Cybill Shepherd Blames the Mormons & Catholics for the Passing of Proposition 8 | 'Heroes' Star Jack Coleman Debates Jenny Mccarthy’s Link Between Autism And Childhood Vaccinations | Pop Tarts Scene & Herd
Cybill Shepherd Blames the Mormons & Catholics for the Passing of Proposition 8
Tennessee-born beauty Cybill Shepherd definitely isn’t one to waste words -- and had she no qualms in speaking out about who she thought was to blame for the passing of Proposition 8 in California's last election, which led to gay and lesbian marriage rights being overturned.
"The Mormons and Catholics," she told Tarts at the recent L.A Gay & Lesbian Center’s "An Evening With Women" celebration in Beverly Hills. "Most of the money came from Utah, it’s very unfortunate."
However Shepherd does feel that President Obama is doing enough for the cause.
"I think he is working hard at it, I really do. I am just so encouraged by Iowa and Vermont. We have a tough road ahead in California, but we'll be hittin’ within a year," she added with confidence.
The 59-year-old’s passion to pursue the fight for Gay & Lesbian rights actually stemmed from Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968.
"He was killed in my hometown of Memphis, three and a half miles from my high school and I’m a product of the segregated south and I got to see that hatred up close, live that hatred, colored only, whites only, and when he was killed I was stricken with guilt and shame," Shepherd added. "I felt as though I hadn't done enough to help the civil rights cause and as I gradually began to understand, what is the most recent excuse to deny people rights under the law? To treat them as less than human and once you get that kind of right thinking you realize how important it is to stand up for the gay and lesbian kids who are at greater risk because they don't have community support and sometimes their parents kick them out. Particularly in L.A we have more runaways then anywhere in the world."
So when it comes to Shepherd’s own faith, she’s developed quite the hybrid of religious convictions.
"I’m a Christian Pagan Buddhist Goddess worshiper, but I’m also a feminist. I think the ultimate glass ceiling is God, in another words, if we think God is a man, then we make man a God, and I studied and learned that there is a whole other history of the worshiping of the great mother," she explained. "I really think that probably God is a woman, that helped me to break through that celestial glass ceiling."
But going back to who Hollywood blames for Prop 8, while Shepherd said the Mormons and Catholics, Sharon Osbourne said it’s all to do with our former President.
"Bush, blame everything on Bush," she said.
Meanwhile "Dollhouse" dame Eliza Dushku and actress Jane Lynch believe it all just came down to an overall lack of understanding regarding the issue.
"Not enough voters turned out or not enough people are affected by Prop. 8 and what gay marriage is really about which is equality and peace," Dushku said. "And who could speak against either of those things?"
"I don’t blame. People voted with their own hearts and a lot of people are afraid of it because they've been told to be afraid of it and that’s too bad," added Lynch. "I wish they would think for themselves and not do what their Church tells them to do. Alot of people use the church as an excuse, and I don't like it and I don't buy it."
'Heroes' Star Jack Coleman Debates Jenny Mccarthy’s Link Between Autism And Childhood Vaccinations
The theory surrounding autism and vaccinations continues to be one of great controversy in Tinseltown. A firestorm was ignited in 2007 when Jenny McCarthy started advocating that her son’s autism was caused by vaccinations he had at fifteen months old. Soon after, fellow actress Amanda Peet (a spokesperson for Every Child By Two, a non-profit group that wants all kids vaccinated by age two) labeled anti-vaccine parents as "parasites" -- a term that McCarthy took great offense to.
And it looks as though the war is still waging, with "Heroes" star Jack Coleman telling Tarts at the first-ever "Heroes for Autism" event in Hollywood recently that in his belief the "autism/vaccine" link was unwarranted.
"My sister is a pediatrician and she is not beholden to pharmaceutical companies, which, I know, that’s the big conspiracy theory out there. They did huge research in Europe and they have not found any ties to it at all, there is no longer live mercury in any of these calculations," Coleman told Tarts. "I just think that from what I’ve read and heard I don’t think it’s connected. I do know that there is a MMR that it makes your child extremely cranky and sick but I personally don’t it contributes to autism, but I am not a doctor."
And despite McCarthy and her longtime lover Jim Carrey’s relentless lobbying to put pressure on the federal government to remove toxins from vaccines and fight for fewer childhood vaccinations prior to the age of 2, Coleman still supports immunization all the way.
"I have given my child every vaccination there is, but when you are related to a pediatrician, you tend to look much more kindly at vaccinations. As she says, ‘I’ve never seen a child die from an immunization but I have seen one die because of a whopping cough.’ What our grandparents would give to have those immunizations," he added. "If five years from now, science says that it is the cause, then I will eat my words, but I don’t see that happening."
A rep for McCarthy did not respond for comment.
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger, signing her new book at Fred Segal Fun in Santa Monica last Saturday, May 2nd.
Surrounded by a bevy of beauties, U.S. Olympic Wrestler and 2008 Gold Medalist, Henry Cejudo along with U.S. Olympic Wrestler and 2004 Silver Medalist Jamill Kelly, partying at NYC's THE CHANDELIER ROOM at the W Hoboken last Saturday night.
Alyssa Milano, Andy Garcia and George Lopez at the 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic to benefit The National Kidney Foundation of Southern California at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills on Sunday.
Major Model’s Sessilee Lopez sobbing at the Armani showroom in NYC on Monday morning. The jetlagged beauty thought she was being fitted for the Met’s Costume Institute Benefit but was told otherwise and the waterworks started as she thought she's been dis-invited. Luckily for Lopez, the event producers had indeed sent her an invite and Zac Posen, the designer who was actually dressing her, had a dress waiting.
Holly Robinson Peete practicing her French with philanthropist and honoree Florence Azria at the "A Place Called Home Presents Girlz in the Hood Women of Achievement" Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday.
On Cinco De Mayo at West Hollywood's Sunset Tower, Feeding America and special guests David Arquette, Alison Sweeney, Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper, Jimmy Jean Louis, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Niecy Nash, Kamar De Los Reyes, Arianne Zucker, Kyle Lowder, Azita Ghanizada, April O’Brien and executive producer and co-creator Mark Koops celebrated the success of the Pound for Pound Challenge seen on The Biggest Loser.
Holly Madison enjoying dinner inside Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas on Wednesday night.
Hilary Duff, Sophia Bush, Melissa George and Leona Lewis celebrating The Hervé Léger by Max Azria "bandage dress" and the official debut of LIVE! On Sunset in West Hollywood on Wednesday evening.
Katy Perry shopping at vintage hotspot What Comes Around Goes Around in Soho New York on Wednesday. The "I Kissed A Girl" songstress picked up the Lanai cotton eyelet romper from the WCAGA collection in black, a custom vintage "Roadie" t-shirt, and a men's Matsue shirt in purple from the men's WCAGA collection.
Kim Kardashian, Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union, Sophia Bush, Jordana Brewster, Vanessa Minnillo, Chris Evans, Rob Buckley, Samaire Armstrong, Brittny & Lisa Gastineau and New Moon's Alex Meraz celebrating the L.A. launch of CARRERA Vintage Sunglasses at a poolside bungalow at The Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood on Thursday night.
Katy Perry celebrating the premiere of her new music video, "Waking Up in Vegas," with a SVEDKA Vodka and People Magazine cocktail party, at Mr. West nightclub in NYC on Thursday. Her pal Rihanna dropped by the party, as well as Perry's off-again and definitely-back-on-again boyfriend, Travis McCoy.
The "Real Housewives of the OC," "Girls Next Door" star Bridget Marquardt and reformed rehabber Tara Reid at Beach Bunny Swimwear's Flagship Grand Opening party in Newport Beach on Thursday evening.
Julianne Moore & Rachael Ray hosting the TS Alliance 35th Anniversary Gala honoring Cartier on Thursday night at Chelsea Piers in NYC.
Members of the Dave Matthews Band and friends celebrating the birthday of bassist, Stefan Lessard, at the Playboy Club in the Palms Las Vegas on Thursday night.
A pregnant Elisabeth Hasselbeck as the honorary chair at the Alzheimer Association's 7th Annual Junior Committee Gala, on Thursday at Tenjune in New York City.
Benji and Joel Madden and Kyle Howard at Fred Segal Santa Monica on Thursday night for the Casa Noble Tequila/HOPE celebrity poker tournament.
Will.i.am, Taryn Manning and Vanessa Minnillo hanging in the VIP at Ecco Ultra Lounge in Hollywood on Thursday night.
Ciara in a Halston dress, chatting with Vanessa Carlton, Gretta Monahan and newly dark coiffed Adrienne Bailon at the Operation Smile event at Cipriani in New York City on Friday.
Whoopi Goldberg shopping at Miu Miu in SoHo, New York on Friday evening.
Actor and DJ Danny Masterson aka DJ Mom Jeans performing at Rain Nightclub inside the Palms Casino Resort on Friday night after dining at N9NE Steakhouse.
Will.i.am noshing on chicken noodle soup and carnitas tacos at the Hard Rock San Diego's Maryjane’s Coffee Shop prior to wowing the crowd alongside apl.de.apm, who wowed the crowd with a sell-out performance.
Actress Sara Paxton celebrating her 21st Birthday at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino's hotspot Prive on Friday night by taking shots and dancing to the sounds played by guest DJ Jermaine Dupri. Also at Prive was Jonah Hill, hanging out with Sean "P Diddy" Combs. The two arrived together after 1 a.m. and both greeted Dupri in the DJ booth before retreating to their VIP table where they were surrounded by ladies.
Christina Applegate, Miley Cyrus, her mother Tish Cyrus, Carrie Ann Inaba, Beau Garrett, Marcia Cross, Jordana Brewster, Michael Bolton and Derek Hough at the 16th Annual Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Revlon Run/Walk For Women in Los Angeles on Saturday morning.
Victoria’s Secret Beauty’s Adriana Lima celebrating the launch of the new fragrance and body care collection Noir, dressed as a modern-day Cleopatra. Lounging in a decadent boudoir setting on a grande chaise lounge, the sexy supermodel hosted an afternoon of glamour and mystery at the NY's Lexington Avenue Victoria's Secret store.
Actress Malin Ackerman dining at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas on Saturday evening while Vanessa Minnillo was seen having drinks at the bar.
Kendra Wilkinson as well as Reggie Bush and girlfriend Kim Kardashian at the Red Bull Air Race After-Party on Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s posh rooftop bar, Float, on Saturday night. Earlier that day Kimmy K launched her new workout DVDs at Kitson on Robertson.
In the wake of her nude snap scandal, songstress Cassie partying alongside her on again/off again lover Sean "Diddy" Combs (as well as four bodyguards and a prominent entourage that included San Diego Charges Pro Bowl defensive end Sean Merriman) on Saturday night at JET nightclub inside The Mirage. Diddy ordered two bottles of his Ciroc vodka and four bottles of Ace of Spades champagne for the party as bodyguards were on full-time duty deterring fans from snapping photos of the group.
Wanda Sykes, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Connie Britton, Rachel Leigh Cook, Tim Daly, Kara DioGuardi, Mariska Hargitay, Dulé Hill, Padma Lakshmi, Meghan McCain, Kai Milla, Eva Longoria Parker, Matthew Settle, Christian Slater, Amber Tamblyn, Chris Tucker, Keisha & Forest Whitaker, Owen Wilson, and Jason Wu at Niche Media’s Capitol File magazine 4th Annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner (WHCAD) After Party at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC on Saturday night.
Vanessa Hudgens rocking out to rapper Common at the launch of Diesel's new fragrance Only The Brave during his intimate live performance at the Diesel store on Melrose on Saturday night.
Brittny Gastineau and her mama Lisa enjoying Mother's Day lunch at The Ivy on Robertson on Sunday.
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