Say Guncle!

I don't mean to disparage any of these wonderful men -- several of whom brought me great joy as a child. But you can't deny that young gay guys are fortunate to be growing up at a time when in addition to some campy out men, there are also gays of other walks of life, too. I wonder what I'd be today if I didn't spend my childhood thinking my only career choices were hairdresser, interior designer or a sarcastic wimp Mary Richards. 

A Mind of Her Joan

Charles Nelson Reilly, Sylvester and Joan

See a heartwarming reminder of why Ms. Rivers was considered "Joan of Arc" for the HIV/AIDS Community HERE.

It's a Match!

Goodbye, Charles Nelson Reilly

A sad day in the (212) with the passing of Charles Nelson Reilly, who died on Friday of complications from pneumonia at 76.

Like most queers of my generation, Reilly was really one of the first gay people we ever knew about. Although his campy ascot-wearing persona could be considered the 1970s equivalent to Jack McFarland on "Will & Grace," just having him sitting there alongside the other stars on "The Match Game" and being loved and accepted was a subconscious comfort to all of us gay boys in our early development. Although he later lamented being best known for his game show appearances, it's hard to imagine those shows working without him. (Tony Tripoli pays a wonderful tribute to Charles playing him in the L.A. stage production of "The Mismatch Game," below.) Reilly won a Tony Award in 1962 for his role in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and was nominated again in 1964 for "Hello, Dolly" and in 1997 for directing "The Gin Game."

The Bronx-born Reilly is survived by his long-time partner, Patrick Hughes. He will be missed. (NYT)