Queen Latifah, who I again have to say I adore, kind of screws up what I think she wanted to say. Or at least I think she screwed it up or maybe she is playing with our minds. I know, I am confused though. In an interview with New York Times Magazine, Queen was asked about all the gay rumors that surround her. She said she doesn't care what people say about her because people are going to assume whatever they want to anyway. I like that kind of attitude because it just means someone like me can write pretty much anything and she isn't going to do jack about it.
I, of course would never be mean, but I don't understand this quote, so maybe you can all take a crack at it. "I don't have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life."
So, if I am reading this right, which is highly doubtful, because in case I haven't told you before, I drink too much and sometimes the words kind of all fuzz together, she basically is willing to gossip about everyone in the world and guess whether they are gay or not. She just isn't willing to play the same game with herself. Well that seems kind of unfair. If you are willing to discuss whether another person is gay or not, you should also be willing to discuss whether you are gay or not. I don't really care if she is or isn't, I just find it a little hypocritical that she is perfectly willing to speculate and assume about others but is not willing to participate in the same topic of conversation once the subject person is her.
Shouldn't she just say, some things are better left private and I wouldn't do it to others, because I wouldn't do it to myself. Not that she is doing herself because that takes us into a whole other realm of blogging that I really don't want to do. I mean I guess I could, but I think Holly Madison is going to need some kind of career now that she dumped Hef and so I thought I would leave her something to do.
I, of course would never be mean, but I don't understand this quote, so maybe you can all take a crack at it. "I don't have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life."
So, if I am reading this right, which is highly doubtful, because in case I haven't told you before, I drink too much and sometimes the words kind of all fuzz together, she basically is willing to gossip about everyone in the world and guess whether they are gay or not. She just isn't willing to play the same game with herself. Well that seems kind of unfair. If you are willing to discuss whether another person is gay or not, you should also be willing to discuss whether you are gay or not. I don't really care if she is or isn't, I just find it a little hypocritical that she is perfectly willing to speculate and assume about others but is not willing to participate in the same topic of conversation once the subject person is her.
Shouldn't she just say, some things are better left private and I wouldn't do it to others, because I wouldn't do it to myself. Not that she is doing herself because that takes us into a whole other realm of blogging that I really don't want to do. I mean I guess I could, but I think Holly Madison is going to need some kind of career now that she dumped Hef and so I thought I would leave her something to do.
I was sure this woman came out last year. Ted C is really pissed at her remarks, so it's not just you, Enty.
ReplyDeleteBeing gay or straight will not made one iota of difference to Queen's career. Just say one way or the other and leave it.
Hmmm, yeah her quote does make her sound very "do as I say not do as i do." But as I have said before I will say again, people of color do not come out the closet, they never will. They leave that to their caucasian counterparts, the Ellen's, KD's, Melissa's, Elton's of the world because to be white and gay does not a career destroyer make. However the same cannot be said of being gay, black/latino and out.
ReplyDeleteI think she needs to STFU. I don't like her anymore. Saying that sexuality is a private matter is just a way of saying Yeah, I'm gay, but I ain't tell you shit. You never hear a straight person saying that their sexuality is a private matter.
ReplyDeleteBut by saying that it IS a private matter, it indicates that homosexuality, and vicariously all sexuality in general, is something not to be discussed, which brings an image of shame to the issue. I don't appreciate that. "I'll talk about other people maybe being gay, but not myself." She just wants to have her (18 pieces of) cake and eat it too.
I don't think that she's saying she'll gossip about someone else being gay. I think she is saying she doesn't have a problem discussing the topic of homosexuality as opposed to some of the homophobe people. In other words she wouldn't mind discussing how she feels about Clay Akin if someone were to ask her and I believe she would support him, Ellen etc.
ReplyDeleteSo she is courageous enough to give statements in support of homosexuals but she isn't going to discuss if she's playing for the same team.
And yes, I know she didn't say "private matter" directly, but she did say "personal life". Its still very hoighty toity, as if we're only entitled to what she wants to present of herself, and we're all just awful people for speculating further...but not anyone else, so by all means, carry on.
ReplyDeleteAlso someone pointed out that coming out for African American celebrities will definitely end their careers as opposed to other ethnic groups.
ReplyDeleteNo one needs to know if it is going to harm her professionally.
i think she stated it poorly and probably meant she's willing to talk about homosexuality in general terms, she just doesn't want to talk about her personal life. if that's what she meant, it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteand if she doesn't want to come out, that's her business, imo.
I read it as: "I don't have a problem with someone discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life."
ReplyDeletePeople can talk about her; she won't talk about herself. Also makes more sense in context.
she should have just said "none of your goddamn business" and left it at that.
ReplyDelete...my bold text is what I think she left out
ReplyDeletewhat shelly bean said.
ReplyDeletesomeone's sexual orientation is their personal business. i do not believe that any of them owe it to anyone to say what they are...unless they are going to become intimate.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, she should not discuss other's orientation, BUT i will give her this...
she does not "front" with menfolk.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Molly. When I read it I took it to mean that she doesn't have a problem discussing homosexuality in general, but she's not going to discuss her particular situation. That being said, I'd much prefer someone to say "I'm not answering that question about me" than to lie and say "I'm not gay." when they are. (Eyes looking at Clay Aiken.)
ReplyDeleteI think that if she is gay, and doesn't want to come out publically, she shouldn't be pressured into doing so. Nobody should. Coming out should be a personal choice...I agree that it would be a good thing if she did, but if she doesn't want to - fine!
ReplyDeletelol@euf. Clay is such a Drama Queen as far as I see it.
ReplyDeleteI think if QL is gay she should come out as the first African American and be proud about it.
Maybe Will Smith will follow LOL.
I agree with Molly & QS.
ReplyDeleteThe only highly visible openly gay African American I could think of is Andre Leon Talley. Has Little Richard ever come out?
little richard wrote an autobiography that is "very" detailed and scandalous. he leaves little to one's imagination. if i am not mistaken, he's only slept with one woman in his life.
ReplyDeleteGood Golly Miss Molly or Lucille?
ReplyDeleteGood Golly Miss Molly or Lucille?
ReplyDeleteTutti frutti.
Xlent!
ReplyDeletesexuality is such a gray issue.
ReplyDeleteit is no ones busines but your own and i dont think that implies it's shameful. to me it implies mind your own fucking business.
of course i am a complete hypocrite
becasue i want to out everyone.
actually no, i want to out the lying cheating mofos who claim to be straight at every opportunity and then are calling up gay escorts while the wife is at the PTA meetings.
I'm with Molly and Jax. The press and gossip fans don't determine others' rights. They already have them. I think she would not have a problem with discussing homosexuality, or supporting someone who is out, but won't discuss her private life. She certainly doesn't need anyone's permission to do this. She just didn't choose her words well. Much ado about nothing.
ReplyDeleteShe wasnt saying she was prepared to speculate about someone else's sexuality. As Not On My Dollar said, she doesnt mind discussing the topic - just not her own personal life - and I think thats fair enough. Its not snobby or hoity toity to refuse to discuss it. Its also not saying that homosexuality is something that should never be discussed, but the media has an uncanny ability to make it *all* about a persons sexuality when someone announces they are gay.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she wants her career to be based on more than just who she chooses to sleep with?
Sylvia, I don't know what it's from, but your icon is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm with the reasonable folks here. The Queen was saying she will discuss the general topic, as in how being gay affects life in general, how she feels about gay marraige, the difficulty of being gay in H'wood, etc. I don't think she's suggesting that she's going to sit down and start to speculate about who might be gay. Give the lady a break, she seems to have some class.
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the "discussing the topic in general, but not her own sex life in particular" crowd. If she is indeed a lesbian, I wish she'd come out, but I do understand that it is (still) a lot harder for people of color. Perhaps she figures that, since Jodie Foster was also not willing to discuss her personal life for year, and people pretty much figured out the truth anyway but didn't care that much, she can do it, too?
ReplyDeleteAs someone else observed, at least she's not using a merkin or being hypocritical by being a raving homophobe (those latter people should be outed IMNSHO), so it's really up to her as to whether she comes out or not. Whatever she decides, I wish her well...
Over all I like her. Once I've decided I like someone I kind of give them a lot of lee way. Whatever she's doing is what she feels is best for herself. I reserve judgement and lend support if at all necessary or desired when it comes to people who get a nod and a "Hello" from me. If she starts talking stupid shit about antidepressants or starts shilling children for her fame then I'll be the first to be on her lawn with some water balloons. If I can find her lawn. And if I can get off work. And if I really have nothing better to do.
ReplyDeletei love her. always have. and she's absolutely right, her personal life is her own business.
ReplyDeleteshe did the same thing in the beginning when she became the new jenny craig spokesperson. instead of her ads being about the weight loss, they were about "getting healthier". i thought that was kind of cool.
of course now that she's really showing it, the ads say she's lost 20lbs, but the ads aren't in your face every ten minutes like kirstie alley's were.
i just wish i knew where she got some of her red carpet dresses.
gee, i went off-track, didn't i?