Oscars...Gay after all

Back in business. Don't forget the Bessemer Neighborhood Associaiton meeting tonight at 7:00 at Food World.

This week is midterm week and last week was worse, as far as time was involved, so I was buried in books and meetings, but I can't resist commenting on the Oscars.

Some gays still aren’t over the loss of Best Picture two years ago when Crash beat out Brokeback Mountain. They feel they were robbed (but hey, can’t that happen anytime votes are cast?..2000?). Personally, I think Brokeback Mountain garnered so much positive hype that not winning the Oscar is not a big deal. Disappointment, yes.

But this is 2008, and a year that there was not expected to be a big gay component to the Oscars (as if the ceremony could take place without a “big gay component", but I digress). If you stayed up to the end of the show, however, you were not disappointed.

First, though, let me mention my favorite Oscar moments. I always love the surprise and joy exhibited by those who are not expected to win and do. Marion Cotillard, who won best actress for her performance of Edith Piaf in the French language film La Vie En Rose certainly did not disappoint. “…thank you life, thank you love, and it is true, there is some angels in this city. Thank you so, so much.” How can you argue with that for a magic moment, especially her joyful unbelieving walk off stage?

And while we are on the best performer categories (supporting actor), Javier Bardem - No Country For Old Men (who brought his mother to the event), rattled of part of his acceptance speech in Spanish (how long before republicans introduce a bill that award ceremony speeches have to be given in English?). Yes, Bardem is a hunk, and yes he has played gay roles a couple of times (Second Skin, Before Night Falls) and he has answered the “are you gay” question…but Javi…bringing your mother to the Oscars does not help to dispel rumors.

Another favorite moment was Diablo Cody winning for original screenplay for Juno. She had to hold her dress closed because of the slit that might have exposed her um… well, no one was looking because all eyes were focused on the great tat on her arm of a woman in a bikini. And what a character…she drew on her own life for Juno (minus the pregnancy), her first effort at screenwriting.

Oscars three gay moments (oh there were more, I know).

John Stewart’s relaying of backstage humor when two winners wanted their Oscars to kiss and one remarked that they were both men and admitted well this is Hollywood or something to that effect. I don't have the transcript for this one.

But, not the first time two men have kissed backstage I am sure.

Shortly after that the Short Subject Documentary Freeheld, The Legacy of Laurel Hester, which is about a dying woman’s effort to get her pension awarded to her life partner. Here is part of director Cynthia Wade’s acceptance speech, “Thank you. It was Lieutenant Laurel Hester's dying wish that her fight for, against discrimination would make a difference for all the same sex couples across the country that face discrimination every day. Discrimination that I don't face as a married woman...”

Thank you Cynthia, both for telling this story, and for telling over 1 billion people (those watching last night) around the world about discrimination.

Finally, the Oscars ended with the best remark of the gay evening, producer Scott Rudin who along with Joel and Ethan Coen, won best picture for No Country for Old Men. Scott ended his acceptance speech and the evening with this, “This is also for my partner John Barlow. Without you, honey, this would be hardware. Thank you so much. Thank you.”

Being able to thank the one you love and who gives you support, priceless.