Victoria Gay - Bgraphy - IMDb

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• "AMERIN GLADIATORS"' FIRST GAY {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY MICHAEL JENSENJUNE 29, 2008/10:14 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJUNE 29, 2008 / 10:14 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"AMERIN GLADIATORS\"' FIRST GAY CONTENR","DATEPUBLISHED":"2008-06-30T02:14:39.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2008-06-30T02:14:39.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM SURVIVOR TO THE AMAZG RACE TO PROJECT RUNWAY, GAY MEN HAVE PETED ON AND WON SOME OF THE BT-KNOWN REALY SHOWS ON TELEVISN. BUT AMERIN GLADIATORS' TWENTY YEARS OF EXISTENCE (TOTALLG EIGHT SEASONS), NOT A SGLE OPENLY GAY MAN HAS EVEN PETED ON THE SPORTS PETN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT CHANG MONDAY NIGHT ON NBC'S CURRENT RNATN OF THE SHOW WHEN TWENTY-NE-YEAR OLD SEAN HETHERGTON PS HIMSELF AGAST "GLADIATORS" SPORTG SUCH MONIKERS AS HURRINE, MILIA, AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHO IS THIS OUT MAN MARKG A FIRST FOR GAY VISIBILY? HE'S CERTALY NOT THE SORT OF NTENR ONE MIGHT EXPECT TO TRY TO BATTLE THEIR WAY THROUGH SUCH PHYSILLY MANDG EVENTS AS THE "THE WALL", "JOT", AND "ATLASPHERE" ALL WHILE THE "GLADIATORS" DO ALL THEY N TO THWART {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR STARTERS, HETHERGTON STANDS 5'10" AND WEIGHS ONLY 165 POUNDS. IN PARISON, JTICE, ONE OF THE GLADIATORS HETHERGTON WILL SQUARE OFF AGAST, CLOCKS AT 6'8" AND 290 POUNDS. THROW THE FACT HETHERGTON IS ALSO A STAND-UP EDIAN WHO JT OVER FIVE YEARS AGO LOST OVER A HUNDRED POUNDS, AND YOU HAVE AN UNLIKELY NDIDATE TO BE THE FIRST GAY NTENR ON THIS MOST PHYSILLY GELG OF REALY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO HOW DID HETHERGTON E TO BE THE GAY MAN BREAKG THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR GLASS CEILG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I GREW UP BEG A HUGE FAN OF AMERIN GLADIATORS," HETHERGTON TOLD "WHEN I WAS A KID, I WOULD GO MY ROOM, GRAB A HAMBURGER OM MCDONALDS AND A LARGE ORR OF I AND AN APPLE PIE AND S THERE AND WATCH THE SHOW. I’M A LIFELONG FAN OF HULK HOGAN [WHO -HOSTS THE SHOW] AND OF WRTLG, AND I’VE ALWAYS LOVED . AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT, WELL, THERE’S NO WAY I WOULD EVER BE ON THAT SHOW BEE I’M TOO FAT AND I’M NOT AN ATHLETE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN BEFORE HIS WEIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON ELIMATED THOSE PARTICULAR ROADBLOCKS 2003 WHEN HE FISHED LOSG THE WEIGHT THAT HAD DOGGED HIM SCE CHILDHOOD. IN FACT, HETHERGTON NOT ONLY REMA HIMSELF TO AN ATHLETE PETG MARATHONS, BUT HE ALSO BEME A PERSONAL TRAER TO HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME. YET THE FACT REMAED THAT NOT ONLY WAS HETHERGTON GAY, WHICH HE PERCEIVED AS A BARRIER, BUT THE SHOW HAD GONE OFF THE AIR BACK 1996. THAT CHANGED JANUARY OF 2008 WHEN NBC RELNCHED A REVAMPED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WAS SO EXCED THAT WAS GOG TO BE ON" SAID HETHERGTON. "MY BOYIEND AND I WE’RE STG THERE WATCHG THE SHOW AND I SAID, 'YOU KNOW, I SHOULD BE ON THIS SHOW.' AND HE KDA LOOKED AT ME LIKE, 'YEAH – SURE YOU SHOULD'. THEN WE WERE NEW YORK WHEN THEY HAD AN OPEN STG LL. I WENT AND THE LE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE BLOCK AND WAS ALL THE BEEFY MCLE-HEAD PERSONAL TRAER GUYS. AND I SAID, 'THIS IS NOT FOR ME.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE END OF THE STORY HAD NOT FATE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONE DAY I WAS WAG TABL," HETHERGTON EXPLAED. "ACTUALLY THIS IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, AND I WAED ON A GUY WHO ASKED ME WHAT MY STORY WAS. I HAD JT TURNED MY NOTICE BEE I WAS GOG TO PERSONAL TRA FULL-TIME SO I TOLD HIM HOW I HAD LOST WEIGHT AND NOW I WAS A PERSONAL TRAER. HE DIDN’T TELL ME WHO HE WAS OR WHAT HE DID. HE JT LEFT. AND THE NEXT DAY, I ME TO WORK AND SOMEONE SAID, 'THERE’S A PRODUCER OM THAT TV SHOW AMERIN GLADIATORS ON THE PHONE. HE SAID HE WANTS TO TALK TO THE GAY GUY WHO ED TO BE REALLY FAT.' I THOUGHT WAS MY BOYIEND PLAYG A JOKE ON ME. SO I WENT TO THE PHONE AND SAID, 'WHAT DO YOU WANT?'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INSTEAD OF HETHERGTON'S BOYIEND PLAYG A PRANK, THE LLER TURNED OUT TO BE SOMEONE OM AMERIN GLADIATORS, AND THEY WERE TERTED HAVG HETHERGTON ON THE SHOW. AFTER MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF PHYSIL EVALUATNS AND PERSONALY TTS, NOT TO MENTN A RIGORO "BOOT MP" ALL THE NTENRS HAVE TO PASS, HETHERGTON GOT WORD HE'D MA THE SHOW. IN FACT, HE WAS THE VERY LAST NTENR TO MAKE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY LLED ME AND GAVE ME THE [NEWS] THAT I GOT ON, I JT SAT MY ROOM AND CRIED. I ULDN’T BELIEVE ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! I WANT TO BE THE FIRST GAY NTENR! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR HETHERGTON TO BE ON AMERIN GLADIATORS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I KNEW THAT I WOULD BE THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON TO BE ON THE SHOW,"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAID HETHERGTON. "I GREW UP THIS VERY HEAVY KID. I WAS ALWAYS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} SCHOOL FOR BEG HEAVY AND BEG FEME AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KIDS AT A YOUNG AGE, YOU GROW UP WH A DIFFERENT INTY THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO IS NATURALLY CLED TOWARDS SPORTS. I SAW THIS AS A REALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OPPORTUNY TO SORT OF RIGHT THE WRONGS OF MY PAST A WAY. I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS IS A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNY TO MAYBE BE AN SPIRATN FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KIDS, PECIALLY WHO DON’T NECSARILY INTIFY WH THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CULTURE THAT I THK IS NORMALLY AROUND ATHLETICS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON BELIEV NBC THOUGHT HIS MSAGE AND STORY OF GROWG UP GAY AND OVERWEIGHT WAS ONE THEY WANTED TO TELL AS WELL. "THEY KEPT ASKG ME DURG THE STG PROCS, 'ARE YOU A RELATNSHIP? HOW HAS YOUR SOCIAL LIFE CHANGED SCE YOU ME OUT?' EVERYWHERE I GO, I’M OPENLY GAY. I’M THE MOST ANT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU’LL EVER MEET. FALLY, I SAID 'ARE YOU ASKG ME IF I’M GAY AND DO I HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOYIEND? Y, AND HE’S SUPER HOT!' AND THEY WERE LIKE, THAT’S GREAT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} THE ROOM WAS SG OM EAR TO EAR. WHEN I LEFT I ASKED, '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE EVER BEEN AN OPENLY GAY PERSON ON THIS SHOW' AND THEY SAID, 'NO.' AND I SAID, 'I WANNA BE THE ONE.' AND THEY SAID, 'OKAY.'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HURRINE, JTICE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT WON'T BE CLEAR UNTIL THE EPISO AIRS ( WASN'T AVAILABLE FOR SCREENG BEFOREHAND) IS HOW MUCH OF HETHERGTON'S OUTSPOKENNS VIEWERS WILL SEE. BUT WON'T BE FOR LACK OF EFFORT ON HETHERGTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN I WENT ON THE SHOW," HE SAID, "DURG THE VERY FIRST TERVIEW SEGMENT, [HIS BEG GAY] ME UP. I WAS SO HAPPY THAT THEY WERE SO PRO-GAY ON THIS SHOW BEE THIS SHOW REACH A MOGRAPHIC THAT I THK ISN’T NECSARILY AS FAIAR WH A GAY PERSON AS, SAY, BLOW OUT ON BRAVO. IT’S A DIFFERENT DIENCE AND TO BE ABLE TO REPRENT THE GAY MUNY ON A SHOW THAT’S THE HIGHT RATED SHOW AMONG KIDS AGED TWO TO ELEVEN IS AMAZG. I’M PLEASED TO BE A PART OF ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AARON, HETHERGTON'S BOYIEND OF A YEAR, MIGHT ALSO END UP APPEARG DURG THE EPISO AS HE ATTEND ALMOST EVERY DAY OF SHOOTG AND SAT WH THE OTHER NTENRS' FAI. "BETWEEN EVENTS," EXPLAED HETHERGTON, "THEY WOULD ASK YOU TO GO AND GREET YOUR FAY AND THE MERAS WOULD FOLLOW YOU EVERYWHERE - AND I FELY GREETED HIM! WE KISSED A LOT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AARON AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH HETHERGTON SO OPEN ABOUT HIS ORIENTATN, WAS THERE HOMOPHOBIA AMONGST THE OTHER NTENRS? "YOU KNOW, ’S HARD TO SAY ... I THK ALL OF AS GAY PEOPLE HAVE ENUNTERED SOME SORT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOMOPHOBIA ANY TIME WE HAVE PLAYED SPORTS BEE THAT’S JT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HAPPENS AMONG MAN VERS MAN NTACT SPORTS. I WILL SAY THIS, I WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OPENLY GAY THE WHOLE TIME AND I PLAYED MD GAM AS MUCH AS I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH ANYONE ON THAT SHOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN PRSED FOR TAILS ABOUT WHAT HE MEANT, HETHERGTON MURRED NOT WANTG TO GIVE ANYTHG AWAY BEFORE THE EPISO AIRS. BUT HE ADD, "I WILL SAY THAT I THK THAT BEE I’M A STAND-UP IC, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STAYED LIGHT FOR THE MOST PART AND WAS EMOTNAL, BUT ALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RIGHT WAYS. I THK ’S GOG TO BE KD OF A MASTERPIECE TERMS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BREAKG STEREOTYP FOR GAYS AND LBIANS ATHLETICS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN HETHERGTON PETG ON AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NBC PHOTO: TRAE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BREAKG THOSE STEREOTYP IS SOMETHG VERY IMPORTANT TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I GREW UP A HOE WH A FAY WHO WATCHED A LOT OF ATHLETICS [AND] {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEVER KNEW OF AN ATHLETE WHO WAS OPENLY GAY WHILE HE PETED. AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BE A PERSON WHO IS OPENLY GAY WHILE PETG IS A PLETELY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYNAMIC, NOT ONLY FOR THE DIENCE WATCHG, BUT ’S A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYNAMIC FOR THE PETORS ...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE WHAT HAPPENS ATHLETICS, AND PECIALLY A NTACT SPORT,{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE WAY TO PLAY MD GAM WH YOUR OPPONENT, THE WAY TO GA AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HAND IS TO [OFTEN] MAKE SOME SORT OF MENT THAT IS HOMOPHOBIC OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AND THAT BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT GAME WHEN THE PERSON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALREADY OPENLY GAY BEE IF YOU START TO MAKE THOSE SORT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO SOMEONE, THEN MIGHT BE NSIRED HOMOPHOBIC AND THAT’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT WE’VE NEVER REALLY ACKNOWLEDGED SPORTS. I THK ’LL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TERTG TO SEE ON MONDAY HOW THAT’S ADDRSED ON THE SHOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT’S WHY I REALLY WANTED TO BE PART OF . I WANTED TO KD OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME BUTTONS AND SEE WHAT THE THRHOLD WAS FOR ATHLETICS TERMS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOMOPHOBIA WHEN SOMEONE’S ACTUALLY OPENLY GAY, AS OPPOSED TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERPETUATG A STEREOTYPE WHEN SOMEONE IS LOSG, OR WNG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! PANIC BEFOREHAND AND A SUPPORTIVE BOYIEND! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON HAS NOTHG BUT PRAISE FOR JAM RUGGIERO (PICTURED RIGHT), THE NTENR HE IS PAIRED WH MONDAY NIGHT'S EPISO. "MY OPPONENT ON THE SHOW WAS ONE OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PEOPLE THAT I’VE EVER MET MY LIFE. EVERY TIME WE WENT OUT, HE’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PRACTILLY BE HOLDG MY HAND. HE’S A STRAIGHT GUY. HE’S A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACH AT A HIGH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AND I HOPE THEY SHOW THIS ON THE SHOW, TOO, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WAS SO SUPPORTIVE AND SO HAPPY TO BE PETG AGAST ME BEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HISTORY VOLVED. EVERY TIME THE MERAS WERE ONT OF HIM [THEY WOULD ASK], '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT DO YOU THK OF YOUR OPPONENT?' HE NEVER SAID, 'OH, I’M GOG TO BEAT HIM. I N’T WA FOR HIM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LOSE.' HE ALWAYS SAID THGS LIKE, 'I’M SO EXCED HE’S HERE. HE’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A FIERCE GUY.' IT WAS GREAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON ALSO ACKNOWLEDG HOW SUPPORTIVE BOYIEND AARON WAS DURG THE ENTIRE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE WAS SO EXCED WHEN I GOT ST," SAID HETHERGTON. "THE NIGHT BEFORE WE WENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GO START SHOOTG, I HAD A BREAKDOWN MY BEDROOM. I STARTED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND I STARTED THKG ABOUT HOW WHEN I WAS A KID, I ULDN’T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACROSS MONKEY BARS. SOME OF THE KIDS WOULD MAKE FUN OF ME AND SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEM WERE JT OVERLY SUPPORTIVE AND THEY JT WOULD CHEER IF I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACROSS ONE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AND I PANICKED AND I CRIED AND I CRIED AND I SAID, '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DON’T WANT TO DO THIS. I JT DON’T WANT TO DO THIS.' HE JT HELD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REALLY TIGHT AND HE SAID, 'YOU KNOW, YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU’RE EMBARRASSED THAT PEOPLE MIGHT MAKE FUN OF YOU FOR BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO DO THIS, YOU N LL THEM ALL RIGHT NOW AND TELL THEM THAT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CID NOT TO ST YOU. I THOUGHT ABOUT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEND AND I SAID, 'NO. YOU KNOW WHAT I GET TO DO SOMETHG I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AND I’M NOT GOG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET MY CHILDHOOD AND MY PAST LE ME FOR THE RT OF MY LIFE.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}(RIGHT HAND PHOTO BY F. CHOYCE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO HOW DO HETHERGTON FEEL HAVG GONE AHEAD AND DONE THE SHOW?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WENT QUIET FOR A MOMENT AND THEN SAID, "I FEEL LIKE I ACHIEVED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DREAM THAT I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN. AND I FEEL REALLY GOOD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEG A PNEER, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME WAY. YOU KNOW, ’S JT AN EPISO OF AMERIN GLADIATORS. I’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT LIKE SAN B. ANTHONY, BUT I DO THK ’S REALLY OL TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO REPRENT AN ENTIRE MUNY FOR THE FIRST TIME 25 YEARS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MAK ME FEEL LIKE I DID GOOD WORK."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SEAN HETHERGTON OR FOR RMATN ABOUT HIS NEXT STAND-UP EDY PEFORMANCE ON AUGT 12 WT HOLLYWOOD VIS HIS HIS MYSPACE PAGE OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AMERIN GLADIATORS AIRS MONDAY NIGHT ON NBC AT 8 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• VICTORIA GAY NET WORTH
• "VICTOR / VICTORIA": 25 GAY YEARS {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007/3:23 AMBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007 / 3:23 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"VICTOR / VICTORIA\": 25 GAY YEARS LATER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

"AMERIN GLADIATORS"' FIRST GAY {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY MICHAEL JENSENJUNE 29, 2008/10:14 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENJUNE 29, 2008 / 10:14 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"AMERIN GLADIATORS\"' FIRST GAY CONTENR","DATEPUBLISHED":"2008-06-30T02:14:39.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2008-06-30T02:14:39.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FROM SURVIVOR TO THE AMAZG RACE TO PROJECT RUNWAY, GAY MEN HAVE PETED ON AND WON SOME OF THE BT-KNOWN REALY SHOWS ON TELEVISN. BUT AMERIN GLADIATORS' TWENTY YEARS OF EXISTENCE (TOTALLG EIGHT SEASONS), NOT A SGLE OPENLY GAY MAN HAS EVEN PETED ON THE SPORTS PETN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT CHANG MONDAY NIGHT ON NBC'S CURRENT RNATN OF THE SHOW WHEN TWENTY-NE-YEAR OLD SEAN HETHERGTON PS HIMSELF AGAST "GLADIATORS" SPORTG SUCH MONIKERS AS HURRINE, MILIA, AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO WHO IS THIS OUT MAN MARKG A FIRST FOR GAY VISIBILY? HE'S CERTALY NOT THE SORT OF NTENR ONE MIGHT EXPECT TO TRY TO BATTLE THEIR WAY THROUGH SUCH PHYSILLY MANDG EVENTS AS THE "THE WALL", "JOT", AND "ATLASPHERE" ALL WHILE THE "GLADIATORS" DO ALL THEY N TO THWART {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR STARTERS, HETHERGTON STANDS 5'10" AND WEIGHS ONLY 165 POUNDS. IN PARISON, JTICE, ONE OF THE GLADIATORS HETHERGTON WILL SQUARE OFF AGAST, CLOCKS AT 6'8" AND 290 POUNDS. THROW THE FACT HETHERGTON IS ALSO A STAND-UP EDIAN WHO JT OVER FIVE YEARS AGO LOST OVER A HUNDRED POUNDS, AND YOU HAVE AN UNLIKELY NDIDATE TO BE THE FIRST GAY NTENR ON THIS MOST PHYSILLY GELG OF REALY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO HOW DID HETHERGTON E TO BE THE GAY MAN BREAKG THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR GLASS CEILG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I GREW UP BEG A HUGE FAN OF AMERIN GLADIATORS," HETHERGTON TOLD "WHEN I WAS A KID, I WOULD GO MY ROOM, GRAB A HAMBURGER OM MCDONALDS AND A LARGE ORR OF I AND AN APPLE PIE AND S THERE AND WATCH THE SHOW. I’M A LIFELONG FAN OF HULK HOGAN [WHO -HOSTS THE SHOW] AND OF WRTLG, AND I’VE ALWAYS LOVED . AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT, WELL, THERE’S NO WAY I WOULD EVER BE ON THAT SHOW BEE I’M TOO FAT AND I’M NOT AN ATHLETE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN BEFORE HIS WEIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON ELIMATED THOSE PARTICULAR ROADBLOCKS 2003 WHEN HE FISHED LOSG THE WEIGHT THAT HAD DOGGED HIM SCE CHILDHOOD. IN FACT, HETHERGTON NOT ONLY REMA HIMSELF TO AN ATHLETE PETG MARATHONS, BUT HE ALSO BEME A PERSONAL TRAER TO HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME. YET THE FACT REMAED THAT NOT ONLY WAS HETHERGTON GAY, WHICH HE PERCEIVED AS A BARRIER, BUT THE SHOW HAD GONE OFF THE AIR BACK 1996. THAT CHANGED JANUARY OF 2008 WHEN NBC RELNCHED A REVAMPED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WAS SO EXCED THAT WAS GOG TO BE ON" SAID HETHERGTON. "MY BOYIEND AND I WE’RE STG THERE WATCHG THE SHOW AND I SAID, 'YOU KNOW, I SHOULD BE ON THIS SHOW.' AND HE KDA LOOKED AT ME LIKE, 'YEAH – SURE YOU SHOULD'. THEN WE WERE NEW YORK WHEN THEY HAD AN OPEN STG LL. I WENT AND THE LE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE BLOCK AND WAS ALL THE BEEFY MCLE-HEAD PERSONAL TRAER GUYS. AND I SAID, 'THIS IS NOT FOR ME.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE END OF THE STORY HAD NOT FATE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONE DAY I WAS WAG TABL," HETHERGTON EXPLAED. "ACTUALLY THIS IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, AND I WAED ON A GUY WHO ASKED ME WHAT MY STORY WAS. I HAD JT TURNED MY NOTICE BEE I WAS GOG TO PERSONAL TRA FULL-TIME SO I TOLD HIM HOW I HAD LOST WEIGHT AND NOW I WAS A PERSONAL TRAER. HE DIDN’T TELL ME WHO HE WAS OR WHAT HE DID. HE JT LEFT. AND THE NEXT DAY, I ME TO WORK AND SOMEONE SAID, 'THERE’S A PRODUCER OM THAT TV SHOW AMERIN GLADIATORS ON THE PHONE. HE SAID HE WANTS TO TALK TO THE GAY GUY WHO ED TO BE REALLY FAT.' I THOUGHT WAS MY BOYIEND PLAYG A JOKE ON ME. SO I WENT TO THE PHONE AND SAID, 'WHAT DO YOU WANT?'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INSTEAD OF HETHERGTON'S BOYIEND PLAYG A PRANK, THE LLER TURNED OUT TO BE SOMEONE OM AMERIN GLADIATORS, AND THEY WERE TERTED HAVG HETHERGTON ON THE SHOW. AFTER MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF PHYSIL EVALUATNS AND PERSONALY TTS, NOT TO MENTN A RIGORO "BOOT MP" ALL THE NTENRS HAVE TO PASS, HETHERGTON GOT WORD HE'D MA THE SHOW. IN FACT, HE WAS THE VERY LAST NTENR TO MAKE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY LLED ME AND GAVE ME THE [NEWS] THAT I GOT ON, I JT SAT MY ROOM AND CRIED. I ULDN’T BELIEVE ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! I WANT TO BE THE FIRST GAY NTENR! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR HETHERGTON TO BE ON AMERIN GLADIATORS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I KNEW THAT I WOULD BE THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON TO BE ON THE SHOW,"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAID HETHERGTON. "I GREW UP THIS VERY HEAVY KID. I WAS ALWAYS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} SCHOOL FOR BEG HEAVY AND BEG FEME AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KIDS AT A YOUNG AGE, YOU GROW UP WH A DIFFERENT INTY THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO IS NATURALLY CLED TOWARDS SPORTS. I SAW THIS AS A REALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OPPORTUNY TO SORT OF RIGHT THE WRONGS OF MY PAST A WAY. I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS IS A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNY TO MAYBE BE AN SPIRATN FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KIDS, PECIALLY WHO DON’T NECSARILY INTIFY WH THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CULTURE THAT I THK IS NORMALLY AROUND ATHLETICS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON BELIEV NBC THOUGHT HIS MSAGE AND STORY OF GROWG UP GAY AND OVERWEIGHT WAS ONE THEY WANTED TO TELL AS WELL. "THEY KEPT ASKG ME DURG THE STG PROCS, 'ARE YOU A RELATNSHIP? HOW HAS YOUR SOCIAL LIFE CHANGED SCE YOU ME OUT?' EVERYWHERE I GO, I’M OPENLY GAY. I’M THE MOST ANT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU’LL EVER MEET. FALLY, I SAID 'ARE YOU ASKG ME IF I’M GAY AND DO I HAVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOYIEND? Y, AND HE’S SUPER HOT!' AND THEY WERE LIKE, THAT’S GREAT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} THE ROOM WAS SG OM EAR TO EAR. WHEN I LEFT I ASKED, '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE EVER BEEN AN OPENLY GAY PERSON ON THIS SHOW' AND THEY SAID, 'NO.' AND I SAID, 'I WANNA BE THE ONE.' AND THEY SAID, 'OKAY.'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HURRINE, JTICE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT WON'T BE CLEAR UNTIL THE EPISO AIRS ( WASN'T AVAILABLE FOR SCREENG BEFOREHAND) IS HOW MUCH OF HETHERGTON'S OUTSPOKENNS VIEWERS WILL SEE. BUT WON'T BE FOR LACK OF EFFORT ON HETHERGTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN I WENT ON THE SHOW," HE SAID, "DURG THE VERY FIRST TERVIEW SEGMENT, [HIS BEG GAY] ME UP. I WAS SO HAPPY THAT THEY WERE SO PRO-GAY ON THIS SHOW BEE THIS SHOW REACH A MOGRAPHIC THAT I THK ISN’T NECSARILY AS FAIAR WH A GAY PERSON AS, SAY, BLOW OUT ON BRAVO. IT’S A DIFFERENT DIENCE AND TO BE ABLE TO REPRENT THE GAY MUNY ON A SHOW THAT’S THE HIGHT RATED SHOW AMONG KIDS AGED TWO TO ELEVEN IS AMAZG. I’M PLEASED TO BE A PART OF ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AARON, HETHERGTON'S BOYIEND OF A YEAR, MIGHT ALSO END UP APPEARG DURG THE EPISO AS HE ATTEND ALMOST EVERY DAY OF SHOOTG AND SAT WH THE OTHER NTENRS' FAI. "BETWEEN EVENTS," EXPLAED HETHERGTON, "THEY WOULD ASK YOU TO GO AND GREET YOUR FAY AND THE MERAS WOULD FOLLOW YOU EVERYWHERE - AND I FELY GREETED HIM! WE KISSED A LOT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AARON AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH HETHERGTON SO OPEN ABOUT HIS ORIENTATN, WAS THERE HOMOPHOBIA AMONGST THE OTHER NTENRS? "YOU KNOW, ’S HARD TO SAY ... I THK ALL OF AS GAY PEOPLE HAVE ENUNTERED SOME SORT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOMOPHOBIA ANY TIME WE HAVE PLAYED SPORTS BEE THAT’S JT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HAPPENS AMONG MAN VERS MAN NTACT SPORTS. I WILL SAY THIS, I WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OPENLY GAY THE WHOLE TIME AND I PLAYED MD GAM AS MUCH AS I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH ANYONE ON THAT SHOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN PRSED FOR TAILS ABOUT WHAT HE MEANT, HETHERGTON MURRED NOT WANTG TO GIVE ANYTHG AWAY BEFORE THE EPISO AIRS. BUT HE ADD, "I WILL SAY THAT I THK THAT BEE I’M A STAND-UP IC, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STAYED LIGHT FOR THE MOST PART AND WAS EMOTNAL, BUT ALL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RIGHT WAYS. I THK ’S GOG TO BE KD OF A MASTERPIECE TERMS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BREAKG STEREOTYP FOR GAYS AND LBIANS ATHLETICS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEAN HETHERGTON PETG ON AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NBC PHOTO: TRAE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BREAKG THOSE STEREOTYP IS SOMETHG VERY IMPORTANT TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I GREW UP A HOE WH A FAY WHO WATCHED A LOT OF ATHLETICS [AND] {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEVER KNEW OF AN ATHLETE WHO WAS OPENLY GAY WHILE HE PETED. AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BE A PERSON WHO IS OPENLY GAY WHILE PETG IS A PLETELY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYNAMIC, NOT ONLY FOR THE DIENCE WATCHG, BUT ’S A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DYNAMIC FOR THE PETORS ...{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE WHAT HAPPENS ATHLETICS, AND PECIALLY A NTACT SPORT,{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE WAY TO PLAY MD GAM WH YOUR OPPONENT, THE WAY TO GA AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HAND IS TO [OFTEN] MAKE SOME SORT OF MENT THAT IS HOMOPHOBIC OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AND THAT BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT GAME WHEN THE PERSON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALREADY OPENLY GAY BEE IF YOU START TO MAKE THOSE SORT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO SOMEONE, THEN MIGHT BE NSIRED HOMOPHOBIC AND THAT’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT WE’VE NEVER REALLY ACKNOWLEDGED SPORTS. I THK ’LL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TERTG TO SEE ON MONDAY HOW THAT’S ADDRSED ON THE SHOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT’S WHY I REALLY WANTED TO BE PART OF . I WANTED TO KD OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME BUTTONS AND SEE WHAT THE THRHOLD WAS FOR ATHLETICS TERMS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOMOPHOBIA WHEN SOMEONE’S ACTUALLY OPENLY GAY, AS OPPOSED TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERPETUATG A STEREOTYPE WHEN SOMEONE IS LOSG, OR WNG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NEXT PAGE! PANIC BEFOREHAND AND A SUPPORTIVE BOYIEND! {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON HAS NOTHG BUT PRAISE FOR JAM RUGGIERO (PICTURED RIGHT), THE NTENR HE IS PAIRED WH MONDAY NIGHT'S EPISO. "MY OPPONENT ON THE SHOW WAS ONE OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PEOPLE THAT I’VE EVER MET MY LIFE. EVERY TIME WE WENT OUT, HE’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PRACTILLY BE HOLDG MY HAND. HE’S A STRAIGHT GUY. HE’S A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACH AT A HIGH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AND I HOPE THEY SHOW THIS ON THE SHOW, TOO, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WAS SO SUPPORTIVE AND SO HAPPY TO BE PETG AGAST ME BEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HISTORY VOLVED. EVERY TIME THE MERAS WERE ONT OF HIM [THEY WOULD ASK], '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT DO YOU THK OF YOUR OPPONENT?' HE NEVER SAID, 'OH, I’M GOG TO BEAT HIM. I N’T WA FOR HIM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LOSE.' HE ALWAYS SAID THGS LIKE, 'I’M SO EXCED HE’S HERE. HE’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A FIERCE GUY.' IT WAS GREAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HETHERGTON ALSO ACKNOWLEDG HOW SUPPORTIVE BOYIEND AARON WAS DURG THE ENTIRE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE WAS SO EXCED WHEN I GOT ST," SAID HETHERGTON. "THE NIGHT BEFORE WE WENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GO START SHOOTG, I HAD A BREAKDOWN MY BEDROOM. I STARTED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND I STARTED THKG ABOUT HOW WHEN I WAS A KID, I ULDN’T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACROSS MONKEY BARS. SOME OF THE KIDS WOULD MAKE FUN OF ME AND SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEM WERE JT OVERLY SUPPORTIVE AND THEY JT WOULD CHEER IF I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACROSS ONE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"AND I PANICKED AND I CRIED AND I CRIED AND I SAID, '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DON’T WANT TO DO THIS. I JT DON’T WANT TO DO THIS.' HE JT HELD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REALLY TIGHT AND HE SAID, 'YOU KNOW, YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU’RE EMBARRASSED THAT PEOPLE MIGHT MAKE FUN OF YOU FOR BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO DO THIS, YOU N LL THEM ALL RIGHT NOW AND TELL THEM THAT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CID NOT TO ST YOU. I THOUGHT ABOUT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEND AND I SAID, 'NO. YOU KNOW WHAT I GET TO DO SOMETHG I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AND I’M NOT GOG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET MY CHILDHOOD AND MY PAST LE ME FOR THE RT OF MY LIFE.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}(RIGHT HAND PHOTO BY F. CHOYCE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO HOW DO HETHERGTON FEEL HAVG GONE AHEAD AND DONE THE SHOW?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE WENT QUIET FOR A MOMENT AND THEN SAID, "I FEEL LIKE I ACHIEVED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DREAM THAT I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN. AND I FEEL REALLY GOOD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEG A PNEER, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SOME WAY. YOU KNOW, ’S JT AN EPISO OF AMERIN GLADIATORS. I’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT LIKE SAN B. ANTHONY, BUT I DO THK ’S REALLY OL TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO REPRENT AN ENTIRE MUNY FOR THE FIRST TIME 25 YEARS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MAK ME FEEL LIKE I DID GOOD WORK."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SEAN HETHERGTON OR FOR RMATN ABOUT HIS NEXT STAND-UP EDY PEFORMANCE ON AUGT 12 WT HOLLYWOOD VIS HIS HIS MYSPACE PAGE OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AMERIN GLADIATORS AIRS MONDAY NIGHT ON NBC AT 8 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Name: Victoria Gay. From Survivor to The Amazg Race to Project Runway, gay men have peted on and won some of the bt-known realy shows on televisn.

But Amerin Gladiators' twenty years of existence (totallg eight seasons), not a sgle openly gay man has even peted on the sports petn chang Monday night on NBC's current rnatn of the show when twenty-ne-year old Sean Hethergton ps himself agast "gladiators" sportg such monikers as Hurrine, Milia, and HethergtonSo who is this out man markg a first for gay visibily?

VICTORIA GAY NET WORTH

Throw the fact Hethergton is also a stand-up edian who jt over five years ago lost over a hundred pounds, and you have an unlikely ndidate to be the first gay ntenr on this most physilly gelg of realy how did Hethergton e to be the gay man breakg through this particular glass ceilg? Yet the fact remaed that not only was Hethergton gay, which he perceived as a barrier, but the show had gone off the air back 1996.

He said he wants to talk to the gay guy who ed to be really fat.

"VICTOR / VICTORIA": 25 GAY YEARS {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007/3:23 AMBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007 / 3:23 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"VICTOR / VICTORIA\": 25 GAY YEARS LATER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

I want to be the first gay ntenr! "I knew that I would be the first openly gay person to be on the show, "said Hethergton.

"Hethergton believ NBC thought his msage and story of growg up gay and overweight was one they wanted to tell as well.