And the drama continues! After posting my blog yesterday, I sent the following letter to KCAA AM 1050, the station that host Roseanne Barr's radio show:Dear KCAA-AM General Manager:
I am writing to voice my deep concern over Roseanne Barr's statements regarding gays and lesbians where she stated: "They don’t care about minimum wage. They don’t care about any other group other than their own selves because, you know, some people say being gay and lesbian is a totally narcissistic thing, and sometimes I wonder." I am appalled that Ms. Barr has the audacity to criticize a demographic that has been very supportive of her in the past. I certainly hope that your station does not support Ms. Barr's position. I am a free speech advocate and urge Ms. Barr's exercise of that right. I will be exercising my freedom of choice in broadcasting alternatives.
--This morning, much to my surprise, I received the following response:
"this is roseanne barr, and I felt compelled to say that actually, the gay community has never had an advocate who has put themselves on the line more times than I have. The fact that you misconstrue that as gays supporting me, is really disingenuous, in my opinion.. Any DECENT person would have accepted my repeated apologies. I am going to read your letter on the air and talk about the fact that one mispoken sentence voids years of my efforts, from forcing the networks to include gay themes and characters to sponsoring a suicide hotline for gay teens. Those looking for tolerance and undertanding who do not give it back are hypocrites of the worst kind.
Thankfully, most of my gay fans do not feel the need to hammer a mistake into the ground, and jump on a good friend who's track record on their behalf is longer than anyone else's, and self righteously attempt to destroy/silence a woman who has more than made ammends already.
I will be using your name, too. "
--Now I don't know if this was really Roseanne or not, but the response is intriguing. If this was Roseanne, I apparently hit a nerve - a big nerve! Could Roseanne actually feel that I am trying to destroy or silence her? Is that even possible? I have cordially invited Roseanne to address the LGBTQ community at the Long Beach, CA Gay and Lesbian Center. I explained to her that this would be a chance to have an honest, non-hostile, candid dialogue about her views. To my surprise, again, Roseanne replied:
I am writing to voice my deep concern over Roseanne Barr's statements regarding gays and lesbians where she stated: "They don’t care about minimum wage. They don’t care about any other group other than their own selves because, you know, some people say being gay and lesbian is a totally narcissistic thing, and sometimes I wonder." I am appalled that Ms. Barr has the audacity to criticize a demographic that has been very supportive of her in the past. I certainly hope that your station does not support Ms. Barr's position. I am a free speech advocate and urge Ms. Barr's exercise of that right. I will be exercising my freedom of choice in broadcasting alternatives.
--This morning, much to my surprise, I received the following response:
"this is roseanne barr, and I felt compelled to say that actually, the gay community has never had an advocate who has put themselves on the line more times than I have. The fact that you misconstrue that as gays supporting me, is really disingenuous, in my opinion.. Any DECENT person would have accepted my repeated apologies. I am going to read your letter on the air and talk about the fact that one mispoken sentence voids years of my efforts, from forcing the networks to include gay themes and characters to sponsoring a suicide hotline for gay teens. Those looking for tolerance and undertanding who do not give it back are hypocrites of the worst kind.
Thankfully, most of my gay fans do not feel the need to hammer a mistake into the ground, and jump on a good friend who's track record on their behalf is longer than anyone else's, and self righteously attempt to destroy/silence a woman who has more than made ammends already.
I will be using your name, too. "
--Now I don't know if this was really Roseanne or not, but the response is intriguing. If this was Roseanne, I apparently hit a nerve - a big nerve! Could Roseanne actually feel that I am trying to destroy or silence her? Is that even possible? I have cordially invited Roseanne to address the LGBTQ community at the Long Beach, CA Gay and Lesbian Center. I explained to her that this would be a chance to have an honest, non-hostile, candid dialogue about her views. To my surprise, again, Roseanne replied:
"Dear mr. gottis.. i do accept, but am living in las vegas now...I would love to invite your friends to call in on my radio show and discuss your reactions and let me again attempt to reconnect my radicalism into the correct action on behalf of all americans who are under attack by the right wing elements in this country!! I remain a friend to the gay folk whom i truly love, and i can take the critisism, since it is deserved! thank you so much for your reply!! When I am back in la, i will come on over too!"
So now what? Leave your comment and let me know how I should respond!
7 comments:
Nice argument. I always thought she had a really big mouth! Guess I was right!
OOOOoooh, I love a good fight! Hit her again!
I don't know, maybe it is time to let up on her a little. I am not sure she apologized, but it was something like that!
Teddy Bear, I'm wondering if this is really Roseanne or someone speaking on her behalf. She's never struck me as being the most intelligent creature on this planet, and there were way too many above 8th-grade level words in her spiel, although she needs a bit of help with capitalization. Whomever or whatever the case, I say let her big mouthed-a$$ have it the way I know only you can.
Hmmm now come on... can't you just image Roseanne before she goes to bed at nite, after she brushes her made over teeth, takes the pins off that keeps her face skin tight from her scalp... and not once, but twice says good nite to her purky little girls (as she envisions her next operation for them). So she thinks GAYS/LESBIANS are spending money too good... hmmm I think she's a Michael Jackson in the making!
: )~
Oh before she lays herself to rest I believe she is looking for her Kitty Kitty... and I don't mean cat!!! Cause she can please herself.
That's awesome, what a riot! Loved your letter. And good for you taking the time to voice your dissatisfaction. You gotta give her credit though, she cared enough to address you personally. Think that says a lot. Especially since it's clear she gotten a lot of flack for her comments.
Take her up on having her over for dinner. Then serve her in a tutu.
PS you have a blog. How gay.
PPS please don't beat me down with one of your scathing letters, I'll just forward them to Roseanne.
Ted, I think you responded well to Roseanne, but I also think she has a point (even if she didn't use the best words to convey it). I think our community has become too focused on one issue. I think the focus on marriage has distracted us from other important issues. Is it any surprise that while our attention has been turned to lobbying for marriage legislation, HIV/AIDS serves have been slashed by the federal government at the same time that private donations are being diverted? No one will die if they can't get married. People who can't get AZT, on the other hand, do have a life or death situation.
And historically, the LGBTQ community hasn't been able to bridge issues and form coalitions. On the verge of the Iraq invasion, the NGLTF and the HRC said that the war wasn't a "gay issue," despite the homophobic rhetoric that was used to drum up support for the war, and the fact that DADT prevents well-meaning citizens from serving their country. The immigration marches last year were another opportunity to build coalitions, but very few LGBTQ leaders see immigration as a "gay issue," even though same-sex partners can't sponsor their spouses for citizenship.
But enough of my soapbox. I am interested to see how your dialogue with Roseanne pans out.
Post a Comment