From: Paul
Subject: Re: Switching from lurker mode. . .
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 22:24:54 -0000

>Well thats simple, we drink our Beer warm and our larger cold.
>Please don't confused beer and larger. :)

Seconded!

- Paul

*****************************************************

From: Kent
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 20:43:21 -0500
Subject: One Happy Tasmanian Devil!

Hello, all!

I am passing on the first enthusiastic report from our vacationing
friend, Andy . He just saw Michael's BT in Sydney last night
(or yesterday, or maybe it was tomorrow-- I get confused by the
International Date Line thing! :)) and his voice still carried his
elation. He really enjoyed the show, but since his pals were on the way
out of the theater too quickly, he regrets that he didn't get the chance
to meet our esteemed Mr. Darragh or the cast. :((

Kent
who will be sure to hang around the theater like a Stage Door Johnny if
the show ever makes it to NYC!! :)

*****************************************************

From: "Ben
Subject: A poem.
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 16:58:15 +0000 (GMT)

Does It Matter?

My father asked me if I am gay
I asked Does it matter?
He said No not really
I said Yes
He said get out of my life
I guess it mattered

My boss asked me if I am gay
I asked Does it matter?
He said No, not really
I told him Yes.
He said You're fired, faggot.
I guess it mattered

A friend asked if I am gay
I said Does it matter
He said, Not really.
I told him Yes.
He said Don't call me your friend
I guess it mattered

My lover asked Do you love me?
I asked Does it matter?
He said Yes.
I told him I love you
He said Let me hold you in my arms
For the first time in my life something matters.

My God asked me Do you love yourself?
I said Does it matter?
He said Yes.
I said How can I love myself? I am gay
He said That is the way I made you
Nothing again will ever matter.

Speak to you soon!!

B.

*****************************************************

From: "Kent ."
Subject: Playing Catch-upBall
Date: Sat, 07 Mar 1998 20:24:13 PST

(Note: Please don't think the above Subject means I was *ever* involved

in sports! :))

On Thursday, 5 March 1998, fluffy  wrote:

>Hi,
>I'm Neil and new to this mailing list.

Welcome to our happy crew, Neil!

>I'm not sure what the etiquette is on this mailing list but I think
that
>perhaps I should tell you a (tiny) bit about myself.

And thank you for doing so, Neil.

>my best friend told me last night that he loves me and
>always has. Weird, but true.

I hope for the best from this turn of events!

>Love to everyone
>
>Neil (aka fluffy)

Also, belated thanks to Michael (whom I always knew was Gay Up!) and
Jeffo for the interesting observations about Sandra's tendency to tell
white lies, which is a way of coping we all employ at need, don't we?

Lastly, Ben your poem was very nice (and your enlarged signature was
cool, too!)

Kent
telling the God's Honest Truth! 

*****************************************************

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 16:13:37 +0100
From: Andre
Subject: Meeting in June

Hi folks,

As you may or may not have already heard, there are plans for a fanmeet in
June in London to celebrate the fact that the general release of BT took
place 2 years ago.
Marc  and I have been working on kind of a schedule, which can
be found on
If needed we will book a room for you at the Swallow Hotel in BexleyHeath,
a brandnew hotel, which hopefully will do us a bit of a discount. So, if
you intend to be there on June 12/13/14/15 or at least 13/14, please drop
us a line so we know what to expect.

Remember that this will probably be your last chance to visit the Tavy
Bridge area (Thamesmead) in its present state, since huge remodelling is
going to take place starting next September. This also means that we will
make this a very special occasion, and plan to do lots of exciting things
with lots of exciting people.... <g>

Furthermore, if you have ANY ideas as to what we could do during the meet,
please tell us, we will be happy to try and arrange anything you would
like, though I'm sure that most of that is already planned for..... :-)

More info?
Look at the weblocation above, or drop us a line!

See y'all later!,

Andre

*****************************************************

From: Michael
Subject: Re: One Happy Tasmanian Devil!
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 1998 20:32:13 +1100

Hi there everyone

Well, the play has finished. Closing night was an overwhelming success
with
a full house and standing ovation.

I was VERY disappointed not to meet Andy on Friday night though. I even
asked Front of House to let me know when he arrived. But alas...

Andy, where did you go?!

Needless to say, the show will go on tour around Australia beginning
June/July. Jonathan Harvey (who I am now in regular contact with) has
given
me the exclusive Australian professional touring rights. He had previously
turned down six other applications before mine. So I feel pretty good.

The reviews were fantastic and I am in the midst of creating the Official
Australian Beautiful Thing home page - based on the play with links to
film
and international web sites. There you can read the reviews and learn more
about the production.

Funnily enough I watched the film for the first time in six months last
night. I watched it with Simon ("Jamie"). Call us biased but we like the
play script a lot more.

Anyway, I don't know if the show will go to NYC - although we'd love to
take it there. In the meantime - I have a lot of work to do before the
play
gets going.

Thanks for all your support.

Cheers
MICHAEL

*****************************************************

From: Michael
Subject: Review: Aus BT Play
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 1998 21:16:10 +1100

"CAPITAL Q" 20 FEB 98

"I see just two minuscule problems with the Australian premiere of
BEAUTIFUL THING. Firstly it runs for less than a month. And secondly, the
production team wishes to Make Believe those performances in Sydney will
suffice. Get a life! Get obsessed! This is not the final curtain.

By now the ending of the play is virtually unimportant. Many eyes have
been
glued to the successful cult film. It*s more about what gets up there that
counts. Even before the doors fling open, the foyer is alive with talk of
what Ste and Jamie will get up to on their journey towards the Gloucester.
Their bed features stage left. That*s where the seats fill fastest, as
people rush past brightly painted doors which reek of a Thatcherite
conspiracy to disguise council waste before selling the boxes to victims
of
the system. Take note of the single hanging basket, which becomes a
frantic
symbol of pride in such dreary surroundings.

Beauty can only exist in the midst of chaos. Here it is the dialogue that
shines through on these dirty streets of despair. After its first showing
in London in 1993, Jonathan Harvey was described as a mature playwright in
recognition of his ability to create reality and romanticism living side
by
side. The theme remains eternally fresh. Partly because it insights a
masochistic sense of longing to return to the world of hidden magazines
and
secret kisses with the boy next door. But equally noteworthy is the
colourful input from youthful director Michael Darragh with original
references to Lady Di of the past and Spice Girls of the present.

The cast is beyond perfect. Simon Corfield and Andrew Wallace dance like
nobody else can. An innocent smile and a few drops of lotion leaves an
entire theatre dribbling with pleasure. Unprejudiced support for this
physical soothing comes from Fiona Harris, offering unquestionable talents
as the independent mother in search of booze and happiness. Charles Kevin
excels as her challenging dick with a football who finally gets sent off
with well-earned pity. And Natalie Murray*s seductive display of blondness
and Mickey Mouse wiggles brings a far greater understanding than the film
to the real reasons behind the volatile relationship of Sandra and the
slapper next door.

There*s a hint of success in the air tonight. A hint so strong, it can*t
be
missed."

*****************************************************

Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 18:16:02 -0500
From: MGB
Subject: ???

Its been days since Ive gotten any mail from the group 3D[ Whats going
on???? Is it just me??? I hope not! I miss hearing from y'all!
As Usual!
MGB

*****************************************************

From: Donald
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 23:46:33 EST
Subject: 'ello?

I have been missing all the posts...what's up?

Chat later hopefully,
Donald

*****************************************************

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 18:15:04 -0500
From: MGB
Subject: Re: One Happy Tasmanian Devil!

Congrats on the success, Michael (what a wonderful name by the way!!)!
Hope that you will continue to post us some messages! Would love to
hear more on your thoughts about the play/movie!
per usual
MGB

Michael wrote:

> Hi there everyone
>
> Well, the play has finished. Closing night was an overwhelming success
> with a full house and standing ovation.
>
> I was VERY disappointed not to meet Andy on Friday night though. I
> even asked Front of House to let me know when he arrived. But alas...
>
> Andy, where did you go?!
>
> Needless to say, the show will go on tour around Australia beginning
> June/July. Jonathan Harvey (who I am now in regular contact with) has
> given me the exclusive Australian professional touring rights. He had
> previously turned down six other applications before mine. So I feel
> pretty good.
>
> The reviews were fantastic and I am in the midst of creating the
> Official Australian Beautiful Thing home page - based on the play with
> links to film and international web sites. There you can read the
> reviews and learn more about the production.
>
> Funnily enough I watched the film for the first time in six months
> last night. I watched it with Simon ("Jamie"). Call us biased but we
> like the play script a lot more.
>
> Anyway, I don't know if the show will go to NYC - although we'd love
> to take it there. In the meantime - I have a lot of work to do before
> the play gets going.
>
> Thanks for all your support.
>
> Cheers
> MICHAEL
Congrats on the success, Michael (what a wonderful name by the way!!)!&nbsp;
Hope that you will continue to post us some messages!&nbsp; Would love
to hear more on your thoughts about the play/movie!

*****************************************************

Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 19:06:16 -0800
From: Jean
Subject: It's the List! It's Alive!

How nice to come home to y'all all over my computer screen!! And welcome
to
Fluffy and to your best friend and to blossoming romances all and anyone
else who's joined the list while I've been vacationing at Computer
Nightmare
Village.

And Michael, wow! I'm excited for you! and Jonathan! and them! and us!
and you! Reading the review you forwarded reminded me of feelings I
experienced when first discovering the film, the play (Methuen-wise,
anyway), the screenplay, the web sites, the lists, the stories and all of
us lovely boys and girls splashing about in the bt pond! I want to and
will
see a production of the play, I have no doubts about that. If it's yours,
all the
better and cheers to me! I'm sorry that you and Andy didn't connect..oh,
well, he'll just have to catch another performance and I'll just have to
save him a seat.

Andre and Marc, this is the first I'm hearing of your tour and slumber
party. What to wear. I wish I could be there, I know it will be the one
not to be missed! I was in London in August 1994 and it honestly felt -
don't hurt me, new worlders! - like coming home - stop throwin' stuff, ya'
yankee hooligans!. It was grey and misty - very like San Francisco where I
was born - and perfect and we Crabtree's never forget a face, a motherland
or a drizzly overcast past life!

Nice to hear from the list. Jean.

*****************************************************

Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 10:58:45 +0000 (GMT)
From: Chris
Subject: Sorry for the outage

Hiya,
Just a quick note to applogies for the lack of a mailing list for the
last wekk or so. Hopefully I should be moving the list toi somewhere
slightly more fault tollerant in the next 2 weeks.

--
Chris

*****************************************************

From: "Kent ."
Subject: Re: Sorry for the outage
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 06:55:31 PST

On Sat, 14 Mar 1998, our fearless wrote:

>Hiya,
> Just a quick note to applogies for the lack of a mailing list for the
>last wekk or so. Hopefully I should be moving the list toi somewhere
>slightly more fault tollerant in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for the note, Chris! I wonder, in light of Marc's post to the
Newsgroup (our alternate info source, along with the IRC Channel) that
you are (have already?), moving to Birmingham, if you know in advance
of
outtages (and I don't know if this last week was one of those times!)
if
you could email us "fair warning"? 

But I really think this pause is a good time to reflect on how much we
are grateful to you, Chris, for providing your skills, time, and
expense, in keeping us BT nuts happy in our, um, "shells"! We feel
connected because of BT to a world of friends, and that connection is
via YOU. So, thanks once more for being our link to each other!!

Kent
appreciatively!!!

*****************************************************

Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 08:27:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Rich
Subject: RE: sorry for the outage

Kent wrote:
<But I really think this pause is a good time to reflect on how much we
are grateful to you, Chris, for providing your skills, time, and
expense, in keeping us BT nuts happy in our, um, "shells"! We feel
connected because of BT to a world of friends, and that connection is
via YOU. So, thanks once more for being our link to each other!!

Kent
appreciatively!!!>

That goes for me too!!

Rich

*****************************************************

Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 08:31:55 -0800
From: Jean <jean.
Subject: thanks

to Chris for the info. When I sent my question to him re problems I was
having w/my inmail, I took the liberty of speaking for all of us by
referring to him as our groovy administrator. But Kent, with his
characteristic eloquence said it best so I second and third his gratitude
as well. Thanks, Chris.

*****************************************************

Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 22:47:57 +0100
From: Peter
Subject: Beautiful Thing Fanclub Meeting

Hello, guys!

I'm Peter from Berlin an I've seen BT more than 80 times since Dec.
1996.

Because I don't know, whether you are informed about the
2nd-anniversary-meeting of the BT-fanclub, I recommend you to look on
this site in the web :
Greetings from Berlin, Peter.

*****************************************************

From: matthew
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 17:19:27 -0500
Subject: Another film for your consideration

A while back I recommended that BT fans see MA VIE EN ROSE. I also
recommend LOVE & DEATH ON LONG ISLAND.

It is thoughtful, amusing, and touching. It is the story of an English
writer (played excellently by John Hurt) who falls in love with a movie
actor (well played by Jason Priestley). The author pursues the actor,
meets him, tells him that he loves him, and, in the end, changes his
life. An odd but engaging film. MATT

*****************************************************

From: Tea1
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 23:15:15 EST
Subject: Re: Another film for your consideration

I just saw "Ma Vie en Rose" and it is a wonderful film! I, too, recommend
it
to anyone who liked BT. Even though these two films are very different,
they
speak some great truths.

*****************************************************

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 14:09:42 +1100 (EST)
From: Andy
Subject: Re: BT

Hi Michael,

Firstly Michael, to save me having to type out something separate for the
BT mailing list I've just cc'd this out them (Cooee listers, I'm back!)
Hope you don't mind.

Michael, you haven't missed any of my reactions yet...I only just returned
home last night (Saturday).

After skimming over the backlog of email this morning (there's truck loads
of it!) I see my friend Kent got my message through to the mailing list. I
phoned him the next morning after seeing your play and spoke as fast as I
could while watching the dollars vanish on my phonecard!

What I did manage to say was I loved the play, as did my friends I took
along. We all thought Simon looked like Jamie in the film, so naturally we
all agreed he was a total spunk! A good casting choice. I particually like
Fiona's acting. She never once lost that accent and where she mis-placed
the money to give to 'Ste', the ad-libbing just came naturally "..here
take
it. I'm not going to lose it again!", a great recovery.

At the end of the show my friends were hungry and bolted out the door. I
saw you in one direction, my friends disappearing in the other direction,
I didn't want to lose them in the crowd, so once outside I treated them to
blasting quote from South Park, "YOU BASTARDS!" I really wanted to speak
to
you in person. I was very disappointed I didn't get the chance. I was half
expecting your front of house people to pass on a message or something but
no, she just crossed my name off the list when I collected my tickets and
that was it. Oh well.

Hey, did you have a big party after the final performance? You guys (and
gals) deserved it. Seeing the play was the highlight of my trip away.
Thanks.

I plan to see BT when it tours, even if I have to go to Melbourne to see
it. Will it be different from what I've seen (new cast?)

Anyhow Michael, keep in touch. Let me know what you've been doing, etc.

Andy.
(who's noticed you spend alot of time with Simon...or am I putting two and
two together and getting six!)

>Hi Andy
>
>Due to problems with my email address I never read your reactions to my
>production of Beautiful Thing. I would love to hear from you.
>
>Cheers
>MICHAEL

*****************************************************

From: BTfan
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 22:29:07 -0500
Subject: (Fwd) A few things

The below post notwithstanding, Sandra has had some of her recent posts
get bounced back to her. Since they didn't show up on the list, I
suggested she send them to me and I would forward them along, which I am
of course glad to do. Even though this now comes somewhat belatedly, it
comes from Sandra, which always makes it a worthwhile read in my book!

Kent

*****************************************************

From: Self
Subject: A few things
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 23:28:36

Hi everybody!

First of all, I want to send my happiest congratulations to Michael and
his well deserved success. WOW!!! Truly, a dream come true. Enjoy
it,
Michael, we're all very happy for you!!!

Second, Chris, I also want to join in all the very grateful BTlisters.
I'll never stop being grateful for this special meeting place for all
of
us.

And third, a curiosity. A couple days ago, I watched for the thousandth

time Jim Sheridan's great film "In the Name of the Father", with Daniel
Day Lewis. If you haven't seen it I'll tell you it's a movie based
upon the true story of a gang of rogue youngsters (one of them is
Lewis)
who are unfairly accused of being IRA terrorists and of setting a
terrorist attack that kills several people in Belfast. They are sent
to
prison for 30 years. Lewis' father is also accused and he dies in
prison.
Finally, Lewis' lawyer (Emma Thompson) finds out they were all innocent

and that the British Government knew it from the start, but they
concealed
the evidences that could have exonerated them. After fifteen years,
they
are freed at last. Well, one of the guards in the prison where Lewis
and
his father are incarcerated is John Benfield, also known as Mr. Barr in
BT. He plays the friendly guard who's set on fire by one of the IRA
convicts. I thought you'd like to know.

It's good to see the list operating again!!

Take care.

Sandra.

*****************************************************

Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 23:44:06 +1100 (EST)
From: Andy
Subject: Re: Oz Tour Update

Hi Michael,

I see you made it back to the list with your new email address.

> We are still considering Perth and Hobart.
>

Woo-hoo!!

>
>"Ste: If I remember rightly Jamie, when ever we done football in juniors
>you used to run up and down the field playing 'Cagney and Lacey'"
>- BEAUTIFUL THING by Jonathan Harvey

I take it you're re-enforcing your point about the stageplay being better
than the screenplay. I agree script wise, but the film was far more
visually stimulating.

Talking of stimulating, I saw a Ste (Scott Neal) look-a-like in Melbourne's

Laneway Sauna last Friday night!!!! :)

Andy.

*****************************************************

From: "Kent ."
Subject: Re: Oz Tour Update
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 05:17:59 PST

On Mon, 23 Mar 1998, our directoing *wunderkind*, Michael, wrote:

>This means the BT story will travel to some pretty red-neck towns. Then
>again it is probably the only gay-themed play that will work in those
>places. My co-producer is scared that a tour to Townsville and Wagga
Wagga
>will result in negative reactions in the local media and potentially a
>defaced poster or two. Oh well, can't please everybody. But how
wonderful
>will it be to take BT to places where young people have never seen
such
a
>play and maybe not even its film adaptation.

I wish you trouble-free venues throughout your International Tour (I
love New Zealand!) with BT. But if you encounter any resistance, may
it be no more than the relatively mild sort your co-producer foresees.

And, isn't there a saying to the effect that there is no such thing as
bad publicity-- maybe a local paper's (or resident's) negative reaction
would be the only way some members of the gay community would get to
read of the play's arrival. I could foresee an event such as yours
resulting in at least some individuals having the opportunity to "come
out" one step further just by "daring" to see it!

>We are having discussions with Tour Australia, the British Council and
the
>Cameron Mackintosh Organisation. So here's hoping for some juicy
funding
>cause it's going to cost a lot.

Also, we all wish you get gobs and gobs of money!!

>Also, I'll be chatting some more to Jonathan Harvey about it tonight.
He is
>such a nice guy! So naturally I'll be keeping you all updated.

Say "Hi" to him from those of us on this list! Is he even aware we
exist, do you know?

>Cheers
>MICHAEL

Kent 

*****************************************************

From: "Michael
Subject: Oz Tour Update
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 12:35:35 -0400

G'day fellow listers

Well, preparations for the Australian tour of Beautiful Thing are well
underway. At this stage it looks like the play will tour Townsville,
Brisbane, Limore, Newcastle, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Adelaide, Melbourne
and
Auckland (NZ). We are still considering Perth and Hobart.

This means the BT story will travel to some pretty red-neck towns. Then
again it is probably the only gay-themed play that will work in those
places. My co-producer is scared that a tour to Townsville and Wagga Wagga
will result in negative reactions in the local media and potentially a
defaced poster or two. Oh well, can't please everybody. But how wonderful
will it be to take BT to places where young people have never seen such a
play and maybe not even its film adaptation.

We are having discussions with Tour Australia, the British Council and the
Cameron Mackintosh Organisation. So here's hoping for some juicy funding
cause it's going to cost a lot.

Also, I'll be chatting some more to Jonathan Harvey about it tonight. He
is
such a nice guy! So naturally I'll be keeping you all updated.

Cheers
MICHAEL

*****************************************************

From: "Michael
Subject: Re: Oz Tour Update
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 09:22:02 -0400

Hi guys

Jonathan was vaguely aware of this list but as he has trouble with
standard
emails, I don't think he has much grasp of the www. Also he is very busy
on
new projects so doesn't spend too much time pondering Beautiful Thing. But
he was very honoured to know that people are still talking about BT and
that it also includes discussions on life experiences and of course the
play.

I am actually staying with Jonathan and Richard when I go to the UK in a
couple of months. It should be an absolute blast.

Today I'm going to a casting for the new Ste and Tony. A casting agent
here
in Sydney has offered to take care of all the casting service charge free
-
because they loved the play so much!

Anyway, as the tour is ages away, I have to start work on my next
directing
project which is the Australian stage premiere of BIRDY (you may recall
the
film with Matthew Modine and Nicholas Cage). That will happen before the
tour and also stars Simon Corfield who plays Jamie in BT.

Until next time ...

xx Michael

*****************************************************

From: "Ben
Subject: I'm going home today.
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:40:36 +0000 (GMT)
:-(

Boo hoo!

I will miss you all lots!
(sort of)

If you wish to email me over the holidays my email will be
I won't be able to check my mail every day so
please don't be offended if I don't reply straight away.

love you all!

Speak to you soon!!

Ben. xxxxx

*****************************************************

From: Sven
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 05:42:52 EST
Subject: Re: OZ Play - Auditions

Michael, I'd love to receive pics of your chosen Ste and Tony. My address
is

*****************************************************

From: "Michael
Subject: OZ Play - Auditions
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 14:11:35 -0400

Hi guys and gals

Casting has begun for the roles of Ste and Tony. When I have narrowed the
selection down to two or three I'll email their pics if anyone's interested

in having their opinion. But it won't be purely looks-based auditioning so
don't be too upset if I don't cast the biggest spunks. I'll give you a
rundown on their personality, hobbies, etc.

If you would like me to email you their pics when I get them, email me
personally with your email address as this list doesn't like big scans
being sent over the net.

Cheers
MICHAEL

*****************************************************

Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 21:23:28 -0600
From: Gary
Subject: Intro and Request

OK, I'm about to make a request of you folks, so I guess for the benefit
of those who've joined the list recently, I ought to re-introduce
myself.

As you can learn from my homepage, I'm a college professor
(Communications and Theatre) and I've been involved with the BT list
from the start, including the original list that grew out of the
original web site.

I saw BT over Christmas break of 1996 at a time when I had not yet come
out to my family. As was the case with many of you, BT moved me beyond
belief. I had to check the web for more info, I ordered the screenplay
and the stage play, I _bought_ the video the day it was released in the
US. I showed it last summer in my Film Criticism course (and I'm
showing it again this summer, paired with the 1985 film, Parting
Glances. I even gave my students copies of the English to American
glossary to better understand the film.

As those of you who've been around know, I submitted a proposal for an
academic paper last fall to the Popular Culture Association and my
proposal was accepted. Two weeks from today I'll be presenting it at
the PCA annual convention at Walt Disney World.

The title is, "A 'Beautiful Thing' on the Internet: Building Gay
Community in Cyberspace." My basis thesis is how some element of pop
culture (a movie, a Broadway play like "Rent," or a TV show) can,
through all the things the internet offers, lead to the development of
"communities." People go online to find more about their obsession,
they meet others online of like mind, then they maybe even meet in
person and - voila! - a "community" is born.

BT has the added element of bringing together an awful lot of gay
people, including those who might have no other contact with like-minded
gay people or even with straights with whom they could share just how
the film touched their lives. Consider how members of this list have
even made pilgrimages to Thamesmead (and even to the play in Australia).

Now here's my request - two requests actually.

First of all, two elements of my paper will offer examples of (1) how BT
affected some folks either coming out or dealing with being out and (2)
examples of how the film led so many to write "alternate" endings or
sequels or even separate stories based on the BT characters.

I've saved many of the intro posts and posts describing these personal
things that BT led to, but I want to give any of y'all a chance to post
or e-mail me directly with how BT changed or at least impacted your
life. I'll gladly delete names (since these wouldn't mean anything to
the folks at the conference, anyhow - and to maintain privacy) but I
want as many examples to pick from as I can.

Second, I want anyone who would rather I didn't use even the facts
(without names) of what they've posted to let me know.

The reason I'm asking now is that I've finally got a free weekend to dig
in and get this paper (it will be about 12 pages or so) in final shape.
So tell me and/or the list or re-tell your BT story (the one that
involves its impact on your life) and please post or send it to me as
soon as you can. 

Thanks. 

Gary

*****************************************************

Subject: Re: Intro and Request
From: robinson
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 10:16:48 EST

Okay Gary...here goes:

BEAUTIFUL THING was an accident for me. I live in a very small town
in upstate New York. This is a part of New York State that is
affectionately known as its "Bible Belt". In other words, gay is just
something you are not allowed to be here. I am. So, walking into our
local Blockbuster Video, I was a bit surprised to find this film on the
shelf. I picked up and wasn't sure whether I would rent it or some movie
whose name escapes me. I took it home.

When I started watching the movie, I thought , "Shit, I can't
understand a thing they are saying." But always a champion of the
underdog, I left the film in my VCR and gave it a chance. I am so glad
that I did. This was the day I wasn't ashamed of being gay anymore. I
know that sounds extreme, but this film changed my mind on that. A year
earlier i had a professor ask me if I could change one thing about
myself, what would it be. Of course the answer was, 'my homosexuality".
Since BEAUTIFUL THING, I have learned that relationships for gay people
can be just as sweet, intimate, special and normal. Somehow the movie had
removed the stigma of being a freak and replaced it with a blind hope for
my own experience. When you are isolated and feel like a freak, a touch
of humanity is always welcome. That is how Beautiful Thing changed me.

Always,

Mark

USE AS MUCH OF THIS AS YOU NEED!! AND GOOD
LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 11:26:30 -0500
From: "Keith
Subject: Re: Intro and Request

Mark,

You put it Beautifully! In so many ways I feel the same as you do. All
through High School
and college, I hated being gay. I prayed it would somehow magically
change, which of
course it won't. Deep down inside I knew it wouldn't change, so what was
my response?
To close myself off from the world. I figured I can't be gay, and if I
can't be "normal" then I
will simply not care about anyone, and lock myself behind an impenetrable
barrier. And
that is just what I did. It wasn't until I saw Beautiful Thing that I
realized I was only
hurting myself being this way. I suspect this desire to stop hiding from
myself was
already in me, but it needed a catalyst to bring it out. For the first
time I considered
myself normal (it just happens that "normal" for me is being gay) 

Once I stopped hiding from myself, I began to stop hiding myself from my
friends. I also
began to notice things I had never thought of before. I began to realize
there were lots
of longterm, loving same-sex relationships in the world. "Gay" no longer
meant anonymous
sex in dark alleys (not that I ever did that, mind you - but it was the
stereotype I had
in my mind) I also began to feel (again for the first time) that others
would just have
to accept me for who I am. Period. If they can't/won't then that's too
bad for them, I'm
not going to lose sleep over it.

And to end, a quote:

Stanley: What's a homosexual?
Mr. Garrison: Oh, well, Stanley, I guess you came to the right person.
Sit down.
Stanley, Gay people , well gay people are evil. Evil
right down to
their cold, black hearts, which pump not blood, like yours
and mine,
but rather a thick, vomitouous oil that oozes through
their rotten
veins, and clots in their pea-size brains, which becomes
the
cause of their Naziest patterns of violent behavior.

>>> <robinson> 03/27/98 10:16AM >>>
Okay Gary...here goes:
<snip>
I left the film in my VCR and gave it a chance. I am so glad
that I did. This was the day I wasn't ashamed of being gay anymore. I
know that sounds extreme, but this film changed my mind on that. A year
earlier i had a professor ask me if I could change one thing about
myself, what would it be. Of course the answer was, 'my homosexuality".
Since BEAUTIFUL THING, I have learned that relationships for gay people
can be just as sweet, intimate, special and normal. Somehow the movie had
removed the stigma of being a freak and replaced it with a blind hope for
my own experience. When you are isolated and feel like a freak, a touch
of humanity is always welcome. That is how Beautiful Thing changed me.

Always,

Mark

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Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 13:54:18 -0600
From: Jan
Subject: BT

Gary (and listers),

Your work sounds interesting, what a great way to make a living (I know,
you still have to grade papers and deal with crazy students)!

I have only been on the BT-list for a few days, so I don't know much about
the people on it, nor its lovely stories. I will try to relate my
comments
to your thesis idea #1.

< How BT affected some folks either coming out or dealing with being out >

I have kind of racked my brain on this one for some time. I am a
relatively well-adjusted queer, aged 39 (really), and have been in a
relationship for 10 years with a lovely man that I love very much. I am
also 'out' to my family, friends, and somewhat at work. So...it really
did
not move me to be more 'out' than I already am, although I must say that
it
me feel even more proud to be out or gay.

Yet, BT did move me profoundly. I kept thinking about it for weeks
afterward, and have seen it on video many times. So what is the big deal
with this movie, why did I run to the Internet to find more about it, like
a teenage girl with a Leo DiCaprio crush? I could probably (surprisingly)
go on for pages about this subject, but in deference to your project I
will
limit my musings to 1 main fascination: The Fairy Tale Factor.

Like other gay men, I have seen any number of 'gay' films but have never
seen a film that captures the 'ideal' of love better than this film. It
seems that we, as gay men, have relatively little fiction to hang our
romantic longings on - those films that have preceded have usually ended
up either in tragedy, or have little or no relevance to my rather
'ordinary' life. Here are two kids who fall in love the way I wish I
could
have when I was their age - that is the crux - they are two relatively
'normal' guys who simply are attracted to another guy. They are neither
disco predators nor upper-crust angst mongers. So, strangely, Jamie and
Ste are characters that somehow 'ring true', yet they also (on a more
lofty
plane) remind me of Romeo and Juliet - they exist for each other merely
because they *love* each other, despite the peer and adult forces
propelling them apart. This is what makes their characters heroic and
powerful, they endure and flourish despite their environment. I cherish
what the movie says about the possibility of gay love - that it is, as
Martha would say, 'a good thing' - simple, pure, natural, affirming,
uplifting. So much of what we read and watch seems to be nothing more
than
an Advocate issue rehash - AIDS, discrimination, sexual freedom. This
movie lends me a hopeful, and yes, for one and a half hours, a fairy tale
view of life.

I think there are probably many more factors that make this movie special
to me, (Jamie's coming out to his mother, or the pang of wishing I hadn't
'wasted' my teens and early twenties on dead-end relationships with
women),
but I will stop here. If it is at all possible, I would love to see your
work when you are finished. As I am writing this to the list as sort of
an
introduction, I have no problem with your using it or my name. Take care
and good luck with your project. 

Jan

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From: mermatt
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 17:54:01 -0500
Subject: Re: Intro and Request

Hi, Gary.

BT didn't really change my life. I was already out by the time I saw
it.

But what appealed to me about the film was its bittersweetness -- seeing
on screen many of the things I had gone through including the pain of
being gay as well as the joy.

I remember having a crush on one of my high school classmates. I thought
it was beautiful to feel that way about him and told myself, "I must be
queer." (That was the word at the time -- the only real word I knew for
it.) But I also knew that I could not tell anyone how I felt because of
the way people used the word "queer." All the same, I loved him and
wanted to be around him -- not a sexual thing but because of his
handsome male beauty.

I see the same pain and joy in the BT boys. The story gives a gay person
a powerful sense of verisimiliude -- the feeling of truth and reality.

I think that's why it appeals to so many gay folks. MATT

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