Everyone knows that a celebrity's sexuality is of the most profound public importance. Not. Nonethless, the media continues to speculate on the sexual orientation of the rich and famous for our entertainment. Sometimes, this is even passed off as actual news.
One of the more cringe-inducing examples of attempted celebrity-outing took place a few years ago, and was directed at Jeff Wilson. I remember an awful interview with him: the interviewer asked Wilson if he was gay, Wilson denied it and was clearly uncomfortable, so the interviewer then asked Wilson if he thought there was something wrong with being gay. Wilson became more visibly irritated.
FFS. Wilson may not have handled the situation as graciously as he could have, but the media set out to poke its nose into his private business for salacious reasons, using the gay accusation in a provocative and derogatory way. The unpleasant, homophobic undertone of this 'tactic' is disturbing - it invites the celebrity to respond something like, 'How could I be gay? I don't even like gays!'.
In the face of this, Hugh Jackman's recent response to accusations that he's gay was refreshingly mature:
Jackman also acknowledged he was uncomfortable denying he was gay.
"I'd be happy to go and deny it, because I'm not," he said.
"But by denying it, I'm saying there is something shameful about it, and there isn't anything shameful."
Jackman went on to question the concern with celebrities' sexuality in the US - where rumours about his own sexuality seem to have originated:
"The questions about sexuality I find more here in America than anywhere else, because it's a big hang-up and defines what people think about themselves and others. It's not a big issue in Australia."
To be honest, I think Jackman may be too optimistic about the acceptance of gays in Australia. After all, this is the nation which just had a minor meltdown about two women kissing on Home and Away.
Still, it's a relief to see someone in the public eye who, when confronted with this stoopid game of 'prove how heterosexual you are', simply refuses to play.
15 comments:
The day an All Black comes out I will be doing my happy dance. I find it highly unlikely that in the entire history of our highest profile sports team there has never been a gay player. The pressure on them to remain closeted is awful.
If we really didn't care about celebrity sexuality, we wouldn't react with admiration when one comes out of the closet.
Considering how much hate is still directed at people who are gay it *is* admirable when public figures make the decision to expose themselves to that.
There's many a gay guy too that would take delight from the outing of an All Black!
Dan Carter
Richard Kahui
Richie McCaw
Nick Evans
Jimmy Cowan
Luke McAlister
Jason Eaton
can all fill my bed any time
Yum yum!
http://worldhaveyoursay.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/why-are-there-so-few-openly-gay-sports-stars/
Anon, I too look forward to the day no one cares about celebrities' sexuality. But as things are, celebrities who have the gumption to come out still play an important role in helping young gay people feel comfortable with who they are in a homophobic society. Celebrities' sexuality will stop being important when homophobia ends.
Incidentally, Kelly McGillis (of Top Gun fame) came out recently - she's in her 50s. What I liked about it is that she said her sexuality has changed over her life, and this is now who she is. I think this is really important - it counters the idea that someone who comes out must have been living 'deceptively'.
dad4justice, I'd draw your attention to our comments policy, but I don't think you're really interested in being constructive or polite. So I've deleted you once again. Feel free to go be homophobic and angry at the world somewhere else.
Haha I am not angry.
I do find it quite strange that people who tend to believe in economic freedom, seem to forget about social freedom.
People should be free to live their lives as they see fit.
Not only that, but how the Good Lord created.
If the Good Lord created us as gay, then all peoples should accept that, including Christians and those on the right.
People should be free to live their lives as they see fit.
Not only that, but how the Good Lord created.
If the Good Lord created us as gay, then all peoples should accept that, including Christians and those on the right.I think you will find Fairfax that Christians and those on the right. do accept people who are gay quite happily.
One issue that is vexing is the matter of "gay marriage" which from my perspective is an oxymoron.
The way that that poor American beauty queen has been demonized by Perez Hilton after he asked her an ambush question on this matter is quite alienating - don't you think?
The bad behavior is coming from one side is it not?
ps The issue whether gay people are born that way or made that way is an open question, if you want to be intellectually rigorous, and one that will never be answered satisfactorily given the passions this issue provoke
Andrei, I don't think it matters how gay people get to be gay - except to those who want to find a 'cure'.
No one frets about what causes people to be heterosexual.
I actually don't feel much sympathy for the beauty queen either. She could have declined to comment. However, she chose to say something that offended people, and they objected. Where's the unfairness in that? Surely the right to free speech doesn't extend only to people who don't like gays?
I note also that said beauty queen has come up with a religious justification for the lingerie photos she's been in. That's a pretty self-serving interpretation of Christianity.
Andrei is right about the bigotry and hypocrisy shown by Perez Hilton, however.
As I have commented over at my blog, Miss California was just articulating views in line with those of the ObamaMessiah.
But while the Messiah continues to be worshipped by gay groups, we see Carrie Prejean getting abuse heaped on her.
Yet the Messiah has not changed the Don't Ask Don't Tell policies in the army, even firing an officer for coming out this week, even though he could suspend/overturn the sacking.
After many right-wing bloggers have uncovered the double standards shown by Perez Hilton and others, gay rights groups seem finally to be waking up to the fact that Obama is not living up to his campaign promises.
He sold out on polar bears yesterday.
Will gay marriage be his next sell-out?
Of course, we have to remember, Obama has huge support among blacks, whom polls show are firmly against gay marriage.
One issue that is vexing is the matter of "gay marriage" which from my perspective is an oxymoron. That word, oxymoron? I don't think it means what you think it means.
That word, oxymoron? I don't think it means what you think it means.Perhaps σιδηροξύλον then?
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