Ellen DeGeneres turns 50 today. Besides being an important personal milestone, the date signifies a cultural milestone as well. You see Ellen – a 50-year-old out lesbian – is the most popular person on television right now. More popular even than the almighty Oprah. That may not sound like such a big deal upfront but, if you let it sink in for a moment, you’ll realize that it is a huge freaking deal. A gay woman is America’s TV darling. Wow. I mean really, wow. It’s been almost 11 years since Ellen’s three little words rearranged our pop culture landscape. Through the simple act of being herself – not to mention the world’s most famous “Yep” – she helped change the world.It’s often been said, and rightfully so, that the key to overcoming homophobia is for people to meet someone who is gay. Fear lives in the unknown. Bigotry breeds on dehumanization. So to know a gay person, even if just through the flickering tubes of a television, makes it that much harder to hate us. Ellen’s decision to come out while her sitcom was still on air was a risk, one she paid for bitterly in the end. But then, when she could have lived out her days as a pioneer and let others do more groundbreaking, she came back. She came back because she knew she had more to share with us. And I’m not just talking about her dance moves.
While some might argue that Ellen doesn’t talk about her sexuality enough, I think she has done more than enough to both promote visibility and champion our cause. You see, being an activist is about more than just carrying signs and making speeches and marching in rallies. It’s about more than bluster and brouhaha. Not that I don’t love me some brouhaha. But activism is also about honesty and openness. And, in this America , being on TV every single day as a gay woman is a powerful form of activism. Even if the word “gay’ isn’t uttered once. They see her and they see a woman who is smart and friendly and funny as hell. And they like that. And she likes them. And that, my friends, is how minds are changed. Now, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to say that they don’t know any gay people. Because of course they do, they know Ellen -- America’s Lesbian Next Door. Happy birthday, Ellen! Happy weekend, all.
6 comments:
I am waiting patiently for your screen caps for L Word 504. Will you be posting?
I heart Ellen.
50 already? Damn, time sure does fly...
Wonderful commentary, as usual--thanks for the thoughtful fun.
I completely agree. Ellen doesn't need to talk about being gay. She just is. People watching her know that she is gay.
Others talk about being gay, some make movies about it, she just is. Why do all have to be the same?
Thank you so much for the picture. I've always thought she's cute.
I love that picture of Ellen!
While it's true she doesn't talk about her sexuality much (anymore), she never hides it. That's o.k. with me -- she is gay and so much more, why does she need to talk about it all the time? I think living openly the way she does speaks volumes to America and is much more effective at winning the "hearts and minds" of the average person than making a lot of statements or speeches about being gay.
Yep.
She actually DOES mention Portia all the time on her show now. Again, just being "normal". She also called Hilary to task this fall for not supporting full marriage rights. So she is mentioning her sexuality where appropriate but not hitting people over the head with it. I love Ellen!
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