Cher Tells Russia/Putin to Shove It, Turns Down Offer to Do Opening of 2014 Olympics

I have been a fan of Cher for a long, long time.  I of an age where I remember when she and Sonny Bono first appeared on television in the 1960's.  She has her detractors (especially among the Christofascist set), but she has never been afraid to speak her mind and she stood by Chaz Bono when he transitioned with no reluctance.  Now, she indicates that she was asked to a main act for the opening ceremonies for the 2014 Winter Olympics and she said no.  She will not go to an anti-gay country like Russia.  Hopefully, other major acts will follow suit and refuse to perform in Russia and make it perfectly clear why Russia has become a country to be avoided.  Russian may pretend that they don't care, but Russia has a long history of wanting to be accepted as a fully modern and western country.  When major stars and cultural exchanges refuse to visit, it will make a difference in the longer term.  I hope it ultimate bites Vladimir Putin in the ass big time.  Here are story highlights:

Her voice—that famous contralto—has kept Cher on the Billboard charts, on TV and in films for more than five decades. She is one of only 16 people on the planet to be part of the EGO club—a rarefied circle of performers who have won an Emmy, a Grammy and an Oscar. And a Tony win may be in the cards in the future as she plans to stage a Broadway musical about her life. Her 26th album, Closer to the Truth, due out Sept. 24, comes more than a decade after her last full-length disc. Already, her latest single, Woman’s World, has made it to the Billboard dance club songs chart—her eighth No. 1 hit.  

Q: What do you think about what’s going on in Russia right now?

A: I can’t name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show. I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don’t feel the way the government does.

Dustin Lance Black Wins Oscar

I was extremely happy to see Dustin Lance Black, a young gay Mormon, win the Oscar for best original screenplay. His acceptance speech was very moving as well. While some have criticized the movie Milk, regardless of how it might have been done differently, I believe that the movie carried a much needed message to a younger generation that is often oblivious to events of the past. It is also a reminder to the rest of us of the efforts of others in the struggle for gay rights. Obviously, the movie would not have been possible but for the screen play written by Dustin Lance Black, and I believe he did a masterful job. Having seen Milk at a private screening in Washington, D.C., last December and had the opportunity to hear Dustin, Cleve Jones and Bruce Cohen speak about the film, his win was even more poignant. Here are the notes from his speech:

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"Oh my God, this was not an easy film to make. I have to thank all the real life people who shared their stories with me... When I was 13 years old my beautiful mother and father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas to California and I heard the story of Harvey Miller. And it gave me hope, hope to live my life, gave me the hope to live my life openly as who I am. And maybe even I can fall in love and get married. I want to thank my Mom who always loved me for who I am even when there was pressure not to. If Harvey had been alive today, I think he'd want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there that have been told that they are less than by their churches, their government or their families that they are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours."

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Congratulations Dustin!!