One Step Closer

PLilly_1A
Originally uploaded by mylilpip.

Well, I finally ordered new headshots. This is look #2. The good old 3/4 body shot. I like the look of this pic although I wonder if this photo is "what I'm selling." Is this what people see when I enter the room? Those of you that know me, sound off. Those of you who don't know me, sound off anyway.

What Is Wrong with US?

I read so many blogs that is dificult for me to read them all on a daily basis. Yesterday, I had an office temp job (isn't being an actor glamorous?) so I thought I would catch up with my blog reading. I was so infuriated when I read a post by Keith Boykin entitled Jody Watley Barred From Talking About Gay Games During Chicago Radio Interview. This really makes my blood boil. I listen to V103 all the time but not anymore. I'm so over this kind of blatent homophobia and exclusionism displayed by the DJ and the station managers. If Jody had been performing at a major Urban (translate to Black or African American) event and a predominately white station barred her from mentioning it...well....you know.

I don't know if you listen to V103 (home of the Tom Joyner Morning Show in Chicago, one of my favorite radio personalities) but if you do, STOP. Call them, write them, and email them to tell them why. And if you don't listen, call them, write them, and email them so that they know that this is not acceptable behavior anymore.

I read so many blogs that is dificult for me to read them all on a daily basis. Yesterday, I had an office temp job (isn't being an actor glamorous?) so I thought I would catch up with my blog reading. I was so infuriated when I read a post by Keith Boykin entitled Jody Watley Barred From Talking About Gay Games During Chicago Radio Interview keithboykin.com. This really makes my blood boil. I listen to V103 all the time but not anymore. I'm so over this kind of blatent homophobia and exclusionism displayed by the DJ and the station managers. If Jody had been performing at a major Urban (translate to Black or African American) event and a predominately white station barred her from mentioning it...well....you know.

I don't know if you listen to V103 (home of the Tom Joyner Morning Show in Chicago, one of my favorite radio personalities) but if you do, STOP. Call them, write them, and email them to tell them why. And if you don't listen, call them, write them, and email them so that they know that this is not acceptable behavior anymore.

Big News
I have been very unfaithful in posting lately. It is not that I don't have a lot to say or the time to say it. It is that I have something that is difficult for me to say. The best way to do it is just put it out there.

My partner Steve and I split up two weeks ago. If we were married, which we can't do (see below), the grounds would be "irreconcilable differences." There, that wasn't that bad. Although, it still hurts a little. Who am I kidding? It stings a lot. I refuse, however, to look at this situation as a crisis but rather as an opportunity.

I have been proclaiming my intentions to move to LA since 1986. For twenty years, I have talked about going into television comedy. The talk ends this year and the move begins in September. It is official. I am finally leaving the Midwest and I'm bound for California. Swimming pools, movie stars....

Steve and I will continue to live together for the next two months and then I'm making the second biggest move of my life.

What was the first move? Coming out of the closet.

What is Wrong With US ?
It has been a while since I posted a WIWWUS. This one deserves a mention. The state Supreme Court of Washington upholds gay marriage ban. 45 out of 50 states have laws banning gay marriage or defining marriage as a union between a man and woman. Doesn't matter what kind of union, as long as they are male and female. One day, history will show our folly.

Do You Know Who You Look Like?
As if we don't have enough time wasters at our disposal, MyHeritage.com is offering you the chance to Find the Celebrity in You through face recognition. First you upload a photo, the site scans your face, then tells you what celebrities have faces like yours. I am glad to say that I have a face like Denzel Washington (yeah!), Lionel Hampton (cool), James Brown (uh oh!), and Madelinge Albright (?!?).

South Park Pip 2.0

South Park Pip 2.0
Originally uploaded by mylilpip.

TCB Ya'll. I'm taking care of business. I'll be back with a real post soon. I promise.

I have a major...make that two major life changes to report but I have to do it in my own time and in my own way. Stay tuned because Uptempo Orpheus is changing. Which reminds me of Dreamgirls, of course. 156 more days until the movie opens.

What is Right with US
House Rejects Gay Marriage Ban - New York Times

Midsummer Idol Chattter
Reviewing the 'American Idol' tour - Entertainment Weekly

Gay Games Opening Ceremony Note:
I love Staceyann Chin. Truth is hard to accept in any context. The LGBT community should listen to the voice of the prophetess before it is too late. We must take care of ourselves but remember that others that struggle are worthy of our help.

Yes, there is a time and a place for everything. The time for Truth, especially when it is delivered so artfully, is always.

Another Gay Games Opening Ceremony Note:
"An Exhortation To A Weary Army" by Keith Boykin was definitely a highlight. Along with Canadian pop diva Kim Kuzma.

Happy Bastille Day
Today is Bastille Day. Like most Americans, I don't care. In my mind today is like Cinco De Mayo with red wine instead of margaritas.

There is one thing that I do love about Bastille Day. My friends Miriam and Colleen present a very funny show every year called Bastille Magnolias. The show is full of humor and some great French songs (and some very un-French songs too).

If you are in Chicago for the Gay Games then maybe you might want to check them out at Davenport's tonight at 8 pm and tomorrow at 7 & 9 pm. Will you enjoy yourself? Mais Oui.

The World Can Be a Scary Place

Don't be scared to touch my pickle. Thanks to Leigh B. for the link. I love it.

Rainy Days and Mondays
Yesterday was an overcast Monday. Today it is raining. What's going on? Can't a brother get some sunshine? Throw in the mix my wicked second degree burn on the back of my left calf that I got while getting off Steve's motorcycle. I'm taking the day off. I work everyday for the next five days so why not?

There is a Project Runway marathon (season 1, which was brilliant) on Bravo. Oe maybe I will watch one of those movies that I always planned on seeing but never did. Anyway, more posts on another day.

Wherever you are, I hope your day is sunny.

Hardly Working
The weekend is over and while that means back to work for most for me it means back to no work. Well, not entirely true. There is a lot of writing to be done. There is still the matter of ordering my new headshots. And there is always a major house chore to be done. For example, I am expecting a delivery of 1500 live ladybugs today that need to be released into our garden in order to eat the aphids and spider mites. Oh, what an exciting life it is.

The weekend, however, was different. The weekend started for me on Thursday afternoon when Steve and I went to see Superman Returns at the IMAX in 3-D. I loved this movie. Watching it on a four story screen in 3-D just made it better. If you haven't caught this soon to be classic flick then you better hurry. It is worth seeing on the big screen for the special effects but the storytelling and acting are great too.

I taught on Friday. I mentioned in some earlier posts about the opening of the Strangers With Candy movie. I still haven't caught the movie yet but it opened on Friday. One of the featured actors and I co-taught a class on Friday before he went to his Chicago opening (the film opened in New York last week). The class that we teach is part of The Second City Outreach and Diversity program. We (as well as another great teacher named Jonathan) will be teaching a 5 week intensive improv training workshop designed to give a leg up to underrepresented actors in the improv community including actors of color, women, and LGBT actors. While teaching one of these intensive two years ago I met Rebecca, my comedy partner, and formed Straight & Nappy.

Saturday was a StoryBus day. We were at the DuSable Museum for the 32nd Annual Arts and Crafts Fair. This is a great event that I have attended for the last two years. This year I got to meet Chicagoan and former television star, Karyn Parsons. Ms. Parsons is better known as Hilary from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Sometimes when you meet actors from television it is a little disappointing to see that they are so regular. Ms. Parson, however, is one of the few actors that actually is more beautiful in person. Her skin, her aura, everything about her seems to radiate beauty. She recently produced a new series of educational DVD's aimed at teaching children about lesser known Black historical figures. The first is called The Journey of Henry Box Brown. This film is the historic true tale of slave Henry Box Brown, a man who mailed himself in a wooden box from a plantation in Richmond, Virginia to freedom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1848. The DVD features the award winning actress and this year's double Emmy nominee Alfre Woodard as narrator. Check it out.

Sunday was the final registration and orientation for working as a volunteer at the Gay Games VII here in the Windy City. I am scheduled to work the opening ceremonies and the closing ceremonies. I may volunteer for another shift at one of the sporting events...Maybe wrestling that sounds good. I don't care just give me something to do.

So, that was my weekend. Now if you'll excuse me, I have got to get back to not working.

Soccer Balls NSFW

Doggin' It
Independence Day has come and gone. Steve and I smoked some meats (not a sex reference) and grilled some veggies. Even though they are one of my favorite foods, we didn't grill any hot dogs. I bought some from a great kosher sausage store in my hood. Their hot dogs are great. They have a great seasoning and a good old fashioned snap. When they give them to you, they are individually wrapped in cellophane. As frequent readers and friends know, I love my hot dogs. Not as much as this guy though.

The reason we didn't have hot dogs on the fourth is because of our activities on the 3rd with our friend Iron Chef Gary. Iron Chef Gary came over on Monday night and we proceeded to drink two bottles of champagne and many many vodka shots. When the 4th rolled around and the alcohol fumes dissipated Steve and I were not in a festive 4th of July mood. I did some writing (I have to write every day or I will never do it). And I mowed the lawn. Steve did some shop work.

When dinner time rolled around we pretty much ate the leftover smoked meats from the 3rd. I cooked up some red carrots in a wine reduction and made some boiled potatoes with garlic and olive oil. I know, not your typical 4th of July fare but it was delicious and we'll have hot dogs tonight. Maybe I will check out these organic hot dogs that everyone is talking about these days.

What Would Ben Franklin Do?

As we celebrate the 230th birthday of America, it is important for all of us to remember the liberty and freedom that America represents. Yes, I am aware of the current administration's challenge to those freedoms as they "fight terrorism." And yes, I am aware of conservative and religious leaders trying to force all of us to worship the way that they do and follow the laws and rules that their god demands even if it violates our human rights and dignities. In spite of all of those things, we still live in a country that is based on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. How can you not love that?

I always have had bittersweet feelings about the 4th of July holiday. Think about it. This is a country that brags about freedom and liberty yet was founded by slave owners. Frederick Douglass wrote some 170 years ago about his feelings surrounding the day. It is hard for an oppressed people to celebrate freedom in a place where they are not free.

As a gay black American in the 21st century I am still not free. I can not marry. And I am publicly shamed by some for having the audacity to even proclaim my affections for my partner Steve, whom I love dearly. Even amongst straight allies I am often seen as "less than" because of what I do in the bedroom. And now that I ask for the same civil rights as my heterosexual counterparts, I am attacked, maligned, and used as a political pawn to divide the nation.

A group, calling themselves the Illinois Family Institute, recently tried to take away my liberties. They put together a petition to get an anti-gay marriage referendum on the Illinois ballot this November. I am happy to say that they failed. They got the required amount of signatures but many were bogus or duplicates. A charge that IFI denies but I can sure you it is all true. Take a look at an email that I received just today from Equality Illinois.

This news release will be made public on Wednesday July 5th, 2006.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has informed us of the result of the
random sample verification of signatures on the antigay marriage petition proposed for the November ballot.

After careful examination of the random sample of signatures, the board has concluded that there are not enough valid signatures and the petition is "presumed invalid"!

The antigay proponents of the petition will file an appeal to this ruling.

We checked every signature. We know there are not enough valid signatures. And, we know where every invalid signature is!

When we began this project it seemed almost impossible to verify the validity of 350,000 signatures in the short time that we had before the challenge deadline.

But, we were able to check every signature because of the hard work of so many volunteers and because so many community organizations came together for this common effort. This task could not have been accomplished without the hard work of countless volunteers around the state. It is inspiring to see so many individuals and organizations stand up together for fairness and equality.

So this year I celebrate America and the defeat of real evil which is those that oppose the last line of our pledge of allegiance that says "liberty and justice for all."