Catholic parents as 'secret weapons'

A gay son talks to his Catholic parents about grassroots support, challenges from church hierarchy, and their new book ‘Fortunate Families’
by J.A. Lopata
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — When I came out to my parents in 1983, while support resources for young gay men like me were blossoming, there were precious few places for Catholic parents to turn for their questions of faith and belief. Their search for reconciliation with the love they felt for me and the anti-gay messages coming from Catholic Church authorities led them to founding their own ministry of working with Catholic families who have gay and lesbian members. more ...

Slouching toward same-sex marriage

Book 'What is Marriage For?' addresses the inevitability of civil marriage for gays
by J.A. Lopata
Graff has spent countless hours researching and writing “What is Marriage For?” a book that outlines the fluid nature of the frequently misunderstood social institution of marriage. With a decidedly same-sex marriage-friendly audience reading the book, it’s not exactly preaching to the choir, Graff explained to in newsweekly by phone, “I’m giving the choir resources.” more ...

Furniture industry gets gay workout

Highlighting of gay issues sets Mitchell Gold's marketing apart

by J.A. Lopata
The ad could hardly be more provocative.
The words, “There’s a New Man in Town … Incredibly good looking and built to last,” accompany a photo of a buff, toned hunk-of-a-man wearing only a pair of dark boxer briefs. Oh yeah, and there’s a piece of furniture there. more ...

The unexpected rewards of being yourself
Artist Debra Olin receives coveted Rappaport Prize from DeCordova Museum
by J.A. Lopata
On Sept. 28, the 53-year-old Somerville, Mass., resident received The Rappaport Prize from the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Mass. “I never expected to be honored this way, while I was alive anyway,” says Olin. The $20,000, one-year stipend that accompanies the award allows her to buy her own press. That’s a big deal to a woman who still needs her day job. more...

Warming up to male nudes

Worcester artist Michael Breyette warms up to painting the male figure

by J.A. Lopata

Michael Breyette has not only been pursuing a goal of being an artist, but he has been pursuing his hard-earned right to be an artist who focuses on the object he finds most beautiful — the male nude. more...

Creative beyond categorization

Boston's South End Opens to artist like Paul Paturzo

by J.A. Lopata

Paul Paturzo sees himself as part artist, part architect and part businessperson. And that’s one of the reasons that he loves the South End Open Studios..  more...

Museum cookin' up somethin' good

Secrets of the culinary arts now on display in Providence

by J.A. Lopata

Special recipes and ingredients used by the world’s great chefs, bakers and restaurateurs are among the most zealously guarded secrets on the planet. But keeping things hush-hush is bad business for the world’s largest culinary arts collection....  more...

Reveling in the possibilities

Mass. native choreographer premiers new work at Jacob's Pillow

by J.A. Lopata

“Are you the homo, hetero or lesbo couple?” joke dancers from the Seán Curran Company of modern dance. “I’m very interested in partnering,” Curran says. “It is very important for me that we respect all of the variations.” And same-sex partnering is not merely an artistic choice for Curran, it is political. He is fond of quoting choreography mentors Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane, saying, “All art is political, even what you choose to omit is political.” more...

Gay man tries on author-hood

Vermont-born Philip Galanes debuts first novel 'Father's Day'

by J.A. Lopata

With a book jacket picturing a yellow sweater, and chapter headings such as “Loud Blouse,” “Tennis Whites,” “A Threadbare Towel,” and “Chinchilla Jackets,” it’s clear that Galanes doesn’t consider sartorial matters to be taken lightly. “Clothes are some of the ways we present ourselves to each other,” said Galanes. The choice of what we wear addresses questions about the parts of us that are “real, hidden, public, and private.”
And in a novel where the gay hero is frequently chatting on “Pump Line,” a phone sex line, the question, “What are you wearing?” seems appropriate. more ...

• Let the (nude) games begin
• 'Lion King' triumphs in Boston
• 'Changing the world one diaper at a time'
• More ...