In May 2008, same-sex marriage became legal in California. Since then, weddings and marriage ceremonies, such as the one held by comedian Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, have been making big time news - with coverage breezily making its way here to Japan!
※The captivating wedding ceremony held by Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi was covered in numerous women's magazines in Japan, including the December 2008 issue of ELLE (upper right).
And yet, the joy was fleeting. Proposition 8, a measure for amending the state constitution to ban gay marriages, was passed in November's election - meaning that the right to marry was taken away in only a few months in a swift, trouncing blow to the queer community. The passage of Proposition 8 did not get much coverage here in Japan, but in the US debate over ballot measures affecting gay marriage took center stage. Jennifer Beals, Lindsay Lohan and her girlfriend DJ Samantha Ronson, Cynthia Nixon known for her role as Miranda on "Sex and the City", Drew Barrymore and a slew of A-list celebrities, both queer and straight, stepped forward to speak out against the measure and voice their dismay at the erosion of civil rights. Without a doubt, same-sex marriage is sure to continue sparking extensive debate in communities around the world.
From out of the many celebrity statements offered, Tokyo Wrestling would like to take a close up look at just a few.
First of all, actress & musician Leisha Hailey shared the following with us during a recent interview (to be posted in January).
"I’m very very upset. And disappointed in California. Since I'm on tour now I haven't been able to take part in the demonstrations, but I’ll definitely do my best to help the cause."
Hailey’s words convey her heartfelt frustration at not being able to take part in public protests and a strong sense of dedicated unity with the queer community anticipating our chance to make a change.
●Cynthia Nixon (Miranda from Sex and the City)
Cynthia Nixon of "Sex and the City" fame has become increasingly vocal over the last year about her own same-sex relationship, and recently appeared on CNN for an interview in which she spoke openly and frankly about her own experiences. Her extremely engaging conversation with host Joy Behar makes this interview her most insightful yet as Nixon discusses her relationship with her ex-partner and their children, living with her girlfriend, her thoughts on marriage, and her stance on Obama's position relating to same-sex marriage.
※ Cynthia Nixon interview on CNN (The interview portion has Japanese subtitles)
Cynthia Nixon has evidently taken a step beyond quietly enjoying her committed relationship, to venture into the world of LGBT activism.
●Drew Barrymore (Out bisexual actress)
Out bisexual actress Drew Barrymore took to the streets with thousands of demonstrators in a march against Prop 8 that started in Silver Lake and ended in West Hollywood. Her resounding words of strength "I will fight with you! No on Prop 8!" were met with cheers and, of course, welcoming motivated energy.
●Jeffree Star
Jeffree Star is a super edgy queer artist forever sporting his trademark - scintillating, shocking pink hair. His sleek, slightly snobbish uptown wit is a big part of his allure, yet he too succumbed to political passion over Prop 8 and poured his thoughts on the state of LGBT rights into his MySpace blog entry.
【An excerpt from Jeffree Star's October 12th blog entry】
【Today is National Coming Out Day so I have a little secret for you:
I'M A FUCKING FAGGOT!
And I'm proud of it. I barely ever talk politics but I'm putting down my Louis Vuitton for a moment to be real with you.
There are ballot initiatives all across the country trying to deny equal rights to gays and lesbians. Not special rights - equal rights. No one is asking for an "I suck cock" tax break. All gay marriage initiatives do is provide the same rights and protections to gay couples as straight couples. Denying anyone rights, such as being able to visit your loved one in the hospital, is inhumane. If these laws were to ban mixed-race couples or inter-faith marriage or any of the other differences that make people unique, would it have such strong support?】
His cheeky appeal for common sense consideration of the issue as a matter of equal rights is - to say the least - very cool, and deliberately carries resounding bravos to straight celebrities fighting for the cause of gay marriage such as "The sexiest straight man on the planet - Brad Pitt". Jeffree also sums up by writing that "No amount of money...[or] fame" can buy us our rights or protect us. He makes an impassioned, funny, and powerful call for people to get concerned and get involved.
And much like the typically un-political Jeffree Star, the non-activist DJ Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan have also posted Pro 8 related thoughts of their own on MySpace - covered in this past TW Notes. As we can see, this debate has turned out to be red-hot in the States. Most likely the debates will continue in every pocket of the globe, but - just as Cynthia Nixon said in her interview above, "Time is on our side". We're all hoping that at this time next year same-sex marriage will make our list again - but for a whole new reason.
★ A comment from one of our readers (in California)
"Prop 8" has got to make the 2008 list！！！！！
Thanks to Prop 8, kids who had never before shown an interest in politics are out there marching in the streets and getting really engaged in human rights issues. Moreover, this is clearly a word that has made its impact on gay communities throughout the world!
