Gay Cinema 101: Ten Movies You Can't Miss

In honor of Derek's book Colonnade: A Life In Columns (a collection of his FantasyMan Island columns along with his own recollections of his first two years in Manhattan) now being available for the Kindle, we thought it would be a good time to check out some of the other columns he wrote around that time.
A few months after the start of Derek and Romaine on Sirius Radio back in 2003, Derek wrote the following column recommending essential movies for gay men to see. Since it often comes up with Steve Hayes, Tired Old Queen at the Movies, or Hedda Lettuce join the show, his essential list is reprinted here.

Gay Cinema 101: Ten Movies You Can't Miss

August 15, 2003 - There is a newly out intern down at my Sirius radio show. At my recent summer party (A Midsummer's Day's Debauchery!), some of my guests were shocked to discover that Bobby Intern, as we call him, hadn't seen the recent Oscar winner and instant gay classic, Chicago.

Longtime FantasyMan Island reader Paul suggested that I create a list of the 10 essential movies that all gay people must see in order to graduate into full-fledged homosexuality. I couldn't bring myself to list just 10, and I am certain that you have additional suggestions. Feel free to send them along. However, I think this list should cover it for most people. So, without further ado: Bobby Intern (and all you other boys out there just like him), this column is just for you.

Derek and Romaine Have Books!

You enjoy the show, but have you read the books written by your favorite hosts?

Romaine was the first to come out with a book in 2005 when she released her memoir: The Whole World Was Watching: Living in the Light of Matthew Shepard. Then, in 2009, Derek released his first memoir, Colonnade: A Life In Columns.

Now, Colonnade: A Life In Columns is available for Kindle! So for those of you who have been waiting for the digital version, it is here now. It will be available for the iPad in the next week.

And coming in August, Derek's latest book, When Nightlife Falls. In the new book, Derek talks about his work life with Romaine, travels the country with outrageous porn personalities, and falls in love.

Want a sneak peek? Here is the photo that will be part of the cover of the new book.

That's Erik Rhodes, dragging model Christopher Schram along the floor. What do you think?

Not My Grandmother

Thanksgiving weekend, I journeyed up to a bar called Primetime in Highland, NY. It's the closest thing to a real bar near me that isn't in Manhattan, and it's not that close or that real. However, while hanging out there, I spotted a drag queen that looked so much like my late grandmother Doris, I couldn't help but stare. I even had to take a grainy photo with my iPhone to send to my mother.


Yes my grandmother never would have worn a wig that long (her blond wig dropped just below the ears), but in all other respects, that drag queen looked like my grandmother! I wrote about Doris quite extensively in my book, although there are no pictures of her included. So for those of you who got the book and were curious about what my grandmother looked like, this is about as close as you are gonna get.

Bobby Intern 2 Dancing!

Going through old crap while preparing to publish my book, I came across this video from 2005 of Bobby Intern 2 chair dancing in the studio. He would do ANYTHING we asked which is what makes a great intern. Anything!