Look To The Stars News: Gay/Lesbian Support

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

The Trevor Project – the nonprofit endeavor established to promote acceptance of gay and questioning teenagers and aid in suicide prevention – is to hold an evening of irreverent comedy, performances, and awards next month.

The 11th annual Cracked Xmas – A Not So Silent Night will be presented by Anne Hathaway and will honor Sigourney Weaver with a Life Award for her support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Previous recipients include Ellen DeGeneres, Debra Messing, and Rosie O’Donnell.

“I feel grateful and humbled to be honored with the Trevor Life Award, and to be recognized as an ally to the LGBTQ community,” said Weaver. “I hope that films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ will send messages of compassion and acceptance to all people, and compel them to create safer, all-encompassing environments for our young people.”

Lifetime Networks, a leader in women’s television that produces and distributes diverse programming for its audiences, will receive The Trevor Hope Award.

“We are delighted to honor Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime Networks, since they both demonstrate the courage and conviction to break the barriers of stereotype and intolerance,” said Charles Robbins, executive director and chief executive officer of The Trevor Project. “Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime provide inspiration to young people and families who will see films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ and understand the importance of celebrating diversity and life.”

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth, and has taken over 100,000 phone calls since its inception.

The event will also feature an appearance by Salma Blair and will take place at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on December 7. Tickets and info are available at the Trevor Project website.

Melissa Etheridge Sings Against Proposition 8

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:33:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Melissa Etheridge has once again spoken out against Proposition 8, a move to ban same-sex marriage in California. Last month Etheridge performed at a Beverly Hills gala that raised nearly $4 million to fight the ban.

She seems confident, though, that the proposition, to be voted on this week, will not go through: “Prop 8 is a blatantly hateful and fearful proposition that I believe the great citizens of California can see through,” World Entertainment News Network reported.

Appealing to reason and responsibility, she said, “I know my preference of life mate freaks some people out. I know that they hold up the bible and say that it’s wrong. Fine. Let me stand before my creator and take any consequences there might be to living my life in truth and balance with my spirit.”

Planning to marry her own (female) partner for the second time – they married five years ago before same-sex marriage became legal – she says, “We have four children and we’re trying to find the right time.”

Proposition 8 will be voted on November 4.

Grey's Anatomy Star Says No To Proposition 8

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Grey’s Anatomy actor TR Knight is the latest star to step up against Proposition 8 in California.

The 35-year-old has donated $50,000 towards the campaign to defeat the ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California. His support of the issue follows recent donations to the cause by Brad Pitt ($100,000), Steven Spielberg ($100,000), David Geffen ($50,000), Peter Wentz, and support from Barack Obama and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ellen DeGeneres, and Fall Out Boy.

Knight’s donation comes in response to Ohio entrepreneur Jonathan Lewis’ challenge to the entertainment industry for LA’s actors to raise $500,000 against Prop. 8. Lewis and his family has pledged to match the contributions dollar for dollar. The issue goes to the polls on November 4, and according to a new survey carried out by CBS in San Francisco this week, 47% are going to vote for the ban with 42% likely to vote against.

In other news relating to Proposition 8, Loni Anderson will be joined by Dana Delany, Chad Allen, Charlie David, Doug Spearman, Heather Tom, and Nia Vardalos at the Heroes & Historymakers event being held at the Mondrian in West Hollywood on Sunday, October 12. The event will raise support for the fight against Prop 8, and is being hosted by GLAAD.

Tickets can be bought through lovehonorcherish.org.

More information about the campaign against Proposition 8 can be found at www.votenoonproposition8.com.

Hilary Duff Records PSA To Stop Homophobic Language

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress and singer Hilary Duff has created a new PSA to help teens realize that anti-gay and lesbian language is harmful and inappropriate.

The 21-year-old has joined with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to encourage teens to stop using the term “That’s so gay” in everyday speech. According to the Think B4 You Speak website, there are over 80,000 pages on the internet that contain the phrase, and it is homophobic remarks like that that create an atmosphere where young homosexuals feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe at school and in the community.

From the website: “The new campaign aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in America’s schools. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The campaign also aims to reach adults, including school personnel and parents; their support of this message is crucial to the success of efforts to change behavior.“

Hilary Duff’s PSA can be found at www.thinkb4youspeak.com.

Pete Doherty Scores For Samaritans

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:11:46 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They came, they saw, but they didn’t quite conquer. Poor old Pete Doherty and his Babyshambles team mates were unable to defend their title at the Samaritans Celebrity Soccer Six football tournament at Millwall Football Club last week.

Despite showing some impressive foot work, Babyshambles lost out 3-1 in the final match to the Faithless team, with Doherty only just making the match… he was released from prison a few days beforehand.

But past misdemeanors were put aside for the game, which raised awareness and money for the Samaritans, a 24 hour emotional support charity.

“Soccer Six allows Samaritans to raise awareness of the 24:7 emotional support that we offer, and in light of the recent suicides in Bridgend in Wales, it is vital that we reach out to young people out to young people at an earlier stage before problems seem much more difficult to manage,” said Claire Duncan from Samaritans. “Samaritans is here to listen, not to judge or make assumptions but to give people the time and space to work through how they are feeling. If you need emotional support then get in touch.”

Doherty has been a longtime supporter of the charity, especially the work they do with prisoners: “Samaritans provide a service called the Listeners where they train inmates so if you’re struggling any time during the night you’ve got someone you can spill your heart out to.”

Other celebrities to take part in the tournament included The Wombats, The Twang, Michelle Heaton, Jade Goody, Dave Gorman, and contestants from Big Brother, X Factor, and The Apprentice.

Look To The Stars News: Gay/Lesbian Support

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

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Melissa Etheridge Sings Against Proposition 8

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Hilary Duff Records PSA To Stop Homophobic Language

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