Michael Moore Takes On Gay Rights- Page 2

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 2:52pm

Most people also were aware that we have health care problems and gun control issues. But Moore's films help delve into how we got there and exposes specific things.

I don't think most people know that homophobia replaced the Cold War for those who needed to have something to scare Americans into votes and sending their money to evangelicals. I don't think most people understand the truth of what happened during the AIDS crisis. I don't think they understand the great hypocrisy of our ban on gays in the military--that there have been many gay heroes in our military since the American Revolution. That if it weren't for a gay man, we would still be Brits. I don't think people understand the anti-gay agenda at all.

I think it would also be nice for Moore to hold a mirror up to homophobia. Let people see just how ugly they are when they put this drag on.

[grnsmwhr]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 5:14pm

Would a film by Michael Moore even reach the conservative evangelicals to hold a mirror in their face? Confronting those whose minds won't be changed seems a waste of time.

I think lesbians are more accepted because they are more adept at mainstreaming. Ellen is a good example of this. She has found a way to tap into what is familiar to all of us and in the process has managed to provide a platform where these issues can be discussed. Rosie is a little more hit them over the head, but I found she was also effective in getting the message across that gay and straight women love their families and want the same things for them.

I think you need some serious gay male spokes people. Continually making jokes about being a gay male only pereptuates the joke. I'm sure you see things differently, I'm just passing on how I see things from my middle America perspective.

[grnsmwhr]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 5:14pm

Would a film by Michael Moore even reach the conservative evangelicals to hold a mirror in their face? Confronting those whose minds won't be changed seems a waste of time.

I think lesbians are more accepted because they are more adept at mainstreaming. Ellen is a good example of this. She has found a way to tap into what is familiar to all of us and in the process has managed to provide a platform where these issues can be discussed. Rosie is a little more hit them over the head, but I found she was also effective in getting the message across that gay and straight women love their families and want the same things for them.

I think you need some serious gay male spokes people. Continually making jokes about being a gay male only pereptuates the joke. I'm sure you see things differently, I'm just passing on how I see things from my middle America perspective.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 5:49pm

I think this debate is moot given that Moore would inevitably cover both our wants--exposing the anti-gay machine and showing real gay Americans.

but I have to disagree with you on why lesbians do better in the mainstream over gay men, particularly as your argument is barren when discussing the issue regarding a pre-Ellen era.

our country is obsessed with masculinity. gay men are a threat. lesbians can be a threat but because there is so much misogyny in this country, women are not often regarded as a threat and/or are regarded as mere sex objects.

thus, lesbians getting it on is hot. gay men in any way, shape or form is horrifying.

just because the message may not get to the audience who needs it most is not a reason to abstain putting the message out there. it will get seen by people on the fence. gays can sit their loved ones down and make them watch it (as is often done with books and films, etc). people will catch it on cable. etc.

and sometimes, the choir needs a revival, so I say DO preach to the choir.

yes, we could use a gay MLK. and, yes, right now, the lesbians are the ones who excel at that--ellen, rosie, elizabeth birch, etc.

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 11:24pm

A part of me really wants to see the Bruno film, but another part makes me think it would just be too uncomfortable for me to sit through it. Just the 7-8 minute clip of Bruno in Alabama made me really, really uneasy.

But I'd love to see Moore tackle homophobia. And in case we need a reminder of it still being there, here's something disturbing from my home territory.
Sick fuck in prison

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 11:30pm

Updated On: 7/14/07 at 11:30 PM

[Kringas]

Posted: 7/14/07 at 11:43pm

Would a film by Michael Moore even reach the conservative evangelicals to hold a mirror in their face? Confronting those whose minds won't be changed seems a waste of time.

Of course not. That will never happen. But it could reach the gay middle Americans for whom it took until Rosie to realize that gay people love their families.

As for the mainstreaming, while it's her prerogative, Ellen is really rather sexless in public. What scares people is having to actually face gay sexuality, as Jerby said.

[romantico]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 12:37am

Head over to Youtube and type in "Michael Moore sodomobile." This is a preview of what his next film could be. Its HILARIOUS!

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 12:43am

Have you seen "any people" running for the hills?

They ought to be sprinting by now.

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 12:47am

*headdesk*

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 1:12am

"Would a film by Michael Moore even reach the conservative evangelicals to hold a mirror in their face? Confronting those whose minds won't be changed seems a waste of time."

I think it might. The Fundies keep very close tabs on all things gay. They'll start decrying the movie the minute that it's announced that it's being made. Granted, I think Moore will have a hell of a time getting any of the evangelicals on camera, but there are some pretty rabid haters out there who would relish the thought of a national audience. And even if it changes only one persons mind, it would be worth it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 1:27am

I think it could serve a much bigger purpose than to change people's minds. Since people are always belittling movies that "preach to the choir," you can bet a movie by Moore about homophobia would elicit that response too.

But what it could do is demonstrate the insidiousness of homophobia and its actual effect on people's lives. It would also be great if it dealt with internalized homophobia and showed the wasted lives it renders. Hey, did you ever notice Mark Manley and Michael Moore have the same alliterative letters?

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 3:41pm

What percentage of society would say is Homophobic? Would it be the 75% that voted against gay marriage in Ohio?

Would you call John Edwards homophobic? He's against gay marriage too.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 5:01pm

I don't think you need to worry about being in the minority just yet HD. Your homophobia still probably has many years left to fester before it's seen for what it is.

As for the Edwards question, yes...I'd say that there's homophobia involved there. When you base a person's equality on their sexuality instead of on the fact that they are also citizens of this country who pay taxes, participate in government, serve in the armed forces to protect the freedoms that others have that they don't have themselves, teach in the schools, care for the sick, and promote the general welfare of this country, how can you think that homophobia is not involved?

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 9:57am

“If you believe in equality, if you believe in standing up for the rights of all, especially for people most affected by bigotry and discrimination, then you have no choice but to be present and accounted for when it comes to standing up for gays and lesbians in our society.” - Michael Moore

Do you disagree with anything in that quote, HD?

Updated On: 7/16/07 at 09:57 AM

[HDThoreau2]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 10:29am

No, no, I always agree with mm.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 11:39am

"No, no, I always agree with mm."

Does the MM stand for Mark Manley, or Michael Moore?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 3:55pm

It stands for Mister Matt.

I told y'all I'm always right.