HAPPY MARDI GRAS PARADE!

It's one of the world's biggest celebrations of color, equality, rights and enjoying life! Last night's 2010 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parades was one of the BEST in years! Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

Today's Favorite Color is... Yellow!

And the Oscar goes to... BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS!

For some reason this category always feels like the toughest to pick, and this year is no exception. The nominees for Best Supporting Actress are:

Penelope Cruz for NINE
Vera Farmiga for UP IN THE AIR
Maggie Gyllenhaal for CRAZY HEART
Anna Kendrick for UP IN THE AIR
Mo'Nique for PRECIOUS

And the winner will be (according to Geoff)...

Maggie Gyllenhaal deserves recognition, Penelope Cruz is an Academy sweetheart, and UP IN THE AIR will need to collect at least a few gongs this year, but with several of this year's acting awards already under her belt and a performance that nobody saw coming, my pick for this year's Best Supporting Actress is Mo'Nique!

Song of the Day - Kylie's “Your Disco Needs You”

Here's a littel Kylie to help celebrate Mardi Gras! HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYONE!!

Muse of the Day (Benjamin Godfre)

Where would you rather be?

I know the cold and snow can sometimes bring you down, so let me brighten up your thoughts of winter. No more slushy gray mud, no more slipping over on frozen footpaths or juggling umbrellas as they flip inside out in the icy wind. These Snow Bunnies are ready to blow you a kiss with their frosty lips and take you to their Winter Wonderland!

And the Oscar goes to... BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR!

Well we're on the home stretch to the Oscars now, my FAVORITE night of the year, and so to celebrate I'll be posting my winner's tips—one day at a time—for my favorite categories, starting with BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR. Cynics leave your party-pooping at the door, I know this event is materialistic and flawed, but there's a celebration of art and cinema deep down in there somewhere and I'll dig it out, trust me! So without any further ado, the nominees for Best Supporting Actor are:

Matt Damon for INVICTUS
Woody Harrelson for THE MESSENGER
Christopher Plummer for THE LAST STATION
Stanley Tucci for THE LOVELY BONES
Christoph Waltz for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

And the winner will be (according to Geoff)...

Let's give the gong to the total unknown amid a line-up of some very impressive competition for the simple reason that his performance was PERFECT! Christoph Waltz was charming, confident, childish, dangerous and totally fucked-up, and in my opinion he was the best reason to watch this film!

Gay Marriage? The Australian Government says NO!

On the eve of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras—an event that's worth a fortune in tourist dollars to the State and Federal Governments—the Senate yesterday voted against Gay Marriage in Australia with a staggering 45 votes against 5! So I guess when it comes to defining laws and governing a country that operates off a Church vs State mentality... Church wins, Gay Rights lose. Don't get angry, get Steven. Well, if I had a boyfriend called Steven I would, so maybe I'll just get angry instead!

I'll Show You My Speedo if You Show Me Yours!

Song of the Day - Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs' “Because the Night”

Oh wow, what a treat! Natalie Merchant singing "Because the Night", Patti Smith's and Bruce Springsteen's anthem to youth, love and freedom!!!

2010 Mardi Gras Short Story Winners!

Raise that flag high, because last night was the Awards Night for Sydney's Mardi Gras Short Story Competiton which was open to the entire GLBTQ Community of Australia. As one of the judges I read (and re-read and re-read and re-read) countless AMAZING submissions, then convened (and re-convened and re-convened) with my fellow judges Gail Hewison from the Feminist Bookshop and Laurin McKinnon from publishing company Gay E-books. The night was a HUGE success, the winners did a wonderful job reading their stories, and best of all, a free download of all six winning and highly commended tales is just a click of a button away. Copy and paste this link and enjoy some of the brightest, up-and-coming Gay and Lesbian talent Australia has to offer!
http://www.gay-ebooks.com.au/downloads/nmg10.pdf

Muse of the Day (Israel Cassol)

PRAYERS FOR BOBBY

Oh God! This trailer made me cry my eyes out! PRAYERS FOR BOBBY is the true story of Mary Griffith (played by Sigourney Weaver), a devout Christian who drives her gay son Bobby to suicide with her close-minded attitudes to homosexuality. After his death, Mary begins to question her faith and, through a painful emotional journey, ultimately draws strength and support from the gay community. PRAYERS FOR BOBBY is playing as part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival—I'm gonna need to take a box of tissues I think!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS everyone! Yes, Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival kicked off yesterday with two and a half weeks of fun, flirting, festivities and FABULOUSNESS! Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, John Waters and George Michael are all here to paint the town pink! My first event is Tuesday's Short Story Awards Night which I was honored to help judge and will be presenting and reading on the night—there were so many amazing and inspiring stories from our GLBT community from all over Australia it was VERY difficult to choose a winner! All will be revealed on Tuesday night! God I love this time of year! The Gay Film Festival is on, as well as concerts, dance parties, forums, fairs...and SO many wonderful tourists shopping and strolling and sipping coffee and wine up and down Oxford St! (I find Americans are so damn sexy—I don't think that's any secret given my books!!)

Stay tuned on reports of the big parade next Saturday Feb 27. Till then, HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!! XX

Muse of the Day

Werewolves vs Vampires... Taylor vs Rob!

I'm not a huge fan of TWILIGHT because I have my own vampires to worry about (have you checked out the VAMPIRE'S LAIR saga yet by A.J. Ryan...that's me). But I do have a soft spoke for these boys because the casting and marketing has been quite phneomenal! So the question is: who's hotter? Sexy Taylor or sophisticated Rob? You be the judge.