I never watched "Doogie Howser M.D." before, but I've recently come to appreciate Neil Patrick Harris thanks to my brother's turning me on to "How I Met Your Mother." Out magazine has him on the cover this coming month and I found it really interesting that he singled out former "Real World" cast member Danny Roberts as a positive influence on him, someone my painstakingly closeted boyfriend back in '99 also frequently cited.
The first face that empowered me was Danny Roberts from "The Real World: New Orleans." I think before him I'd never seen anyone wear [homosexuality] so comfortably. He was around my age. I could look to him as a role model -- if you could say that, even though he was on a reality show. He represented a way that I could behave and stand tall comfortably without being an overt advocate and without being someone hiding in the shadows. I liked that.Although I completely appreciate Harris' sentiments (and agree with them to some degree), am I mistaken or is it impossible not to read a "Danny was better than all of those other 'Real World' gays because he was so straight-acting" sentiment between the lines? The whole tone of the article -- NEIL PATRICK HARRIS: A MAN'S MAN -- and all that stuff about how he still plays straight characters (unlike that femme Rupert Everett!) sort of rubs me the wrong way. Is this the only way Out will allow a NON-STRAIGHT actor on its cover?
6 comments:
I felt the same way when I first saw this cover. I kept thinking: "they finally have a gay guy on the cover and they're trying to convince me that he's more butch then all those straight guys in speedos that are normally on it?" I don't get it at all.
And my Real World gay will always be Pedro Zemoras. He was an amazing role model, I cried like crazy when he died.
I don't know...Danny looks pretty gay in that picture.
totes. ditto. he was the most "normal" representation of gay that i had as a teenager. in real world terms, he was anti everything they had had on the show up until that point.
If it helps you enjoy Neil Patrick Harris, please know that he likes to show off his ample endowment at the WEHO Equinox gym. Who would have thought that little Doogie was BIG! Cheers, GP
Actually I felt the same about Danny. While Pedro will always be the hero, Danny was the "everyman" that I could most relate to, and I think he helped educate some of his bigoted roommates (that red-headed ultra-Christian, and Mormon Julie). The vast majority of my friends are straight guys who really hadn't hung out with a gay guy until they met me. I think most of them have changed their stereotypes of gays thanks to knowing me (patting myself on the back). Including my roommate, who according to his cousin used to be a homophobe, now he'll defend me to the end.
I think what Doogie says is fine. I agree that Danny was the first "gay guy" that didn't act like a "gay guy." For me, it helped me to realize that it was ok to be me and be cool with it. I don't think he meant to insult anyone. Pedro was indeed the first face of gayness that many of us experienced, but Danny was the first guy that "I didn't know was gay" right from looking at him. I guess maybe it was a big turn on at the time...and kinda still is...
But don't be pissed at Doogie...I'm glad he's on our team!! WOOF!
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