Subscribe to Breaking NewsRuby-Sachs: Why the Oscars Matter
Gay marriage hasn’t been in the news much recently. Sure, there are a steady stream of gay related stories that, at least, provide fodder for our site. But there isn’t the great Proposition 8/Rick Warren buzz of a month or two ago. When writing for news media, people are interested in what’s hot, what will get you to click on a story. That hot factor hasn’t been equal rights.
So, thank goodness for Oscar night. Star power may not change people’s minds, but it sure gets the word out.
Dustin Lance Black started the ball rolling with his words of support for gay kids across the country. He took a moment to speak directly to viewers whose parents probably rolled their eyes or spit at the television during his acceptance. His plea was eloquent and was a truly amazing thing to hear for an out adult, let alone a closeted kid.
And therein lies the power: people watch the Oscars.
Even if you live in a small town in Utah, it’s not impossible to love a shoot ‘em up flick or two and when all those famous people gather in one room, who can begrudge you a few hours of t.v. time?
So when many conservative families were outraged by Black and, later, outraged by Sean Penn, their children were watching and learning and getting a little exposure to a different point of view.
It may be easy to assume that, because celebrities support gay marriage, the country will follow. But ,Proposition 8 taught us that celebrity support is insufficient to foster consensus. That said, exposure to the humanity of gay people and our cause will bring us closer to equal rights.
And if there is anything celebrity knows, it’s exposure.
So, bravo Black and Penn and bravo Oscar!
I applaud you Darik! Thank you for accepting your 15 year old son when he came out to you. We need more parents to love their children with unconditional love.
It would have been nice to have a Harvey Milk, Sean Penn, Dustin Lance Black, and those like him when I was a young, very confused gay teenager. I applaud you!
Google Salt Lake Tribune or Deseret news, log on and search “Oscars,” “Black & Penn,” “Gay,” or “gay marriage.” Mormon Utah is coming un-frakkin’-GLUED about Black’s and Penn’s speeches; and a fair number of people are telling them to put it where the First Prophet put the scroll .
Dustin Lance Black’s acceptance speech was heartfelt and beautiful. Penn wasn’t bad either.
My partner and I had a conversation about this changing minds. I don’t think it does.
But I loved that those words were said loudly and proudly on an international stage.
Oh yeah… what the hell does this have to do with Obama and Biden?
@ TRACE:
You just proved my point.
And the BuschReich, of course, had NOTHING to do with causing the NEED for the stimulus package.
Bridge for sale here, CHEAP!
Lord Bud! What makes you think that anything associated with Obama is cheap? We’ll be paying for his stimulation for years!
@ TRACE:
Taking cheap shots at our elected President and Vice-President doesn’t make one a RESPONSIBLE conservative.
I just hope some closeted gay kids in Middle Amerika (sic) heard the message.
I was so moved by last night’s Oscars and just so pleased after watching it.
“So when many conservative families were outraged by Black and, later, outraged by Sean Penn, their children were watching and learning and getting a little exposure to a different point of view.”
Sorry, Ruby, but I can speak from experience growing up in an ultra-conservative Mormon family in Utah. My parents would’ve been quick to point out how sinful both of those people are, and how sinful Hollywood in general is. They would’ve immediately reminded me and my brothers of what the church teaches about those disgusting homosexuals, and admonished us to not let ourselves be led astray by what a mere actor says. And since Mormons are taught to not think for themselves but to strictly follow the teachings of the church, I would’ve believed my parents. In fact, when I was a teenager lo these many years ago, I unfortunately did believe them.
I think you overestimate the power of an actor’s Oscar speech to sway the minds and hearts of the conservative religious folk.
Does “conservative” really mean anything anymore? Many of the previous President’s actions seemed as anti-Conservative as you can get re: Government controls and the vast expansion of “faith based initiatives” with a large price tag and no quantifiable results. I always thought those were “liberal” style actions. Now I haven’t a CLUE what any of the labels mean anymore if ever they DID mean anything.
And I second that BRAVO with a TOAST: to EQUALITY for all gay, lesbian and transgender human beings!! It’s difficult to imagine a young child living in fear to come out to their parents because of the parent’s hatred and ignorance. As a father, the love and respect I have for my 15yo son was all that was necessary for him to comfortably answer my question 2 years ago when he came out and said he was gay. Congrats to Black and Penn!
And I second that BRAVO with a TOAST: to EQUALITY for all gay, lesbian and transgender human beings!! It’s difficult to imagine a young child living in fear to come out to their parents because of the parent’s hatred and ignorance. As a father, the love and respect I have for my 15yo son was all that was necessary for him to comfortably answer my question 2 years ago when he came out and said he was gay.
Congrats to Black and Penn!!
Saint Obama?? Biship Biden?? No trace, they are politicians.
Nice, nice evening, nice excitement .. HWood, while artistically accepting of GLBT, has never done so so openly I don’t recall. The acceptance and acclaim for BWood also nice. That will be seen too.
The award to JL who used the f** (3 letter word) on his show just in 2007, a little bitter counter point. …as was WBC sign covered truck, which I did not see imaged at red carpet time but may have missed.
But your evaluation above is so so so apropos. Remember all, its STONEWALL 2.0, which means we will never be silent again.
STR8 Against H8
I’m sorry Ruby-Sachs but you are wrong …. again.
Conservative families are not “outraged by Black and, later, outraged by Sean Penn, their children were watching and learning and getting a little exposure to a different point of view.” Families that do not believe in equal rights for all people may have been outraged, but you can not solely state that it is “Conservative” families.
Simply take a look at Saint Obama’s or Bishop Biden’s family. You know, the one’s that do not feel that gay people should have marriage rights. Ya think they are Conservatives?
Your comments are so true. Imagine hearing these speeches as a gay youngster. Very empowering! The exposure to our issues was terrific. Also, as an aside, I just have to ponder, could anyone more charming than Hugh Jackman?