The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, part two- Page 160

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 4:04pm

Great interview! Heh and that picture is funny :)

"Oh god. If I could just find a book…or maybe, like, a rock, that has some magical power that will make me more talented for this evening's performance."

Hehe. I don't think you need a magical rock

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 4:53pm

I'm sorry - I just posted my opinions on the Times article in the "Raul, if you're reading this" thread. Maybe (hell, apparently) I'm in the minority on this, but I'd rather read about an actor's work/art rather than sexuality/relationships (of any orientation).

Zyla, he's done hundreds of interviews specifically about his work. Read the one on Broadway.com or the many other articles on his website.

If you're too narrow-minded to accept it, fine, but in today's world, gay people need to acknowledge their sexuality publically if we're ever going to get to a point where it shouldn't matter. And I've never seen you post the same objections whenever a straight actor mentions their significant other in the article, so regardless of what you insist, the orientation DOES matter to you. However you object to this to insist how liberal you really are, your initial reactions speak louder than any defense you can come up with now.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 04:53 PM

[Ariella]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 5:19pm

Skittles brings up an important point - there is certainly a double standard about what's acceptable when talking about sexual activities. When, say, Adam or someone describes his sex life, people laugh and don't think twice. If Raul were to do the same (not that he has) a significant percentage of people would receive it quite differently. It's important that Raul should be able (if he chooses) to reveal the same things without getting an unfavorable reaction. Like Anthony, Raul's honesty wonderful.

Nonetheless, I think Zyla might have meant she's tired of the general sex fixation and is more interested in Raul's career than what he's doing in bed.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 5:26pm

I think that the ideal is to say "well, who cares if someone is gay? Why does he have to be a GAY actor? Why can't he just be an actor?" in the sense that it should be lumped into the norm and not something that people are afraid to confess. But until the state of affairs changes, coming out and being brave like this is going to continue to be an important, very necessary process.

I personally was not uncomfortable reading the article, but I'm generally pretty laid back about what makes me squeamish or whatever. I mean, he didn't truly even talk about his sex life. Saying that he has been in love with men and that he's involved with a man is hardly the same as for him to talk about what incredible sex he had with his boyfriend last night, or something. I understand that people have different levels of what makes them uncomfortable, but you have to be very careful with situations like this in saying that you don't see the reason for it, because shying away from his talk of romance or love makes it really easy for you to look homophobic. There's a lot of double standardization.

And hey, even if you are uncomfortable knowing what goes on behind the closed doors of his bedroom or his dressing room or whatever, and if it is truly about the art, then you learn something that you may think too much and you move on. Keep focusing on the art and get on with it. I'd hope this wouldn't change how his work is regarded.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 05:26 PM

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 5:29pm

But Zyla, I thought that the article was VERY tasteful in terms of focusing not so heavily on what he's doing in bed and rather on significant relationships in his life. It isn't as though he went into excessive detail about his sexual history; he spoke about one relationship that has clearly had a profound impact on him as a person, his marriage and how that has been affected, and mentioned a current relationship in passing. These things, whether one finds him or herself interested to know them or not, are incredibly important to who he is, and that, more than anything, seems to be why he chose to share them with the world. Why would you be interested to know the kind of art that he likes and get a sense of him as a person in that regard, but ignore something else that's very telling about who he is as a person because you find it taboo or uncomfortable?

I'm honestly not meaning this as an attack because you disagree, but I'm just not following the logic of your statement at all.

I also agree with skittles that, at this point in time, people who have the courage to speak out about these sorts of issues should be commended. Not everyone has to do that, but I can certainly see the motivations of the ones who do.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 5:57pm

Nonetheless, I think Zyla might have meant she's tired of the general sex fixation and is more interested in Raul's career than what he's doing in bed.

I wondered if wasn't remembering things properly, so I searched for Zyla's past posts. Nearly every single post made by her regarding Raul or Adam Pascal has been about their physical appearances. Discussion of their "art" or career RARELY came up. So if that were her true concern, she herself is more guilty than the New York Times of focusing on everything but his career.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:29pm

Someone should give Raul a rock and see if he likes it.

I do not volunteer.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:36pm

Maybe you could paint the words "magical talent rock" on one and give it to him. =P

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:37pm

It would sort of be an insult, though... to imply that he needs such a thing. =P

[Ariella]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:59pm

I think we should elect Emcee to send him a really nice sparkly rock. If we all sent him rocks he might think we were stoning him or something.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:01pm

Raul rocks my world!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:04pm

Saying I don't volunteer implies that I'm immune from any election processes.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:33pm

Hehe, I so would do that, but I think it goes on the list of things I'm not allowed to say/do in the presence of Raul Esparza (my friend and I have a list, since we are going to see him in December!).

But it would be funny, to see his reaction, as long as he knew it was meant as a joke, and that no one really thinks he needs more talent .

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:37pm

I think I've outgrown my joke-playing days, but he's someone I would never have played a trick on ever. I'd be scared!

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:43pm

Honestly, I'd only do it if I got to see him more than once. I mean, if I lived in NYC and saw the show a million times and 'got to know' him (as best you can get to know someone through stagedooring), then I'd consider it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:45pm

Well, I doubt he lets anyone get too close anyway. So.

I dunno, I'm just intimidated to all hell by him. Someone actually told him that I was scared, and he seemed... perplexed. It was sweet.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 08:45 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:48pm

That was a scared look, Em.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 08:48 PM

[Ariella]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:49pm

I'm with you, Em. It's super intimidating. Hey Shiksa - I have a list, too, for Raul and Adam. Things I can NEVER say no matter what. Things like "My nose always bugged me but then your CD came out and I realized our noses looked the same in profile and I've been cool with mine ever since." That sort of thing.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:50pm

I wouldn't be surprised. The confusion itself is probably frightening. :)

It went something like: "this is [Emcee], she's one of your big fans but she's scared to death to actually meet you."

SM2, you would be shocked at how timid I am in person, I think.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:11pm

Yeah, I had this whole long list, and then I met him in Cinci, and you know what I did? I called the poor little man short. I am the queen of foot-in-mouth syndrome. Now I gotta make sure when I meet him again I don't say something just as stupid, like: "Hey, I'm that girl you probably don't remember meeting in Cinci who called you short..." heh.

I'm trying to remember what's on that list, stuff like no talking about how I have seen him in everything through non-existent bootlegs, not letting him know that I have a "Raul playlist", and that my favorite costume of his is the "Sack of lemons" and does he know how amazing he looks in it? Common sense things, but uh, when in the presence of Raul my mind deserts me, and I am left to the mercy of my tongue.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:16pm

and does he know how amazing he looks in it?

It's okay, someone actually brought up the subject in an interview once (about RHS, but still, same... issue). =P

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:27pm

I remember that interview, hehe. How awkward would that conversation be? "Uh, Raul? Do you, uh, I mean, err, stocking stuffer anyone?"

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:28pm

I can't BELIEVE someone would actually ask that. I mean, sure, think about asking it. But... aah!

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:39pm

Emcee: I meant, he probably became scared (not perplexed) by your suspicious behavior.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:40pm

*volunteers to be the rock-sender*
It's better than saying: "Uhduhhh, you were GREAT!" And not being able to make any other coherent noise, which is probably what will happen to me.


Not to back-track, or anything, but, skittles, I did not interpret Zyla's comment at ALL in the way you did. I don't know what her true intentions were, but it *is* rare that we get an article almost entirely about someone's sexual orientation/relationships, and it *is* generally more interesting to read about the actual work going on, especially in Raul's case. BUT, I thought this article was fabulous and I'm so, SO happy and proud for Raul. *shrug*