BeChicMag.com

By Camlyn V.

In light of the Pride Parade in NYC, contributing writer Camlyn shares her observation on the Gay Community.

There is nothing I love watching more than men in heels and heart thumping pelvic thrusts and this is what Lady Gaga is all about! The reigning pop culture icon recently discussed her latest single “Alejandro” during a Larry King Live interview. The lady described her newest video as a “celebration of my love and appreciation for the gay community, my admiration of their bravery and their love for one another, their courage and their relationships….” Gaga proves that she is a strong activist inside and outside her recording studio, combating homophobia in her music pieces. In her interview, Gaga also discussed the music industry’s issues and problems concerning homosexuals and how her music embraces them. Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Germanotta) could not have chosen a better time to arrive. She has revolutionized the music industry with her intense visions, outspoken ideas, and daring style. Not only is Gaga an amazing artist but she’s also a great equal rights supporter.

Showing up to Washington, D.C. in October of last year, Lady Gaga, along with other stars like Cynthia Nixon, attended the Human Rights Campaign and the National Equality March where the crowd went “gaga” for Gaga. She captured the attention and gained the admiration of many as she proclaimed to our own President Obama: “ARE YOU LISTENING? We will continue to push your administration to bring your promise of equality,” witnessed the Washington Post.

However, what does the Latino community think of gay issues? We have never heard more talk about homosexuality, than when the beautiful Ricky Martin announced his sexuality claiming he is a “fortunate homosexual,” as if we didn’t already think so! Other Spanish star Christian Chavez, singer from popular Mexican sensation RBD, came out to the world last year. However, we don’t see anyone’s face more than Perez Hilton. The gossip king openly speaks about his coming out experience to CNN: “At the beginning, when I came out to my mom, she reacted with a sigh and said, ‘You’re my son and I have to love you,’ ” Hilton says. “But now she says, ‘You’re the best son in the world, and we need to find you a man.’ ” These men are extremely proud of their sexuality but what about the non celebrities who are dying to “come out” to their parents, their friends and the world? The courage that celebrities have is not the same as regular people, especially young adults.

Latino families have been perceived as families that will never accept a homosexual or transsexual child but this is a stigma that Latino celebrities like Ricky Martin, Christian Chavez, and Perez Hilton are fighting to change.

Along with many others, celebs have made a great effort to raise awareness and do a fantastic job supporting the Gay/LGBT Community. The gay community is one that has been struggling for acceptance and continues to fight for their rights today. You would figure that with all this democracy and equal rights for the people talk would apply to everyone. Currently the gay couples are only allowed to marry in a few selected states- giving homosexual couples some freedom rather than all the freedom they deserve. These celebrities are fighting for all LGBT rights and urge everyone to accept people as they are. They urge families especially to try and support this brave outing of their own personal decision and what their heart desires.

“It isn’t equal if it’s sometimes. I want real democracy. Imagine all the people could love equally.” -Lady Gaga

By Jennifer Eberhart

Beading, flowing gowns, navy bathing suits, lace, sequins, cotton suits, high heels. Sound a bit like your wardrobe? You may (or might not) be surprised to know that all of today’s fashions have been inspired by styles of earlier generations.

In an exquisitely designed new exhibit, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting a show entitled “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”. The show delves into styles from the 1890s to 1940, focusing on the strength and passions of six different women and her influences in gaining the independence that we females are able to enjoy today.

The heiress, the Gibson Girl, the bohemian, the patriot / suffragist, the flapper and the screen siren are all highlighted throughout the 7-room gallery.

With 80 mannequins decked out in House of Worth, Chanel, Valentina and Callot Soeurs, this exhibit is a fashion-lover’s dream.

“American Woman” also boasts hand-painted backdrops, period music, hand-crafted headpieces, archival footage and film clips that take the viewer back in time. As an added bonus, if you pick up the audio guide at the gallery entrance, you’ll hear New York’s very own fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker introducing you to each accomplished woman in the gallery.

The exhibit is made possible through an historic collaboration with the Brooklyn Museum, which is hosting its own display of covetable clothing in “American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection”, on display until August 1.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “American Woman” is this summer’s must-see show for any art and fashion lover. The exhibit continues through August 15.

JOURNALIST DENISSE OLLER

We had the honor of speaking with five-time Emmy award-winning journalist Denisse Oller. After 25 years of broadcasting, Oller decided to pursue her interest in the culinary world. The anchor turned chef spoke to us about her career change, why her mother never wanted her to learn how to cook and exclusive info on her upcoming projects. We even shared a few laughs when I showed her a particular photo!

We also asked Oller if she would express her thoughts on CNN’s Latino in America series, and she did! We divided our on-camera interview in two. Check them out on BeChic TV here.
– Mercedes

MONEY MATTERS AND EXCLUSIVE “APPRENTICE” PREVIEW…

Being chic isn’t just about how you wear your hair or the clothes you own. It’s also about being smart with your money. And who better to give tips on saving and investing than Suze Orman and Donald Trump. On Saturday, about 10,000 people had the chance to hear the two moguls at MONEYFest, an expo ran by The Learning Annex at the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Orman’s personality and expertise shined like her bold, purple waist-hugging blazer. She joked about New Yorker’s asking her not to stand behind the podium because they wanted to see if she had “junk in her drunk.” The thousands of people who filled the Grand Ballroom where shocked when Suze gave new information on credit card debt. Unlike her show on CNBC where she recommends one get out of debt as soon as possible, Suze slightly went back on her word. She stressed the importance of building an emergency fund in today’s economy. Her strategy to getting that emergency fund faster? Suze said, those in debt should pay only the minimum amount due on their credit cards monthly and put the extra cash towards the emergency fund until they have enough money to cover their basic living costs for at least eight months!

Through various seminars, people won cash prizes including $1,000 giveaways and others had opportunities to buy foreclosed houses starting at $25,0000.

Donald Trump was also invited to give an hour-long speech on “Thinking Like A Champion” and tips on how to bulletproof your money. But from the moment The Donald hit the stage, it felt more like a sold-out comedy show than a money expo. Sure he gave general advice on what kind of people become successful, but I found myself laughing more than I was taking notes.

The “master” of real estate said a few words on how his hair is real, but other comments seemed to offend a middle-aged woman sitting next to me. For instance, she called Trump a jerk after he said he likes hanging out with losers because they make him feel good; when he gave an anecdote on how when he was a teenager he broke up with his girlfriend at a restaurant before the dinner was served only because he thought she was going to break up with him; and, how he corrected Meredith Vieira on the Today Show when she said he only dates “models.” He said, “That’s not true. I only date supermodels.” Mr. Trump considers these tactics “thinking like a champion.”

Trump briefly spoke about the recent Miss USA pageant, and Miss California’s non- p.c. answer when she said she doesn’t agree with same-sex marriages. Donald- who owns the Miss USA pageant- doesn’t think the answer cost the beauty queen the crown; he thinks she would have lost anyway. He also gave a few blows to Rosie O’Donnell by calling her a sleazeball as he gave an example on getting even with people, and said, “Now, there’s a loser.”

Now for the Celebrity Apprentice Preview: Donald says to watch out for tomorrow’s episode. “It will be the most vicious firing in the history of the show,” said Donald Trump. “I’ve never seen anyone reacting like this to getting fired. I was ducking.” I predict it’s one of the Rivers girls. Either Melissa gets fired and Joan goes crazy, or Joan goes crazy when she gets fired. Who do you think goes home? – Mercedes Sanchez

“West Side Story” returns to Broadway tomorrow, but I was able to see a preview performance last night at the Palace Theatre in Times Square.

It was a full house with an audience from different generations. Although the plot is still the same, this production of “West Side Story” is in some way different than the original making it- from the audience’s reaction- a stronger show. For one thing, original songs like “I Feel Pretty” and “A Boy Like That” were performed in Spanish. And it turns out that Lin Manuel-Miranda, the creator of the Tony-winning musical “In the Heights,” was the mastermind behind the translation. Apparently, it was a smart move and was accepted by the audience. Non-Spanish speaking people sitting behind me were singing along to the rhythm, although the lyrics were in Spanish.

The show received a standing ovation. Karen Olivo who left “In the Heights” for the role of Anita was spectacular. I wasn’t able to get my eyes off her. And I have to admit that she’s the reason I was looking forward to seeing the show. Chita Rivera played Anita in the original “West Side Story” in 1957.

Argentine Josefina Scaglione plays Maria. I was skeptical of the opera-trained 21-year-old, but she too was a joy to watch. – Mercedes Sanchez

Celebrity Sightings: “The View” co-host Joy Behar; actress Lucy Liu. I also ran into my my middle school history teacher who was with high school students from Chicago.