My son Harry, awaiting Fourth of July fireworks on Milwaukee’s lakefront, 1992.
I have no problem mixing holidays. So with Passover and Easter occurring this weekend, I thought I’d throw in a few fireworks, too. I came across several items this week — from the Pope to Broadway — that left this mom feeling as hopeful about freedom and independent thought as I do on the 4th of July. Here’s what I mean.
THE POPE HAS INFLUENCE.
A full-page ad in Sunday’s New York Times was a letter to Pope Francis. It urged him to act on behalf of the 200,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens who are rejected and driven from their homes each year by religious parents who think their LGBT children are evil or sinful. The eloquent letter was written by Carl Siciliano, exec director of the Ali Forney Center, an NYC organization dedicated to providing safe housing for homeless LGBT youth.
TOYS DON’T HAVE A GENDER…
And kids just want to play. That’s the message in the second of a series of seven images called “It Gets Better: illustrations.” And it was the impetus for an It Gets Better Google+ Hangout where I joined up with some pretty cool people to talk about the outdated gender-based marketing of toys. So I was encouraged to see that England’s Casdon Toy Co. had put photos of a boy and girl together on its toy packaging. How refreshing to let children decide what they want to play with!
Casdon Toys markets equally to boys and girls.
Also in the UK, thanks to the “Let Toys Be Toys” campaign, Toys “R” Us stores are changing in-store signage there to show children of both genders playing with the same toys. There’s a similar petition in the U.S for major retailers to stop limiting the imaginations of kids and display toys by category rather than so-called girls’ toys or boys’ toys. I hope you’ll add your name to the petition.
QUEENS, CROSS-DRESSERS & NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AS A TRANSGENDER ROCK STAR.
If our music, literature, films and theater reflect the pulse of our culture and important societal issues, I’m heartened by four current titles on Broadway marquees. The Tony-award-winning musical “Kinky Boots” is a year old this month. The powerful “Mothers and Sons” opened last month, while newcomers “Casa Valentina” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” are still in previews. While they surely entertain, all of these shows present stories that need telling. The dialogue and, for the musicals, the lyrics make one think about the importance of love, compassion and acceptance. Cue Hedwig’s “The Origin of Love,” please. (Ancient wisdom props to Plato.)
Even the actors learn something. In one of the NYT’s pieces on “Casa Valentina,” two-time Tony winner John Cullum said, “I thought transvestites were female impersonators, but they’re not.” Read the reviews, see the shows, and live with an open mind.
Harvey Fierstein’s “Casa Valentina” opens April 23 on Broadway.
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST YOU’LL PROBABLY ALSO LIKE THESE:
When my maybe-gay 8-year-old-son stood up for his ‘girl toy.’
Hedwig comments in the film that her apartment growing up was so small she had to play in the oven. She turned out great despite deprivations! Yes, label time is going by the wayside and acceptance and justice are the new labels. Great blog!
Thanks, Rickshala!I think you’re right about labels becoming a thing of the past. As I like to say, one just can’t name every point on an infinite continuum. Hedwig plays in the oven on stage, too. And NPH gives a triumphant performance. I hope you get to see it. xo
Another tour de force Julie. I loved Harry’s picture in the beginning…..a baby. Sweet.
From the viewpoint of one that lives a much more private life than others, I truly enjoy the gentleness and humanness of your writings. The community should take note.
Too often those on the “outside” only hear and see the dogmatic, strident and angry voices of our community. Your message is just as effective and encourages people to learn and be more understanding without demanding others feel exactly as you.
I have many gay friends that get frustrated if not angry because I don’t carry a flag and attack those that think different. People have a right to be and think different than everybody else. We are all unique.
Your kind and loving message is one that helps people understand that “unique” individuals are really wonderful human beings that enrich all of our lives. Humor and love will bring about more understanding than demanding others believe as you do.
It’s no different than somebody thumping on the Bible to win somebody over. That’s certainly not going to be any more effective than a Muslim thumping on the Koran to win over a Christian or a Jew.
Angry voices divide and is nothing more than cacophony to me. I hear you above many others…..so will more and more people.
Larry
Larry! Your reply has made my day. 🙂 And that you understand not only my POV, but my desire to present it in the most positive and loving way energizes me to do more.
I agree that pushing against just makes some push back harder. I remain hopeful we can take the anger and hate out of what’s necessary for progress. But, then again, sometimes it takes those types to make others want to pitch in and work for the common good of all.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write with such heart and thoughtfulness. Big hugs, Julie xo
Jules,
Hopefully, life WILL imitate art more and more as there are numerous shows (as you pointed out) as well as art exhibits, songs, etc. in the “art world” embracing the idea of sexual and lifestyle freedom in this country!
Thanks, Kat! Artists do get it, don’t they? xo