Wilson Cruz on this week's EW 'Coming Out' cover story

"Um, one of these ain't like the others. I think even EW knew this which is why they included Ms. Wanda Sykes - whom I love - on the cover, but then they barely mention her in the article. It is an interesting and ultimately positive article but for that one glaring omission. The truth is that yes, coming out if you're male and white might be less of an issue, but actors of color must still contend with the other truth: If you're an actor of color you're opportunities for quality work are ALREADY limited, which is why so few POC gay actors come out. So, yes, it is a new day... for some. AS USUAL. ...just sayin'..." - Out Latino actor Wilson Cruz on this week's Entertainment Weekly cover story as posted on Facebook (quote reprinted by permission).

Latinos at the White House LGBT reception honoring Stonewall 40

Above: President Barack Obama with Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez (photo courtesy of Jesse Garcia).

Late to the game again but I wanted to share the list of Latino folk who attended the invite-only reception at the White House on Monday in commemoration of the 40th year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. I asked the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force's Lisa Emina Weiner-Mahfuz and her partner Lisbeth Melendez Rivera of UNID@S to allow me to share some of their personal photos from the events (there they are with actor Jennifer Beals between them). And I added a couple of pics taken by Jesse Garcia as well.

Each invited guest was allowed to bring a guest so this listing is by no means complete (actor Wilson Cruz, left, brought his brother as well, and I also see a photo of Chicago's Amigas Latinas founder Evette Cardona even though she is not listed in the official list). I also don't know if everyone who was listed officially actually attended but here you go:

* Jarrett Barrios, President, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)


* Evette Cardona, fonding member, Amigas Latinas, Chicago, IL (below)
* Wilson Cruz, actor, West Hollywood, CA


* Ingrid Duran, Co-Founder of D&P Creative Strategies, Falls Church, VA


* Daniel Galindo, Washington, DC


* Luis Adolfo Garay, of PFLAG for Families of Color and Allies NYC, New York, N

Y [Luis was there with his mother, Carmen Robello, who is also a member of PFLAG FOC NYC]
* Jesse Garcia, President, League of United Latin American Citizens 4871 (LULAC 4871), Dallas, TX
* John Gonzalez, Washington, DC


* Lisbeth Melendez-Rivera, Board Member, Unid@s

, Washington, DC
* Kathy Padilla, Philadelphia, PA
* Diego Sanchez, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Barney Frank, Washington, DC
* Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Dallas, TX

The meeting itself was called historic in some fronts while others called it too little too late and window-dressing for what some consider a lack of meaningful movement on LGBT issues from the Obama administration. Earlier this week, Andy Towle posted an array of reactions over on Towleroad. Monica Roberts also posted this critique at TransGriot from her perspective as a trangender woman of color.

One last pic: That's Jesse Garcia next to Diego Sanchez, on the left (courtesy of Jesse himself).

I am so proud of all of them for representing the Latino LGBT community at what must have been an unforgettable event and thank Jesse, Lisbeth and Lisa for letting me share some of their photos. Thanks much!

In the meantime, if you missed President Barack Obama's address to those who attended the event, below is the video posted on the White House's YouTube page.

My New York: "Girl, you did not just steal our rights. DID YOU. Seriously?"

NOTE: My entire photo album of today's events in NYC here, a run down of events in other cities at Towleroad and media coverage at Chris Crain's blog.It was supposed to be a rainy day but the rain didn't arrive until a few moments ago. Instead, for what was one of hundreds of demonstrations throughout the United States against California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage, the sun shined brightly on the thousands of people that descended upon City Hall in Manhattan. I haven't seen crowd estimates but overheard a few people say that they thought it was a larger crowd the one on Wednesday (which drew 7,500 to 15,000 - depending on who you ask).

SIGNS OF THE DAY!

Best sign of the day! "Girl, you did not just steal our rights DID YOU? Seriously" (Update: Vinney has the T-shirt here , his flickr page is here).

Runner up: "Prop 8 Kills Kittens" (those on the East Coast who have seen the recent Time Warner commercials will get the joke).

Runner up: "Bisexuals won't settle for 1/2 equal"

Runner up: "If homosexuality is a disease, let's call in QUEER to work. 'Hello,can't work today, STILL QUEER"

SEEN!!!

Heather Matarazzo: There were the usual array of speakers including openly gay Councilmembers Christine Quinn and Rosie Mendez and the openly gay Assemblymember Danny O'Donnell but the one that truly moved my cynical heart was Heather Matarazzo (above). Part of it was that I felt star-struck (I have been in love with Heather ever since I saw her performance in Todd Solondz' "Welcome to the Dollhouse").

But no. I think what struck me of Wednesday's and today's demos were how unlike other demos they were (in terms of drawing record numbers of chi-chi gays - who usually never get caught at a political demo thingie - as well as the throngs of younger people who seem to have engaged in ways that I have never seen).

It's the Facebook generation (or what Rex calls Stonewall 2.0) and for some reason Heather seemed to fully embody the moment. So when she looked at the thousands of people in front of her and choked-up with tears as she said "I love you all" I couldn't help but tear up a bit as well. Yes, old cynical me.

Wilson Cruz: A while back I checked in with the Obama campaign and urged them to recruit Wilson Cruz for their media-friendly events in California if their goal was to attract a younger Latino gay following. When pundits were questioning whether Obama could draw the Latino vote, Wilson was out there challenging that notion and I was glad to have tried to connect him to the campaign. Glad to see him in the crowd although I didn't have a chance to say hi.

Emanuel Xavier was there as well though and got to address the crowd as well (pic courtesy of Leo Toro). Yay! (Wait! I detect a wardrobe change!).

John Norris: Oh, and yeah, MTV's John Norris was just behind me (above in shades).

Matt Foreman: The fabu-tastic Matt Foreman was in his old stomping grounds as well (he now lives in California). That's me on the left, him on the right. Don't mind my spazzy smile: Francisco De Leon, Matt's husband, was making lewd motions at me to get me to smile.

PJ, Steven and the hubby: I hung out all day long with Steven (in the white shirt), PJ (in the cheap leather jacket), and Raul (the hubby, in stripes). Good times.

And then there was flower girl and the ACT UP guy!

Yes, peoplez, it was all about love.

ACT UP guy was holding on to a banner that read:
You might remember a similar banner led the march down Broadway on Wednesday except that one read "God Loves Gay Marriage."

The creator of both banners is none other than rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker. Perhaps between Wednesday and today he read this piece in POZ magazine by Peter Staley?

Related:

• Write my name in the book of love (Joe.My.God)
• Stonewall 2.0: 25,000 in San Diego (Rex Wockner)
• Wanda Skyes comes out at the Las Vegas demo!! (Vegas Happens Here)
• San Diego: 20,000 to 25,000 (Mike Tidmus)
  

Who dat?

Hm, I guess he's all grown up! Damn!