Sunday, January 18, 2009

Out Spotlight LVIII

Today's Out Spotlight is Lynn Cothern

Cothern , gay out and white, found himself to became a part of continuing the legacy of civil rights and social justice for all brought to the forefront of the United States by Dr. Martin Luther King. Growing into a job he felt was divinely given to him, he found himself at the side Coretta Scott King as her assistant and essentially chief of staff.

A self confessed country bumpkin from Fayetteville, Tennessee, as a student at the Atlanta Art Institue he looked for a part time job to support him . He found himself with a decision either take a part time job at The King Center or use his transfer letter to get a guaranteed job at Sears. Lynn Cothern chose to work at the The King Center.

His first job was in the Center's library and archives assign accession numbers for the archive items in the center, after three months was transferred to the office of the executive vice president of government and international affairs. Three months later he was tapped by the Center's founder, Mrs. Coretta Scott King herself, to work on the files in her office.

But all did not agree with Mrs. King decision for Cothern as her assistant. It took some at the center a while to realize the vision. They weren't thrilled with King's choice of a gay white male to head her office. He would, after all, be accompanying her on most public appearances - she makes nearly 200 a year - and therefore be very visible. But Mrs King believe in Cothern and knew this was the right choice.

"Several of her board members and other people were like, 'You don't need that gay white boy traveling around with you,'" "Mrs. King was very clear. She said, 'I know what I need.' She was very clear about it. 'He does his job and that's what I'm about, not about the fact that he's white or gay.'"

All the while making time to volunteer in causes close to him. It was the 80's and the AIDS crisis, Cothern decided to be a part of a buddy program for those with AIDS which then led him into new directions.

"I was a buddy captain and I had five or six buddies that I helped make the transition,""I was with them through their transition. Each time it took a toll on me personally, and it also gave me a tremendous amount of growth personally and I wanted to continue to do the work but as many who worked at this time in HIV and AIDS, you get tired. And I wanted to do something that wasn't so draining and so I started working more in the gay and lesbian community on issues. I've never seen myself as just as a gay activist. I try to see myself as a human rights activist that specializes, maybe, in queer issues. But I work on all the progressive issues because I believe very strongly that everything is interconnected. Where you see racism and sexism, you'll see homophobia."

In 1990’s a Georgia based lesbian was fired from the Cracker Barrell restaurants for being perceived as gay was just one of the instances where Cothren was able to apply his skills and first hand knowledge of civil rights for the benefit of the LGBT community. Cothern took up the cause.

But Cothern didn't find it all easy all the time to balance his all commitments.

"I remember doing Cracker Barrel and I talked about the mammy dolls and the confederate flags in their stores and there were some people - and people I respected actually - who said that I was taking the queer out of the issue because I was showing where they were racist and sexist, because they didn't have women in upper management or on the board or anything," said Cothren. "And the real issue was the fact that gay people were being fired and I needed to just focus on that."

Working in King's office afforded him the chance to be a bridge builder between the black and gay communities. In 2003, Cothren helped organize the 40th anniversary march on Washington and ensured that no less than three openly-gay speakers found their way to the podium. One does not have wonder just how much of an effect Cothren had on his boss, who spoke out strongly in favor of gay rights. During Mrs. King's lifetime she became a very vocal advocate for LGBT rights and on many occasions compared the 1960’s civil rights struggle to the current day struggle for LGBT rights.

Cothern, the country boy who was never ashamed of who he was, met heads of state, political and social advocates, and celebrities, all the time being Lynn. His friends and acquaintances include Maya Angelou, Oprah, Rev Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and former President Bill Clinton.

Always finding a way to serve all of his commitment to equality and his community, Cothern was a driving force in the Atlanta Pride Committee, raising it from 5,000 participants in the 1980's to over 320,000 by 1997. And he has been a spokesperson on GLTB and civil rights on Larry King, Oprah, and 20/20.

He continues his commitment to fight all 'ism's.

He now serves as the Director of Administration for the Girl Scout International in New York City.

Lynn Cothern - official site

Video Interview with Lynn

Coretta Scott King's Gay "Son"

64 comments:

destiny said...

Another great spotlight. It's nice to read about someone who has spent their life fighting for all kinds of civil rights.

Florida Tom said...

Great Spotlight. Lynn and Coretta are two people to be admired.

GO EAGLES....................

Anonymous said...

Thanks special for today's spotlight and all your hard work here at OMG. What would we do without you :)

Sorry to hear about your job. I know with your talents you will find something new soon. In the meantime, though, it can be scary and disorienting. I hope you get through the next little while in as peaceful a manner as possible.

prairiegirl said...

Very appropriate spotlight today, Special; I had no idea. Coretta Scott King stuck to her guns and thank heavens for that.

Had a wonderful message today, just fabulous. It ended with one of those people stories that just gives you a warm-all-over, good feeling. But he (guest speaker - once a minister, now a district superintendent) started out by talking about him & his sister, when they were little and their family went shopping. They were at Woolworth's (remember those?) and him & his sister decided to go have a soda at the little restaurant they would sometimes have in their stores. They both took out their quarters, ready to order their sodas and then an employee came over and told them that they were going to have to leave. Because of the color of their skin. Broke my heart. It's unreal to imagine that things were once like that.

And his ending story was about an encounter that he had at a Starbucks. He was eating some oatmeal (I didn't know you could get oatmeal at Starbucks?) and also having some tea. A lady came in & sat beside him at the table. She asked him if she could have his discarded teabag & he said sure. Then she went to ask for some hot water & used his "used" tea bag to flavor her water. He couldn't finish his oatmeal and she finished that as well. He said he went to his car, but on second thought, he went back inside and gave her what $$ he had on him. She refused it & he kept insisting. She kept refusing & told him that the fact that he came back after having left, was blessing enough for her. In the end, he dropped his $$ on her table & they had a very, very nice encounter. He said that with all the terribleness going on in the world outside, that 2 people could find each other inside a Starbucks and feel totally blessed by each other was what life was all about.

Really a great story. And the difference in the two stories reflected how tables can turn on us.

Great to go walk today and not have to worry about ol' Don being there. It only takes a week to get out of shape and it'd been a week for me. Met several cute dogs out there today, very friendly & loving dogs.

And so they handed out boxes of Kleenex at a premiere of Prayers for Bobby? Oh no. I was afraid of that. A real tearjerker. I have such a hard time with those.

Anonymous said...

That was me at 1:50.

Orchid

prairiegirl said...

Anon, you forgot to sign on! You need to get a name on that!

Tom, how's your cold today?

And flf, where are you????

LOLLLL! Orchid, it was you! How've you been?

Anonymous said...

The new Informers Trailer is pretty tantalizing, and the scenes with Austin are definitely hot. Nice to see male bisexuality and female pleasure highlighted for a change. I wasn't a fan of American Psycho, which I found mysoginist and disturbing, but I'm giving this film a fresh chance. I'm liking the films Austin is choosing to express himself in of late, it says a lot.

Anonymous said...

Thanks PG for covering for me :)

I've been fine, although keeping up with all my stories and the goings on of Austin and Jake is pretty timeconsumin ;)

Glad you got out for a nice safe walk today.

Florida Tom said...

This damn cold just wont go away PR Girl. Thanks for asking.

I am looking forward to watching the game. Hopefully the outcome will make me feel better. Wicked has txted me twice telling me she is nervous. I got a good feeling. Just seems like this is Philadelphia's year. We will see.

The innaguration on Tuesday should be some spectacle. I dont think I have ever seen this much excitement about a new President. I hope the country is patient with this man. He has a tough job ahead of him.

prairiegirl said...

Oh yeah, I hear you, Orchid. I'm waiting with abated breath for the next chapt. of IPS.

But like m said, Stranded is headed back for a reunion scene of its own. Jack has opened his Fedex package now and that one, too, is going full blazes.

And a big week ahead this week with the inauguration and all. Let's see, OTH tomorrow night, right? And isn't the Dying Gaul this coming Friday night, Special? I have it now; need to watch it. I have class on Tuesday night, a special onetime reunion class. No, not my funeral class, lol. Wish it was tho. I miss that one.
And Prayers for Bobby on Sat night? I may have to tape that one.

I was googling about Sundance, hoping to catch word/pics on who might be there. So far, all I've seen is Demi Moore & Ashton were there.

Tom, I'm going to watch the Philly game today just for you & I'll root for the Eagles, too. Uh, hopefully that won't bring them bad luck.

Everyone have a nice Sunday; I'm headed out for the day.

Wicked said...

Great Out Spotlight and song!

Today we saw two stores that we have never seen before on the way to church- Everything Obama and Obama Warehouse. There was also a guy walking down the street wearing a placard saying, "Obama Store," with an arrow pointing. Traffic is horrendous and I have never seen so many out of town vehicles. We also saw a truck carrying a bunch of rolled up red carpets! Tonight we are having an Inaugural Ball at our church. The Mrs. is allowing me to bring my portable TV so I can watch the game!

Anonymous said...

As usual, a very interesting spotlight.

I checked Nikke Finke's site re Sundance. She mentions that J Gordon Leavitt's new film got a very good response. Comes out in June or July I think. Too early for news re The Informers yet. She also says something about HW can never underestimate the public's bad taste in movies based on this weekend box office winners. I am sure she includes 4xmas in that category of successful but mediocre movies.

Anonymous said...

Prairie Girl, miracles happen. A new chapter of Tainted Evidence. Have not read it yet, but its long. I'll be reading at half time.

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, I hear you, Orchid. I'm waiting with abated breath for the next chapt. of IPS.

But like m said, Stranded is headed back for a reunion scene of its own. Jack has opened his Fedex package now and that one, too, is going full blazes.


I haven't read stranded yet, but plan to start soon. It seems to have many readers quite enthralled ;)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the Spotlight today Special. I never heard of Lynn Cothern before. he sounds like a all around balanced good guy. Also I never knew how CS King was a trailblazer in gay rights too so the Spotlight today is a twofer. Definately my favorite one so far. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Tom your sister is too busy catching up talking to people and not paying attention to her Eagles.

Anonymous said...

Oh good she caught my dirty look 6. But then she got distracted again 0.

Anonymous said...

Good thing I keep staring at her 6. But there she went gossiping with Princess Diana again 0.

Florida Tom said...

Looks like Sis may have Taken notice. Holding breath.

Anonymous said...

Sorry Tom. John, Jim and George came in and asked her to be Heath's partner on the Beatle Doors bowling team. Todays game is with the JFKs. How can a girl resist.

Florida Tom said...

Oh well Mother Theresa must have been rooting for the Cards. Little bit more pull.

Special K said...

Sorry Tom and Wicked about the Eagles.

They had a great run though.

Florida Tom said...

Spesh Lets get ready for Spring training. Hows a Phillies vs. Red Sox World Series sound to ya.

Special K said...

Spesh Lets get ready for Spring training. Hows a Phillies vs. Red Sox World Series sound to ya.

BRING IT ON!

Florida Tom said...

Anonymous said...
DL & IMDb gossip

"Luke and Wentworth are still a couple:

I know for a fact that Wentworth and Luke M. are a couple.

My hairdresser was telling me that another of his clients runs a business in West Hollywood (no, I'm not going to tell you what kind of business.) Wentworth hired this guy to do what he does. When the work was completed, he called WM to come and pick it up. Instead of WM, guess who showed up. That's right, Luke. This guy, my hairdresser's client, left the meeting with Luke feeling absolutely positive that the two of them are a couple."

I thought this was interesting. I wanted to bring it over from WFT2

Anonymous said...

What about the Steelers? Pennsylvania is on double play today.

Anonymous said...

Told you Austin helping me with my wetsuit and showing me how to get sand out of tight spots while we were in his shower that night while Jakey at a gig and Luke gone on a trip was innocent.

prairiegirl said...

Aw, Tom, sorry about the Eagles. I saw almost all of it. They almost did it. That WR of Arizona's was a one-man TD show today, wasn't he?

m, you are kidding me!!! Tainted Evidence! OH MY DOG! Do you know I was glancing at her journal the other day, not kidding. That is just too weird. I absolutely LOVED that story. That Jack Twist was absolutely hilarious. Thanks for the heads up - I will be checking it out tonight.

Just got back from spending Sun. afternoon at the parents'. Mom made homemade enchiladas. They are the best. I've made them once; she gave me the recipe for her sauce; there is none like it.

You all know my free subscription ran out to the olllll' Star Magazine. Well, I had another chance for a subscription but I had it sent to my mom. So I was thumbing through it and there was a pic, of course from the Lakers game. And there was an article on all these HW boyfriends - should the girls love them or lose them? And Reese & Jake were the first couple. It said Reese should love him because he gave her this $3050 diamond necklace thing (which I have yet to see - they printed this story over a year ago) and that he gave both the kids their own Wii game. And what was Reese waiting on after 2 years? lol.

But here's the funny story. I had to re-print this because it had me rolling in my chair.

From Star Magazine, Jan 16, 2009 issue:

Jake Gyllenhaal's Bum Rap!

The long hair and beard that Jake Gyllenhaal's sporting for Prince of Persia's The Sands of Time don't quite fly in Hollywood. While running errands on December 20, the disheveled actor was mistaken for a homeless man. "Jake bumped into a woman on the street," a witness tells Star. "She looked him up and down and said "I don't have any change!" Jake just laughed it off - and continued counting the days til the movie wraps and he can be cleanshaven.

LOLLLL! Disheveled. Man. That's kind of embarrassing.

In the latest issue of People, in the back of the issue, they have a "Style" Watch article focusing on Jake and alllllll the many pictures of him in his tea cozies. Then the last picture is of him at the mike at the Golden Globes, all spruced up and lookin' like sweet little Johnnie at the school play. They concluded that since he has been seen so many times in the caps, that he just must love them. When you looked at almost all these pictures of him from the past year and then look at him at the GG's and also the ones of him coming out alone from Peet's, the difference in his face is astounding. There's like a 7-9 yr difference, I swear.

I, myself, think there's something psychological going on there but it's still playing out, so I can't fully think it all out yet.

Anyway, just a peek into this week's rags. That homeless man thing just killed me.

prairiegirl said...

Course, I have to always repeat that the stories in the Star usually read like total fiction. And I seriously doubt the homeless man story is even true, but nonetheless it does insinuate that his scruffy look is catching attention.

Anonymous said...

There is an article in In Touch or Star I can't remember which from this weekend about how Jake wishes Reese wouldn't do his laundry because she ruined two of his shirts of course she ran right out and replaced them but he wasn't fooled. She just won't turn over the laundry and cooking duties because she is a down home girl!

Then I barfed on the supermarket floor and had to leave but you get the idea. They are on full display in every tabloid this week along with an adorable anecdote. Several walking and smiling coffee pictures were used.

Anonymous said...

Ever you notice all the pictures Ryan shopping for groceries with the kids. Is there one picture of Reese 50 feet of supermarket?

prairiegirl said...

lol! doing his laundry. That's a killer, too.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Reese gets groceries and laundry detergent at Ralph Lauren.

prairiegirl said...

And he did look great at the Globes and don't mind repeating that he looked pretty darn adorable coming out of Peet's.

Anonymous said...

Remember the vid of the brunette lady Jake bumped into outside of Lakers? She didn't do a 2nd look at him. She probably thought he was a drunk bum trying to pickpocket her.

Anonymous said...

When you looked at almost all these pictures of him from the past year and then look at him at the GG's and also the ones of him coming out alone from Peet's, the difference in his face is astounding. There's like a 7-9 yr difference, I swear.

PG do you mean he looks like he aged 7-9 years in the past year? If he looks runned down is it PR, work, sun, BT? If its BT, why. I found alot parents look younger with kids. The babies bring out a looser fun side of them after they discover whats really important. Not alweays but sometimes. Maggie G looks happy more than she did 5 years ago IMO.

prairiegirl said...

Chrissss! I think in so many pictures while he is in the midst of Reeking, he looks older than he really is. And I know that he is older now. But then look at him while he's speaking at the GG's. With his newly cut, slicked down hair and cleanshaven look, he looks 7 years younger. And the pictures at Peet's, the one where he's wearing the long grey sweater that is so obviously not his, he has a little forlorn boyish look on his face.

Then you see him so oftentimes while Reeking and he's got a hardened edge to his profile.

Now, babies definitely take it out of you. Sleep becomes a precious thing. But he & Austin obviously have to have a nanny. While he's out on a coffee run with Reese, someone's got to be with BT. But he should also be deliriously happy over being able to be with BT now. And I hope that's why we're not seeing much of him right now.

Anonymous said...

These eyeroll-inducing magazine write-ups reminded me about a back issue of Hello Canada I recently flipped through at the library. I didn't catch the date, but it was likely from last year. They compiled the top 20 or so celebrity couples and of course Reeke were there at number 10 or something. All I had time to catch was a bolded pull quote from Reese describing herself as "tough on the outside with a sweet caramel center". Even before I discovered she was a phony, that would've been rather off-putting, but now it really grates. Before Reeke, I used to think she was genuinely nice and down to earth; the selling of her sweetheart image worked, I was actually shocked when I found out otherwise. The pushing of the "down home gal" (that she seems to enjoy taking upon herself) is already worn thin and comes off disingenuous.

prairiegirl said...

Remember the vid of the brunette lady Jake bumped into outside of Lakers? She didn't do a 2nd look at him. She probably thought he was a drunk bum trying to pickpocket her.

lol

I never did watch that. I saw a few picture stills of them coming in. Reese is leading the way and Jake is following.

Florida Tom said...

There no doubt in my mind that the man has aged 7 yrs over the last 2. I personnaly dont think he looked that great at the GGs. Not sure what is going on with him but he has aged. Now thank God he doesnt look like Joaquin Phoenix. That is one sad sight.

I think boys become men in their late 20s so the differnce just may be maturity. My own great nephew is 28 and he has changed so much over the last 2 years it is amazing. He is not the skinny little kid I used to know.

He looks good but not boyish anymore. Maybe the same can be said for Jake.

prairiegirl said...

Oh, I just love the Honeymooners on WGN on Sunday nights. They are soooo funny.

Right, Tom, I do think part of it is because he's just getting older.
At the GG's, physically I think he looked better. But his body stance and his voice were not confident. He did not have that self-confidence that I remember seeing in previous awards shows where he spoke.

Now in these jogging pictures and like at the Buffalo Club? His eyes don't look right. They look zoned out & like he's staring ahead but not really seeing what he's looking at. Now he can be perfectly happy at home with BT and whenever Austin's home now.

But he's got to still lead this other life. It's like if you have a job that you just hate. You can't just leave that job behind at 5 o'clock. It's always there. You know you're going to have to go in in the morning. You can't just keep it in this little box that you bring out for 8 hrs and then put it back in the chest of drawers. And that's where I bet Reeke has taken over more of his life than he probably ever thought it would.

Special K said...

"Now, babies definitely take it out of you. Sleep becomes a precious thing. ....But he should also be deliriously happy over being able to be with BT now. And I hope that's why we're not seeing much of him right now."

"I think boys become men in their late 20s so the differnce just may be maturity."

I think both is true. Something about being a parent does speed up the "maturing" and lack of sleep can just add to that. And if one baby t can do that let's try that with two t's, now. Double the fun.

And yeah guys do change in their late 20's. And we do see that in both of them. So I think its a little both.

prairiegirl said...

And two?

Man, I remember when my brother & his wife had theirs. My nephew came first and then my niece came the next year. If they had to do it all over again, I don't know that they would've spaced them so close like that, lol. It was ROUGH. That's it. Your life as you know it? It's over, lol. From the time that you get up til you go to bed. Well, you do get a break during naptime, but that's it. I swear, I don't know how parents do it. I remember watching it. It's not as hectic when they're still infants. But once they start walking? Oh boy. It's nonstop from there. There's no rest for the weary.

Anonymous said...

Special or anyone, tell me ahy and when there's 2 BTs. When did this happen or when did Ted announce it?

Special K said...

Ted has alluded to another baby with mentions to Toothy, to Ben and Jen having a second baby - much like Ted did with the first baby t when he did that with Naomi and Liev.

Also the recent mention of pigs in blankets (around the time Jen was going to deliver)-it was a basic retread of stuff with a couple things throw in - the plurality of the pigs and blankets and the word manger. Think it was Ted's way of alluding to another baby in the family of now four.

destiny said...

Sorry Tom and Wicked about the Eagles. - have mixed feelings about the Cards, having spent years in AZ I am kind of glad to see them get in since there isn't a NY team, but Warner rubs me the wrong way.

Very funny about homeless Jake and the rags.

Yes Jake has reached that age when some guys lose their boyish looks and change. But - don't think that is why he is looking bad. Nor do I think it is BT or 2 BTs. Look at Jake in Nov o6 when Austin was away and we think he was a new parent. He looked tired, but he looked good. IMO he is not looking tired; something else is going on. I agree that he looks old, beaten down, maybe even depressed. I find it painful to look at his eyes in most photos, and yet that used to be one of his best assets.

Agree too about Maggie, who seems to have a glow about her, especially when she talks about Ramona and Peter.

Interesting about Luke, and the comment yesterday about Redstone being one of the big blocks to actors not coming out, although I don't know why other studios can't change, like Dreamworks.

Anonymous said...

Redstone owns Dreamworks.

Anonymous said...

Jake in 2 years

Anonymous said...

Agree with most of the comments here. Jake does not look good since Reese, and he was cleaned up at GG, but still looked like shit. That was not a confident, secure man speaking. And the eyes lately, don't get me started on the eyes. I do think the beanies and appearance are a psychological response to stress. We've seen him do that before.

POP has a july 2010 release date. The meter is running on the Jake is straight story. I'm expecting Reeke non stop. Even at DC, someone is dragging out any pics they can find of Jake with a woman, any woman. Kind of funny actually how desperate they are.

Anonymous said...

Hi PG, sorry weekend was a bit crazy!

Agree also that Jake doesn't look good. His eyes in the jogging pics have a defeated, stressed look about them that's not good. Although he scrubbed up good for the GGs it was only a facade. He didn't have an easy, confident, I'm A-list aurora about him.
I have no idea why he wears a beanie. Is it to make him look more macho and older so that he doesn't look like Reese's toy boy? Whatever the reason he looks awful.

Tomorrow midnight is the inauguration for us. Can't wait. Will have to organize a midnight feast or something :)

Anonymous said...

I do think the beanies and appearance are a psychological response to stress. We've seen him do that before.

ITA: the pap pic of Jake in sweats with his hood on his head looking unkempt and very sad and needy hugging a guy on the street in West Hollywood.

Anonymous said...

Wenty, you sly little monkey!

I know what you are up to. You sent poor Luke on a wild goose chase to Weho so you can jump in the shower with Austy, didn't you? Now, tell the truth and shame the devil as my grandma would say..
Sweet Luke went all over Weho looking for 2 hours for that Unicorn Jake Gyllenhaal keeps pointing out to his beard uh, beloved but to no avail :(

But 2 hours is plenty time to get sand into, I mean out of, tight spots right? Wenty, Wenty, you are a baaaad boy! :))

Anonymous said...

Not feeling sorry for Reeke at all, but I wonder whether Reese expected to be hanging around with someone who looked like a dishevelled bum.

What is sad about Jake's visible decline is that Austy (I think we would all agree) is looking better than ever.

Anonymous said...

Also, have to agree with the comments about Sophia Bush's current work programme.

nice work

The dress does look abit iffy though doesn't it.

Anonymous said...

flf you got it all wrong. I was very nice to Luke when I needed him to find me the unicorn. I sent him on a 2 week Alaska cruise. I heard those AARP Mormon cruises are real fun, even the crew is all AARP members. Anyway all Austin and I were talking about in the shower was poetry and trojans and then we compared ba's. When I told him I'm a real prince from Princeton not a make believe prince like the other one he was so impressed he dropped the soap. Talk about a wild goose chase, both of us on our knees looking for that slippery soap. then the other one showed up with his beanie in a bunch and fun was over. It was innocent I tell you innocent just 2 boys in the shower comparing ba's and looking for soap.

Anonymous said...

I wonder whether Reese expected to be hanging around with someone who looked like a dishevelled bum.

She wanted a bf hanging around her not bo. LOL

Anonymous said...

Reese isn't really smiling in all the Reeke pics, she's breathing thru her mouth.

prairiegirl said...

LOL, you are killing me this morning as I read this. That's terrible.

And you know, it really isn't funny. It's sad. Who would've thought. And like Tom said, look at Joaquin Phoenix. If that isn't a cry for help, I don't know what is. Signs of depression: no longer enjoying doing things that you used to enjoy doing and no longer taking care of your physical appearance, i.e. not grooming, cleaning, clothes, etc.

Now I thought he did look adorable (would I stop using that word, lol?!) outside of Peet's, but the clothes still indicate something wrong. And like a security blanket which is not a bad thing at all, he is wearing the long grey sweater that most likely is Austin's. But I'm noticing this trend of his in being indecisive about tucking in his shirts. Always half hanging in, half hanging out. Either he's trying to start a new trend, he's always dressing on his way out the door, or he's got problems dressing himself. Kind of seems like a minor thing, but it's not. I can see it once in a great while, not as frequently as he has been doing it.

And I agree on the beanie, m. I think it's a psychological thing, too, just can't figure out what. A sign of hiding is what I'm leaning towards. I was reading an article online about people who let their physical appearance go and it was one of alot of articles out there on this subject.

And I'm not beating on him nor am I on the pity Jake train. I think you can care about somebody but when things start to stand out or alarm you about that person, there comes a time when you have to tell that person "Hey, you're starting to worry me" and you can't nice it up for them. You have to be honest with them. Somebody has to be the one to be honest & give them a "Snap out of it!". And since his family doesn't appear as involved in his life right now, it is up to his professional people, his mgr/agent, whatever, to be this person for him. They're the ones who helped steer him on this path, they have to take part of the responsibility to right the ship. Show some care for him as a person and not as a piece of income. If they care about him at all.

Whoops, gotta brush the teeth & get out of here. It's Monday & it's OTH night!

Anonymous said...

Wenty :D

Florida Tom said...

Wenty come out! Wenty come out!

Florida Tom said...

Austy go ahead ask Wenty out. You certainly are cuter than Luke. Although Luke is cute.

Austy loves Wenty. Woooooooo!

Florida Tom said...

I know that Austin is most likely just as ambitious as Jake. I also think Jake would come out before Austin. The only reason Jake has cemented himself in the closet is pressure. Pressure from his advisers and pressure from Disney. Its Jakes decision but now it is even obvious that he is getting support from Momma. Personnally I think they are all doing the guy a huge disservice.

Austy if you love your man help him out. Don't make things worse for him.

Anonymous said...

The only reason Jake has cemented himself in the closet is pressure.

The only reason Jake has cemented himself in the closet is AMBITION. Don't kid yourself.

Florida Tom said...

I agree with that Call It. But at some point things are gonna come crashing down. Even his Dad who apparantly he has turned his back on him feels sorry for him. Jake has support in reese, evelyn, mom and Austin si hopefully that will help him through it.

Good for Maggie that she has the decency to not take part. Oh how I bet his greedy enablers have tried.
Just wish Austin wasn't one of them.