Bette Midler says gay marriage won't work (!)

[Rick Munroe]

>many of the most famous gay

>icons, like Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich and even Judy

>Garland had many of the same feelings against gays as the

>general population.

 

Don't forget Cher, who's come around now but admits that she completely freaked out when Chastity came out to her.

[shy]

<<Ps. If I read the above comment about her bathhouse days correctly, it is truly sickening if she said she regrets that some of the men in her audiences at that time are still alive. Did I really read that correctly? She laments that they did not all get infected with HIV and die?>>

 

you read it correctly; i also couldn't believe it, to the point of almost questioning franco about it. i came to the conclusion it was such an outlandish comment that it had to be a typo.

[dannynyc]

This is a very interesting string.

 

Over the last few months I've been noticing the "generation gap" that exists among different ages of gay people I know. Although I use the term "generation gap", I've noticed a major difference in attitudes, interactions and conversations amoung gay people my age versus gay people ten years younger than me and gay people 20 years younger than me. I do think part of this gap is the result of gay people, as a group, have advanced very quickly in acquiring equal rights over the past 40 years, as compared with the rights progression of other minorities. I am not saying we are equal with everyone else, just the rate of change has been very quick. I'm continually that people ten years younger than I am have no conception of events that have happened in my lifetime that, at the time, were considered major changes. I'm not trying to imply a "right" or "wrong", I'm just stating an observation. Actually, as I talk with gay men of different age groups, I do find the difference in attitudes about life to be fascinating.

 

Although I am old enough to have attended the Continental Baths, unfortunately, I wasn't in NYC at the time and missed out on that experience. However, I do remember how Bette Middler was a major icon of the day - much more than today. The icons of the 60's and 70's gave gay men a boost in self esteem. Although some of them (i.e., Judy Garland) may not have had a positive attitude about gays, she (and others) did help many gay men feel better about themselves and their sexuality.

 

A few weeks ago I was discussing the subject of gay marriage with a gay friend of mine. This person is much younger than I am and has been an escort at several times in his life. His view of gay marriage is similar to what Bette said to Larry King - he felt that men are too promiscuous to be married, but, it's fine for women. He bases his opinion on the part of gay life he's seen, especially as an escort. What I think he's missing, and, what Bette may not realize, is the number of gay couples who are quietly and happily coupled do keep to themselves and aren't part of the "out and about" crowd. I know several couples that are very committed and monogomous (sp?). They keep to themselves and don't intereact with may other gay people who are much more public.

 

Personally, I'm more than willing to give Bette a break on what she said, especially because it seems she was not ready for the question. A big part of the reason I'm willing to give her some slack is because of the support she's provided to gay man for many years, and, an understanding that she's seen many more aspects of gay life than younger gay men of today have seen. When things change quickly, such as the change in the general acceptance of gay people by society, it does take some time for people to catch up to today's issues and separate them from yesterday's issues.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Mea Culpa

 

>

>Ps. If I read the above comment about her bathhouse days

>correctly, it is truly sickening if she said she regrets that

>some of the men in her audiences at that time are still alive.

> Did I really read that correctly? She laments that they did

>not all get infected with HIV and die?

 

I guess I should try the edit function.

 

I was going for "may not be alive" and mis-typed "may not be dead." Her regret was for the loss of life and her impetus for making the comment was gay male promiscuity. She felt gay men in the 1990s (when she made these remarks) were as "sexually reckless" as in her Continental Bath days.

[Guest Mikel]

Ouch! That Hurt!!

 

Sometimes truth does!!!

[Guest Mikel]

Anyone who hs sen the tour will have to admit that the gay bars in that city MUST be empty on the night of the tour until after the show! So, despite her comments, an enormous number of gay men and women must love Bette for some reason!