Podcast: HIV & The Border Patrol, 90s Actor Made An HIV Joke, George Michael's Ex, Gay Star News Shutters

In this week's podcast:

• The chief of Customs & Border Patrol told Congress an immigrant’s HIV+ status is enough to justify family separation at the border

• A 90s child actor made an AIDS joke on Twitter, and no one laughed

• George Michael’s ex trashed the deceased pop star’s mansion

• A major LGBTQ news website closes its doors

• Jake Gyllenhaal shares about his iconic Brokeback Mountain role

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Heath Ledger Was Almost Not Cast In BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Film

Diana Ossana, the screenwriter for the highly acclaimed film version of Brokeback Mountain, recently appeared on The Michelangelo Signorile Show to talk on the film's 10th anniversary.

During the chat, the writer shared that Heath Ledger was at one point considered not "macho" enough.

Via Huffington Post:

[Ennis] was the most difficult role to cast. And that seemed to be the perpetual problem as we went on. And even a little bit for [director] Ang [Lee].

"Another actor had committed [to the role of Ennis] and we had suggested Heath. But the studio [Focus Features] didn’t feel he was macho enough.

"I thought that was a rather odd comment. But we just sort of stuck with it. And when that [other] actor backed out — and he did, after three months — I called Heath’s agent. It was interesting.

"Early on, Ang had wanted both the boys to be lifting weights and get all buff. Heath said, ‘You know, I’m the ranch hand [in the film]. I wouldn’t have time to be lifting weights. I’m kind of scrawny and young.’ He said, ‘I’m not going to do that.’ So he didn’t.”

You can rent the devastatingly moving film with exceptional work by both Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal on iTunes.

Adele's "Someone Like You" told through the story of Brokeback Mountain

So, when I came across this I expected some cute editing and double entendres.

I wasn't prepared for how well done this would be. I loved the beauty and simplicity of the movie Brokeback Mountain and the work done by all the actors in the movie. Paired with the open, raw honesty of Adele's hit song "Someone Like You" is a great fit. Kudos the the editor, Gomnitus.

Brokeback Mountain won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was honored with Best Picture and Best Director accolades from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Golden Globe Awards, Producers Guild of America, Critics Choice Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards among many other organizations and festivals.