Pen-Elayne on the Web

Coming Out Parties

With all this talk from Bush about enshrining bigotry in the form of a Constitutional amendment, and his use of said bigotry as a campaign cornerstone, the timing couldn't be better for famous figures and role models to speak out in favor of equality and justice for all. After all, culture is usually the purview of the entertainment world in the first place, and now that the administration has chosen to make the personal into the political it's even more appropriate for gays and the starights who support them to speak out on this issue in public venues. With any luck we'll get an earful of this speech at the Oscars this Sunday, and maybe even a few marriage proposals; but I think it'd also be swell, with spring training beginning next week and Opening Day right around the corner, for at least one courageous currently-active baseball player to come out and stand up for his full rights as a human being and American citizen. It probably wouldn't hurt if he were a Republican and/or a member of the Texas Rangers ballclub, but hey, as far as I'm concerned any famous and looked-up-to Major Leaguer will do. This issue is moving faster than a speeding bullet and gaining more momentum than a locomotive; if not now, when? After all, Bush's team is even using baseball metaphors for his campaign now.