• A new book claims that former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon was gay ... but his wife begs to differ.
  

• Groundbreaking made-for-TV movie That Certain Summer aired 35 years ago today. Star Martin Sheen spoke recently about playing a gay role in 1972.

• Out Tony nominee and recent Pushing Daisies guest-star Raul Esparza (pictured above) may be taking the flashy lead in the new Leap of Faith Broadway musical (based on the 1992 Steve Martin movie).

• Given the potential gay content of Kevin Smith's planned Christian fundamentalist experimental horror movie Red State, it's a shame that the Weinsteins passed on it. Although I have to admit, rereading that description I can't say I can really blame them...

• Wait, have I not mentioned Cheyenne Jackson all week?! Here's an adorable slideshow of the out actor and his Xanadu on Broadway castmates recording the album for the show. Push-ups before singing? Hubba hubba! (Above pic by Leonard Lewis)

• A book about scandals involving the University of Kentucky football team in the sixties is raising disputes for its game-fixing allegations, but not the claims that players had gay sex with Rock Hudson at parties for money. Because, really, what's more All-American than that?

Martin Sheen talked with The Dallas Voice recently and discussed his history of supporting gay rights and his breakthrough gay role. Sheen played gay in the landmark 1972 telefilm, That Certain Summer, a film about a young man who realizes his divorced father is gay. Personally, I have stronger memories of Sheen as the dad from another gay-themed movie of the week that aired on ABC, Consenting Adult with Marlo Thomas, where he played a man whose son comes out.

When asked to reflect on the That Certain Summer Sheen remarked:

I thought it was wonderful. There was a great deal of freedom in it because it wasn’t about advocating a lifestyle or a sexuality. It was about two people who adored each other, and they weren’t allowed to have a relationship that involved their sexuality.

When asked if he had worried back then about what a gay role might do to his future prospects Sheen makes a point long put forth by the gay community:

I’d robbed banks and kidnapped children and raped women and murdered people, you know, in any number of shows. Now I was going to play a gay guy and that was like considered a career ender. Oh, for Christ’s sake! What kind of culture do we live in?

That's a pretty familiar sentiment -- I think I've heard a good number actors who've played gay say something similar. (I remember Patrick Stewart bragging about shaming a reporter with a similar comment when he was promoting Jeffrey.) Too bad that question still gets asked when actors take on gay roles.

When asked about what's necessary for LGBT rights to progress Sheen responds that being out is the most important step to take:

I think you just have to keep living your life honestly and lovingly, and just keep being who you are and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, all the time by your lives, and that is your message.

Hmm, looking at what he says about That Certain Summer, I think that film made the most important message it could have made.

Sheen will be speaking at the Dallas Black Tie Dinner, an event raising funds for LGBT groups in North Texas, on November 17. There's plenty more at the link, so check out the whole thing. You can also catch video of the full interview with Sheen at the Dallas Voice's site.

With the news that Gossip Girl's gay dad will be appearing on the show soon, I've been thinking of other gay dads from TV and films. While there have been quite a few, here are nine that stick in memory:

Carson Ward
From: The OC

Talking about Gossip Girl's gay dad character can't help but bring to mind the gay father from another Josh Schwartz series, The O.C. Twelve episodes into the first season Carson Ward (Brian McNamara) is spotted by his son, Newport Beach bad boy Luke, kissing his business partner. The scandal that arises when he comes out hurts Luke's popularity in Newport Beach circles, setting up for him to move to Portland with his dad at the end of the first season.

Justin
From: Absolutely Fabulous

Justin was the second husband of Absolutely Fabulous's Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and the father of Saffron, the responsible, long-suffering daughter who had to deal with Edie's foolhardiness. Whenever they'd come around, Edie would trade some pointed barbs with Oliver, Justin's partner who refused to take Edie's self-centered nature gently.

Anthony Belrose
From: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

In the landmark 1994 film, we met Anthony and two other drag performers he traveled across Australia to perform at a casino in Alice Springs. As they reach their destination, we were surprised to learn that Anthony was married and had a young son