Christopher Flynn

Along with Mrs. Fellows, Christopher Flynn gets his (constant) love and appreciation, as well as a resurrection of pieces from older posts. If it wasn't for him, we may never have had Madonna. Christopher Flynn xo.

Madonna and Christopher at the AIDS dance-a-thon 1989




Madonna and Christopher jamm'n in 1989

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From the Interview Magazine piece with Gus Van Sant.

Madonna: In fact, the character that Richard E. Grant plays in the film I directed, Filth and Wisdom [2008], is this blind professor who was based on my ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn. Growing up in Michigan, I didn't really know what a gay man was. He was the first man-the first human being-who made me feel good about myself and special. He was the first person who told me that I was beautiful or that I had something to offer the world, and he encouraged me to believe in my dreams, to go to New York. He was such an important person in my life. He died of AIDS, but he went blind toward the end of his life. He was such a lover of art, classical music, literature, opera. You know, I grew up in the Midwest, and it was really because of him that I was exposed to so many of those things. He brought me to my first gay club-it was this club in Detroit. I always felt like I was a freak when I was growing up and that there was something wrong with me because I couldn't fit in anywhere. But when he took me to that club, he brought me to a place where I finally felt at home. So that character in Filth and Wisdom was dedicated to him and inspired by him.

Eugene Hütz reading 'a book' by Christopher Flynn in Madonna's directorial feature film debut Filth and Wisdom.

Click HERE & HERE for the full original Christopher Flynn posts.

The Wonderful Mrs. Fellows

Innocent Intelligent Beauty

I feel compelled to re-post this video, simply because Madonna brings up Mrs. Fellows and Christopher Flynn again in the new Interview Magazine. Since the very beginning, these are two people she has constantly payed homage to. She will never let us forget Flynn and Fellows for they should never be forgotten.



VAN SANT: It's amazing that you had a person like that in your life who was such an influence.

MADONNA: Thank god! Otherwise, I don't know if I would've gotten out of Michigan. I think it was Christopher and my Russian history teacher, Marilyn Fellows. The two of them, I think they were a conspiracy that god sent to me. The conspiracy of angels that gave me the confidence and helped me turn my lemons into lemonade, if you know what I'm saying. Because when you grow up in a really conservative place and you don't fit in, it's kind of hard. . . . You can go one way or the other.


Click HERE for the original post with more early school photos.

Vogue - The Cult of Madonna and Queers and Her Importance within the Homosexual Community

Before Madonna smashed the doors in and Ellen came out on National Television and before The Will & Grace Generation of Clone War Gays, there was Our Lady of Madonna - fighting for Queers. The Real Queers.

From Her First Interviews mentioning Christopher Flynn in 1984 to Martin Burgoyne - her best buddy, one time manager and album art designer - to Truth or Dare where, unlike other Gay Icons of Past, Madonna put our lifestyle in the forefront and not just as background solid gold dancers.

As we all know, the world wants Madonna's approval and there She was for us, innately. With Vogue, She introduced Middle America to Fags as eccentric, wonderful, creative human beings. Unfortunately, the Queers who moved to the big cities to preserve their personal individualism that made them want to flee in the first place became complacent and gave up what was inherently theirs. They dropped the ball thinking the fight was over. It's not. For me, anyway. Society can still bite me.

There were those certain Madonna fans appalled by the faggots of Truth or Dare. The Ray of Lighters. You yourself can walk down the streets of Chelsea, West Hollywood and the Castro today and see just how nothing they are. They are the "Starbucks" in place of the "Love Will Save the Day"s.

There have been few, in and out of the community, that have accused Madonna of 'stealing' from what was 'ours'. Madonna is a fag and always has been. For those who thought she stole, I can assure you, it wasn't from your lousy boring mortal souls.

1990 Omnibus Madonna Special

One of the greatest specials on Madonna - her importance in culture, music, art, fashion. Her legacy and body of work is so immense that we're still living in its aftermath.

The year of this special was 1990. Madonna had just finished her third tour, the aptly and perfectly titled Blond Ambition - the tour that is still influencing concerts today - 21 years after the fact. Madonna is here commenting on her cultural impact over the last 7 years.

We have great commentaries with fantastic Greil Marcus, cultural historian from Artforum Magazine, on so much from her reaction to the nudes to her Like a Prayer which he describes as "blasphemy on ten levels at once - which is as strong and as upsetting a piece of public work that you're going to see". Kristine McKenna from the Los Angeles Times on her "mythical status". Andre Leon Tally from Vogue Magazine on her being "a goddess of style for fashion, especially for high fashion in Paris - the force of her fantasy is accessible to everyone from eighteen to eighty". Glenn O'Brien from Interview magazine on her having "a medium like ability to read the minds of the audience" and "being a religious figure herself". Her high school teacher, Marilyn Fellows, about her "quality of charisma." The Harvard University course that was taught on Madonna. Her jaded brother, Christopher Ciccone. Carl Arrington from People magazine stating how she "seized back the crucifix." Luc Sante from New Republic Magazine on Madonna's "Post Modernism". Of course, we have the wonderful and fabulous Christopher Flynn - her dance teacher and mentor, wondering "where's my little Madonna?" Stephen Bray on "her having written 14 songs" before he had written even one and the honesty of her songwriting. And so many and so much more!!! Here are all 4 parts for your educational and viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

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Madonna's Best Film Since Desperately Seeking Susan - Filth and Wisdom.

She may not have starred in it but the whole thing was "Madonna". It was fantastic and I can't believe how long it took me to see it. She has a great eye, is a great story teller, great characters, sews the film together wonderfully. A true student of cinema. As a fan since 1983, it was really impressive to see that she is a great film maker.

I had always known, because she has always said, how much Christopher Flynn meant to her - but I never knew that we really owe a great deal to him. And that She has never forgotten him or that.

I look forward to her future films.

Madonna at the 3rd Annual APLA Dance-A-Thon

@aplatweets

On April 21, 1991 at The Sports Arena in Los Angeles - where a year earlier Madonna did 5 nights of her Blond Ambition Tour (and yes, I was there every night) - Madonna hosted the 3rd annual APLA Dance-A-Thon. She brought along her friends Herb Ritts, Juliette Hohnen and the Blond Ambition dancers and back up singers.

3 years earlier she had done the first ever APLA Dance-A-Thon with her mentor Christopher Flynn who died of AIDS shortly after in 1990. At a time when the consensus was that AIDS was only a homosexual disease, Madonna - the biggest star in the world - not only crusaded for but also tried to convey to the public that it could affect anyone and had been doing so since the beginning of her career.

Don't know who filmed that fabulous footage but I'm glad they did. Madonna visibly clocks at the end but she knew that camera was on her the entire night. Trust. Ha! xo

I always loved this day - so cool and beautiful here. Just Sex Sex Sex - great outfit, great hair, great Madonna.