Sadly, we’ve gotten letters from people who explain that they love the show but hate the gay story-lines. That we shouldn’t be polluting their children’s heads. To this I’d sometimes like to sarcastically reply, would you also like us to tell them that a stork is dropping off our offspring? That the sky is purple? That it is not practical to be true to yourself, because there are mean people in this world that will make them feel wrong for being honest? That instead of embracing themselves, they should lie to the world? THEY should be the ones being untrue and unhappy?
via Dianna Agron, but you can call me Charlie. – June 2, 2000 What does that day, month and year….
If you haven’t yet seen it, this is an excellent little post from Dianna Agron (who plays Quinn). The part that struck me the most was the above.
I know that they get letters, I guess. And I guess if the bigots were going to think that any character would be sympathetic to their ridiculous plight, it would probably be the beauty-queen-esque, Christian, Celibacy Club Quinn. But Dianna, who plays Quinn, couldn’t be further from Carrie Prejean. Still, it’s sad that they have to get these letters.
But it’s also amazing. Because in my lifetime, I haven’t seen too many straight people get full-on offended, no matter how comfortable they were with their gay friends or family. There’s no questioning that Ms Agron is (ahem) straight-up offended. And while it sucks that she has to be, it’s kind of awesome that she is.
Deconstructing Glee 
I know quite a few heterosexuals who get fighting mad about GLBT issues. I know that it was very difficult for me to get married knowing that about 1/3 of those I’d invited to my wedding were denied a wedding of their own by our government’s apartheid stance on marriage; I still carry a lot of guilt about it, honestly, and wish I’d not been so excited to wear the big dress and have a party…
Just as there were white civil rights activists in the 60s, there are many straight folks out there who are standing up for what is right; we’re also raising our children to embrace — it goes way beyond acceptance — the differences that make up the bright spectrum of humanity.
If it’s not one shade of bigotry and hate, it’s another: I assume you’d fight for my special needs’ child to have access to educational resources and a bully-free childhood, as well. I’m going to knock as much prejudice down as I can in my lifetime, and try to raise my son to do the same.
It’s always amazing to me that people expect Glee, of all shows, to be a queer-free environment. It’s a show about the performing arts, people. Why are you cool with that stereotype only if you don’t have to see it enacted?
See, I don’t. I know a lot who talk the talk in a way. But really, when it comes down to it, it’s not something they’re ever really passionate about. So, when I do see it, I find it heartening.
Well, I did go to school at UC Santa Cruz. 😀 I suppose that’s sort of a hotbed of love and militant understanding…
Also, I believe my high school experience was — if possible — even more gaytastic than Glee/New Directions. Growing up in the Central Valley of California, in that viper pit of prejudice and narrowness, those of us who rejected conventional wisdom banded together and learned from one another.
I will be at the Glee Live show in NY on Saturday (managed to win tickets, so I’m taking my son) and am very keen to listen in to the comments of those around us, find out to what extent the messages of the show are getting across to the audience at large…
And be heartened by Agron’s letter and sentiment, certainly, and Criss’ and Adler’s… And remember that straight people who are not celebrities often feel the same way, though they may lack the same forum in which to express it.
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