"Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America … do hereby proclaim June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, to celebrate the great diversity of the American people, and to wave their flags of pride high."President Joe Biden
Despite President Biden allowing U.S. embassies around the world to fly the rainbow flag during Pride Month, many demurred. The Pentagon banned the flag from flying outside of military bases. The more things change... And then, out of the blue, everything changed with the single act of a single person. It helps when that single person is the sitting vice president of the United States. Without any fanfare, Kamala Harris (and the second gentleman, Doug) showed up at Capital Pride celebrations in D.C. Just by strolling around wearing a "Love Is Love" tee, waving to people and saying, "Happy Pride," history was made. Remember that when you wonder if your voice matters.
On the same day, someone else made a statement. When David Archuleta was on American Idol, MANY gay men eagerly questioned his sexuality. I was not among those people. Archuleta was 17 years old at the time andwell, my feeling about sexualizing youngsters is well-documented. I also knew from several sources that he came from a devoutly religious familyand had a very domineering father. A couple of years later, I reported about David going to a NYC gay barostensibly to see singer Charice. He tweeted, "Wasn't my kind of place," adding, "I have friends who are gay, and they're great people." Now he's all grown up and shared the following on Instagram: "I came out in 2014 as gay to my family." Then he thought he might be bisexual, since he was attracted to both genders. Now he kinda considers himself asexual, stating, "I don't have too much sexual desires and urges as most people, which works I guess because I have a commitment to save myself until marriage." However he chooses to define himself, we congratulate him on his authenticity and wish him well on his journey. As to waiting till marriage … well, see Colton Underwood.
On the other side of the pond, cheers to Sir Ian McKellen. You may recall that the beloved knight commemorated his 80th birthday by touring with a solo show that raised money for small theaters. That tour brought in 3 million pounds sterling (more than $4 million). An additional 2 million pounds sterling writer generated by the broadcast of the show, bringing his fundraising effort to more than 5 million pounds sterling (or $7 million). Again, it's a reminder of what one person can do.
It's been a while since I did two "Billy Masters LIVE" shows in one week. But I love a theme. And when I got books from both Paul Rudnick and Dan Mathews, I knew they were perfect for Pride Month. Paul Rudnick is fascinating because he's done SO muchessays, novels, plays, films. His latest, Playing the Palace, is a perfect summer book. (I read it on a plane.) Dan Mathews may be senior vice president of PETA, but his writing has always entertained and enlightened. His memoir, Like Crazy: Life with My Mother and Her Invisible Friends, is heartfelt and hysterical. I had a blast chatting with these witty gents, so be sure to check out "Billy Masters LIVE" on our YouTube channel, Billy Masters TV or on BillyMasters.com/TV.
One of my favorite events every year is Broadway Bares. Due to that pesky pandemic, Broadway Bares: Twerk From Home will be a virtual chance to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Naturally, I'm gonna have some of the hunkiest performers join me for a special "Billy Masters LIVE." On Thursday, June 17, I will host Jay Armstrong Johnson, Patrick Boyd, Sebastian La Cause, Mark MacKillop and perhaps a couple others. "Bares" founder Jerry Mitchell is in London rehearsing "Hairspray," but he'll also pop in. See you on Thursday. And be sure to check out Broadway Bares on June 20 at 9 p.m. Watch it for free on BroadwayCares.org .
Frankie Grande just got engaged … again. Isn't he engaged around this time every year? Sometimes to two guys at once? Well, this time it's only one guyso he must be something! Frankie proposed to beau Hale Leon where the two had one of their first datesLA's virtual reality venue, "Dreamscape." Congrats.
Our "Ask Billy" question comes from Kevin in Chicago: "I just saw a nude photo Channing Tatum posted. Is that recent? Because he looks AMAZEBALLS!"
And that, dear reader, is the firstand hopefully lasttime the word "amazeballs" will appear in a Billy Masters column. I'm often stymied when people with perfect physiques on screenChanning Tatum, Colin Farrell, Mark Wahlbergturn up in candids on the beach or jogging shirtless with a body more akin to one's second trimester. I don't know how Channing goes from chunk to hunk with such annoying regularity. But the photo he posted from the set of The Lost City of D is abs-olutely striking, indeed. He captioned it by saying, "You know when you in the make-up trailer asshole naked holding a towel over your junk you about to do some shit on set that you gonna have to prepare ya mama for before she see the movie." That Chanhe's got a golden tongue. He added, "And yes I'm flexing so hard I got a cramp." You'll appreciate his efforts on BillyMasters.com .
When Tatum is cramping for our pleasure, it's definitely time to end another column. You know what won't cramp your style? Checking out BillyMasters.comthe site that always delivers a happy ending. If you have a question, send it off to Billy@BillyMasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before David Archuleta chronicles his coming-out story on a Netflix series! So, until next time, remember: One man's filth is another man's bible.