Thu 15 Feb 2007 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Steven Gray He's been a movie critic on the telly, radio and in print for over a decade, and now 41-year-old Steven Gray is ready again to argue with some Rainbow Labour MP's… How long have you been involved in the Great Auckland Central HERO Debate? Since the first - God, four years! And I only lost the first year as the opposition were so very, very bad the judges felt sorry for them… What's your winning strategy for the debate this year? Well, the opposition are the same tragic team as last year, so really have no worries. Leanne and I are fantastically intelligent and Charles is cute, so we will destroy them. Although they are sending us e-mails trying to get under our skin. Where are you doing movie reviews at the moment? TV, radio, print etc... Well, my 11th year on Good Morning started this week, DVD with Hoskings on Saturday Mornings on NewstalkZB, (and, no I never have and don't believe he is, before you ask), fatso.co.nz, a great online DVD site, GeorgeFM on Wednesday with Peter Urlich (who is apparently hung), and the Sunday Star-Times. What's your background? Are you a Wellingtonian by birth? No, from Hamilton, and yes, I have had therapy, but lived in Auckland for 15 years before moving here last year. When did you come out as gay, and what was it like for you at the time? God, soooo long ago. Always knew I was attracted to men but came out at 15 when my mother demanded to know - as I think she would have traded me in if I were straight. This was 1981 Hamilton, but as I was in theatre and the like was really easy. God, sounds bad but was so freaking lucky. But for myself, and that is the important one, always knew. What do you think is the most pressing issue currently facing the NZ GLBT population? Wow. Intolerance with each other, people not understanding HIV is something you live with not die with, who will buy me a gin after the debate, strange attacks on the AIDS Foundation, Express getting money to make a television series that is meant to reflect GLBT life in new Zealand, and when my friends will stop saying 'old fags' in my company and then apologising. What's your relationship status? Well the reason I moved to Wellington was to be with my lover, Zap, (and yes, it is an assumed name). Been 16 months now and we are getting civil unioned this year. Mainly because he is Maori and his parents are Brethren and he doesn't want me to lose all involvement if he dies. Oh, and we love each other. Favourite movies of last year? Well, Children of Men was a great reflection of our times from a Science Fiction film, Shortbus was a delight, Dreamgirls made me cry about four times, all the HBO movies are fantastic, finally finished Queer as Folk and cried like a man moved, finally finished 'OZ' and was shaking with emotion. TV is just as good as cinema now. Movies you're looking forward to this year? Never try to look forward as that is not my job, but 'The 300', based on Frank Millers comic looks amazing, and really looking forward to the Piaf bio-pic, and finally, ‘The Simpsons' movie, Grindhouse, and if they ever make it, the fourth in 'The tales of the City' series- 'Babycakes', and 'The Night Listener', eagle vs. Shark, and finally seeing the release of 'The Descent', the scariest freakin' film in years. What's your all-time favourite LGBT-themed movie? Oh, please? Where do I start? Boys in the Band, The Wedding banquet, ‘Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang', Angels In America, Mysterious Skin, Shortbus, Beautiful Boxer, Some Like It Hot, Parting Glances, And the Band Played On, Torch Song Trilogy, Rent, Boys Don't Cry, (OK, gonna stop), but especially any film or television show I saw as a kid that had the vaguest gay character, connection or theme. I would get such a rush of blood to my face and think, 'I am NOT alone'. Favourite TV programmes at the moment? I usually only watch television on DVD later, but love 'Ugly Betty', 'Big Love', 'Rome', 'Doctor Who', 'Torchwood', 'The Sarah Jane Adventures, ‘American Dad', 'South Park', but 'The Wire' always blows my little mind. And the gay characters are just... themselves. Favourite websites? Well, IMDB of course, yahoo music, eonline, Defamer, Pereez Hilton, youtube, xtube, New York Times online, stuff News, Public Address, google (for search engine), View Askew, and being a fag should have nzdating up but have removed my profile. But Zap's is still up. He He. And am on GayNZ.com every day. Love the message boards. Who in the world (including NZ) would you most like to have dinner with and why? People who would just get pissed and be fantastic company (screw Mother Theresa), so John Cameron Mitchell, Russell T. Davies, gotta have a jew so Sandra Bernhart, Judi Dench, and Tom Cruise for someone to laugh with If just one person, Stephen Sondheim, and I would so be a fan boy. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? Seriously? That my nephew had never pulled a jug of hot water on himself and burnt his chest off. Only he is fine and shit happens so maybe.... an adult drug policy in this country. Who are your New Zealand LGBT Icons? All my friends: Deezastar, Brett Shephard, Mika, Fonda Boyz, Anne Spiers, Monty Adams. Well, pretty much anyone who lives an OUT, proud, happy life. GayNZ.com - 15th February 2007