A Kiss Is Just a Kiss... Unless It's a Same-Sex Kiss... Or Something
Yes, I admit it. I am a Gleeker. I watch Glee. I broke down and rented the first season because I wanted to see what "all the fuss" was about. In truth, Netflix has helped me discover several shows. (I would like to say, for the record, that I have been watching Leverage since it aired.)
Now, I have read many a critique of the second season of Glee. The common theme is that the show got too "preachy" about some of the storylines. Whatever that means. And of course, there was the "controversial" decision to bring in a new character, Blaine, who would eventually become Glee favorite Kurt's boyfriend.
And sealed with a kiss, too.
And the outcry was deafening! How dare a television show aimed at teenagers show an obvious display of genuine affection between members of the same sex! Victoria Jackson, formerly of SNL and sane celebrities, wrote a fire and brimstone-laden blog about the kiss seen round the world. She was horrified that her daughter was exposed to such evil decadence! Never mind that all television sets come with an on/off switch of some kind.
No, my issue isn't about Blaine and Kurt's kiss. It's about this:
Brittany and Santana enjoy an afternoon canoodling romp. And nothing. I don't remember hearing any outrage about this lovely little scene. If there was, it certainly wasn't enough to attract as much attention as Jackson's outraged blog.
What about this one?
This kiss should have received the most attention. This kiss, between a shocked Kurt and the boy who has spent the previous episodes tormenting him in true bully fashion, should have received attention. It was a shocking moment. Why? Because it revealed a hidden truth behind teenage tormentors. Bullies tend to be bullied themselves. Or, bullies tend to harass those individuals with whom they secretly identify. Dave Karofsky is confused about his own sexuality so he lashes out at openly gay Kurt.
Is there a double-standard going on here? It is okay for two girls to kiss. If there is some sort of hidden torment, it is okay for a boy to plant an unwanted kiss on another boy. But if two boys kiss... the world is going to end? Well, it's well past October 21st and we are all still here.
It amazes me at what people will pick and choose to be outraged about. I think this puts things in perspective:
Now, I have read many a critique of the second season of Glee. The common theme is that the show got too "preachy" about some of the storylines. Whatever that means. And of course, there was the "controversial" decision to bring in a new character, Blaine, who would eventually become Glee favorite Kurt's boyfriend.
And sealed with a kiss, too.
And the outcry was deafening! How dare a television show aimed at teenagers show an obvious display of genuine affection between members of the same sex! Victoria Jackson, formerly of SNL and sane celebrities, wrote a fire and brimstone-laden blog about the kiss seen round the world. She was horrified that her daughter was exposed to such evil decadence! Never mind that all television sets come with an on/off switch of some kind.
No, my issue isn't about Blaine and Kurt's kiss. It's about this:
What about this one?
Is there a double-standard going on here? It is okay for two girls to kiss. If there is some sort of hidden torment, it is okay for a boy to plant an unwanted kiss on another boy. But if two boys kiss... the world is going to end? Well, it's well past October 21st and we are all still here.
It amazes me at what people will pick and choose to be outraged about. I think this puts things in perspective:
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