http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/03/29/ricky-martin-gay
Mar 29, 2010
Ricky Martin comes out: 'I am a fortunate homosexual man'
by Henry Goldblatt
Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin announced on his blog today that he is “a fortunate gay man,” which probably elicited two reactions: “duh!” and “double duh!”
Duh: Anyone who looks like Ricky is “fortunate.” And double duh: The announcement that he’s gay is about as shocking as when Sean Hayes came out on the cover of The Advocate last month. After all, Ricky has been living la vida “don’t ask, don’t tell” for a long time—sometimes there was a girlfriend; other times, Ricky was doing stretching exercises on a beach. With another guy. In a Speedo.
But let’s put the cynicism (and the “He Bangs” jokes) aside for a moment. Coming out — even in this post Ellen/Rosie/Lance Bass/Neil Patrick Harris age — takes courage, especially when you’re a public figure. You immediately become a spokesperson, whether you like it or not (and for that matter, whether the gay community wants you to be or not.) In fact, the entire gay movement can apparently rest on your shoulders: “[Ricky Martin's] decision to model this kind of openness and honesty can lead to a greater acceptance for countless gay people in the U.S., in Latin America and worldwide,” said Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, in a statement.
Moreover, your sexual orientation ends up defining you: The word “gay” will always precede “singer” or “actor” in a way that the word “straight” doesn’t always precede, say, Tom Hanks’ name. As proud as many of us are of our sexual orientation, we still want to be known for more than that.
So Ricky deserves plaudits—no matter how overdue or obvious the announcement may be.
Showing posts with label GLAAD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GLAAD. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Jerry Lewis drops anti-gay slur during telethon
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20590058/
Jerry Lewis drops anti-gay slur during telethon
Showman apologizes for ‘bad choice of words,’ says ‘there are no excuses’
The Associated Press
Sept 5, 2007
NEW YORK - Jerry Lewis dropped an anti-gay slur — the same one that got Isaiah Washington of “Grey’s Anatomy” in trouble — during the 18th hour of his annual Labor Day telethon.
He apologized Tuesday for a “bad choice of words.”
The 81-year-old showman — prowling about the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas — was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members.
“Oh, your family has come to see you,” he said, speaking to the camera and gesturing toward thin air.
“You remember Bart, your older son,” he said, and motioning toward another unseen character, “Jesse, the illiterate f-----.
“No,” Lewis said, quickly stopping himself before continuing.
Monday’s monologue prompted a critical statement Tuesday from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Neil Giuliano, GLAAD president, called Lewis’ use of the term “simply unacceptable.”
“It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm’s way,” Giuliano said.
In a statement Tuesday, Lewis said he was making “a joking comment to a member of my production team.”
“I apologize to anyone who was offended,” he went on. “Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard. In the family atmosphere of the telethon, I forget that not everyone knows me that well.
“That something like this would distract from the true purpose of the telethon pains me deeply. ... I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses,” he said.
Lewis’ telethon, in its 42nd year, set a new record by raising $63.7 million to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, topping last year’s event by $3 million.
Jerry Lewis drops anti-gay slur during telethon
Showman apologizes for ‘bad choice of words,’ says ‘there are no excuses’
The Associated Press
Sept 5, 2007
NEW YORK - Jerry Lewis dropped an anti-gay slur — the same one that got Isaiah Washington of “Grey’s Anatomy” in trouble — during the 18th hour of his annual Labor Day telethon.
He apologized Tuesday for a “bad choice of words.”
The 81-year-old showman — prowling about the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas — was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members.
“Oh, your family has come to see you,” he said, speaking to the camera and gesturing toward thin air.
“You remember Bart, your older son,” he said, and motioning toward another unseen character, “Jesse, the illiterate f-----.
“No,” Lewis said, quickly stopping himself before continuing.
Monday’s monologue prompted a critical statement Tuesday from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Neil Giuliano, GLAAD president, called Lewis’ use of the term “simply unacceptable.”
“It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm’s way,” Giuliano said.
In a statement Tuesday, Lewis said he was making “a joking comment to a member of my production team.”
“I apologize to anyone who was offended,” he went on. “Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard. In the family atmosphere of the telethon, I forget that not everyone knows me that well.
“That something like this would distract from the true purpose of the telethon pains me deeply. ... I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses,” he said.
Lewis’ telethon, in its 42nd year, set a new record by raising $63.7 million to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, topping last year’s event by $3 million.
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