Danso Gordon
You may remember that back when The N's South of Nowhere was in its prime, one of its primary cast members, Danso Gordon (who played "Clay Carlin") abruptly quit the show because it "went against my personal Faith and integrity."
The show was one of the few on television that depicted gay teens in a positive way, and, at the time, there was speculation that this was exactly what Gordon found objectionable.
As we reported in February 2007, "The N's editorial director recently (accidentally?) revealed at a youth roundtable that an unnamed actor on the show felt that the positive portrayal of coming out — and the decidedly less positive picture painted by a conservative Christian mom who tries de-gay her dykey daughter — was 'morally wrong,' and asked to leave the show."
The negative publicity surrounding his departure surely put more pressure on the producers of the show, who were already under fire by conservative groups who protested the positive portrayal of queer teens Spencer (Gabrielle Christian) and Ashley (Mandy Musgrave).
South of Nowhere went on without Gordon (whose character was killed off) and ran for a total of three seasons before being canceled in 2008. Since that time, the number of lesbians on television has continued to dwindle.
Today, I received the message below from Gordon that he asked me to share with AfterEllen.com readers:
SOUTH OF NOWHERE CHANGED MY LIFE
I was raised in a very religious home in Canada. I entered the American film business at the age of 16. When I landed the role of Clay Carlin on TV's South Of Nowhere, I was excited about playing one of the teenagers on the show. The show centered around young people dealing with various issues that affect their daily lives.
At that time in my life, I thought that some of the episodes dealing with sexual orientation and alternative lifestyles were in conflict with my personal beliefs. Although, I have never made any derogatory remarks about sexual preference and have friends and many co-workers who are Gay and Lesbian, I quietly felt internal pressure to give up a great role on a great show.
I later realized that those around me, at that time in my life, were promoting and pushing their beliefs on me. Initially, I felt that they were my beliefs but in reality I was conditioned by the conservative religious views of my upbringing. I know now that what I went through is not uncommon to most young people: 1) we attempt to please those around us, and 2) we tend to accept the beliefs of those around us as our own. My experience both on and after South Of Nowhere has really changed my mindset and personal beliefs.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm caring person who is very sensitive to the feelings of others. I'm no longer an impressionable/naive young man, but rather a free-thinking 29-year old man. President Obama gave a stirring speech on race, prior to getting elected that opened the hearts and minds of a nation. Everyone on this planet has the right to self-expression.
I have been fortunate to work in Film & TV for 14 straight years. I have worked with many talented Actors, Producers and Directors who are Gay or Lesbian. My experience working on South Of Nowhere expanded my understanding and sensitivity to the plights of my Gay and Lesbian friends everywhere. Without it, I wouldn't have evolved to my current level of acceptance, understanding and spiritual consciousness.
I will forever be grateful to the show's execs, writers and cast members for a truly positive life changing experience. That's really what the show was all about! I have been and continue to remain supportive to my friends and co-workers in their efforts to enjoy the same dignity, respect and rights due all citizens of this planet...without judgment.
To simply sum all up, when I was a child I thought as a child, when I became a man, I put away childish thoughts. South Of Nowhere has forever changed my life and hopefully the lives of many others.
— Danso Gordon
Here's Gabrielle Christian's response to Danso's statement:
Danso, thank you. I'm sure we all understand how a certain upbringing and social environment can effect one's judgment, however, the important thing is that nothing is permanent (especially one's state of mind). Nevertheless, I must admit I missed having you as my brother for the remainder of South of Nowhere! Wouldn't it be great to go back and do it all over again? Clay was really something, and I know how important of a role model he was to our fans, especially considering his difficult circumstances.
However, it's very comforting to know that his journey (both onscreen and off) has affected you in the way that we hope he has for others. I fully commend and appreciate your words of kindness and enlightenment. Thank you so much for being an inspiration. You're my hero!
— Gabrielle Christian
Read former SON showrunner Nancylee Myatt's response in the comments below.
What do you think of Gordon's change of heart?
Hmm...
I was re-watching SoN earlier today and I started thinking about this dude. I remember that I read somewhere that he left the show for "religious reasons" and I therefor assumed that it was because of the whole gay thing. But when I watched it today I thought that that couldn't be the case, because he must have known what the show was going to be about, so I started to think that maybe he had problems with the abortion storyline that was more or less developing. But after reading this statement that theory went straight out the window. Now I just feel sad for him because obviously he can't read or something - why else would he have signed on in the first place?
Everyone has a right to change their minds and I am going to assume that he is sincere in what he is saying.. But.. You know.. One can never be sure.
Good show, Danso Gordon
Faith, hope and love win out
So true! :) The Bible *is* on our side! ;)
Sounds genuine but shouldnt
and why shouldn't it be the
Great to have another ally!
A Beauiful Apology Letter From Former South Of Nowhere Cast
I must say what a gracious and mature young man for him to admit the truth to himself and others. I didn't watch SON. If only I had a tv I would. I knew after reading the news story on here that it wasn't him but possible outside influences.
I'm glad he apologized and I accept his apology. It is so nice to see it come from an African descent television celeb, which there aren''t that much support from African-descent community when it comes to sexual minorities.
So kudos to you,Danso.
I found it interesting he wrote to Karman. That means he is a lurker on here.
Beautiful letter.
Light & Love, Danso.
having a mind of his own
good for him. eventhough it doesn't excuse his homophobia of the past, I am glad he had a change of heart.
the world is changing..slowly but surely :)
Change of Heart>>
I think this is totally heartfelt.
I thank Mr. Gordon for being so forthright. I also really appreciate him being able to go inside and ask himself if he really believed what he believed about LGBT folks or was it really just what was indoctrinated in him.
Bravo.
Proud of him...
Hard thing to confess publicly. It was a difficult time for Danso and for those of us who were trying to tell authentic stories that would help open up hearts and minds... oh and entertain.
I want to also give my heart felt love and appreciation to everyone else on the show during that time who did not draw lines in the sand, but worked together to make it happen. It all worked out -- other characters/actors got to explore and say the things that Danso/Clay would not. And we were stretched as writers to think of all points of view.
Danso and I became strange allies in the end. He left the show because he didn't want to be a part of telling stories he felt in conflict with. And I was fired for telling them... And selfishly, I think the show never quite recovered from losing both of us.
At the series wrap party we shared a moment and a laugh of both being the outsiders, who both had fought for what we wanted and got burned in the process.
Thank you, Danso. For all your honesty, then and now. And for the thought provoking "conversations" during our 2 seasons together on that little dark horse of a show that changed so many lives.
Keep telling your story, now more than ever. Nancylee xo
Do what you love, with those you love.
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never
The show was never quite the same once you two were gone. Although Mandy, Gabby, Maeve, Valery and everyone else did a great job of pushing through. It just wasn't the same.
Nice
I do honestly believe he had a change of heart. It's not an easy thing to change your beliefs or to make them public. The fact that he wanted to share this with us and unprompted and without promoting anything gains merit with me.
I think Obama's speech touched a lot of us and made us rethink some things and inspired us to be better people. Haven't you ever took a stand on something YOU believed in only years later you thought about it and changed your mindset?
So thank you Mr. Gordon.
Apology Accepted
I can't think of any materialistic benefit that Danso Gordon would get out of this. Ultimately this apology is for fans of the show. So I see this apology as sincere and a sign of maturity. I accept it. It is a sign of strength to apologize when the obvious rewards are none and it means stating what you did in the past was wrong. This is not a politician saying to sorry to save their career but seems to be a person who feels bad about choices made in the past and wants to make amends with a specific group. I fully accept the apology and wish Mr. Gordon good luck on his career.
Thank you
I agree; this is the more impressive because it's not an immediate, I-said-something-stupid-and-now-have-to-cover response; it's measured and thoughtful.
Thank you for the apology, Mr. Gordon. I hope you continue to grow and show the grace you have here. Best wishes in your career.
Is is just me--or does he
Thanks Danso!
Whenever *anyone* has a change of heart like this, we can only embrace it (I don't think it even matters all that much to debate and measure the sincerity of his apology). This is the change we need and I thank Danso Gordon for speaking out.
I would like to know what
I believe him
Thanks for the response, I
Thanks for the response, I was just curious since Karman didn't really give her 2 cents.
And how does know about Afterellen? Must be all the Spashley love.
I just like the fact that he
I choose to believe he is sincere haha
I think this letter is
Hrm
ha, I didn't realize such
It's rarely a bad thing.....
maybe it doesn't matter to everyone
maybe it doesn't matter to everyone, but I checked and he didn't do the same over at afterelton.com
Still he has a friendly smile, and I know this is a macho country, just two more cents....
actually forget my doubts
Actually if this was just about career moves he would have stayed in the south of nowhere role back when he quit the show, so I think he's just laying out his real feelings.
The complexities of life definitely get clearer as we grow older.
I hope the future brings more and more understanding... for everyone, everywhere, and always.
(just having a little chat with myself)
Well, his issue was with the
Woooow!
I'm so confused. I mean Really??? It's like you're damned if you do damned if you don't. Regardless if it's Danso Gordon from "South of Nowhere", this is a person who choose to publicly apologize for his once homophobic beliefs. He now supports the LGBT community. Are we at the point where it no longer matters to accept or appreciate someone supporting the LGBT community. Really?
People change, in his case, I think it's a positive one.
" True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united" ~ Wilhelm von Humbolt
I agree
"Regardless if it's Danso Gordon from "South of Nowhere", this is a person who choose to publicly apologize for his once homophobic beliefs."
Certainly with the LBiwomens community... and the show was talking more directly to us, so I think it's great.
Right On!
A good question to ask in lieu of many of the posts here. I feel his apology is genuine, thoughtful, and altrustic. If only Isaih Washington and Kanye West could be this thoughtful when an apology was called for.
AMEN!
Thank you for saying exactly what you just said. People do infact change. Some change for the worst and some change for the better. Before you doubt, ask yourself this. Are you the same person you were a few years ago? Hell, I'm not the same person I was 6 months ago. We as human beings are ever chaning. I'm just happy Danso's choosing to think for himself.
"Mother Chucker!" - Blair, Gossip Girl
Thank you!
I mean here we are fighting for people to see our side and accept us and when someone does people are like bla bla not sincere bla bla not an excuse etc. Come on! he's apoligizing and publicly! that's pretty awsome, and he's actually thankful for having changed his mind, get real people, give the guy props for admitting he was wrong and stop whining!
"Blackmail always works better then bribery."
Awesome
I think that this is amazing. He didn't have to do this. He certainly didn't have to send this in to AfterEllen and ask it to be posted on the site. I think that it's very sincere, and I'm very thankful that he did this. I also really appreciate the reference to 1 Corinthians 13.
When I was younger, I was very confident that homosexuality was wrong. I think that like Danso, I simply believed whatever adults told me about the issue. They were older...they had been Christians longer than me...so I assumed that they *must* be right in their understanding of the issue. When we're children, we tend to automatically believe adults. I'm just glad that he's at a point now where he's making decisions on issues for himself.
EXACTLY!!!
Which is why it was so difficult for me to accept...ME. I bought into all that crap from my family and "The Church". I was raised Irish Catholic...I have two cousins who came out to the family at Young ages as Gay & Lesbian. Neither were received very well....they weren't so much as ostricized, but it was difficult when it came to social family events, ie Weddings, Funerals(not that its a social event but it does bring everyone together in a somewhat formal setting) Baptisms...Holidays...ya get the idea. When my brother was getting married, and my Lesbian cousin wanted to be able come AND be able to bring her then significant other...I have a friend (straight) with whom I had the good fortune to have met her whole entire family...I was living a straight life, but was really mad crushing on my friend's sister, and it was plain as day to all our mutual friends...but except to me. I couldn't accept it for myself, however...I had no problems in accepting it in my cousins and other friends since I was heavily involved in theatre work, and yes, worked closely with and were tight friends with...Gays and Lesbians...so I said to my brother...here's a great opportunity for my friend to meet my entire family, like I have hers, and Marty(martha) can bring her girlfriend and not feel so....uncomfortable or as "the elephant in the room"....it took for my parents and most of my aunts & uncles to pass on...for me to feel like I can actually breathe....to have the freedom to be ME...if that could ever make sense...and I'm very sure it does to those of us in this community.
So having said ALL THIS...I believe Danso. I believe it took a lot for him to even REALIZE the influence of others and that their beliefs were not necessarily his own...it takes a lot to be a free thinker, to pull away from the strong pull of "gravity" towards what is to be considered "Normal", and "proper" and that everything else is WRONG... to think for himself, to decide for himself....
In summary...that was then...this is now...now is what we should focus on in the process of moving FORWARD....
Thank you Danso, for your heartfelt letter. Thank you for your support, and acceptance.
That's awesome of him
To apologize not many people who have cared to have done that. So that was genuine of him and good for him.
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"I have been fortunate to
"I have been fortunate to work in Film & TV for 14 straight years."
I lol'd.
Feels like he's making some kind of pun out of the career he's chosen, as opposed to continuing with SON at the time
Anyway, it was nice of him to issue this to us. I believe it's a scinere apology, and from the sound of it, he really has grown, and that's always a beautiful change. I always loved his character on the show (that scene where he's in the car after meeting his biological mother, who pretty much rejects him, still makes me cry!), and when I heard about the actor's reasons for leaving, I was very upset. He was a great actor, and I appreciate this from him.
~ Bianca
straight years
i caught that, too. :) if anything, it means that he didn't have his agent proof the letter, which really only helps his cause, in my mind.
danso, thank you for this. you must really feel genuine conviction to send such an unsolicited, unpressured letter to a site with as opinionated and vested an audience as this one has. it has not fallen on deaf ears.
here's to another 14 [slightly less] straight years of work in the biz for you!
Thanks for posting.
Thank you, Danso!
How incredibly kind of him to reach out and send such a thoughtful message. He was under no obligation to do so, and especially so many years after leaving the show, it says to me personally that this is something he feels strongly about. It really touched me, so thanks, Danso, if you're reading this!
Good on Danso
hold up.
Don't care.
LOL
It takes a certain amount of
It takes a certain amount of courage, humility and grace to be able to publicly admit you were wrong about something so important, and it not sound like just a ploy to curry favour.
He seems sincere, and his new found ability to see through other's eyes is refreshing.
I never disliked him for leaving the show; he had his reasons, and though they were not reasons I could understand personally he did what he thought was right for him. It saddened me more than angered me.
Glad to see his attitude has grown up with him :)
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That is Cool But...
The apology was worthy. But It dosent stop the fact that: why would you sign up for the show in the first place?!?!?!? Waste of everybodys time. And for the fans that were actually loving his character got hurt a lot when he left. If he wanted to give a apology that shouldve been like 2 years ago....."LATE" as in the words of Jen & Dee.
Why is it that we always want what we cant have... and always have what we dont really want?
Nice and all, again with a but...
Good for him
Kudos to Danso.
"Come On Then Get These Good Done Debbies"
whoa
Ok, I don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how this culture of apology started? Everytime I turn around, there's another public figure issuing an apology for shit that (most of the time) we shouldn't even give a damn about.
Kanye West acts like an ass but how is this news? Serena screams at a lines judge but why is this news? Danso Gordon left a show because of his own personal beliefs so why is this news? I get that having straight allies is important and he, apparently, hopes to help change the hearts and minds of others in his situation. All of that is great but I don't think he should have to "apologize". He didn't insult or assault anyone. I hold no ill will towards him and didn't really care when he left.
Could someone also explain why after an unnecessary apology is issued why most of the people who wanted it don't except it? I mean wtf? You wanted it, you got it, but it wasn't detailed enough or issued quickly enough, or sincere enough. Just goes to show that you can't please everyone so why try?
Oh man.
This is a homepage about lesbian-ish pop-culture, and he was sorta kinda part of it. If he wants to apologize, why don't you just let him. If you don't care it's fine, but why write something like it wasn't quickly or detailed enough? Maybe he just took his time, he obviously didn't change his mind overnight.
But he is reaching out to us, making a statement, being supporting and caring.
And you're right, he didn't have to apologize. But once again, he wanted to.