Today on Oprah

[keltic63]

a straight man lives "gay" for 30 days.

and the teaser doesn't sound good. I'm recording it to find out what is said. I find it hard to believe that Oprah would promote hate speech, but evidently, leading her audience to believe that this kind of talk might go on is acceptible; it gets people to watch the show.

what do you think? would it open up dialogue? how does one "live gay" ??? did they take this guy to the subculture stereotypical bars and dance clubs? is that a fair portrayal of our lives?

[schoolboi]

I'm going to Tivo it. I trust Oprah. I'm sure it will be fine.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by schoolboi

I'm going to Tivo it. I trust Oprah. I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm thinking it will be ok, but I'm concerned that people will be shown an inaccurate view of what it means to be gay. I'm thinking it will reinforce the stereotype, and I'd be very disappointed in Oprah for doing that.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Originally Posted by schoolboi

I trust Oprah. I'm sure it will be fine.

Yeah, I think we have to be very careful as gay-rights activists not to make the mistake of waving a critizing finger at every minor trespass -- especially those that are just potential trespasses, since we haven't seen her show yet. Because if we do, we risk distracting people from the "big picture" which is ending society's discrimination against GLBT people.

Don't get me wrong, I personally make the distinction between sympathizers and allies. I often challenge the misinformation that sympathizers sometimes cling to and I encourage them to make the journey to becoming full allies for GLBT equality.

What do others think?

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Jamie McDaniel

Yeah, I think we have to be very careful as gay-rights activists not to make the mistake of waving a critizing finger at every minor trespass -- especially those that are just potential trespasses, since we haven't seen her show yet. Because if we do, we risk distracting people from the "big picture" which is ending society's discrimination against GLBT people.

Don't get me wrong, I personally make the distinction between sympathizers and allies. I often challenge the misinformation that sympathizers sometimes cling to and I encourage them to make the journey to becoming full allies for GLBT equality.

What do others think?

but this is why I bring it up. I wanted others to watch it and discuss it. I see the potential for it being bad, and yet I know that this is not the reputation Oprah has. My guess is that the guy will be viewed as an allie when it's all said and done. Oprah has a big audience, and people do pay attention to her. She could help us on this. I'd hope it's done well.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Originally Posted by keltic63

but this is why I bring it up. I wanted others to watch it and discuss it. I see the potential for it being bad, and yet I know that this is not the reputation Oprah has.

Ok, I now understand your point.

[NathanATX]

I think Oprah is so connected to the Divine...

She brings God's presence into everything she does. And yes, even as wonderful as she is, she is human and will make mistakes.

But I believe her heart & spirit are in the right place.

[Vanessa White]

I just visited Oprah's show website everyone. I will not get to see it, or tape it, but I do feel a little better about it. It is an interview with a gay man and a straight man, who are the basis of a reality show on FX that is coming on called "30 days"(I am sick of reality TV so I don't particularly feel better about that part) in which a conservative Christian man goes to live in San Francisco, Castro Street, for thirty days with an openly gay man. The Christian man expresses that he definitely believes that being gay is a choice, at least before he goes to live for thirty days with this gay man. After the thirty days, however, he senses that he is not so sure about his strict views. It sounds like it was a learning experience for the Christian man, which is hopeful in its own way. And, that premise sounds like something Oprah would want to hear more about. Tell me how it appears on the actual show. Vanessa

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

I just visited Oprah's show website everyone. I will not get to see it, or tape it, but I do feel a little better about it. It is an interview with a gay man and a straight man, who are the basis of a reality show on FX that is coming on called "30 days"(I am sick of reality TV so I don't particularly feel better about that part) in which a conservative Christian man goes to live in San Francisco, Castro Street, for thirty days with an openly gay man. The Christian man expresses that he definitely believes that being gay is a choice, at least before he goes to live for thirty days with this gay man. After the thirty days, however, he senses that he is not so sure about his strict views. It sounds like it was a learning experience for the Christian man, which is hopeful in its own way. And, that premise sounds like something Oprah would want to hear more about. Tell me how it appears on the actual show. Vanessa

Thanks Vanessa. I was at Oprah's website this morning too, but I didn't find that info. I really wish it wasn't the extremes here though. I don't know a lot of gay men who live in that kind of environment, and it seems unfair to show that as the "norm" for us. On the other hand, this isn't Oprah's doing, she's pretty much reporting on the FX show. and of course, we understand that FX would want to juxtapose the extremes so that there's some drama and then ratings. Thanks again for finding that info. that does make me feel better too.

[keltic63]

I watched it! I am pleased with the results. Oprah actually offered very little in the way of editorial comments. Yet what she did say was very supportive. I wish that the FX show wouldn't have shown the extremes of the 2 cultures. The idea is a good one; put a straight man and gay man together and let them learn from each other. Now, if we can just let people see that we're not all going to bars in nothing but jockstraps and chaps! There are so many ways to be gay!

[BruceChris]

I have seen this show twice now. I'm not really fond of the bar scenes,
but the show does make a couple of good points. Yes, it is possible for a rural, conservative Christian male to accept another good-hearted
person who is different from them as a fellow human being, by experiencing that person's life, and getting to know them.

Of course, there are so many conservative Christians out there who espouse a religion of love while practicing a public posture of righteous
condemnation. Fear and hate based, of course. As a Christian, and a member of a majority LGBT liberal (UCC) church, it saddens me that such people would never allow themselves to actually get close enough to a real gay person to get to know them.

[Vanessa White]

It really limits who we can be as human beings, when we treat each other or dismiss each other in this way, the way many Christians do based on their beliefs about homosexuality and the Bible. I am a Christian as well, and my family and I belong to a Methodist Church, where we have been welcomed. I am glad that the show went off in a respectful manner, and I have not been to a bar in seven or eight years (even though the idea of it strikes me every now and again) but I agree we need balanced portrayal, but would people watch a show about a gay couple or person just going to work, paying their mortgage, mowing the lawn kind of show. I hope that it will be tried in the future in a different portrayal, less stereotypical and more down to earth and real. I am glad I can still have faith in Oprah.