"Ciara reveals her Goodies
By Nolan Strong, allhiphop.com
"I am gay." These were the words recording artist Ciara spoke Wednesday
night to millions viewers on BET's 106 and Park in a precedent-setting
event for cable television.
Ciara's "coming out" as a lesbian would have been difficult on its own.
But also having to admit that she is really a he on national television
was cause for celebration among the gay and lesbian community. No major
pop singer has ever come out as a transvestite to viewers explicitly after
already releasing an album.
The event brings to the spotlight questions about just how far gays and
lesbians have been accepted into mainstream society, specifically hip hop
culture. People are divided as to what this event means for gay and
lesbian individuals as well as for the community at large.
However, as in any controver! sial! issue, there are differing opinions.
"Tonight it's homosexuality, next its tranvestites, tomorrow it's
something else," said Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, President and CEO of Bad Boy
Worldwide Entertainment, in an interview with allhiphop.com.
The goal for many gays and lesbians is creating awareness about the
reality of their identity and lifestyle.
"As a community, we have to fight against those who attack us," said
former pop star Rupaul, who herself performs in "drag" but concealed her
real gender from the public. "Personally, I have a tendency to react with
anger. At the same time I realize these people have been fed lies about
gay and lesbian people.
"Part of our job is to offer information to those who have been lied to.
The 'Ellen' episode already offered a slice of true information about
lesbian and gay people to a large audience," she added. "But Ciara's
entire appeal was based of this teenie bop heterosexua! l ima! gery and less
of her sheer talent? Will she maintain her celebrity status? Maybe she
will. Will she have as many listeners as before now that she has come
out? I doubt it.
UCLA English Professor Arthur Little, who teaches gay and lesbian
literature, said he approved of the humorous portrayal of the subject
matter on "Ellen." However, he stressed the serious aspects that surround
this particular controversy.
"It allows the American public to see the humor and that gay people laugh
too. We have gay teenagers killing themselves at three times the rate of
their heterosexual counterparts. This is a serious issue," he said.
Despite the raging controversy surrounding this issue, Little said that
"gay people are as much a part of our public culture as straight people."
Ciara was building a strong case for herself as a mainstay in the music
industry. Her debut album "Goodies" was certified platinum by the RIAA,
and she has been ! na! med the recipient of the 2005 Sammy Davis Jr.
Entertainer of the Year Award at this year's Soul Train Awards.
The self-proclaimed 'Crunk n B' artist will release her third single "Oh",
(featuring Ludacris) next week and a video for the song will also be
released at the end of the month.
In addition to being named Entertainer of the Year, Ciara has been
nominated for four Soul Train Music Awards."
WHAT THE FUCK?
By Nolan Strong, allhiphop.com
"I am gay." These were the words recording artist Ciara spoke Wednesday
night to millions viewers on BET's 106 and Park in a precedent-setting
event for cable television.
Ciara's "coming out" as a lesbian would have been difficult on its own.
But also having to admit that she is really a he on national television
was cause for celebration among the gay and lesbian community. No major
pop singer has ever come out as a transvestite to viewers explicitly after
already releasing an album.
The event brings to the spotlight questions about just how far gays and
lesbians have been accepted into mainstream society, specifically hip hop
culture. People are divided as to what this event means for gay and
lesbian individuals as well as for the community at large.
However, as in any controver! sial! issue, there are differing opinions.
"Tonight it's homosexuality, next its tranvestites, tomorrow it's
something else," said Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, President and CEO of Bad Boy
Worldwide Entertainment, in an interview with allhiphop.com.
The goal for many gays and lesbians is creating awareness about the
reality of their identity and lifestyle.
"As a community, we have to fight against those who attack us," said
former pop star Rupaul, who herself performs in "drag" but concealed her
real gender from the public. "Personally, I have a tendency to react with
anger. At the same time I realize these people have been fed lies about
gay and lesbian people.
"Part of our job is to offer information to those who have been lied to.
The 'Ellen' episode already offered a slice of true information about
lesbian and gay people to a large audience," she added. "But Ciara's
entire appeal was based of this teenie bop heterosexua! l ima! gery and less
of her sheer talent? Will she maintain her celebrity status? Maybe she
will. Will she have as many listeners as before now that she has come
out? I doubt it.
UCLA English Professor Arthur Little, who teaches gay and lesbian
literature, said he approved of the humorous portrayal of the subject
matter on "Ellen." However, he stressed the serious aspects that surround
this particular controversy.
"It allows the American public to see the humor and that gay people laugh
too. We have gay teenagers killing themselves at three times the rate of
their heterosexual counterparts. This is a serious issue," he said.
Despite the raging controversy surrounding this issue, Little said that
"gay people are as much a part of our public culture as straight people."
Ciara was building a strong case for herself as a mainstay in the music
industry. Her debut album "Goodies" was certified platinum by the RIAA,
and she has been ! na! med the recipient of the 2005 Sammy Davis Jr.
Entertainer of the Year Award at this year's Soul Train Awards.
The self-proclaimed 'Crunk n B' artist will release her third single "Oh",
(featuring Ludacris) next week and a video for the song will also be
released at the end of the month.
In addition to being named Entertainer of the Year, Ciara has been
nominated for four Soul Train Music Awards."
WHAT THE FUCK?
