I have been quarantined to the sofa in my apartment for the better part of the past 3 - 4 days due to what seems to be a terrible cold, but may be something else (dr. appointment this afternoon). As a result, I have watched mucho movies and mucho tv. A large portion of that time in front of the television was spent watching Logo, the relatively new gay network. Here are a few observations:
1) The channel aired a seemingly endless string of commercials for their upcoming "2005: Year in Queer" program. Each ad would feature a brief discussion over a big topic of this past year. One of the biggest queer stories of 2005 was the coming out of WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes. For those members of the gay community who do not follow sports (which, much to my chagrin, is the overwhelming majority), may not appreciate just how dominant a player Swoopes is. She has been one of the greatest female basketball players on Earth for years. There has never been a coming out in professional sports of nearly this magnitude. However, Logo chose to air a clip of Swoopes saying "I don't think I was born gay; it was a choice." Does this not trouble anyone else? I understand that Swoopes was formerly married to a man and has children. Regardless, I am very uncomfortable with an out celebrity of this stature claiming that her sexuality is a choice and this view being spread by a television network aimed at the gay community. Is this belief not the primary foundation behind the ex-gay movement? If homosexuality is a choice as many right-wingers, and it seeems, Ms. Swoopes, believe, then am I just guilty of moral indiscretion? I do not believe that my homosexuality is a choice or ever was. Moreover, I get angry with claims that my rights are to be denied over this supposed choice. Seeing Sheryl Swoopes only provide further support for this bogus idea really irritates me. It is worth noting that I did not see the entire segment, so I am unaware of the complete context of her comment. Nevertheless, I am a bit peeved...
2) Has anyone seen Noah's Arc? I had not seen the show before this weekend, and since the end of QAF, my gay television quota has sorely been lacking. Saturday night (yeah, I'm that cool), a string of episodes came on, and I was definitely entertained. My initial reaction was to believe that, although I find the show entertainint and would watch it again, it is little more than a QAF rip-off. However, what does a drama about a group of gay men have to do in order to avoid that label? I haven't given this topic much thought yet, but am interested to see what I and others can suggest.
Additional note on Noah's Arc: I was watching it again last night, with my roommate. I know a lot of girls, both gay and straight who enjoy QAF. My roommate has never seen it. However, she's fabulous so I took it for granted that she would have no problem seeing two men doing, as I call it, "what the good Lord intended." Granted, "the Arc" isn't as graphic as QAF, but I probably should've warned her. Oops!
3) After reading a good review, I checked out NewNowNext. It opened with some promise, Bloc Party and Fischerspooner (the jury is still out on M.I.A.). The first half of the show was about good music, but the latter half seemed to be more about gay music. Is Logo required to play videos by gay musicians or seemingly gay music by nature or are they required to adhere to more musical guidelines? If they are adhering to a musical standards, does that not defeat the purpose of having a gay channel? Afterall, if viewers want shows focused on music and have the sexuality issue be completely left out, would they not turn to other networks? Anywho, the second half left much to be desired, featuring an Ari Gold remix (the video was a cross between Madonna's "Cherish" and Chris Isaack's "Wicked Game" and dedicated to Herb Ritts), a new Eurythmics song that was preceeded by a discussion on "gay anthems" (hint, hint) and lastly, a really weird Erasure video that focused on a homeless Asian girl selling matches. Riiiiigggggggghht...
Addendum: I'm surprised no one listed Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax" or Wham's "Wake Me Up" during the gay anthem discussion.
4) Lastly, I just checked out Logo website and saw their casting call for people with "interesting coming out stories and gay republicans." I love it how being a gay republican automatically marginalizes members of an already marginalized community. Ahhhhh...
8 comments:
1). I think your definition of "sports" is too narrowly defined.. true football etc. aren't part of the normal gay repetoire (outside of themes for porn) but the gays love them some gymnastics, swimming/diving, figure skating, pretty much most sports where you get to wear lycra or glitter. And yes, Sheryl Swoopes should not be saying such things, silly woman.
3). I think my personal gay anthem has got to be "I know what boys like" by Ms. C, Ms. Vitamin C
Gay Republicans should not be given such a forum to discuss their filthy, filthy lifestyles.
Ah, the gay republican, a conundrum indeed.
I enjoy gays. And republicans.
In the same stream, they should do say, black republicans. Or hispanic republicans.
Just give everyone a shot at outting their sinful ways.
And by sinful, I mean republican.
I too am disturbed by the statement. It's as if I "decided" to become gay in order to irritate people. Let me just set the record straight that I can irritate people to no end and it has Absolutlely nothing to do with my being gay. Chip, you're right, that argument has been one that we've been combatting for entirely too long. Has Sheryl Swopes coming out and saying that is was a choice for her hurt our cause? That said, would we be better off had she not come out?
Oh, and does anyone know how someone's coming out story becomes "interesting?" Bloodshed? Just wondering is all . . .
I heard that S.S. said it was a choice as well. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if her PR people or someone controlling her paychecks put her up to it. I mean, seriously I hate when people say that it is a choice! It's just fuel for the fire for those who condemn homosexuality. I hope she gets it together and admits to herself and the world that she is what she is and stops making excuses for it! Ms. Swopes has totally disappointed me.
Anyway, hope you feel better Chip!
Being a gay Republican IS a choice. Maybe that's what Ms. Swoopes meant? Did she say she was a Republican too?
I go with Q Television and next year Gay Games is going to be broadcast by Q!
Post a Comment