The Right To Self-Determination

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Is it hypocritical for Anderson Cooper and Zachary Quinto to advocate for gay rights?

Posted by Brent Hartinger on November 8, 2010

Q: So Anderson Cooper is suddenly on a tear on his TV show regarding gay issues, and Zachary Quinto filmed a “It Gets Better” video and is now starring in Angels in America. On one hand, I’m thrilled – for one thing, they’re making a difference, Cooper especially, raising issues that non-celebrities can’t raise. But on the other hand, I’m torn. Isn’t Angels in America a play about the incredibly damaging power of the closet? – Brett, Los Angeles, CA


A: I’m also torn about this whole “glass closet” business. Sure, both of them could do great things for GLBT visibility if they are actually gay and were out. But on the other hand, aren’t they already doing something – Cooper especially? And at least they’re not playing the opposite-sex-date game: they’re simply refusing to acknowledge they’re gay (although I admit the patently false “I don’t talk about my personal life” line gets old fast – they just don’t talk about that part of their personal life).

I think it’s hard for most of us to imagine the level of intrusiveness that most celebrities are subjected too – and also the incredible pressure they’re under to be “bankable” lest they, and everyone around them, be out of a job. It’s easy to play the “If it were me!” game, but it’s easy because it is just a game. Quinto is on the verge of a huge career as a movie actor.

I agree that Cooper’s dance is getting particularly ridiculous, but it’s still his dance to do. In the end, if we stand for anything as a community, it’s the right to self-determination. So it seems kind of petty to me to hold it against someone when they decide that they don’t want to be extraordinary – that being above-average suits them just fine, at least for the time being.