Good As You

Lost a lot respect for Rosie.

Of course, to read this site, I have to see ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE ADS in the google ad section...

"Of course, to read this site, I have to see ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE ADS in the google ad section..."

Okay seriously, Jon -- spare me. We fight every single day against Prop 8, possibly dedicating more ink than anyone one the subject, and you're seriously going to bring up Google ads that are out of our control? Petty.

These Google ads are something every gay site has had to fight. To ban them, we have to know the exact code, which they apparently keep changing. If you really want to protest -- click one. Then they have to give us money.

Look inside work is that Rosie is being "encouraged" to shut her mouth and her views until AFTER THE ELECTION...or she may need to find another source or income for Nov.

I've always loved Rosie and defended her—all the way back to her VH1 days. But I find her responses baffling and sad, and sort of hateful. I certainly won't see her in the same light any more 'cause the fight we're waging right now in California (we live in the OC) is bloody and tearing communities apart. It's real, and the whole gay community should be aware of what's at stake here.

If your gay or care about equality then this IS your fight!

Actually she would benefit living in NY cause the govenor has ordered that out of state same sex marriges must be recognised.
So NO EXCUSE there.....she just wants to get back on TV on the backs of here LGBT family....unlike Ellen..God Bless Her.

Two more thoughts on Rosie ... giving her the benefit of the doubt ... Maybe she has been advised to stay out. Rosie is very polarizing. Usually people have a "love her" or "hate her" reaction to Rosie. (Kinda like Streisand). Is it possible that she may bring more negative reactions to Prop 8 than positive?

Also ... if a gay couple's marriage was on the rocks or a couple were having a rough time, wouldn't supporting Prop 8 be the last thing they wanted to do? I have no idea if this applies to Rosie ... I'm just saying that she is HUMAN before being a "gay celebrity". And even famous lesbians have relationship issues.

Finally, it's entirely possible that Rosie's upcoming November Variety Show contract says she shouldn't get involved in such causes. I have a hard time believing Rosie would sign such a contract, but she could have.

All of my points suggest that Rosie isn't publicly committing to Prop 8 because there may be more going on "behind the scenes" of her life than we all know.

At heart, I think she is a good person/celebrity.

Couple Points

Madonna gets a pass as far as I'm concerned because:
A. She's going through a messy divorce.
SubPoint ofA. Does it really help us to have a celebrity going through a messy DIVORCE attach herself to our MARRIAGE fight right now?
B. Madonna is not America's favorite woman, I think her stepping up, or giving money would only help the opposition, it wouldn't help us.

Rosie does not get a pass from me because:
A. No public support
B. No monetary support
C. Her attitude makes it sound like she could care less.
D. As another poster pointed out, she's pissed off everyone else, we're all she's got and she doesn't care? Fail.
Partial credit for being someone who might endandger our efforts, but to treat her fans so poorly kinda makes that moot.

Jeremy --- really? Anti-gays have to pay you money if I click on their ads in your blog? Dude, I am TOTALLY clicking any and all I see (but only on gay blogs) from now on.

Ellen - Has been the polar opposite of Rosie. She's been up in arms about Prop 8 for a billion years now. She doesn't go a day without mentioning it on her show, or mentioning portia, or having a guest give her a belated wedding present on-air. She recorded a commerical and then paid to have the mofo on the air, girl has earned it. Rosie burned it.

I enjoyed Rosie on her sitcom in the 90s, but beyond this I don't really care for her. She's a nutjob 9/11 "Truther" and I have little respect for her. Our politics could not be any more different, yet I donated what I could afford to all three state campaigns and she's too cheap to even pick one. Figures.

Rosie reminds of the the female John McCain. Erratic, given to angry outbursts, occasionally lucid, often inexplicable.

Yeah, I am baffled by her responses too. I understand that she is bombarded by charitable requests. So are we all. In my mail everyday, there are at least three letters asking me to donate to some charitable cause -- many gay but some not. I pick and choose my battles and support what I can.

However, every once in a while, something comes along that is a watershed moment. Prop 8 is one of those things. Success in California means that should I ever meet someone and decide to get married that possibility may really exist for me. Should Yes on Prop 8 win, I may not see marriage equality in my lifetime. More importantly, many of my older friends who have been in committed relationships for decades will undoubtedly not see marriage equality in their lifetime.

To me I see this as a debt I owe to them who have blazed so many trails to do my best to insure as much discrimination is ended as quickly as possible so that they can reap the rewards of their hard work.

I'm surprised Rosie doesn't see it the same way.

What a fucking selfish bitch.

Period.

It's moments like this you find out who your freinds REALLY are.

I'm far from rich, but my husband have donated $850. I'm going to work election day to get the vote out.

La Rosie can just eat me.

I think it's probably best if Rosie stays out of sight with this one. She's a polarizing presence - for all the people that like her there are probably just as many who don't. She's a dyke with an attitude and there are still a lot of people for whom that doesn't play very well.

It's entirely possible that she has funneled money into the campaign via other routes than her personal checking account, which would explain the tight lips. I'm guessing, but she might be keeping a low profile on this for very good reasons that are hard on the surface for us to understand but valid nonetheless.

I'm not a fan of Rosie's, never have been, but I think there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye and I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

And then again, maybe the Donald was right...

i think its naive to assume that because someone perceivably has "alot of money" and fits the target of a particular voter initiative, that they are expected to carry the banner for the group. She has been a fierce leader in the arena of glbt rights in this country. in response to her horrible behavior ,whos boss doesnt suck and noone can always be the person they "are payed to play". I for one am glad she is not rising to the bait and I also feel that she would be a hostile target of the yes on 8 and would add fuel to the fire. we need to find heroes in our own house and neighborhood,not expect so much from a certain population of "affluent" gays and lesbian americans. just because i cant donate more than 100$ doesnt mean she has to shell in the difference

I don't live in California, but I can see past my own self-interest and understand what the California vote means to the movement toward equality nationwide. I donated money, even though I can't really afford it. I do expect highly-paid celebrities within our community to support the No on Prop 8 efforts, at least by way of a significant monetary donation.

Of those to whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48)

I for one am glad she is silent. Her presence riles the right wingers

While I don't understand why she wouldn't donate some money as a token (and to be honest, I stopped understanding her years ago - I liked comedian/happy Rosie, not this one with negative attitude and snippy outbursts), I also think it is presumptuous to tell her that she has to donate. It is her choice.

And while I've donated, it also pisses me off that we are going to have to beat this by throwing tons of money at it - money that could go a variety of needed social services. When people come to ask me for support in the AIDS Ride this year, I'm probably going to have to say no, as I don't have that spare money anymore. All spent on TV ads. Sad.

If I wanted to be petty, I'd still hold it against festivals and parades accepting donations in exchange for advertisements from corporations and individuals which actively donate higher funds to political campaigns against the overall community and Donna Summers (So she supposedly repented when she saw the gay dollar signs).

What about all the friggin breeders? Which there's far more with deeper pockets which often get a free ride for just waving a hand at an isolated parade, get published in our rags, don a ribbon when it's socially fashionable then ditch it for the next fad ... there's more STRAIGHT queer figures than queer figures themselves, so where's the pressure on all those idols?

Isn't it more to say a bit of internalized homophobia with the queer community itself in EXPECTING out and public LGBTIQ's to do something as a RESPONSIBILITY, and then turn around and socially denounce them because they don't agree.

California is not the only fight this year. What about Arkansas and the adoption clause? Arizona? Doesn't Florida have something going on again too?

Forget the past, look to the present, and negate the future.

I don't much care for Rosie, but I care even less for a mafia mentality which is just as inclined to rip me a part should I refuse to vote, contribute or go another way.

Like the days when it was unamerican to not wave the american flag when the invasion of iraq happened, I suppose to not wave the rainbow flag and support the *fight* in California is now to be ungay.

Could it be that Rosie is simply not activist-minded, consistent, or even all that pleasant? That she, perhaps selfishly, doesn't really care about Prop 8? Gay people are not monolithic, thank God. So Ellen was this great lesbian we all liked, who wound up fulfilling our ideal of what a famous gay person should be and do. And Rosie, well, she is not. Three cheers to diversity. She did the gay families thing with the cruise and all that when it affected her life. So what -- it was still positive for the community. But maybe that's all she had to give. At least maybe now the gay community can cool its love for Rosie despite her frequent hints that she has never been comfortable as an activist, and in general isn't even an amenable figure.

These comments are mostly bullshit. Rosie has done so much for the gay community, she's put herself out there over and over again. To collectively rag on her is just pathetic. Shut up and volunteer, folks, and stop attacking a woman who's got more balls than all of you combined.

Dear All,

I worked for Rosie O'Donnell for a period of time and want to encourage everyone to back off. No one is going to be able to determine why Rosie makes the decisions that she makes when she makes them. It is deeply personal process for her and often makes sense to no one but her.

But I think it is so important to give credit where it is due. Rosie has never been a gay person who primarily focuses on gay issues. Of course, she wants justice for LGBT people. But her daily heart is with kids in need. And frankly her contribution to helping kids who need help has been profound. Rosie founded The For All Kids Foundation when she was not wealthy and pumped about $60M into that foundation. She has helped build dozens of day care centers in low income areas all over the United States. That is the mission of the For All Kids Foundation. It is a public charity with a board and that is what it does. In addition, Rosie lead the charge in the post Katrina period not by words, or celebrity visits ---- but by dedicating $3,000,000 to respond to custom needs in the shelters in the early aftermath of that disaster. She bought washers, dryers and portable showers and endless amounts of clothes for the shelters. She made sure that kids were given light and life by providing some distractions in the form of Kids Days. She financed completely the first ever Children's Plaza and Family Center (a first for FEMA to allow) --- and this huge, colorful village has provided early head start, head start, day care, after school programs, job training, counseling and every possible social service at the largest trailer site. It also features computer labs and gathering space, and space for dances, movies, parties and events. In addition, Rosie has been the source of resources for almost every holiday for that trailer park since Katrina. It also features three elaborate playgrounds (all age appropriate) and a "spray ground" build for those hot Baton Rouge days. Most of the materials can be dismantled and repurposed for local facilities. The site was built in record time for something of its size. Rosie's name does not appear in the name of colorful village. She hates drawing attention to herself --- she feels good works should be done quietly and let the magic kick in.

She also founded Rosie's Broadway Kids, a program to teach strength, leadership, life skills to low income kids in Manhattan through the guise of musical theater. School in the lower income areas in NYC get the program in school starting in grade five. Those who show leadership potential and a keen interest are invited back for an after school program and then a summer institute. Rosie is completing a building in NYC dedicated to this program which features two studios, a music studio and solo rooms, in addition to a study cafe and many other components. The building was an extremely difficult undertaking because she rehabilitated a building in the Broadway District.

Also while on the View she spoke seamlessly about her family life and I don't think we have ever seen anything quite like it on mainstream television.

Rosie has probably given away more money for her age than any celebrity I can name. And, she started this process early into her TV career when success was not necessarily assured.

Prop 8 is extremely important. It is one major milestone on a long road that many of us have been trudging for 40 years. It is one more extremely important battle. What will convince California swing voters is the voices and passion of their neighbors, not the voices of celebrities. I did not know Rosie when she went to California with Kelly. But I might have humbly suggested they skip SF City Hall. It is the everyday gay couple in Fresno,Modesta, Eureka and Santa Cruz that are going to carry the day.

I suggest we appreciate Rosie for the monumental investment she has made in truly giving poor kids and their families support and a little dignity, including in California. Having a prominent gay person do that is a powerful message. It is a message that Rosie does not allow out much, but it is powerful. I also respectfully suggest that we should all drop this and get back out in the streets for Obama and Prop 8 where we belong.

Elizabeth Birch
Washington DC

With all due respect to Ms Birch, I disagree. No one is disputing O'Donnell's many charitable efforts. In fact, it is this history of giving that makes her refusal to support the "No On 8" efforts so inexplicable. So many things that O'Donnell has supported are worthy causes, but this is a watershed moment in our tribe's struggle to secure recognition of our equal civil and human rights. The outcome of the California decision will affect GLBT people all over the country. A victory will be affirmation of our equal humanity under the law. And like it or not, money talks. The more we can get our message across via media campaigns, the more likely we are to change minds. Getting on the streets to talk about Prop 8 is important, but supporting the media outreach is a much more efficient way to get our message to more people.

O'Donnell owes much of her fortune to hard work and to the loyal support of the GLBT community. As one who took advantage of the California marriage laws herself, the absence of at least a monetary donation to the cause is baffling and inexcusable.

It's been awhile since I've posted. Wish this post could provide more than angst.

I have defended Rosie on this blog before. She has been a hero. Wish I knew more about her stance, although it seems she is indicating that contractual considerations may be silencing her usually loud voice. And you have to respect a person who respects a contract, don't you? And I guess I don't know how much money it takes to support her kids in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed, or her many charities. And she has put herself on the line for us many times (remember her advocacy of adoption?).

Still. If anyone would be calling "foul" at the top of well-used lungs, you'd think it would be Rosie. I "get" that her being married and having a family is not to be dismissed as a powerful example. But she has placed herself in the position of advocate and out-spoken spokesperson on so many issues (and damn the consequences). And besides her blog, what connection does she have to the public at large? It's different than Ellen, who is out there every day. Unless one frequents her blog (and I don't) her automatic clout is minimal. Her celebrity only matters, currently, to her most loyal of fans. But those on the edges would be interested if she commented more publicly. Because otherwise, it won't register. She's a star, not a superstar, and not currently relevant unless she works at it.

Sigh.

First off.. Ms. Birch.. I'm from the Hanford, California which is outside Fresno, CA.. Let me tell you.. It isn't the everyday couple from Fresno or Santa Cruz who is going to carry the day.. The San Joaquin Valley is a conservative and homophobic area, which does not support equality for homosexuals and lesbians.. It is all Californians, and all American's who must work for equality for every citizen of this country..

In regards to Rosie, I hope you read this comment.. I am a gay man.. In 2004, I worked for Gavin Newsom and I was standing in the center of the rotunda after your wedding... I watched you walk out onto the balcony, and it was a proud moment for me.. Today, I'm pissed off at your arrogant and dismissive comments on your website.. I volunteered to defeat Proposition 22 in 2000, and it lost.. Afterwards, I cried about the loss, but I knew the gay/lesbian community wouldn’t be defeated by haters... Luckily, I was worked for Gavin, and I participated in seeing the marriage of so many beautiful gay/lesbian couples.. In 2008, I am disgusted by your lack of involvement in the Proposition 8 campaign. In all honesty, we do not need your money.. The gay community is able to fend for itself, and it’s been able to counter the fund raising efforts of the YES on 8 campaign.. What upset’s me.. Is your lack of visibility in Proposition 8.. Let me tell you.. The Gay/Lesbian community will not forget your betrayal of our community. YOUR ARE A TRAITOR TO OUR CAUSE!! Return to your life in the Hamptons.. Enjoy your children and Kelli.. Live a secluded life and forget the world exists around you.. .. I guess in the end.. The Hollywood life has corrupted your sense of responsibility to your gay community..

blah, blah, blah...the people of california have spoken. end.

Rosie is just as sick as those that voted yes on prop 8. Her standing in the media and money only makes her more responsible to stand up for those in need. GAYs in california. She's a coward, and hypocritical. If anyones marriage should be taken away it's hers. Overall she is very responsible for the passing of prop 8. We have a black president because people stood up and fought for years. We had leaders and people in charge. Within our community of being GAY we don't have one, they are simply not dependable. Shame on Rosie. Without her money, she's worthless. Maybe she's bitter her days are over. Movie show or not, people like her ALWAYS FAIL.

...are these honestly Rosie's remarks? Can't she be bothered to use capitalization or punctuation?

During the 90's there was a religious bigoted group that put anti-gay initiatives on ballots all over Oregon, who named themselves the Oregon Citizen's Alliance. The OCA for short. Their leader was a man by the name of Lon Mabon. They got notoriety on talks show of the Springer ilk, and according to pundits this year, everyone and their dog, on both sides of the isle, tried to talk McCain out of speaking at an OCA event back while Packwood was still an Oregon Senator.

The OCA was successful in small towns, but state wide and in the more populated areas of Oregon, their ballot initiatives were soundly defeated largely because they were backed by the OCA.

Now in the 00's when anti-gay legislation is nation wide, the OCA has been laying low and allowing everyone to forget about them, as the ballot measures do better when Crazy Uncle OCA is no where to be seen. Churches can make the fraudulent argument that you can steal rights from gays with out hating them.

Since Rosie's outing and ouster from her talk show, the fall of her magazine, her feud with Donald Trump (if you look up looser in the dictionary, it says “see: comb-over”.) and her exit from the View triggered by the fight with Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O'Donnell is seen as a polarizing figure and had she injected herself in the Prop 8 fight in California, it would have made National News. Prop 8's supporters would have been able to fundraise on that to the tune of at least 100 to 1 in dollars Rosie donated.

I think it is fair and awesome that those who supported Prop 8 end up ruing the day they decided to donate time or money. I think all those who opposed Prop 8 should be celebrated. But I think attacking those who don't actively spend money or time in the fight is a little out of bounds.

On the other hand, the diamond industry makes bank off of weddings and anniversaries. Conservatives would never abandon the tradition of diamonds, so the risk nothing by supporting gay marriage, so their should be a campaign to hold their feet to the fire until they publicly and vocally support equality.