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Five Gays Blast GMA
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Following his outrageous performance at the AMAs, Adam Lambert was banned from Good Morning America today. Jacob Bernstein talks to a gay quorum about the morning-show double standard.
What was Good Morning America thinking when they decided to cancel Adam Lambert’s performance, scheduled for Wednesday morning?
According to ABC, it was a no-brainer. “Given his controversial live performance on the AMAs, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning,” a spokeswoman said when reached for comment.
But among prominent gay men, the reaction was swift. They’re excoriating the show for what they see as pandering to the religious right, which swamped ABC with calls following a performance Sunday night on the American Music Awards. As Lambert sang the single from his debut album, he made out with one of his male musicians onstage. He also carted another bloke around with a noose and stuck the guy’s face in his crotch.
Said Mickey Boardman, the editorial director of Paper magazine: “I’m shocked that GMA would do this,” he said. “It’s caving in to pressure from extremists. I wouldn’t protest them having Ann Coulter on the show and I think she’s Satan.”
Michael Musto of the Village Voice, said: “I’m horrified. I guess they would have canceled Elvis in the '50s or '60s for bumping his pelvis. Why is an obvious expression of sexuality worthy of censure?”
Ironically, many gay men (including Musto) weren’t terribly impressed with the performance itself, which seemed like a belabored attempt on the part of a slightly schlocky performer (think: Freddie Mercury by way of Supercuts) to inject his image with some edge.
Mark Harris, a columnist for Entertainment Weekly, said, “It seems like somebody at GMA needs a lesson in how to seize an opportunity.”
As Mark Harris, an openly gay columnist for Entertainment Weekly, put it to The Daily Beast, “It was a cheesy and needlessly vulgar move on a prime-time network show. If this was Adam Lambert’s attempt to show that he’s more daring than the mainstream popular movement right now, my response is: ‘Give me a break. You came up on American Idol.’”
But by banning him, GMA turned Lambert into a martyr and provided gay people with a potent reminder that people in America remain deeply uneasy with the idea of two guys getting it on, even in this post-Will & Grace era.
“It’s fine if the gays are rearranging your throw rugs, but when they express their sexuality it’s somehow too horrifying for people to see,” Boardman said.
He added: “I’m sure they wanted Kanye West when he made a spectacle of himself on the Video Music Awards this September. I just can’t see any reason they would not want him other than that he’s gay, he admits to being gay, and he acts gay.
The famed sex columnist Dan Savage saw it similarly. “I think it's a ridiculous double standard,” he said. “People are comfortable with us so long as we're not having sex or being sexual or doing anything that might cause someone who is uncomfortable with the idea of gay sex to have to wrestle with mental images of gay sex. It's one thing to be gay like Neil Patrick Harris on the Tony Awards (culturally gay). It's another thing to be gay like Adam Lambert was on the American Music Awards (sexually gay). Americans can handle gay people, they can look at us on TV, but they still have issues with gay desire, and they have a hard time looking at that on TV.”
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gracie99
"Given his controversial live performance on the AMAs, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning,"
Take note, gay men of America: We love you, of course, but not before we've had our second cup of coffee please!
jeffheather
you are missing the point. it's about kids being up at that time. it's not about the "gayness" of it. the most shocking part of the AMA performance was where he violently shoved and pulled on that womans crotch. it was disturbing for me to watch as a very liberal and sexual 36 year old. I would be mortified if my daughter was sitting and eating her morning cereal and came across "Adam from Idol" and stopped to watch that.
DBFan2009
i can understand, somewhat, "jeffheather," - however, i don't think GMA was going to have him repeat his performance, were they? or show clips from it? perhaps he would have opted to do a nice soulful slow number, given the time of day, who knows.
as for sheltering your kid, depends on how old she is. if she is very young, she won't 'get' what she's seeing. if she's school age, she saw it on someone's IPOD before she got to school.
jarussell
The point is, it doesn't matter if it's gay men, lesbians, or a hetero couple, no one wants their kids to see sexual behavior when it's on in the morning.
Your statement saying "..perhaps he would have..." and ending ..."who knows." shows that it could have happened. Why take the chance?
Your advice on child rearing either shows you have no children or common sense.
jackee
As long as gays get distracted by type of fluff, no one will be able to call Obama on his deficiencies, back-sliding, and false promises to the gay community. Maybe Glambert is an Obama operative?
Maezeppa
Morning is probably the LEAST likely time for kids to be watching TV. That said, GMA and any other TV show has the right to pick and choose content.
crymeariver
1) Children watch cartoons in the morning NOT GMA. Can't think of ONE child who watches GMA.
2) Admit that YOU feel uncomfortable about it and stop using your children as excuses. The use of the "what about the children" defense is ALWAYS hollow and ALWAYS a red herring.
andygirl
Do your kids see you kiss your wife? Why is this any different? I grew up in the era of Michael Jackson crotch-grabbng and Madonna pointy boobs, but we all turned out just fine. And like the article stated, we like our gay men, but we don't want to see them as actually gay.
bobzaguy
It's all about ABC. If they interviewed Adam, they would have to "report" (show a video) on the performance which was controversial -meaning someone got lots of "bad" phone calls. God forbid if Disney ever shows they aren't listening to the neo-con right wing.
Save the f*@#ing children, who should be on the bus to school anyway, instead of watching TV.
cesspool
I'll guess the proponderence of decent Americans wish you freaks would stuff yourselves back in the closet.
franjen
Especially if your performance resembles the last hour before closing at the local gay bar. I really like Adam and followed his performances on Americna Idol wioth great interest because I think he's really talented. I don't give a hoot that he's gay. But his performace on AMA was kinda like untalented porn. Not exacltly, but kinda, and we know what kind talent that's required for that. I think he's really above this kin of stuff, but I guess he's liking the attention it's getting him. Maybe he should watch a few episodes of GLEE.
bobzaguy
Maybe you don't engage in oral sex in your 'straight' relationship, franhen, but lots of other 'normal' straights do. Sometimes it's even reciprocal (that means the man does it to the girl).
Start living in the now, please. "kinda like ...porn", "not exactly, but kinda," "we know what kind [of] talent [sic]"..."I don't give a hoot that he's gay," "maybe he should watch a few episodes of GLEE".
How would you ever be able to hint that you know what the last hour of a gay bar is like? Straights are so pathetic.
Margot707
What about Michael Jackson and all of his crotch grabbing and hip thrusting? Would you have the same objections if he had done that on the AMAs? Or is all the fuss about Adam Lambert due to his being obvious about being gay?
bobzaguy
duh...you must have missed the MJ performances in previous years before he died...
even his sister did it this year in HER opening act!
Bulldoglover100
Not true. Children watch T.V early in the a.m and I don't care if they are gay/straight wearing their daddies panties I should not have to have my child watch in the a.m
After 9? Kids are usually in bed so not subjected to idiots sticking someones face in their crotch. Straight or gay. Would not matter. Sex has a place in this world but for a show that kids might watch? It has no place other than for perverts who get off knowing kids are watching.
This is why the gay community keeps getting held back. Drama queens want to make everything about them and their "sex"/ Sorry it isnt. It's simply about the sex.
bobzaguy
What are your kids doing watching GMA? If they are that old, why weren't they in school? If they are younger, set the TV to PBS, even though you don't want to watch it. You are in the TV room when your little ones watch right?
Why do you say sex's place in the world is "no place other than for perverts who get off knowing kids are watching.?"
Gays are held back by this exact backward thinking straight crap of yours. As if you know what they are talking about. -"Drama queens want to make everything about them and their "sex"/ Sorry it isnt. It's simply about the sex."
Here's the dictionary's real-life definition of "drama queen", which makes you exactly what you are complaining about here:
Main Entry: drama queen
Part of Speech: n
Definition: any person who overreacts to a minor problem or situation
Kudzu62
Gays are being held by because of right wing bible swinging bigots like yourself. Grow a set of balls and tell the truth instead of throwing the load of your bigotry on your children, you're disgusting.
troublemonkey
Having a hard time watching gay sexuality is normal for a heterosexual. It does not signify or denote bigotry on the part of the straight person. Even if you acknowledge and support the rights of gays to love and marry whom they wish (as I do), it's completely natural for a heterosexual to experience aversion when faced with (even simulated) depictions of homosexual sex. It's built-in and burned-in to straights in the same way and to the same degree that sexual desire for others of the same sex is built into homosexuals. We don't blame you for wanting to f**k a man, don't blame us for not wanting to watch!!!
Knee-jerk liberalism is not liberalism AT ALL, it's a DIFFERENT FORM OF FASCISM. "You must not object to what you find objectionable" is tyranny.
The best point made here was, it was cheesy and needlessly vulgar in a prime-time slot.
spinozareader
Well said!
Wellstone
Excellent points!
bobzaguy
I think that you didn't attend the seminar where the difference between f**k and s**k was explained.
I know straights (m & f) who get very turned on by photos of a pair of lesbos s**king off a "straight" guy, even a straight girl s**king a straight guy. Even the occasional "straight" guy ass-f**king a straight girl.
All "homo" type sex acts. What's the problem?
Personality transfer, that's the problem.
spinozareader
@bobzaguy
What's a "homo" type sex act?? I don't understand the point(s) of your post???? And who cares about f**k vs. s**k?--When the real "meat" of the issue is who's f-ing/s-ing whom, and in what venue/time-slot??
nickels1
sorry to be coarse but...there are gay sluts aren't there. my gay freinds have told me as much. i think it shows an awful disrespect to associate this with gayness. all gays are sluts? no, but this kid is.
Kudzu62
You should know sluts, you is, are, am, one.
dailywackos
unbelievable. most talked about nothing ever.
Darkknightress13
WHY do we have to view ANY sex acts at ALL?? What is wrong with censoring SEX in general, from kids? It's b.s. we are labeled "gay bashers" because we don't see it as normal to want to watch sex acts. I'm a heterosexual, but I don't go naked to parades, I don't act out how I personally have sex IN PUBLIC, and I wouldn't get offended if I was acting IMMORALLY and was shut down! I really wouldn't say, "OMG, YOU ARE A HETERO-BASHER CUZ YOU DON'T WANT TO WATCH ME HAVE SEX, YOU HATER!" Why do some gays AND straight people insist on being disgusting IN PUBLIC, when ANY sex should be KEPT TO YOURSELF? Effing idiots! Respect discretion and you will be respected! May be a foreign thought, but it WILL WORK!!
tolatetocry
good luck with that gay marriage thing, just saying!
nightdragon09
LOL you're not kidding!
It speaks volumes about the gay community and their priorities when they get pissed that the vast majority of America (it's not just the "religious right" TDB) shunned one of their favorite performers for his absolutely atrocious performance, and gave him scathing reviews for it... and the best is they can only dig up FIVE people to rant and rave about Adam Glambert's appearance on GMA getting canceled!
Note to gays, lesbians, trannys and the gender-confused (bisexuals) everywhere... we're fine with whatever the hell it is you want to do in private behind closed doors, but that doesn't mean we have to tolerate it on public airwaves when we're having breakfast and getting our kids ready for school!
yuckitup
Wow, thank you for your "note." Believe me, there are many gay/lesbian/bi people who are upset about this decision. Most of us support gay friendly CBS anyways and are not surpised by the fact that ABC/Walt Disney succumbed to the pressure of the haters.
I could care less about Adam Lambert, but I do care about the message GMA and people such as you are sending to gay, lesbian and bisexual teenagers across the US, e.g. be ashamed and embarrassed of yourself. I realize that Lambert is not a teenager and is completely outrageous, but gay teens are bombarded with the likes of the uber Christian Jonas brothers, Miley Cyrus, Romeo and Juliet fairytale stories about vampires, etc. without any having any performers to identify with. Thank goodness when I was a teen, Madonna, Prince and George Michael were on MTV. Gay or straight, these performers all pushed the boundaries of socially accepted expressions of sexuality which helped me during a time when I was trying to come to terms with the fact that I did not fit the mold.
An actual top priority of the gay community is stopping the alarming rate of suicide among gay teens and the rise in hate crimes directed towards gays/lesbians/ bi youth. I hope "jeffheather" that if your daughter is a lesbian or bisexual that she finds support outside of the home. I can't stand people who have the attitude, it's all good as long as it's not in my house or family.
To the supporters out there, please go to www.thetrevorproject.com to learn more about this issue and to learn how you can become involved.
gak001
Just as long as they shouldn't have to put up with watching us straights making out all over the place on television, in public and whatnot.
It's a double-standard plain and simple. Naked (but covered) woman on the cover of a magazine? Totally cool. Naked (but covered) man on the cover of a magazine? Censored. Two women making out an awards show? Great television. Two men making out on an awards show? FOR GOD'S SAKE, WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!!!?!?!?!?
nightdragon09
yuckitup... after reading your post I felt like I had stepped into the twilight zone for a minute there.
For every gay, lesbian or bisexual teen who is "bombarded" by the likes of Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers (THE HORROR!!!) on a daily basis, there are hundreds of straight teens that are bombarded by openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual celebrities in all forms of media from TV and movies to music and more. Although, I admit I actually do feel your pain about being bombarded by Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, as I am just as sick of hearing about them as you are ;-)
Also, you're right about the fact that there were tons of artists throughout the 80s and 90s that pushed the boundaries of what was socially acceptable, but they put their music first and were known as being pioneers and set huge landmarks in the music scene, unlike today where "artists" like Adam Lambert are more known for their flamboyant performances and on and off-stage shenanigans rather than their actual music. Perhaps if kids these days had much more compelling role models to look up to, gay straight or otherwise, then things would get much better for everyone.
Kudzu62
Then keep your sorry ass sex out of my face bigot.
jeffheather
I am a gay-rights activist in my community. But, I am also a mom of a 5 year-old girl who adored Adam on American Idol. I would not want her to accidently come across this Adam performance while she is eating her cereal in front of the TV at 7:30am and flipping thru the channels to find a cartoon. Are you to tell me then that I should just shut off my TV in the mornings in case a singer on a "clean" morning show wants to give an S&M performance?
DBFan2009
again, "heffheather," i don't believe it would have been the intent of GMA or any early morning show to have adam do a repeat performance of his AMA appearance. i didn't read any where that this is what he would be booked for.
his appearance on the AMA was crafted for the "far out" glam aspect of the evening. and if by chance your "five year old" came across adam's performance, she would not understand what she was seeing unless you told her and made a judgment on what she was seeing.
and yes, we are telling you that you should shut off your TV when you come across things you don't like. it's all up to you and your ability to edit what you wish to see, or what you wish your five year old to see.
jomama
DBFan2009, please feel free show your children gay porn at breakfast because as you say 'they will not know what they are seeing'. Enjoy the world you create. Y
jbo206
@jomama
Way to go hyperbolic (aside: you should question yourself as to why you immediately thought of gay porn) . DBFan has said multiple times (quite respectfully I might add) that a late night awards show is going to be much wilder than an AM morning show (which is apparently what CBS understood when they booked him after the ABC cancellation).
I would focus my outrage on bigger fish like the environment, our economy or stopping child beauty pageants :)
jeffheather
Db, you are probably right about it not being a repeat performance, but from what the AMAs said, they did not expect a lot of what happened..(that straight dude did not expect to get face-raped by Adam either). That said, Adam is admittedly all about free-expression at any cost and this changes the whole game for my music-loving 5 year old. AND TO ALL YOU OTHERS....This is NOT a GAY thing....we need to see gay PDA as MUCH AS POSSIBLE or us straight people will never get "comfortable" with it and they will never be accepted with equal rights.
crymeariver
The "what about the children" defense is always the last line of defense when ADULTS want something and want to use children to further their agenda. Sorry, I don't buy it. Just admit that YOU are uncomfortable with it. Children don't watch GMA. Additionally, have you seen the other FEMALE singers perform lately? They are almost no clothes on, touch every part of their sexual organs, and sexually side up to male members of the band.
jeffheather
crymeariver:
You obviously don't have children....I would have thought exactly the same way you did before I had a daughter. But when you are responsible for your child's self-esteem and future sexual well-being, your views change. And, BTW, she WOULD watch GMA if she was flipping thru and saw ADAM on there, and I sometimes turn on GMA to listen to while we get ready in the morning, so that pretty much cancels out your "red herring" theory.
andygirl
Oh come on! We all grow up seeing sexuality in life. From our parents, friends, people on the street. Straight sexuality, gay sexuality. What's the difference? Kids don't care. It's not porn; it's kissing, a little crotch grabbing. In fact, it's good for them to see that sex isn't evil. It's normal. What are you all so afraid of?
UNITEDCREATIONS
This may make all the sense in the world to some...
What's the difference between Gay Male Porno's and Lesbian Porno's?
Lesbian Porn looks good from all angles... Gay Porno most certainly does not~
troublemonkey
You're a fascist. You're insisting your standards are the only ones, and it's easy for YOU to say you "don't believe it would have been the intent" because YOU have no horse in this race...
You have no credibility when you say, "she would not understand what she was seeing." And, the WHOLE POINT of BROADCAST DECENCTY STANDARDS and "prime time" is, to give you a reasonable idea of when you need to start safeguarding your kids from adult material.
When's the last time you saw a HETERO kiss someone like that onstage... like they were trying to chew and swallow the other's tonsils? And I don't care WHO the partner was, the oral sex simulation was just basically a "f**k you" to the audience. It was more like rape than sex, the whoe thing.
It set gay marriage back seriously in many people's minds, because, did that look like the kind of stable love necessary for marriage, or did it look like thrill-seeking multiple-partner just-go-crazy crap everyone *envisions* when they say they don't believe gays would honor the institution the same way heteros do?
It reinforced a number of crappy stereotypes, was needlessly assaultive, and, its biggest sin, simply not entertaining.
gak001
Don't you think he would keep his audience in mind when going on a morning show? All performers tone it down when they go on talk shows.
bobzaguy
duh...who's the parent here? Am I missing something?
On a warmer note, thanks for any and all activism you offer to your community.
Genni2002
What about Madonna and 'fake' masturbation? Some A-listers do some pretty nasty things at concerts and in their video. Though, it does get a bit over the top...like get a room already - without the TV cameras!
jomama
It's not the 'religious right' it's the vast majority of Americans. Here's where the gay debate gets tricky: while a majority of Americans are ok with other people being gay - a big majority of Americans are very uncomfortable with overt gay sexuality - not so much men kissing, but the face-in-crotch thing. A strong minority of Americans would fine hetero crotch-in-face insulting, but a clear MAJORITY of Americans find a gay crotch-in-face scene totally deplorable. This is what makes it interesting: Americans have a right to find something disgusting. We can legislate that gay people have access to gov services and equal employment etc. but we can't legislate what they find acceptable behavior and not - even if it is a double standard. I lived with gay people in the Castro in SF - gayest place in the world - and I loved many things about that culture, but I still to this day find the concept of gay sex revolting. Just as much as some men were born gay - and we must respect that - there are even more who find the act totally repulsive. That doesn't mean hate, that doesn't mean we can't treat people with respect and even love - but it's the way it is. And this issue is not like the civil rights movement. It has some similarities, but it's different.
Genni2002
Still, the chance that this would happen on GMA is probably not even on the scale. Also, aren't these morning NEWS shows? It would be a big story to have him on the air and ask him about the appropriateness of his actions. Many shows have a lot of gyrations with bumping and grinding plus kissing between women and men and women and women on their specials and award shows. Still those guys/gals get invited to morning shows.
Not that I am interested in seeing him or Madonna / Britney (sp?) / etc.. getting it on in any way shape or form, so with you on that, but that said, this has got the distinct odor of a double standard here....
painter
You people need to spend some time on a farm. See what the difference is the difference is between people and animals, it is not tricky. What makes us aware and spiritual beings. I guaranty it is not sticking your pecker in every hole that does not evade your special brand of philosophy. Gays are not special. Been around since the beginning. No big deal what you do with your body parts.However if your habits spread disease you should take responsibility for all others and curtail your lack of fidelity. Just give it to the one you love.
troublemonkey
Bravo for your honesty and clarity, jomama.
"Just as much as some men were born gay - and we must respect that - there are even more who find the act totally repulsive. That doesn't mean hate, that doesn't mean we can't treat people with respect and even love - but it's the way it is..." Very, VERY well-put.
mickeyitaliano
To bad you could not get Sam Champion's opinion. What I really wanted to say is that I think his 'handlers' were mostly behind his shock and awe appearance on the AMA's, but it backfired...Every blogger (gay/straight/fan or non) thought the song sucked and he cared more about the theatrics. When I saw the clips from the AMA's all I could think of, was that comment he made to "Out" about "not wanting to look too gay".
Terrance72
As a gay man, the problem, I think, that the vast majority of people have with gay sexuality is that there is more than an insigificant subset of gay men who overtly choose to define their entire persona based upon their sexuality. Have you ever seen a gay pride parade and not been left wondering why the world views us as aberrant? As to the argument that those images are solely the way the media chooses to portray us, take a walk down 8th avenue between 23rd and 14th any time of day and thell me those images are an anomaly. I'm not saying that gays need to hide their sexuality but we don't need to shove it down peoples throats either. And yes, no pun intended.
mickeyitaliano
I go to family stuff where some relatives embarrass me for their dead on Italian stereotype actions, and I feel I want no part of them... but I can't, because I am one of them. Ya know what I mean?
hockeydog
Terrance, you are absolutely right. If this "entertainer" wants to help his fellow homosexuals' lifestyle to become more accepted by society, he would be more circumspect.
I hate to say this, but this kind of crap just gives veracity to the kooks, the muslim extremists, the Chinese censors, and others who will rightfully view this as another example of western society's decadence.
Toss the tube!
troublemonkey
Wow, ANOTHER very honest and well-structured comment. Bravo, Terrance.
Ronym5
Where were all these heterosexuals complaining when Miley Cyrus pole danced.
IT's a double standard and everybody knows it.
sandyej
That too was inappropriate and should never have aired and I, as a hetero, objected strongly to it, just as I did to the idea of having Lambert on the show.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander!
It does seem that there is a double standard, and people setting the broadcast standards must wake up and realize this.
DBFan2009
exactly - and here's a difference between miley's pole dance and adam's glam performance: miley's audience, both live and at home, was aimed specifically AT CHILDREN.
where was the outcry? it hardly made a ripple.
troublemonkey
If you didn't notice the outcry, you weren't listening.
troublemonkey
A LOT of people (including Joel on The Soup) felt very uncomfortable about that performance.
And if she had a half-teaspoonful of brains, she never would have done it.
But, hey, this is Billy Ray's kid we're talking about, so unless Mom was the president of Mensa, she didn't really have a genetic shot at a half-teaspoon, LOL.
DakLak
American network TV - stuck in the 1970's - no wonder they are losing audience share (and advertising revenue).
PaulJG
Dreadful sorry, DakLak. You don't like American network TV, then TiVO to your heart's content. Although I think Lambert's got great talent, I'm not interested in having that crap in my house during prime time.
gak001
Then use the remote - you're in control of your television. If you're old enough to pay for cable, then you're old enough to self-censor. I don't need the government and the networks to protect my delicate sensibilities from (gasp!) cursing and (gasp!) human sexuality. Think of the children? That's what the v-chip is for.
libertyville
Hmmm simple arithmetic suggests if you go from 5 networks to 500 networks on cable divided by the same 300 million, all shares will decline. Didn't get through remedial math, did we.
carriel
I think Mr Lambert is intelligent enough to be able to play to his demographic and he would have a different show for early morning then late at night. I didn't care for the face in the crotch move, never liked it when MJ would grab his crotch all the time and didn't care for Shakira's pelvic gyrations either. Madonna does this all the time it's nothing new. I do think it's a double standard to cancel him from the show. They wouldn't say Madonna has a sexually agressive act and cancel her. Anyway, he is on the Early Show, has walked out and looks wonderful, and I shall catch him there.
sandyej
Even though GMA is on a time-delay broadcast (only a couple of minutes?), they could still get caught out if Mr. Lambert did anything similar to what he performed at the AMA.
Having to cut him from a "live" show would be disastrous for all parties involved.
While Mr. Lambert was indeed outrageous on the AMA and viewers would have been aware that such an act could happen in that venue, a similar performance would not have been appropriate on a morning TV show.
Suit the action to the time, that's all that was needed.
If GMA was not sure that this would happen, they were certainly within their rights to cancel his performance.
If I had been booking the show, I would have done the same thing.
crymeariver
O.K. then go through the list of performances on GMA for the ENTIRE year. I bet you can't find more than a hand full that were not at least rated R in their clothing choice (or lack thereof) or in the gestures they made to other band members. You probably didn't complain because you now consider it normal.
troublemonkey
If you don't see the huge distinction between clothing choice or gestures and full-on simulated oral intercourse, you've got even bigger problems than your poorly-thought-out prior posts indicate.
If those other acts were objectionable -- someone would have OBJECTED, dumbass.
Frenchmanaz
I have posted on this topic already but just can't let it go.
I am very socially liberal, have gay friends and abhore the fact that in this day and age, my gay friends continue to be denied the same rights that I enjoy.
Mr. Lambert's exhibition didn't offend me in any way, but at a time when the gay community is desperately trying desperately to gain legitimacy in this backward country ( on this issue ), this kind of childish behavior only sets the cause of regular folk gays and lesbians back years.
Mr. Lambert did nothing but confirm stereotypes and push many on the wrong side of this argument, but who might have been on the fence, back over to the " against " column.
You will remain defiant Mr. Lambert because you think you have done a service for the gay community, but you haven't. I fully appreciate the incredible pain many gays suffer in their early lives as they grapple with the fact that they are different from many in their world. The horror of having to live in the closet. I have known friends before and after they come out, the incredible feeling of liberation and the desire to shout atop the rooftops " I am gay and proud of it ". It typically results in a period of excess exhibitionism, which is eventually followed by a calming as they settle into their new being. Even I, this liberal man, have found myself a little uncomfortable with some of my friends, during that jump for joy stage, but have always reminded myself of the suffering that happened before.
You are likely coming out of your shell Mr. Lambert but, while I am not impressed by your musical talent, you have become a public figure and therefore must think beyond your own selfish desires. The term " there is a time and a place " is a propos. Exhibiting faux homo eroticism on a stage where it is guaranteed that families, many of who have voting power on the future of your community, is not the time nor the place to " shout atop the rooftops " I am gay, hear me roar ".
Someone above said " hypocrisy...why didn't Miley Cyrus get the same backlash upon her stripper pole ? "...well first off, she did, however, Miley is not a spokesperson for her community. She likely offended many parents of young girls who idolized her, but this only effects Miley Cyrus, not an entire community trying so hard to be treated like human beings. It's Apples and Oranges.
Mr. Lambert has done nothing more than confirm ( right or wrong ) the prejudices of too many. If this only effected Mr. Lambert's bank account, I would care less, but it goes so far beyond this.
You want to fight for the gay community Mr. Lambert ? ?Find some self control.
loloo33
"....Mr. Lambert did nothing but confirm stereotypes..." what did you mean? did you think Gays don't have sex like us?
Frenchmanaz
@loloo33...do I really need to explain my comment about negative stereotypes ? I mean really ?
Your comment seems to elude to the possibility that I somehow feel that gays are not normal, which if you read my post could not be further from the truth, but I am not the one who needs convincing nor am I the one who creates these negative ( untrue ) stereotypes. Such as " gays are perverts, sinful, abnormal, unfit to be around our children ". If you aren't aware that these stereotypes exist then maybe you need to do some research before you question someone who is clearly trying to stand up for the gay community at large.
I repeat, I was NOT OFFENDED by Mr. Lambert's exhibition, the gay community already has my vote. It's the vote of countless other Americans who refuse to accept.
You know what... take the time to re-read my post before you question my motives and waste my time again.
mzkatt
There are people with self control that does have this kind of sex but don't fill the need to tell it to the whole world.
jaydeekay
Great post.
mzkatt
Great post
libertyville
Most of America to GMA: You did the right thing. Out of control behavior is not acceptable prime time.
loloo33
we all do have internet right?
johnnyapplecd
Most of America to GMA: despite what this shmuck thinks, we don't actually watch your crusty, prudish show, so go ahead and do whatever the fuck you want.
This is the third (or is it more) time I've seen idiots on this post claiming to speak for "Most of America" (150M people) having some sort of unified opinion about a TV show that only 4 or 5M people actually ever watch.
Morons.
gak001
Hear, hear!
mzkatt
Yea. you are right. There is alot of Humans that would rather watch a man put a womens face in his crotch then watch GMA. As far as I see it he wasn't purforming for the Gay community. He was performing for the masses. He forgot that the masses tend to be too liberal to bother themselves with a crusty, prudish show.
texdem
He shoved a woman's face into his crotch. On network television. On a show that every little girl in America wanted to stay up and watch.
He was acting in an outrageous manner in order to create buzz and it worked. But it wasn't just outrageous, it was aggressive. If our liberal senses tell us that he can love anyone he wants, then they can surely tell us we don't expose our children to sexual aggression as such a norm that a dancer does it on a pop star show.
johnnyapplecd
I love how people say, in a startled/outraged/indignant tone, "On network television". You'd think he was having anal sex in your living room.
Reach a hand out and turn the fucking tube off. It's just that easy. Or start sooner and try to teach your little girls not to give that much of a shit about a goddamn TV show.
Sure, it's agressive. Violent, even. That's why you're always complaining about the constant agression from 4 prime-time football games a week on TV, right?
If they were gay, and tackling each other while catching balls, then you'd be pissed. As it is, it's just "tradition".
No one forces you to watch TV, or takes your kid aside when you're not there to convince her to ignore her parents. Whose house is it? Take charge and act like a fucking adult, instead of whining whenever somone does something you don't like "On network television (gasp!)".
gak001
You said it. Hear, hear!
troublemonkey
The airwaves are a public trust. You have the right to do whatever you want in private or in an environment of consensus. But there are many, MANY things you are allowed to do in private that you are not allowed to do in public.
If I was masturbating on TV and someone objected, would you tell them they hated masturbation and masturbators and that it was their job to turn the channel if they didn't want to watch it? Becuase that's essentially what you're saying now: whenever I feel like it, I can abrogate a national consensus as to what's appropriate at certain hours in a public medium and what is not.
I'm a liberal. You're a fascist with a liberal overcoat.
But the standing public consenus on network prime time
mzkatt
Maybe some of us would still like to watch some shows with our families. Do all you so called liberals have to have every platform there is to live your lives. You had it on an award show now your bitching cause you can't have it on another. Talk about gluttony.
crymeariver
1) My LIBERAL friends don't let their children stay up past 10 PM. Maybe you should consider your bad parenting skills.
2) My LIBERAL friends don't let their children watch morning shows. Their kids prepare for school and watch a little bit of cartoons then head out the door. Again, perhaps you should work on your parenting skills since a lot of things on morning shows are not appropriate for children.
3) I love how you conservatives complain about a nanny state, but turn around and demand that T.V. should be monitored to follow YOUR sensibilities.
4) It's NEVER about the children. It's about adults who feel uncomfortable with something and their only defense is the "think about the children". Major FAIL.
andygirl
Bravo
aackc1
Cry... C'mon how many kids actually watch TV today. I guess your LIBERAL friends are hugely ignorant or provide gestapo tactics for not allowing their kids internet access.
Its about social acceptability. Obviously for GMA and their audience and sponsor this is socially unacceptable for them.
Its the same reason that Bubba said he had sexual relations vs. getting blown. Sexual relations is socially acceptable and blowjob is not.
johnnyapplecd
Yes, aackc1, the difference is that some people see the stupidity of that, and some do not.
The only difference between "sexual relations" and "blow job" is the letters that spell them, not some imagined sensitivity to vulgarity. They're both vulgar--so why is one socially acceptable and the other a problem?
Everyone needs to get over themselves.
gak001
Hear, hear!
It's all about personal responsibility - WE are in control of our televisions, WE are in control of our children's upbringing. If we can't teach them to know right/wrong and to sort out acceptable behavior from unacceptable behavior, then that's a personal failure, not society's fault.
The main reason people get so offended by what's on television is because they let it raise their children instead of doing the job themselves. Turn off the T.V. and send your kids to the park.
troublemonkey
Anyone who says "NEVER" like that is a complete tool. You're as bad as the conservatives.
Yeah, keep telling people how to raise their kids, childless one.
loloo33
Agreeing with Dan savage and I am one of your fan from "stangers". America needs revolutions in so many ways.
troublemonkey
Is there an actual sentence in there somewhere?
Thank you.
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