Ugly Betty = Real Gay
By Matt Falber • Posted: November 4th, 2007Tivos were created for shows like Ugly Betty! But in a world of Tivos, Ugly Betty continues to show us that it’s ok to use a VCR. Ok… You know what I mean. This website is all about connecting to the amazingly rich and real community (gay or otherwise) Los Angeles has to ofter even when many believe it’s merely superficial. Ugly Betty is all about a girl who’s intelligent, witty, caring and ultimately beautiful despite her plain and often awkward appearance. It’s been called the gayest show on television and you don’t need to watch it religiously (like yours truly) to see why.
One of the most interesting developments recently has been the budding romance between the seemingly shallow Marc St. James (played by Michael Urie) and Cliff St. Paul (David Blue).
Marc met Cliff while he was trying to get the attention of an underwear model. Cliff enjoyed Marc’s company but Marc seemed not to notice, that is until Cliff reprimanded him. Marc agreed to go out with Cliff but tried to flake when the underwear model agreed to go out with him. Cliff and Marc’s dialogue was one of the most refreshing things I’ve heard in a while, on television or otherwise:
CLIFF: I don’t know what planet you’re from. But when someone asks you out for drinks and a movie, that’s a date. And the only reason you didn’t think so is because it was me. We both know that I don’t have muscletone or use product… and for no apparent reason I now do annoying air-quotes. You’re such a cliche! You and Gus? What is that? That’s Beauty and Beauty. That’s not a story. Now Beauty and the Beast, that’s a fairy-tale.
MARC: I’m not dating Gus just because of his looks, we had a real connection. We laughed together.
CLIFF: We laughed together. Gus just stood there in his backwards underwear looking hot.
MARC: So you admit that he’s hot.
CLIFF: Yes. Yes! He is hot. But I’ve got news for you. In twenty-years, that guy candy is going to turn into this. I just got there a little sooner. You know something Marc, I thought that there was more to you. It’s my mistake.
Talk about something I’m sure we’ve all wanted to say to a few guys. I think hearing it though, was just as valuable. We’ve all been guilty of glossing over the true beauty that’s right in front of us for a decadent indulgence. I’ll tell you what though, if we’re smart we learn what Cliff’s trying to teach Marc. The episode (“A League of Their Own”) ends with the two of them together watching a film.The show continued to explore the theme this week, when Marc is ashamed to be seen in the presence of his friends with Cliff.
Speaking of ashamed… let’s talk about one of the character’s other gay characters, Justin Suarez (played by Mark Indelicato). Despite his obvious interest in Broadway and movie musicals, fashion and his recent hetero-rebellion, I still talk to people that insist the kid isn’t gay. To those people, I have two choice words. Even looking at Wikipedia’s entry, you’ll notice that contributors are intent on pointing out that he may or may not be gay. Hell, a GLAAD official recently commented that Justin shouldn’t be called gay, “He’s a character with a flair for the dramatic and someone who has a sense of style. To say he’s gay based on that means viewers are letting stereotypes decide for them the definition of gender and sexuality.” Unbelievable. This is despite Silvio Horta’s, one of the show’s creators (an openly gay man) talking about how Justin reminds him of himself when he was young. He notes that Justin will make “the journey.” I’m not even going to continue to rationalize.
If you think for one minute that Justin is not gay, you’ve got some homophobia to work through. I’m not upset with the show by any means. We’ll see in time what happens. I am however quite disappointed in the Hollywood machine. Once upon a time it was run by Jewish executives who were essentially closeted in a religious sense. Now Hollywood is run by closeted gay men whose self-loathing has perpetuated the myth that if you’re gay, you won’t be accepted in straight roles. You’d think that things are changing, but Indelicato is the latest victim. The young television star refuses to make appearances at gay events because he doesn’t want to be seen as a gay actor. Now, some of you may find this easily justified. That’s simply because this mentality has been beat into your skulls. I didn’t see Jake or Health having a hard time after Brokeback. Most gay characters wind up being played by straight men because gay men don’t want to be typecast. It’s ridiculous. I’m disappointed with his management and his publicists for making the decisions they did.
Ok, kids. This is the second blog on Real Gay LA. You may have noticed that you can leave comments if you sign up for an account. Do it. I want to hear your opinions.
Tags:cliff st. paul, david blue, hollywood, justin suarez, marc st. james, mark indelicato, michael urie, silvio horta, television, typecasting, ugly betty
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Matt Falber is the Editor-in-Chief of Real Gay L.A. Matt was formerly an editorial assistant at Frontiers Magazine. He served as a regular contributing writer for Frontiers for two years and also wrote for IN Los Angeles, its sister publication. Matt has a flare for the arts and when we don't have him chained to his desk, he can be seen singing and acting in various L.A. venues.
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Hi there luv your site!
I want to comment on what you have been speaking about regarding gay men afraid of coming out due to type casting in the industry. I agree this does happen (so say my friends in the industry)
And I too am disappointed that this type of mentality still exists.
However as a straight woman I must tell you that when Neil Patrick Harris came out it had no impact on me whatsoever in regards to my huge crush on him (still want to kiss Doogie) He is an actor after all and I have a crush on the character and the character is straight ,and had no impact on my complete enjoyment or believability of his character, the egocentric, misogynistic, womanizer on How I met your Mother. He is intelligent, talented, and sexy and that triple threat outshines any sort of typecasting for sure.
Cheers!