Mar 21, 2008   | COMMENTS     

Celebrities are entitled to a private life, too

Re: “Ellen, you go girl!” (blog post by Kevin Naff, March 13)

Good for Ellen if that’s what she wants to do, I just hope she finds a balance in doing so because she does more for the promotion of gay rights by just being herself, having a good time and letting people see into her life and how much alike people are whether gay or straight. As for the people being “safely ensconced in their closet” comment, I say “live and let live.” Sometimes people just want to live their lives privately and be judged by who they are and their accomplishments and not what their sexual preferences are.

I don’t think it’s right for you to claim that Queen Latifah and others are in the closet. One may have suspicions but do you know from personal experience that the individuals mentioned in the blog are indeed gay? If they claim not to be gay and you don’t have personal knowledge then you are in the wrong for stating what may or may not be true. It is not your right to call someone gay if they have denied it or just ignored it. If you were gay and not ready to tell the world or just family and friends that you are gay would you appreciate someone “coming out” for you? I had a dear friend who is gay land in the hospital after being beaten by his brothers when he came out to his family. I think everyone’s sexual orientation is private and I think everyone has a right to their privacy unless and until they make their individual choice to announce it to family, friends — or the media.

I’m not sure how you all get away with this sort of trash. When an individual says they are not gay you should not be able to list their name with a statement of fact that they are. I never heard a word about Queen Latifah being gay and while I have heard about Clay Aiken being gay, he has stated over and over again that he is not. He also said he is through refuting anything about his personal life because you will write what you want and it doesn’t matter what an individual says. It really is a shame you are able to do that to another human being.

‘Tongues Untied’ offers refreshing look at black gay life in the U.S.

Re: “A kiss with ‘Tongue’” (film review by Greg Marzullo, March 14)

I’m glad to read of “Tongues” being released on DVD. I vividly remember when my PBS station cowardly yanked “Tongues” from its programming, claiming the language was too raw. Yet I notice they broadcast similar shows with only white gays and lesbians. I haven’t given PBS a dime since. Pity “Tongues” has been the only documentary to provide a glimpse into being black and gay in America.

Obama has record of standing up for gays

Re: “Gay Obama adviser resigns over anti-Clinton e-mail” (news, March 14)

Who cares if Donnie McClurkin wants to fight away his homosexuality? We can’t expect everyone who supports Obama to agree with everything Obama supports. Obama stood up at Ebenezer Baptist Church and spoke out for gay rights, and that church is definitely against us. The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force had to ask Bill Clinton to remove his anti-gay ads in his 1996 campaign, and Hillary currently says gay rights should be left up to the states. No state should have the right to discriminate against us. Bottom line: Obama stands his ground for us.

Greater Mt. Calvary is not unique among churches

Re: “Outing campaign roils D.C. black church” (news, Feb. 1)

Recently, I read some statements made by an anonymous male related to the situation that occurred at Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church. While I applaud the gentleman’s newfound religion (happy atheism), I think that his criticisms of black gay men and black (presumably heterosexual) women were most unfortunate. In addition, I do not believe that all church members are brainwashed, nor are all clergy “in it for the money.” What is worse, I take serious offense to his misguided doctrine that there is no true love in the African-American church.