Glenn's Ruminations

Glenn Shadix and Tim Burton at MoMA

Tim Burton hosted several hundred of his friends and collaborators at a special preview Monday Nov 16, 2009 at The Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.  It was loving gathering of the folks who have worked with Tim over the course of his still blooming career.  This amazing installation included work dating back to his High School days in Burbank. I arrived at MoMA with my nephew, Sam Teer, who is a senior, majoring in Graphic Arts, at The Alabama High School of Fine Arts, long time friend and mentor, director and founder of The Tennessee Williams Festival In Provincetown, David Kaplan and Nine Moon Productions associate, Joel Olgesby.

BEETLE JUICE pals Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones at MoMA

The collection of Tim's work was truly astounding.  This MUST-SEE installation runs until mid April 2010. We all moved to an elaborate party at The Russian Tea Room after two hours of viewing Burton's art.

Glenn Shadix and Johnny Depp at The Russian Tea room

I am preparing a more detailed BIO TALE when time permits.  Just got back from New York and wanted to share the joyous time we all enjoyed.  Our Boy from Burbank has, indeed, been most prolific in the 22 years we have been friends.  I glowed with pride and simply had fun with dear friends from my time in Hollywood.

Heard great reports about my work in FINDING GAUGUIN from Cherry Vanilla who saw a recent screening in Hollywood.  Cherry is known as the Fairy Godmother of Pop Culture and is a loyal and trusted friend of so many in the crowd that gathered at MoMA.

Glenn Shadix and Cherry Vanilla

There will be much more in the BIO TALE I plan to upload before the end of the year.   Appeared in a documentary for TRUTH WINS OUT which we shot on the terrace at Hotel Metro.  So much more to tell but am in the midst of planning a big Thanksgiving at TUNE FARMS.  My dear friend Diane Tune and her apprentices as well as close friends and family are gathering on her huge farm an hour north of Birmingham. Happy Thanksgiving All!!!!!

 

A group of gay men and women gathered outside the gates of The Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham to protest FOCUS ON FAMILY coming to town to help "CHANGE" gay people into Straight people.  All the protestors stayed in our designated spots and were well behaved.  The same can not be said for bus loads of people from other fundamentalists churches who, as they passed us announce through a P. A. system "God Hates Queers! You made the mistake, not God".  This language as they entered The Gates of The Metropolitan Church of God off Acton Road near Hoover.  We were ashamed for them.  Local ABC and CBS affiliates interviewed protestors and Wayne Besen, Head of TRUTH WINS OUT. After the protest Wayne and I had a late lunch at Surrin's and I agreed to participate in their documentary through an interview that will be taped while I'm in New York next week.  It was great to see so many Gay Alabamians come out early on a Saturday to peacefully and silently protest the bogus "Gay to Straight" movement headed by Focus On Family and Exodus.  The hate and profanity came from the "Christians" who drove pass. PFLA (Parents of Gays and lesbians ) were well represented and a 90 year old grandmother came in a wheelchair to show her support for the Gay and Lesbian population in Birmingham and Alabama.  Many Gay Christians were present.  An image that will always stay with me is that of a young teenager being driven by what seemed to be his parents, into The Metropolitan Church of God.  He slowly raised his hand and, hidden from those in the front seat of the car, waved at us as he was driven into the all day seminar.  His sad face haunts me.  I have been there.  My prayers are with him.

Wayne Besen, author and activist

 

I was honored to open for Wayne Besen (Author of "ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT--Unlocking the Scandals and Lies behind the Ex Gay Myth") last night at UAB's Alumni Auditorium as he spoke on James Dobson's bizarre efforts to change Gay people into Straight people with his organization "FOCUS ON FAMILY" (and their sister act, EXODUS).  I spoke first and briefly detailed my experience (at age 17) with "Aversion therapy" --a vain and painful attempt at turning ME into a heterosexual.  Working with Wayne was a great experience and I was honored to be asked to speak.  Wayne is articulate and informed and will be there tomorrow when we silently protest FOCUS ON FAMILY's invasion of Birmingham.  Learn more about Wayne at his website: www.waynebesen.com and find out about the protest Sat Nov. 7th by going to Joe Openshaw's blog, www.bessemeropinion.com   These people are so full of hate and so ignorant that it is tempting to ignore them, but so many people are fooled because they use religion and fool a lot of people. Please come join us tomorrow if you can.  Wayne's group www.truthwinsout.com is full of great information on what gay people face from a segment of the religious right and specific hate groups.