Born in Colombia, South America and raised in New York City, Neal Bennington is a treasure in rare form. Dedicated to culture and the arts, Bennington feeds his fans and follows alike through NealBinNYC.wordpress.com, a blog dedicated to highlighting his experiences and interaction with the latest and greatest of the arts in the NYC area. He’s also built networks on Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook which he uses as a platform to connect himself to his audience through their common interest in art.

Bennington spoke with Gay Life about his love of culture and the arts, social networking technology, Sex and the City and his most memorable moment in the celeb world.

You’re from Colombia, but grew up in New York City. What sparked your initial love for the arts and what continues to inspire you?

The arts have always been in my blood! From a young age, my parents would take me to see Broadway shows, take advantage of the city and immerse me in as much culture as they could. I have always loved Broadway and film/ television. There is so much craft and love that goes into them. 

There are many things that inspire me: people who are dedicated to their art, positive stories, and any stories of people overcoming the odds. There are so many miraculous stories and people out there! Of course, with all the culture in New York it’s not hard to feel inspired!

I’ve heard you’re more than an avid Sex and the City fan. What is it in particular about the characters and the show that drew you in and continues to keep you excited?

Throughout the years, the characters at one point or another have emulated things that have gone on in my life or friends’ lives: finding your true love, loss, being mistakenly offered money after sex (definitely not me!), being single in a sea that seems filled with couples, drawing on each other’s strengths to get by…. Yes, the show has amazing fashion (the sex scenes aren’t too bad), but the show wouldn’t have worked without a heart. I think I was also attracted to characters whom we got to see evolve over time and discover things about themselves that they never expected. The fact that New York City is the fifth character is great because so much is filmed on location and adds so much personality to the scenes.

You’re affiliated with the upcoming sequel. How did this opportunity come about?

First off, let me say I feel incredibly blessed to have these opportunities come my way. I am actually not in the movie (but maybe the Sex and the City producers will read this and put me in!), but I had the incredible experience of documenting the film for my blog and many other media outlets. I was there on the first day of shooting watching and taking pictures as a fan. That caught the eye of a reporter for the NY Daily News, who wrote a small blurb about me in the paper (“NY’s Biggest Fans).  That led to “The Wendy Williams Show” asking me to come on and chat a little bit about my experiences, as well as a few international radio and television shows. It’s great to do something you love so much and connect with other fans!

You have a blog. You’re on facebook, twitter, youtube, you name it. How have you utilized today’s ever-expanding technology to develop your career?

Again, for me this feels so surreal. When I lost my job due to the economy in June, I never thought I would have my own blog, Facebook fan site, etc! As the presidential election showed, social networking sites are huge ways to get yourself out there and promote. I think people are attracted to other people who are real and have a great journey to share. I always put myself out there and always stay positive. I think the more you can communicate with people and let them into your life, the better. Also, technology changes quite frequently, so I tend to update my site on a daily basis, as well as connect with other fans. I think technology is a great tool to use. I have people from all over the world writing me asking me what’s going on in the city. I try to show them as much as I can.

What, to date, has been your most unforgettable moment in the celeb world?

For me, it would have to be marching with Emmy and Tony award-winner Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) at the National Equality March in Washington DC this October.  I was marching with an amazing organization, Broadway Impact. We were told there would be a celebrity marching with us because we were in the front of the parade route.   Out of all the celebrities, it was, of course, Cynthia Nixon! Not only did she march the whole way with her incredible partner and their children, but also her incredible family sat with us afterwards. I felt very humbled because they traveled down to Washington to help stand up for our equal rights. They were so sweet, down to earth and I gained even more respect for them. 

Other than Sex and the City, what’s next for you?

I am constantly updating my blog. I just had the opportunity to meet the cast of Glee— Lance Bass and Dustin Lance Black, among others! I am also working with On Location Tours (www.screentours.com) to bring Kathy Griffin back to the official Sex and the City Tour! It’s very D-list so I hope she comes! I have started working on a few projects for Emmy award and Oscar nominated fashion designer Pat Fields. I am always looking for new ventures.