Ted

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23 Nov 2006Gay

Homophobia on Morning TV: Rosie vs. Kelly vs. Clay

This one is tough. And it’s kind of sad. Everyone involved is like an actor in a play, reacting to forces out of their control.

There’s the whole issue of Clay, and the space he is in, which I think as Rosie says, is not a happy one. There’s the allegation that this not so happy place is all through his choice. Okay, yes. How did he come to make that choice, and what were the influences on him? We really don’t know. What would life be like if he lived and grew up in a tolerant society? We don’t know that either.

Then you have Kelly, who’s been offended by a specific behavior, and is compartmentalizing that and making it clear that this is what the issue is for her.

And Rosie, who I think has the most insight here, but probably expressed it in a way that’s hard for those who haven’t lived a gay life to understand.

Let’s all have some sympathy for everyone. Good for Kelly for all of her support for people from diverse backgrounds. At some point, when she is less angry, maybe she’ll reach out to Clay and others like him to help them respect themselves so they can respect her. Because she deserves respect. Everyone does.

Great commentary below from Towleroad.

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Popularity: 5%
Matt - 23 Nov - 12:03 pm,

As an avid The View watcher, I’ve kept up with this story. My opinion, which I’m sure is entirely my own, is that Rosie meant well, but she read between the lines in her own way which may not have been accurate. But I admire her because it was her mothering instinct that was showing here. She’s a great person.

Kelly was technically right. It was probably rude of Clay to do what he did, although he was right in his own way. I think Kelly is sort of acting like an alpha female toward Clay. She seems threatened by him and I do think there was a little homophobia in her remark. Maybe she still has the common misconception that gay men are like women, when gay men are really like men, despite any femininity they display. (OK, now I”m reading between a lot of lines.) Anyway, Clay was replacing Regis for the day, not Kelly, so she should just relax.

Anyway, Kelly’s behavior was basically bratty. Rosie’s behavior was a bit too defensive. The only person who comes out looking good her is… um… Clay Aiken? Hold it, that can’t be right. No, it is. Clay comes out on top here. Interesting.

jason - 02 Dec - 4:44 pm,

Okay, nobody likes to have a hand put over your mouth. Clay is just too young to know it. I mean, to an adult, it’s incredibly obvious that crosses the line. But Clay is just a kid, thrust out there into the open– so of course he doesn’t know any better. He’s been surrounded by yes men/woman for the past very three formative years. Shit, Brittney just showed her snatch to the whole world.

Clay’s a brat I’m sure. Add in his closeted situation, and I’m sure he’s gone a bit bonkers. Most young men in his situation have.

In his defense, it is a playful set between Kelly and Regis and he was probably just mimicking it. And, without seeing the whole show with Clay, I’m sure Kelly was annoyed by him even before cameras rolled. But was this a homophobe remark?

Tough to say. He could just as easily have been wiping his own ass just before the show with that hand. I wouldn’t want that in my face either.

I think Rosie overreacted. I love her, but she has to be very careful which battles she chooses (assuming she wants to be a force for change). If not, she’s just going to be preaching to the choir (us), and leaving everybody else out. Or maybe Rosie is just stating her opinion with no other agenda. If so, she can say what she wants. But I think it’s the former and not the latter.

The damage for us is picking the wrong battle. And I gotta say, I think she did more damage than good on the microcosim level that this event tiny event actually is.

But this parallels bigger issues we gays face today. Like legalizing gay marriage. Most US citizens seem to be okay with giving us unions but not call it “marriage”. Is this good enough? It should be for now. Twenty years down the line, I think we can get the name changed. And in the meantime, we’ll have twenty years of domestic bliss.

Ted - 02 Dec - 5:32 pm,

Wow. I have smart readers :) I love it. Thanks, all.

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