Dont' Ask Don't Tell
This self esteem lowering motto is of course known as the military's answer
to its gay problem.
And while I have some fairly strong opinions about the subsequent results
since the policy came into fruition (no pun intended), what is more fascinating
to me is the don't ask don't tell policy of Hollywood and entertainment.
People in Hollywood don't come out for essentially one reason and one
reason only: money.
What will the advertisers think? Will the studios be able to bank on their bankable star if he brings his boyfriend to the premiere?
I don't know.
Why don't we ask Ellen or Rosie.
In their public lives both dwelled in the closet for years while the rumors
swirled about them. Obviously they both came out and in very different ways.
Ellen was starring in a sitcom at the time and tied it into the storyline.
There was nowhere you could look and not see Ellen the week leading up to the
groundbreaking event. Rosie came out with much less fuss after her show ended
and her professional life was on a confessed sabbatical due to family.
My point?
The story goes that both women felt some political pressure to come out way
before they ever did and they chose not to because of the financial implications. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly wouldn't be
eye popping shocking if it were. They are and were little walking corporations with many working people in the industry dependent on their collective success.
Which brings me to...
Which brings me to...
Some in the gay community believe it is a celebrity's obligation to live
openly with the overall consensus being if boys like the ones in Wyoming had
known their rugged macho movie idol or football player was a homosexual, Matthew Shepard might be
alive today.
That's a pretty big stretch, but I understand why some think it.
I do not.
What about the gay politicians who are so far into the closet it looks like
a damn safe room? The argument being these guys legislate laws that are not
favorable to the gay community.
Isn't outing them fair game?
Isn't outing them fair game?
Maybe.
However, I will always return to an individual's right to choose what's
best for himself. And who can know that?
Certainly not I, nor you, nor lobbyists. When you let politics steer you
into the rough waters of sexual orientation then what you have is a gay agenda.
And no agenda should ever determine who does or does not live his truth
openly.
Hi there ... compelling topic. I think that coming out should be a personal decision no matter what the circumstances. Whether its finances, politics, rural area, or fear for your life .... people should have the freedom to come out when they want to no matter what anyone thinks. If we try to force this issue, then truly we are no better than those who persecute us, are we not? I believe our challenge is to be what we want to be without standing in judgement of others. If we succeed in this, then we truly win.
Reply to this
Exactly. You said it much more succinctly than I.
Reply to this