Sacha Baron Cohen's latest character-star-turn as the "flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista," Bruno opened on movie screens all around the country yesterday, and now The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has come out in objection to the flick, saying it "reinforces negative stereotypes and decreases the public's comfort with gay people," according to the Huffington Post. While some of the movie's moments "hit the mark," Cohen's cavorting "hit the gay community pretty hard and reinforce some damaging, hurtful stereotypes" GLAAD's president noted. Universal Studios, who released the film, sought input from GLAAD during advance screenings, and insist the film is meant to be seen only as satire. However, one scene that includes "Bruno in a hot tub with his adopted infant son and two naked men involved in a sex act," remained in the film, despite GLAAD's objection. Bruno has also ruffled feathers locally after a series of photos taken at Birmingham High angered LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines.
