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Just How Dangerous Is Perez Hilton? (page 3)
by Michael Ricci, January 16, 2007 The rules Hilton is playing by include drawing semen stains onto photos of celebrities' faces and scrawling profane words and insults over their images. Many people consider these actions to be taking things too far. Hilton, however, doesn't think he's gone far enough. “I don't think I've ever gone too far,” Hilton said with a laugh. “So, I don't know, I guess I'll have to wait until I go too far. So how would I know if I've gone too far?” He said there is nothing he has reported on that he regrets or wishes he could take back: “No, because it's obviously so simple to me. It's not rocket science. If someone doesn't like what I'm writing about them, if celebrities are hurt by something I've said, then don't read my website. Really, nobody is holding a gun to their head and forcing them to read my words. It's a choice they're making to read or not to read my site.” Michael Jensen, editor of AfterElton.com, believes Hilton is being dishonest about what he does and the potential effect it has. “He can call it purple petunias, but it's still outing,” Jensen said. “He is announcing to the world that certain celebrities are gay when they clearly don't want that information to be public. That is the very definition of outing, and Hilton can't even claim to be unmasking hypocritical public officials doing harm to the gay community. Instead, he goes after celebrity names that will drive traffic to his blog.” Jensen continued: “And, unlike reporting on the private life of a straight person, ‘reporting' on the private life of gay men and women does put their career at risk. There is still a bias against gay people in this country, and being openly gay is seen by some gay actors as a detriment to their careers. Who is Hilton to decide that for them? Don't get me wrong — I wish every celebrity would come out, but I absolutely reject anyone having the right to do it for them.” Jensen also asked whether the gay community benefits from being associated with someone like Hilton. “Both as a gay man and a journalist, I question whether the gay community should approve of Hilton's actions,” he said. “Being associated with someone who publishes photos of panty-less starlets and scribbles dirty notes isn't a journalist. It makes us look infantile and ridiculous.” The media watchdog organization GLAAD also takes a dim view of Hilton's actions. Damon Romine, GLAAD's entertainment media director, said, “Media speculation about a celebrity's orientation can be problematic and is not something we support. Whether you are a celebrity or not, coming out is ultimately a personal process, one that works best when that decision is made not out of fear or intimidation. Gossip may lead some people to make the decision to come out, but it may drive others further in.” Nonetheless, Hilton stands by his actions. “I consider [it] reporting the truth,” he said. “I think there is nothing wrong with reporting the truth, and that's what I'm doing.” |
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AfterElton.com is not affiliated with Elton John Thoughts? Feedback? comments@afterelton.com Copyright © 2006 AfterElton.com |
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