This is going to be one of those this-and-that columns, little bits of information or issues that you might like. In another words, a good summer column.
First, a fun item. As you may know, I recently had heel surgery and have been laid up. Bad to be immobile, but a good chance to catch up on TiVo and reading.
In the TV department, there is a new show that is absolutely delightful, almost unbelievable — and it’s gay, oh-so-very gay. It’s on Logo, the LGBT cable network, and it’s called “Beautiful People.” It is absolutely, delightfully charming and hilarious.
It’s a situation comedy about two teenagers coming of age in Reading, U.K. The kids are out — way out — in school and with their families. In fact, the families, not so surprisingly, are a little dysfunctional, and at times you believe the gay teen is the only one who has it together. The mother drinks a little, the sister is a bit of a slut, the father’s a normal bloke who just embraces his family and they have an aunt who really isn’t an aunt — you’ll have to see it for that line — but she’s blind, with the last member of the family being a seeing-eye dog. The show has heart. Each show starts in the present with the lead character as an adult, secure and successful, living in New York City as the head window dresser at Barney’s — and then the flashback begins, and get ready for the laughs.
These kids know who they are and are proud, don’t care and would tell you they’re fabulous, girlfriend, as they high-five each other. It has become one of my favorite TV shows.
As the founder of the first gay youth organization in New York City in 1970 and working with teenagers who couldn’t be out in school or with family, this show represents for me everything we were attempting to do in those early years: to make life easier for people to come out. These kids do it so naturally, it’s a joy to behold.
OK, got a little carried away by the last item. But it’s that good, so let me strongly suggest you get some popcorn, a comfortable seat and enjoy.
On to another great event this week, Gay Night at the Phillies. Larry Felzer, take a bow. He started this event and, each year, he outdoes himself. This year, it was very special to me since it was my first outing since the surgery. Let me tell you, sharing that with over 900 members of our community was a beautiful thing.
Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at [email protected] .