Recently in Self Promotion Category

How does an attention whore like me forget to post pictures of himself with the biggest star in daytome television, Susan Lucci, and with the hilarious Sherri Shepherd of "The View."

These are from SOAPNet's pre-Emmy Awards party last month.

Time to blow out the candles, today is the second anniversary of Out In Hollywood. After all the attention over the City Hall honor a few days ago, I really have not much else to say about what a privilege and a joy it is to write this blog. It has changed my life - for the better - in so many ways.

So, I'll just do a recap of where we've been in the past 24 months. The blog passed 2 million visits a few months ago and readership increased 130 percent from the first year to the second. With posts ranging from between 6-10 on an average day, Out In Hollywood should reach 4,000 posts by next week!

I have no plans to slow down - it feels like the fun has just begun!

Anyway, I've compiled some lists highlighting some of what has happened in the world of gay culture, entertainment, politics etc. and in doing so, it becomes even more clear to me that the time for a blog like this - and all the other sites with a gay sensibility - has really come:

Biggest stories: Gay marriage legalized in California; candidates for Democratic presidential election hold debate in LA; "Brokeback Mountain" star Heath Ledger's death;

Famous people who have come out publicly: John Amaechi, T.R. Knight, Lance Bass, Neil Patrick Harris, Luke Macfarlane, Cheyene Jackson, David Hyde Pierce; Thomas Roberts, Jane Lynch, Miss Cleo, Cynthia Nixon, Paulo Szot

Famous gay people who have gotten married or engaged: John Barrowman, George Takei, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi, Darren Hayes
Scripted TV shows with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered characters: Showtime's "The L Word," Here!TV's "Dante's Cove," Logo's "Big Gay Sketch Show," Scotty and Luke on "Brothers & Sisters," Luke and Noah on "As the World Turns," Marc St. Claire on "Ugly Betty," Lee and Bob on "Desperate Housewives," Billy Baldwin and Candis Cayne's storyline on "Dirty Sexy Money," Alex Meade on "Ugly Betty," Calvin on "Greek," Capt. Jack Harkness on "Torchwood," Uncle Saul on "Brothers & Sisters"

Reality TV shows featuring LGBT: Nate Berkus, host of "Oprah's Big Give," Jeff Lewis of "Flipping Out," Jackie Warner of "Work Out,," Sean Hetherington on "American Gladiators," "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano,, Todd Herzog of "Survivor,"

Controveries: Isaiah Washington's use of the other "f" word in reference to T.R. Knight and is later fired from "Grey's Anatomy"; John Amaechi's coming out sets former NBA player Tim Hardaway off on anti-gay tirades; Sen. Larry Craig busted in airport bathroom; Former Joint Chief of Staffs Gen. Peter Pace says gays are immoral despite the many serving in the military under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Vile Ann Coulter uses gay slur in reference to John Edwards; Ted Haggard gives up ministry after admitting to drug use and gay sex; Out Magazine features Jodie Foster and Anderson Cooper on the cover of its Power List issue; Rosie O'Donnell feuds with Donald Trump, Bill O'Reilly and finally, Elisabeth Hasselbeck...leaves "The View" early...

Greg Hernandez honored for stellar coverage of gay issues

Daily News columnist and blogger Greg Hernandez was honored by the Los Angeles City Council on Friday for pioneering coverage of gay Hollywood, entertainment and cultural issues in a mainstream newspaper.

Hernandez was among nine local gay leaders, writers, entertainers and activists - including state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles - honored by the council as part of the city's second annual LGBT Pride Month Celebration.

Bill Rosendahl, an openly gay member of the council, said Hernandez has contributed significantly to a broader community understanding of gay issues through his daily column in the Daily News and his blog at blogs.dailynews.com/outinhollywood.

"Good journalists who are gay and appreciate being gay and who write about the gay experience are doing a huge service to the community," Rosendahl said.

Hernandez, who two years ago began Out in Hollywood as one of the nation's first gay entertainment blogs affiliated with a mainstream publication, said he's inspired to tell stories about people in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community as part of his wider coverage of Hollywood.

"I love to write about what people have accomplished (and) for them to tell me in their own words," said Hernandez. "Younger people can see that anything is possible."

Daily News Managing Editor Melissa Lalum said Hernandez brings tremendous dedication, energy and enthusiasm to his work.

"He is uniquely positioned to bring gay issues and culture to mainstream audiences in an effortless way. He is as likeable in person as he is in print or online," Lalum said.
Kuehl, a lesbian who is about to be termed out in the state Senate, was honored for her legislative efforts, specifically on behalf of the LGBT community.

Also honored were actor Wilson Cruz; former AIDS coordinator Phill Wilson; LAPD Capt. Tina Nieto; IN Los Angeles and Frontiers political writer Karen Ocamb; Diane Olson and Robin Tyler, original plaintiffs in the gay-marriage case; Rodney Scott of Christopher Street West; and Suzanne Naputi of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

I wrote a story for Sunday's LA Daily News about the LGBT Pride Celebration at City Hall earlier today and wanted to share it withreaders of the blog first:

Just about every day this space is for famous people and their stories.

I'm certainly not famous (except to my little niece and nephew), but you'll have to indulge me a bit as I tell you about the extraordinary day I had on Friday.

I was among the 11 gay and lesbian people honored by the city of Los Angeles for contributions to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community and for "significant achievements in your professional and personal life."

Wow!

Here I was... decked out in a new shirt and tie, a little nervous and soon to be called up to address the City Council on live television -- nobody told me about that! But with the support of some close friends and mentors, I made it through a very moving ceremony.

State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, a former actress ("The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis") whose final term in coming to an end, sat next to me and was among those being honored. She received so many tributes that she had to remind everyone at one point that while she was leaving the senate, she is not dying.

I already knew fellow honoree Wilson Cruz, the actor who rose to fame on "My So-Called Life" and who has had a busy career on stage ("Rent"), in television ("Noah's Arc") and films ("He's Just Not That Into You").

Wilson has accomplished all of this as an openly gay actor. He came out when he was just a teenager and had to pay a personal and professional price. But he lives his life on his own terms and I admire him greatly.

Karen Ocamb, who covers politics for IN Los Angeles and Frontiers magazines, was the other journalist honored. Karen's tenacious reporting of LGBT issues is so important and so thorough. She is not afraid to put anyone's feet to the fire whether they are a straight politician or a gay leader.

Obviously, since my focus is on entertainment, Karen and I play far different roles in the media. I'm proud to be doing this column and my Out in Hollywood blog, which touches gay and mainstream audiences. I have an incredible opportunity to share my work with a wide array of people and hope my sensibilities broaden people's perspectives.

The emotional impact of the occasion took me by surprise.

Busy with work all week, I confess to not giving the ceremony much thought until that morning. When I saw my friends Beth Barrett, Evan Pondel and Mariel Garza, my editor Melissa Lalum and former Daily News editor Ron Kaye all there for me, it was suddenly a big deal.

Then came the stories of the incredible people who were honored with me and their eloquent speeches. It gave me a lump in the throat! I'll never forget the generous words Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who led the event, had for all of us.

Did I mention, we had not been warned that we'd have to speak or that it would be on television? Now, I'm not shy, but I'm not used to being on the other side of the camera. When you are in the trenches doing interviews, going to events, writing columns or blogging, there isn't much to reflect on what you are doing or its impact.

At Friday's ceremony I was without my reporter's notebook and pen and I left my audio recorder at home. We were the story. Each of us shared how far we've come, but we all know the road ahead is just as important.

Sorry for the lack of posts today! I'll have some later and some tomorrow. Spent part of the day at Los Angeles City Hall for the most amazing ceremony honoring nine LBGT Angelinos for their accomplishments. I was one of them and Wilson Cruz was another! I'll be writing a column detailing it all (and have more pictures) so stay tuned!

This sounds like an incredibly cool event and I'm really proud to be among those being recognized: The Los Angeles City Council will hold its 2nd Annual LGBT Pride Celebration Friday June 27 at Los Angeles City Hall. On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, councilmembers will honor the LGBT community and celebrate recent tremendous advances in the LGBT civil rights movement.
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl will lead the event, and will be joined by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Chief William Bratton, and Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin, as well as additional dignitaries. Several community leaders and groups will be honored.

Honorees include: State Sen. Sheila Kuehl; Wilson Cruz, Actor; Phill Wilson, former AIDS Coordinator; LAPD Captain Tina Nieto; Karen Ocamb, IN Los Angeles and Frontiers magazines; Greg Hernandez, LA Daily News, Diane Olson & Robin Tyler (pictured above); Rodney Scott, Christopher Street West;; and Suzanne Naputi, LA Gay & Lesbian Center.

I am especially proud to be honored alongside my fellow journalist Karen Ocamb whose work is so important and is someone I really like and admire.

Here are a few links to Karen's recent work covering gay marriage:

-- This is Karen's piece "I Do! California Performs Same-Sex Marriage" which features our fellow honorees Diane Olson and Robin Tyler.

-- Marriage in WeHo is her coverage of the first day of licenses issued and marriages performed in West Hollywood
being

-- Karen also helped put together this one-time LGBT Media consortium of LGBT newspapers and freelancers who shot pictures and posted them on a special Marriage Project on Bilerico.com - which provided free to folks around the country.

Anyway, the event is gonna be held on Friday morning starting with a breakfast at City Hall then a ceremony inside Council Chambers. My being included in this is cool because it coincides perfectly with the SECOND ANNIVERSARY of Out In Hollywood which is Monday! I'll have some fun facts and figures on that day for you. I'm sure it will be RIVETING.

Whether it's talking about his sex life with boyfriend David Burtka on Howard Stern's radio show or admitting that he got an erection when kissing a female co-star on "How I Met Your Mother," Neil Patrick Harris has become increasingly outspoken and confident since coming out a few years back. AfterElton.com takes a look at NPH and writer Brent Hartinger interviewed me for the piece. But you'll have to read it on AfterElton.com.

So, I wrote a real tear-jerker of a letter to the folks at "Extreme Makeover" and I won a re-designed blog! But I didn't get sent to Disney World or someplace cool like that while the rehab took place. In fact, it happened Monday afternoon and thanks to Steve Rosenberg of the DailyNews.com team for re-formatting everything with so much care. You'll find a search box that works now, the most recent comments up in the left column, some ads (we gotta pay the bills!) and now I have more room for my posts with photos the size of billboards! OK, well, maybe not that big.

For my part, I spent several hours on Monday updating the archives and creating some new categories. When we started having technical problems with the blogs last year that made the whole process terminally slow, I stopped putting things in categories because it took forever. But now things are much speedier and the archives are up-to-date from March on and I plan to finish the rest of the months by week's end.

Then it's back to what I love best: creating content for this blog for all of you to enjoy!

I'm quoted extensively in a new story in PRWeek about the state of the newspaper business and the transition to online and blogs. Here's a link to Special Report: State of Transition

The writer called me several times and it seems like each time I was in the car, on the freeway. So there was not really an opportunity to do anything other than just tell it like it is but when I read these quotes, I come across as a real bitch - kinda harsh. But those are my words and I was happy to do the interview even though the writer does not mention the Out In Hollywood blog once! Sheesh!

Here is an excerpt:

Many reporters are still slow to embrace blogging, even though it provides an opportunity to enhance their job skills, says Greg Hernandez, staff writer and blogger at the Los Angeles Daily News. Indeed, only 22.1% of respondents report writing a blog for their traditional outlet.

"I think overall there were some early adopters, people who did embrace it early on," he notes. "And maybe they were more online-savvy and [saw] how their lives were moving in this direction and they realized that. But I think some journalists who had been around a long time... resented any new work.

"[Moving to the Web] really requires more work out of everyone," adds Hernandez. "People resented [being asked to do] more work for the same pay. They weren't grasping that the survival of the business and the publications were at stake and [that] if they couldn't step up, there might not have been room for them in the business."

Earlier post: Greg talks, and talks and talks...

While I was in Palm Springs a few weeks ago, poolside, I got a call from author Brent Hartinger who was writing a piece for AfterElton.com on the state of gay-themed films in the industry. I've just read it and Brent has done a really thorough and terrific job. I'm barely in there which is fine because he got some really key industry folks. Here's a quote of mine followed by a link to the piece:

There are gay characters in major films," says Greg Hernandez, author of Out in Hollywood and a longtime entertainment industry reporter. "But they're supporting characters. A gay-themed story, where it's the centerpiece of the movie, that's the toughest sell."

Read "The Gay Movie Revolution" in AfterElton.com

Ron Kaye sometimes used to stop by my desk as I was pounding out a story or blog item and loudly proclaim: "I set you free!"

He knew it, I knew it, everyone knew it.

After two decades in journalism, it was with Ron's staunch support that I launched the Out In Hollywood blog - a gay man's take on all things involving pop culture and whatever else I found of interest. It was the summer of 2006 and my role at The Daily News went from being very enjoyable to being an absolute and utter blast.

Ron encouraged me to break the chains of traditional journalism and to write from my heart. Along the way,. I found my voice.

What a gift.

Ron was excited by the blog's success and talked it up publicly on several occasions and also did so for others who had entered the online world and connected with readers. Then last summer came the cherry on the cake when Ron and managing editor Melissa Lalum gave me a daily column in the paper to make this more of a dream job than I ever could have imagined.

Today was Ron's last day at the Los Angeles Daily News after 23 years. He told us they had been the happiest of his life and that his three years as editor had been heaven. I wanted to publicly pay tribute to Ron here on the blog because without his support, there would not have been an Out In Hollywood and I would have never have been set free!

It is priceless and I intend to honor him by carrying on in this way no matter what the future holds.

To read about Ron's career and his departure, go to DailyNews.com

Was at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove this morning doing a post-breakfast browse and spotted on the bookshelf "The Q Guide to Designing Women" by Allen Crowe. Regular readers of this blog know that this is one of my favbrite shows of all time . I had written a series of newspaper articles and blog posts about a "Designing Women" reunion that took place in the fall of 2006. It gave me the opportunity to interview star Dixie Carter and creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason before the event. At the event, I got a second-row seat directly behind Delta Burke and met all four of the main leads: Burke, Carter, Jean Smart and Annie Potts. It was heaven.
A short time later, the author had called me to interview me for the book. I didn't give it another thought until I saw the book this morning. I saw my name in the acknowledgments and as I leafed through it, found myself quoted in Chapter 12 ("The Cast's Favorite Episodes") on pages 124 and 135).

The episode he writes about is "They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?" Here's the excerpt: In addition to "Dash Goff, the Writer," the episode when Delta first met Gerald McRaney, her favorite show was the one dealing with her weight issues. Los Angeles Daily News entertainment journalist Greg Hernandez also picked this as his favorite episode. He was very moved by a conversation between Julia and Suzanne the morning after Suzanne's high school reuniin: "Julia told Suzanne, 'In the end all that matters is what was true and truly felt.' As a closeted gay man (at the time), it really resonated with me. It was something to go on and try to live by."

A few pages later, the author provides the entirety of what Julia said to Suzanne - words that have stuck with me forever: "In the end it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you. You have to be exactly who and what you want to be. Most everyone is floating along on phony public relations. People who say being beautiful or rich or thin makes them happy. People who are trying to make their marriages and their children seem better than they actually are. And for what?! Appearances. Appearances don't count for diddly! In the end, all the really matter is what was true and truly felt and how we treated one another."

THE EMMY THAT GOT AWAY: Delta Burke was nominated for her first Emmy Award for her performance in the episode but had the misfortune of going up against Candice Bergen who won her second (of five overall) Emmy that year for "Murphy Brown."

Related posts:
- A Night with the Designing Women: Part One
- A Night with the Designing Women: Part Two
- The Dazzling Designing Women

I was hanging out with Gaywired.com's Ross von Metzke at the Stonewall Democrat's election night party at Here Lounge Tuesday night. Ross and I met at the NLGJA conference in San Diego last fall and he's a talented, smart guy. But I didn't think this video of me spouting off would end up online. I think I thought it was him practicing on me. The lighting is not very good (thank God!) but I don't sound like a total idiot.

To read Ross' piece, go to Gaywired.com

OK, sorry for the lack of posts today. I've had some deadlines for my print columns and also spent some time setting up a Facebook profile. If you are on Facebook and want to be friends, go to my page at:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Greg_Hernandez/638741386

I'm also enjoying the MySpace experience and thanks to everyone who so far has taken the time to add me to their friends lists! I feel closer to you now...

Yeah, I'm a blogger but the truth is, my blog was set up by the online folks at the Daily News and I haven't any idea how to do anything other than write items and post photos and videos and stick a headline on it all. So it was a bit comical as I tried to set up a MySpace page last night that I hope will bring new readers and more exposiure to Out In Hollywood.

Here is the link: http://www.myspace.com/outinhollywood

So what I'm hoping for, is to make some friends! Some MySpace friends. I'd love for any readers to link to me and vice-versa and send it along to your friends too! I am also gonna do a FaceBook thing but I want to master MySpace first.

So please check it out!!!

Remember the scene in "Beaches" when Bette Midler's character is watching herself on a television interview and she's saying to the screen: "Don't say it Cee-Cee! Don't say it!" Well, that's how I kinda felt in reading this interview I did recently with PR Week. I'm used to asking the questions so as I read my answers, all I could think of was how my syntax was off and my sentences disorganized. I've come to the conclusion that I write better than I talk!

Anywho, here it is:

By Randi Schmelzer

He's covered business at the Los Angeles Times, the film industry for The Hollywood Reporter -- and since 2001, he's focused on both. As entertainment reporter at the LA Daily News, Greg Hernandez covers box-office trends and DVD release parties, profiles celebrities, and live-blogs awards shows. Hernandez also authors two daily blogs, Out in Hollywood and Hollywood Joe.

PRWeek: What are your feelings about the current state of the entertainment industry?

Greg Hernandez: As far as the industry goes, I think this is as an exciting a time as it's ever been. There are just so many new things going on, you know, creativity [is] flowing. And the public appetite for entertainment is endless.

PRWeek: You've seen the newspaper industry change a lot, too, over the course of your career. What are your thoughts about that?

Hernandez: I think [the LA Daily News] has been very innovative, especially online. We have 40-plus blogs, we have all kinds of interactive kinds of things: photo galleries and videos. We're really trying to move with the times as well as continue to put out a good print product.

PRWeek: Tell us about your Out in Hollywood blog.

Hernandez: I started Out in Hollywood in the summer of 2006. Basically it's a queer-eye view of all things entertainment. And it has been so popular - it's the most popular [LA Daily News] blog that's not sports-related. That kind of surprised everyone.

PRWeek: Why do you think it's been so well received?

Hernandez: Because it's friendly, it's not shocking - it's just a focus on things of gay interest, whether it's gay character on a show or in a movie, or an actor, that kind of thing ... It has a big gay audience, but it also draws a lot of women, it also draws a lot of mainstream viewers.

PRWeek: Has it stirred up any controversy?

Hernandez: I've never gotten any negative response, believe it or not. I was expecting to and waiting to -- I started covering gay [entertainment business] issues in the paper 5-6 years ago, and I've always expected a big outrage factor. And we haven't had it. But I would welcome more controversy. It would just make me more determined to keep doing what I'm doing.

PRWeek: What do you think about the kind of mainstream exposure gay characters are getting these days, in movies and TV shows?

Hernandez: I think that TV's really forging the way on that, especially ABC. On Ugly Betty, they have several gay characters, they have a transsexual character. Desperate Housewives has a gay character and [recently] introduced a new gay couple. So those two shows have really led the way. And Brothers and Sisters probably has the best gay character in all of network TV: Kevin Walker played by Matthew Rhys. ABC is almost single-handedly helping America along.

Also a big deal are the performances of TR Knight on Grey's Anatomy and Neil Patrick Harris on How I Met Your Mother - both are Emmy-nominated, they are gay in real life and they've come out - it helps. But there's still such a long way to go, in terms of just having it not matter at all.