I just...Grrr...
Apr. 4th, 2007 02:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
webbgirlOut Magazine announces 50 most powerful gays. And decides it's their job to out a few folks along the way.
So this subject is actually one that's been coming up a bit lately in my life. The fact that there's a perception out there that folks who are homosexual are somehow 'obligated' to announce it to the world.
I have issues with celebrities being forced into 'role-model' status in the first place. Being known for a particular talent or skill does not automatically make someone a pillar of society. They shouldn't be expected to be anything more than human. As long as they show up, do their job and don't piss off the boss, that's what they get paid for. PERIOD!
I have to say that I honestly don't get the concept of someone being obliged to discuss their sexuality under any circumstances other than with a prospective partner. I don't think people should lie about it, but it's their choice how open they want to be about their private lives. I understand that to some it may seem like the person is ashamed, and that may be true in some cases, but that still doesn't give anyone the right to try and force a person into discussing an aspect of their life that they don't want to discuss.
The sad truth is that for many people as soon as they announce that they're gay everything else becomes secondary. News clips turn into "Recently outed actor Joe Schmo just saved three people from a burning car. We'll find out who he's dating next." Who someone is fucking (as long as the person is of legal age) is such a small part of their overall makeup as a person. (Unless they're complete h0rs, but that's true straight or gay.) The thought that so many people get reduced to being identified by that is just...wrong.
I saw a comment when the whole T.R. Knight thing happened that he should have told the producers he was gay when he auditioned for the job. The person's reasoning was that once his co-workers found out, they might be uncomfortable with it. Really? To me that's the co-worker's issue, not T.R.'s.
I've also seen several comments recently on various boards about how it's 'too bad' that John Barrowman is gay (okay, yes I worked him into the discussion *g*). I really don't understand the thought process behind those comments. Do these women/girls think that if he were straight that there would be a chance in hell of him shagging them? Sorry ladies, but no. I still think he's hotter than hell and were he to offer I would seriously consider the shag, but I know that it's never going to happen. Personally, I think it's wonderful that he has someone who he clearly loves and has shared almost half of his life with. Beyond that, it's none of my business.
I have issues with celebrities being forced into 'role-model' status in the first place. Being known for a particular talent or skill does not automatically make someone a pillar of society. They shouldn't be expected to be anything more than human. As long as they show up, do their job and don't piss off the boss, that's what they get paid for. PERIOD!
I have to say that I honestly don't get the concept of someone being obliged to discuss their sexuality under any circumstances other than with a prospective partner. I don't think people should lie about it, but it's their choice how open they want to be about their private lives. I understand that to some it may seem like the person is ashamed, and that may be true in some cases, but that still doesn't give anyone the right to try and force a person into discussing an aspect of their life that they don't want to discuss.
The sad truth is that for many people as soon as they announce that they're gay everything else becomes secondary. News clips turn into "Recently outed actor Joe Schmo just saved three people from a burning car. We'll find out who he's dating next." Who someone is fucking (as long as the person is of legal age) is such a small part of their overall makeup as a person. (Unless they're complete h0rs, but that's true straight or gay.) The thought that so many people get reduced to being identified by that is just...wrong.
I saw a comment when the whole T.R. Knight thing happened that he should have told the producers he was gay when he auditioned for the job. The person's reasoning was that once his co-workers found out, they might be uncomfortable with it. Really? To me that's the co-worker's issue, not T.R.'s.
I've also seen several comments recently on various boards about how it's 'too bad' that John Barrowman is gay (okay, yes I worked him into the discussion *g*). I really don't understand the thought process behind those comments. Do these women/girls think that if he were straight that there would be a chance in hell of him shagging them? Sorry ladies, but no. I still think he's hotter than hell and were he to offer I would seriously consider the shag, but I know that it's never going to happen. Personally, I think it's wonderful that he has someone who he clearly loves and has shared almost half of his life with. Beyond that, it's none of my business.