Date Rate

Quinceanera, the winner of the dramatic grand jury prize and audience award at this year's Sundance Film Festival, has this amusing tidbit hidden away in the comments section of its IMDb profile. Quinceanera director and WOW alumni Wash Westmoreland, who previously directed WOW's Gay Republicans, will be coming on Ring My Bell next week to talk about his film, and possibly refute all accusations that it is not a good date movie.

– Steven Corfe

The Gay Republican Redux

Maurice Bonamigo, one of the gay Republicans featured in the WOW documentary Gay Republicans, out now on DVD, is not finished with you:

An open message to gay and lesbian Americans from Maurice Bonamigo

Since the re-election of President George W. Bush and with Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, many of the liberal gay community are screaming that we are entering a new dark age for homosexuals. As a gay conservative, I assure you that nothing can be further from the true.

Frankly, things are improving rapidly for gay and lesbian people at a pace that has been unprecedented for any other in special interest group in American history-------but we can still do better.

There is much more that a conservative has to do to promote the positive image of productive conservatives and discrete gays in America. The conservative gay population needs to do a better job of promoting healthy relationships, one that underscores the message that responsibilities in long term gay and lesbian partnerships provide many benefits, psychological and spiritual, as well as physical and social.

The Gay Republican

Maurice Bonamigo, a gay Republican featured in the WOW documentary Gay Republicans, out now on DVD, writes:

Dear Friends and Family at World of Wonder:

Since the completion of our documentary, “Gay Republicans” this great experience has opened many doors for me. Not only have I been interviewed many times by the media but I have also have had the opportunity to write for world of wonder and other Bogs.
I have sense started my own firm of political and professional image consulting. (www.mauricebonamigo.com ) From my Website and various interviews I have been asked to write about various political issues around a country that I have also started working with areas candidates running for political office as well as executives who are climbing the corporate ladder.
Recently I have been asked to share my political views regarding one of America’s most terrible disasters of our time. That being the hurricane which devastated New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Even though Katrina first hit my hometown of Palm Beach and then turned into a category four which was devastating to our other states.
Today I will attempt to present the actual political issues about what really happened in our southern states. It appears as though the majority of the liberal media and the uneducated people of United States are blaming are great president George W. Bush for this major catastrophe. Here are my friends is the actual truth about what happened and how the government is supposed to work.

GLAAD Bags GOP

Those log cabins are popping up all over. Soon, there's bound to be a regular gated community of Republican gays. Perhaps it can be in Tempe, Arizona, where they had a gay Republican mayor for four years. That mayor, Neil G Giuliano, has now been appointed president of GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. He's kinda cute, in a Queer As Folk kinda way, don't you think? We guess Giuliano can get the word out now to all the other, not so same-sex-minded GOPs that the gays are a swell bunch. To get a better sense of all this, you might want to pick up the award-winning WOW doc, Gay Republicans, out now on DVD. Also, if you're fond of the old-guard musings of Palm Beach's gayest Republican, Maurice Bonamigo, you'll enjoy his upcoming blogging on the Gay Republicans website, located here.

Frame in Focus

Greetings from Palm Beach, starts Maurice Bonamigo's letter to the WOW Report, which follows:

On Thursday, June 23, I boarded American Airlines from Miami to San Francisco for the Frameline Film Festival for the screening of our famous World of Wonder film, Gay Republicans, which was to be shown on Friday evening. I arrived in San Francisco at 10:45 and was quickly taken to the Hotel Vitale where Frameline was gracious enough to house me for the 2-day stay. I have to say, this Hotel is fabulous. The staff could not do enough to make sure that I was kept happy and comfortable. (People often wonder if I am high maintenance. Well, I am not; I am just fortunate and misunderstood.)

My dear friend and producer, Anne Clements, arrived a couple of hours later. We met up and quickly headed off for lunch, cosmopolitans, and scotch, known as our "life support." After several hours of catching up over cocktails, it was back to the hotel to freshen up before our dear friend, director Wash Westmoreland, arrived for dinner along with other friends in the film industry. I have to say San Francisco knows how to make divine cosmopolitans and pour fabulous triple scotches. Oh yes, the food is always good wherever you go.

(More after the jump)

Postcard from Florida

Maurice Bonamigo, arguably the star of WOW's award-winning documentary, Gay Republicans, has dispatched a report from the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

I began my journey to the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on Friday, April 22, by checking in at the Abbey Hotel in Miami Beach, where the film festival was kind enough to host me. It's a very charming boutique hotel located in the Art Deco section, and I would recommend it to everyone wishing to visit.

This was the opening night for the film festival, with a screening of a highly acclaimed film with Miss Bea Arthur serving as the Diva of Ceremonies, followed by a Gala Premiere Party. The film was The Dying Gaul, directed by Craig Lucas. Interesting film and enjoyable. However, out of a rating of 3 stars it was given only 1 1/2 by the Miami Herald, which I would agree. My personal thoughts were that they could have picked a much better film for the premiere, plus I simply could not figure out why everyone was raving over a film that at best you will find on "Gay TV." One other thing that drives me ape is when all these film intellectuals start with their Dialogue over what each character was to represent and what their thoughts were in terms of how the characters interacted. Christ! Whatever, it was a mediocre film at best, who cares.

I hate the word "diva." I think it is well overused, especially for Bea Arthur. Her performance lasted about 1/2 hour and was rather boring considering she can be a rather funny actress when she wants to be. I find it to be dull when a woman her age tries to be hip by talking about body parts and Gay Marriage when it really isn't pertaining to anything relevant to the festival. I suppose being in her eighties she is getting tired and has nothing else to offer.

In Palm Beach or Chicago, whenever one receives an invitation for a "Gala" and you pay to attend one of these functions, one assumes it will be Black Tie, right? Wrong. I was the only one to wear a tux ( double-breasted Brioni and White tie). That would be considered standard in Palm Beach and, after all, I am representing World of Wonder. I guess it is acceptable to wear jeans, open shirts, tight shirts, untucked shirts, and flip-flops. That's a first for me, but that's also a new one for casual dress. Leave it to a bunch of Gays and Lesbians to try to be cool. Other than that, the party was very well done. It was held above the Bank of America Skylobby. Lots of wonderful food and open bar all evening. I am not sure how many more functions my liver can take this year. My hats go off to the hosts for throwing a fabulous party.

Saturday, April 23, at 5 PM, was the screening of our acclaimed documentary Gay Republicans. The Miami Herald awarded us 3 stars which was the highest for a documentary. I am pleased to say that the film was a sellout to a packed audience. My host, Carol Coombes, introduced me and asked me to explain the film to the audience. We would answer any questions following the screening.

During the film, there were lots of shouts, comments, and boos. So uncivilized – unlike LA – but the audience was full of Gays and Lesbians from South Florida, remember. When the film finished, I was reintroduced, and there was name-calling, like "sicko" and "psycho," plus a few other mumblings. The questions were pretty much about politics and we had to remind everyone that we were there to discuss the film. Aside from the political view, people thought the film was well created. Numerous people came up to me after the film to thank me for coming, representing, and for being so brave to face the Liberal Wolves. All in all, it was a great deal of fun and I did meet a lot of wonderful people despite all the degenerates who were present.

I want to thank all my Great Friends at World of Wonder for allowing me to represent Gay Republicans. I do enjoy working the crowd at these functions (such a politician) and I am proud to be a part for your family.

Until the next film festival, I remain sincerely yours,

Maurice Bonamigo

(Photo: Maurice Bonamigo, Carol Coombes, and her girlfriend Raquel)

The Real Red Carpet

The delightful Republican (not an oxymoron in this case) star of WOW's Gay Republicans doc, Maurice Bonamigo, head of the Palm Beach Log Cabin, has been invited to the events of the president's inauguration in DC. This is his third dispatch:

Here's my final report on the conversations, business, and fashion in DC during the inaugural celebrations.

As one would expect, the mood of all the attendees for the inauguration was absolutely upbeat, joyous, and full of life since our main man, President George W. Bush, has won the election for the next President of the United States. Also, everyone was celebrating because the Republicans have gained control of both houses in Congress. The main conversations throughout the functions were, who is going to what balls, what everyone was going to be wearing, what candlelight dinners, what breakfasts with which congressmen or senators, what brunches, what cocktail parties, what streets were closed. and where on earth would anyone find their limousines amongst the forest of limousines scattered throughout all these events.

At these huge political functions there is always business being conducted, i.e., how are we going to get our friends jobs in this new administration, who will be joining which congressmen or Senator at Augusta for a foursome, making new contacts, calling in favors, promising new favors, and making sure all those favors work out for the interests of everyone involved. In the documentary Gay Republicans , you may have heard one of my dearest friends, Bunny Stevens, say, "Only in Palm Beach." Well, now you can add, "Only in DC." Yes, it is politics as usual and, all kidding aside, that's just how things are done in Washington, DC – quid pro quo.

Then of course, there is also gossip. Who is pulling strings for whom, who has the inside lead to whom, who is doing whom, and who should be doing whom, plus plenty of other personal gossip among all of our closest friends in DC. The only real gossip I feel comfortable revealing over the Internet is how Teresa Heinz Kerry was constantly intoxicated during her husband's campaign for the president of the United States. As everyone in DC noted, she was never by her husband's side at any of the functions, particularly at the swearing-in ceremonies. Could it be that there may be a problem here? Well, all I can say is, "Bless her little cotton heart."

Fashion, fashion, fashion. Well, as I noted earlier, I had never seen more cowboy hats, cowboy boots ( some, I think, are probably from endangered species), furs, jewelry, rhinestones, Saint John Knits, designer wardrobes, and of course those fabulous evening gowns. The men were always dressed in traditional suits and ties. For formal functions, the traditional tuxedo is always the perfect option. None of this "creative black-tie" garbage was present at any of the formal functions, but then again, as in Palm Beach, you never see anything but classic attire on a man. For footwear, it was cowboy boots or traditional Italian loafers. I prefer to be in Armani, Hugo Boss, and Ferragamo, white starched shirts, Brioni, Ferragamo, or Gucci ties, Italian silk pocket squares, cufflinks, diamond studs, and several Rolex watches for different occasions.

Most of the the women at the festivities were all beautifully well-groomed from head to toe. Their hair was always perfectly shaped, makeup was precisely applied, the nails were classically detailed. For the breakfasts and luncheons, women generally wore St. John, Chanel, and Dior suits. Most of the women wore skirts as opposed to pants at these functions. The jewelry was your typical Cartier, Tiffany, Rolex, and gold, gold, and more gold. The cocktail-hour dress was a little more formal. At times, women would change into longer skirts with a jacket or a new blouse accented with the few more diamonds. After cocktail hour, it was time to change again for the formalities of the evening.

It is often pointed out that this is the land of the haves and the have mores. And for the Republican balls it was diamonds, more diamonds, and HUGE DIAMONDS. The ball gowns were some of the best evening gowns seen in a long time. Laura Bush wore Oscar de la Renta; some of the other designers worn were Dior, Bill Blass, Gucci, and my good friend Arnold Scassi. In my first report here I said for this year's inaugural my mother chose designer Bob Mackie to do her evening gowns. Her black-and-gray with crystal beads and a low-scooped neckline to show cleavage was one of a most elegant evening gowns at the Florida Stars and Sequins Ball. For the Texas WY Ball, another Mackie was a high-collar slate-blue, heavily beaded gown resembling something that the late Marylyn Monroe might have worn. Her jewelry was of diamonds and sapphires and she was draped in a white mink-and-fox stole.

Our dear friend Linda Stafford wore a black strapless Hana Mori evening gown with heavy lace and beads from the waist up and black silk taffeta from the waist down. Her jewelry was classic – diamonds and gold – and she was draped in a full-length black mink coat with shawl collar. She looked absolutely radiant. Both ladies could only be described as pure glamour.

It is a shame that we have lost so much of the glamour that once was. It is a pleasure to be around such beauty and finesse, and it is time to bring back more of these elegant occasions. And what better administration to bring glamour back. Cheers.

– Maurice Bonamigo

The Real Red Carpet

The delightful Republican (not an oxymoron in this case) star of WOW's Gay Republicans doc, Maurice Bonamigo, head of the Palm Beach Log Cabin, has been invited to the events of the president's inauguration in DC. This is his second dispatch:

The alarm went off this morning at 5:30 AM. Why so early, since I went to bed at 1:30 AM? Well, it takes my mother and myself time to get ready for another busy day here in Washington.

Our first function was the Faces of Victory Breakfast, sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida, held at the Grand Hyatt from 8:00 -10:00 AM. Lots of familiar faces and lots of old friends as well. The moderator of the breakfast was the Honorable Joe Scarborogh, host of MSNBC's Scarborogh Country. I was fortunate to have had about 10 minutes with him to discuss political issues and, of course, the film Gay Republicans. He will be receiving a copy of the film to review for his show, a discussion between us to follow.

Other guests at the breakfast were Kellyanne Conway, contributor on the Fox News channel and president and CEO of the polling company, TM, inc/Women Trend. Fasinating woman and a very lovely person as well. She will be on holiday with her family in Palm Beach in February and we promised to get together to review the documentary and, as we say in PB, "visit." My old friend Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL.) was present to participate in the discussion, as well as the Honorable Matt Schlapp, deputy assistant to the president and director of political affairs at the White House. I almost forgot, Charles E. Cook, Jr. editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report, who is also a political analyst for NBC News. Very informative group on issues in today's world.

After socializing, we had to leave to join our good friends David and Linda Stafford from Kalamazoo MI and Sanabel Island FL at the Willard Hotel for a brunch being hosted by Congressman Fred Upton (R- MI) from 11:00 - 1:00 PM. Once again a lot of new and old friends over good food and drink.

The weather in Washington has been rather bad. Cold, snow, and wet. Which makes it very difficult to get a cab. After shopping and trying to get a driver back to the hotel, we had a couple of hours of rest before we had to get ready for tonight's festivities. To start off, we had to attend the National Republican Congressional Committee Reception honoring the newly elected 109 Th. Congress. Met a lot of new political contacts, including a few new people from California. As it turns out, they are interested in joining my new national political organization which will be headquartered in Palm Beach and set to start in February.

Our next stop tonight is the reception honoring Congressman Fred Upton of Michigan at the Spy Museum, which is full of spy equipment every man wants to play with. As usual, lots of food, drinks, and friends.

OK, now it's time for bed. Have to get up early again, a very busy day tomorrow starting at 7:00 AM. Not to mention Maurice has had a lot of scotch and has to retire early for another day of mass consumption of political entertaining. Cheers.

– Maurice Bonamigo

The Real Red Carpet

The delightful Republican (not an oxymoron in this case) star of WOW's Gay Republicans doc, Maurice Bonamigo, head of the Palm Beach Log Cabin, has been invited to the events of the president's inauguration in DC tomorrow. He's sent us this dispatch:

First off. My flight started in Palm Beach with a connection through Chicago, where I boarded a flight to Reagan National. The moment I boarded the flight I could detect that it was full of Republicans. There were more furs, Rolexes, and PRESIDENTIAL paraphernalia on that flight than in DC. Besides me from Palm Beach, the rest were from Texas. I always said there wasn't much difference between a Palm Beacher and a Texan; they are both arrogant as hell, proud of it, and will die making everything bigger and better that any one else.

After arriving in DC, my driver checked me into the hotel and then I was quickly off to meetings with Congressman Mark Foley, congressman Fred Upton, and then the National Congressional Committee for registration for the Inaugural festivities.

My mother, Mary Ann Bonamigo, will be my date for the Inaugural. [Ed. note: She's fa-a-a-abulous!] For this Inaugural she has chosen to wear Bob Mackie for all of the three balls we will attend. Of course, in full Palm Beach fashion, she will be adorned in all of her diamonds and other various jewels, as well as furs for every occasion, which would make any proper lady proud in Palm Beach, Texas, and of course, DC.

The first of the balls, the Florida Sequins & Stars Ball, was held in Georgetown. Some of our political friends we encountered there were Senator Mel Martinez, Congresswoman Katherine Harris, Senator Thume from South Dakota, and CIA director Porter Gooses.

There will be more to follow tomorrow. Have to get to bed for an early breakfast. Cheers,

– Maurice Bonamigo

Ahem

In its great review today of WOW's Gay Republicans documentary, Variety says, in that way it has, "After preem at AFI Los Angeles fest, docu airs Nov. 20 on Trio cabler, with a solid fest and vid future in sight." Then it goes on to say, "Mobile, fluid lensing and swift editing are hallmarks of this typically pro non-fiction entry from the prolific stable of Randy Barbato's and Fenton Bailey's World of Wonder production house." We'd just like to say here that, although we may be a messy bunch at WOW, what with all the tapes, cables, camera equipment, and empty take-out containers, we'll thank Variety not to call us a stable. (Variety, sub. req.)

Republicans Win Again

But in a good way this time. Indiewire.com reports that Wash Westmoreland's Gay Republicans picked up the documentary audience-favorite award at the AFI Festival here in Los Angeles. No wonder. The WOW doc is both controversial and terribly amusing, rife with arched eyebrows and archer politics.

"Rwanda," from United Artists, won the narrative audience award at the festival, while Wash Westmoreland's "Gay Republicans," which clearly struck a chord with moviegoers, won the event's doc audience prize. . . . In the wake of the recent presidential election, Westmoreland's "Gay Republicans" is a look at a group of queer conservatives, stirred sentiments. Thursday's showing was followed by a heated Q&A session that had to be tempered by fest staffers.