Well-Strung - Blank Space

Kate Pierson Gets Married

Via the Daily Mail:

Kate Pierson, co-founder of the new wave party band The B-52s, has married her longtime lover Monica Coleman in Hawaii. The 67-year-old singer/songwriter took to her Facebook page on Tuesday to share photos of her and her new wife with the caption: ‘#itsofficial!’ A series of snaps show the happy couple post-ceremony as they don chic wedding gowns with Pierson’s in pink with a elegant Victorian style. A rep for Pierson told E! News: "The wedding was attended by the entire B-52s band, Sia Furler and husband Erik Anders Lang were the witnesses. Sia performed the song she wrote for the couple Crush Me With You Love on Pierson's first solo album Guitars and Microphones and was accompanied by the famous Hawaii music group the Lim Family who serenaded the attendees during the event. Fred Schneider made the best man speech."

RELATED: B-52s member Keith Strickland married his longtime boyfriend in Key West shortly after Florida legalized same-sex marriage in January.

Shamir: Unplugged On NPR

For the latest installment of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, dance sensation Shamir performed three tracks from his critically-raved debut album. NPR's Bob Boilen writes:

When I first saw Shamir at NPR Music's SXSW showcase, the 20-year-old singer popped on stage with a Yo Gabba Gabba T-shirt and proceeded to light up the night with his disco-infused funk and joyful energy. Cut to this Tiny Desk Concert. Shamir Bailey is sitting alone on a stool with an acoustic guitar — hardly recognizable except perhaps for the green painted fingernails, until he began to sing. At that point, he put his fragile but confident countertenor to work in "Darker," from his debut album Ratchet, and I knew we were in for something special.

Last month I attended Shamir's riotous sold-out concert in Brooklyn, where young fanboys crowded the stage and sang along to every word. The tour returns to the US late next month and there will be another NYC date on November 16th.

Seen In Brooklyn

Via Laughing Squid:

New Zealand street artist Owen Dippie, the incredible mind behind the Renaissance Mutant Ninja Turtles mural, recently created “The Radiant Madonna“, a giant mural that features the Virgin Mary cradling a distinctive Keith Haring figure on the side of a Brooklyn building. Dippie explained the concept behind the mural, which was done in cooperation with the Bushwick Collective, “If art is a religion then Keith Haring is a god”.

(Tipped by JMG reader Wilson)

SAN FRANCISCO: Morrissey Files Sexual Assault Complaint Against Airport Security

“On leaving the US on 27 July I flew from San Francisco International Airport to London on flight BA 284. At 2:30 in the afternoon I went through the usual airport security procedure including the stand-up ‘scanner’, and all was well – no bleeps and nothing unusual. Before I could gather my belongings from the usual array of trays I was approached by an ‘airport security officer’ who stopped me, crouched before me and groped my penis and testicles. He quickly moved away as an older ‘airport security officer’ approached. The officer who sexually assaulted me was identified. Luckily I was accompanied by two members of British Airways Special Services, who were horrified at the sexual attack and suggested that I lodge a complaint. The British Airways Special Services employees assured me that a complaint was worthwhile, and so I filed the appropriate information.” - Morrissey, in a statement published today by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Sam Smith Vents On LGBT Rights

Morning View - Provincetown

Folks stop by our neighbor's house all day to snap a photo of the man in the window.

Boy George & Jack Black - Hello I Love You

DC Gay Chorus Heads To Cuba

NBC News reports:

The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington is traveling to Cuba Saturday to spread their message through song. The 23 singers are among the first U.S. citizens who will be able to travel to Cuba since diplomatic relations with the U.S. improved. The group aims to raise awareness of LGBTQ rights through music. "It brings people together over something without addressing the issue head on. So, I often find that music can be actually more powerful than giving a speech at podium," Executive Director Chase Maggiano said. The chorus is scheduled to perform several concerts around Havana next week in addition to participating in forum-style discussions. They were invited by Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro.

The chorus will perform in Miami tomorrow night before departing.

Brendan Maclean - The Feeling Again

I first wrote about Maclean back in 2013 for the release of his quirky Australian hit Stupid, which made my top ten for that year. Today he's back with a lovely ballad.

Todd Starnes Posts USA Tribute (With Music By Gay Communist Aaron Copland)

Presumably to celebrate the Fourth Of July, anti-gay activist Todd Starnes has posted a star-spangled Fox News tribute to the United States, recounting how preachers "prayed on bended knee, asking God to bless our land, to shed his grace on thee." Soundtracking the clip is Fanfare For The Common Man, which was composed by gay communist Aaron Copland. Bonus giggle: Copland was also an agnostic.

Kinsey Sicks - Get A Gun

Clip description:

Earlier this year The Kinsey Sicks performed and recorded a biting new original song, “Get a Gun”, that has gotten a phenomenal response from audiences. As a result, the group filmed a video of the song late last month and have been editing ever since. Given the horrors of the Charleston shootings, the group debated releasing the video now that it’s finally ready, since the song - while clearly serious in its content - takes a sardonic tone in mocking American’s obsession with guns.

Harvey Fierstein To Get Hollywood Star

RELATED: Fierstein performed last night in Broadway Bares. A not work-safe beefcake photo taken backstage is here.

HomoQuotable - Jim Parsons

"I never had a coming out piece, I just didn't mention it. I took [my partner] Todd with me to events and then finally one day while working on Harvey I did a piece with Patrick Healy for The New York Times and he just point-blank asked, 'Was working on The Normal Heart meaningful to you as a gay man?' And I was like, 'Well, yeah. Yeah.'  I can't tell you what a wonderful thing that was, what a gift he gave me with one question. It was suddenly out there and official." - Jim Parsons, speaking on Inside The Actors Studio.

Dance Sensation Shamir Rocks Brooklyn

Last night I trekked out to Brooklyn with my buddies Mike and Anthony for the New York City debut of 20 year-old queer sensation Shamir, the unabashedly fey singer/rapper whose clear falsetto has drawn many comparisons to Sylvester. The sold-out audience at the Music Hall of Williamsburg ranged from front-row adoring fanboys to Manhattan nightlife figures such as Double-Headed Disco duo Noel Alicia and Jeff Jackson. (And a surprising number of bears.) While the comparisons to Sylvester's voice are well-founded, Shamir's style is more appealing awkwardness than sassy bravado, which he underscored when introducing the track Hot Mess as "autobiographical." Reviews for Shamir's debut album, Rachet, have been raving and his profile got a major boost this spring when his percolating rap single On The Regular soundtracked the release of the Google Smart Watch. Shamir's tour continues tonight at Philadelphia's Voyeur. Below is part of his set earlier this year at SXSW. 

Kevin Spacey Gets Knighted

Via the Daily Mail:

Kevin Spacey claims he feels like 'an adopted son' after being awarded an honorary knighthood for his services to culture and British theatre. The US star, who is finishing a 10-year run as artistic director at London's Old Vic theatre, said he was 'honored and humbled' by the recognition and thanked Britons for supporting his work. He was just one of a host of film stars to be given a gong in this year's Queen's Honours List - with Benedict Cumberbatch winning a CBE and Eddie Redmayne an OBE. The two-times Academy Award winner took over as artistic director of the Old Vic in 2003 and is widely credited with helping turn around the once struggling theatre.

As a foreigner, Spacey doesn't get the title "Sir." Also receiving a knighthood was veteran blues artist Van Morrison.

HomoQuotable - Morrissey

"Obama has mystified me because he doesn’t appear to support black people when they need it most. Ferguson being an obvious example. If Michael Brown had instead been one of Obama’s daughters, I don’t think Obama would be insisting that the nation support the so-called security forces! How can they be called security forces if they make the people feel insecure? Obama seems to be white inside. There is an obvious racial division in America and it’s exploding and Obama doesn’t ever support the innocent black people who are murdered by white police officers who are never held accountable. You would expect him to be more understanding of what it means to be black. But so far, he hasn’t been.​ There’s no point in continually saying that we must support the police when it is obvious to the entire world that the police in America are out of control." - Morrissey, speaking to Alternative Nation.

RUSSIA: Anti-Gay Pol Calls Eurovision Star "Traitor To The Motherland" For Daring To Hug And Defend Conchita Wurst

Last month Russia's Polina Gagarina took second place at Eurovision 2015, earning the highest score in her nation's history, including when they won in 2008. But according to notorious anti-gay nutjob Vitaly Milonov, she is a "traitor to the motherland" for hugging Conchita Wurst at the contest and then defending Conchita against critics. Here is Milonov's rant:

Who gave her the right to represent Russia? She represents only the private media structure, where Christian values are not on the first place. The results are always falsified, the winner of Eurovision has no relation to talent. When Russia proclaimed its Christian values and went against the propoganda of sodomy, a bearded pervert in women’s clothes went on to win Eurovision. Why did Gagarina, a married woman, kiss another man? What is so precious in hugging a mentally sick pervert? It was on purpose, because this is a condition of the contest to push a country as deep as possible, excuse me, into Euro-shit, using crude ways to affect the teenagers. I criticised Gagarina’s kiss with this pervert, which she was doing with the name of Russia, but she immediately started arguing with us. Gagarina became part of the propaganda and she is a traitor of the Motherland – she betrayed Russia for some carpets, medals or something else … so she could become a propagander of Western sodomic values.

Milonov is the author of Russia's ban on "homosexual propaganda" and it's possible that he could bring charges against Gagarina. He and his army of goons from the Russian Orthodox Church regularly crash LGBT events and violence has resulted on some occasions.

(Tipped by JMG reader Luis)

Tooji - Father

Via Olso Pride:

Tooji is a Norwegian artist. As a one year old boy, he came to Norway together with his mother, who fled from the authoritarian regime in Iran. Tooji became known in Norway when he won the national Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 and represented Norway in the international final of ESC in Azerbaijan with the song "Stay". In the autumn 2013 Tooji cut all ties to the Norwegian music industry and moved to Stockholm, Sweden. Toojis new song "Father" is Oslo Pride's official pride anthem for 2015. Tooji will perform at Oslo Pride's official opening show in Pride Park in Spikersuppa, Wednesday 24 June, at Gaysirs annual summer party, Thursday 25 June, and at Oslo Pride's annual parade show, Saturday 27 June.

(Tipped by JMG reader Trude)

Lesbian-Themed Musical Fun Home Takes Top Prize At 2015 Tony Awards

Broadway's first-ever musical with a lesbian protagonist, Fun Home, took the top musical prize tonight at the 2015 Tony Awards. Fun Home is based on the graphic novel by lesbian author Alison Bechdel, who last year was a recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award. Bechdel first came to national notice via her popular comic strip, Dykes To Watch Out For.

Best Musical
"Fun Home"
Best Play
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"
Best Revival of a Musical
"The King and I"
Best Revival of a Play
"Skylight"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Alex Sharp, "The Curious Incident of the Dog"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Helen Mirren, "The Audience"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Michael Cerveris, "Fun Home"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Kelli O'Hara, "The King and I"
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Richard McCabe, "The Audience"
Best Performance by an Actress in Featured Role in a Play
Annaleigh Ashford, "You Can't Take It With You"
Best Performance by an Actor in Featured Role in a Musical
Christian Borle, "Something Rotten!"
Best Performance by an Actress in Featured Role in a Musical
Ruthie Ann Miles, "The King and I"
Best Book of a Musical
"Fun Home" (Lisa Kron)

VIDEO:  Best Actor winner for Fun Home Michael Cerveris gives a shout-out to marriage equality during his acceptance speech.

UPDATE: More from the New York Times:

“Fun Home,” a poignant and raw exploration of family, memory, sexuality and suicide, on Sunday completed a long journey from the margins to the mainstream as it won the Tony Award for best new musical. The show, adapted from the best-selling graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel, bested more traditionally entertaining nominees, propelled by rapturous reviews and, in recent weeks, sold-out crowds to an unexpected victory that is likely to mean a longer run on Broadway and a longer life around the country.

The victory came at the end of Broadway’s biggest night, and suggested Tony voters were in an artistic mood this year, choosing ambitious, sophisticated productions over more conventional and commercial fare.

The Tony for best new play went to “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a kinetic and evocative show about a young boy with Asperger’s syndrome; the best play revival went to “Skylight,” about a couple grappling with the aftermath of their affair against a backdrop of economic inequality; and best musical revival went to “The King and I,” a sumptuous production that emphasized the complex issues of gender and colonialism that undergird the classic favorite.