Interview with Leslie Jordan (Part 1)

Interview with Leslie Jordan (Part 1) by Earle Dutton

 
Leslie Jordan is an amazing comedian and actor. You may have seen him in ‘The Help’, ‘Will & Grace’, ‘Sordid Lives’ or even the new ‘Southern Baptist Sissies’. He also travels extensively for his own show “Fruit Fly’. He has been cast in American Horror Story – Coven, which will be showing tonight, Oct. 30th. Don’t miss it! 

 
You have been busy. What are you working on now?
I have so many projects right now. I am in New Orleans working on American Horror Story which is probably the most fun I have had in years. Jessica Lang is just a doll. As you know the show is very intense. I always try to go for the comedy but they reign me in. They are so secretive as well. Ryan Murphy won’t allow scripts. So we, the actors, get sides, which are basically just our scenes. Then they don’t shoot chronologically. Today I found out some more info about scenes I shot a week or so ago. I thought to myself, I would have made some different choices if I knew that back then. I know they have to keep it under wraps for the press and social media but the actors should know.

Do you know much about your character?
I don’t know the whole story but I know that it is about 300 years or so of magic and witchcraft. I play a very old warlock. My character is sort of a Quentin Crisp character in a black fedora. They don’t let us talk about the story lines at all. I am sure having fun though.

Are you staying in New Orleans the entire time?
People just don’t understand how I can complain about being stuck in New Orleans, but I have been on the road all summer with my own show, ‘Fruit Fly’. They are giving me $75 dollars a day here for food, like they are trying to fatten me up or something.

Are you trying to put a little Uncle Arthur in to your character?
That is so funny. Someone asked me that last night. That was Paul Lynde, right? He was the witch on ‘Bewitched’. I always think of his quote, “It is a rat race and the rats are winning.” I remember as a child he would come on TV and I would get sick to my stomach. Isn’t that weird? I had so much shame about being gay as a kid that when I recognized it in someone else, I was petrified. He was on ‘Hollywood Squares’ one time and they picked Paul for the block. His question was, “What did the Lone Ranger call his sidekick?” and he answered, “Beloved.” I had to get up and leave the room. It was just too much to take with my family all sitting there watching the same program.

To be continued…

Voice Your Opinion

It is election time and the rhetoric is flying everywhere. Obama didn't do this. Romney did that. If you step back for a moment it sounds like a third grade playground. There is quite a bit going on and a lot at stake. How many people will actually stand up for what they truly believe and cast a ballot based on an informed decision? Not many, I suppose.

Not all of the LGBT community is liberal. This community covers a huge spectrum of different people in different cultures with varying beliefs and ideals. There are large and powerful groups like the Log Cabin Republicans that are LGBT and strongly driven. There are also large groups of Democrats such as the Stonewall Democrats on the other side. And, wow, there are a lot of people in the middle that aren't necessarily activist but have strong beliefs in our government but feel completely disenfranchised by both major parties.

Politics is politics and will always be a dog and pony show. They say they are putting their best candidate forward and the public will decide. Hmmm, do you really think that every elected official is the best person for their job? Seems more like a popularity contest.

One thing I don't understand is as a community, the LGBT community, why would we give our vote and power to anyone taking away our rights or not representing us. There are people on both sides of the aisle that feel we all deserve marriage equality. There are even more that know that we are discriminated against personally, professionally and by the government. Do we need more dialogue? Do we get too caught up in the media bias? BTW I love how certain people say they aren't biased as media. YEAH RIGHT! They wouldn't be in business without the ratings to drive their advertising. I think everyone needs to look at all the sides and get a broader view to stay informed. Do you like Obama? Do you like him strictly because he is a democrat? Do you feel the same about Romney? Or do you dislike one of them solely based on their political affiliation?

I am just a small business owner with a wide range of friends and family with many different beliefs. I don't discount any of them. I may not believe the same thing. I might not even argue with them every time they bring it up. I do want what is best for the LGBT community and small businesses in this country. I want to walk down the street proud and know that I might have made a difference. Don't you?

Letter to my Uncle

My uncle sends those emails, you know the ones, bash bash bash, all the United for Family and such emails. He is very political and very opinionated. Last night I received the last of those emails that I choose to read. I did not reply last night. I decided to be calm and collected and do so this morning. This is an edited version of the letter but you get the gist.

Uncle,

Thank you for being up front and sharing your opinions so freely. I would like to take a moment to share mine. I am gay. I own a Gay and Lesbian company. I work hard every single day. I have to put up with people that share your beliefs in my professional and personal life every minute of the day. I will not stand by and put up with them in my family life as well.

There is nothing wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with being gay. There is something wrong with people being persecuted for something they cannot change. Yes, it would be easier some days to "act" straight and blend in with the masses. On those days, when I feel that way, I want to punch myself. I was not raised to lie and hide. I know you as an honorable person with grand opinions. I would hope that you can see that there is nothing wrong with my opinions differing from yours. I am not a "leftie" or even a liberal. I have very strong opinions and core beliefs that make me who I am.

I understand that "Gay Pride" might seem weird and unnecessary. It is neither. It helps a lot of people realize that they are not alone. That they are worthy of loving and being loved. It is a celebration of hope. Have you heard about all of the gay and lesbian teens killing themselves right now? Take a look at the Trevor Project. It is terrifying and sad that they end their lives not knowing that things get better. Look at Ben Cohen a very straight and world famous rugby player that started a foundation to help these people.

If you would like to know more, I would happily welcome intelligent discourse. I think our family has enough issues and enough people with issues that this should no longer we one of them.

Stepping off the soap box now,

Love always

Who is Dave Mustaine? ...Oh a has been

Who is Dave Mustaine? ...Oh a has been

Not sure why we need Megadeth to make any comment on marriage equality. I guess at some point he was relevant and is trying to return. He even refers to it as gay marriage. Where I come from we just call it marriage. I am not going to call our new advertisers and plan my gay marriage. I will call them and expect amazing service planning my marriage. I am happy that sometimes celebrities can use their clout for responsible reasons but most of the time they should just pay attention to their own lives.

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