Comments on: Corvino: What celebrities say matters

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:58:30 +0000

chottinger: Fully agree we have only a few athletes out. The more the better. Another ‘macho man’ type people might listen to would be soldiers… oh that right, our cannot come out they will be discharged.

How can we complain about another country writing anti-gay laws when we still have DADT and DOMA on the books, and no fully inclusive ENDA. We do finally have a HATE CRIMEs law, but it only applies once a crime has been committed, very civilized!

Sorry John C. It really is a fine piece, but we have these horrible other juxtaposed things happening, its mind boggling.

By: Kevin William Cahill

Kevin William Cahill — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:53:44 +0000

For most of my life I would never have endorsed the notion that what a celebrity said had any effect on ‘real’ life or ‘real’ politics. They aren’t really smart, they really don’t have to deal with the same predujices, so who cares? I don’t.
When I look at the friend of mine who payu attention to such comment from such stars, I realize they know nothing about being a minority, being different or being gay, and more importantly, are incapable of doing so, even though they might ‘feel; they know what it is to be sympathetic.

By: chottinger

chottinger — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:44:48 +0000

I think that the type of ally we really need would be an athlete. We have enough flaming ‘mos screaming for attention on camera. I think that Bruce coming to help is great. That reaches an audience we don’t have, the older generation. But, i honestly dont care if adam lambert screams it. I think much of the sterotype that is portrayed upon homosexuals is being perpetuated by acts such as this. What we need is a masculine guy that regular STRAIGHT MEN can relate to, like an athlete, to stand up and say its ok.

By: southerner66

southerner66 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:01:57 +0000

As a musician, I’d question the assertion that Adam Lambert is talented, and as a veteran activist, I’ve learned to choose my battles carefully. In that context, I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon of those defending him.

Lambert is the archetypal wannabe. He WANTS to be Freddie Mercury. He WANTS to be David Bowie, Marc Bolan, etc…., but he simply isn’t anywhere close.

The same goes for his wanting to be a sexual provocateur. I seriously doubt there would have been so much criticism of his performance had he not been *trying* so hard to do something that he really can’t pull off.

Anthony Kiedis kissed Dave Navarro in a Red Hot Chili Peppers video, and it was hot. Lambert trying to be provocative by kissing a guy is just a sophomoric grab for attention, and he is very much part of our media culture’s tendency to elevate sub-par “talents” to celebrity status.

By: qjersey

qjersey — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:59:39 +0000

Bruce is from Asbury Park, which has been as close to a Gay Mecca as Jersey is gonna get, since Springsteen was a teenager in the 1970′s.

By: Jacquemar

Jacquemar — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:40:51 +0000

ps2os2:

I can empathize… and I completely agree.

Here in Los Angeles, the local news barely ever mentions gay issues or even acknowledges us. When it was time for “Hunky Santa” to come around, the local female anchor on channel 7 stated “This Santa is for mama!” Let’s remember that the Beverly Hills Mall is right outside West Hollywood, and when Hunky Santa was shown on TV, there were more men surrounding him than women… but still he’s ONLY for MAMA. It’s still discrimination… by way of exclusion. And it’s just as bad.

By: ps2os2

ps2os2 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:57:51 +0000

Yes I would agree that it is important that celebrities at the minimum acknowledge gay people. They do not have to endorse or otherwise comment on them.

While this is nor quite on target but take the TV show with the female witches in San Francisco. First I am not a die hard fan of the series but as an example of denying we exist, there was one pride flag shown during the entire series (that I saw). I remember commenting on seeing it to a real fan and he said yes that was it. Here is a show that takes place in San Francisco that probably has the highest gay population in the world and the most we got was a pride flag.

It is like we are invisible and we were treated like that during the full run of the show. A stupid flag (no offense) but we deserve a lot more than that. I wasn’t asking for a story line but a small mention would have helped.

By: Berdache Bear

Berdache Bear — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:02:46 +0000

@ Leeanne:

I hope you recover from your “menses” and wake up to the fact your opinion isn’t the end-all, be-all, and that the rest of society who might disagree with you are not simply stupid.

As a young, impressionable, totally UNSUPPORTED young gay boy of the 50s-60s (when, by the way, the insignificant Beatles were giving young girls hormonal hysteria — and young gay boys, as well), I can assure you that any celebrity speaking out IS most definitely a BIG DEAL.

Take off your blinders and realize you aren’t the only person on the planet. Frankly, your snarky comment is nearly as offensive as was Albom’s — in it’s total lack of empathy for anyone who is marginalized.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:27:30 +0000

Leanne, give me a freaking break! Young kids and teens idolize their heroes. Have you forgotten what it was like to be young and have posters up on your wall of your favorite artists? ,Whether you realize it or not, those very people are the one’s kids often emulate. To be young, gay and confused and have someone like Adam Lambert who is a talented, visible gay person they can relate to, goes a long way in helping their self-esteem. Apparently you came hopping right out of the closet and announced to world you were gay. Good for you. Unfortunately, that isn’t the same for 99% of the rest of us. My era was the 80s, and while I liked Culture Club, Boy George was my example of what it meant to be gay and that just wasn’t me. In fact, I maintained that impression of homosexuals until I got into my early twenties and realized they were like everyone else, just like me.

By: Bi Avenger

Bi Avenger — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:40:13 +0000

I really hate to nitpick, but I just have to say that if Elton John came out as bisexual, I’m pretty sure that still counts as coming out. Just saying.