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Friday, February 10, 2012

LGBTQI-Z Required Listening: Howard Stern on Ellen, JC Penney, Bullied Gay Kids, Rosie, Santorum, Bachmann, et al

Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 10:59 AM

I can't count the number of times I've defended figures like Howard Stern and Bill Maher—straight entertainers who 1. fully support gay rights but 2. sometimes tell jokes that sensitivos consider homophobic. These guys are on our side and they're good for our side. Yeah, sometimes the tell jokes or do bits that are rooted in what is clearly their own personal discomfort with/fear of gay sex, particularly that man-on-man buttsex they never tire of hearing about, obsessing about, joking about, etc. But you know what? There are a lot of people out there who oppose gay rights because they're uncomfortable with gay sex and a lot of these folks—and lots of them are the kinds of guys who listen to Stern—are convinced that their own personal discomfort with gay sex requires them to oppose gay rights. What the Sterns and Mahers demonstrate is that you can be a little uncomfortable with gay sex—you can even have sense of humor about your discomfort, you can even tell the occasional joke about it—and still support the full civil equality of LGBT people.

Anyway, listen to Howard Stern lay into the bigots. It's beautiful radio.

 

Comments (4) RSS

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1
that is fucking great
Posted by randyzpdx on February 10, 2012 at 11:50 AM · Report
2
Thanks for pointing this out, Dan. We ought to be able to laugh at ourselves and each other, and the culture is becoming too damn shrill and hyper-sensitive. You should feel free to mock my old straight, white, male ass -- because I'm damn sure gonna keep making fun of you butt pirates. Because I love you, Dan.
Posted by Lame-o on February 10, 2012 at 2:04 PM · Report
3
I'm an old redneck from Texas that's a loyal 20 year listener. I can't list all the things Howard has made me think about.
After reading the Rolling Stone article I was sure my allergies were getting worse or the dust was getting real bad. I don't hate any longer thanks to Mr Stern.
Posted by Ilovegeorgetakai on February 10, 2012 at 4:11 PM · Report
4
I've been a Stern fan for a long time. This is exactly why.
Posted by serena on February 10, 2012 at 9:13 PM · Report

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