09-25-2008, 05:19 PM
Wow. I'm disappointed by a lot of what i've read here. I understand that nearly all of it has been said "in good fun," but some unpleasant things come through...
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but as someone who has come out of the closet, i know that it's a big deal to acknowledge something very personal about yourself that will result in some people responding with hate, rejection, scorn, disdain. Those reactions aren't in this forum, but they're out there.
It's revealing that the subject line of this thread says that she "admits" that she's dating a woman. That isn't what the news story says (it says "confirmed" ) , but acknowledging a same-sex relationship usually does involve reluctance. Why? Well, some people will dismiss it as a publicity stunt. Others will jovially mock you by "coming out" as heterosexual, or as lesbians trapped in men's bodies. Yet others will criticize your girlfriend for not being feminine enough - as though your choice of a sexual partner should reflect their definition of attractiveness.
Are we crass and insensitive toward movie stars in general? Yeah, we are. Are we petty and biting about their appearance and sexual lives? Pretty much. But these comments aren't made in a social vacuum, and when you add sexual orientation into the mix, crassness can become cruelty, and pettiness can feel like bigotry.
And i'm not talking about Lindsay's feelings - i'm talking about mine.
[Edited to remove unintended smiley.]
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but as someone who has come out of the closet, i know that it's a big deal to acknowledge something very personal about yourself that will result in some people responding with hate, rejection, scorn, disdain. Those reactions aren't in this forum, but they're out there.
It's revealing that the subject line of this thread says that she "admits" that she's dating a woman. That isn't what the news story says (it says "confirmed" ) , but acknowledging a same-sex relationship usually does involve reluctance. Why? Well, some people will dismiss it as a publicity stunt. Others will jovially mock you by "coming out" as heterosexual, or as lesbians trapped in men's bodies. Yet others will criticize your girlfriend for not being feminine enough - as though your choice of a sexual partner should reflect their definition of attractiveness.
Are we crass and insensitive toward movie stars in general? Yeah, we are. Are we petty and biting about their appearance and sexual lives? Pretty much. But these comments aren't made in a social vacuum, and when you add sexual orientation into the mix, crassness can become cruelty, and pettiness can feel like bigotry.
And i'm not talking about Lindsay's feelings - i'm talking about mine.
[Edited to remove unintended smiley.]