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    Streaming Media
       04/14/2012 by friday
    The Intersection of Joy and Fear
       09/20/2011 by Long Lost Aunt Sandy
    The Intersection of Joy and Fear
       09/16/2011 by muchgooder
    The Intersection of Joy and Fear
       09/15/2011 by Bob
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       09/14/2011 by muchgooder
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       09/08/2011 by Bob
    Thoughts on One Year of Fatherhood
       08/31/2011 by Amy

    To Come Out Or Not Come Out


    Created on Sunday, January 3, 2010        Bookmark and Share

    Home -> Blog -> 2010 -> January


    We try to get out and see a holiday-themed show once a year around the holidays. Recent shows included "A Christmas Story" and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This year we saw a world-renowned piano player/singer.

    The show itself was fine. It wasn't my cup of tea but I could appreciate the musicians that graced the stage. I'm probably being a little more honest than some might be but the conversation came around to the singer's sexuality. He was a very well-groomed man - not unlike someone like George Michael. His moves at the piano were somewhat... flamboyant. What I'm stumbling to say here is that he fit many stereotypes.

    I know, I know... we aren't supposed to speak of such things. The reason that I was wondering about this is that there are so few celebrities that are openly gay that I try to embrace that ones that are. As with atheists in our government, we know by the sheer numbers of gay people that there has to be dozens of celebrities that have not come out of the closet. I wish they would - the only way we are going to change centuries of bigotry is to do it socially. This is not to say that I'm against laws that give gays the same rights as everyone else - I'm all for them. If the social changes do not precede these laws then there will be resentment and backlash.

    And it can be done. Take a look at Ellen Degeners. She had a sitcom in the 90's that eventually included a storyline of her character coming out of the closet. It probably meant the end of her show but it moved the conversation forward. Right now she is probably the best advocate for gay rights. How is she doing this? By going on TV every day and being the normal, everyday person that a gay person is. Instead of preaching she leads by example.

    And this leads me back to the aforementioned piano player. This man has had several hits and probably has tens of millions of dollars. He doesn't take calls, he makes calls. He was recently asked the question in "Coming Out" magazine and he sidestepped it. With all due respect, anyone that agrees to a QA session with "Stepping Out" and then sidesteps that question essentially answered the question.

    And this is the problem that I have. If he did come out, what would it cost him? A few fans and a mill or two that he'll never possibly spend? That's cowardly. He could open so many doors for so many other people by just saying three words: "yes I am". That's it. He doesn't need to campaign or preach or carry a banner. He doesn't need to be the next Harvey Milk or Susan B. Anthony. He just needs to count himself among those that would like to see change.



    Near-Misses   More in JANUARY   
    Created by muchgooder on Monday, January 4, 2010 6:51:53 AM
    Well done Bubba, but I think we all know what side of the equation Barry is on. [

    ] This whole conversation reminds me of a scene from "Good Night, and Good Luck". Murrow is interviewing Liberace and asking him when he is going to settle down with a nice girl. The answer, of course, was that he 'just hadn't found the right one' instead of the truth.
       
    Created by Bob on Sunday, January 3, 2010 5:41:20 PM
    So how was Barry Manilow?
       

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