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01/21/2009
Video: Two strangers picked to live in an LGBT-inclusive house
GLAAD has posted another in their series of interviews with the cast of "The Real World: Brooklyn," with their latest featuring former military man Ryan and extremely metrosexual Mormon Chet. They are representatives of the precious "movable middle" with whom we in the queer community so desperately need to engage:
Thoughts? Well, It seems Chet needs to do a little more research on what, exactly, the Mormon church did in support of Prop 8. Because yes, it was in fact an extremely well-financed collective church effort, not just a matter involving individuals. Now, that doesn't make him, by virtue of being a church member, responsible for the support, nor does his quarter hour of "Real World" fame make him the church's defense attorney. But it is important for all Mormons to understand the lay of Salt Lake City's land, and to realize the major role that their faith community played in opening a latter day can of hurt against gay people.
And Ryan: Yes, you do have gays back home in Pennsylvania. Seriously, dude. We're everywhere. Seek them out. Look them up. Take your newfound exposure and make a difference. Be the change that your small community may so desperately need. Help open the closets that are smothering some of your fellow citizens -- maybe even some of your good friends.
But that all being said, this straight look into televised queer lives does undoubtedly represent the changing (changed?) tide of young America. The obligatory "gay cast member" has become a collective of LGBT human beings defined more by their goals and accomplishments than their sexual orientations (and Chet, it IS orientations, not "preferences"). And the hetero cast members? They now seem less shocked that they are living with an LGBT person, and more shocked that anyone would even ask them how that experience felt. The benign acceptance is what we are seeking.
EXCLUSIVE - Interview With Ryan & Chet From The Real World: Brooklyn [GLAADBlog]
Your thoughts
I have to say, what I really appreciate from Ryan is that he's willing to do several things:
A. Admit ignorance, without celebrating it. Just a, "I am what I am, but I don't want to be a jerk," attitude.
B. Try to rectify that ignorance. Often I find that people will, after they start to get to know me, timidly ask a few questions. They always preface with something like, "Uh, I don't want to be inappropriate, but, um, I always kind of wanted to know [X]." First I assure them that it's fine to ask, that I don't mind, and in fact love it when people feel comfortable and curious enough to do it. That willingness to learn is such a wonderful trait.
Oh, and one last thing, I'm one of those gay Pennsylvanians you mention--(originally) from little-tiny-small-town-podunk-middle-of-the-woods, PA. We're definitely closer than people often think.
Posted by: PSUdain | Jan 22, 2009 12:09:52 AM
Gay in PA here too!
Posted by: keltic | Jan 22, 2009 2:07:11 PM
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