Because I believe everyone should get to see themselves reflected on TV. EVERYONE. And because I love all my gay and lesbian friends. AND because I think same-sex marriage is the civil rights fight of our era and back when being a person of color was the civil rights fight, people like Norman Lear put black people on TV and helped change some minds. So you know, it’s gotta be paid forward. As long as we are willing to sit by while one person is not free, none of us are free.
“And FINALLY: because as long as someone feels like it is okay to ask the question ‘why all the gay people on your shows,’ then there is still a HUGE problem that needs to be solved. It’s like asking ‘Why all the black people on your shows.’ (Which is, in fact, why there are also a lot of people of color on my shows . Cause people keep asking. Like it’s unusual. Which means we have a LONG way to go). Okay, done preaching.”
— Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes answering a viewer’s question about the number of gay/lesbian storylines on her shows, via Indiewire.
sfbeast
nicely said and nicely done, thanks shonda
Brian
I thought Shonda avoided showing gay men. Her show is definitely more friendly to female than male homosexuals. Don’t like her.
Avenger
‘As long as we are willing to sit by while one person is not free, none of us are free.’
LMAO! That’s a crock of shit. Let’s not pretend that someone’s else’s oppression is everyone’s.
PrettyLittleLiar
@Brian: One of Scandal’s prominent storylines involves the POTUS’s chief of staff and his husband. Also, I’m not bothered by her focus on lesbian relationships as I rand to see more of a focus on gay male relationships on TV in general.
Joetx
If only gay white males in Hollywood would include more racial diversity into their TV shows & movies.