The Pridelets Files for September 27

On this day in 1999, the Vatican successfully forces Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent to disolve "New Ways," their "gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities." Gramick vows to honor the official decision but will continue to work within the bureacracy to reverse the churches position. "New Ways" was founded by the duo in 1977.

BIRTHGAYS (and the occasional straights)
* 1601 - French king Louis XIII would be 404.
* 1898 - Film score composer Vincent Youmans ("No, No, Nanette")
* 1937 - One of the founding fathers of gay drama in America" Robert Patrick (occasionally known to friends as "Una O'Connor")
* 1945 - "Nebraska" and "Someone Was Here: Profiles in the AIDS Epidemic" novelist/journalist/playwright George Whitmore

A TRIBUTE
To honor my friend Robert Patrick, I dedicate Pridelets today.
A legend of modern gay drama, also acting on Off Off Broadway
Poems and lyrics, short stories and books,
A movie reviewer who's still got his looks.
A fellow absurdist with humor, like mine.
Congrats Master Patrick have a great 69.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
Get your dancing shoes on for the Scissor Sisters' new neo-disco disc "Ta-Dah."


This work is copyright© 2006 Thomas Allen Heald, all rights reserved. Contact the author at tom@idontgetit.org and the latest column are always available at www.Pridelets.com.