The "Queering" of Broadway -- Agree or Disagree? — Page 4

Jose this is how I see your post and why I don't like it. The posts you apparently dislike, where posters exchange ideas and memories and theories (Even fractious ones) are a nice exchange of ideas: I don't like that show you like, I think Glen Close stinks, I think Music Man is dull, etc. etc. Your post threw out an idea I personally find repugnant: That people of a certain sexuality some how damage Broadway with their presence. And you phrased in it a way (Many people think, this is often discussed, etc.) that you took no personal responsibility for your post. Frankly, it's not often discussed around me I guess beause I'd set the bigots straight(No pun intended).

I think of the many Gay & Lesbian posters here (Professionals who work on Broadway, youngsters getting their first taste of sexual diversity, Closeted folks across the country) and think of how your post effects them.

I purposely didn't answer your post because I found it deeply, truly offfensive: Do you really think Marc Shaiman should not not write another show because he's too gay? Do you really think Harvey Fierstein should be removed from Fiddler and not work again? Do you really think Chayanne Jackson should get back in the closet? I don't. Broadway is a place where it's almost all based on talent and determination. I'd hate to see "Sexuality" brought in as a criteria.

On top of that, you used a slur to describe the "Queering" of Broadway. That sickens me as so many gays & Lesbians have made a home on Broadway for so long, often when they couldn't be welcomed anywhere else. I think I'd respect you more if you brought your opinion to the forefront and claimed these opinions as your own, if that's the sort of garbage you believe. Especially if you hold some sort of power on this board, I'd like to know what kind of crap I'm dealing with.

Broadway is the most gay place in the world. Broadway is the center of gayism.

It is homophobic. And for the record Jose said "it's been said..." who said it? I think Jose said it, so it's Jose who should receive the criticism.

Orange, there is no original argument. And if there is, Jose didn't bother to credit anyone with it.

Edit:Orange, this article you posted was a reaction to the Tony awards aired in 2003. This article was published two years ago.It seems Jose is the one bringing this issue out. You had to go back two years to find something to justify Jose's homophobic posting and you found a hateful article by a homophobe which was written to foment anti-gay sentiment, not intelligent discourse. Good going Orange.

Updated On: 5/23/05 at 01:56 AM

I think overall in society there has been an overall unfortunate shift in tolerance/political correctness/a gay-lesbian chich/homophobia. Insert term depending on your political leaning. Certainly, Broadway is gay friendly... but since a significant portion the community on stage/behind stage/audience is gay, is that a surprise? Why shouldn't it be? With so many elements of society anti-gay, why shouldn't Broadway be gay friendly? Am I off base here? Now with George W., I think there has been an rather substantial conservative shift in the country so if the gay community has been in a little more in our face in taking a secure foothold in the theater community all the more power to them.

My best friend, who despises theater, insists on introducing me as "Mike does a lot of theater...but he's not gay!" Of course, when I introduce him to my theaer friends, I say he's a golfer but not a total a$$h$%&!

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The only time I have an issue with gay-ness in theater is when I'm forced to watch some college or summer stock production of WEST SIDE STORY in which a majority of the "gang" members on both sides are very effeminate dancer boys.

Or even worse, a very obviously gay Tony who has as much chemistry with Maria as I have with a busted toaster.

That said, the only thing MORE uncomfortable than watching that is watching a straight man try to pull off the exact opposite as any Nathan Lane originated character in a Terrence McNally play.

I agree that many shows have "queer" humor, but it sure isn't turning people away.

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Here's a controversy for you - will it ever be acceptable to be Catholic on Broadway?

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I'm offended by this entire thread. No one would think of starting a post asking if "Broadway was TOO African-American or too (insert your own group here!)! WHY is this even important to you? I'd much rather hear about the weather in Chicago if you feel that you absolutely MUST post something or die!
Now,I really want to know what was meant by the statement which was made by Marquise:

"Theatre will never be the same until the gays are out."

Hopefully it was meant as a joke-but I didn't find it a bit funny. It's stupid,nasty, bigoted comments like that which encourage gay-bashing as an "after-bar sport".
Come on folks, theatre mirrors life and as someone so aptly said,
"We're here, we're queer and we are NOT going away"!!!!!!!

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This is a silly thread.
Who gives a crap who is gay/straight/biwhatever...I come to Broadway to see the most TALENTED people in the world sing, dance, act, do makeup and costuming, etc...And if a lot of these talented people happen to be gay then more power to 'em.
By the way, Broadway DOES appeal to everyone- not just "liberal New Yorkers" and the other various categories aforementioned...
Might I mention that I am a straight, Republican (*gulp* This is message board suicide), Texan who loves to go to Broadway with my straight, Republican (*gulp* again- don't get me started, maybe it is a phase), Texan, baptist husband who wears his cowboy boots to the shows (just trying a make a point here) and we love watching each and every performer. And we have never been as heartbroken as when Justin Johnston's awesome Angel died...you do not have to be gay to imagine the pain of a lover dying...
OK, don't get me started on the 5/21 evening production of RENT as it was the best theater moment I have ever had and my head is still spinning...
Point is, who gives a crap? Talent is talent, and I have never seen as much of it concentrated in one place. God bless each and every one of you on stage and behind the scenes who make the productions possible. Gay or straight.

OMG, there are Republicans on this board!?!?!?!?!?