Why is Broadway soooooo GAY!!??

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:38am

OK, I know I will be 'bashed' maybe for this. But I have to ask, why is Broadway theater so gay and getting gayer every day? The actors are gay. The dancers are gay. and more and more the shows are about gay life, ie Rent, Ave. Q, etc...

What I'm asking is, why are gay people soooooo attracted to broadway?? I'm a straight guy who loves broadway and every time I tell someone about a show I saw or something like that, I get the 'joke', "you like Broadway? Are you gay??? Ha ha ha." Just watch TV and you'll see jokes all the time about broadway and being gay. I'm really sick of the connection.

I mean, why is Broadway being 'gayed up'? Isn't it enough to get noticed because of your TALENT anymore? It just seems that now, the gay life is being glamorized and becoming chic.

I have had gay friends and their life was not glamorous in any way.

Can we all just perform with talent without flaunting what gender you go to bed with?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:40am

Not EVERYONE in the business flashes their gayness.

For me, when I was a teen, I loved the heightened emotional aspect -- it gave me, a as gay teen struggling with things around me, an outlet to release some of the pent up emotion.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:41am

I've also encountered the... "You like Broadway? Are you gay?" thing. I kind of understand what you're saying, but I have no explanation.

[Broadwaygirl4life]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:42am

I have this guy friend who likes musicals and we were talkin about it the other week, and he said he likes broadway and right away he said but I'm not gay. I guess because there are gay people that play on broadway and they think right away. But there is nothing wrong with being, they take it as a bad thing. Thats what I don't understand sometimes.

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:42am

In the 70s, Broadway was Black. Now it's Gay. Eventually it'll be something else.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:48am

In response to the thread title I pose another question


Why not?

[etoile]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:50am

In response to the thread title I pose another question.

Why entertain the question?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:54am

Touche', etoile.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 11:58am

To Sueleen Gay,
You wrote, "If it's a threat to your masculinity stay away from the theatre and stick to Stalone movies."

Hey, I asked a legit question. I did not attack the gay life or try to stereotype it like you're doing with me. Did I say, hey, why don't all of you become hair dressers!

Get off your high horse! I will NOT stay away from theater. I'm asking a real question.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:00pm

Hold it there Pancho Villa. I don't think she was referring specifically to you. I believe she was implying general terms using specifics. When she said "you" she meant "men"

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:05pm

Again with the stereotyping! Pancho Villa??? What the hell is that? Did I call you a limp-wristed flaming sissy?

BTW, Stallone sucks.

No Pun intended.

[TorontoBoy]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:06pm

Maybe it's your friends Yo, everyone is entitled to their opinion and if your friends think you are "gay" or are making fun of you because you like Broadway shows, that's their problem not yours, IMHO :)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:07pm

I do agree with that. It's really just a curiosity question.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:10pm

Thanks Sum. What I was responding to was why is this such a problem for you that you join the board TODAY and start posting negative things about how the Homos have taken over Broadway. If you don't have a problem with people thinking you might be gay then why ask this question in the first place? If that is not what you meant I apologize, it just sounded a bit phobic to me.

And, for the record, my horse ain't all that high.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:10pm

I just think that gay people for the most part are smarter, have better taste, do things better and would rather be entertained wih something good like singning, dancing, great acting, great talent, or something that inspires. As opposed to grown men throwing balls through hoops, watching cars drive around in circles, or watching baywatch. I also think their are more gay people involved in theater because it involves so much of putting yourself out there, courage, and determination. Try getting that out of the normal Joe couch potato. So maybe next time someone asks you if your gay because you like theater; just answer them truthfully. Say " I wish."

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:14pm

Actually, I just think that the gay community involved in theatre has had an easier time being themselves to the extent that it's pretty much the only professional community in the US where you can be out. Do you really have any doubt that politics isn't swarming with homosexuals? OR sports, for that matter? Those two arenas have historically created a sweeping sentiment of homophobia and so the gay men and women involved in them have merely preferred to stay in the closet.
But, seriously, big, muscular guys wearing tight pants and hitting one another...you think there are no gay men in football?
The stereotypical cliche only exists in theatre because of the afore-mentioned "Free to be" feeling here.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:15pm

Oh, please! I'm so sick of anyone who's gay responding with some homophobe answer when ANYONE asks a question about anything to do with the gay life.

Negative things!!?? READ THE DAMN POST. I just asked a question about what draw gay people to Broadway. You're trying once again to stereotype me when you stereotyping yourself with every post.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:15pm

oh so true.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:18pm

To Dame and BWYSINGER,
Thank you for your answers. Very insightful. It makes sense that most straight men do not 'open' themselves up. And they think that seeing something that touches them and makes them think, is not manly. Very good. Thanks.

[joeyjoe]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:21pm

yo... i, for one, think it's great that you enjoy all that broadway has to offer, regardless of what your friends say, which to me, is just a childish response...how many older, straight theater-goers get the same question asked? my father loves going to the theater, but i've never heard his friends ask the question...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:22pm

OK, I know I will be 'bashed' maybe for this. But I have to ask, why is Broadway theater so gay and getting gayer every day? The actors are gay. The dancers are gay. and more and more the shows are about gay life, ie Rent, Ave. Q, etc...

What I'm asking is, why are gay people soooooo attracted to broadway?? I'm a straight guy who loves broadway and every time I tell someone about a show I saw or something like that, I get the 'joke', "you like Broadway? Are you gay??? Ha ha ha." Just watch TV and you'll see jokes all the time about broadway and being gay. I'm really sick of the connection.

I mean, why is Broadway being 'gayed up'? Isn't it enough to get noticed because of your TALENT anymore? It just seems that now, the gay life is being glamorized and becoming chic.

I have had gay friends and their life was not glamorous in any way.

Can we all just perform with talent without flaunting what gender you go to bed with?

Just re-read your first post and it offended me even more the second time. I have highlighted the offensive passages just so you know exactly what it was that rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps you should have just posted something along the lines of "Hey, you guys, why do you think Gay people are so attracted to Broadway?" and left it at that.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:23pm

I don't know that that's the case. However, the historical masculine and feminine ideals in this country are sort of falling down...so, while the old theatre community embraced homosexuals without being necessarily "out loud" have come to be openly gay-friendly (when it's not just outright gay), other areas of American life are starting to "metrosexualize." I mean, retired sports players are coming out left and right and discussing (anonymously) other gay teammates. It's just a matter of time before people realize it's not something that only infiltrates certain types of people or professions.
On a side note: Anyone heard any stories about that possible wave of outings on Capitol Hill?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:24pm

you mean ConDYKEleeza Rice?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:29pm

In response to your HIGHLIGHTS,
Read carefully. I'm SICK of the CONNECTION between the JOKES and BROADWAY. Really, I would think that gay people would be more SICK of it than I am. I mean, most jokes are really saying, if you like broadway, you CAN'T be a real man.

I'm not SICK of gay people. I'm tired of answering the same old question.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/4/04 at 12:30pm

Maybe you need new friends?