But hes gay
My father was homosexual. He was born in 1918. In my 20s, he started telling me stories about his early life. He was out in the 1930s at a time when it wasn’t shared. He had dreams that most would not believe he dared to imagine. The problem with my dad telling me all of this was that he was still married to my mother.
In 1939, at a party in the Hollywood Hills with gay filmmakers and musicians, he was arrested. Police officers handcuffed the men, herded them into a van, and took them to jail. The following morning, he appeared before a judge for sentencing. Because the arresting officer couldn’t swear that he saw him touching his dance partner, he was released.
Then he was caught up in an illegal sting operation in Pasadena that targeted gay men. They were extorted by the police for cash payments in return for conditional release. His dreams of being a schoolteacher and living with his crush were destroyed.
As Planet War II loomed, he attempted to enlist in the U.S. Navy, but he was rejected when his register revealed that he was gay. The Army eventually acknowledged him, perhaps because war was imminent and able-bodied men, even gay ones, were needed.
Before my father shipped
Blind Man Climbs Mount Everest, But... He's Gay?
March 8, 2021
Many years ago, news anchor Cynthia Izaguirre was covering a story about Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind male to reach the summit of Mount Everest. But she mixed up her words and the result is one of the funniest news bloopers to date. In this video we even get to notice Erik's initial reaction.
It's an old video so the quality is poor.
Although it's been many years, Cythia still relives the moment, which has actually turn into a positive event in Erik's existence. As a motivational speaker and activist, he often introduces himself at events with a clip of the news blooper.
Watch the update below.
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Willem Dafoe "He's Same-sex attracted, But He Has A Special Connection To Classical Music"
- Meme
- Status
- Confirmed
- Type:
- Catchphrase, Viral Video
- Year
- 2019
- Origin
- YouTube
- Region
- United States
- Tags
- willem dafoe, boondock saints, gay, classical music, youtube, he's male lover but he has a special connection to classical music meme, willem dafoe memes, interview, catchphrases, viral videos, quote
About
Willem Dafoe "He's Gay, But He Has A Special Connection To Classical Music" is a catchphrase taken from a clip of actor Willem Dafoe discussing his nature Paul Smecker in the movie The Boondock Saints during an interview in early 2019. In the 2020s, the clip was isolated and taken out of context, then used in memes on TikTok to humorously describe other people and pets.
Origin
On February 15th, 2019, the YouTube channel for GQ released a video on Willem Dafoe breaking down some of his most iconic characters. While discussing the depth of his Boondock Saints character Paul Smecker, Dafoe says, "He's queer , but he has a special connection to classical music" (shown below).
Spread
On January 7th, 2022, TikTok user curlyfries237 uploaded the key moment
Sometimes being queer in a mean world means we can earn wrapped up in ourselves, always taking time to note and appreciate the things in our lives and community that are positive, or special. We rightly celebrate our own work, our jokes, our art, our memes, all the things that contribute to what is important to us culturally.
But, I ponder it’s important to occasionally stroke down to earth.
We must allow ourselves to admit that every so often, things that bring us joy or laughs or good vibes are from…the heterosexual community. That’s right. Direct people can and do contribute to our lives in vital ways. Some of my top parents are straight! Inspired by Beyoncé (straight) graciously releasing an album for all of us to “gay out” (technical term) to at future parties, I’ve decided to return the favour, and delve into one of my favourite things a unbent person has ever done.
It’s also one of history’s finest queer culture contributions.