Roughly 18 years ago, I was asked this question. It was while I worked as an editor at the University of Delaware student newspaper, The Review. I’d written a column earlier in the week about gay rights. In it, I “came out of the closet”—before admitting, toward the end, that I was straight and merely trying to make a point.
Some readers missed that part.
I laughed, of course. I’m not gay. No way—just being supportive. But gay? Noooo. Not me. No, nope, nah.
That’s how it was not so long ago. If you were straight, and supported gay rights, people questioned your sexuality. As in, why would someone who likes the opposite sex wanna back a bunch of queers and fags and dykes? To them, it made no sense. Gays stood up for gays, and that was about all.
Man, times have changed.
In case you missed it, tonight the New York State Senate—my state senate—legalized gay marriage. It’s a wonderful, fantastic, important move, and though it might take time to completely go through, the country has taken a huge step forward. Not merely with the literal legalization of gay marriage, but in the mentality of gay acceptance and embracement. In 2011, it’s cool to be straight and supportive of gay rights. It doesn’t make you iffy—it makes you righteous. It doesn’t make you strange—it makes you noble. In fact, the tables have completely shifted. Those dolts who continue to deny gays and lesbians their fair rights are the ones who look outdated; antiquated; George Wallace-esque. People no longer fears catching “The Gay”; no longer believes gay men are looking to sexually convert young boys to the dark side.
Gays are people, straights are people—that’s where we’re at.
It’s about friggin’ time.
My name is Jeff Pearlman. I’m married, with two kids.
And I support gay rights.
