Have you ever heard of Canadian TV personality Rick Mercer? Neither have we. But that’s OK because he has some unclear yet interesting advice about how LGBT adults can help make life better before we get another Jamie Hubley on our hands.
Basically he says that LGBT adults need to “step up” make make things better for LGBT kids. And though he never explains what stepping up and making things better means, we guess it means that every LGBT adult should come out, start raising awareness at PTA meetings, working to get bullies prosecuted and pressuring our community representatives to start taking LGBT education issues seriously before another 11 to 13 LGBT kids kill themselves.
Remember, bullying is just the tip of the iceberg. Saving LGBT kids means integrating recognition of LGBT individuals throughout the educational system. Nothing less will stem the tide of anti-LGBT violence plaguing this world.
Thanks for the advice, random dude!
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Will
He’s not obscure in Canada and he’s also gay
Craig M
Just for some context, Rick Mercer can be best described as the Canadian Jon Stewart.
RS
While Rick Mercer may not be internationally known, most Canadians knows who he is.
He is well respected and when he speaks, Canada listens.
hf2hvit
and the next thing you know, the adults will be accused of recruiting and molesting
GMinNYC
We need him in the USA. Love him
Keith
Rick Mercer is amazing! Watch his ‘Talking to Americans’ sketch to see why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo
Franco
He isn’t obscure, in fact he’s well known in Canada.
MikeE
Why did Queerty have to resort to this so stereotypical American elitist ignorance?
So whoever wrote this “article” doesn’t know who Rick Mercer is. That does NOT mean that Rick Mercer is an “unknown”. It just means Daniel Villarreal has a very limited cultural experience.
Franco
Something is amiss at Queerty. Bitchery pervades their articles, when their readers just want the story.
CBRad
I’ll admit I haven’t heard of him, but I never use that as the guage to whether someone is well-known or not. He probably is quite well-known in Canada, and every country has its own famous people who don’t “cross over” into U.S. fame.
Michael in Toronto
How is it unclear?
Rick has his own show and he’s greatly admired.
Look outside your country once in awhile.
CBT
He needs a bit more skin in the game before he makes demands of actual celebrities!
pedro
Daniel Villarreal calling Rick Merger obscure is the height of irony.
Jeremie
I don’t understand what is unclear about he said. I truly appreciate the posting of the video but the blurb explaining it is off.
pedro
*Mercer…I’m typing on a phone…
Rolling Eyes
And Daniel Villarreal is well known?
You really are the crappiest writer on here … and that means you really really really bad.
Hampster up a rump
“Obscure Canadian Makes Vague But Valid Point About LGBT Suicides”.
“Obscure”.
So just flipity flop your hand somewhere over the 49th parallel when discussing our ‘place’ north of the U.S.
Little Kiwi
Every Canadian knows who Rick Mercer is. And as others have mentioned his series “Talking to Americans” emphasizes the reality of what this post showed – some folks in the US just don’t know that much about the Great North…
The guy rocks. His point is terrific. And he’s sexy. Yay openly gay sociopolitically-aware Canucks!
jason
Obscure US Blogger Dismisses Famous Canadian Satirist
Rolling Eyes
@jason: spot on!
Mr. Enemabag Jones
Obscure Queerty writer writes insipid headline.
More people know Rick Mercer, than read Queerty, Daniel.
howdy
Wow Qwerty… way to show your ignorance by calling Rick Mercer obscure.
So fail.
Michael
He seems intelligent and makes actual sense about this subject.
Could have done without the bore the hell out of everyone with your pride flag part but I got what he meant.
Brian
Daniel who?
John McLaren
Millions of Canadians watch Mercer nationally on CBC Television Network while Jon Stewart or Steven Cobert are watched by a few hundred thousand who subscribe to (obscure) Comedy Central – a cable channel. Stewart and Colbert who are considered stars in the USA (but obscure everywhere else) would KILL to get the audience numbers Rick Mercer gets in prime time.
Pitou
You have to LOVE how Daniel NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER comments when you call him out on some retarded and/or offensive shit he says or does.
Jesus christ. Man up Bitch.
This site loses more credability the more it posts, I swear.
mark
I echo the sentiment of many posters here: why take a bitchy and dismissive approach to journalism? It’s not funny. It’s not interesting.
Frank
Queerty seems to be living under a rock….oh wait…it’s an American website
Skeloric
Frankly, I wouldn’t have a clue how to get any Canadian channels on my TV in the US and I’m in Minnesota which borders the “Ol’ Maple Leaf”, but I dang well can get Comedy Central on my TV.
I dang well haven’t a clue who the Mercer guy is.
We DO have a Mercer in the US (Roy D “By God” Mercer), but he is a “Southern Hick” Radio Personality who does a series of “crank calls” that one can buy collections of in Truck Stops.
“Just how big a boy are ya?” is one of his signature lines.
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pff5lqSe2c
As Canadians (I’m suspecting most responders so far are…) you should have a suspicion that having an entire country roughly as big as the entire European Union makes keeping track of even domestic issues somewhat daunting a task.
You have 5 or 6 (can’t recall exactly which amount, and am uncertain if the Northwest Territory even counts as a province — being a “Territory” historically signifying a more unincorporated region) Provinces, each of which could deemed to size of a moderate to large country — which should give insight into how assorted news from all of these localities could be taxing and time/labor intensive.
Now, the US is 50 states of somewhat random and varying sizes, some big enough to also be comparable to moderate to large countries while others are tiny little shards barely large enough to contain a very small city yet counted as states, which is even more quite likely more daunting a task.
GRANTED — I fully agree that Villarreal’s style desperately needs some editorial oversight, the man is truly notorious for roaming well beyond the bounds of journalistic integrity which has damaged the professional(?) reputation of Queerty.
But I can truly say that not knowing something about a country that I can see no clue of how to even go about learning, is in no way “criminal” in the way other posters have thus far presented it.
MikeE
The point isn’t that Queerty doesn’t know who Rick Mercer is, or that Queerty readers might not know who he is.
The point is the offensive and dismissive MANNER in which the headline and article are written.
It could simply have said “Canadian comedian makes point about LGBT suicides”.
There was nothing “vague” about what he said.
It’s his format.
He does this “walking rant”.
I thought he was VERY clear about what the issue is.
Queerty has of late taken to a very sarcastic and bitchy tone of mistaken superiority.
I’m sorry, but this blog – it’s not a forum, it’s barely a website – is nothing but a venue for Daniel to reprint otehrs’ work and then spew his small-minded interpretations of issues he apparently doesn’t understand.
Oh yeah!
Queerty, that obscure american blog run by that insignificant unknown, Daniel Villarreal.
WillBFair
I love how you all ignore the problem being addressed and shift attention to Daniel V. Nice job avoiding responsibility. I would mention serious actions we can take to help solve the problem, but you’re obviously not interested.
Michael
@WillBFair:
Uhh please be careful when you write the word ALL thats the same thing as making a blanket statement.
David Gervais
An interview with Rick Mercer, posted a couple of minutes ago:
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2011/10/27/rick-mercer-on-bullying-gay-teens/
Matthew
I’m not a super patriotic person (international solidarity, and all), but …
Canadian people and things that SHOULD carry internationally (in no particular order):
1. Rick Mercer,
2. Slings and Arrows,
3. The Tragically Hip,
4. The memory of Tommy Douglas,
5. Margaret Atwood (more so).
Feel free to add to the list.
American in b.c.
I know who Rick mercer is, I wouldn’t say he was the Jon Stewart of the north but that’s besides the point. Daniel villareals posts are very annoying. They can be about cheese and just the smugness in his articles bother me so profusely. I think to make a point, you should let go of this guy and let on a Canadian. Because I think that would be hilarious.
James
Guess there is not much on Canadian television (American shows aside)if this guy is a sage….
Stephen Martin
Yes Rick Mercer is a well known Canadian. He does have an award winning show (which isn’t for everybody) but I think it’s important to note that he is an out Canadian ‘personality’. He is a comedic journalist on a highly rated tv show. Now don’t get me wrong I watch and enjoy alot of American tv but I can’t think of a high profile American journalist that is out and who would make such a public and impassioned plea of all of us. I think what he said was heartfelt and how dare Queerty trivialize it! In this day, when we are all still fighting for rights – especially some Americans – why would we put down someone who is sending such a great message?
Rick
An obscure comedian from a country far more civilized than the US, a country where gays and lesbians have their civil rights protected..and a country that is not on the verge of bankruptcy
Derek
Obscure? Rick Mercer is VERY famous. He gets 844,000 results on google :S
Jason
One of Rick Mercer’s highest rated shows (2.7 MILLION people in a country of only 34 million) was called “Talking to Americans” where American ignorance of Canada was exposed for laughs. For example, he would tell a random American on the street that Canada has just been allowed to join the US Congress, and the idiot American would agree and offer congratulations to all Canadians. Perhaps Queerty DOES know who he is and is playing the dumb American schtick as an in-joke.
Rolling Eyes
DANIEL VILLARREAL = LOSER. I think that about sums it up.
CBT
@Rick: Nor is the United States, and we take care of and protect you and the world. My,my the overly sensitive folks from the north. Guess it’s difficult being the 51st state…
David Gervais
Skeloric, there are ten Canadian provinces and three territories.
iDavid
@Daniel Villarreal
“Obscure and vague”? NOT. EVEN. And belittle our international neighbors? Please Halt w your daft opinions from your nether world brain. NOT OK.
Get informed dude. Your amateur is out in full bloom. Please either resign, go back to school, or both.
MikeE
@Skeloric: as David pointed out, there are 10 provinces, 3 territories. Except that isn’t the point. Nor is all the fiction you are going on about difficulties keeping track of domestic issues? What do you think we are? A third world country?
The entire point of the offense taken, is that regardless of whether Daniel Villarreal KNOWS Rick Mercer or his various shows, his entire post was belittling and insulting.
There was no reason for it.
Nothing Rick Mercer said in his sketch was deserving of scorn.
Rick Mercer may not be well-known in the U.S., but that doesn’t make him “obscure”.
And the points in his rant were far from “vague”.
As a matter of fact, his points were more direct and to-the-point than the vast majority of American celebrities.
Shane Mahaffy
We are Americans and the only celebrities we listen to are not vague and provide meaning and insight to the entire planet -Chaz Bono, Kim Kardashian. They probably have made People magazine’s top 20 most beautiful people in the world (all American without any obscure foreigners). USA USA USA !!! We’re number one!!
Jason
Are you for real?! Everyone in Canada knows who Rick Mercer is!
JM
I <3 Rick Mercer. Makes me proud to be a gay Canadian, eh!
Little Kiwi
There was a typical editorial “rebuttal” to Mercer’s “rant” in Canada’s Globe & Mail newspaper, which was woefully half-bakedt.
Basically, the editorial states that Mercer is wrong, and that gay people should be allowed to keep their orientations private. In other words, “don’t make us feel like we have an obligation to help others” – which is of course the mindset mentality and excuse given by reluctant homosexual adults who never got over their insecurities and still insist that they have a right to be lazy, self-serving selfish choice-makers who don’t care about others.
does a person have a “right” to make self-serving choices that don’t help others? yes. but I cant’ see why people are so proud to do. Others doing that is the reason that folks remain in the closet – you’re sitting back waiting for everyone else to do the work for you. It’s one thing for young people, teens, to struggle with Coming Out while depending on the ‘security’ and financial stability and shelter of a family that might be anti-gay….but grown-ass adults? Who are they scared of, especially in Canada where LGBT people are wholly protected from workplace and housing discrimination? It’s about VANITY – the insecure homosexuals who never got over their resentment about being gay, and continue to give excuses for not Coming Out. they were bullshite excuses when i said them at 16, and they’re still bullshit excuses when they’re coming from the mouth of some dude in his forties.
Help Out, Come Out.
iDavid
Little Kiwi,
You really have tunnel vision on this issue of ‘why doesn’t everyone just stand up, do a twirly girl whirl, and come out like little perfect me did’. Not everyone had the Norman Rockwell ‘welcome to the world gay boy’, like you did. Can you even understand the concept of letting others live their own lives on their own dime and time, and not bash them for it? Other people’s choices are none of your business, “Maggie”. You are majorly self absorbed and myopic on this subject not to mention selfish.
Little Kiwi
iDavid, if you guys wanna keep excusing your selfish cowardice, go right ahead, but don’t pretend it’s something it’s not.
you prove me right with your use of “twirly girl whirl” – you’re still insecure about being gay, and you liken being Out and Visible with “girly” – that’s your issue, not mine. Your excuses are pathetic – they were pathetic excuses when I gave them at 16, and they’re pathetic excuses when you give them today at your age.
You’re right, it’s so “selfish” of me to ask others to Stand Up to be counted and to help others. It’s so selfish of me to ask others to think about helping others. Yeah. Right. Look, you’re more than free to be a coward who makes excuses for not Coming Out – I just can’t see why you’re so proud of your cowardice.
“Not everyone had the Norman Rockwell ‘welcome to the world gay boy’, like you did. ”
No shit. But we’re talking about ADULTS – not young people. ADULTS. Grown-Ass adults who make excuses to not be Out. It’s cowardice, insecurity and pathetic vanity.
Know why I had such a positive response to Coming Out? because other gay men and women made it their business to be Out to my family and community. Men and Women who made it known that they were gay to my parents; co-workers, members of the local community, the church community. They opened the door for me. That’s what Coming Out is – giving a face and name to what “gay” is – by doing that we break barriers, and open the doors for the next generation.
You choose to ignore this. That’s your insecurity manifesting. I never denied you the right to make cowardly self-serving choices. You’re more than free to live your life without a spine or a pair of balls, just don’t expect to be respected for it If you dont’ respect yourself enough to live Out, you cant’ expect people to respect you either.
Little Kiwi
know why it’s “hard” to Come Out? Because not enough of us ARE Out. Thats’ why. Making excuses for staying in the Closet only ensures this pathetic cycle continues. When you only think about yourself, and not others, you perpetuate the cycle – your “struggle” is compounded because nobody else opened the door for you, because they made the same self-serving cowardly “choice” that you’re defending now.
Here’s the bitter irony that people like iDavid ignore – you say “You cant’ force me to Come Out” yeah, why not? You guys are already allowing others to “force you” to Stay In.
literally. You’re allowing yourself to be censored and edited by others, and then say “you cant’ force me to Come Out?” there’s no such thing – you’re already letting others force you to stay in. Help Out, COME OUT.
it’s 2011. There are no longer reasons for grown-up ADULTS to continue this Closet Cycle – only cowardly excuses.
CBRad
@Pitou: Dabniel V. actually does often answer his critics in these threads. I’ve seen it a few times. Give him credit for that. (Could you imagine the sneak-creep Andrew Towle ever doing that?)
Josh
@Little Kiwi: Lil’ Pee Wee – you are such a talking and I assume walking stereotype – LOL!
Little Kiwi
keep laughing, Josh. if i had your life I’d need something to laugh about, too. you have my pity.
Steve
This video is originally from 2007, long before the “It gets better” series, It was meant to address bullying in general; please excuse it from not exactly conforming to the modern format and directly addressing LGBT teen suicide.
David Gervais
Steve- a correction or clarification
The Rick Mercer Rant at the top of the page was first broadcast last Tuesday, and recorded no more than a few days before then. Note that he refers to Jamie Hubley at the start, who came to public attention a couple of weeks ago, unfortunately too late.
Jonny
WTF???? Obscure??? Thank you for once again proving that Americans can not see beyond their own sterlised borders. Why must you yanks always bitch slap Canada? Elistist American crap speaks again. Hate to break it too you but it is this blog that is RANDOM and OBSCURE. Rick is an outstanding member of the community and does much to support it, perhaps it is just because he does not mount the queeny grandstand in that oh so American way that you think he is obscure and random.
Start looking beyond your own navel guys!
Why oh why did I come back to this website after swearing that I would never read it’s sensationalist crap again.
Jack in the Country
Well, Canadians, I am going to be timid and say this:
You are silly if you think Queerty represents all of America.
I am American by birth, but I am going to study in Ontario and hopefully become a citizen of Canada one day. It is my hope that, as we share a lot of culture, many won’t mince their teeth over my opinion of wanting to be bi-national. I speak English and Spanish, but I am learning French to fit in better even – do I really sound like “another ignorant American”? I’m not even out of high school, but I am politically active and traveling. I am going to major in Graphic Design, and it is my dream to do it in Canada’s oldest art university. America and Canada share a huge border, and in my state of Michigan we share many bridges – both literal and metaphorical. I have Canadian friends, neighbors and more and yet you assume all Americans hate Canadians; not true, and my friend in art club is Canadian and we all said to him “we love you” when the topic of how some idiots think it is funny to make Canada the blunt of a flat joke. My state probably is half Canadian, and boy, does it really need the influence to escape the “lets put all our eggs in one basket / never change” approach that new and shared culture brings.
Peace out and everyone hug. This news article sucks as always, thanks to Queerty, but the video is spot on.
SG
it may have been said but…he is anything but obscure. he’s a proud gay canadian whose not afraid to voice his opinion. good on ya Rick Mercer.