Silver-screen sirens of the 20th century

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20th-century screen sirens
Today is the birthday of the legendary Marilyn Monroe, the day when she would have turned 85. In honor of this iconic sex symbol we take a look at the most glamorous and seductively beautiful silver screen sirens of the 20th century, along with their dazzling films and fiery love affairs. 
Marilyn Monroe
Her fame surpassed that of any other entertainer of her generation, and she transcended the bounds of stardom to become a cultural icon. She offered the whole package -- glamour, beauty, sex appeal, a sizzling screen presence and a talent for singing.

Her films:
"Gentleman Prefer Blondes"
"How to Marry a Millionaire"
"The Seven Year Itch"

Her loves:
A policeman
A baseball legend
A famous playwright
Greta Garbo
One of silent film's biggest stars  this Swedish actress captivated audiences with her divine looks and natural talent for conveying emotions on-camera. After the Hollywood "talkies" were introduced, her seductive voice and mysterious persona helped her become a legend, eventually earning her an honorary Oscar for her screen career.

Her films:
"Ninotchka"
"Grand Hotel"
"Camille"

Her loves:
A silent film star
A businessman
A writer and socialite
Brigitte Bardot
She was the first international star  to be as popular as any homegrown pinup in the U.S. This sultry sex symbol  is known for popularizing the bikini and also for her illustrious career as a model, singer  and flirtatious actress.

Her films:
"Contempt"
"...And God Created Woman" )
"Viva Maria!"

Her loves:
A director
A French actor
A German multimillionaire
Angelina Jolie
Regularly on the "world's most beautiful" lists, this silver screen goddess is known for her otherworldly beauty  acting talent, eccentricities and humanitarian work. She is at home portraying tough young women on the big screen and received an Academy Award for her role as a sociopath.

Her films:
"Lara Croft Tomb Raider"
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" 
"Salt"


Her loves:
An actor and adoptive father to her children
An actor, screenwriter and director
A British actor
Sophia Loren
This Oscar-winning  actress is widely considered to be the most popular Italian actress of her time. She is famous for starring in more than 100 movies  and for her hourglass figure.

Her films:
"Two Women" 
"Man of La Mancha"
"El Cid"

Her loves:
An Italian film producer
A debonair actor
Elizabeth Taylor
She was admired for her acting ability  glamorous lifestyle, beauty and distinctive violet eyes. Part of her enduring fame includes two Academy Awards  her pioneering AIDS activism and her many marriages.

Her films:
"A Place in the Sun"
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"
"Giant"

Her loves:
A Welsh actor
A popular singer and entertainer
A hotel heir and businessman
Raquel Welch

A new international sex symbol took to the cinematic throne in the '60s when she hit the screen in a skimpy fur bikini. Her natural beauty  wiped away the notion that enduring sex goddesses could only be blond, and she gained recognition as a serious actress, author and businesswoman.

Her films:
"One Million Years B.C."
"Fathom"
"The Three Musketeers"

Her loves:
A French producer and photographer
A Hollywood press agent
Betty Grable
The No. 1 pinup girl and morale booster during World War II  this American actress, dancer and singer  was one of the most famous of Hollywood's blonde superwomen. Known for her luxurious legs -- famously insured by her studio  -- she offered wholesome appeal and an alluring stage presence.

Her films:
"How to Marry a Millionaire"
"Pin-Up Girl"
"I Wake Up Screaming"
Her loves:
A child film star
A trumpeter and bandleader
Rita Hayworth
With her signature wavy, auburn hair and charismatic smile  this sexy actress became a popular pinup girl during World War II  and one of the era's top stars. She left her mark on the silver screen with her sultry roles  and her considerable talent as a dancer  and singer.

Her films:
"Gilda"
"The Lady From Shanghai"
"Cover Girl"

Her loves:
A famous radio actor and film director
A prince
A big band crooner and actor
Sharon Stone

This diva has a flair for combining brainy sex appeal and old-fashioned Hollywood glamour. Her brazen role as a femme fatale elevated her to international star status, and she has since shown her considerable range as an actress.

Her films:
"Basic Instinct"
"Casino"
"Total Recall"

Her loves:
A writer, producer and director
A newspaper editor
A country singer
Gene Tierney
One of Hollywood's most luminous actresses, this striking beauty  was known for her etched cheekbones, crystal-like green eyes and elegance. A successful Broadway and film career  helped propel her to stardom.

Her films:
"Laura"
"Heaven Can Wait"
"Sundown"

Her loves:
A fashion designer
A president of the United States
A Houston oil man 
 
 Hedy Lamarr
This Austrian-born actress became a worldwide sensation in a '30s Czech film  which featured her completely nude. For a decade she was cast opposite top male stars, usually as a woman of mystery  and was known for her extraordinary beauty.

Her films:
"Algiers"
"My Favorite Spy"
"A Lady Without Passport"

Her loves:
A British actor
A highly decorated naval officer
An arms manufacturer with Nazi connections

Lana Turner
A statuesque, shapely blonde this movie goddess was discovered and signed to a film contract at age 16. Despite a highly publicized scandal, she had a prolific film career and was another of the Hollywood glamour gals to become a popular World War II pinup.

Her films:
"Peyton Place"
"The Bad and the Beautiful"
"The Postman Always Rings Twice"

Her loves:
An actor
A jazz clarinetist and composer
A gangster bodyguard


Farrah Fawcett
Sporting feathered blond hair  this iconic entertainment figure of the '70s burst onto the scene after a poster of her in a red bathing suit  sold millions of copies. Along with her wholesome look and sex appeal, she gained acclaim for her starring role in a hit TV series.

Her films:
"Extremities"
"Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story"

Her loves:
The "Six Million Dollar Man"
A screen actor from the '70s
A Canadian filmmaker

Julia Roberts
Not only has she frequented People magazine's "World's Most Beautiful" list  but she quickly became one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars after headlining a '90s romantic comedy as a hooker. She won an Oscar for this movie.

Her films:
"Pretty Woman"
"Erin Brockovich"
"Duplicity"

Her loves:
A country-western singer
An actor, director and producer
A "Law & Order" actor
Kim Novak
One of postwar Hollywood's most mysterious and alluring actresses  she is best known for her unforgettable performance in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. She exuded a daunting intellectual iciness in her roles. 

Her films:
"Picnic"
"Vertigo"
"Bell, Book and Candle"

Her loves:
An eminent English actor
The son of a Dominican dictator
A veterinarian
Jean Harlow
Known as the original "blond bombshell," she made her mark on Hollywood with her trendsetting platinum blond hair, luminous skin, arched eyebrows and red lips. This golden girl showed talent in both her sensual and comedic performances.

Her films:
"China Seas"
"The Public Enemy"
"Hell’s Angels"

Her loves:
A TV star
A director and producer
A cinematographer
Vivien Leigh
This delicate beauty is best known for her role as a Southern belle  garnering a Best Actress Academy Award.  

Her films:
"Gone With the Wind"
"Waterloo Bridge"
"Caesar and Cleopatra"

Her loves:
A renowned British actor
An English barrister
A British theater actor
Salma Hayek
One of the most prominent Mexican stars in Hollywood, this siren earned initial renown with her exotic looks  hourglass figure and smoldering onscreen charisma. Her most acclaimed performance was her Academy Award-nominated role as a Mexican painter.

Her films:
"Frida"
"From Dusk Till Dawn"
"Once Upon a Time in Mexico"

Her loves:
A French businessman
An actor and producer
An actor
Kim Basinger

A cover girl initially, this tall, blond actress  performed a breakout role as a Bond girl. She knows how to steam up the screen and is best known for her award-winning performance in a crime drama.

Her films:
"L.A. Confidential"
"9 1/2 Weeks"
"Batman"

Her loves:
A prolific TV and film actor
An actor and sex symbol
A makeup artist and author
Ava Gardner
Amidst a sea of blond-haired bombshells, this striking, green-eyed brunette  stood out and maintained a solid acting career . She was also known for her high-profile love affairs with some of Hollywood's leading men.

Her films:
"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman"
"Mogambo"
"The Barefoot Contessa"

Her loves:
An actor and comedian
A jazz clarinetist and composer
A famous bullfighter from Spain
Lauren Bacall
Known as a great female entertainer, not to mention "one tough broad," she first emerged as a leading lady in the film noir genre. She was famous for her characterizations of women whose strong will complemented their sexual attraction  and for her distinctive husky voice, sultry eyes and "the look".

Her films:
"The Big Sleep"
"To Have and Have Not"
"How to Marry a Millionaire"

Her loves:
An actor and cultural icon
A legendary singer
A stage and film actor
Jane Russell

A famous director, who cast her in an odd, psychological Western, helped bring her to fame, along with her smoldering voluptuousness. Her talents as a multifaceted actress were given more attention later in her career, when she was hailed for her comic delivery and singing talents.

Her films:
"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
"The Outlaw"
"Gentlemen Marry Brunettes"

Her loves:
A pro football quarterback
A stage actor
A real estate broker
Dorothy Dandridge
Her lovely dark eyes, beauty marks and cool singing style made Dandridge a standout. She reached the pinnacle of stardom as the sultry seductress in a Hollywood musical and went on to become the first black performer ever nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.

Her films:
"Carmen Jones"
"Island in the Sun"
"Change of Heart"

Her loves:
A German director and producer
A famous tap dancer
A restaurant owner

Sourcemsn.com

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Gay Pride Month

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Gay Pride Month
Gay Pride Month. On June 2, 2000, President Bill Clinton proclaimed June to be Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, citing the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 that gave birth to the gay and lesbian rights movement. Calling on the nation to "work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity," President Barack Obama issued a similar proclamation June 1, 2009.

In past years, a long list of celebrities, athletes, politicians and television personalities have opened up about their sexual orientation. Here's how some notable and talented people told the world.
Evan Rachel Wood
"True Blood" star Evan Rachel Wood joined a host of celebs who have come out of the closet when she announced in April that she is bisexual. Read about it here.
Don Lemon
An anchor for this 24-hour news network, Don Lemon announced last month that he is gay. Find out more and watch him discuss it.
Rick Welts
President and CEO of this NBA team and co-founder of the WNBA, Rick Welts did something rare in the world of sports last month: He came out as a gay man. Find out more and watch news coverage.
Scott Norton
Scott Norton, a professional player in professional bowling, is thought to have become the first active athlete in professional sports to reveal his homosexuality. Read more about it here.
Geri Jewell
Former TV star, Geri Jewell, revealed that she is a lesbian in her new book, "I'm Walking as Straight as I Can", which also delves into her money problems and struggles with a disorder.
Jonathan Knight
He was every young girl's dream guy in the late '80s as a member of one of the hottest boy bands. Early this year, the former pop star came out as a gay man. Read more about it, and watch him perform.
Sara Gilbert
Former sitcom star Sara Gilbert officially came out as a lesbian last year. Read more about it.
Ricky Martin
Ending years of speculation, the Puerto Rican pop singer announced he was a gay man on his blog in March.
Mary Cheney
The daughter of a staunch Republican former vice president, Cheney almost quit her job as campaign adviser in the 2004 presidential campaign over her sexuality.
Chely Wright
The country singer announced she was a lesbian last year, apparently to the surprise of many who know her, including her famous former boyfriend. Watch her music videos and see photos.
Sheryl Swoopes
In 2005, this pro women's basketball player and MVP came out as a lesbian in a popular sports magazine, where she called life in the closet "miserable"
Neil Patrick Harris
Though he will likely always be known as the little genius on "Doogie Howser, M.D.", he propelled his career even further with the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother", which started in 2006, just one year after he came out as a gay man
Meredith Baxter
This famous '80s "Family Ties" mom and real-life mother of five revealed in late 2009 that she is attracted to women
T.R. Knight
The Minneapolis native and former "Grey's Anatomy" hot doc confirmed he was gay in 2006. Why did he leave "Grey's"?
Esera Tuaolo
In a rare event, the former NFL player came out in 2002 on HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" and has since served as a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation.
George Takei
Best known as Mr. Sulu on the original "Star Trek" series, the actor, who spent his childhood in a Japanese-American internment camp, came out in 2005.
Sean Hayes
He played the gay character Jack McFarland on "Will & Grace", and after confirming last year he is in fact a homosexual, he said he'd "never" been in the closet
Adam Lambert
The "American Idol" Season 8 runner-up confirmed his sexuality on the cover of Rolling Stone last year and is credited with becoming the first openly gay mainstream artist to launch a career with a major U.S. label.
Billie Jean King
Once married to a man, this former women's tennis champ was the first professional women's athlete to come out as a lesbian
Suze Orman
The financial guru announced in 2007 that she was a lesbian, calling herself a "55-year-old virgin"
Kelly McGillis
The Hollywood actress who starred opposite this famous actor in "Top Gun" said she had struggled with her sexuality since the age of 12, finally telling the public at 51 that she was a lesbian
David Hyde Pierce
As Niles on "Frasier", he was infatuated with his father's housekeeper, Daphne, but in real life he confirmed in 2007 his sexuality and longtime relationship with television writer-producer Brian Hargrove
Portia de Rossi
Born Amanda Lee Rogers, the Australian actress is married to talk show host and funnywoman Ellen DeGeneres and credits her wife for supporting her choice to come out.
Lady Gaga
Last year the ubiquitous superstar announced that she has had intimate relationships with both men and women. View a gallery of her outfits.
Clay Aiken
The "American Idol" runner-up came out as a gay man when he appeared on the cover of People magazine in 2008 holding his newborn son, saying, "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things."
Anna Paquin
The "True Blood" star is married to her vampire-playing co-star, Stephen Moyer, and dropped a bombshell last year when she revealed she is bisexual
Rachel Maddow
The host of MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show" is the first outed lesbian to host a prime-time news show in the United States.
Rosie O'Donnell
An often controversial and outspoken comedian, Rosie O'Donnell said she was a lesbian in a television interview in 2002
Ellen DeGeneres
The popular talk show host famously came out on her sitcom in 1997 and on the cover of Time magazine the same year
Barney Frank
A congressional Democrat who represents the 4th District of the Bay State, Frank made his sexuality public in 1987, after six years as an elected representative
John Berry
Nominated by President Barack Obama to head the Office of Personnel Management, he is the highest-ranking openly gay official in the administration.

Source: msn

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