05/11/18
War on Peace by Ronan Farrow
Ronan Farrow is having quite the year. He's won a Pulitzer Prize for his New Yorker reporting on the sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein and come out as a member of the LGBT community; now he has a new book out, War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence. It chronicles his time working in the State Department during President Barack Obama's administration and what he sees as a dangerous trend in U.S. foreign policy. "Our first response to crises is to shoot first and ask questions later or not at all," he told NPR, adding that despite the bad actions of Donald Trump, this tendency predates his presidency and goes back as far as the Clinton administration. Besides his State Department experience, Farrow includes fresh research in the book -- he interviewed every living person who'd served as secretary of State. Order here or visit your local bookstore.
Life of the Party
As the school year ends for most it's just beginning for Melissa McCarthy's 40-something mom who blows up her life and heads back to college to earn the degree she's always wanted. Flipping the script on male-led back-to-college flicks like Back to School and Old School, McCarthy's Deanna winds up at college with her daughter and her friends, where they take mom under their wing. Maya Rudolph, Gillian Jacobs, Christina Aguilera, and Chris Parnell appear in the comedy from McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone.
2018 GLSEN Respect Awards Honoring Rosario Dawson
Rosario Dawson is not only a talented actress but a staunch LGBT ally, and for her work as the latter, GLSEN is honoring her with its Inspiration Award during its 2018 Respect Awards in New York City. "It is a thrill to honor Rosario, who has been an amazing ally to GLSEN and all of the students we serve," said Eliza Byard, executive director of GLSEN, which advocates for LGBT students and educators. "She is a wonderful example of someone engaged with all of the pressing issues of our time who also knows how to amplify the voices of youth too often left out of the conversation. A warm and inspiring presence at a variety of GLSEN events over the years, Rosario has helped GLSEN reach a broader audience and brought new allies to our side in the urgent fight for Respect for All." Other honorees will be transgender teacher Stephanie Byers as Educator of the Year; Hollister Co., receiving the Corporate Ally Award; and Prism, the gay-straight alliance at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, Calif., as GSA of the Year. This represents a great stride for the school, where 10 years ago, gender-nonconforming student Larry King was shot to death by a classmate. "Since then, the school has been on a long journey," Byard noted. "Today, it has nurtured the leadership of this dynamic group of youth advocates, and the future is looking brighter and brighter." The event will be held May 21 at at Cipriani 42nd Street; get tickets and info here.
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Childish Gambino's "This Is America"
Donald Glover's musical project, Childish Gambino, released this year's most-discussed video, "This Is America." Using choreography that evokes not only rich black dance traditions, but Jim Crow stereotypes, Gambino moves through a warehouse joyfully -- even when he's gunning people down. Our nation's obsession with guns, at the expense of human lives, is a main theme, as is the uneasy relationship between African-Americans and police. If you haven't seen it, you should.
Citizen Rose
Back in January, viewers got a look at actress/activist Rose McGowan's life in E! Citizen Rose. The documentary-style show featured Rose dealing with the repercussions of going public about her alleged rape by disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein -- Rose's intensity, bravery, and morality shone through. E! will air the next chapter in Rose's life on Thursday at 10 p.m. Eastern when Citizen Rose's second episode premieres. Look for more insight into Rose's troubled childhood (she was born into a cult) and the increasing blowback she's receiving for her outspoken advocacy against sexual abuse.
RuPaul's Drag Con
Hold on to your wig, because RuPaul's Drag Con is coming to Los Angeles. The three-day event features panels, performances, and parties with many of the stars of drag, including RuPaul herself, as well as the entire cast of RuPaul's Drag Race season 10. Find tickets at rupaulsdragcon.com, and sashay on down to the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend. Vanjie!
Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest, the world's longest-running televised musical competition, is also just about the gayest thing in the world, with past winners including Abba, Celine Dion, and drag performer Conchita Wurst. This is probably why Logo TV is the exclusive channel airing the Grand Final this weekend. RuPaul's Drag Race's Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews are hosting a viewing part of the contest, which made LGBT headlines this week after the Irish competitor told the story of a same-sex relationship through dance. Naturally, Ireland made the finals. Watch it Saturday, 3 p.m. Eastern on Logo.
