Stars to honor students at GLSEN's reimagined 30th awards
LOS ANGELES – The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network will honor six students through celebrity-directed stories at its 30th annual reimagined ceremony. GLSEN announced Thursday that the ceremony will highlight the students at the Respect Everywhere celebration, which will premiere Monday on the organization’s website. The awards show was previously named the Los Angeles Respect Awards. The online event will showcase the students from around the country that have made an impact on the LGBTQ+ community in their own way. Others will follow an immigrant student acclimating to their new country, while a young lesbian finds a balance between her Christianity and her authentic self.
'Boys in the Band' movie keeps hurtful language of original
This image released by Netflix shows, from left, Jim Parsons, Robin De Jesus, Michael Benjamin Washington and Andrew Rannells in a scene from "The Boys in the Band." Parsons, whose character, Michael uses a fair share of the racial, gay, and anti-Semitic slurs, admits he was uncomfortable. Director Joe Mantello, who also helmed the play, agrees that keeping the offensive language helps understand the story and plight of the characters. As Bernard, the only Black member of the group, actor Michael Benjamin Washington believes the language, though painful, is necessary to be truthful and authentic. The original play was a hit, and two years later became a critically acclaimed film.
New this week: Mariah Carey, Gloria Steinem & 'South Park'
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— "The Glorias ": Julie Taymor's film, based on Gloria Steinem's 2015 book “My Life on the Road,” is a biopic with verve and flair. Johnson's latest, premiering Wednesday on Netflix, is a playful eulogy to her father as she slowly loses him to Alzheimer’s. — AP Music Editor Mesfin FekaduTELEVISION— If laughter is good medicine, then it’s “South Park” to the rescue. Meanwhile, Randy deals with his alleged role in the viral outbreak that has the town of South Park on defense.
Larry Kramer used voice, pen to raise consciousness on AIDS
FILE - This May 12, 2014 file photo shows playwright Larry Kramer at the premiere of HBO Films' "The Normal Heart" in New York. Kramer, the playwright whose angry voice and pen raised theatergoers consciousness about AIDS and roused thousands to militant protests in the early years of the epidemic, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020 in Manhattan of pneumonia. Please know that AIDS is a worldwide plague. Kramer, whose angry voice and pen raised consciousness about AIDS and roused thousands to action, died Wednesday at 84. As support for AIDS research increased, he found some common ground with health officials whom ACT UP had criticized.
Larry Kramer, playwright and AIDS activist, dies at 84
FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2014 file photo, playwright Larry Kramer attends Acria's 19th Annual Holiday Dinner Benefit in New York. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK Larry Kramer, the playwright whose angry voice and pen raised theatergoers consciousness about AIDS and roused thousands to militant protests in the early years of the epidemic, has died at 84. Bill Goldstein, a writer who was working on a biography of Kramer, confirmed the news to The Associated Press. Kramer's husband, David Webster, told The New York Times that Kramer died of pneumonia on Wednesday. But for many years he was best known for his public fight to secure medical treatment, acceptance and civil rights for people with AIDS.