United States President Barack Obama did it. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden did it. Hip-hop legend Jay-Z did it. Rapper/actor Ice Cube did it. U.S. Republican nominee for President, Mitt Romney, did it. Conservative Roman Catholic politician did it. These influential and controversial figures put in their two-cents publicly supporting or denouncing same-sex marriage rights recently. Several key figures, including Jay-Z and Obama, garnered notable attention for addressing the issue in the public because while their stance was desired, critics and followers never imagined them to speak out about the hot topic. Conversely, other public stances of support and opposition, including actors Will Smith and George Clooney and Santorum, were acknowledged with minimum fanfare due to lack of surprise in position on the subject matter or willingness to confront social issues.
Despite the growing number of celebrities and notable figures stepping out to support or denounce same-sex marriage rights, chatter questioning a particular segment of personalities not talking about it at all is increasing. From celebrities who are gossiped about as being in the closet to conservative community leaders caught up in gay sex scandals to homophobic celebrities, those concerned about the support of same-sex marriage have demonstrated their desires to hear from them – in sincerity and/or shade.
Thus, we decided to come up with our own list of celebrities and notables we would like to see speak publicly about same-sex marriage today. We recognize that some have fought against same-sex union rights years ago, but we wonder where would they stand now that we are in the era of a sitting U.S. President backing same-sex marriage rights.
Kim Kardashian
Though she has supported the NOH8 campaign years ago and amassed a legion of gay fans who want to be fame-seeking, talentless attention whores, Kim Kardashian has been crucified by the media and LGBT activities over her made-for-TV 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries. Being criticized as setting a bad example and exploiting the sanctity of marriage a heterosexual woman, can we really take her support for gay marriage seriously – or was it a ploy to gain gay fans like she uses Black men to remain relevant in Black online media?
Donnie McClurkin
The “ex-gay” gospel singer/pastor became an instant trending topic online when a video of one of sermons went viral when he demonized gays and lesbians as “vampires” and described gay tendencies as eating sugar to become a diabetic. The “We Fall Down” singer was one of the influential Black pastors that backed former U.S. President George W. Bush in his 2008 re-election which used the Black church to support his crusade banning same-sex rights. Before and since his infamous sermon, McClurkin has been plagued with gay rumors almost on a weekly basis. Would this “former homosexual” fight against Obama’s support publicly as passionate as he supported Bush?
Ted Haggard
The former Leader of the National Association of Evangelicals moderated weekly meetings with President Bush and top advisors where he gave spiritual advice from 2001 until 2006. In his many popular sermons, Haggard taught that homosexuality was an abomination and actively lobbied against gay rights. In 2006, Haggard’s “Christianity” was challenged when he was caught hiring male prostitutes for sex and smoking crystal meth and other hard drugs. Has Haggard’s reality given him a change of heart since his down-low activities became public fodder? Will he remain vigilant about his “conservative” beliefs to fight against LGBT as openly as he once did during the Bush Administration?
Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy Elliott (insert Black female rapper surrounded by gay rumors regularly)
Whether the reason is evident or wishful thinking, the legacies of Latifah, Lyte and Elliott have been plagued with gay rumors since the beginning of their career’s ascensions. They never tackled the gossip directly, but has used music videos, humor and orchestrated interviews to address their sexualities with ambiguity to further fuel the rumors. Add that to the “sightings” in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York City for down-low lesbians that someone in your social circle has seen them. Can you also name a male that any of them have been romantically linked to since the beginning of their mainstream careers? Would Obama’s endorsement allow to come out of the closet or support in gesture of celebrity?
Kelly Clarkson
The international pop music star has been plagues with the lesbian rumors since her sophomore album “Breakway” generated hit singles from 2004 until 2006. As one who have never been romantically to a male by the media, the “Already Gone” diva has yet to take on the rumors head-on. With a strong gay fan base, Clarkson received a major backlash by gay fans and non-conservative followers when she endorsed U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul via Twitter. The “Walk Away” singer backpeddled on her support saying that she supported Paul above the rest of the candidates; all the while, her records sales increased because of her support. With a legion of gay fans who buy her music and concert seats and being a seemingly conservative Texan girl, would Clarkson risk her future in support or denouncement of gay marriage?
Buju Banton, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, T.O.K. (insert reggae artist with well-known homophobic themed songs)
The world of reggae of music has been synonymous with sexually suggestive dancing or outright homophobia. The genre’s icons, most notably Banton, T.O.K. and Beenie Man, possess tunes heralded as classic in their discography in their native lands; whereas, places elsewhere in the world has targeted their song that champion hatred and violence against the LGBT community. Because of the homophobic songs and the musicians’ willingness to continually fight against the LGBT community, many of them has found their successes in America and Britain stalling due to cancelled shows in respectable venues by the persuasion of LGBT activism. Realizing their homophobic ways stopped them from mainstream success outside of the Caribbean, will these reggae artist succumb to the support of same-sex marriage for the sake of unity and international success or remain vigilant in their beliefs and perform in the seedy clubs of New York and Miami?
Eddie Long
Much like McClurkin, we have Eddie Long, a Black mega-church bishop from Atlanta, to thank for the 2008 re-election of former U.S. President George W. Bush for his outrageous fight against LGBT rights. Long fought against the LGBT community for years despite the rampant rumors of his same-sex tryst of more than a decade. The bishop learned the hard way about preaching homophobia with his homosexual skeletons in the closet when four men came out with lawsuit against Long claiming that he engaged in male-to-male sexual affairs with them while being married to his wife Vanessa. Long’s problems grew when revelations surfaces that his encounters with these men started when they were underage. Members of his flock disappeared by the hundreds and calls for resignation grew louder until he finally took a sabbatical in late 2010. With his same-sex exploits behind him and defining his legacy, will Long resort to his old ways and denounce Obama’s position on same-sex marriage?
Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks (insert popular male country singer)
The average country music singer and fan is considered to be a conservative Republican on most accounts. Would the genre’s leading male entertainers have the cojones to speak up for or against same-sex marriage rights that could potential alienate their seemingly conservative fanbase or rub the “gay mafia” the wrong way for a potential sabotage of defense?
Anderson Cooper and Ryan Seacrest
No popular male celebrity outside of George Clooney has been on the receiving end of gay rumors like TV personalities Seacrest and Cooper. If they are indeed gay, are they fearing that their admissions of sexuality would ruin the successes they built? Do they feel that they would lose star power or becoming bigger target of being outed by supporting gay marriage? We wonder whether the “gay mafia” has bullied Cooper and Seacrest enough to take a stand soon.
