Alec Mapa is known for his over the top sense of humor and camp. The self proclaimed gaysian is not only hilarious, he is also someone who is a leader in the GLBT community and spends a lot of his time supporting good causes. He has done countless hours of fundraising for the Human Rights Campaign and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, including touring across America for both. He is a man of many hats and he has entertained around the world, in all types of mediums. He has countless top T.V. shows under his belt, forty guest staring roles in sitcoms and movies like Marley and Me, Playing by Heart and Don’t Mess with the Zohan. His stage performances also include the Broadway Tony Award winning production of “M.Butterfly.” He also played ‘N’CREAM, in the drag musical Connie & Carla, to people buckling over with laughter. Mapa also did a stand up show called Wisecrack for LOGO that drew us all into him and his infectious sarcasm and laughter. He is without doubt one of the top gay entertainers of this generation. We were lucky enough to talk with him and see what he had to say about anything and everything.

GLT: You were born in San Francisco. Have you spent any time in San Diego?

AM: I LOVE San Diego. I did two plays at La Jolla, so I’ve spent a lot of time running to the city on my days off and after shows.

AM: Hash House A Go Go. Nothing beats a manhole sized pancake with the bacon already in it.

GLT: What organizations and/or causes do you spend the most amounts of time and energy on?

AM: I think I’ve done more events for the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) than I can count.

I can say the same thing for The Trevor Project and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

GLT: How did you become involved with the Human Rights Campaign?

AM: I was a keynote speaker at a dinner in Cleveland in 2006. That was ten dinners and ten

cities ago. I’m proud of my work with them and I love that I’ve toured the country and made friends everywhere. Recently I tweeted that I was stranded in Chicago because of a missed flight. A friend I made at an HRC fundraiser came and got me and I didn’t have to sleep in the lounge.

GLT: What is it like being you in your day to day life?

AM: It’s like staring people in the boobs or the butt as I’m very short. My life is bananas. In the past two weeks I’ve been to Orlando, Toronto, Los Angeles and Des Moines. A day in my life isn’t for everybody, but if you just decide to go with it, it can be fun as hell. Right now I’m filming a movie musical for the Disney Channel called “Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.” What’s more fun than that?

GLT: So, were you ever in the closet?

AM: I tried to be straight for a very unhappy short period. They don’t call it “the old college try” for nothing. Only I was in high school.

GLT: When did you come out?

AM: If I had different parents I would’ve come out at five. I had to wait until I was fourteen.

GLT: How did your family handle you coming out?

AM: My mom always knew and was always cool. My dad fought every natural impulse to be a total Filipino Catholic douche bag, and won.

GLT: Are you a top, bottom or a switch hitter?

AM: After eight years of marriage no one is strictly a bottom or a top. No matter how delicious something is, you can’t serve the same thing every night.

AM: I love all kinds of men as long as they are freakishly tall.

AM: My husband was the directing intern on a solo show I was doing in L.A. The gist of the show was basically, “I’m nuts and here’s why.” He asked me out on a date eight years ago and we’ve been together ever since.

AM: He is, actually. I meet hot guys all the time, but I’ve never met anyone I want to be with more than my husband.

AM: He is an associate producer of documentary films. His current film is called “Bullied.”

It’s about Jamie Nabozny, the gay student who sued his school district in Wisconsin for not keeping him safe from harassment, and won.

AM: Who’s the boss. I just do what all Asian women do. I let him think he is the boss.

AM: My husband and the child we’re fostering with the intention to adopt, keep me grounded.

It doesn’t matter what I’m filming that day, everyone still needs breakfast. Show business is work, it’s not real life.

AM: My favorite job ever was filming the musical “Connie and Carla.” Toni Colette, Debbie Reynolds, Nia Vardalos and an army of Drag Queens. Fave T.V. job? “Some of My Best Friends.” Big flop, but I met everyone in television and I haven’t stopped working since. Knock on wood.

AM: I love filming in front of a studio audience. Best of both worlds!

AM: I wrote “I Remember Mapa” to give myself a job. I performed that show for five years and it was what got me my first stand up special on LOGO.

AM: I love Rick and Steve’s criminally insane fag hag. We’ve all met that girl.

AM: If I had a dime for every time I was mistaken for Ongina or Jujubee, I’d buy a bigger house. Apparently we DO all look alike.

AM: I have the musical tastes of a twelve year old girl, so my favorite songs usually end up being my least favorite in a month. Right now it’s a toss-up between Ke$ha’s “Your Love is my Drug,” and Katy Perry’s “California Girls.”

AM: I know I’ve read a good book when I’m sad that it’s over. I love anything by Truman Capote, but especially “In Cold Blood.” I’ve read it countless times. “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay” was also amazing. It’s a big book. I didn’t think I’d have the attention span to cram something that big into me, but I’m glad I did!

AM: A tiara, definitely. I can fight in a tiara.

AM: I could be perfectly happy if all I had to eat for the rest of my life was Japanese food, or the spaghetti from Café Bellagio in Las Vegas.

AM:“If gay men were in charge, that oily hole would’ve been plugged up 60 days ago.”

AM: My biggest accomplishment is getting our foster son to pee directly into the toilet. He was like one of those toy lawn sprinklers that sprayed everywhere.

AM: My proudest moment is always right now, or it should be.

AM: Gene Wilder. Genius. Why doesn’t he have an Oscar?

AM: No one will ever be as funny or truthful as Richard Pryor. No one.

AM: I once shit my pants Christmas shopping. Well, it’s funny NOW.

AM: I’d be lying if I didn’t say I absolutely love my Louis Vuitton overnight bag.

GLT: When you’re not working what is your favorite thing to do?

AM: In my down time I fold laundry and watch “So You Think You Can Dance.” Heaven.

GLT: What to do you believe in more than anything?

AM: I believe more than anything our purpose is to love and be loved. We’ve just forgotten.

GLT: From a writer to a writer what is your favorite subject matter to write about?

AM: I love to write about progressive politics, everyday heroism and farts.

GLT: When you were young did you ever try to put on your mom’s heels and walk around?

AM: No, but she was briefly an Avon Lady and I used to get into all the lipstick samples.

My favorite was “Cherries in the Snow.”

GLT: If you could sit down with President Obama what would you say?

AM: Please stop smoking, or at least give me a drag.

GLT: What advice would you give to a young GLBT person wanting to break into the industry?

AM: My advice is to always bring whatever is uniquely you to the table. No one else can do that but you, and smell nice, that helps.

GLT: If you had a message to give to the GLBT community what would it be?

AM: Be PROUD. The GLBT community makes America beautiful. Without us, this country would look like a parking lot.

Alec Mapa, self proclaimed “Gaysian,” will headline Stand-Up for Equality. Nationally known for his roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, Mapa will bring his unique brand of comedy to San Diego Pride for the first time. You do not want to miss him as he dishes about love, marriage, sex and all things “Gaysian.” Just don’t call him desperate or ugly.

Early Bird Ticket Prices (tickets purchased before 7/1/10): VIP Tickets $55.00 (premium seating and a post event reception, meet & greet w/Alec & Dana) or reserved seating $28.00.

Late to the Party Prices (tickets purchased after 7/1/10) include VIP Tickets $65.00 (premium seating and a post event reception, meet & greet w/Alec & Dana) or reserved seating $38.00.

Buy your tickets at https://tickets.lyricoperasandiego.org/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent214.html