Just Lovely

As I’ve gotten older I’ve calmed my gay activism down a bit here and there. Even though I do very much agree with the “movement,” I’m not involved with it. Other issues have become more prominent for me over the years, HIV/AIDS, the environment, clean water, nutrition, voting rights, among many others. But I do have to say that I absolutely love the visibility that the gays are getting in the media.

An example of this is the new show “Ugly Betty.” Betty’s nephew, Justin, no more than 12 years old and obviously gay, is probably the youngest gay character to appear on television. On last night’s episode Justin accompanied Betty to work at the fashion magazine, while there he stayed in the closet to check out the clothes to which Betty’s boss said, “He can’t stay in the closet,” leaving Betty to roll her eyes. Having a character like Justin on television not only sends the message that being gay is just as natural as being straight to so many young gay kids just going through puberty, but it also allows them to identify with somebody else, even if that person is just a character on TV. Justin comments to Marc, Betty’s co-worker and also gay, that the other kids at school don’t get his unique sense of style. Justin says, “Wear what you want, feel what you want; just learn to run really fast.” That line tells every confused gay kid in America that it’s alright to feel what they’re feeling but to also recognize that it isn’t always going to be easy. A great show, watch it! CHECK OUT the show’s website.

Also in gay news, an actor that I’ve had a thing for ever since “Grey’s Anatomy” premiered, T.R. Knight (he plays Dr. George O’Malley) came out of the closest today. I’m not a huge advocate for artists to “come out” just because the public feels they need to know, however I like that my chances of possibly doing the dirty dirty with him are at least somewhat more likely now. CHECK OUT the show’s website.

Whenever my father would come home from work I’d always ask, “How was your day?” There’d be a pause before his response and then, in a monotone voice, he’d reply, “Just lovely.” If somebody asked me how I’m feeling this morning I’d reply, “Just lovely!”