The Bo Show

New Gayest Question

I’m used to many questions when it comes to my sexuality. When did you come out? Do your parents know? Who pays for dinner? But, there’s one question that is quickly becoming the most asked question of the past two months… “Have you seen MILK?”

I could honestly say, I’d need about five or six hands to count how many people asked me this question, or emailed me about it. Don’t get me wrong, it is an amazing movie about an exceptional man who helped provide us with equal rights. I often say it is perhaps the most inspiring and motivating movie of the year. I honestly felt chills during certain scenes.

But, I have to laugh when I think of how so many of my straight friends and family members feel the need to let me know they saw the movie… and liked it. A friend of mine actually has the movie on DVD and asked me to come over and watch it because she thought I’d like it. Again, don’t get me wrong. It is a kind gesture, and I 100% appreciated it. But, it makes me laugh that this is the only movie fitting for me to come over and watch with someone.

Just yesterday, a friend of mine returned from a trip to San Francisco. The very first story she told me about regarding her trip to S.F. was about seeing MILK and how she liked it. I was happy for her. But, she later followed it up with a story about how she attended a New Years eve party with a man who now holds the position Harvey Milk held in the Castro. Now, that’s what I think should have been the lead story!

Alright, I want to make sure I’m coming off fair. I am in no way angry or upset about being asked “Have you seen MILK?” Or, that people would want to discuss the movie with me. In fact, I’m actually thrilled this movie was made, because it opens up dialogue about gay issues which sometimes fall by the wayside. The fact it was released during a time when California’s Proposition 8 dominated news headlines is also great. So, I’m always up for a quick MILK break to discuss the film. But, it’s just funny to me.

I just finished having a conversation with one of my friends who happens to be African American. He made an interesting parallel. He said my MILK is his ROOTS. He says constantly asking a gay man if he saw MILK, is like asking an African American man if he saw and liked ROOTS.

True dat.

Congrats to Sean Penn on his OSCAR win for Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk.