CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Going into 2006, I had a dark cloud over my head--a lingering effect of the last presidential election. When George W. Bush was reelected, it was as if the nation said to me, "There's no place for you here." Since then I've repeated the mantra, Hang in there, just a couple more years to go.
Two, to be exact. After the 2006 election, with the Democrats regaining Congress, I felt the fog start to lift, and I can again imagine a future for myself and my community.
But it wasn't just the election that changed my outlook. Thanks to Web logs, mostly those put together by young gay men, an unprecedented number of celebrities came out in quick succession. T.R. Knight from Grey's Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris are now openly gay, yet they play straight men on their shows. And I haven't heard any questioning of their abilities to play hetero characters. Lance Bass, who also came out in 2006, is as popular as ever.
While I'm relieved these entertainers can live and work truthfully, I was more personally affected by former congressman Mark Foley's outing. I was astonished to learn there existed men like Foley who lived double lives--pursuing gay relationships in private while furthering an antigay agenda in public. I guess I was naive. But now it makes sense, because just like in school, those who rail most vehemently against us are usually the ones most uncomfortable with their own sexuality.
While Foley had a vote in Congress and President Bush on speed dial, disgraced evangelical minister Ted Haggard had more direct influence on how conservative Americans viewed gays--at least until he resigned in disgrace for being involved with a male prostitute. From his pulpit Haggard worked to convince his huge congregation that gays were sinners, all while he enjoyed the company of men after hours. Haggard's surname seems fitting now. He represents the tired, worn-out strategy of hiding and deceit, which seems finally to be going out of fashion.
And in between Foley's page scandal and Haggard's resignation, we lost a gay hero who refused to apologize for his life even when such a stand could have cost him everything. I'm talking about the late, great Gerry Studds, the first gay person to serve openly in Congress. Studds was one of the queer pioneers who helped make it possible for young gay people to live as freely as we do today.
If real men like Studds broke the closet open, then the outings of 2006 have shattered the door to pieces, allowing optimism to break through. Perhaps 2007 will be the year in which another state makes a commitment to marriage equality or gays and lesbians are allowed to serve openly in our military. For the first time in a long time, I'm hopeful.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
After decades of silent protest, advocates and students speak out for LGBTQ+ rights
April 13 2024 10:52 AM
11 celebs who love their LGBTQ+ siblings
April 13 2024 10:33 AM
The 10 most challenged books of last year
April 13 2024 10:06 AM
Mary & George's Julianne Moore on Mary's sexual fluidity and queer relationship
April 13 2024 10:00 AM
Investigation launched after man screams homophobic slurs at queer couples on D.C. metro
April 13 2024 9:59 AM
Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents
April 12 2024 6:06 PM
A youth's call to action on this Day of NO Silence
April 12 2024 5:00 PM
Democrats introduce resolution in support of LGBTQ+ youth
April 12 2024 4:35 PM
Colton Underwood is hoping to create a gay reality TV dating show
April 12 2024 4:28 PM
Idaho closes legislative session with a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedElevating pet care with TrueBlue’s all-natural ingredients
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Watch Jimmy Kimmel's hilarious LGBTQ+ campaign video: 'You can't spell Biden without Bi'
April 12 2024 12:00 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedCreating erotic art and advocacy with adult entertainer Cody Silver (EXCLUSIVE)
April 12 2024 11:39 AM
How I navigated through religious trauma
April 12 2024 11:00 AM