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We might be living in the golden era of gay themed movies. The gay rights movement has come a long way in the past 25 years, and now with more people able to live LGBT lifestyles in comfort and peace than ever before, we're seeing more of them represented in films.
When we look at the history of how gay people and same-sex relationships are portrayed on screen, there's a whole wealth of great movies that have been released in the past couple of decades. They tell love stories that could never have been told before due to censorship and prejudice.
Just like with every other genre of cinema though, not every story is a romance, and not every tale ends well. Join us as we take a look through all the ups, downs, dramas, comedies, heartbreaks and triumphs of the fifty greatest gay themed movies that have ever been filmed!
'Mambo Italiano' may be a comedy-drama movie, but the plot is actually based on a true story. The film was lovingly brought to life in 2003 by the skills of director Emile Gaudreault, but it started out as a stage play by Canadian writer Steve Galluccio and is the real-life tale of Gallucio's own experiences growing up on Toronto.
The thrust of the plot is that the central character Angelo, born to tough working-class Italian parents, moves out of home without getting married, which is a break with Italian traditions. His parents are shocked by this, but not as shocked as when he tells them he's gay. As he tries to deal with this, he must also provide support to his best friend Nino, who daren't come out himself out of fear of his mother's wrath.
This 2010 comedy drama was well received by critics and fans alike. It premiered to rave reviews at the Sundance festival, and then received a limited cinema release which was expanded when it became clear that audiences loved it. It went on to win Golden Globes for 'Best Picture,' with star Annette Bening winning the 'Best Actress' award at the same ceremony. Four Oscar nominations followed, although it wasn't able to pick up any trophies.
'The Kids Are All Right' was both written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko and depicts a same sex couple played by Bening and Julianne Moore raising their teenage children. The elder sister becomes curious and sets out in search of her biological father. There's joy when she finds him, but that quickly turns to despair when he has an affair with one of her mothers. With this being a comedy, all of these events lead on to hilarious consequences.
Even the most dedicated and avid film fans may be unaware of the cult classic 'And the Band Played On.' Made back in 1993 it was a pioneer of its genre, and as such, it struggled to get a full cinema release. It was released as a TV-movie, directed by Roger Spottiswoode and taking on the form of a docudrama. As with many other works on this list, it's based on a book; to give you an idea of the tone of the film, the book is called 'And They Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic.'
HBO was the company bold enough to air it on television, and from there it was picked up for distribution by most major European countries. Ian McKellan, who rarely makes a bad film, is utterly compelling in his starring role, as are Matthew Modine and Alan Alda. The heavy-hitting subject matter is the discovery of AIDS, and the role that a prominent gay scientist played in breaking the news to a community who didn't want to hear it.
Comedy-dramas seem to be a popular vehicle for gay movies, and 2000's 'Big Eden' is no exception. The script was both written and directed by Thomas Bezucha and was especially well received at the gay and lesbian film festivals who got to see it prior to its mainstream release. The film picked up 'Best Limited Release Film' nomination from the GLAAD Media Awards, but didn't go home with the prize.
Montana is the setting for 'Big Eden,' and the entirety of the movie was filmed there with the exception of the opening sequence. Unusually for a gay film of this period, the plot doesn't deal with a gay character struggling either with their sexuality or with other people's acceptance of it; instead, it's about a gay artist who returns home to care for a sick relative and finds himself confronted with his childhood crush.
Add another one to the list of gay comedy dramas! 2013's 'G.B.F.' plays out like many other teen comedies of the era, with its high school setting and its occasionally juvenile humor, but it swaps the usual 'boy meets girl' storyline out for a story about popularity contests and being comfortable in your own skin.
The stars of the film are two best friends, Tanner and Brent, who are both gay and both in the closet. Tanner is outed, but quickly finds that he's accepted by all the 'cool girls' in school and sees his star rise in terms of how popular he is, while Brent stays in the closet and can only look on from the outside, becoming increasingly jealous as he slowly loses his best friend to all the best parties and social gatherings. This was one of the standout films from the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.
You get extra 'film buff' points if you've ever seen this movie, or even heard of it. 'Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho' is a 2014 coming of age and coming out movie, produced and released in Brazil. It's an extension of a short film which was made four years earlier and picks up with the same characters later on in their adolescence, this time expanding the plot to cover the length of a feature film.
The title translates as 'Today I Want to Go Back Alone,' which is a reference to the short's title of 'I Don't Want to Go Back Alone.' There's an almost 'Brokeback Mountain' theme to the plot; two male friends who are desperately trying to pursue and maintain heterosexual relationships despite their obvious feelings for each other. It was a prize winner at the Berlin Film Festival, but sadly made back less than half of its budget at the box office.
2013's award-winning documentary movie 'Bridegroom' received some high-profile backing at the time of its launch; it was introduced at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival by former US President Bill Clinton. Attracting plenty of mainstream publicity, it went on to win 'Best Documentary Film' at that year's festival and went on to be named joint-winner at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards in the 'Outstanding Documentary' category.
The film is a stark and unflinching look at the reality of dealing with a same sex relationship in the eyes of the law, during a time when gay marriage was still illegal. It follows the real life of Shane Bitney Crone as he tries to come to terms with the tragic death of his partner of six years, Tom Bridegroom. Crone found that he had no legal protection or rights after Bridegroom passed away and was excluded from his lover's funeral by the family.
Here's a film that was light years ahead of its time; the quirky and unique 'My Beautiful Laundrette' is a British film that was released all the way back in 1985. Hanif Kureishi wrote the screenplay, and his is a unique vision of what life was like for gay people - and especially gay people from a minority background - in the conservative Britain of the time.
There are plenty of laughs to be had during the film, which also has the capacity to be both moving and touching as a street punk named Johnny finds himself setting up a laundrette business with his childhood friend Omar. Against all the odds, and in the most unlikely circumstances, they find themselves falling in love. Part drama and part social commentary, 'My Beautiful Laundrette' is a film like no other.
Director Ang Lee will always be most closely associated with 'Brokeback Mountain' when it comes to his contributions to the world of gay cinema, but it far from his first entry into the genre. He made 'The Wedding Banquet' back in 1993; an almost farcical comedy about both gay relations and race relations.
The plot revolves around a gay Taiwanese immigrant who finds himself forced into a marriage with a Chinese woman both to keep his homophobic parents happy, and also to secure his new wife a green card so she can stay in the country. Everything starts to unravel when, unexpectedly, his parents travel to the United States to help him arrange his wedding banquet, and he finds himself trapped inside a lie he can't possibly maintain. Winston Chao and May Chin take the lead roles in the film, which was made as an act of co-operation between the United States and Taiwan.
The cast of a movie will often tell you a lot about its qualities. 2004's 'A Home at The End of The World' boasts Colin Farrell, Sissy Spacek and a pre-'House of Cards' Robin Wright as its leading trifecta. Michael Cunningham wrote the screenplay, which likely wasn't an arduous task as he'd also written the original novel which the movie is based on, back in 1990.
The tale is a complex drama, with the two leading male characters awkwardly in a loose relationship together after the out-and-proud Jonathan seduces the less overly-gay Bobby while the two are still at school. Years later, the two move in with a bohemian woman named Clare, who embarks on a relationship with them both simultaneously. They try to make it as a threesome, sharing a house together, but tragedy and despair are hiding around the corner.
It may not be explicitly a gay film, but there are very few movies with as openly gay a tone as the cherished 1972 classic 'Cabaret,' featuring Liza Minnelli in the defining role of her career. Fittingly for a hit musical, 'Cabaret' was on Broadway long before it was on cinema schools, appearing on Broadway in 1966. The stage show wasn't the first iteration of the tale though; that would be the book 'The Berlin Stories,' a war novel first published in 1951.
Despite the showy centerpieces and all the singing, 'Cabaret' actually captures a dark era in German history, set in Berlin as the Nazis are taking their first strides towards power. While ostensibly about gay sexual relationships, many of which are depicted on screen, the film is really about the threat that Nazis presented to the personal freedoms of German citizens, and the shocking speed with which the public came to accept those views.
We're back into the romantic comedies now with this 1995 movie from director Christopher Ashley. Like some of the other great works we've seen so far, it started life as a play, based on the real life of Richard Jeffrey and written by Paul Rudnick. Rudnick was also involved in the movie, converting his work into a screenplay.
A young Ethan Phillips has a cameo in the film, as does Hollywood legend Sigourney Weaver, but it's Steven Weber in the lead role playing Jeffrey himself. Patrick Stewart also provides a memorable turn as an aging gay painter dealing with the recent loss of his partner to AIDS. The story is all about the AIDS crisis but is dealt with in a sensitive and humorous manner. In a climate of fear in the gay community as the threat of AIDS intensifies, Jeffrey must decide whether to hide from love, or accept it along with all the risks it entails.
1989's 'Longtime Companion' was a groundbreaking film; the first film dealing with the subject of AIDS to gain a full theatrical release. The title is taken from a headline that appeared in the New York Times, and was a description given to the deceased partner of a person living with AIDS who'd recently passed away.
Rather than focusing on just one person, the movie has an ensemble cast which deals with the discovery and then outbreak of the AIDS epidemic as seen through many people in the gay community at the time, showing how the impact of the disease affected not only gay couples, but also their friends and loved ones. A full decade elapses over the film's running time, meaning that we get to see both the short and long term effects of lost love and lost friends.
When the history of gay cinema comes to be written in full, the name of Sir Ian McKellan will be featured prominently. He appears here in 'Bent' as part of an all-star cast which also includes Clive Owen, Jude Law, and Rachel Weisz. Mick Jagger also makes an unexpected cameo appearance. Martin Sherman wrote the screenplay, which was an adaptation of his own book, which had the same title and was published in 1979. The film, with Sean Mathias in the director's chair, hit the big screen in 1997.
The film, made in collaboration by British and Japanese producers, is a dark and grim tale, dealing with the persecution of gay men in Nazi Germany, and the infamous 'Night of the Long Knives' in particular. The film's central character Max struggles to maintain the secrecy of his sexuality under the circumstances, which leads to him being dragged into unimaginable horror.
Staying with British-produced films for a moment, 'Priest' is another gay-themed movie from Britain, released in 1994. It was Antonia Bird's first-ever time in the director's chair, and she found herself tasked with doing justice to Jimmy McGovern's incredible screenplay. As the name suggests, the film is about a Roman Catholic priest who finds his faith put the ultimate test by a combination of circumstances.
Robert Carlyle of 'Trainspotting' and 'The Beach' fame is the perfect foil to Linus Roach's character of Father Greg Pilkington, who arrives in a small town pious and conservative, but finds himself attracted to Carlyle's character despite himself and doesn't know how to deal with it. Woven into all this is a parable about the Church's role in covering up abuse, making for a bleak viewing experience. It's sometimes difficult to watch, but it's a story that feels like it had to be told.
'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is a movie that enjoys a huge cult following. Although it was made nearly twenty years ago in 2001, it still has the capacity to shock and amaze just as much as it did when it was brand new. This is an intentionally over-the-top comedy drama delivered in the shape of a musical, all set in the world of German glam-rock.
The titular Hedwig is the lead singer of an East German rock band, whose 'angry inch' is the result of a botched vaginoplasty. The idea of the operation was to allow him to escape the oppressive conditions of East Germany and run away to America with his partner, but he's dumped abruptly after the operation fails. He finds solace in the arms of another man named Tommy, only to wake up one day to find that Tommy has left and stolen all of his music.
Despite the setting and the subtext for this 2002 Israeli-produced movie, it somehow manages to work as a romantic drama. Yossi & Jagger are both Israeli soldiers, posted to one of the most dangerous front lines in the world at Lebanon's border. The toll of warfare rests heavily on both of the young men, who find themselves turning to each other for comfort despite their conservative upbringings.
Because of the subject matter, the Israeli army refused to offer any support to the film when it was in production. It was only when it was released to positive views that they relented, and they went on to have it privately screened at military bases. As one might expect from what is essentially a wartime romance, there's an air of tragedy hanging heavily across the whole script. The movie took a while to win over the public but was ultimately so successful that it spawned a sequel in 2012.
Director Jamie Babbit took to the big chair for the first time to bring us 1999's 'But I'm a Cheerleader,' which operates in three separate genres at the same time; satire, romance, and comedy. Natasha Lyonne is the titular cheerleader, the most popular girl in her high school who just happens to be a lesbian. Her parents are unwilling to accept this, and so they send her away for the summer to a 'conversion center.'
At the conversion center, which is euphemistically referred to as a 'therapy camp,' she meets a whole raft of characters who are very much determined to do anything apart from stop being gay. Instead, the experience re-enforces her convictions and leads to her falling in love. Look out for both Clea Duvall and RuPaul putting in star turns as her camp-mates.
'I Love You Phillip Morris' is an unlikely film in a number of different ways. Released in 2009 it represents a break from the norm for Jim Carrey, who at the time was almost exclusively known for his over-the-top comedy performances. This is still a comedy, but one with a lot of heart, telling the tale of a romance between him and Ewan McGregor's character, the 'Phillip Morris' of the title.
More unlikely than Carrey's sincere performance is the fact that this is a true story, telling the real-life tale of the serial fraudster Steven Jay Russell, who was incarcerated several times during the 1980s and 1990s, but frequently managed to find a way to escape. On one of his prison stays he unexpectedly falls in love with Morris, his fellow inmate. That's the reason he's so keen to keep escaping in future, and it's also the source of much of the movie's humor.
You don't come across many movies that feel obliged to include their genre along with their title, but that's the route that this year 2000 movie has gone for. It's a semi-autobiographical tale from Greg Berlanti, who also directed the film, which means it's one man's vision. All of the characters are loosely based on himself and his friends, and their lives as a small gay community in West Hollywood.
What makes this film stand out for its time is that it didn't make the homosexuality of its characters into the source of the drama or the comedy. Their homosexuality is presented as normally as heterosexuality is in other films, with the characters shown to be perfectly normal people who just happen to be gay. While this may not be unusual as we approach the 2020s, it was in 2000. With Zach Braff from 'Scrubs' in the central role, this is almost 'Friends' re-imagined as a gay comedy.
We've seen a lot of novels turned into films so far in this list, and this is another. The American-produced 2013 comedy-drama 'Geography Club' is based on an original text by Brent Hartinger, brought to life for the big screen by the twin-brother writing and directing team of Edmund and Gary Entin.
As with 'But I'm a Cheerleader,' this all takes place in a high school, and is about a stereotypical jock character not doing what stereotypical jocks are supposed to do. The school's star football quarterback Kevin is wanted by every girl in school, but he's secretly in a relationship with Russell, who helps him with his heterosexual pretenses by also going on dates with girls himself. As they meet other gay characters inside the school, they form a 'Geography Club' so they can be themselves in peace, thinking nobody else would be interested in joining such a society. They were wrong.
We told you that you'd see the name 'Ian McKellan' again and again in this list, and 'Gods and Monsters' is his third appearance so far. It's also arguably the most dramatic and prestigious of the three. 'Gods and Monsters' is a biography of movie director James Whale, and follows him during his final years.
Whale was a complex character in real life, never truly recovering from his experiences serving for the military in the First World War. McKellan is helped out immeasurably by the performances of co-stars Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Bill Condon served as director, and legendary British horror writer Clive Barker was a surprising choice to assist as the executive producer. Given the quality of both the script and the cast, nobody was surprised to see it take home the Oscar for 'Best Adapted Screenplay,' along with nominations for 'Best Actor' and 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role.'
There's a lot going on in 2008's ambitious movie 'Were the World Mine.' The film tries to be a fantasy, a romance and a musical all at the same time, while loosely re-telling the classic Shakespeare tale 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and simultaneously adjusting the story to fit the narrative of gay empowerment. By trying to do everything at the same time the film is constantly on the precipice of disaster, but it somehow manages to pull it off.
The film sees Tanner Cohen's character of Timothy struggling with his sexuality while living at an exclusive private boarding school. He's in love with the captain of the rugby team, who does nothing but belittle him for his sexuality. While rehearsing for his part in a school production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' he finds the recipe for a powerful love potion and unleashes it on the town, causing previously heterosexual people to take on new same-sex partners, with consequences that vary from the amusing to the appalling.
2006's 'Shortbus' courted a lot of controversy at the time it was released and is still shocking to many audiences today. John Cameron Mitchell's plot is inspired by real-life gay gatherings in the vibrant New York City party scene, which often descended into chemically enhanced orgies
Mitchell took the decision to approach his subject matter with authenticity and realism. That meant the movies contains explicit sex scenes which were deemed too graphic for cinema, including unsimulated sex, ejaculation, and penetration. The director justified his artistic choices by saying that porn doesn't do justice to the cinematic quality of sex. As you'd expect from such a movie, there isn't one central character in the plot, with the film instead following a number of colorful characters who find themselves drawn to this underworld party scene, often trying to plug a hole in their lives.
Keanu Reeves puts paid to the idea that he's a limited or one-dimensional actor here, a mere two years after he gained that reputation from 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.' 'My Own Private Idaho' is the kind of film that independent cinema exists for and was far ahead of its time when it was released in 1991.
Gus Vant Sant brought us this movie, which is another case of Shakespeare's classic texts being borrowed; this time it's 'Henry IV Part 1'. It's a gritty tale which focuses on male prostitutes trying to make a better life for themselves while refusing to recognize their own sexuality, considering it to be a profession more than an orientation. Bringing it to the screen was almost a lifetime of work for Van Sant; he wrote the original screenplay during the 1970s. He had to completely re-write it after reading a John Rechy novel named 'City of Night' and discovering he'd accidentally plagiarized part of it.
We've seen a couple of takes on gay tales that come from outside of the US and Britain already, and in 'Summer Storm' we now have one from Germany. The 2004 film fits into the 'coming of age' genre and is comedy drama based around events at a rowing regatta which take a turn for the unexpected.
A team of very-heterosexual German rowers is excited to be heading for the regatta because they'll be sharing a camping space with an all-female rowing team, only to find out when they arrive that the girls have canceled, and an all-gay team has taken their place. There are tensions between the two teams of boys, but in the midst of that tension, one of the straight boys is about to make a life changing discovery about himself. The central message of the film is about finding comfort in who you are and having the confidence to say it out loud.
We're staying in Europe for this next movie, which is a Dutch production that hit its national cinemas in 2014. Like 'Summer Storm,' 'Jongens' is a coming-of-age drama. The title literally translates into English as 'Boys.' The movie also shares some elements of theming with 'Summer Storm,' in that there's a sporting competition acting as the background for the drama.
As we've seen in other films - and with young men on sports teams in reality - there's enormous peer pressure to be seen as alpha males, chasing after girls and acting in a stereotypically heterosexual manner. Despite that, two of the boys on the team are slowly becoming aware that they have feelings for each other and have no idea how to approach them. A voyage of self-discovery awaits. The movie struggled to even gain a cinema release in the Netherlands at first, but finally made it there after a successful screening on a television channel before being exported to wider Europe.
It may seem odd to present a story about a transsexual person coming to terms with their identity as a comedy-drama, but often humor is the best way to approach a sensitive subject. 'Transamerica' acts as evidence to that point; even the title is a play on words, referencing both the trans community in the United States and the idea of journeying across it. Accordingly, this is a road-trip movie, with transgender woman Bree taking a trip across the nation with her long-lost son Toby, looking to find a connection with him
Felicity Huffman stars as Bree, which is a significant departure from her famous 'Desperate Housewives' role. In a scenario that Caitlin Jenner could probably sympathize with, she's struggling to reconcile being transgender with being conservative; and that's before her troubled son re-appears in her life. Both of them have significant obstacles to overcome in order to maintain a relationship.
1998's 'Edge of Seventeen' is yet another coming-of-age comedy drama, directed by David Moreton and also written by Moreton in conjunction with Todd Stephens. The film may have been made in the 1990s, but it's set in the 1980s, and features a central character named Eric, who uses the androgyny of Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox as an inspiration for coming to terms with his own sexuality.
It's a rough road for Eric, who has to deal with all the uncomfortable 'firsts' that teenagers experience while in their formative years, including a regrettable sexual experience and an upsetting case of crossed wires with his female best friend which leaves a mark on both of them. The musically gifted Eric has a career waiting for him in New York, if he can only figure himself out enough to get on with it.
Released in the same year as 'Edge of Seventeen,' 'Get Real' is a grittier take on what it means to be a gay young man trying to come out into a world that isn't necessarily ready to accept him. It's a British movie, set in the conservative British town of Basingstoke.
Simon Shore directed the movie, with Patrick Wilde providing the script by loosely adapting his own novel 'What's Wrong with Angry?', published six years earlier. Central character Steven Carter is sometimes difficult to like; his fearful closeted nature leads to him having ill-advised sexual encounters in public toilets and destroying the life of a friend who comes out to him in order to avoid other people suspecting him of being gay. The title 'Get Real' is a reference to being honest about your own identity, but for Carter, that's always an objective that's too far out of reach.
Despite the title, 1988's 'Torch Song Trilogy' is, in fact, a single film. Harvey Fierstein wrote the play that the film is based on, adapted it into a screenplay and also starred in it himself, sharing the screen with Matthew Broderick in one of his early roles.
Although the movie isn't biographical, Fierstein was keen to emulate the work of Charles Pierce, a female impersonator best known for his impressions of Bette Davis in the 1960s and 70s. It's an artistic production which follows the main character of Arnold through ten years of his eventful life and had to be truncated heavily to make it to the big screen. The original play was an epic that ran to four hours; the movie was permitted a maximum length of two by its studio, and so the timeframe was constrained, and several characters were written out entirely. Broderick nearly missed out on the role due to a car accident but decided to accept the part when rehearsals had already begun with a different actor.
Directed by Jim Fall and written by Jason Schafer, the independent movie 'Trick' was released in 1999 with a premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, going on to attain a full cinema release in the July of that year. It's a gay romantic comedy that stars Christian Campbell and John Paul Pitoc in the lead roles, with Tori Spelling providing strong backup.
The plot of the film all happens over the course of one evening, in which the two main lead characters meet in a gay bar and decide to head home for a one-night stand, only for everybody and everything to get in their way. Their search for a brief liaison is a fruitless one, but they ultimately end up developing a more profound connection because of it. Bizarrely, several reviews at the time picked up on an apparent Doris Day movie feel running through the film.
As we approach the upper third of this list, we're coming across movies that have huge reputations and armfuls of awards. 'Boys Don't Cry' definitely fits that bill. Released in 1999, it's ostensibly an independent film but has a blockbuster profile, ultimately being picked up by Fox and distributed to all major cinemas.
'Boys Don't Cry,' as so many gay-themed films are, is based on true events. Hilary Swank is riveting as Brandon Teena, who ultimately pays for the search for her real gender identity with her own life after the men in her life refuse to accept her for who she is. The sad and beautiful movie tackles the tragedy of Teena's life head on, linking the personal tragedy with broader themes of empowerment, freedom and the right to live without judgment. Swank went on to collect the 'Best Actress' Oscar for her performance.
A rare example of Dutch and American filmmakers working together, 2004's 'Mysterious Skin' is a straight-up drama that comes from a book, also called 'Mysterious Skin' and published in 1996. Gregg Araki loved the novel, wrote the screenplay and went on to direct the film. It took a while for distributors to pick it up; although it earned strong reviews at the Venice International Film Festival, it didn't actually receive full distribution to cinemas until the following year.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acting qualities were on full display in this film, telling the miserable tale of two young teenage boys who are abused by a baseball coach. Each of them responds to the abuse in a different way; one of them convinces himself he's both gay and worthless and becomes a hustler, and the other psychologically detaches from reality, becoming a paranoid conspiracy theorist.
This 2009 made-for-TV film is a genuinely upsetting, heartbreaking watch. It's the recounting of the true story of a mother coming to terms with the suicide of her son, who took his own life partially because she wouldn't accept his sexual identity. It's based on a book of the same name, which was written by Leroy F. Aarons on behalf of the mother of Bobby Griffith. In other words, it's the tale of a real woman coming to terms with her own role in her son's death.
Ryan Kelley is in the lead role playing Griffith, with Sigourney Weaver taking on the part of Bobby's mother. On its broadcast, it received two Emmy nominations, with Weaver also being nominated for a 2010 Golden Globe for Best Actress. Such is the power of the film that it was screened at the headquarters of the European Union on International Homophobia Day.
The most recent movie on this list, 'Love, Simon' was only released in 2018 but has already made a considerable impact on the LGBT community. The plot sounds like familiar ground; it's another romantic teen-comedy with most of the laughs being at the expense of a closeted boy who doesn't feel ready to come out, but it has a twist.
Nick Robinson's main character is trying to solve a mystery; someone at his school is communicating with him online and has told him that they're in love with him. All he needs to do is track them down. At the same time, someone's trying to blackmail him about his sexuality. Could the same person be responsible for both the affection and the trauma? 'Love Simon' is the first movie by a big Hollywood movie company to have a gay romance as a centerpiece. We're still having 'firsts,' even in this day and age.
This is the movie with the longest name on our list, so we'll shorten it to 'To Wong Foo' for practical reasons. Released in 1995, this comedy has an all-star trio of men in the lead roles; namely Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo. All three are playing against their usual roles as macho men; they're drag queens, embarking on a wild and wacky road trip which is all about a signed picture of Julie Newmar. As absurd premises for a movie go, that has to be somewhere toward the top.
There are a lot of fun cameos in this film, including Julie Newmar herself, as well as RuPaul and Stockard Channing. The road trip takes an unscheduled diversion when the three drag artists find themselves stuck in a backwater town, but while there they're forced to confront their own identities and insecurities.
When you hear 'British period drama,' two of the first names you're likely to think of are Hugh Grant and Helena Bonham Carter, and both of them are here in Maurice. Released in 1987, this is several years before Grant would become well-known (and somewhat typecast) for his performance in the global hit 'Four Weddings and a Funeral.'
This is a classic tale, based on the work of novelist E. M. Forster, and recounting a story of illicit and forbidden gay love in England during the early years of the 20th century. Grant plays central character Maurice Hall over many years of his life, taking him from his formative years at school to the day he meets and falls in love with the man he's destined to spend his life with. So scandalous was the original novel when it was written in 1914 that Forster left explicit instructions that it wasn't to be published until after his death!
British romantic drama 'Weekend' was never intended to reach mainstream cinemas at all. Shot on a shoestring budget, it premiered to rapturous applause at the 2011 SXSW festival in the USA, and on the basis of that, it was decided that it would receive a limited cinema run. It was a good decision; it went on to make more than ten times its budget at the box office.
It's an understated story delivered with sincere emotion and unflinching reality; two men who meet and fall in love, completely in the knowledge that their time is limited by circumstance. One of them has to leave the country, and there's nothing that can be done to stop it. The film serves as a reminder that love isn't necessarily limited by time or by circumstance, and it can, in fact, be intensified when one or both factors are limited.
If you've never come across 'Philadelphia' before, please accept our congratulations on finally escaping from beneath the rock you've presumably been living under! The iconic and fantastic 'Philadelphia' stars Tom Hanks in one of the best of all his epic big-screen performances, winning Best Actor at the Oscars.
Released in 1993, this was one of the very first properly funded and supported Hollywood productions to openly discuss and examine the issues of HIV and AIDS in America, as well as the culture of homophobia which both mocked sufferers and suppressed gay rights as a response to the epidemic beginning. The tear-jerking film follows Hanks' character as he attempts to sue the law firm he once worked for, who dismissed him on the grounds that he was gay and had AIDS, and rigged paperwork to give them an excuse to dismiss him. If you're going to watch it, have tissues ready.
This movie may have done as much for the cinematic depiction of Australians and Australia as it did for the representation of gay people. Released in 1994, this is a riotous comedy-drama which follows a transsexual woman and two drag queens as they journey across the outback of Australia. Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp, and Hugo Weaving clearly have a lot of fun with their starring roles.
The 'Priscilla' of the title is actually the trio's tour bus, which isn't the only part of the movie's name that plays with words. In many English-speaking countries - Britain and Australia being two - a 'queen' is a slang term meaning a homosexual man; especially one who cross dresses. Part road movie and part farcical comedy, this is all about the adventures of the three leads as they encounter all manner of people and parties on their travels. All three LGBT characters are portrayed in a positive light, which was far from a guarantee in the movies of the time.
Once seen, 1992's 'The Crying Game' is never forgotten. It's a drama movie that doesn't flinch from tackling gay issues head on, but also manages to confront issues affecting race, gender and nationality at the same time, without ever feeling bloated or coming across as a sermon. As if all those topics weren't enough, the film is set at the peak of the Irish 'Troubles', when relations between Britain and Ireland were at an all-time low.
Neil Jordan's script sees IRA 'soldier' Fergus have an unexpected romantic encounter with Jody, a prisoner of the group. As part of his promise to Jody that he would protect his girlfriend Dil, he also goes on to have a regrettable relationship with her. Conflicted between who he is and what he believes he should be, Fergus has to make a choice that will define him. In 1999, this was voted the 26th best British movie of all time, as well as receiving an Oscar for 'Best Original Screenplay.'
From the dark and tragic world of 'The Crying Game,' we move on to the frantic and fabulous 1996 comedy 'The Birdcage.' This is an American production, but it isn't an American original; it's an English-language remake of the 1970's French-Italian movie 'La Cage aux Folles', but this version is far better known around the world, not least because of its incredible cast of performers.
Robin Williams gives one of his best-ever performances in the lead role, backed ably by Dianne Wiest, Nathan Lane, Hank Azaria, and Calista Flockhart among others. Those 'others' include Gene Hackman, who appears to be having the time of his life as he performs one scene in full drag. The film is intentionally camp and plays out as a farce, with entertainment guaranteed. It was a smash-hit at the box office and received acclaim from GLAAD for portraying gay characters in a positive light.
It can sometimes sound cliched to describe a film as being 'important,' but 'Milk' is an important movie, and there's no better way to describe it. As a frank and factual retelling of pivotal moments in the history of America's gay rights movement, it's never been bested by any other movie before or since. That's why it picked up two Oscars, namely 'Best Actor' for Sean Penn, and 'Best Original Screenplay' for writer Dustin Lance Black.
If you're unfamiliar with the tale, 'Milk' is a biographical film about the life of politician Harvey Milk, who became the first openly gay person ever to be elected to office in California, where he served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Penn completely vanishes into his role as Milk, imbuing the character with a deep humanity and tenderness, which makes his ultimate end all the more tragic to see.
A relationship between a Mormon missionary in denial about his homosexuality and an openly gay man who lives next door sounds more like a drama than it does a comedy, but the story is played out for laughs in this romantic comedy from 2003. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is present in one of his smaller early film roles, but the bulk of the action goes to the leading pair of Steve Sandvoss and Wes Ramsey.
As we've seen with many other gay-themed films, this movie initially struggled to achieve distribution to cinemas. It couldn't even find a place at a mainstream film festival, premiering instead at the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian film festival in 2003 and slowly growing in reputation from there. It slowly made its way into American cinemas territory by territory over the course of the following year, and then out into the wider world.
'Beautiful Thing' is a low budget British movie from 1996, made for television by the terrestrial TV station Channel 4. It's a further example of great gay plays being turned into great gay films; in this case, Jonathan Harvey wrote both the play and the screenplay, but turned the director's chair over to Hettie MacDonald.
Known and loved by its audience for its soundtrack, which is mostly the work of Mama Cass, 'Beautiful Thing' wasn't intended for cinematic release. The almost universal acclaim it received when it was shown on Channel 4 changed that, and it made its way into cinemas, where audiences were enthralled by the gritty tale of gay love on a poverty-stricken British council estate. It might be yet another coming-of-age drama, but it's one that's created with well-written and relatable characters who deal with their issues in believable ways.
We have a significant number of coming-out and coming-of-age dramas on this list, but none that deal with it from the point of view of an African-American, where homosexuality is perhaps frowned upon more than it is elsewhere in Western society. 'Moonlight' is a film that fills that space. The film is a labor of love from author Tarell Alvin McCraney; his autobiographical book was rejected by publishers, so he turned it into a play, and it was finally taken to the movies by director Barry Jenkins.
'Moonlight' follows its central character across his youthful formative experiences, starting out as a child and then progressing into adolescence and young adulthood, coping with the realization that he's gay and trying to work out how to handle that in the context of the rough Miami district he lives in. It resonated strongly with audiences, and finally brought McCraney vindication; he and Jenkins jointly won the 'Best Adapted Screenplay' Oscar for their work, with 'Moonlight' winning 'Best Picture' overall.
Perhaps best described as a gay take on 'Pride and Prejudice,' 2017's 'Call Me by Your Name' manages to tackle the issues of class discrimination and sexuality at the same time. The task of making it all worked is handled with aplomb by Elio Perlman and Armie Hammer in the leading roles as a young male couple falling in love despite themselves and their differences. 'Call Me by Your Name' won the 2018 Oscar for 'Best Adapted Screenplay.'
The crux of the story is one of an impressionable but closeted 17-year-old boy finding himself irritated by the arrival of a 24-year-old Jewish-American student, invited to come and live with his family for a while by his father, who is a university professor. The young and studious Elio feels that the boisterous and outspoken visitor has nothing in common with him, but nevertheless finds himself strangely drawn to him, and begins to question both his orientation and his beliefs.
Not every successful gay movie receives Oscar wins or Oscar nominations, but you can judge how well it was received by the LGBT community by the number of accolades they award it themselves. 2007's 'Shelter' won 'Outstanding Limited Release Film' at 2009's GLAAD Media Awards, along with 'Favorite Narrative Feature' and 'Best New Director' at Seattle's Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. On top of that, it was the people's choice winner for 'Best Feature' at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. The gay community really loves this movie.
The movie is a complicated tale, tackling the complexities of coming out inside a family that's been wracked by tragedy, and in which the custody of a small child is at question. Powerful and dramatic, the plot twists, turns and pulls on the heartstrings. Viewers find themselves desperately hoping for a happy ending but can't be sure they're going to get it until the final moments.
You likely didn't expect to see any movie in the top spot other than this one. Very early on in the list, we mentioned that Ang Lee would never be more closely associated with any gay film than this one, and that's because it's the best-known and most successful gay themed movie of all time. Made in 2005, 'Brokeback Mountain' broke box barriers and box office records.
By now you're all probably familiar with the central tale of forbidden love between two rural ranchers, played to perfection by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, so we'll talk about the awards instead. 'Brokeback Mountain' won the Oscar for 'Best Director,' 'Best Adapted Screenplay' and 'Best Original Score,' missing out to 'Crash' for 'Best Picture' in what many critics considered to be a robbery. In 2018 it was chosen to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry on the grounds that it was 'culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.' It is, by some distance, the most recently-made movie to receive that honor.


Working homeowners in the Adirondacks are losing ground, and community life suffers as we go elsewhere. The recent APA farm-housing suit got me thinking: what if everyone whose principal residence is in the Adirondack Park was allowed to develop an extra residential unit on their property regardless of APA classification? A unit that couldn’t be subdivided and sold separately and that met all site-review, zoning and code requirements. Whether this unit provided rental income, farm help, or housing for family, it could add value for those who want to stay here, in communities with possibilities for the next generation.
Maybe family farms could make it, maybe empty barns and garages could be assets; children and grandparents could stay at home. Maybe more teachers, mechanics, environmentalists, nurses, artists, construction workers, guides, and shopkeepers could live where they work. Maybe schools and fire departments would stop shrinking.
I’d like to see this experiment called the Adirondack Park work.
I’d like my neighbors to remain as sustainers of community life.
Maybe it’s time to make this a real partnership.
Marcy Neville, Keene
Neville is a member of the Keene Town Board and the Housing Assistance Program of Essex County board.


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Photo Comments (2)Age: 13 Years Sex: Female
Leave a treat for Miss Jasmine Kitty
Catster stats for Miss Jasmine Kitty
1 time 20
"Kee-Kat", "Mew-Mew", "Furball", "Puddycat"
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October 13th 2003
She loves following me around, sneaking down into the basement, running around the house at high speeds, curling up on my lap, and cat-napping.
She doesn't like it when our daughter comes to visit and helps me by holding her still so that Miss Kitty can have her nails clipped. She also doesn't appreciate closed doors which keep her out of rooms she wishes to enter!
She loves batting around her little catnip bag.
Favorite Nap Spot:
When he isn't sitting in it, she will claim my husband's big comfy chair.
She enjoys her Purina One cat food.
She can open dresser drawers all by herself and loves to "help" make beds!
Miss Kitty originally belonged to my son's fiancee. When they got married and their new apartment wasn't the best place for her, they asked if I would like to be her new mama. I talked my husband into it, although at the time he was not fond of cats to say the least! After traveling from her kitten home state of NC northward to WV and moving in with us, she quickly claimed my husband's chair as her daytime sleeping spot if he wasn't in it first. She won him over and he has grown to love her almost as much as I do!
Miss Kitty, with her beautiful tortoiseshell coloring and sweet personality, keeps me entertained on a daily basis with her crazy antics. I have posted one photo of her taken after she opened a dresser drawer and climbed in. She loves to climb up on the back of my computer desk chair and also loves to nap inside of cardboard boxes. Whenever she hears me changing bed sheets, she comes running so that she can burrow under the sheets and roll and play while I'm trying to make up the beds. One of our sons is a professional illustrator and for a birthday present, he sent me a page of illustrations he did of Miss Kitty. They are posted here on Miss Kitty's Catster page for you to see.
Update: Our newly married daughter has always enjoyed playing with Miss Kitty and just recently she and her husband adopted a female tabby through the adoption program at PetSmart. Their "Henna" weighs 18 pounds! I am very happy for them as my daughter loves cats, too!
9 of 9
Queen of the House
I've Been On Catster Since:
|July 6th 2009
||More than 7 years!
Rosette, Star and Special Gift History
See all my Feline Friends
See all my Feline Friends

domain: pet


Lots of economic indicators left “in the air” as we near the end of 2015 gives pause to speculation about the real estate market.
As we hurtle toward the final month of 2015, we’re seeing some interesting signs in the Santa Clarita real estate market. Interest rates, while still very low, have inched just above 4 percent, and housing prices for both condos and single family homes have leveled off.
That being said, it’s not unusual for housing prices to dip slightly in the final quarter of the year, with the summer buying season behind us and the holidays just ahead. The question still remains, however: Have Santa Clarita home prices reached their peak?
To be clear, prices have only dipped slightly between September and October of this year. The median price of a single family home still holds firm at the half million dollar mark, and condos are averaging prices in the low $300,000’s. We’re nowhere near the peak we achieved in the Spring of 2006, when single family home prices averaged $643,000 before they began to fall at the outset of the recession which began a year later.
What’s in store for the end of the year?
As we near December, economists and analysts are holding their breath as they await word from the Federal Reserve as to the fate of interest rates. Will they raise rates in accordance with national economic growth that has been achieved during the final fiscal quarter, or will they continue to hold off as worldwide events trigger fears of more international economic instability?
Should I be concerned about the slight drop in home prices?
Standard home sales still dominate the landscape here in Santa Clarita, with minimal numbers of short sales or foreclosures. However we are seeing less homes on the market which again, reflect a usual pattern for this time of year.
Is now a good time to buy a home?
If you’re considering a home purchase before the end of the year, there’s still time to get in “under the wire.” Sellers are usually motivated around the holidays, hoping to at least get into escrow so that they can enjoy their holiday season uninterrupted by buyers stopping by to preview their home. The best thing you can do to get started is to contact Montemayor and Associates by calling either number located at the top of this page, or by using the Quick Response form below.Email Contact Form


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We fund projects in Africa to accelerate the social and ecological aspects with the aim of creating positive impact to the community
How It Works
We accept social and ecological impactful innovations from the African diaspora community that have a strong game-changing project in Africa. Startups must have a strong purpose and create both tangible and measurable impact beyond financial returns.
Projects are reviewed and approved for an intensive evaluation followed by a three-month training dubbed Plug-In Accelerator program. Projects that meet the threshold are benchmarked for direct funding.
The vision of Jamala Integral Fund is focused on achieving sustainable development goals in Africa. Through partnerships, fundamental and inclusive development trajectories have been achieved.
The Funding Model
The funding mechanism › Eligibility and approval – Impactful and sustainable projects - Technical and structured training – Strategic evaluation and direct funding
Our Plug-In program is designed to help African diaspora entrepreneurs raise capital and expand their startup in Africa. We are focused on promoting the UNDP SDG 7, 13 and social innovations
Where We Invest
Jamala Integral Fund portfolio focusses on effective social and green sustainable innovations in continental Africa. The strategy is to elevate the community and at the same time eradicate poverty.
Our experts apply their extensive knowledge and experience in business strategy. Clients receive mentorship, coaching and training, in addition the program has been built around the special needs our clients.
It is possible to invest in Zimbabwe? Which currency and how can I be sure that I will get my returns let alone my money when things go wrong? “I am thinking of creating a group/plaform for Zimbabwe disapora to start a project back home together”.
The objective of the Zimbabwe diaspora investment seminar was to bring together members of the Zimbabwe diaspora, friends of Zimbabwe, private sector and students with shared interests in the role and contribution of the diaspora.
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domain: finance


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Want to know what the 7 best games of November will be? Read on
Assassins Creed won't even be out in November, just watch.
This list could be pretty accurate. Nobody has confirmed that Assassin's Creed will not be out in November yet, and I'm sure your not a reliable industry source. I have to think that Mass Effect will be an amazing game through 2008, not just November, and anyone who played the COD4 beta knows that the game is a beast. Haze looks like it has potential, but enough hasn't been shown of it yet to make me think it will be better than Assassin's Creed or COD4.
1- Super Mario Galax7 (Wii) 2- COD 4 (Multi) 3- Assassin's Creed (Multi) 4- Rock Band (Multi) 5- Mass Effect (360) 6- Ninja Gaiden Dragon Swords (DS) 7- Uncharted Drakes Fortune (PS3) There ya go.
@kn So what are you trying to say huh?
LMAO. first of all, they put Mass Effect BELOW Ass Creed? lmfao. No one even wants Ass Creed. We're still waiting for a reason to buy it. Too funny. @Lightning, You really think a poopy game like Haze should be on that list? there's only SEVEN spots. Maybe it could be above Uncharted...that's about it.
I would bump Rock band for Haze and Uncharted for Fear Files. And yes I prefer fps above just about anything, but that's just me.
list is right, not to sure about the order there in tho
I agree, Assassins Creed and Mass Effect should be 1 and 2 and COD4 3
i think CoD4 and Mass Effect should've tied for first. damn XMAS is gonna be nice as f*ck this year.
Assassins Creed won't be out in November. So remove that one. They should of made a spot for Haze.
Haze? The Halo clone with, bad textures, fuzzy environments and lack of original art direction? That game will be decent, at best. Mass Effect on the other hand, will be revolutionary.
right on. f*ck Haze. Haze is the most blatant Crysis Ripoff I've ever seen in my entire f*cking life. How sad. Mass Effect, on the other hand, will revolutionize gaming as we know it. fanboys, go cry somewhere.
c'mon, it's Ubisoft. Assassin's Creed will be out in November for the 360, i guarantee it. i'll eat my words and appologize if it doesn't. i do think it's going to get delayed on the PS3.
Mass Effect and Uncharted are at the tippy top of my list...honestly, if I just played those 2 over the Holidays, I would be content...oh, but there's much more...and even though I have no interest in a Wii at the moment, I know Mario Galaxy is going to be ace...don't you just LOVE this time of year? No need to answer that...I hear you...
Dude totally. Stoked about all these. I am still curious about ME. Ima get it for sure. I hope it appeals to enough people though. I stand by what I said before as that... I feel it wont appeal to enough people as its a SciFi RPG Action games... Its also not Starwars(Proven Franchise) I dont know any others in this franchise that did well off the bat(I can't even name a game that fits this genre) I think it may bomb at first and pick up later. I'm not knocking the game I'm just saying I think something Like Drake will appeal to many more people off the bat is all.... just cause of design and what it is. Mario on the other hand is gonna rock. I can't wait for that game. These times are awesome man. Im stoked. JC! GO GET YOUR PS3 ALREADY MAN!!!1! Can't wait to own you =P Only thing I dont agree with is NG DS... Seriously... If they want that on the list it should be 7...
Hope its an appealing game?! Its one of the most anticipated game on the 360!! Every 360 should own it
Oh, you're going to OWN me bro?...you're going to open a funky can of whoop a$$, good buddy? "thems iz fightin' wordz"...lol...look forward to a CHALLENGE...I think Mass Effect is going to be BIG man...yeah, Gears BIG...yeah, 500,000 - 800,000 software units sold in November alone if Microsoft nails the marketing BIG...I think Sony packaging the PSP with the Star Wars game and Halo 3 proves that sci-fi is pretty hot right now, to put it nicely...but, I agree, Uncharted looks SO GOOD...drop dead gorgeous...me likeee...and the combat building on Gears is a nice compliment, like the article said...did I mention it was drop dead gorgeous? and Uncharted does have Mass Effect...sorry, I meant mass APPEAL...or maybe I meant Mass Effect Appeal...shameless plug...40 GB FTW!
Yeah Ima Skeptic man. It seems to me like "Dune" A large group of devoted people. SciFi is a hard market. and SciFi RPG Shooters seem to me to be a hard push. Will the speech system really appeal to everyone? I hope so. I'm looking forward to it like I said but the Genre is a really "Ify" one I think. Seriously. Here is what I gotta see from the view of "Guy dont know jack about games walks into store" A. Treasure Hunter with Gears of War style Shooting, Strong Indiana Jones style Story, Beautiful Grafics, Cool Characters, All the simple gameplay designs that appeal to people but they add a few new things that are good. Giving you a main Character everyone can relate to and maybe even "Aspire to be" Or B. Sci Fi/ RPG/ Shooter with Speech controls and a LONG story Dealing with polotics, Religious debacle and opinionated storylines. The videos of it to me are hit and miss. It looks good. But no one on earth will live to see this kind of thing unfold. hence hard to relate to... There are some issues to me personally but I think as a selling game... Who is it marketed to? I feel a small group really... I am in that group as are most N4G Dorks like me and JC. and Xbox loyalists. Still though. I am seriously just a fan of Video games. I hope that the issues I have seen are not bad in the game. I hope there are more then 3 enemies on the screen at once and that pacing is better then it looks. I also hope that its a story I can relate to and doesn't get confusing and boring... I think they can pull it off but failing in any of these elements will kill it hard. I hope its smooth and quick. The one thing I am hating about Folklore is all the load times. They get freakin old quick to me... I like the game but find myself getting bored with it due to this... If these issues are in either of these games they will have to make up for it big which Folklore doesn't. Thats why I think it is gonna be hard. Its hard to break through in the Sci Fi genre. Why I feel Tabula Rasa (Bad ass beta btw) will also fail to games like WOW or WAR. Cause people would rather play as an "Orc" or "Witch" then a "Space Marine" or "Universe Frontier Fighter" or whatever... But Seriously guys I hope it does really well. I really do. But in your opinion if you were to pick up a MMO and play for a while. Which would it be. Tabula Rasa, World of Warcraft or the new "Spy" MMO sony is coming out with or the "Marvel" or "DC" ones? I think the last one on most peoples list would be Tabula Rasa. Just because of the genre... I feel a lot of people dont like it as much as the others.... I hope I'm wrong though =P Breaking through is the hard part. Starwars and Halo are already there. BTW JC Pick your poison. COD4(Demo rocks!!!!)? Gears? Haze? Halo3(I suck at this but will try)? UT3? Nah you'll probably own me but I'll give you will have to work for it =P
Anyway bubbles for both of you. Because every 360 owner should buy ME. And cause you both rock and aren't biased. I admit I can be at times but I wont knock anyone for their tastes either. @ JC. Nope I gotta go check my mail. Ima go do that. Gameinformer seems to be the only source I like anymore... This place too sometimes. I need to buy a damn PSP but... Man with all the stuff I own already. I can't even get through Phantom Hourglass.... Let alone Folklore. I need a vacation or something so I can actually play this stuff. =P Game on bro.
you already know what I'm about to say...game on bro...and bubbles up for you too...the beauty of this Holiday is that there is truly, without a doubt, a title for everyone's tastes when you include all consoles and handhelds...did you happen to catch the Game Informer review of Mass Effect? They had some pretty great and BOLD things to say about the game, to say the least...
I believe its at least guaranteed to appeal to those that bought KOTOR. Sure, it doesn't have the Star Wars liscence to help push the game, but I'm sure that KOTOR fans are at least aware of Mass Effect and its makers. Because of this, and the 360s crazy attach rate for games, I think that, at minimum, Mass Effect should sell 1 million copies if not more. I know I'm getting it first and foremost before any other game that comes out during that time.
Uncharted is way higher up on my list
@lightning Based on what evidence?
there was an article recently stating how they were having problems with both systems. they were having compression problems with the 360, which they WILL figure out. on the PS3 they were having dev problems...and everyone knows it's wayyy too close to the release date to be having dev problems...that in itself stands for DELAY.
this order is COMPLETELY WRONG... first off mario galaxy should not be #1 .... and wtf ... Uncharted is last place thats such bull.. it looks AMAZING .. oh yea also where is Haze on that list... r u joking how is that not on there
All that really matters is that all of these games come out next month, and there will be a lot of great games to play. By the way, Haze was on his list, but not in his top seven. Remember the key word though, "his".
I agree with most things on the list except for, COD4 should be 1st , mass effect 3rd, uncharted 4th and assassin creed should be 7th or off the list, just because there isn't enough infomation and gameplay/control video yet... AC is due to release this november, but i think it might got delay... because on the newest video, FPS isn't constant w/ some bad animation on assassin normal walking... but if they fix those problem and this game gets decent control, then I'm pretty sure this will be AAA title
1-Uncharted 2-Haze 3-COD 4 4-PASS EFFECT
what the hell is "pass effect"? not sure if that's trying to be funny or if you actually just were dumb enough to spell it wrong. 1. mass effect 2. Assassin's Creed 3. Uncharted 4. COD 4 5. Rock Band
Mass Effect shouldn't be a pass for anyone. Haze hopefully is better than I feel it will turn out (decent). If Haze somehow manages to clone Halo 3's controls and weapon balance excellence it will be a must buy for me. Waiting to rent it at the least.
Everyone has their own perceptions of what should be in which postition. The article is about the authors choices, just so everyone knows. Its not an official ranking system
LOL, there's no competition for Super Mario Galaxy. Want it or not, this is going to be the game of the year. Yes, i'm talking to you mediocre PStard and crazy Xbot.
I knew there was a Wii fanboy SOMEWHERE on this site...nice to finally meet you...where you been hiding at?...serious though, I need to see some enthusiasm from the Wii guys with Mario Galaxy releasing so soon and all...wonder what the marketing is going to be...back in the day, they even spent in total, including $10 million worth of Taco-Bell cross-promotion, a cool $20 million on Diddy Kong Racing 64!...PM me if you think I'm joking...they usually spend $6-7 million on 'normal' Nintendo games...this, my friend, ain't 'normal'...and Mario made me fall in love with video games, so much respect...
After the whole "Rock Band Bundle only until 2008" situation, I think Rock Band would be dropped off of this list. I'm not saying it's a bad game at all, but I'm sure more people will be playing Guitar Hero over Rock Band this year. And I'm surprised I don't see Crysis.

domain: entertainment


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Categories of Special Interest
In Use As
1730 - 1770
Attached complex-plan former house, comprising five-bay three-storey Georgian house, built c.1750, having three-bay side (south) elevation, with taller three-bay three-storey block to south end of rear (east) elevation, and two-storey annex joining to multiple-bay two-storey block to north end. Extensively renovated c.1986 following fire damage. Now in use as public house and guest house. Hipped, pitched, and half-hipped slate roofs with rendered chimneystacks and some cast-iron rainwater goods. Painted lined-and-ruled rendered walls with render quoins and decorative painted motifs. Square-headed window openings with painted sills, with timber sliding sash windows having six-over-six panes, three-over-three panes to top floor. Replacement casement windows to north block. Wrought-iron window guards to ground floor front elevation. Segmental-headed opening with painted double-leaf shutters and timber pulley to first floor front elevation. Elliptical-headed door openings, comprising decorative tympanum over timber panelled double doors, with sidelights, that to front elevation having tympanum set into nameplate supported on carved consoles. Square-headed door opening with timber panelled door to south elevation. Recent shopfront to south block. Beer garden to north, with recent walls and railings to riverside.
A complex multi-phase building, given coherence by a consistent decorative treatment, with lined-and-ruled render and render quoins. It is said to be the birthplace of Captain Robert Halpin, whose father James was an innkeeper. The decorative motifs reflect Halpin’s seafaring career as a master mariner laying transoceanic cables.

domain: history


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- The Intrepid Experience
- About Intrepid
- Booking Intrepid
Hilltribe Discovery Overview
Travel to Thailand and experience the buzz of Chiang Mai, take to the hills trekking through the jungle and learn about Thailand's remote cultures on this hilltribe discovery tour.
Discover Thailand's Hilltribe villages on a Chiang Mai trekking tour.
Travel to Thailand and embark on an adventure that finds you trekking in Chiang Mai. Pull on your walking boots and take to the hills in this adventure-packed trip taking in the unique sights of northern Thailand. Make new friends as you hike through remote villages and learn the secrets to jungle survival from locals. If you're looking to escape the cities and get a taste of the real Thailand then this short trip is the ideal adventure, taking you into the heart of this fascinating region.
Hilltribe Discovery SummaryAdd to Shortlist
Welcome to Thailand! Chiang Mai is famous for its Night Bazaar and more than 300 temples so step out and explore its charming sights.
Pull on some hiking boots and set off into Thailand's northern hills from Chiang Mai to meet locals and visit their villages. Walk through forests and rural terrain and learn about the distinct languages, dress and beliefs of the various hilltribes. Tuck into a delicious dinner before climbing into a bamboo hut for a real taste of life in Thailand's jungle.
Continue the hike and stop off at an elephant camp. Discover what life is like for a mahout and their elephant then take a ride on one of these gentle creatures through the jungle.
Opt to try bamboo rafting, stopping in at small riverside communities along the way. In free time back in Chiang Mai, why not pick up some last-minute bargains or simply settle back at a local cafe and share stories of this hilltribe experience.
Travellers who experienced this trip have rated it…
99% of travellers say they would travel with us again.
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domain: geography


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Here are some frequently asked questions - if you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!
WHAT DO YOUR SESSIONS INCLUDE?
INCLUDED IN YOUR COLLECTION IS MY TIME AND TALENT. OUR COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO THE SESSION INCLUDING A WARDROBE GUIDE. THE AMOUNT OF IMAGES IN THE PACKAGE YOU CHOSE AND AN ONLINE GALLERY WITH PRINT RELEASE.
WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND PRINTING MY PHOTOGRAPHS?
YOUR GALLERY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO DIRECTLY MAKE PRINT PURCHASES THROUGH ME OR I RECOMMEND MPIX OR NATIONS PHOTO LAB. I DO NOT GUARANTEE QUALITY WHEN PRINTING FROM A BIG BOX CHAIN STORE (WALGREENS, COSTCO, ETC).
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE SESSION?
MY STYLE IS VERY UNIQUE. I WILL NOT HAVE YOU SMILING AT THE CAMERA YOUR WHOLE SESSION. MY STYLE FOCUSES ON TRUE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. REAL MOMENTS THAT HAPPEN RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF MY LENS. MOVEMENT IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME DURING A SESSION, WE WILL MOVE SPOTS A FEW TIMES TO CHASE THE LIGHT OR SKY. SESSIONS ARE USUALLY AROUND AN HOUR, SOMETIMES MORE. HOWEVER, WE WILL BE HAVING SO MUCH FUN YOU'LL BE SURPRISED AT HOW FAST TIME GOES. MY SESSIONS ARE VERY LAID BACK AND EASY GOING. PREPARE TO HAVE FUN AND TRULY BE YOU.
WHAT IF MY KIDS DON'T COOPERATE?
This is the beauty of lifestyle sessions. I decided early on in my photography career that I refuse to expect kiddos to sit still for me during our session. I want to capture some gorgeous posed photos, however, I quickly let those poses turn into genuine moments that your kiddo typically dictates. I will tell you to do anything that you do at home that makes them happy. While I do try to keep everyone close and in the same frame together, we are typically doing fun things that usually keep kiddos entertained (ie: jumping, singing, running under a blanket). The main thing is for you as parents to come in with an open mind and easy going attitude to give them the chance to be themselves!
DO YOU OFFER WARDROBE ASSISTANCE?
OHHHHH YES! YOUR WARDROBE MATTERS. I PROMISE IT WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOUR SESSION. I HAVE A CLIENT WARDROBE GUIDE THAT I WILL SEND YOU ONCE WE BOOK YOUR SESSION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL I WOULD LOVE TO HELP!
WHEN AND HOW WILL I GET MY PHOTOS?
YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR IMAGES WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF YOUR SESSION AND YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A PASSWORD PROTECTED ONLINE GALLERY FOR 30 DAYS TO DOWNLOAD YOUR IMAGES TO YOUR COMPUTER OR SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. RUSH EDITING IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
DO YOU TRAVEL FOR PORTRAIT SESSIONS?
CURRENTLY I AM NOT OFFERING TRAVELING. PLEASE COME SEE ME IN TEXAS! :)
DO YOU OFFER MENTORING FOR FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS?
YES! CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION.

domain: hobby


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“Black Girls Be Like” is the title for Racheal Floyd’s debut feature film, or what she calls, “a love letter to Grand Rapids.” Floyd, who was born and raised in Grand Rapids, tells the story of Ta’Sheena, a young black girl growing up in the “hood” of Grand Rapids. The film is currently in pre-production stages expected to be released in the Winter of 2018.
The films begins with Ta’Sheena finishing up her last year of middle school, providing us glimpses of the how she’s fighting to find a place to be the girl she wants to be. Battling against the identities dictated by her environment, we see Ta’Sheena learn about herself and find the freedom she has always dreamed.
“We're living in a time in American history where marginalized people don't feel safe in this country,” says Floyd.
For the young film-maker, the story of Ta’Sheena is personal, as she remembers growing up and having little to no content representing girls like herself. “As a filmmaker it’s been a personal mission statement for me to create content that little girls can look up to, see themselves in, and be empowered by,” says Floyd.
Floyd, the brain behind the film, has teamed up with local filmmakers Virginia Anzengruber, Elizabeth Merriman, and Thom McGuire to produce Floyd’s love letter to Grand Rapids.
“I plan on making it as ‘Grand Rapids’ as possible. I want to incorporate the culture, the community, and how it feels to grow up there,” says Floyd, who is currently based in Atlanta.
Anzengruber, producer of the film, sought to get involved with this film to help make change in diversifying the industry, and ultimately help empower young women and girls facing racism and oppression.
In the words of Floyd, this film is coming at a time when people of color and people with marginalized identities are being represented more than ever helping create the stage for a production like Black Girls Be Like.
“This story needs to be told no just for black girls, but for every person that's ever had a dream or ever had a desire to better themselves and improve their situation by hard work and determination,” shares Floyd.
To find out more about how to support this film please visit the website at www.BGBLmovie.com.
Michelle Jokisch Polo is Rapid Growth's On The Ground Editor. To connect with Michelle, you can email her at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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domain: sociology


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Spain are contenders but not top favourites, says Xavi
Vienna: Euro 2008 champions Spain are not the top title contenders to win the World Cup but have a chance to lift the trophy in South Africa, playmaker Xavi Hernandez said Monday.
“We are a title candidate but not the favourite,” Barcelona`s Xavi was quoted as saying by Austrian Press Agency APA said at Spain`s pre-World Cup training camp in Schruns, Austria.
“We know that the World Cup could be our moment and that we get the title. But we have to be cautious. It was always our strength to enter the event with humility.”
Xavi said that the teams with more experience and past titles were the top favourites: France, Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany.
Spain has been an under-achiever at past World Cups, but is rated highly by football experts for the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa where it meets Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in group H.
Xavi was named the best player of the tournament as a classy Spain team won the Euro 2008 event in Austria and Switzerland.
Xavi and other players also said that Spain has no goalkeeper problem, with stalwart Iker Casillas of Real Madrid under pressure from in-form Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdez.
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domain: news


text:
It has been years since Jimmy Hart was a regular fixture at ringside, but “The Mouth of the South” might travel almost as much now as he did during his heyday as a wrestling manager in WWF and WCW.
Between fan conventions, autograph signings at shows and occasional appearances for WWE, he shows no signs of slowing down.
“Last weekend I was in New York with Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda; the week before that I was with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in Toronto,” Hart said in an interview at the Sentinel offices Tuesday. “We’re in pretty good demand. Every day I pinch myself – I’m so blessed.”
This Saturday, the WWE Hall of Famer will appear at the Stars & Stripes Country...


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Kick Carbs to the Curb —These 15 Snacks From Amazon Are What Every Keto-Lover Needs!
One of the hardest parts about dieting is trying to snack healthy. Luckily, there are some diets that make this a little easier. If you're focussed on a more low-carb or Keto diet, there are plenty of delicious options out there. Whether you have a sweet tooth or crave savory things, we have you covered. We shopped and discovered 15 low-carb foods that are also high in protein and great for pre-gym workouts or mid-afternoon treats. To make life even easier we shopped on Amazon, so everything will be delivered right to your door. From cake (yes!) to delicious potato chips, check out our favourites ahead.

domain: food


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Bitcoin is officially prohibited in Kyrgyzstan. The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBK) expressed their negative attitude to crypto-currency in an official statement.
Any calculations done in digital currencies, including Bitcoin transactions, will from now on be deemed illegal in the republic, and the authorities will officially recognize only som (the national currency of the Kyrgyz Republic) transactions.
The central financial regulator explained their decision with high risks that the usage of Bitcoin is associated with. The National Bank is especially troubled by the absence of material backing for BTC. As noted by NBK experts, this virtual currency has no real value, because its exchange rate cannot be pegged to real assets and BTC transactions require special online “platforms”. The only factors that bitcoin value is dependent on are the supply and demand for it.
NBK also pointed out that Bitcoin is vulnerable to safety and security risks. In case your BTC were transferred to a wrong receiver, there’s no chance for you to return them, as the system includes no regulating bodies or financial institutions serving as intermediaries. The same is applicable to stolen (or misappropriated through another means), and the fraudsters are impossible to identify.
Having analyzed all crypto-currency aspects, Kyrgyzstan authorities eventually decided to abandon it.


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I think we can declare an undisputed champion of failure.
The 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie is the absolute worst adaptation ever made. Yes, perhaps even Halle Berry can breathe a sigh of relief, because as horrendous as Catwoman was, at least it lasted in theaters for more than two weeks. You did not misread that. Universal Pictures’ horrendous attempt to revive the characters immortalized from an animated TV series that could only have come out of the 1980s flopped so badly that they pulled the film from theaters just two weeks after premiering, not even making back half of its minuscule-by-Hollywood-standards $5 million budget and leaving the door wide open for about every single critic out there to make jokes about how “truly, truly outrageous” this debacle really was. It’s a fitting demise for an adaptation that may have gotten more wrong about the source material than, yes, even Pitof’s disastrous take on DC’s most famous cat burglar.
So just in case you don’t know: The original “Jem” was about an orphaned young woman named Jerrica Benton inheriting her father’s music company along with a Star Trek quality computer that she and her friends use to create an all-girl hair band to stop her father’s corrupt business partner Eric Raymond from destroying the company with an evil rock band called the Misfits. And yes, that type of show completely fit in with animated shows in the 1980s.
So what did Universal, writer Ryan Landels and director Jon Chu do to bring Jem and the Holograms for another generation? They regurgitated the plot of the Josie and the Pussycats movie, gender-flipped Raymond (no Caitlyn Jenner jokes, please), removed the Misfits from the equation completely and turned Jerrica Benton into Rebecca Black with only half the talent and charm. At least “Friday” had something redeeming in how spectacularly awful it was. There’s nothing spectacular about the Jem movie, which could be Exhibit A as to why it failed.
Full disclosure: While I admit to having watched the likes of Rainbow Brite as a kid, I didn’t watch Jem, but even I can see why it caught on and subsequently why this movie tanked. It’s bad enough that the movie removed so much of the insanity that made the original fun to the point that Christy Marx could sue for defamation (and whether that’s more the fault of Landels or Chu really doesn’t matter), but it gets worse by rehashing the overused “fame isn’t as great as you think” and “you should never compromise who you are for success” morals that anyone with half a brain knows is outright hypocrisy when coming from Hollywood. Not to mention how it pretty much ridicules social media and YouTube, which really isn’t going to make the Millenials very happy. Old guard or next generation, this movie appeals to no one.
But that’s not to say this film couldn’t have worked had just more effort been put into it. Heck, they didn’t even have to make it a carbon copy of the cartoon. Was there legitimate concern that making it too “retro” would turn off the Millenials the studio felt were needed as a draw? Did they really need to modernize Jem by throwing YouTube into the mix? Okay, that’s fine. There still could have been a way to make it work and still produce something that paid better tribute to the original. Bear with me:
Jerrica inherits ownership in Starlight Records just like in the animated series. But she is either unable to exercise proxy power, or simply put, Raymond and the other execs at Starlight don’t trust her due to her age (or being a girl if you want to go THAT route), so she finds herself powerless to stop Raymond from taking the company n a direction she knows her father wouldn’t want using the Misfits. It could even be that Raymond is planning sabotage to eventually sell Starlight Records to a bigger production conglomerate.
BUT… it turns out that Jerrica (or possibly one of her friends) is very computer savvy. And, by using the Internet and their own home studio programs, they create an alternate identity music group who’s videos become so viral they outdraw the Misfits. An enraged Raymond relents to giving this “Jem” a chance – IF they agree to face off against the Misfits in person. This proves a problem for Jerrica because they can’t pull off the charade without their computer programs at home.
And that’s where Synergy comes in. Jerrica finds out that her father actually developed and left to her a holographic computer that they can use to create the facade of Jem and the Holograms outside the safety of their homes. The earring transmitters, the holographic disguises, using the “Showtime, Synergy” catchphrase the way it was intended – all of it can still be utilized in the same method as with the TV series – just adding in the while social media/online streaming part as a plot device to how someone like Jerrica would fight back in this day and age. Heck, you want to take it further? Have Raymond and the Misfits conspire to sabotage Jem’s concert and ruin their chance to officially joining Starlight – and then they are saved by millions of their fans bankrolling them through Kickstarter!!!
Maybe this wouldn’t have worked either. Maybe something like Jem and the Holograms is just not a franchise that could realistically work in this day and age – just a product of its time that time has passed by. We are talking about a girl-power rock band fighting criminals and a rival band willing to commit major felonies to try and beat them out. That insane concept could fly 30 years ago, but probably not today.
Still, the disappointment will always lie in the fact that this movie, simply put, just didn’t TRY. They could have at least made an effort to duplicate the excitement, adventure, glamour and glitter, fashion and fame that Jem was really about, and if the next generation turned away from it, we would at least know that for sure.
Instead, we got someone taking the name of a beloved franchise from our nostalgic past and using it it try and rehash a different story altogether that nostalgia buffs didn’t want to see and Millenials are clearly tired of hearing, and the result was a disaster that lasted shorter than a lot of other fleeting YouTube celebrities.
Truly, truly outrageous, indeed.
This article was originally published on manic-expression.com.


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NEW YORK — A lawyer for Harvey Weinstein on Thursday took aim at the credibility of the women accusing the former movie producer of sexual assault and urged jurors in the closing arguments of his New York trial to acquit him.
The prosecution “wove a sinister tale of a man who searched out his victims by putting them through a series of tests,” but that story was not supported by evidence, said Weinstein’s lawyer Donna Rotunno.
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“The irony is that the (prosecutors) in this case are the producers and they are writing the script,” she said. “They are creating a universe in which they are stripping adult women of common sense, autonomy and responsibility.”
The jury is expected to hear the prosecution’s closing argument on Friday in the trial that began more than a month ago.
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress, in 2013.


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What Irish Saint’s Feast Day Takes Place During Lent?
Published: February 29, 2024
Discover the significance of the feast day of the Irish saint celebrated during Lent in our special themes collection. Explore the traditions and history.
(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Christian.net, at no extra cost. Learn more)
Table of Contents
St. Patrick's Day is a widely celebrated holiday, especially in Ireland and among those of Irish descent. It's a day filled with parades, green attire, and festivities. However, did you know that St. Patrick's feast day takes place during Lent? In this article, we will explore the history of St. Patrick, the significance of his feast day, and how it is celebrated during the Lenten season. So, what Irish saint's feast day takes place during Lent? Let's delve into the fascinating story of St. Patrick and the traditions associated with his special day.
The History of St. Patrick
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in Britain in the late 4th century. At the age of 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. During his captivity, he worked as a shepherd and turned to his faith for solace. After six years, he managed to escape and return to his family. However, he experienced a spiritual calling to return to Ireland and spread the Christian faith among the pagan population.
Patrick underwent religious training and was eventually ordained as a bishop. He then embarked on his mission to Ireland, where he traveled extensively, preaching, baptizing, and establishing churches. One of the most famous legends associated with St. Patrick is that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people, thus making it a symbol of both St. Patrick and Ireland.
St. Patrick's efforts were instrumental in the conversion of Ireland to Christianity, and he is credited with bringing Christianity to the island. His dedication and impact on the country's religious landscape have solidified his place as a revered figure in both religious and Irish history. Today, St. Patrick is celebrated not only for his contributions to Christianity but also for his role in shaping the cultural and national identity of Ireland.
St. Patrick's Feast Day
St. Patrick's feast day, also known as St. Patrick's Day, is celebrated on March 17th, marking the anniversary of St. Patrick's death. This day holds great significance for both the religious and cultural communities, particularly in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. It is a day of commemoration and revelry, honoring the life and contributions of St. Patrick to the Christian faith and the Irish nation. The feast day provides an opportunity for people to reflect on St. Patrick's legacy and the impact of his missionary work in Ireland.
The celebration of St. Patrick's Day often includes attending church services, where the life and teachings of St. Patrick are remembered and honored. Many churches hold special masses or prayer services dedicated to St. Patrick, emphasizing his role as a missionary and his efforts to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. These religious observances serve as a reminder of the spiritual significance of the day and the enduring influence of St. Patrick's mission.
In addition to its religious importance, St. Patrick's feast day has evolved into a vibrant cultural celebration, characterized by various traditions and customs. Parades, festivals, and gatherings are held in cities and towns across Ireland and other parts of the world with significant Irish populations. These events showcase Irish music, dance, and folklore, creating a festive atmosphere that unites people in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.
The color green, closely associated with Ireland, St. Patrick, and the arrival of spring, is prominently featured during the festivities. People adorn themselves and their surroundings with green attire, decorations, and shamrocks, symbolizing the lush landscapes of Ireland and the enduring legacy of St. Patrick. The image of the shamrock, which St. Patrick used to illustrate the concept of the Holy Trinity, has become an iconic emblem of the holiday and is proudly displayed as a symbol of Irish heritage and faith.
Moreover, traditional Irish cuisine takes center stage during St. Patrick's Day celebrations, with dishes such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and hearty stews being enjoyed by families and friends. These culinary delights not only satisfy the palate but also serve as a reminder of the rich culinary heritage of Ireland and the communal spirit of sharing a meal together.
Overall, St. Patrick's feast day is a multifaceted occasion that encompasses religious veneration, cultural pride, and communal merriment. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of St. Patrick and the enduring influence of his missionary work, as well as a joyful celebration of Irish identity and heritage.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day during Lent
The celebration of St. Patrick's Day falls during the Lenten season, a period of spiritual reflection and preparation in the Christian calendar. Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Easter Sunday, is traditionally observed as a time of fasting, abstinence, and penance. Given the solemn nature of Lent, the question arises: How do people reconcile the exuberant festivities of St. Patrick's Day with the somber tone of the Lenten season?
1. Lenten Dispensation
During Lent, Catholics are called to abstain from meat on Fridays and to practice self-discipline and moderation in their daily lives. However, an exception is made for St. Patrick's Day when it falls on a Friday during Lent. In such cases, the Church may grant a dispensation, allowing the faithful to enjoy the traditional Irish fare, including the classic dish of corned beef and cabbage, without violating the Lenten abstinence from meat. This dispensation acknowledges the cultural and religious significance of St. Patrick's Day while maintaining the spirit of Lenten observance.
Read more: Notable Christian Art Around The World
2. Spiritual Reflection
Despite the festive nature of St. Patrick's Day, many individuals use this occasion to integrate spiritual reflection into their celebrations. They may attend special church services or prayer gatherings that focus on the life and legacy of St. Patrick, emphasizing his dedication to spreading the Christian faith. This blending of revelry with reverence allows people to honor St. Patrick's contributions while remaining mindful of the spiritual themes of Lent.
3. Acts of Charity
In keeping with the spirit of Lent, St. Patrick's Day can also be a time for acts of charity and goodwill. Many communities organize charitable events, such as food drives, fundraisers for local causes, or volunteer initiatives, as part of their St. Patrick's Day observances. These acts of kindness and generosity align with the Lenten emphasis on almsgiving and serving those in need, infusing the celebrations with a sense of compassion and solidarity.
4. Symbolic Greenery
The color green, synonymous with St. Patrick's Day, carries symbolic significance during Lent. While Lent is often associated with penitential purple, the vibrant green hues of St. Patrick's Day symbolize hope, renewal, and the arrival of spring. This visual representation of new life and growth complements the themes of spiritual rejuvenation and rebirth that are central to the Lenten season.
5. Balancing Joy and Reverence
Ultimately, celebrating St. Patrick's Day during Lent involves striking a balance between joyous merriment and solemn reverence. It is a time to honor the cultural heritage and religious legacy of St. Patrick while remaining mindful of the spiritual disciplines of Lent. By integrating festive customs with spiritual contemplation and acts of charity, individuals and communities can navigate the intersection of St. Patrick's Day and Lent with a harmonious blend of faith, tradition, and celebration.
In conclusion, St. Patrick's feast day, occurring during the Lenten season, holds a special place in the hearts of the Irish and those who celebrate the legacy of this revered saint. The festivities surrounding St. Patrick's Day seamlessly blend religious veneration, cultural pride, and communal joy, creating a vibrant tapestry of traditions and customs. Despite the juxtaposition of exuberant celebrations with the solemnity of Lent, individuals and communities navigate this intersection with grace, finding ways to honor St. Patrick's contributions while embracing the spiritual themes of the Lenten season. St. Patrick's Day serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of St. Patrick, the rich heritage of Ireland, and the unifying power of faith and tradition. As the world dons shades of green and partakes in the revelry, the spirit of St. Patrick's Day continues to resonate, bridging the past with the present and uniting people in a shared celebration of faith, culture, and community.

domain: library


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