From the “Remember-How-They-Got-Capone-For-Tax-Evasion?” file, the Wichita Eagle (July 26) reports another slap upside the head for the vile Kansas preacher, the Rev. Fred Phelps. His church (consisting, basically, of his family) “protests civic meetings, events and the funerals of notable citizens and fallen soldiers, condemning America’s tolerance of homosexuality.” The Shawnee County Appraiser’s Office analyzed the picket signs carried in the back of Rev. Fred’s truck, and said 40 percent had no religious content and, therefore, the truck is taxable. Phelps & Co. already have a $5 million judgment against them (related to emotional distress they caused the family of a deceased soldier). Phelps’ daughter said it didn’t matter because the world was ending soon.
Better check out the new TV show “Sordid Lives: The Series.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times (July 20), it has a drag queen who worships Tammy Wynette (& gets a visit from her, postumously, played by Wynette’s daughter), a handsome gay male ingenue and the mother of the drag queen. The mother is played by Rue McClanahan (who you sort of get to see having sex before the bed collapses). Sounds like a hoot—it’s on the Logo network.
Well, here’s something that goes the other way but maybe you’re into a downer—from the “Wrist-Slitter” file, The New York Times (July 18) reviews Before I Forget, a new French flick about an over-the-hill hustler who’s afraid to take his new HIV cocktail because one of its effects is hair loss, and that’s all the 60 year-old rent boy has left. (To quote a famous opera critic, “I’m not making this up!”) It goes on to extended episodes of humiliation & shame by writer/actor/director Jaques Nolot.
The Guardian (Aug. 4) quotes Susan Russell, the president of the gay Episcopalian association Integrity, regarding the remarks of the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Lambeth Convention in England. The archbishop, Rowan Williams, has stutteringly given in to the conservatives in the Anglican communion who wish to punish the more liberal churches which are pro-gay. Williams has called another meeting of all the bishops, and is making noises about punishing those who elect gay bishops and bless same-sex unions. Russell angrily referred to this as an “11th-hour sucker punch.” All so very Christian.
R.I.P. Nicola Rescigno, 92. The New York Times (Aug. 6) has an obit of Nicola Rescigno, the co-founder of what would become the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He went on to found the Dallas Civic Opera, bringing in his friend, Maria Callas, to open its first season. He is survived by his companion of 40 years, Aldo Marcoaldi.