This year, gay videos were viral.
From Keith Olbermann’s speech on gay marriage, to the Prop. 8 musical, to Wanda Sykes’s take on “That’s so gay,” 2008 was the year that gay news made good video.
Here are our picks for the American political LGBT videos that made the most impact this year.
Note to our international readers: much of this video may not be viewable to those outside the U.S. Our apologies! We try to limit our use of U.S.-only video, but sometimes we have to make exceptions. For more on this topic, read Sarah’s explanation of why and when we use geo-blocked content.
1. Prop 8: The Musical!
This sly, star-studded response to the passage of California’s Proposition 8 – starring Jack Black as Jesus – made the economic case for gay marriage in such a funny, subversive way, you can’t help but sing along. 2. Keith Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love
Keith Olbermann stunned viewers with his six-minute rant on why the Prop 8 vote was wrong, saying, “Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option.” 3. The Victory Fund response to Sally Kern
When Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern compared us to terrorists, the Victory Fund responded by playing her own words over the faces of gays and lesbians.
This is the face of terrorism, Sally Kern? Really? 4. Gay marriage: Ellen vs. McCain; Jon Stewart vs. Huckabee
The talk show hosts were on our side. Here’s Ellen taking on McCain – and winning. And here’s Jon Stewart taking on Mike Huckabee.
The Daily Show With Jon StewartM – Th 11p / 10c
Barack Obama Interview John McCain Interview
Sarah Palin Video Funny Election Video
Note Jon’s brilliant argument that religion is definitely a choice – and yet we still give rights to religious people.
Bonus: Ellen’s strong, moving statement on what gay marriage means to her.
5. Wanda Sykes: That’s so 16-year-old-boy
Before she came out at an anti-Prop 8 rally, Wanda Sykes was featured in one of several PSAs that pointed out how stupid – and mean – it is to call something you find dumb “gay.”
(Select “pizza shop” from the drop-down to watch the PSA that stars Wanda.) 6: Rachel Maddow: On African-Americans and Prop 8
This was the most reasoned explanation I saw for why African-Americans voted against gay marriage in California – and why gay people were so troubled by the outcome. 7. Biden and Palin on gay couples
In the Vice Presidential debate, something extraordinary happened: the Vice President-elect said that gay rights – that marriage rights – are enshrined in the Constitution.
This is a big deal. Check it out yourself. Here was SNL/Tina Fey’s response. Her gay marriage zinger brings the kind of clarity only the best humor can. 8. Should marriage be banned for everyone?
Here, two law professors debate whether heterosexuals should lose marriage rights, too. This is maybe the most subversive video of all, basically arguing that if gays can’t get marriage, ain’t nobody getting marriage. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
