’s sensitivity and sensibility, and the beautiful illustrations are sure to be enjoyed by kids and parents alike.”
Molly McKay – National Media Director
Marriage Equality USA

“It is a parent’s responsibility to teach their children tolerance of all people, and I have yet to find a better tool to begin that lesson than My Uncle’s Wedding.”
Alan Chin – Writer
Examiner.com

“Everyone agrees that children should learn in an “age-appropriate” manner, but it’s also important that they learn tolerance and respect for everyone. With My Uncle’s Wedding, parents and teachers alike will have a great book to teach young children that a gay marriage is just like any marriage – it’s about two people who love each other.”
Paul Hogarth – Writer
BeyondChron

Here’s the official website for the book.

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Marriage equality increases revenue by 29%

New York’s Marriage Equality Act has been good for business at the clerk’s office in the city of Niagara Falls.

Clerk Carol Antonucci told city lawmakers last week that revenue from the issuance of marriage licenses is up 29 percent so far this year. During a presentation of her department’s proposed 2012 budget, Antonucci reported marriage license revenues of $13,457 from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, up from $10,430 from the same period last year.

Antonucci said revenue from marriage ceremonies involving the city has increased as well. For the first nine months of 2011, her office took in $10,200 in marriage ceremony revenue compared to $8,400 for the same period a year ago.

Antonucci said her office is now regularly issuing more than 10 marriage licenses per day. She attributes part of the spike in activity to the state’s Marriage Equality Act, a law passed in June that granted marriage rights to same-sex couples in New York.

“We’re pretty much busy all day, everyday issuing marriage licenses,” Antonucci said.

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Denmark to legalize same-sex marriage

Denmark is the latest European nation to announce plans to introduce gay marriage, with same-sex couples to be allowed to marry on Church of Denmark premises.

The Danish coalition Government’s church minister, Manu Sareen, said publicly that gay men and women will soon be able to marry when legislation is introduced early next year.

“I look forward to the moment the first homosexual couple steps out of the church. I’ll be standing out there throwing rice,” he said.

Denmark was the first country in the world to allow gay civil partnerships with legislation in 1989. Public polls suggest around 69-percent of the population supports same-sex marriage according, The Copenhagen Post reports.

The first same-sex weddings could take place as early as March, 2012 after the legislation is passed.

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Olivia Newton-John at International Rome Film Festival



“A Few Best Men” – Premier date: October 28, 2011 – 7:30pm
Additional screenings: October 29th – 2:30pm; October 30th – 8pm

From the official program of the International Rome Film Festival:

“When young Englishman David (Xavier Samuel) announces he’s marrying an Aussie (Laura Brent), his wild friends give completely new meaning to the concept of ‘for better or for worse.'”

“The ultra-chaotic wedding day in the Australian outback will test the relationship of the newlyweds-to-be as well as David’s friendship with this three best men, and risk turning what should be the best day of his life into the worst. This entertaining “culture clash” between his friends and her family proves blood is thicker than water!”

“This irresistible, rowdy auteur comedy from the director of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and the wonderful Easy Virtue, which was enthusiastically received at the Rome Festival, also features the comeback of the legendary Olivia Newton-John.”

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Harvey Fierstein on Obama’s accomplishments

“Obama announced the end of American troops in Iraq and NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT? Hello? What does that man have to do to get some credit from people?”

“He ended DON’T ASK…, he’s fighting DOMA, he’s extended marriage benefits to Fed employees, he’s given us a healthcare system we can build on, he saved us from a full blown Depression, he killed Ben Laden and a few other nasty types, and now he’s ending Bush’s idiot war in Iraq. And he’s done it all pretty quietly while fighting back challenges to his every word from the GOP which got us into all these messes in the first place. PEOPLE – A LITTLE RESPECT?” – Harvey Fierstein on Facebook