Gay presence at the Tonys — Page 5

The thought that a same-sex kiss could take place on national television (during prime-time, no less) and not garner a public reaction is a bit naïve. I think it’s beyond fabulous that we have progressed to the point that younger people no longer think of this as much of an issue – especially young gay people. However, the very existence of a thread like this – on an internet theatre board frequented by many gay people – shows that that is not the reality of the situation. One can only imagine some of the reactions that took place in more conservative households around the country. I believe a couple of posters even said something about being happy their mothers didn’t witness the same-sex kissing.

It’s a beautiful thought that we could all just spontaneously express our affection to whomever we chose without having that action judged, criticized or even censored, but we don’t live in a time where that is the case. And every action someone takes is a matter of choice, even those made during a heightened emotional state. For that reason, any choice to go ahead and show that affection is in some way saying, “I will NOT be limited by you,” and that’s a political statement. This phenomenon is a relatively recent one, and in no way has blasted away much of the feelings of ‘taboo’ associated with it.

I take it as an insult that anyone would attempt to limit my or anyone else’s choice to make a choice such as this. Just as I find it insulting that ANY of the restrictions placed on same-sex couples are in place in our society. And I am seriously dismayed to see other gay people justify this attempt at suppression because they’re worried about the aftereffect.

So I for one say THANK YOU to those brave enough to not let the current societal climate of censure and hatred keep them from being who and what they are. It is not a choice they had to make, and I applaud them for their strength of will and character.

Wow...this thread is INSANE! Let's face it somehow or another everything can be taken politically. Wiping after going to the bathroom can be considered political if you think about it- a tree was cut to be ground up to make that toilet paper, in the process harmful chemicals were emmitted into the atmosphere which is harming the ozone layer, increasing global warming and making it hard for someone in a 3rd world country to grow their crops this year. Also by wiping you are adding waste to the water supply which has to be filtered and cleaned and treated with chemicals to make it safe to drink, but really the chemicals included in the treatment process include carcenogens, which are killing us all slowly...OH NO! Thus wiping should be banned, because it is so political and bad for us all, right? WRONG! People can take something so simple and blow it out of proportion that it is ridiculous! I am not by any means comparing a kiss with wiping your butt, but both are natural (for people at least...right- everyone here wipes right?) things for people to do.

I was raised in a rural southern community (Kentucky), and I have friends who are openenly gay, I have friends who are straight, I have friends who are bi...I don't care. If they feel like kissing their partner go for it. Love is love. I may not share the same inclinations as some people but that is fine, varity is the spice of life. I know if I was winning an award and I was happy about it you bet I would kiss my husband, my best friend, her friend, and the person across the aisle from me. I wouldn't be making a political statement- I would just be happy. There is nothing political about that, people- it's just emotion and human nature.
(The republican from the south steps off her soap box- yes some republicans can be open, non-judgemental people)

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Updated On: 6/6/05 at 04:00 PM

Greek, I know exactly what you're talking about. I don't want to get into a huge thing over this, but you're right about that. It's not a healthy way of thinking, but it is true of many gay people that I know.

"There is nothing political about that, people . . ."

Kel, I truly appreciate your personal openness, but I must completely disagree with that assertion. Some facts:

- Gay people STILL do not enjoy eaual protection under the law in this country.
- GLAAD STILL hands out awards each year trying to bolster those who attempt to show positive depictions of gay life.
- Up until VERY recently, that innocent kiss that some are taking for granted could have gotten the network fined.

I'm all for the spirit of acceptance and love that many seem to want, but that doesn't change the reality of the situation - no matter how strongly you feel.

Reading the stuff thats been said about anti-homosexuals make me want to just shout out, "I AM WHAT I AM DAMN IT! IM proud OF IT AND IF YOUVE GOT A PROBLUM WITH IT, GET OVER IT!!! IT DOESNT AFFECT YOU IN ANY WAY!!!!!" Sorry, that was prob. alittle immature, but I dont care, thats how I feel.

Btw, Jerry Mitchel is HOT!!!! And I LOVED that he kissed his hubby! I thought it was SOO sweet!

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Updated On: 6/6/05 at 04:20 PM

Elphaba, please slide a cold one down the bar honey, because reading this thread is making me want to scream! How can people continue to be so narrow-minded and mean spirited?
Joy is joy, and the fact that everyone and anyone at the Tony's felt they could share their happiness by kissing their partner/spouse/date was wonderful! These kisses were not used to hike ratings during a "sweeps period" on a prime-time show(ever notice that the appearance of lesbians on evening TV goes up during those ratings periods? That kind of cheap gimic always burns me). We will know that we have a truly great society when nothing has to be prefaced with the words "Gay, Black, Female, Asian, Hispanic" and so on. I REFUSE to ride "on top of the bus" just to make some foolish people more "comfortable"- I want a seat INSIDE, right UP FRONT! For the folks that didn't approve of the displays of affection last night, you could simply have changed channels and cozied up with the 700 Club or a DVD of "The Terminator"; that's right, you had the freedom to turn the set off. The "theatre" that you profess to enjoy so much would not exist without the gay and lesbian community-in fact, you would find yourselves without doctors,nurses,teachers, bus drivers and road repair crews That's right- we're EVERYWHERE and we will not go away simply because some people are uncomfortable.
The fact that this thread took the turn that it has is not surprising, but is is shameful.....

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My GOD, D, are you editing a text book? Your sentence structure today is astounding.

In laymans (or gaymans) terms:

Here's a dollar, Mary, buy a f*cking clue.

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This backwards ass thinking makes my stomach turn. This way of thinking is exactly the reason why so many DON'T come out of the closet.

I think DGrant that the argument (or perhaps the misinterpretation of what's being said) is whether or not it was intentionally political, in which case I scream 'No!'.

I understand what you're saying and that it's idealistic to think that our society is at that place where this isn't thought twice about, but at the same time, I don't think it's at all wrong to strive for that, and I don't like that I'm getting the vibe from so many people who should be feeling the same way that it's a lost cause or even wrong to think that that's how society SHOULD be.

I'm sorry but I'm just that kinda person. Being the biggest fag hag this side of the Cuyahoga (I apologize to those whom that term offends), I don't see how it's at all acceptable that some of the best people I know - people I strive to be as good a person as one day - are not given the same inalienable rights to the pursuit of happiness as I am because I'm a heterosexual - even in something as simple as giving your life partner a kiss when you've just experienced one of the greatest moments of your life.

Yes, it may be reality, unfortunately, but you will never get me to accept that as okay because it's just unacceptable, pure and simple. As a society we should expect better from and for ourselves, especially amongst the gay community itself.

People are people and love is love whether it be between a husband and wife, a parent and child, two dear friends, or husband to husband/wife to wife.

And on a lighter note, I'm sorry but...lol, when you know you gots La Cage Aux Follies up for best revival and you gonna see some men in drag...how you gonna spend your time reacting to the kisses shared in real life as a political statement and offensive or whatever...like you weren't expecting to see some kind of sign of gay life in the theatre? puh-leeze.

My advice to those that didn't like it or were 'offended' - build a bridge and get the f*** over it.

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And don't be so sure that it wasn't political on any of the participants parts.

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OMG, a simple showing of affection between a happy couple, becomes, like, one of the biggest BWW threads !!! In 2005 !!!!!!!!

Somebody kissing their partner upon winning an award is not politics. It's an expression of celebration and love.

Somebody making a comment about gay marriage upon a dais upon accepting an award is politics.

It is about as appropriate as any other political statment at an awards show. But unlike making a statement about war or against the president, a gay man remarking that he is not allowed to wed his partner is a remarkably personal statement in a public forum.

I'm not a fan of using public forums to grandstand political commentary. However, because of freedom of speech, if one wants to use his two or three minutes in front of the camera to do, so be it.

I don't like pirating the moment, I may not even support them movement but certainly support the right to make a statement that does not harm anyone else.

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I don't have a problem with kissing and thanking one's partner. What I did take offense to was Harvey Fierstien practically molesting what's-his-name on the red carpet sow on the TV Guide channel. If that were a straight man with a woman interviewing him, activists would be up in arms crying sexual harassment. >>>

This is true.
Namath is a still a drunk jack-a$$ but...
Can you imagine if Joe Namath had done THAT to Suzy Kolber rather than simply ask for a kiss. He'd be in jail.

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Updated On: 6/6/05 at 05:10 PM