In a few days time, Americans will celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence that instilled the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on a new nation. These are innate rights that each citizen carries day in and day out. These are the rights at very heart of San Francisco’s LGBT Pride celebration over the weekend past.
With almost a million people flocking to celebrate diversity, equality and freedom, SF Pride 2008 sported its largest crowd since its onset 38 years ago. The event is an important and vital part in maintaining a strong sense of community. Some may contend that some of the visuals depicted hurt the fight for equal rights, as extravagant costumes and less than mainstream ideas are brought before the public. However, this imagery reminds us that Pride is also a celebration of where the movement has come and where the movement is going.
The festive atmosphere intermixes with the serious issues to be had and reminds us that diversity is a part of life that must be celebrated. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are represented in the rich costumes and less than mainstream depictions of people shown. It is important to celebrate the idea that, like the hegemonic powers in society, the LGBT community consists of a plethora of personalities.
Pride celebrations are a major part of the movement for equality and a yearly reminder of the continued battle the LGBT community has in this country. As the mission statement of the SF Pride Committee states, Pride is to “educate the World, comemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people.”
Last week, Heinz released a commercial in the UK for their new Heinz Deli Mayonnaise. The commercial features a family, with a New Yorker deli man making sandwiches for kids. The conclusion of commercial has two men kissing. After receiving over 200 complaints, Heinz decided to pull the commercial.
Heinz’s official release stated that the commercial was supposed to be funny and suggest that their new Deli Mayo is so good, “It’s as if you have your own New York deli man in your kitchen.”The kids address the sandwich maker as “mum” and therefore, the audience is supposed to assume that this is actually a woman, and therefore the kiss is not actually gay. It is the idea that the mayo is so good it helps “mom” make a great sandwich.
Complaints received generally suggested that the commercial was inappropriate for children and forced parents to explain homosexuality. Some gay activist groups are calling for a boycott because of Heinz’s reaction to remove the ad from the air.
Overall, the commercial may have a kiss between two men, but it is hardly a “gay” kiss. With the kids referring to the second male adult as “mum,” if this were a gay kiss, it could be offensive to gays. It would essentially suggest that one partner is a “woman.” Additionally, if the commercial is supposed to be funny, it once against subjects gays to being the butt of the joke. Two men kissing is not funny.
Whether one decides to boycott Heinz based on their creation or pulling of this commercial is in the consumer’s hands. However, this commercial is a lose-lose for Heinz, either way you look at it.
In its second week of official competition amongst 20 dancers (now 16), So You Think You Can Dance continues to deliver brilliant and artistic dance performances within the context of a reality competition. Sadly, the talent on the show may appear cheapened by the reality platform used. However, the program stears away from the celebrity used in Dancing with the Stars and the dramatic fights used in many cable reality talent competitions.
So You Think You Can Dance is provides a medium to witness great dance talent without the overbearing commercial airtime used in American Idol. AI’s product placement and over the top conflict between judges, hosts and contestants takes away from the talent and the performance. Fortunately, SYTYCD has avoided product placement and consists of judges that actually judge the dance numbers. The show does not rely on conflict between judges and it really maintains that the show is about dancing. The judges are knowledgeable and share this knowledge without necessarily needed odd comparisions that Simon Cowell used.
Cat Deeley, the program’s host, is a fun and energetic host from the UK. She is charming and a bit cheesey at times, but steers away from a Ryan Seacrest cockiness. She realizes she is not the star of the show and that the show is about the performers.
Despite the fact that the show fills in a two hour time slot on Wednesday’s with a bit more fluff than is actually needed, the dancers on this show learn a style in a short time, only to deliver wonderful dance numbers that are touching and visually stimulating. The creativity of the choreographers is a sight to be seen. The rotation of choreographers and dance styles week in and week out, keep the show relevant and unique each time.
Overall, So You Think You Can Danceis the savior of summer television programming. It combines all the proper elements for a modern talent competition. For those that reality tv leaves a poor taste, but enjoy creativity and dance talent, this program should be given a try. To avoid that reality tv feeling, avoid the results show if needed. The Thursday results show includes solo performances by those put at the bottom for the week, which allows a platform for even more creativity. Give the show a try in the dullness of summer TV.
(Photo provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection. All rights reserved.)
As today’s pop culture is flooded with unflattering images of females celebrities, I was taken back and impressed with Katherine Heigl today. Last year, Heigl was awarded an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Grey’s Anatomy. This year, she has requested her name be pulled from the list of nominations. She released the following statement explaining her action:
I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization…In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials.
This great display of modesty complements actions Heigl took last year as she strongly against her former co-star on Grey’s Anatomy, Isaiah Washington, when he made anti-gay comments to fellow actor T.R. Knight. Maintaining a touch of class and dignity in Hollywood seems a rarity. Such actions by Heighl remind us of the days of classic Hollywood figures. I personally applaud Heigl’s honesty and integrity. It certainly takes a real character to step down from receiving such an honor.
The Ryan Thomas Collection is currently undergoing site migration. During this time, you may experience unusual site downtime or various visual changes.
A random walk around downtown San Francisco found me in the middle of a Jewish festival celebrating the opening of the new San Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum. The new museum is moving away from traditional museum culture, by focusing on the changing expression of Jewish culture, rather than on the history and struggle of Jews worldwide. The facade of the this new museum is a beautiful display of modern architecture set directly across an old, traditional Christian church. A perfect combination to depict, not only the diversity of the city, but the forward thinking of both the museum and the people of San Francisco.
The small alley dividing these two very different buildings is a vivid depiction of San Francisco’s history and future. It shows the city as place of forward thinking dreamers who moved here during California’s Gold Rush in pursuit of something bigger and better for themselves. Connected by a common dream of a better life, San Francisco provided a place for diverse groups of minorities to prosper. This museum brings attention to great San Franciscan Jews, including Levi Strauss and both of California’s state Senators, Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein. The museum’s director, Connie Wolf, describes the museum’s focus:
Tradition and history in isolation does not connect to our daily lives. What you want is to not be thinking about history and tradition as something over there, but you want to be engaged with how does it impact us. How can we strive to make the world a better place?
If you are visiting or living in San Francisco, the new Contemporary Jewish Museum opens Sunday, June 7th in the heart of downtown. More information can be found at www.thecjm.org.
To see another interesting and fascinating museum display from the Jewish Museum of Berlin, click on the Fashion & Arts page.
(Photo provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection. All rights reserved.)
Coincidentally, the first business day of Gay Pride Month came with the dreaded announcement by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen that the initiative to amend the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage will be placed on the November 3rd ballot.
Opponents to same-sex marriage successfully gathered the necessary signatures to place the initiative on the ballot and thus, the battle for votes begins. A simple majority of votes is needed to pass the amendment. In a Field Poll released last week, a majority of likely California voters are opposed to passing such an initiative, but with a slim margin, the battle on both sides will be intense.
The right-wing fight in California is a national effort. Local and statewide donations are being made to fund discrimination in the Golden State. Visit www.equalityforall.com and www.eqca.orgto find out how you can prevent discrimination from being embedded in the Constitution.
California needs to maintain its stance at the forefront of progressive politics and social values. Let your friends and family know that every vote they can influence will keep California a place of equal opportunity and civil liberty.
Happy Gay Pride Month!
(Photo provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection. All rights reserved.)
Lady Gaga’s new video for “Telephone” featuring Beyonce. This is 9.5 minutes of fun imagery, great music and dancing. There is blatant product placement to remind us that Gaga is playing into the “pop” ideal unashamed. There is a nod to Cher with some fishnet stockings and Taratino inspired themes dribbled throughout the short film.
In a few days time, Americans will celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence that instilled the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on a new nation. These are innate rights that each citizen carries day in and day out. These are the rights at very heart of San Francisco’s LGBT Pride celebration over the weekend past.
Some may contend that some of the visuals depicted hurt the fight for equal rights, as extravagant costumes and less than mainstream ideas are brought before the public. However, this imagery reminds us that Pride is also a celebration of where the movement has come and where the movement is going.
It is important to celebrate the idea that, like the hegemonic powers in society, the LGBT community consists of a plethora of personalities.
Upcoming Pride celebrations around the world:
So You Think You Can Dance is provides a medium to witness great dance talent without the overbearing commercial airtime used in American Idol. AI’s product placement and over the top conflict between judges, hosts and contestants takes away from the talent and the performance. Fortunately, SYTYCD has avoided product placement and consists of judges that actually judge the dance numbers. The show does not rely on conflict between judges and it really maintains that the show is about dancing. The judges are knowledgeable and share this knowledge without necessarily needed odd comparisions that Simon Cowell used.
A perfect combination to depict, not only the diversity of the city, but the forward thinking of both the museum and the people of San Francisco.
