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Hey, got a sec? Let's pick our gay rights figurehead!
The NY Times ran a slight but thought-provoking piece over the weekend discussing the fact that the gay rights movement has come leaps and bounds in recent years despite lacking a figurehead (like the abolitionist, black civil rights and feminist movements had, for example). The piece points out that while there have been local leaders over the years (Harvey Milk being the most notable), the national cause has pushed forward without a representative. Meanwhile, Will & Grace creator Max Mutchnick mourned the absence of a gay rights posterboy and groaned about the tired "vapid gay twink" trope that he feels represents gay men these days (and, which many commenters on his essay are quick to point out, he himself helped create). Well it's never too late, right? And after all, our readers pick a Gay of the Week and an Asshat of the Week on a regular basis, so choosing the face and voice to represent our collective civil rights on a national level shouldn't be that much more complicated. So let's pick our national figurehead! Here are my off-the-top-of-the-head suggestions, and I invite you to share your own!
The Obvious: Anderson Cooper Of course, he'd have to be gay, and openly gay. But let's just say he were: Could there be a better-connected, more highly visible or more squeezably adorable advocate?
The Song-and-Dance Man: Neil Patrick Harris If life really is a cabaret, then NPH is the ideal MC. He can jazz-hand us into the White House and beyond!
The Dark Horse: Adam Lambert The kid is outspoken, proud and knows a thing or two about spinning a public image.
The Cyanide Pill: Perez Hilton If we decide as a community that we should just get it over with and hasten the gay rights apocalypse, Hilton is our Swarovski-encrusted harbinger of doom. The Dynamic Duo: The Gay Penguins They may not have much to offer at the podium but OMGTHEYARESOG-DAMNEDCUUUUUUUUUUTE>>>>>
The Loud Guy in the Grey Suit: Barney Frank Okay, okay ... I'll pick someone who may not be marquee-sexy but who actually knows a thing or two about politics. Out Democratic Rep. Frank is as close as we have to a gay rights figurehead these days ... so is it wrong to wish he'd refine his image a little? I realize that as a legislator his primary concern is not to sell magazines, but we're talking image here, and is a guy whose quirky mannerisms are regularly lampooned SNL too tough of a sell as a civil rights icon? So who are your suggestions for a figure to represent all gay causes and concerns in today's media? Or, like the Times suggests, do we not even need one? Submitted by on Mon, 2009-06-22 15:57. |
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figurehead
Out of love with Barney Frank
Totally agree
add to that his voting for TARP and his allegiance to Nancy Pelosi, and I find myself wishing he wasn't gay so the straights could have him. Ugh!
How about someone fresh and political
Like maybe Jared Polis, the recently elected representative from Colorado. Though he doesn't do much for changing the perception that gay people are mostly rich white guys.
As alternatives to the monochromatic and male offerings above, I'd suggest Wanda Sykes or Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend (www.pamshouseblend.com). Either of them would strong, funny and fierce voices for the movement.
Ellen Degeneres
Coop
Normally I would be hands down no hesitation on Coop for such a..."position"...? I TOTALLY agree with the qualification to Brian's statement though.... it would be hypocritical for a gay rights figurehead not to be officially out merely because of his job. But more importantly, his job is in conflict with such a "position" to begin with. It's actually the very reason he's not allowed to be publicly out: because then he wouldn't be independent and unbiased as an anchor (and unbiased reporting is supposedly one of CNN's defining values). Maybe not unbiased in fact, but in appearance at the very least.
So unless Anderson retires from his anchoring gig (and in doing so kinda lets go of his influence), I'm not sure he'd be the best poster boy for our cause... but he's sure as hell a lot better than the others highlighted! Well... maybe except for NPH, I guess my "realistic" vote goes to him.
This isn't a slam to you...
but I just don't get how an openly gay anchor/newsman is suddenly biased, but an openly straight one isn't. wtf? IF Anderson Cooper is gay, and that is his lame ass excuse for not coming out, then he's a wimp and a coward in my book, and certainly not worthy of being the figurehead of the gay community. No matter how sexy and adorable he is.
I think it's more that
I think it's more that there's a presumption of bias. I know with lots of people I know, there's an almost automatic perception that LGBT people have certain politics, even on non 'gay-related' issues. People are always far more surprised when they discover a gay person is a Republican, or a Tory, or socially/economically conservative. When there's an assumption of your politics, whether it affects your bias or not in reality, lots of people will think it does.
Like, if you look at the majority of 'news programmes' (using the term loosely) when the politics of the presenter are well known, it definitely affects the stories they cover, but more so the guests they get on. Anderson got Lynn Cheney on to talk about torture, but also more liberal guests, whereas the majority of shows would only have one or the other (Keith Olbermann, for example, hardly ever has dissenting opinions on his show, and Bill O'Reilly only does to yell at them. Even Rachel Maddow's guests tend to be present to back up her opinions.)
As well as this, a large part of Anderson's job involved international reporting. There are lots of not-gay-friendly (understatement) countries out there that being openly gay would almost definitely affect his ability to report from those locations.
hmm
I would actually pick someone who has shown they WILL speak out on issues. not just an issue, but ALL the issues. (dadt, doma, bullying, and so on and so on)
not anderson, not adam lambert (remember, he said so himself), definitely NOT Perez Hilton (since we all know he is a hypocrite as of today), not NPH and not ellen.
I guess with GLAAD, and the HRC and all those other organizations, we don't really need one.
I frankly like the idea that
Good point
Well said, well said!
Dan Savage would be my
Dan Savage is all those things
Aren't we all crude and disgusting now and then?
You make valid points about the cons of Savage as a gay rights leader in regards to general public response, but there are some positives as well.
I don't find Savage's columns disgusting, and Dan's in-your-face style might just be what the gay rights movement needs. We don't need a public relations angel, just a civil rights LEADER who gets things done and gets a message out there.
I understand he would be hard for many conservatives to swallow, but so was Harvey Milk. So was Larry Flint. So was MLK. What does the gay rights movemant have to lose by putting an honest gay face out there and why should we be afraid to do so? Sure Savage can be crude and dirty, but most gay men I know can be as well and not suprisingly so can most straight people.
Savage recently suggested in an article linked off this site that 1 gay couple a day should protest and get arrested at The White House for marraige equality. While you might argue against such a plan, at least he is thinking outside the box and thinking radically for a change. Ellen would likely stage a hugathon. Not knocking her but sometimes "nice" and "acceptable"aren't the most important factors
No on Savage
bloggers
there are a lot of smart bloggers out there (some even on this site) who i'd choose moreso than the names you mentioned....
I don't have time
Thanks Liz...I know you're talking about me, but I really can't fit figureheading into my schedule.
Actually, this may be a dumb question, but what does a figurehead/icon do for us, anyway? Are we looking for someone very media-visible? Then it's Coop or Ellen or Maddow. If we're looking for someone eloquent and outspoken, it's Dan Savage. If we're looking for someone young and adorable, with genitals we've already vetted on the Internet...well, it's Dustin Lance Black. But I'm still not quite sure of the concept here...is this person supposed to be the Face of Gayness? Or is this person supposed to take our cause to Congress and the Supreme Court? Maybe we need a different figurehead for different occasions...we could have a Justice League! And they could have a secret headquarters! And they'd invite me over...for...um...giving good figurehead.
I think I'm losing the string here...
The blog never loses the string.
you?
haha, i was talking about me! :-P
I constantly see gay people disagreeing about what issues are more important, who is better for the 'cause', blah blah blah.....so even if we had a 'head figure', i bet there would still be disagreement.
Sometimes when i watch the news, i end up being like "WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" because sometimes these people aren't saying what, i think, needs to be said....so even I would have issues i am sure.
Even when DLB was on AC360, and anderson cooper was saying "oh, so you feel obama could do better?" (or whatever he said) DLB didn't say "it's on tape that he said XYZ and why hasn't he said ANYTHING about this?"
I do appreciate what he said, about people committing suicide over being 2nd class, etc....but if we're gonna talk about obama and certain issues, then THAT is what we need to talk about as well. "if obama said this, then maybe this would happen, but he hasn't...why? i want to know why"
one of these days, i might just put my phone number online and wait for someone to call me. :-)
The List
(Except for maybe the penguins.)
Faces of a revolution
Don't think we need a poster boy, we are stronger with many voices. And how can you possibly represent such a diverse group of people, what with all those letters besides "G".Wasn't it Harvey Milk who asked "who are these gay rights leaders? And why should they be in charge?"(or something like that)
But my vote would go to Anderson Cooper, even if he doesn't come out, as I think allies like myself can be in a postion to lead, as long as they truly understand the issues and represent the community's voice. On that note I would also like to suggest Jon Stewart.
But if you want someone gay, I like Ellen DeGeneres, or what about Rev. Gene Robinson or Dustin Lance Black. Or Ian McKellen. Or Rachel Maddow.
As much as I love NPH, I don't see him as the leader of a human movement, sorry. And Adam Lambert is a great entertainer, but poster boy for the gay rights movement? C'mon. Perez was a joke right? But the penguins sure are cute.
What's sad is there are only two women on my list, and no persons of colour. I don't know if that says more about me or about how far we still have to go.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
NPH
Ugh! I'm voting for penguins!
Let's see now:
Anderson Cooper: Would rather be asking the questions as opposed to giving the answers - pass
Neil Patrick Harris: I don't know that Doctor Horrible is really strident enough - pass
Adam Lambert: Guyliner still isn't mainstream enough, and a stunning singing voice is not necessarily a political prerequisite - pass
Perez Hilton: The "Gossip Gangster"? By that logic the black community could have opted for "American Gangster" Frank Lucas! - pass
Barney Frank: Is sounding more like a senile uncle with each passing day. Even gaffe-prone Nancy Pelosi is scared to let him do press conferences alone - pass
GAY PENGUINS: The hands (of flippers) down winners. They're cute, kids love 'em and they could be used in an animated picture - WINNERS!
Were they expecting cobra commander or Borg Queen?
Since they are not a choice. I would chose the penguins. No one suspects birds that can't fly. Could be our new symbol of love, diversity, and tolerance.
Adam Lambert
I'm besotted with Adam
In Fairness to Adam
Well,
People do criticize Adam's lifestyle (the way he manifests his gayness) more than they do the fact that he is gay.
I think he's made it clear in interviews that he's always known he was gay since he was very young.
But gay folks (from what I've seen) tend to criticize the way he's gay (his gay culture that is) a lot. Obviously the way gay communities operate is really different from city to city and sometimes within the same city but there is definitely such a thing as a "gay lifestyle". It just looks different depending upon where you hang.
People comment on and heavily criticize his actual lifetyle all the time.
His being overtly sexual and doing drag, who he hangs out with, his burning man, zodiac show, upright cabaret sensibilities and his makeup and clothing choices which are all part of a lifestyle and part of the way his gay community flows (having seen a lot of his friends way of manifesting the gay)
He has actually made some very strong statements about Marriage Equality and had indicated that he plans to say and do more (I would imagine when the Idol tour is over and his time is more his own) but that he wants to focus on the tour and the album.
But anyway, I just think the "Lifestyle" thing is actually an issue for Adam more so than his just being gay.
When NPH says he's just a "regular guy" or he wants to represent "regular guys" he's making a comment about lifestyle choice.
As for preference. I've never understood why gay and lesbian folks are still bothered by it.
I get that everyone wants to emphasize that being gay isn't a "choice" like chosing to be a vegetarian or to dye your hair. But, being out and proud and living an open and visually gay life (and how you do that) is a preference. People deal with gay feelings differently, I think that's where preference comes in.
Lots of gays choose not to be out and not to have relationships that are open and visible and it is their preference to either deny being gay or to be ashamed and hide it. Some gays are out but don't ever want to talk about it or draw attention to it or prefer that people think of them not as "gay", just a person, etc
So there is an element of preference involving in deciding to make your gayness known, to embrace being gay and even be proud of it, to chose how to manifest your gay, to chose to act on your gay feelings and same-sex desires.
I don't think sexual orientation is a preference but I think sexual and romantic behavior is about preferences. I think how you live your "gay" life is a preference.
Even if we weren't born gay, would that mean we deserve to be discriminated against?
Religion is a preferance (that you are born into usually but you still choose to practice) and no one would support religious intolerance based upon the idea that religions is a "preference" therefor you should just suck it up and live with discrimination.
I know other people have made the point about "preference" but I just think we have come far enough to actually acknowledge that there is a great deal of preference involved with being gay and there is such a thing as "gay" lifestyles (though there are many, not just one)
I guess I just don't like the idea of having to prove that I have no choice but to be gay, like "Oh, it's not my fault I'm gay, don't hit me" or something. It just doesn't sit right.
There is nothing wrong or evil or unnatural about being gay so had I "chosen" it, I would still be entitled to the same rights and protections as any other citizen.
Though again, I get where it comes from and why folks don't like to use the word preference.
"That's our job today: to control the extent to which people can publicly manifest antigay sentiment." (Bayard Rustin) ** "Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common" (Dorothy Parker)
I am...
I am bothered by the term 'sexual preference'
when someone says a gay lifestyle, i think thats an old school way of saying "well, all gays party and do drugs and have crazy sex all the time.." - that was the image a lot of people had and still have of gay people.
how you live your life is a lifestyle. dressing in drag every night or doing drugs everynight or whatever IS a lifestyle. that is HOW you choose to live.
being gay or straight is not a "style" - - that never changes. (well, it sort of can i guess) people can change their hairstyles, their drug use, their partying, their day to day activities....i don't think i can ever change my attraction to women, even if bradpittcamealong. ;-)
the reason people DO get upset over "preference" is because well...it's not a preference. it's not a choice. if it were, people wouldn't get upset, but it's not. i believe in SOME cases, it can be a choice....but overall, no. how i live my life may be a preference or a lifestyle...but my sexuality is not a preference.
"I guess I just don't like the idea of having to prove that I have no choice but to be gay, like "Oh, it's not my fault I'm gay, don't hit me" or something. It just doesn't sit right.
^ if someone asks you to prove who you are, you should ask them to do the same for who they are. just say "this isnt a choice and if you can't get that, then that's your problem, not mine..."
I get what you're saying
I get what you're saying but I don't know how we could state things about our sexuality without referring to preference.
To me it means that I might be physically capable to have sex with people regardless of their gender, but that my brain has a very defined preference and my body follows suit. Not by choice, but by inclination and because that's what's most natural to me. Defying my own preference would mean to me that I had made a choice. If I were to have relationships and sex with women that would be a real choice as I would go against my own preference. Choice and preference are just not the same thing to me.
The penguins are wonderful, who in the world could say that they're wrong? They are a symbol of homosexuality being a natural thing because it's absolutely everywhere in nature and when nature gets complicated things like photosynthesis right how could nature get this wrong?
I'm trying out this blogthing: http://vladivos.wordpress.com/
Hey, Ladymacbeth-
Sorry, but I tend to geek out over word meanings and origins so I had to speak up here.
Not by choice, but by inclination and because that's what's most natural to me...Choice and preference are just not the same thing to me.
I think you're incorrectly defining the word; Webster defines 'preference' as " the power or opportunity of choosing" so by using that word in regards to one's sexuality we would be implying a choice.
The better, and in my opinion, more acurate word would be 'orientation' which is defined as a "general or lasting direction of inclination".
Poster Boy
As long as Anderson stays in the closet then he is no poster boy.
A poster boy should have the following qualities.
Respectable - needs to be respectable to most
Out - Needs to be out to all and needs to have said it.
Smart - Needs to put the homophobs in thier place in a smart calm manner.
Supporter - Needs have fought and continues to fight for the GLBT community.
Sounds Like
Sounds like Rachel Maddow to me. Except, of course, that she's not a "boy."
But as someone pointed out earlier, I don't think we could choose an anchor or journalist unless they were willing to give up their job.
Honestly, as many have said before, I don't think we need a leader, and I don't think we should have one.
The penguins
The penguins represent a stable family group
The penguins pioneered gay adoptions long before humans even thought about it
The penguins won't sacrifice principles to get an invite to a White House cocktail party (because they have no idea where it is and don't drink cocktails unles it has a sardine in it)
The penguins' policy for long-term gay equality is no less comprehensible than GLAAD or HRC
The penguins might adopt a puffin as a pet - which beats the hell out of a dog (rescue or not)
The penguins don't understand an expense account
The penguins don't need make-up, wardrobe, a speech-writer and PR executive before every photo op
The penguins eat healthy and exercise but never go to a gym, so they defeat gay stereotypes
The penguins get greeted with an 'Awwww... isn't that cute' no matter what they say - even if they're declaring war on albatrosses
The penguins never respond to criticism - they're too busy getting on with the job of being gay penguins
The penguins because they think Anderson Cooper's head is a polar ice cap, think Adam Lambert's shriek is a mating call, think Barney Frank is a walrus, recognise Perez Hilton as a pile of guano and probably think NPH and David Burtka are oddly shaped penguins.
And finally
The penguins have no problem being constantly cool
Anderson Cooper
For god sakes, I'm tired of people talking about Anderson being in the closet. He hasn't said whether he is gay OR straight because he has chosen to keep his life private, and avoid that kind of scrutiny. He'd rather be seen as just a journalist. That's not in the closet to me, that's a private personality. Saying he was straight would be in the closet. He also doesn't seem the type who would not reveal his sexuality out of shame.
Whether he's gay, straight, bi or mysterious, he is still a fantastic voice for gay rights, which is why he gets my vote (of the list provided)
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
I personally..
I personally think anderson is awkward in general, so i always have a hard time seeing him in a relationship of ANY kind. haha
There seems to be a lot of people that "know" one way or another about Anderson (me? i have no gaydar whatsoever) being possibly gay. i actually end up being the one in every conversation who is the "really? you think so?" type.
i guess it's one of those 'open secret' things.
Open secret=people's opinion
Thanks for the response Liz. Personally, the idea of an open secret is just ridiculous. Until someone confirms something themselves, I will believe what they say. I didn't believe Adam Lambert was gay (OR straight) until he said so, and I will treat Anderson Cooper the same way.
What I don't get is why people think Anderson should come out. IF he is gay, which we don't know, it is his personal choice whether to publicly acknowledge that. What matters most are his actions, and they have always been immensely supportive of the gay community, which is why I think he would make a fantastic figurehead.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
I think the reason...
I think the reason people want him to come out (if he is gay) is because some think he would be a voice for us, or a role model....some think he is not helping the movement and the right for equality by reporting on it and not actually being who he is...(hypocrisy)
but you're right. it is a choice to come out or not. i think a lot of it is frusteration. we live in a time where it shouldnt be a big deal...to many people, it isn't...but to many, it is. it's not as simple as some make it out to be.
hell, i was forced out in high school and thought nobody would have a problem with it, but whew, was i wrong. the boys seemed to love the fact i was gay, whereas girls steered far away. one girl even told me she didnt want me to sit by her, because there "is no way i'm turning into a dyke"
fun times
See, I just don't get why
See, I just don't get why people think he's a hypocrite. It's not like he isn't supportive of gay rights, he clearly understands the issues and advocates equality. I would feel differently if he was making an effort to stop gay marriage or something like that. His reason for not coming out (if he even is gay) is not shame, it's simply he wants to keep that part of his life private. I find it quite rude actually that some people would criticize him, as I think he is just as much a gay rights leader as any of the other names listed in this discussion.
wow, that sucks about your high school experience. Me, I just get people assuming I'm gay because I have short hair and support gay rights. *sigh* why can't people grow up?
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
People think...
people think he is a hypocrite because if you're gay, and there is this huge fight for equality and all you do is report on it with the two sides, that is not really speaking out or being an advocate. Anderson always states how he just 'reports', he doesn't give opinions. he knows the issues, but we can't say what side he is on. he always has the opposing side on for every issue.
I think people feel if he came out, he could change people's minds...but i really doubt that.
next time someone assumes you're gay based on your appearance, just say "well,I think you're stupid, but thats only because you look stupid and probably support stupid things."
;-)
Hmmm, that's an interesting
Hmmm, that's an interesting point. But isn't that what journalism is all about? I feel like that's why he doesn't want to reveal his sexuality, he wants to remain neutral.
hahaha, I'll try that line sometime, thanks. :)
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
A Phenomenally Stupid and Insulting NYT piece
Here's my reaction to it:
http://fablog.ehrensteinland.com/2009/06/22/nyt-whos-the-head-faggot-in-charge/
Other choices
What about Brad and Angelina? She's bisexual (or used to be) and what gay man wouldn't follow Brad Pitt in a protest march?
How about Andrew Sullivan? He's smart, is already a nationally known speaker, and while his track-record politically isn't always as lefty as some would like he certainly advocates gay rights and gay marraige as a "conservative" value wherever he goes.
Good topic. trying to think of more. Sad that more don't come right off the top of your head...
It takes a woman...
A man of honor
There have been numerous faces of the gay world in past years from Christine Jorgenson to Harvey Milk, to Matthew Shepard, even Gwen Ajurano, and most recently Lawrence King. All for sad reasons. We need someone who says what they mean and mean what they say and being gay is not a prerequisite for the job. Gavin Newsom is a respected, articulate defender of gay rights that is charasmatic and inclusive to all people.
That's all I am saying...
INSIDEGUY
A man of honor
There have been numerous faces of the gay world in past years from Christine Jorgenson to Harvey Milk, to Matthew Shepard, even Gwen Ajurano, and most recently Lawrence King. All for sad reasons. We need someone who says what they mean and mean what they say and being gay is not a prerequisite for the job. Gavin Newsom is a respected, articulate defender of gay rights that is charasmatic and inclusive to all people.
That's all I am saying...
INSIDEGUY
Gentleman, Scholar, Activist
I nominate Andy Humm, most prominently seen (with Ann Northrup, another stand-up gay) on Gay USA. He's been doing the activist thing for over thirty years. And, unlike Anderson Cooper, he's not afraid to be himself in front of the camera.
"The mountain has wings."
*sigh!*
I'd love to have Anderson Cooper as our poster boy, but the day he comes out of the closet will be the day Zac Efron calls me for a date, so fugeddaboutdat!
Love Adam, but he's a Perez Hilton about to happen.
And Barney Frank, don't get me started.
I'm gonna have to go with the penguins.
;-)
Who?
My immediate choice would be Michaelangelo Signorile. The platform of a radio show and his early history of activism makes him a prime pick. However, his controversial views on outing might not sit well with everyone. But in the end I think he is articulate enough to take leadership and serve as a chair of a larger coalition. The only down side for me is that we need someone who is actually married and partnered and is will also to be an example as a couple. That is a tall order I know but scrutiny can be a bitch.
Andrew Sullivan would be a wrong choice although I really do like his blog and some of his views. Sullivan's controversial opinions on things and his tabloid ready exeprience with barebacking as an HIV+ man is not something that would sit well with the public.
WWhat amazes me is don't we already have a defacto leader figurehead in Joe Solomonese of HRC? He is the one gay leader pulled usually on TV news for comment and always present at events. It is not that we all support him (and I fervently do not) but the national media truly has annoited him.
How would we agree on a leader and how would one rise? MLK Jr and others rose up from the ranks and were almost annoited by a great event which we are lacking. How would we know he is the one?
Really? Not even a MENTION of Larry Kramer?
I know he's crass, obnoxious, spoiling for a fight, negative, cruel, simplistic, exhausting, and on more than one occasion unfair.
However, he's also bold, daring, unapologetic, smart, witty, brutally honest, generous, wise, and for a big chunk of the 80's was the only openly gay man railing against the horrors, hypocricies and injustices of AIDS and the hypocrisy of the closet. He made his enemies honestly: he called them out on their bullcrap and told them they'd be judged for their idiocy and their cowardice.
I know sometimes he's such the bull-in-the-china-shop (who then gores all other sacred cows into bleeding chunks of hamburger), it's hard to defend him. However, I think it's appalling that he's so completely ignored and dissed by "mainstream" gay rights leaders.
Larry Kramer
consciousness
Perhaps that's too hippy an idea to grasp, but do we need a figure head when we have a collective goal? A goal that is understandable, good and just? Human rights. And the civil rights leaders we tend to admire, didn't they come from a movement of justice that had previously defined itself? My question is: are we short a leader or a definition of our cause? Because surly the former follows the later. Doesn't it?.
In the media of todays world I wonder how MLK or Gandhi would fare? A "figure head" these days means media attention more than organizer or even diplomat. There are thousands of folks who the news outlets can shove a microphone under the chin of, and the media choose those commentators for our community not because of the individuals awareness or representation within our community, but because, like Perez, they "sell more papers." The best thing a figure head could do for the gay community today is help us define our collective goals, so that we can better unite, and not concern herself with media sound-bites.
Is it possible that we have arrived at a time and place where our collective good will prevail without a single individual leading the assault on evil? Maybe thats the message we should be sharing?
The face of a spokesperson like Carrie Prejean may end up doing more for our cause because of how today's press treats the mouth for or against our issues. Her lies overshadow her belief in a way that we didn't see with Anita Bryant. Which leads me to comment on Perez Hilton; I have to say that I am constantly annoyed by self promoting bloggers because they tend to be very shallow. Being a blogger does not a gay radical, or gay spokeswoman make. Far from it. I lump all self promoting bloggers with Perez Hilton, because more often than not it's all about them and little about us. Really. You bloggers so hip.
Is it possible that todays shitstorm for gay rights is being influenced by butterflies in the midwest, like myself, flapping our wings in the right (or left) direction, rather than bloggers and the endless talking heads and the gay heads they talk to?
And just to make this clear, I am not trying in any way to dis the "bloggers" who write for AfterElton, because I don't consider this a "blog" site, even though it is promoted as such. I see it as a news and commentary site. What I wanted to shine a light on is folks who come to After Elton in order to promote their own blogs before their own opinions here. That's it.
PS to Dave, you are more than right: ours is an orientation.
PS to everyone else still reading: don't ever let them shame you into believing otherwise or that there's anything wrong with admitting the truth. We are born the way God intended us to be. It is their job to learn from that.