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Baby steps

bigvalboy

By bigvalboy
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quoththeraven Grand Master

+ quoththeraven

Posted
Posted

I'm glad Cook's gone on record. The open secrecy he previously embraced is not a viable alternative in today's wired society and too often comes across as defensive and a concession that one's sexuality is something to be ashamed of.

 

I hope my prediction that it will make zero difference to running Apple turns out to be true.

bigvalboy Grand Master

bigvalboy

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I was just going to post about it, I'm glad I checked before I did it.

 

A new role model, another gay man who is successful.

 

It would have been better if I had put his name in the title to my post, so that it would have been immediately recognizable as to the content. I realized it a little too late, and posted the thread. As you know, changes can't be made after that. ;)

marylander1940 Grand Master

marylander1940

Posted
Posted
It would have been better if I had put his name in the title to my post, so that it would have been immediately recognizable as to the content. I realized it a little too late, and posted the thread. As you know, changes can't be made after that. ;)

 

You should click (!) and ask if they could do it.

 

Usually I type the name of the new thread on top or my first posting to see how long it could be, after you click "enter" you can change the posting but not the tittle, not even within the first 45 mins.

Steven_Draker Mentor

Steven_Draker

Posted
Posted

Ian McKellen: 'I've never met a gay person who came out and who regretted it'

 

'I often thought my gravestone would say, 'Here lies Gandalf. He came out,"' says the 75-year-old actor who came out publicly 25 years ago

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmsJfxj1Vq4/T2Q5--HTjII/AAAAAAAAABs/vhhwKKkgPsM/s1600/Ian+McKellen+as+Gandalf.jpg

 

Speaking with BuzzFeed Brews interview on Friday, gay British actor Ian McKellen commended his X-Men co-star Ellen Page for coming out last week, and encouraged LGBTs who are in the closet to consider doing the same.

 

The 75-year-old, who publicly came out more than 25 years ago, is best known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

 

Although McKellen was open about his sexual orientation, he said it wasn't until 1988 that he came out to the general public and he did so in response to a law passed by the UK government.

 

'I was always openly gay… I had a series of partners and we went everywhere together and we were accepted, living in London in the '60s and '70s, but never making a fuss, never dreaming that we might get married, never dreaming we could have a civil partnership, never dreaming that, should we want to, we could serve in the military. There we certain things we weren't allowed to do and I'm afraid I rather went along with that because I was having a rather good time being an actor.'

 

In 1988, the government passed Section 28 to prohibit local authorities in England and Wales from 'promoting' homosexuality – a law which McKellen compared to Russia’s current 'gay propaganda' law.

 

'Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That’s what happened to me,' he said. 'The world [became] a slightly better place.'

 

He commended Page on coming out and has some advice for those who are living in the closet: 'I feel sorry for anyone who feels the need to lie about themselves. That's not good for you. It doesn’t lead to a happy life. And I’ve never met a gay person who came out and who regretted it. Never. So, my advice to anyone in the closet – it doesn’t matter whether they're a teacher, or a politician, or a priest, or an actor – come out. Join the human race.'

 

McKellen added that he hopes his reputation as an openly gay actor to be his lasting legacy.

 

'I often thought my gravestone would say, "Here lies Gandalf. He came out,"' he said. 'Those are two of the proudest achievements that I've got. I think I've been a part of the rapid sensible movement towards an understanding that gay people are the same as the rest of you and should be treated equally by the law, by society.'

 

 

[video=youtube;_H8pc5ZB524]

 

source: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/ian-mckellen-ive-never-met-gay-person-who-came-out-and-who-regretted-it220214

rocky Experienced

rocky

Posted
Posted

I'm sorry, I don't have this "warm and fuzzy" feeling about his coming out. I am so happy he's a now

proud gay man and works for a company who welcomes him as a proud gay man, and of course they

would since he's in charge and making mega million's per year. I am a gay 60 year old who has not

come out, my choice. But I don't have the resources that Mr. Cook has and can say "be damned with

you all"; and I know he's not saying that but come on folks, his coming out is no way the same as

most men and woman. He'll still have people worshiping him and still have the millions pouring in.

Can you or I say that???

justaguy Veteran

justaguy

Posted
Posted

Rocky, I understand what you're saying. I thought along the same lines when the knews channels were covering the story. The point, though, is that he is that rich and that well respected in his field. Discrimination is easy when it's an anonymous "them" being discriminated against. Stereotyping is easy against an unknown group. Cook's coming out is one more brick from the wall separating groups. As the OP said, baby steps. But steps forward none the less.

Charlie Grand Master

+ Charlie

Posted
Posted
I'm sorry, I don't have this "warm and fuzzy" feeling about his coming out. I am so happy he's a now

proud gay man and works for a company who welcomes him as a proud gay man, and of course they

would since he's in charge and making mega million's per year. I am a gay 60 year old who has not

come out, my choice. But I don't have the resources that Mr. Cook has and can say "be damned with

you all"; and I know he's not saying that but come on folks, his coming out is no way the same as

most men and woman. He'll still have people worshiping him and still have the millions pouring in.

Can you or I say that???

I don't know if you have read Cook's complete written statement. He says that friends and colleagues have known his sexual orientation for years, but in this media-obsessed culture, he didn't want to come out in public because he wanted to protect his right to a private life. However, he came to believe that it was selfish to put his personal comfort above whatever good he could do for others who suffered from stigma or self-doubt, if he openly declared his own sexual identification.

 

Yes, he is a wealthy and powerful figure, but he is making a sacrifice of something important to him. He is from gay-unfriendly Alabama, and the admiration for a native son's prominence will take a blow. By coming out, he has removed the cover which allows conservative society to pretend that because he is a member of the corporate power elite, he must be heterosexual. Conservatives don't like being forced to acknowledge that one can be socially acceptable and openly gay, except in the arts.

 

Apple is an economic presence in countries where it is illegal to be openly gay, punishable by imprisonment and even death. It will be interesting to see how they will react to Cook's declaration. Will Chinese or Nigerian politicians and businessmen be unwilling to make deals with him, and desperately avoid photo ops shaking hands with him? Will he be banned from Russia or Saudi Arabia? When he arrives to do business in India or Uganda, will he be arrested? Or will their actions indicate that being defiantly gay is not such a terrible thing after all? You are correct that "his coming out is in no way the same as most men and women"--it may be more significant than theirs.

oceansunshine Contributor

oceansunshine

Posted
Posted

Yes, he is a wealthy and powerful figure, but he is making a sacrifice of something important to him. He is from gay-unfriendly Alabama, and the admiration for a native son's prominence will take a blow. By coming out, he has removed the cover which allows conservative society to pretend that because he is a member of the corporate power elite, he must be heterosexual. Conservatives don't like being forced to acknowledge that one can be socially acceptable and openly gay, except in the arts.

 

Apple is an economic presence in countries where it is illegal to be openly gay, punishable by imprisonment and even death. It will be interesting to see how they will react to Cook's declaration. Will Chinese or Nigerian politicians and businessmen be unwilling to make deals with him, and desperately avoid photo ops shaking hands with him? Will he be banned from Russia or Saudi Arabia? When he arrives to do business in India or Uganda, will he be arrested? Or will their actions indicate that being defiantly gay is not such a terrible thing after all? You are correct that "his coming out is in no way the same as most men and women"--it may be more significant than theirs.

 

Charlie you are spot on. Esp after I just read then posted the AP article about the 8 convicted in Egypt for just attending and celebration at a same sex wedding.

 

Doug

Diverdan Community Regular

Diverdan

Posted
Posted

It is not surprising to read things like this. The fact of the matter is that Apple does not need Russia, but Russia desperately needs Apple. We should never be surprised by the ignorance and lack of understanding of the world on the part of folks who reside, believe in and don't understand the science or understanding of sexuality, any more than we have folks in this country who still don't believe in Global Warming and a lot of other scientific facts. Ignorance is so prevalent in some countries, and unfortunately still very much present in many segments of our own USA. Galileo was shunned when he announced that gravity existed and that Earth was round... so, it is not surprising that someone from Russia would like to believe that Tim Cook should be banned. I have often wanted to travel to Russia, but no longer want to spend a dime in that country.

DD

Charlie Grand Master

+ Charlie

Posted
Posted

Actually, Galileo was denounced for claiming that the earth revolved around the sun rather than standing still ("Per il muove!" he supposedly still muttered to himself after officially recanting). By Galileo's time most educated people already accepted that the earth was round, and gravity was Newton's claim to fame.

WilliamM Grand Master

+ WilliamM

Posted
Posted
It is not surprising to read things like this. The fact of the matter is that Apple does not need Russia, but Russia desperately needs Apple. We should never be surprised by the ignorance and lack of understanding of the world on the part of folks who reside, believe in and don't understand the science or understanding of sexuality, any more than we have folks in this country who still don't believe in Global Warming and a lot of other scientific facts. Ignorance is so prevalent in some countries, and unfortunately still very much present in many segments of our own USA. Galileo was shunned when he announced that gravity existed and that Earth was round... so, it is not surprising that someone from Russia would like to believe that Tim Cook should be banned. I have often wanted to travel to Russia, but no longer want to spend a dime in that country.

DD

 

I understand. But there is a lot to see in Russia, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. If you always wanted to visit Russia, you are only hurting yourself by missing the opportunity. I have never had a bad experience in St. Petersburg, and I travel alone not with a tour group.

justaguy Veteran

justaguy

Posted
Posted

I'm with DD on this one. Russia was high on my list of places to visit until the official stance became so bigoted. I understand that I am depriving myself. However, not spending money in Russia is about the only meaningful form of protest I can make. It won't change a thing but it is something.

Lookin Grand Master

Lookin

Posted
Posted
so, it is not surprising that someone from Russia would like to believe that Tim Cook should be banned.

DD

 

As we speak:

 

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/33/03/43/7092468/5/920x920.jpg

 

In this file photo dated Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, a girl touches the screen showing a portrait of Steve Jobs on the recently erected memorial to late Apple Corp. co-founder in the courtyard of the Techno Park of the St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University) in St. Petersburg, Russia. The six-foot tall interactive memorial has been taken down in response to last week's announcement that CEO of Apple, Tim Cook is openly gay.

 

 

I've long wanted to visit Russia and, in particular, St. Petersburg. I'm sorry I waited so long, as I'm now with others who would not spend a kopeck there. Add to that a report from a friend of mine who stopped there on a cruise last year. She said that folks in the street seemed profoundly unhappy. It's been my experience that bigots do tend to have that effect on people.

 

Anyone know the Russian word for buzzkill? http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

bigvalboy Grand Master

bigvalboy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

“What can he bring us? Ebola, AIDS, gonnorhea?” Milonov said. “They all have promiscuous relations (in the West). Ban him forever.”

 

How about American dollars? Of course they may not need the dollars, since the ruble is so strong.

WilliamM Grand Master

+ WilliamM

Posted
Posted

 

I've long wanted to visit Russia and, in particular, St. Petersburg. I'm sorry I waited so long, as I'm now with others who would not spend a kopeck there. Add to that a report from a friend of mine who stopped there on a cruise last year. She said that folks in the street seemed profoundly unhappy. It's been my experience that bigots do tend to have that effect on people.

 

I agree that many people in St. Petersburg sit on park benches all day with long, sad faces. Some are bigots. Many others are just barely surviving. Russia is economically a near third world country with low wages and huge unemployment problems. I assume that someone on a cruise would visit the Hermitage Museum/Winter Palace. The tsars' palace is located in a rich, upscale neighborhood on Nevsky Prospect, the city's main street.

 

The park bences are full during the day, except in the winter, all along Nevsky Prospect, but especially near the Hermitage and the Neva River & also near the Russian Museum.

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