Scott Rudin, Freeheld, and other reasons the Oscars were gayer than expected

[swimmernsecretsea]

From the blog "After Elton"

Quoted:

Despite the fact that there were no gay characters, gay-themed films, or out actors up for major awards at last night's Oscars, the ceremony managed to be surprisingly gay regardless ... and no, I'm not talking about the 347 musical numbers from Enchanted that perforated the evening.

Most notably, the night was capped by a touching moment for gay visibility. Upon accepting the award for Best Picture for No Country for Old Men, producer Scott Rudin made a point of thanking his partner, John Barlow, by name, and referring to him as "honey". Rudin's reputation as a demanding boss is downright legendary, but he is also responsible for bringing films like The Hours, Clueless, In & Out, Wild Tigers I Have Known, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, and more to the screen, and I can't remember another time where the man accepting the award for Best Picture thanked his husband.

Another big moment came when filmmakers Cynthia Wade and Vanessa Roth accepted their award for Best Documentary short for the film Freeheld. The film tells the story of a terminally ill lesbian's battle to have her pension transferred to her partner, and upon accepting the award the two women made a touching plea for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

"

I included the photo posted on the blog. Daniel Day-Lewis launched his career playing a gay punk in "My Beautiful Laundrette," Javier Bardem has played gay roles, and Tilda Swinton has played androgynous roles in "Constantine" and "Orlando" in which her character changes genders halfway through the story.

Source Link here:
http://www.afterelton.com/blog/brianjuergens/scott-rudin-freeheld-other-reasons-oscars-gayer-than-expected

[closeupready]

1. Oh, that was Scott Rudin? I thought that was Ethan Coen.

I need to pay attention. :crazy: Congratulations to Scott Rudin, though! :)

[Maven]

2. Did anyone notice the irony of having members of the armed forces give the award

to Freeheld, which was about antigay discrimination?

Heh.

Loved the acceptance speech though.

[Beregond2]

3. Soldiers

Yes, and most of the other documentaries they were presenting were anti-war ones.

[MuseRider]

4. I missed the entire thing

because I was driving across the state from a meeting and my husband did not record it for me :(.

I can't help it, everytime someone comes right out and thanks their partner I get tears in my eyes. The Tony Awards we wonderful with so many thanks to partners. A helpless romantic here and one who thinks that this is as touching as it gets and about fucking time. Next step, doing it without it being noticed or commented on or a big deal in any other way than just being sweet.

[swimmernsecretsea]

5. I understand how you feel.

It's not just because it's a sweet gesture, and we can imagine the receiver of this gift to be touched by it. It makes us think of the moments in our lives when we've felt love and loved in return. It makes us feel as if those times when we walk along as if we're invisible and never noticed have been lifted and for once we're remembered for the generous, kind, helpful beings we can be.

The Tony Awards gets this kind of thing so often that it's even become a comedian's cliché. Everyone seems to expect it from the Theater, where everything seems to be pretend. But it was the way in. Harvey Fierstein acknowledging his partner many years ago was a surprise, but now it's become normal. I see it starting to happen with the Oscars, and that just makes me feel happy.