What?

Thanks to Weird Elle for taking time to document this graffiti. If you look closer or at least zoom the photo in, the word "priest" was blotched. The comments are right and that erased word was indeed "priest."

Delving on this topic, would just let me rant about the priests that serve on this island. Yes. Majority of these priests are believed to be pretty alternative in their lifestyles. One priest according to sources even owns partly one of the gay clubs/bars in Manila. I don't mean to demean any one here especially the subject of the grammarians in the comment section.

Priest or no priest, however, being gay is never illegal.

Iran Gay Free

On a national note, in the news saying that "apparently, Iran is a homosexual-free zone, if you listen to their President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad." Now, TV talk shows and radio programs are feasting on this recent turn of events. These programs are now saying that the 'lack' of any homosexuals would explain Ahmadinejad's terrible haircut and badly put together outfit.

On a website's transcript of Iran president's speech at the Columbia University in the US, he reportedly commented on alleged executions of homosexuals in his country. He said, "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country. We don't have that like in your country. ... In Iran we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know who's told you that we have this."

Puhleez! For real? I have been to the Middle East and there are so many stories to tell.

Disney as an equal opportunity wedding planner

News reports say the "Happiest Place on Earth" has changed its policy and is now selling "fairy tale weddings" to same-sex couples. Gays and lesbians were previously allowed to exchange their vows at rented rooms, but they were barred from using Disney's wedding ceremony package or holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Disney World.

Of course, Disney has no authority to marry anyone--at least not in any way that is legally recognized. But for a price (about $8,000 or more), Disney could let you ride the Cinderella coach to your wedding, arrive to the sound of trumpets, and have Mickey and Minnie Mouse as your wedding guests.

A Disney official has been quoted as saying the change is "consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests." It is probably more like "consistent with our policy of generating profit as the key objective."

Nevertheless, it is brave of "family oriented" Disney to take this stand on the controversial subject of gay marriage. It deserves the pride of the gay community.

"Stray Cats" to invade Saipan

Attention: Movie lovers, gay men and women (and their friends!), Filipinos, islanders who have just had enough of Hollywood! Here’s a chance to see an indie film that has film buffs talking all over the world.

Mga Pusang Gala (Stray Cats) will be shown at Fiesta Resort and Spa's Hibiscus Hall on Monday, June 4, 2007. There will be two screenings--5:30pm and 7:30pm. A forum on gay rights will follow at 9:30pm. The panel will include director Ellen Ongkeko, actor Ricky Davao, and local community members.

Tickets are at $10 each.

Here’s a synopsis of the Stray Cats from the UH website:

Director: Ellen Ongkeko

Cast: Irma Adlawan and Ricky Davao

Philippines 2006

118 min.

Tagalog w/English Subtitles

Mga Pusang Gala (Stray Cats) is a daring, innovative comic-romance fantasy, a parody which depicts love, sex, romance and loneliness in a way never before seen in Philippine cinema. It is fantasy incarnate all over: a battle of the sexes where this time around, the sexes are not just two but three.

Mga Pusang Gala tells the story of parallel love lives: that of Marta, a middle-age advertising practioner; and that of her, just as aging, gay friend and landlord Boyet, a romance novelist. Their lives are punctuated by their waiting for the menwho they think will fulfill their dreams. Boyet’s novels are inspired by Marta’s idiosyncratic anxieties for Steve, her non-committal boyfriend. Marta is tacitly envious of Boyet’s gathering of a family by adopting Jojo, a 15-year old pickpocket and Dom, his financially dependent lover. Both are willing to play the stereotypical roles of woman and gay to embrace a hopeful fantasy. But as these hopes turn out to be illusions they decide to take matters into their own hands, in a riveting confrontation. What happens next is inevitable but unsettling.

To date, Stray Cats has been shown in, or invited to, these international film festivals:

• 20th edition Fribourg International Film Festival, Switzerland,March 12-19, 2006
• Panorama Section, Philippines: Digital Cinema from Revolution to Evolution
• Newfest 2006: The 18th New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival, June 1-11, 2006
• Frameline 30, the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival,USA, June 15-25,2006; Winner, Docker’s Best 1st Feature
• Dallas LBGT Film Festival, Oct. 28, 2006
• Reel Affirmations, Chicago LGBT Film Festival, Nov. 5, 2006; Competition
• Montreal, Qb, Canada. Image Nation Film Festival Nov. 16-26, 2006
• Melbourne Queer Film Festival, March 15-25, 2007
• Mardi Gras Film Festival, Sydney Australia, Feb. 15-March 1, 2007
• TLVFEST 2007, Tel Aviv, June 18-23, 2007
• Films of Desire: Sexuality and the Cinematic Imagination, India, March 6-10, 2007.
  
• Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, April 27-May 6, 2007

For more information, call Oscar Yema at 483-6489 or send an email to ravesaipan@gmail.com.