September 17, 2009

The Newlywed Game gets even gayer!


Great news people - we have another benchmark in the advance of equal marriage rights! "The Newlywed Game", which is now on the GSN cable network, said Wednesday it will soon feature its first gay couple on a celebrity edition. George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek," will appear with his partner, Brad Altman.

Is this political? Takei and his partner married in California before Proposition 8 shut down same-sex marriage in the state. Show host Carnie Wilson (yes that Carnie Wilson from 80s pop group Wilson Phillips) insists that this is not political, some conservative pundits disagree. My very gay non-objective opinion? The personal and political often overlap, and this is both. And it is a very good thing.

So does this seem kind of superficial and silly? Sure it does. And not only do I enjoy superficial and silly, I also think this is a small step of some significance. Game shows are part of people's everyday lives, not their political posturing, and having a gay married couple step into the game show world is like having a gay couple step into their living rooms, like Ellen does when she talks about her life. It is true personal stories, which help weave awareness of and comfort with gay couples into the tapestry of people's lives. And it matters.

I have seen George Takei on talk shows and he is charming and sarcastic, so I think they will be funny as hell. More importantly, I sure hope to god they are well dressed - my people have a reputation to live up to!

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