My big gay post
My college friend Beth Stroud lost her case on appeal and has been officially defrocked from the United Methodist Church for being gay. I think she's very courageous. And her case has opened some minds, even if the outcome wasn't what she wanted.
About the same time that I learned that George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) came out as gay. And I just shake my head when people wonder why it's a big deal. It's still a big deal to be a gay Asian male. How many do you know who are out? In fact how male celebs do you know who are out who aren't basically retired? I know... um George Michael. And he was always singing about sex.
I can't think of a single female Asian celeb who's out as lesbian or bi. Maybe I'm just not up on my celebs. I'm not exactly a celeb follower. But what I do know is the number of known lesbigay celebs is not anywhere near 10%.
I wish it wasn't such a big deal. But we still live in a world where being queer still has serious negative consquences.
4 comments:
The comedian Margaret Cho is out as bisexual, I believe. There's also at least one other well-known gay male Asian actor; the name isn't coming to me right now. The article about gay actors that Jed recently linked to discussed him.
As for non-Asians, there are a number. Sir Ian McKellan and Rupert Everett come to mind immediately. Of course they are both British; maybe that makes their gayness more "acceptable" to American minds.
Not to say that this isn't a big deal. Maybe it shouldn't be, but I agree with you that it is.
Just because it's interestingish trivia, I'm living in the room Ms. Stroud lived in during her senior year.
Thanks for the link to Beth's site. As a non-practicing Methodist, I am very disappointed in the stance the church has taken on this issue. This is one of many reasons I don't actively practice the faith I was raised in. I hope that the support of her home church helps to continue to raise this issue to the greater community.
I'd forgotten about Margaret Cho. Thanks for reminding me. Glad we have at least one!
Batshua, that's cool!
R, I hope so too! I definitely think the case has raised a lot of good debate and discussion within the church.
Post a Comment