DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '12 II => Topic started by: David on August 18, 2012, 07:04:25 PM
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Michael Musto, an openly gay writer for the Village Voice with a long history of denigrating people under the guise of being "witty"...
In an April 19 2012 column that I'm too disgusted to link, he discusses the actor's sexuality.
No facts, just Musto's usual brand of snarky innuendo.
Then in a May 1st column, he speculates as to who Frid dated--that story has a pic of Frid & Louis Edmonds together--implying they were a couple. They were not.
As a gay man myself, I'm repulsed by Musto's behavior--he's done things like this to many others and has even written sweeping, negative generalities about entire communities. People are still entitled to their privacy if they're not hurting anyone. Should we write to Village Voice and demand Musto's resignation?
(edited by admin)
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That was quite a photograph of the two of them at the beach...having read the article, I really don't care either way, about Johnathan's sexuality or the quality of the article/author itself. No one is going to be forced to resign over it, people will gossip (though not on this message board) and thankfully the dead can't be offended...the end.
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Ok everyone, we all know we have lost Jonathan. His performances on the original show, and House of Ds, and of course his one man shows are available to us. To be quite honest with all of you, I don't really give a damm about what Jonathan's sexuality was like. Its not my concern. And frankly, I don't give a damm. Let him rest in piece. He was a good guy, he tried his best, and in my opinion was good to his fans. Case closed.
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what pissed me off about Musto's story is that he all but acknowledges that he knew JF didn't want to discuss his private life--but then Musto does it anyway.
Musto's spite makes me want to smack him.
Seriously.
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So we should probably let this go then. Jerks will be jerks
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i haven't seen the article in question so i probably shouldn't comment however...
the plain fact is that heterosexual people, unless they are committing adultery or carrying on in some other illicit way, never, ever refer to there relationships or sexual identity as their "private life". that's old school evasiveness. they're just very matter of fact about their situations. pictures of husbands, wives and children are put up on Facebook and in frames on office desks. in fact they never shut up about it. the tedious minutia of every aspect of their lives is discussed openly all day long.
the notions that homosexuality is still "private", that it needs to be discussed in hushed and secretive tones, that those who choose to remain closeted should expect complicity or are entitled to it, are getting old. that's why anderson cooper came out. by remaining mute about his "private life" it gives the impression that there is some shame involved.
i get that frid came from a completely different generation. his deal was his deal. but i guess i don't think musto should be fired for referring to his(alleged) sexual identity. and salacious and scandalous things are printed about het celebs every day. look at those two kids from "twilight". if the tea can get dished about them i don't think gay celebs(and again, i didn't know frid so i'll add "alleged")are entitled to different standards.
the veil of shame and secrecy needs to be lifted once and for all.
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Michael Musto is an example of why gays are usually their own worst enemies. Fred Phelphs and his Westboro Baptist Church can't do any greater damage.
Gerard
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Michael, you are so right. The way to make this happen is for people who are out and comfortable with themselves--and there are more of us each day--to be honest about who we are.
It's still not OK to make snarky "gotcha" styled comments about someone who's passed on, someone who's done no wrong and has in fact entertained millions.
Gerard: you have no idea. Musto is part of a story I'm doing for a mainstream publication on abuse and corruption among self-serving gay activists and writers who have sabotaged the movement for personal gain. The Frid stories came up during my general research on Musto, who's done far worse.
With your permission I'd like to quote you in my story.
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No offense intended, but I certainly don't think that the subject heading of this thread raises the level of discourse.
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[ghost_rolleyes]
You are right, Mr. Gross. I should probably take a higher road and not use terms like that.
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I agree with you Michael; I have no respect or affection for the closets of public figures, and I don't think it's wrong to out them either, dead or alive. Being ambiguous and incredibly private particularly in his profession is naturally going to invite speculation. Gossip is what gossip columnists do, that isn't about to change.
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Michael Musto is an example of why gays are usually their own worst enemies. Fred Phelphs and his Westboro Baptist Church can't do any greater damage.
this is all getting completely off-topic, and the mods will likely shut this down soon...
but to compare a bit of cattiness to what phelps and his followers do is a staggeringly stupid and shocking thing to say.
with that i'll leave this topic completely.
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With your permission I'd like to quote you in my story.
You go right ahead, David!
Gerard
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Thanks, Gerard. I'll PM you to get your full name.
Michael: I have postings on file from Musto where he denigrates and inflames hate against bisexual & transgender people for a cheap laugh. His cattiness & callous disregard for Mr. Frid's wishes is part of a much larger problem.
RE: the Frid postings: decent people respect the wishes of the deceased.
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No offense intended, but I certainly don't think that the subject heading of this thread raises the level of discourse.
Nor did it the subject title as it was originally written. Food for thought.
Personal agendas totally unrelated to DS are patently off-topic and further postings along those lines on will be removed.
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but to compare a bit of cattiness to what phelps and his followers do is a staggeringly stupid and shocking thing to say.
I'm sorry if I offended you. I apologize.
Gerard
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It does not surprise me that the subject of Jonathan's Private Life would come up shortly after his passing. It was always a subject of much curiosity on my part and obviously a very well guarded secret. In my opinion, let's keep it that way. It would be interesting to know the details, but far better to remember Jonathan as a cherished performer and a very good man. He shared himself with us for 45 wonderlful years. That is all we have to know and understand.
[ghost_wink]
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Very well said, Michaelhackett, and I'm sorry if I brought any personal agendas to this thread.
I was just so pissed when I saw Musto's postings.
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I'm sorry if I offended you. I apologize.
don't worry about it.
whenever this topic comes up here emotions become heightened. my regret is posting in the topic in the first place.
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You have every right to post whatever you want, Michael. The whole thing surrounding it is a volalile topic. I've posted on other message boards and blogs about how "our kind" treat each other, and things get so heated that Laura Collins would beat it down the road while tossing fire extinguishers.
You remember Laura Collins, don't you? She's that incredible actress who played Phoenix on DS. [ghost_cheesy]
Gerard
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And Jonathan himself would probably say "So what?" Obviously it was a slow news day the five months ago the article was written.
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If you are single for most of your adult life, people will gossip as to why. I prefer to remain single and because of that, I have experienced "gossip" so I get that it happens.
There are many celebrities who do, in fact, believe they don't owe the public any information about their private lives. They don't think it's anyone's business and they don't want to expose friends and loved wants to public scrutiny if it can be avoided. It's not necessarily about "hiding" anything at all. I remember while working for HBO getting James Gandolfini to do interviews or public appearances was like pulling teeth during The Sopranos run. He didn't want to talk about his private life or share that much about himself because he didn't think it was that interesting or anyone's business. It's unfortunate there is suspicion attached to anyone thinking they should be allowed to keep their private life private. I don't get that at all.
I agree with you Michael; I have no respect or affection for the closets of public figures, and I don't think it's wrong to out them either, dead or alive. Being ambiguous and incredibly private particularly in his profession is naturally going to invite speculation. Gossip is what gossip columnists do, that isn't about to change.
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i vowed not to post in this topic again however...
unfortunately for frid the very nature of the barnabas collins character...a man with a "secret"...readily lends itself to a gay subtext whether it's intentionally there or not. an ascot wearing man with a "secret" who hung out with joan bennett and grayson hall.
i've heard from countless gay men who said that as adolescents they identified with the character on that level.
and when the actor who portrayed that character was a, i believe it was once called "confirmed bachelor", it simply opens itself up to that interpretation.
it is what it is kids...and scolding everyone who speculates on the subject isn't going to change it.