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Home » Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (June 20, 2008)

Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (June 20, 2008)

Brent Hartingerby
Brent Hartinger

June 19, 2008

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
Homophobia had plenty of moments this week and I'm not just talking about all nitwits going bonkers over all the gay folks getting hitched in California. MediaMatters.org reported on several idiotic statements coming out of the mouths of rightwingers. First The Washington Times' Wes Pruden referred to AIDS as the "gift of the gays" then called worries over AIDS "hysterics". Yep, tens of millions of dead — that's hysterics all right. Not to be outdone, radio talk show host Michael Savage was discoursing on same-sex marriage by opining "The children's minds are being raped by the homosexual mafia." Father Coughlin lives and breathes.

Fortunately, Americablog posted a brilliant music video about same-sex marriage sending up idiots like Savage and Pruden.

Damn Yankees is getting closer to its debut at New York City Center and BroadwayWorld.com has a bunch of pics of the cast. Here is our favorite!

Randy Graff, Cheyenne Jackson, Jane Krakowski, Sean Hayes

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

AfterElton.com reader Hayley tipped us off that Gareth David-Lloyd's website confirms Ianto will be showing up on the season finale of Doctor Who. Captain Jack will be there as well. Is it too much to hope for a kiss between the two?

R&B star Usher told Vibe magazine that "Women have started to become lovers of each as a result of not having enough men." Hmm, and I would've thought maybe it was because of having too many men like Usher stinking up the joint.

Finally, somebody should tell poor Italian soccer player Antonio Cassano that David Beckham is making big bucks posing in nothing but his knickers. Antonio has a penchant for exposing himself and did so again this week in grand fashion when his team won the Euro 2008 Championships Group C football match against France.

Antonio Cassano

Not that I'm complaining, mind you! I just hate to see poor Antonio missing out on a marketing opportunity. Now if we could just get the tennis players to celebrate this way next week at Wimbledon!

I have no idea how it can be the "best gay week ever" every week, but I guess I'm supposed to end by saying this has been the BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER!

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Submitted by
Michael Jensen
on Thu, 2008-06-19 20:56.
TAGS :: 
Terry's picture

Matthew Montgomery

Submitted by
Terry (5 points) (1 post)
on Thu, 2008-06-19 22:05.
Hey Brent, If you are becoming a Matthew fan, check out "Gone, but not Forgotten". Very sweet indie film he did about 4 years ago.
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dgchgo's picture

Gone But Not Forgotten

Submitted by
dgchgo (1472 points) (280 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 12:45.

I've really got to see this movie again. What I remember most was the wooden acting of nearly everyone in the film -- with the very notable exception of Matthew. A sweet story, but poorly executed.

Am I remembering it wrong? I'd love to hear what others of you think.

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octobercountry's picture

Gone but not...

Submitted by
octobercountry (1363 points) (310 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 14:46.

Yes, I'd have to agree with you about "Gone But Not Forgotten." I mean, I did enjoy the film, but it was sadly hampered by a low budget, and I have to admit that most of the acting was not very good. Still, as I said, I rather liked the film anyway; I've certainly seen gay films that were much worse than this one!

I'm like a superhero, with no powers or motivation...

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db's picture

Gone But Not Forgotten

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 13:22.
I enjoyed this movie too.  I have to admit that I view these indie gay films with a more forgiving eye than I do mainstream Hollywood or studio-product "indie" films but I thought this was one of the better efforts--Circuit is also low budget but very interesting--I like the cast.  I've quite liked Mr. Montgomery in several films, and he is really cute. 
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Megh's picture

Brent's books

Submitted by
Megh (579 points) (115 posts)
on Thu, 2008-06-19 22:22.
Just wanted to randomly comment on the fact that I was tidying the young adult section in the tiny bookstore where I work, and noticed we have Dreamquest. I believe my response was, "Wait, wha--hey! It is that Brent Hartinger!" and it was a pretty nifty moment.
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Brent Hartinger's picture

:-)

Submitted by
Admin
Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1130 posts)
on Thu, 2008-06-19 22:56.
It's still weird when I go in a bookstore, and I see they have one of my books! (Of course, it's disconcerting when I see they DON'T have any of them...) Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com
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Whitetee's picture

Oh Brent

Submitted by
Whitetee (3103 points) (670 posts)
on Thu, 2008-06-19 23:30.
How I LOVE the Will & Grace quote!You totally made my day.This has always been one of my favourite scenes of the whole show,and I feel that most people who post response on this site didn`t give the show enough credit.So thank you THANK YOU!! 8)
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Brent Hartinger's picture

I was not a HUGE fan of the

Submitted by
Admin
Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1130 posts)
on Thu, 2008-06-19 23:44.
I was not a HUGE fan of the show, but that scene is a fricking CLASSIC. Like Lucille Ball in the grape vat! I've been quoting it ever since. Jennifer Elise Cox rules! Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com
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Whitetee's picture

But I am

Submitted by
Whitetee (3103 points) (670 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 09:01.

so thank you anyway XD!

I remember from behind the scenes, Debra Messing was having a hard time filming this part.She did try her best not to laugh but just couldn`t help herself.So it really took quite a few takes to get it right.If you watch the final version carefully you can totally see that she is REALLY trying.

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bkrage85's picture

Debra Messing...

Submitted by
bkrage85 (143 points) (24 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 10:46.

... is certainly a comedy genius. And I agree when you compare her to Lucille Ball, I always thought of her as the Lucy of her generation. The entire blooper reel for that scene with Nurse Trainee Pittman is priceless!! 

"The Greek word Eros denotes want, lack, desire for that which is missing. The lover wants what he does not have. It is by definition impossible for him to have what he wants if, as soon as it is had, it's not longer wanting." - Anne Carson

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db's picture

Will & Grace

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 13:27.
I have to say that I did watch Will & Grace, I thought it had a great cast in the four leads.  I thought the writing got too mean spirited sometimes and just turned nasty, it was fine when Jack and Karen were shallow but they slowly stripped away the humanity of Grace and then Will.  I REALLY got tired of the endless celebrity guest shots, but I still generally enjoyed it.
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Brent Hartinger's picture

This was exactly my problem with the show

Submitted by
Admin
Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1130 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 14:08.
I hated when the characters got meaner and meaner to each other. All Will and Jack did was insult each other. And then Will and Grace started insulting each other too. (I never bothered me when Karen said mean things, because she was such a cartoon anyway.) I didn't mind the sending up or embracing of the gay stereotypes or whatever, but I hated that it reinforced the idea (and it did) that gay people are such nasty bitches. Still, it did have its moments! Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com
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db's picture

Brent, I love your relentless self promotion : )

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 16:40.
And I can't believe I just did a smiley face.
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Brent Hartinger's picture

!Ha! Sorry, that's actually

Submitted by
Admin
Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1130 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 18:06.
!Ha! Sorry, that's actually an automatic signature. It just doesn't look like it... Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com
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Bountiful's picture

Congrats, Brent and Michael!

Submitted by
Bountiful (1335 points) (357 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 00:22.
I understand that, with straight couples, one is supposed to wish the bride happiness and congratulate the groom, who is considered to be the luckier of the pair. But, each of you is a great catch, so I will congratulate the both of you on your upcoming nuptials, *and* wish you both all the happiness you deserve. =)
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Michael Jensen's picture

I'm definitely the luckier one! I'm the sappy one who

Submitted by
Admin
Michael Jensen (2510 points) (7116 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 09:16.
knew the nanosecond I saw him that he was the one.
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db's picture

Congratulations!

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 13:40.
My partner of 10 years and I (who live in California) are considering getting married.  We just never really thought about it.  Anyone out there who has friends who live in California--make sure they vote against the anti-gay amendment in November.
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Locksley Hall's picture

Music videos about same-sex marriage...

Submitted by
Locksley Hall (265 points) (63 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 02:16.

Personally, I think this one is my favourite (and not only is the song hilarious, but it features lots of footage of Stephen Colbert, which is always a bonus):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PysSmwaGA

And on that note, huge congratulations, Brent and Michael, on getting engaged!! :D

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afhickman's picture

James McAvoy on kissing Bill Clinton

Submitted by
afhickman (3715 points) (770 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 03:45.

afhickman

"It takes a village (to make Village People)"

Dear blogger-in-training: Great job! We all knew you had it in you. You missed this bit of news from IMDB, however; not that you are expected to by all-knowing! This was posted under "The Things They Say," and contains a strange quote from James McAvoy (I'd hate to be HIS shrink): http://www.imdb.com/news/ns0000002/#ni0249886
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afhickman's picture

The link didn't work when I tried it

Submitted by
afhickman (3715 points) (770 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 04:06.

afhickman

"It takes a village (to make Village People)"

So here it is again: http://www.imdb.com/news/ns0000002/?date=2008-06-20. This is better if you read it in the original, but if it disappears again, I'll copy and paste the text of McAvoy's comments.
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afhickman's picture

It still isn't working, but E Online is carrying the story

Submitted by
afhickman (3715 points) (770 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 04:22.

afhickman

"It takes a village (to make Village People)"

The quote from McAvoy is in response to a question regarding Brad and Angelina: "They're two of the most beautiful people in the world. That's a big thing; it's not just about being well-known for the films you make. I was told stories by her bodyguard of people running across freeways to take a picture of her!" he tells the paper. "And that's never gonna happen with me. Unless I'm kissing Bill Clinton at the time. Which I don't think I'm gonna do. I hope." It ain't so funny when you have to spread it over three emails. Sorry for the confusion.
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nordic balance's picture

James McAvoy

Submitted by
nordic balance (not verified)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 09:22.

That's a funny quote, and it sounds exactly like something he would say.  He was on Jay Leno last night, and was sorta off-the-wall goofy.  In a really endearing way.  He'd be #1 on my top ten list if I made one today.  Sigh...Too bad he's married, and totally straight.  (For what it's worth, he seems really balanced and sane, he just has a stream of consciousness style of talking that is quite interesting, actually.)

Wanda Sykes was also on Leno last night.  She's hilarious.  She had advice for anyone put off by or frightened of gay marriage:  don't marry a gay person!

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duckiestoy's picture

Corrections

Submitted by
duckiestoy (1340 points) (296 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 05:49.
The show is "Hidden Frontier" singular.In "or those not fans of Jeff, you might enjoy watching him get us comeuppance as he works for boss as difficult as himself," you're missing an article between "for" and "boss."
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Smonkey's picture

Best Gayest Week Ever!!!

Submitted by
Smonkey (55 points) (21 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 09:23.
Hey Brent, a really nice change from the usual BGWE format. Enjoyed this BGWE very very much. And I must say it was quite an inspired choice of Micahel to mix the BGWE up a bit, so that every week does really feel like the Best Gay Week Ever yet.
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Brent Hartinger's picture

I appreciate that!

Submitted by
Admin
Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1130 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 12:32.
And I agree that Michael is brilliant. Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com
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David Ehrenstein's picture

McAvoy played gay in "Bright Young Things"

Submitted by
David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 11:17.
Stephen Fry's scandalously ignored movie version of Waugh's "Vile Bodies." He literally takes the gas pipe in a key scene, and is as alwasy WAY cute. I just hope his people aren't turning him into Jude Law 2.0
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Brian Juergens's picture

Great movie

Submitted by
Brian Juergens (1205 points) (6471 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 11:40.
So hilarious and so horrifying in the same breath.
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Lily of the valley's picture

was his character gay, too?

Submitted by
Lily of the valley (481 points) (170 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 13:22.

was his character gay, too? I really must watch it again, soon. I just can remember the very camp character played by michael sheen (who by the way claims to be responsible for making fry a sexual being again)

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Randommer's picture

No, his character was

Submitted by
Randommer (1155 points) (240 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 17:55.
No, his character was straight.
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Randommer's picture

He wasn't gay. He had a

Submitted by
Randommer (1155 points) (240 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 17:57.
He wasn't gay. He had a thing for Nina, and Miles hated him because he wouldn't shag him in college.
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db's picture

RAYMOND BURR not THAT big a mystery...

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 13:54.
I appreciate how difficult it must be to write about someone like Raymond Burr who kept his private life so secret, but I don't think it's that big a mystery why someone of that era would construct such a defense. After all, just looking at Hollywood, if it were known he was gay it would have ruined his career--many actors of the time had fake back stories and gay actors were no exception--they'd have fake dates, fake marriages etc... But also, being homosexual was illegal and not only could people loose their jobs they could be incarcerated, castrated, lobotomized and completely destroyed. I understand why anyone would be secretive when they faced such horrors--even when things changed they would still have been programmed to behave in the way theywere used to. I have great sympathy for them and it makes me respect those who lived openly and fought even more.
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David Ehrenstein's picture

A Sham Marriage is one thing

Submitted by
David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 15:42.
Burr was married (and of coruse divorced) only once, but invented several other marriages -- and even children. That's off-the-charts wackaloon. The truth of course is easily found. Go to you DVD of A Star is Born, click on the kinescope of the Hollywood premier and check out the sailor Burr has brought with him to to the premiere. Hubb-hubba! It should also be noted that Burr has been an inspiration to Drag Kings -- thus marking him as one of the those rare gay celebs with mutli-orientational appeal. Garbo and Directich appeared to both gays and lesbains as did Dusty Springfield. But Burr is the only male I can think of.
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db's picture

David Ehrenstein, I have been an admirer of your work

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 16:34.
for some time, and have a great deal of respect for it, however, I don't agree that inventing several marriages and children is worse than entering in sham marriages.  As far as I can tell he didn't believe these made up wives and children actually existed.  People in Hollywood lie all the time, they still lie all the time.  I've seen Burr and the sailor footage and don't see how it proves he was crazy.  It's easy for us, from our comparatively priveleged positions, to judge those who came before us--but we don't really have the information to declare them insane.
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David Ehrenstein's picture

Thanks, but "As far as I can tell" isn't much of an argument

Submitted by
David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
on Fri, 2008-06-20 17:22.
What he "felt" about what he was doing is beside the point. He lied. Extravagantly. I don't know of a single gay figure from the Golden Age of Hollywood who created anywhere near the elaborate tissue of lies that Burr did. Rock Hudson had a brief fake marriage. So did several others. Many more never married at all, and just brought beards with them to premeires (like "Butch.") Inventing fake marriages to women that never existed AND imaginary children to boot (one of whom he alleged "died tragically") is WAY off the charts. As for the sailor, he's proof of Burr's sanity, IMO. Would you pass up a number like that if given half a chance? I THINK NOT!
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afhickman's picture

The lies have it

Submitted by
afhickman (3715 points) (770 posts)
on Sat, 2008-06-21 03:00.

afhickman

"It takes a village (to make Village People)"

Proof positive, I'd say.  Burr was one of my all-time favorites long before I knew he was gay.  I haven't been to a gay bar or seen a drag king in a couple of decades, but I'll bet the girls will be latching on to Jake Gyllenhaal soon as a successor to Burr (I even see a physical resemblance between the two).  Not that I'm trying to say Jake is himself gay; I don't know.  But I can picture a lovely lady peeking out from underneath a ten-galloon hat and batting her eyelashes ala Jake in Brokeback. 

As for fabled backstories, those usually came from the stars by way of their publicists, the most notorious of which being Henry Willson, who helped concoct biographies for Rock, Troy, and Tab, among others.  If  Burr made up his own, he was just cutting out the middle man.

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db's picture

Sorry David,

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Sat, 2008-06-21 12:12.
I think I misread your tone and the use of the term "whackaloon"--I thought it meant crazy.  I didn't realize you were making an argument so here I go--Yes, dead wives and children is over the top, but in Hollywood?  All in a day's work.  I also think the point about these stories usually being made up by studios, agents and PR people is pretty valid.  I don't know how much Mr. Burr would have had in making up this back story--these stars were always given either exotic or wholesome backgrounds depending on the image the studios hoped to present. Mr. Burr's early roles were of a troubled heavy, and even Perry Mason seemed to have some tragic past.  Why else would an attractive man of his age be single?  Especially with Della right there and so willing.  The footage of the sailor is fascinating, but it takes on its meaning because we know Burr was gay--the majority of Americans at the time would just think "How patriotic Mr. Burr is, entertaining our troups."  Since the main crime you accused him of is lying, which he did, I would like to point out that if he hadn't lied we never would have heard of him--same with Rock Hudson, Montgomery Clift, George Nader, Clifton Webb, even Joan Crawford.  While it wasn't a good thing it was completely understandable and to say how he "felt" about it isn't important just shows how priveleged we are to live in the time we do.  And it makes people like William Haines even more extraordinary.  I never met Mr. Burr but people I know who did know him always say he was very kind and generous.  
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afhickman's picture

One from the vaults

Submitted by
afhickman (3715 points) (770 posts)
on Sat, 2008-06-21 02:43.

afhickman

"It takes a village (to make Village People)"

McAvoy also had a small role in a film that featured James Wilby, Jonny Lee Miller, Dougray Scott, and Stuart Bunce in either gay or bi-sexual roles: "Regeneration" (1997). Of course they toned the sexual angle down for the movie (it was based on a novel by Booker-Award winner Pat Barker), but as the characters were mostly based on real-life gay and bi poets (Sigfried Sassoon, Wildred Owen, and Robert Graves), much of this comes through anyway. McAvoy barely registers in the film as a young man who is executed for cowardice.
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TheFabulousThomasJ's picture

Sorry. . .

Submitted by
TheFabulousThomasJ (850 points) (192 posts)
on Sun, 2008-06-22 07:17.

. . .unless there's an episode of Jeff Lewis' Flipping Out, where he is barbequing in Hell right beside Ann Coulter, I ain't watching.

(And, BTW, if Chita Rivera isn't there with Patti and Bernadette, it's not a Broadway production!)

Tom

Been there, done that, bought the soundtrack!

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David Ehrenstein's picture

Oh I disagree

Submitted by
David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
on Sun, 2008-06-22 09:06.
While most people know of Burr today because of Perry Mason and Ironside he had a very long and successful career as a character actor before that. A Place in the Sun and Rear Window are two absolute classics in which he's featured. A for that sailor at the A Star is Born premiere, if you didn't know Burr was gay before the sight of this number set off "gaydar" round the world. Everyone likes to think that "nobody knew" But the fact of the matter is many of the "Golden Age" stars we now know for absolute sure were gay were gossiped about by ordinary everyday people back in the day. The notion that it was a "shock" when America discovered that Rock Hudson was gay when he died of AIDS is ludicrous. As I point out in my book, I knew Rock Hudson was gay before I knew that I was. And so did zillions of others.
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db's picture

David, you underestimate the public's

Submitted by
db (3165 points) (658 posts)
on Sun, 2008-06-22 19:19.
willingness not to know who's gay.  It did't occur to most everyday Americans because they never thought of homosexuality.  I knew people who didn't know or believe that Paul Lynde, Liberace or Charles Nelson Reilly were gay.  I was at the Liberace museum in Las Vegas a few months ago and people STILL didn't know he was gay.  WE knew it because we were looking for it, people then and now didn't know because 1. They never thought about it. 2. They didn't want to think about it.  ALSO he wouldn't have had a successful career if people knew he was gay because the studios wouldn't have used him (this is still true today), and at the time it was ILLEGAL to be gay. 
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Alxmouse's picture

The Jury is Hung

Submitted by
Alxmouse (420 points) (86 posts)
on Mon, 2008-06-23 17:11.
In the case of Burr Versus Montgomery, the jury is hung. Yes, Burr was closeted and had to be to continue his career. Montgomery refuses to be closeted and will do so continuing his career. The jury has decided that both Burr and Montgomery are innocent. They represent what is becoming the new frontiers versus the old frontiers in gay America. The Burr that must have sweat-ed as much as I did in high-school about being found out. And the Montgomery who makes putting up with the BS of today a lot easier. We forgive the Burr for doing what he felt he needed. And we applaud Montgomery for his strength. That said: Do we forgive the gay-closeted actors of today?
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Alxmouse's picture

FULL DISCLOSURE

Submitted by
Alxmouse (420 points) (86 posts)
on Mon, 2008-06-23 17:14.
I sometimes closet myself to customers that ask me "If I have a girlfriend" questions. DAMN the mighty dollar. Damn It.
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dgchgo's picture

"No, I don't -- is this cash, debit, or credit?"

Submitted by
dgchgo (1472 points) (280 posts)
on Mon, 2008-06-23 17:47.
I know it's tough to keep coming out of the closet over and over -- but it's soooooooooooooo much better not to have to closet yourself. Takes so much less energy.
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Home » Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (June 20, 2008)