The great irony: homophobic conservatives who love RENT

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:31pm

There are at least two on this board.

Why do they love this show so much when it celebrates people and ideals they stand against?

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:35pm

You can appreciate a show for its artistic merits or for its entertainment value and not like the message of it.

I mean, who really thinks that Grease has a good message?

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:37pm

Some people are so ignorant that they don't even realize how hypocritey they're being. it's quite annoying. If someone were truly against homosexuality, you'd think they would dispise anything that mentions it and doesnt frown upon it.

Updated On: 8/23/05 at 07:37 PM

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:41pm

I wouldn't even go so far as to call it hypocritical. Be happy that these people are expanding their horizons, and obviously aren't SO homophobic that they can't handle a show with homosexuals.

And on another note, are you sure these people are HOMOPHOBIC or are they just CONSERVATIVE, 'cause there's a difference. I mean, I doubt most Libertarians would like you to lump them together...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:43pm

Both of the people I am thinking of have made blatant anti-gay comments at one point or another on this board.

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:46pm

Oy, well, I guess we'll just have to pray for them, HA.

:0)

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:51pm

grease! has a good message....we all learn that rizzo is actually a good girl who is mean just because she suffers.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:10pm

Hardly surprising. I remember reading Q&A with a prominent person in my hometown paper a few years ago (if you think about it, you'll guess the paper, JRB ). She was listing her favorite books, speakers, etc. Typical right-wing stuff. Rick Warren. James Dobson. Stuff like that. Her favorite TV show? "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

I think we're to the point where many of these people think it's OK for the gays to be the singing minstrels, make-up applying and hairdressing clowns and entertainers. It's when they actually have to interact with us and think of us as human beings that they have a problem.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:14pm

So, IS this progress?

Does it start with safe, distant stereotypes and then segues into further and further education until they are no longer bigoted?

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:19pm

It's a step. The theory goes, the more of us people know personally, the less of a reason they'll have to hate. And children will almost always be more accepting than their parents (or, at least, they won't be less accepting).

This is also why I like the "out actor" thread, even though some others find it invasive or pointless. Those who feel secure enough in their careers to come out are worthy of praise.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:20pm

Calvin...you are so right, I have some distant relatives in Floria who are about as redneck as you can get and they won't miss QUEER EYE!!!

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:21pm

My sister's as redneck as you can get, and she loves me.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:21pm

Damn double post. Updated On: 8/2/05 at 08:21 PM

[sanda]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:22pm

How about the other side? Do all librals love rent?
I don't think so.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:24pm

Oh that's pushing a bit. I know what you are getting at, but it's not quantifiable.

[EverythingIsRENT]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 10:05pm

Can I ask who the original message is aimed at? I've mentioned that I have conservative views, but i'm certainly not homophobic so I really hope I wasn't one of the people this thread was for!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 10:14pm

Calvin, it's not a step forward. A television show like "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is a step backward. All it does is reinforce stereotypes of gay men. It doesn't make us more human. It doesn't give us equal rights. It makes us a big joke that bigots can feel comfortable laughing at.

Updated On: 8/2/05 at 10:14 PM

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 11:31pm

Hmm. I think you misunderstand me. I'm not talking about "Queer Eye" specifically being a step forward; I was just using it as an example of a small-town woman who probably would vote for Pat Robertson for president but has no problem watching a show starring five gay men who make constant sexual innuendo throughout the show -- and announcing that proudly in a small-town local newspaper.

It's parallel to the seeming disconnect from people (and EIR, I am not referring to anyone specifically -- I know it's possible to be conservative and gay-friendly) who have espoused homophobic views yet seem to love the gay-friendly Rent. Angel, to them, is probably just as much of a stereotype as Carson or Jai (who now says he's bisexual, BTW). They don't mind seeing the character in a show, even though they'd probably rather not live next door to someone like her. But someday they'll meet an Angel, a Collins or a Carson. That's when they'll really grow.

Remember how skittish advertisers were when Ellen came out? That wasn't that long ago. Now the people who want to boycott gay-themed shows are looked at more as fringe nuts and Ellen has a hit talk-show. Granted, it's one in which you'd never know she was a lesbian. But the fundies have good memories.

I know it feels like we're going in the wrong direction every time the Santorums and the Bushes open their mouths. But I'm optimistic that on a whole, things will get better.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 11:35pm

I agree with Calvin.

Progress is progress--even if it seems like a backhanded compliment. Even if we don't agree with the particular gay message.

And, apparently GLAAD is rather happy with the image that QEFTSG puts out--they just gave it an (another?) award.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 12:22am

Grease - message - Sandy can become a slut and win Danny, and Danny works hard to better himself, and Sandy still wants a hoodlum . . . Great message. Love the musical, but don't think it leaves the best message in the world out there for young girls.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 12:34am

aw c'mon! GREASE is a modern day GIFT OF THE MAGI!!

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 12:49am

I know you were kidding, jrb, but as a fan of Grease when I was a young girl I always saw the two changing for EACH OTHER, not just her beoming skanky.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 1:01am

Actually you people seem to be missing what Grease is. It's not meant to be taken seriously. It's basically done with tongue in cheek. Grease is poking fun at the conformism in the 50's. Remember this is the 70's.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 1:11am

Grease . . . . It is meant to be fun. And if you look, the message is also that there is more to the person than meets the eye. And, that it is possible for someone as incredibly hot as Lorenzo Lamas to look like a geek (at least in the movie) . . . But, since someone said the message was that Rizzo was a good girl afer all, I could not resist. She is the sterotyptical tough girl who has been hurt one too many times. Doesnot mean she is a good girl . . . Goodbye to Sandra Dee . . . goodbye yellow cotten dress and Keds, hello leather and spiked heels.
Updated On: 8/3/05 at 01:11 AM

[Audrafan01]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 1:35am

I must say...I'm impressed with your knowledge of politics Calvin. Santorum...ah yes...not the worst one in the senate but definetly in the top 15...

The thing is, with the Queer Eye thing...alot of politicians will say stuff like that to pick up votes...

And yes, Queer Eye, and even Will and Grace...have moved gay people back in a time when they've been striving forward. As African-Americans have been (and are to this day) portrayed in media as mere caricatures of themselves, the same has happened to homosexuals.

The important factor in all of this is what someone mentioned before, the familiarization and humanization of gay people. This means, respected celebrities, politicians, whoever...bringing to the forefront the kind of issues we're talking about on here.

I am a conservative democrat...but I do believe there is a difference between discriminating and just having a different viewpoint.

Grease...I love what this thread has turned in to, haha.