Photos in order: Dennis Hensley (2); Courtesy Catalina
Story by Dennis Hensley.
Just returned from Miami where I took in the final weekend of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in glorious, sun-soaked South Beach. A short film I wrote and directed called Reunion had its world premier there and even though my boyfriend John Michael and I had to fly straight there from France, I wasn't going to miss it.
It was a beautiful evening. The screening was outdoors, just after sunset at the lovely Flamingo South Beach Park. There was free booze, popcorn and all the Tylenol PM packets you could shove in your pockets. The film played well, I think, and we got to meet Nichelle Nichols AKA Uhura from Star Trek, who was there to support her new gay-themed movie, Tru Loved.
Going from France to South Beach is a big culture shock. People in Miami don't carry bread around unless it's too hit fat people over the head with it. Everyone is fit and hot. That didn't stop me from digging into an amazing brunch at the Angler's Boutique Hotel.
We stayed at the Catalina Hotel, home to what I think is my favorite hotel bed ever, a Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattresses™ with Italian Mascioni 300-thread count sheets and goose down Belgium comforters. That's like a trip to Europe right there.
Though jet-lagged we manage to squeeze in some beach time as well as catch the new Tom Kalin movie Savage Grace, which is audacious, creepy and features a fearless performance by Julianne Moore.
Speaking of big stars, while strolling down Lincoln Road, my boyfriend spotted Dennis Rodman at a sidewalk café and overheard him talking to friends about "pitching a project to Bravo or Logo." Frankly, I resent this. Making your way in the gay media world is hard enough with having to compete with eccentric former basketball players.
