The Golden Rule Of Comedy: Being Gay Is Hilarious

Lady Gaga is a gay icon who has used her celebrity status to support LGBT rights. That is, until last night’s SNL digital short entitled “Threeway: The Golden Rule.”

Gaga is one of many celebrities who has been vocal on the subject of gay rights. One of her most profound acts of support was speaking at the Gay Rights Rally in Washington D.C., screaming and powerfully pumping up the crowd.

“To do my part, I refuse to accept any misogynistic or homophobic behavior in any music, lyrics, or actions in the music industry,” she said at the rally. It sounded like a profound, exciting statement to hear from a celebrity, that respect for people would come before a cheap joke or an easy line.

Last night she joined Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg singing about how having a threesome is not gay if there is a girl involved — that there is no shame for the men if a women participates. I would not have judged Gaga for taking part as much as I am, if she was not saying the words herself. Timberlake and Samberg sing, “It’s not gay, if its in a threeway,” with Gaga singing the backup: “not gay.”

The whole point of the song is that doing something gay would be totally uncool for the Timberlake and Samberg characters. They’re presented at hypersexual macho men who are using Gaga as an excuse to explore their same-sex desires. There is no doubt that they are douches, but there are other ways to make the joke without implying that being gay, or engaging in gay behaviour, breaks “The Golden Rule.”

As someone who presents herself as a artist, as well as a performer, she should have been attuned to the message she was sending young men across America.

It is noble to say that you are going to do something, but downright hypocritical to take part in something that is opposed to your beliefs. Especially for such a weak gag.

I love Gaga and thought that her support was beautiful. She spoke directly to the President and used her celebrity to create change. It is still noble of her and this one blip on her record may not be as serious as I am making it, but I find it hard to respect someone who does not keep to their word.

While Gaga my be walking a fine line between support and neglect, there are other famous activists who are lending themselves to the cause whole-heartedly. George Takei might best known to Trekkies, but his most recent notoriety comes out of support for the gay community. When a new bill passed in Tennessee making it illegal for teachers to discuss homosexuality in the classroom, the “Don’t say gay” bill, Takei has really stepped up to the plate.

Literally lending his own name to the cause, he immediately created a video discussing the issue. But he doesn’t just discuss it, he lends his name to the cause. Instead of saying “gay,” if it is so dirty a word as the lawmakers are claiming  it is, then say “Takei.”

“That’s so Takei.”

“I’m in support of Takei marriage.”

T-shirts, bumper stickers, pins and other apparel have been created to support the new slogan, with all proceeds going to charity.

George Takei is clearly an example of a celebrity willing to put his money where his mouth is. Even if Lady Gaga has done a lot for the gay community in her time, it is all null and void if she can’t even stick to what she has said when it comes to her own creative work.

Celebrities can try to support any cause they wish, but if they are unwilling to follow the words they preach in their own lives, how can we ever expect the change they promise? We can’t.

Contact the author here: crazycolleen@morningquickie.com