All right, Dr. Laura has caved. Apologized humbly. Losing something
like 114 potential sponsors for her television show, economic survival
finally had to win out, I guess. But how about that Clinton couple?
The Oct. 23 issue of The Advocate, whose proud subhead reads “The
national gay and lesbian newsmagazine,” features the Democratic
candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from New York in a one-on-one
interview — as well as on the cover — that ‘s right: Hillary Rodham
Clinton herself. Conducted by David Kirby, identified as “a regular
contributor to the New York Times,” Mrs. Clinton goes on record saying
while she opposes gay marriages, she does support the recent
controversial ruling in Vermont giving sweeping legal benefits to gay
couples. She also would like to see such a law in New York, considering
it a top priority for gays and lesbians.
Asked if she had ever attended a gay pride march before the one in
New York, Mrs. Clinton replied, “I just loved being there. It made me
feel so good.” When queried as to why should gay and lesbian New
Yorkers vote for her in such a close race as she is in, and can it make
a difference, the first lady replied, “Any vote can make a difference.
But I hope that gays and lesbians will vote for me because I intend to
be a strong advocate for the rights of gays and lesbians to lead full
and meaningful lives without fear of discrimination and have access to
equal opportunity and equal treatment as I think they are entitled to in
our society.”
Judy Wieder, editor in chief of The Advocate exclaims, “For this
33-year-old gay and lesbian magazine, interviews and stories (this month
with Mrs. Clinton, next month with the President) like this are a dream
come true. Once it was impossible to get interviews like this. Now it
is essential.”
The same issue includes interviews with presidential candidate Ralph
Nader — whose thinking has come around over the years to a more
indulgent position to the gay community — and with openly gay Socialist
candidate for the presidency, David McReynolds, who says he doesn’t
expect to win but feels deeply convinced “it is still good to have an
openly gay man in the public eye.”
The Advocate, a glossy, classy publication also runs, in addition to
many ads for AIDS and HIV medications, articles like the one in the
current issue on “The Top Ten Companies for 2000,” which, in their
words, “adds to a growing list of sweet workplaces for gays and
lesbians.” The list includes AT&T, Oracle, Reebok, Subaru of America,
Starbucks and Wells Fargo. You can see how Dr. Laura’s thinking might
just have been brought around.
Neatly timed to coincide with Dr. Laura’s apology you get the
mainstream magazine, Entertainment Weekly published by Time Inc.
presenting a “Special Report” on “Gay Hollywood 2000.” Other coverlines
include “Inside the Gay TV Revolution,” “Hip-Hop Homophobia,” “The
Celebrity Closet” (No, no megastars step out of their closets), “TV’s
Gayest Show Ever,” “Gay Filmmakers Sound Off” and “100 Movers & Shakers
(Yep, They’re Gay).”
In addition, to get you properly cued in for the Fall Season, EW
gives you “A preview of gay-themed (or gay-friendly) movies, television
shows, CDs, and plays.” I particularly enjoy the mention of Lifetime’s
“What Makes a Family,” featuring Brooke Shields, of which “Honorary Gay
Person Barbra Streisand” is an executive producer.
Mind you, EW isn’t just offering up a glorification of the gay way of
life but comes down here and there against the drive to out every
potential gay — and quotes Kenn Viselman, chairman of Teletubbies
marketer firm, as saying he finds it “appalling. … Shouldn’t somebody be
able to have a personal life?”
And in sync with The Advocate and Entertainment Weekly, the venerable
Daily Variety came out this week with its first ever “Gay Hollywood”
issue, taking, as its press release puts it, “an inside look at the
achievements of the gay Hollywood community, as well as exploring the
challenges that still lie ahead.”
On the music scene, Daily Variety asks a very down to earth question:
“Even though it may be considered ‘cool’ to be gay in alternative
circles, how would consumers react if a mass-maker performer such as
Ricky Martin were to come out tomorrow?” Anybody been running any polls
on such a subject?
