Politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community
Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli at the 94th Oscars (screen capture)While most people focused on the Will Smith/Chris Rock slap at this year’s Oscars, some folks became concerned when the legendary Liza Minnelli appeared in a wheelchair alongside Lady Gaga to present the statue for Best Picture. Continue reading “Longtime Friend Says Liza Minnelli Was ‘Sabotaged’ At 2022 Oscars”
Will Smith (screen capture)Will Smith has been banned by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from attending the Oscars or any Academy event for 10 years in response to Smith slapping and yelling obscenities at comedian Chris Rock at this year’s honors. Continue reading “Will Smith Banned From Oscars For 10 Years”
Will Smith (screen capture)Will Smith resigns from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences amid the aftermath of his shocking attack on Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards. Continue reading “Will Smith Resigns From The Academy: ‘I Am Heartbroken’”
(via New York City Pride)Some news stories you might have missed:
• NYC Pride: Pop superstar Kim Petras will be this year’s Pride Island headliner – the first fully in-person Pride Island in 3 years. The NYC Pride events will take place from June 24-26. Continue reading “News Round-Up: March 28, 2022”
Ariana DeBose (screen capture)Ariana DeBose made history last night at the 94th annual Academy Awards winning a Best Actress in a Supporting Role statue for her powerful performance as ‘Anita’ in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. The win makes DeBose the first out queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar. Continue reading “Ariana DeBose Makes Oscar History & More From 2022 Academy Awards”
Lin-Manuel Miranda (via Facebook)Lin-Manuel Miranda, the much-beloved theater/movie artist, announced via Twitter that he will not be able to attend the 94th annual Academy Awards tonight after his wife tested positive for COVID. Continue reading “Lin-Manuel Miranda Won’t Be Attending Oscars”
Tonight is Hollywood’s big night to hand out the 94th Academy Awards honoring the film industry’s best and brightest achievements of the year. I never do this, but this year I’ll go out on a limb and offer my Oscar predictions on who I think will win. Continue reading “Oscar Predictions 2022”
Some news items you might have missed:
• New York Times: Gov. Kathy Hochul will drop New York’s indoor mask mandate on Wednesday, ending a requirement that businesses ask customers for proof of full vaccination or require mask-wearing at all times. Continue reading “News Round-Up: February 8, 2022”
The 94th Annual Academy Awards nominations were announced this morning and while there were strong performances by LGBTQ talent and LGBTQ-inclusive films in the mix, there wasn’t a ton of Oscar love for queer film artists. Continue reading “94th Academy Award Nominations Announced”
The Academy Awards has announced new criteria regarding diversity and inclusion for films that wish to be considered in the Best Picture category
In an attempt to address “underrepresented groups,” producers will need to hire more LGBTQ+ people, women, folks of color, and those with disabilities.
Per the new guidelines, films that want to be considered for Best Picture will have to submit a confidential Academy Inclusion Standards form showing they have met at least two of the four standards laid out by the Academy.
The four standards are as follows (via Queerty):
Standard A: The movie must have a lead or “significant” supporting actor from an “underrepresented racial or ethnic group,” or 30% of the more minor roles must come from under-represented groups (women, certain racial or ethnic groups, LGBTQ, disabled). Alternatively, the main storyline may be focussed on under-represented groups.
Standard B: At least two of the creative heads among the crew – director, casting director, costumer designer, etc – are from underrepresented groups (again, women, racial or ethnic groups, LGBTQ or disabled). Alternatively, at least six of the crew are from under-represented racial groups, or 30% of the crew come from under-represented groups.
Standard C: “The film’s distribution or financing company has paid apprenticeships or internships”, from the underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ and certain ethnic groups, as well as offering training opportunities and skills development for individuals from these groups.
Standard D: The final standard concerns the marketing and distribution departments of movies, saying, “The studio and/or film company has multiple in-house senior executives from” the aforementioned groups (women, certain ethnic groups, LGBTQ and/or disabled).
It all sounds good, but in truth, a film can easily meet standards C and D by having, for example, women on the publicity team, or queer staffers/assistants on the costume crew.
Currently, the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 25, 2021.