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Oprah celebrates a gay rights "revolution""What if the freedom to be yourself all came down to where you live?" That's what Oprah asked in her "Gay Around the World" episode on Oct. 24. She said gays and lesbians are in the midst of a "global civil rights revolution," citing Dumbledore's recent outing as an example of change for the better. She also provided a summary of global laws and severe punishments, such as stoning and beheading. And she touched on the state of U.S. issues, including gay marriage, adoption, workplace discrimination and "don't ask, don't tell." The first segment of the show concerned an Indian prince, Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla. He faced family shame and public outrage when he came out. He still lives in a palace, but he has struggled with mental health issues — though he says he has no regrets. Hang in there, Prince Manvendra! Your turban is downright fabulous. The second segment of the show focused on Staceyann Chin, who was born in Jamaica and now lives in New York City.
In Jamaica, gays and lesbians are targeted by mobs and fear for their safety daily. Staceyann described the homophobic culture of her childhood, including the brutal sexual assault she suffered. You can read more of Staceyann's story on Oprah's website. And here's her segment: Staceyann is pretty fabulous even without a turban. The last interview segment was a chat with John Amaechi, the former NBA player who came out earlier this year. He's single, but Oprah seemed pretty certain he'll have no trouble getting dates. After the interviews, Rachel Dowd, Deputy Editor of The Advocate, declared Sweden the most gay-friendly country on the planet. She also expressed optimism about the progress in the U.S., and characterized Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent comments at Columbia as "laughable." Oprah was encouraging and friendly throughout the episode. All in all, the show was a thoughtful exploration of the discrimination gays and lesbians face around the world. (Fine, I'm a little skeptical about the whole "global revolution" thing, but it's a nice idea.) Oprah even mentioned her guest-star turn on Ellen and noted that she got so much hate mail afterward — and yet Ellen DeGeneres went on to host the Oscars. Thanks, Oprah: You're still doing a lot of good! Submitted by on October 25, 2007 - 11:04am. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
thank you
oprah deserves thanks for doing the show, and so does stacyann chin.
stacyann is so beautiful, and she is so brave. when she told her story, i was speechless. she is a woman warrior in the truest sense. i identified with her longing for home, as i think many queer women from rural areas who choose to live freer lives elsewhere, do. thank you, stacyann, for being brave, for speaking up, for making art, for living a courageous life that defies everything that others tell you it should be. thank you.
Waaaaaah
Awesome
I think it's really great of Oprah to do an episode like this! Staceyann was awesome as ever:D I wish I could see the entire episode, but I'll have to wait a couple of months to see it. Gotta be patient...
I agree - many thanks to you!
With more shows like this one, hopefully, there's hope around the world for change - of course, you are also fighting against, poverty, religious ignorance, and sexism, but who's afraid of a challenge?! I know that I share her experiences, and connect with her feelings of "wanting to go home" in the true sense, with all of who you are, but not being able to.
I am so glad that she had a close relationship with her grandmother who accepted who she is before she passed. I think its essential that when you're from a culture that rejects who you are, you at least have someone in your family believing in you.
I love the idea of her book...I think we should each do what we can to show the world how different we all are, and how the same - and in so doing, less emphasis and focus can be put on who we share our lives with.
Go Oprah!! Go Staceyann!! Go all of us!! Who's down for a vaycay in Sweden ;-)
AE Feature Suggestion: Sarah & the powers that be, how about a "Gay around the World" section of the website, where you feature a story every week from at least one person from one country (with a vlog if one exists) that would be great. I know I'd love to read/hear/see/share experiences with our global community. By the way, I love this website - think its the best thing since "fried plantain" - believe me, that means a lot!
:-O
You are reading my mind
Haven't seen the episode yet, but you were reading my mind about the 'Gay Around The World' bit.
I had plans on doing this on a new site I've been trying to launch (not gay specific, but more life specific. Where we post articles about various subjects and do movie/music/tv reviews).
I was going to post a thread in the forum asking if people would be interested in being interviewed for that.
The Way The Cookie Crumbles - http://blog.alrightstill.net
Because Visibility Matters - The AfterEllen.com Fanlisting - http://aefan.alrightstill.net
Mesmerizing - The Lauren Blitzer Fanlisting - http://lbfan.alrightstill.net
am i the only one??
That almost fell over laughing when Oprah said "When I did Ellen" and then there was a long pause...of course, she went on to explain about her appearance on the puppy episode...but it was the best five seconds of tv i've seen in a while!
overall, great show. john amaechi is a great role model for the community.
ha!
i heart oprah
i thought the episode was great. big up to the prince for not giving a damn about the crown and being true to himself. i thought it was funny towards the end of the show when oprah suggested she speak to his mother.
and staceyann...if you weren't touched by that then you're not human. it's funny because my step mom and brother are jamaican. he would always tell me to come stay there but when i expressed my concerns about the homophobia he told me i didn't have to worry because he would protect me. the idea that he would have to is precisely why i've never stepped foot on the island...maybe one day that will change.
great show
Oprah
the shallow in me
oh hey
hey P*rn Librarian
Homophobia pervades Jamaican
Homophobia pervades Jamaican music, music pervades Jamaican life. You learn to be anti-gay even before you know what it means to be gay.
Beautiful Staceyann
I've already known for a long time for a LGBTQI person to come out in some countries he or she can be a target of hate. I'm sorry Staceyann had to face that. I wish it nevered happened. I'm sure those boys now men will get theirs one day. I'm sorry for her grandmother's passing, I know she was her rock. Staceyann is a beautiful person inside and out. I'm glad the United States welcomes different people into this country. Staceyann is changing this country and the world with her voice. Staceyann you'll never too loud. Loud is good, silence is deadly.
Stay Beautiful!
...
i almost cried when Staceyann said Jamaica is home and almost choked with her tears. i feel the same way sometimes. i wish to just drop everything or leave on bad days when i think i can never keep queit anymore, or when i know that my family will never understand. but then i imagine leaving the only home i knew and loved and i recoil in fear. its so hard leaving your home because you never felt accepted.
Staceyann...you brought braveness out of all of us, i hope those boys realize what an awful thing they have done and i hope one day you'll be able to make Jamaica a gay-tolerant country. stay loud and stay strong, love to you from every lesbian who felt shunned by her own people. :)