Everything you want to know about Mark Cornelson, T.R. Knight’s 19 year old boyfriend:
Cornelson won the 2007 Matthew Shepard Point Scholar. Watch the clip where he discusses Matthew Shepard’s death, and the need to actively make a difference in this world.
Here’s some information from the Matthew Shepard Foundation about Mark Cornelson:
Mark grew up in a small town close to the Canadian border called Ferndale, Washington. Brought up in an extremely conservative, religious household, Mark received a very negative reception when he came out. His family’
s religious views left absolutely no room for understanding or acceptance; there would be no compromise. Mark was ostracized from their lives, and he was left to lead a life of independence at the age of sixteen.
Donating back to his community and excelling academically were always top priorities while in high school. Mark graduated from high school a year early by attending college courses, and he is currently working multiple jobs to help fund his education. He is involved with the ONE campaign to provide AIDS and poverty education globally and is establishing a local chapter. He is eager to become more involved with GLSEN and many GLBT organizations within the Bay Area in the coming months.
Mark is attending San Francisco State University in the fall of 2007 where he will earn a degree in Resort/Commercial Recreation Management with a minor in International Business. He aspires to be the director of an international luxury resort.
The Point Foundation that provided the award identifies and selects Point Scholars based on social, emotional and financial need, scholastic aptitude and leadership potential. They pay particular attention to those students who have lost the financial and social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Point Scholars are those who are physically, intellectually and morally capable of leadership within their chosen fields, and who have demonstrated involvement in the LGBT community.
In an interview with NewNowNext, Paula Abdul talks about gay American Idol contestants, such as Danny Noriega and David Hernandez, George Michael, and all the other gay people in her life.
Abdul says about Danny Noriega and David Hernandez:
“I pushed for them and fought… There’s a reason why there was never, ever a debate or argument during the Green Mile show. We were still debating, and I was being yelled at - we were going overtime - because I fought so hard for Danny and David. And I stood my ground. I said, This kid is needed – especially Danny- because he is very open about being gay. He tried out the year before, and I fought…
“Because for a lot of people, the two most vulnerable places to be are in front of a mirror or behind a microphone – and both are areas of my life I’ve had great success. So I’ve watched people who are afraid of being who they are. Like with Danny Noriega, it was so important for television, for young kids to see: Here’s a young guy, who’s very smart, very witty and beyond talented, and I wanted so bad for him to go far in this competition. I needed him, I wanted him so bad to make the top 12. It would have changed even more so…”
She also talked about working with George Michael, before he came out:
“Do you know how many people I’ve embraced and fought for them being at peace with themselves? I mean, I worked with George Michael on the most coveted Faith tour. You can’t get bigger than that. And I was so understanding and so supportive of the fact that it’s really difficult living a … not living your life truthfully, for fear that people won’t accept you.
“And it wasn’t until years afterwards that he came out - and he had the courage to walk up to me when I was eating dinner with Mike Ovitz at the Ivy - and he came up to me and said, I want to apologize; you’re one of the most talented people, and I treated you not so great. And that’s because … I was living a lie of who I was.
“And he gave me the biggest hug. And I said, For that my dear, I love you more than ever.”
And, Abdul also talks about how her four closest friends are all gay:
“My whole life … [she starts to cry again.] has been surrounded by marvelous, wonderful gay people. My best friend Jimmy right now is living with me, and he’s one of the most magnificent singers in the world. I don’t think anyone sings better than him.
“Let’s see, my four closest friends - they’re my best friends - are three gay guys and one gay woman … my whole life, my extended family has been a family of wonderful gay people.
“I’ve grown up in the business, behind-the-scenes, as a dancer choreographer - not so much as a dancer, but as a choreographer. And I’ve lost so many wonderful, dear, dear people that I trained and that toured with me. It’s been a world that I feel very, very close to. I feel that, in many ways, I’m more understood by the gay community than I am anywhere else.”
One of the main character Calvin (Paul James) - on the left - and his new love interest, Michael (Max Greenfield) will share an on-screen kiss in the May 26th episode, “A Tale of Two Parties”.
Here’s the episode description:
“With all of the party restrictions lifted, Kappa Tau and Omega Chi throw competing parties to celebrate. Calvin (Paul James) is nervous about inviting Michael (Max Greenfield) to the party with all of his fraternity brothers around, while Michael feels uncomfortable partying with the students he is the TA at school for. Both are feeling a bit uneasy and a conversation between the two leads to a first kiss.”
Watch Calvin coming out here, and also starting to date (very uncomfortably).
ABC HAS GONE WILD!! Last night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy featured probably the most passionate gay kiss ever on public television! With 2 army guys! HOT! HOT! HOT! Jump to 1:30 if you want to see the kiss right away.
Plot: Two young Army guys, one of which is ill and waiting for an operation. All of a sudden, they are making out like there’s no tomorrow. The room was on fire as tongues were flying everywhere. Meredith Grey, the main doctor on the show, was in the room watching it. Then comes in the father of the sick soldier, a former Army guy himself, who hosed it all down by wanting the other soldier to leave the room.
While we’re talking about ABC and gay kisses, check out the link here to watch Monday’s Brothers and Sisters gay engagement proposal and kiss.
E! Online reports that Lance Bass let the sparks fly as he celebrated his birthday with friends, including CAA superagent Kevin Huvane, at Dek23 in South Beach with P.i.n.k. vodka VIP bottle service throughout the night.
Last week, Van Hansis’s character’s Luke had a hot gay kiss with Noah (Jake Silbermann) on As The World Turns. Well, rumors from Perez Hilton have it that the Emmy-nominated actor Van Hansis is dating fellow actor Tyler Hanes, best known from his role as Larry in the “A Chorus Line” musical. Hanes has also appeared in a few independent films.
“They’re very happy and have been dating for a while now,” a source told Perez.
Pop diva Mariah Carey has married rapper-actor Nick Cannon in a secret ceremony after a one-month romance. The 2 meet at Carey’s video shoot for her song “Bye, Bye” in the Caribbean on March 26. Nick was cast as the romantic lead and was flown to Antigua where they met so basically their started during the shoot. The best part is, she didn’t make him sign a pre-nup.
Representatives for Carey and Cannon, have not commented on the reports, which came after the singer was seen wearing a diamond ring at the premiere of her latest film “Tennessee” in New York last weekend
However E! Online quoted a member of Cannon’s family as saying that reports of a wedding were true.
Meanwhile, People magazine reported on its website on Friday that Carey had obtained a marriage license on the island of Eleuthera. A New York Post report said Carey had wed at her estate off Eleuthera.
“I’m shell-shocked,” a source in Carey’s camp tells People magazine. “As far as I know, they are happy together.”
Even Cannon’s family was surprised. “It’s crazy right! We’re definitely happy,” Cannon’s brother, Gabriel, tells People
Carey has sold around 160 million albums worldwide during a nearly two-decade long recording career. Earlier this month she dethroned Elvis Presley after passing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s total number of US chart-toppers with her 18th No.1 hit. Only The Beatles, with 20 No.1s, have scored more.
This would be Cannon’s first marriage but Carey’s second. She famously wed top music executive Tommy Mottola in an extravagant wedding in 1993. They had a bitter divorce in 1998.
Other crazy celebrity marriages and how long they lasted
Britney Spears & Jason Allen Alexander, 55 hours
Jennifer Lopez & Cris Judd, nine months
Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney, 128 days
Drew Barrymore and Jeremy Thomas, 5 weeks
Brandy & Robert Smith, less then 2 years
Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown urges high court to let Prop. 8 take effect - Los Angeles Times
DHHS fixing laptops to bar security slip-ups - News & Observer
