Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (August 29, 2008)

IRONIC CAMERAMEN AND THE EVER-POPULAR GAY CUTAWAY
I have to say, there wasn't a lot of gay visibility at the Democratic National Convention, at least during the primetime viewing hours. This year it seems like neither political party wants to make a big deal about their stance on gay issues.

In fact through Monday and Tuesday's primetime Democratic convention coverage I only heard two shout outs to us "gay peeps," as it were. Once by Hillary Clinton and once by Teddy Kennedy. Kennedy is battling a brain tumor and Monday's tribute video to him and his rousing speech afterwards were an emotional highlight of the convention.

But one part of it got a laugh out of me, and that was a cutaway shot used at a particular point during his speech:

Kennedy: Barack Obama will close the books on the old politics of race, and gender, and group against group, and straight against gay…

Applause – cut to …..

Er, Jodie Foster?

So you know what I thought the moment I saw this on CNN? No, not the obvious (that Jodie Foster puts on a lot of weight between film projects). I thought that the cameraman had a devious sense of irony, because the notoriously private Ms. Foster (or her doppelganger if that really wasn’t her) might not really want to be the convention’s official cutaway shot for gays and lesbians.

This sort of thing could have a chilling effect for other pseudo-closeted celebrity types and/or their looky-likies. Fearing the dreaded "gay cutaway shot," they might forgo attending political conventions altogether.

I can't help but wonder who will get the gay cutaway shot at the Republican convention. Larry Craig?

NOTE: If you happened to notice any other sly, ironic, or downright laughable cutaway shots from the Democratic National Convention (or elsewhere!) let us know about them in the comments.

RACHEL MADDOW RULES THE WORLD!
Just in case you weren't watching MSNBC's coverage of the Democratic Convention on Tuesday night, here's a fascinating exchange between Pat Buchanan and my new lesbian love Rachel Maddow, where she moves from talking about Michele Obama's speech to gently but brilliantly reprimanding Pat Buchanan for his hate-filled culture wars speech at the 1992 Republic Convention. Buchanan was sitting right there and didn't even know what hit him! Maddow is so good it's scary.

POLLED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
Zogby just announced the results of a recent poll asking whether registered voters would support a qualified openly gay presidential candidate.

60% said they would!

That's incredibly heartening, but it is curious that that number is double the nationwide 30% who fully support gay marriage. So I guess the takeaway is: You can be gay and rule the free world, but don't be expecting any wedding gifts.

Next page! Grant Show is down with gay men dancing!