Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Hugh Hefner: Rebel with a cause
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Hugh Hefner: Rebel with a cause
Reuters - Saturday, July 31
Send
IM Story
Print
Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner poses for a portrait at his Playboy mansion in Los Angeles, California, July 27, 2010. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
By Bob Tourtellotte
LOS ANGELES - At 84 years-old, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner embodies the lifestyle of sexual freedom that his men's magazine has espoused since it was founded in 1953, featuring a nude centerfold of Marilyn Monroe.
Yet, there is another side to the pajama-loving man known around the world by his nickname, Hef. Along with sexual freedom, he has championed civil rights, published stories challenging McCarthyism and the Vietnam War, and backed gay causes and the legalization of marijuana.
New documentary film, "Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel," debuts in theaters on Friday offering audiences this other side of Hefner. He sat down with Reuters in the Playboy mansion to talk about the film, today's political conservatism and how he wants to be remembered.
Q: Do you feel like this particular part of your life, the social activism, had been lost in the focus on your lifestyle?
A: "No, I don't think it was lost. I think Ray Bradbury said it very well some time ago when he was talking about the magazine and he said, 'People don't see the forest because of the T's'. In other words, the lifestyle and the pretty girls, the centerfolds, etc. They simply are what gets the attention."
Q: The documentary addresses the irony of the two sides of you: the carefree life vs. the serious political activist. Where is the common ground between the two?
A: "Aren't they exactly the same? In other words, aren't the sexual revolution and racial emancipation the same thing? I just think these are areas of our free society that have not been truly free and properly dealt with."
Q: A lot of people would say 'no,' and that your brand of sexual freedom is really just the objectifying of women.
A: "Anybody who thinks we objectify women in a negative sense has a political agenda of their own. It comes right out of our Puritan heritage. The simple truth of the matter is we are two different sexes. We are attracted to one another. That is the basis of civilization. That is what makes the world go around. The notion of the denying the fact that women, in a positive sense, are objects of sexual desire is to simply not deal with reality."
Q: What's the difference between young men in 1953 when the magazine began and young men today?
A: "They were a little more sophisticated, then. They read more. The changing technology has changed reading habits. It's not the same getting information from the Internet. Is there a dumbing down of America? Yes, of course. There are a great many virtues to the Internet, but there's also a downside."
Q: You and Playboy helped start the sexual revolution, which liberalized our culture. Absent Playboy, would something or someone else have come along to make the same change?
A: "I think so. It's like any other invention or social change, etc. I think the major thing that liberated women was the birth control pill. That separated procreation from sex."
Q: In our culture today, we seem more liberal with laws supporting gay marriage and legal marijuana in some states. Yet, at the same time, the political landscape seems more conservative following the Reagan and Bush administrations. What are we, more conservative or liberal?
A: "In the broadest sense, we are much more liberal. But there was a backlash to that more permissive society. In other words, the sexual revolution hit full-on in the middle 60s and throughout the 70s, and then there was a backlash in the 1980s, politically, the religious right helped get Reagan in the White House. AIDS arrived and there was a political correctness that set in, that also influenced sexuality."
Q: Then what is the disconnect today between politicians who are conservative and what seems to be going on among Americans in a more liberal society?
A: "The problems we have today with conservatism don't have much to do with laws. When I was growing up, indeed, most sex behavior outside marriage was illegal. Nice, middle-class moral kids could not live together before they got married in the 1950s. So in that sense we are obviously much more liberal. The conservatism comes in, in other kinds of ways. There is political correctness ... I think a part of the feminist movement also influenced the rest of society about the notion that, somehow or other, images of nudity and sexuality were somehow exploitative created a negative attitude toward things that otherwise we thought were commonplace or beautiful."
Q: You've met many people over the years, from celebrities to sports stars and dignitaries. Many of them here in the Mansion. Who hasn't been here who you'd like?
A: "I have no idea. Obama would certainly be welcome, but I don't think about that."
Q: In the documentary, there are scenes of you and Sammy Davis, Jr. What would Sammy have said about Obama.
A: "Probably the same thing I am saying, which is that I wish he would get on with it. We all had high hopes."
Q: Okay, a little advice for men like me. I'm 48. What's better for your sex life, Viagra or three girlfriends at the same time?
A: "Three girlfriends . Because at 48, you don't need Viagra. Although with three girlfriends, it helps."
Q: Lastly, the title of the documentary is "Hugh Hefner, Playboy, Activist and Rebel" That's one way to remember you, but how would you like to be remembered?
A: "I would like to be remembered as somebody who had some positive impact on the changing of the social-sexual values of my time. I'm pretty secure in that, I think."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 34 minutes ago
"The Office" to continue without Steve Carell Reuters - 34 minutes ago
Sarajevo becomes biggest regional film market Reuters - 2 hours 34 minutes ago
Women rise to the top in "Mad Men" Reuters - Saturday, July 31
Broadway sings blues over synthesizer invasion AFP - Saturday, July 31
News Search
Top Stories
New BP boss vows to stay the course in Gulf clean-up
Colombian guerrillas propose talks on conflict : video
US growth slows fueling recovery fears
US economic growth 'welcome sign' but more needed: Obama
New boss vows no BP pullback from Gulf oil crisis
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery
Calcium supplements linked to heart attacks: study
US Fed official warns of 'Japanese-style' stagnation
At least 140 dead in DR Congo river disaster
Shell defends deep-water oil production, as profits soar
More Most Viewed »
Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers
Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery
World's first full face transplant man appears on TV
Paris Hilton caught with cannabis in handbag
Quark by quark, atom smasher closing in on 'God particle'
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 31 July 2010 Syrian, Saudi leaders urge Lebanon to avoid violence
France crime crackdown targets foreigners
Floods kill more than 400 in Pakistan's northwest
|
Washington Post favors audio tycoon's Newsweek bid: report
US embassy vehicles torched in Afghan capital
Israel launches air strikes on Gaza: Palestinians
|
New BP boss vows to stay the course in Gulf clean-up
US embassy staff in Paris get check-ups after suspect letter
Smartphones tempting new targets for hackers
French mother 'relieved' after admitting baby killings
Colombia rebels call for talks with new government
|
US growth slows fueling recovery fears
July the deadliest month of Afghan war for US
Japanese rescue-bot can sniff out disaster survivors
US economic growth 'welcome sign' but more needed: Obama
Berlusconi in crisis after revolt by key ally
Microsoft to confront Japan watchdog on Yahoo-Google deal
New boss vows no BP pullback from Gulf oil crisis
One charger to fit new mobiles as of next year: EU
First gay couples tie knot under new Argentine law
|
U.N. tells Darfur peace force to focus on security
|
Canadian serial killer Pickton denied new trial
|
Fire prompts evacuation of 2,000 homes north of LA
Smartphones tempting new targets for hackers
Four dead, 19 hurt in China tax office blast: state media
One charger to fit new mobiles as of next year: EU
Malaysia talent show picks 26-year-old as top 'Young Imam'
Minority Islamic sect under fire in Indonesia
Floods kill more than 400 in Pakistan's northwest
Shanghai journalists attacked after shampoo report
China says it disapproves of EU sanctions against Iran
North Korea officials seize Kim biography in Myanmar: author
Drug-tainted Japanese pop idol divorced: reports
'Nightmare' start for iPhone 4's latest launch
Emboldened RIM readies new touchscreen BlackBerry
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sarajevo becomes biggest regional film market
Women rise to the top in "Mad Men"
Century-old steamers inspire nostalgia in Stockholm's waters
London launches cycle hire scheme
Hugh Hefner: Rebel with a cause
Air China subsidiary to buy 10 Airbus planes: statement
Japan's Mazda narrows losses in first quarter: Kyodo
Bangladesh garment workers riot over wages
Hitachi sees $996.85 million net profit in 1Q
Audi counts on China in bid for new sales record
Japan PM pledges to press ahead with fiscal reform
Malaysia, New Zealand to launch trade pact in August
India's central bank fines Standard Chartered, ICICI
Pakistan in surprise rate rise, cites inflation risk
Japan, US recovery fears send Asian stocks tumbling
The Office to continue without Steve Carell
|
Women rise to the top in Mad Men
|
Sarajevo becomes biggest regional film market
|
Quake in northeast Iran injures 170 people
Dutch anti-Islam party to have strong voice in next govt
Smooth-talking hackers test hi-tech titans' skills
Blast hits China tax office in apparent attack
|
Hamas vows revenge after Israeli strikes on Gaza
Berlusconi split with ally erodes once comfortable majority
New BP boss faces up to massive Gulf oil clean-up
US-TECH Summary
Fidel Castro says U.S. mistreating convicted spies
|
Iran mother facing stoning pleads to see children
BlackBerry maker to launch tablet in November: report
Colombian guerrillas propose talks on conflict : video
Turkey sued in California over Armenian genocide
Quake in northeast Iran injures 170 people
|
Google not sure if China behind service disruption
Obama urges Iran to release three U.S. hikers
True/Slant website shutting down
Chavez deploys military units in Colombia row
|
Israel launches air strikes in Gaza after rocket fire
Twitter offers help in finding accounts to follow
US casualties in Afghanistan soar to record highs
Software released for attacking Android phones
Australian PM Gillard heading for defeat: new poll
|
Google agrees to delete WiFi data collected in Hong Kong
Australian PM Gillard heading for defeat
Turkey sued in California over Armenian genocide
|
Floods kill 37 in China's northeast: media
Emboldened RIM readies new touchscreen BlackBerry
Dutch close in on government with anti-Islam party backing
|
China says coal mine blast leaves 17 dead
Curfew in Indian Kashmir as fourth protester dies
Inquiry slams 'systemic failings' in killer Australia fires
Pakistan intelligence agency scraps UK visit
Arizona immigration law appeal set for November
Malay court clears Muslim of church firebomb attack
Blast hits China tax office in apparent attack
U.S. worried more secret documents may be released
Pakistan monsoon floods kill more than 400
Polls turn against Australian PM Gillard
Ore. district attorney says no Gore prosecution
Ariz. governor considers changing immigration law
As Emmys host, Jimmy Fallon aims not to offend
Software released for attacking Android phones
|
Second woman sues Casey Affleck for harassment
Deadly gas explosion destroys building in Calif.
Calif. wildfire jumps aqueduct, approaches homes
Kings of Leon moves past "Pigeon-gate"
BlackBerry maker to launch tablet in November: report
|
"Jersey Shore" star Snooki arrested
NY reps. bicker over 9/11 responder bill's defeat
Teen stars align for "Camp Rock 2" soundtrack
"Law & Order" TV show fails to find a new network
Drinking edges up in US, with beer still favorite
Taiwan brewer to invest $30 mln in China: report
"The Office" to continue without Steve Carell
Malaysian tycoon launches $1.48 bln power firm buyout
S.Korea hikes wages for N.Koreans in joint industrial estate
S.Korea sees $30 bln trade surplus in 2010, above fcast
Second woman sues Casey Affleck for harassment
|
Jersey Shore star Snooki arrested
|
Kings of Leon moves past Pigeon-gate
|
As Emmys host, Jimmy Fallon aims not to offend
|
Teen stars align for Camp Rock 2 soundtrack
|
Law & Order TV show fails to find a new network
|
Thousands fight forest fires in Russia heatwave
Pakistan spy chief scraps UK trip on terror remarks
|
Israeli air strike kills Hamas commander in Gaza
Wildfires spread in western Russia, kill 28
|
Germany mourns Love Parade victims
Israeli air strike kills Hamas commander in Gaza
|
Chelsea Clinton set for lavish, secretive wedding
At least 100 hurt in Bangladesh clashes over wages
|
Dozens killed and stranded by Afghanistan floods
|
Merkel attends memorial for Love Parade victims
|
The big day: Chelsea Clinton to wed in upstate NY
Fresh allegations slams Delhi Commonwealth Games
N.Korean FM meets Myanmar FM amid nuclear worries
India to back New Zealander for top ICC post
Pakistan spy chief scraps UK trip on "terror" remarks
Philippine Airlines cancels flights as pilots quit
Leong, Siddikur tie for lead at Brunei Open
Taiwan authorities probe oil refinery fires
Philippine Airlines cancels flights after pilots quit
China invests $40 bln in Iran oil, gas: minister
ICICI Bank profit up 17 percent on better loans
ICICI Bank profit up 17 pct on better loans
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights