CBC's Rick Mercer furious about homophobic bullying, wants more Canadian LGBT role models

See, that's what I thought was odd about the rant when I watched it on tv. Rick didn't say "I'm gay and I'm out" or anything like that. He didn't include himself as one of Canada's gay celebrities. Seemed like a perfect opportunity to let the people who don't know he's gay, know.

Didn't see Ron Mcclean on the list either.

That's why I wrote "here's just a sample of some Canadian celebrities..."

...or John Baird

The list... nice touch, CT!

I agree with Rick's approach. I think the whole point is, it really shouldn't matter what your orientation is. Lumping people into a group like this is the best way to breed such phobias and hatreds, as unfounded as they may be. That's not to say people shouldn't have their own unique identity or culture, but I just don't think the social boundaries should be so rigid sometimes.

Anton, yes, it shouldn't matter what your orientation is. However, in the case of gay teens who are committing suicide, it is clear that they have internalized negative messages, from others and from society at large, about being gay.
The point Rick is also making is that being invisibly gay does not help a teen who hates her- or himself, and can only see negative images of LGBT people. Being able to see visible examples of LGBT people might inspire youth to think that hey, maybe I could make it if they did, and might help them to see a broader context as a means for overcoming the tunnel vision of suicidal thinking or self-loathing.
However, it would help more than just suicidal youth. It would help all LGBT people with their self-esteem to be able to see positive examples of acceptance and success.

Fancy, lots of people that follow Mercer's work know this about him. Yes, it did seem like a perfect moment to announce something like that, but I think there's also a good reason to not have---kids should choose their own role models. It also detracts from his message. It wasn't "I'm gay, let me be your role model", that was just an aspect to his cry for support for these kids.

I see the visible/invisible concept as being somewhat muddy. Lots of straight people aren't very open about their sex lives, so why should gay people have to be? It's a matter of personal preference and lifestyle. But it is true that there should be some role models for each case. There is a difference between actively hiding your sexuality and just not feeling the need to disclose it.

I agree with both Craig and You. I suppose I could best sum up what I was trying to say with an example : I have a friend that will refer to any gay acquaintance as 'gay', like "My gay friend Kyle said he liked that movie'. Though she has no qualms about her gay friends (she infact, revels in the fact that she has so many) she feels the need to identify them as such, as if they are some separate entity, and that's the where I think the problem lies.

But, of course, we aren't there yet because homophobia is still a major issue, and as such I agree with Craig that people struggling with something they should not be struggling with do need this support.

As a visable minority individual myself, I liked what Mr. Mercer had to say. Apathy runs rampant in Canada, we are all a part of the problem, not just 'some' people out there. Most of us don't get what our actions and words do to others untill it is too late. Even though it was just a hockey game we watch and cheer for the guy scrapping it out, someone overheard us and will be more leery of us than we ever imagined. We all sit here and read, then get on with our day with nary a thought to this article, till someone else brings it up. Then, we 'might' have a reaction, depending on how it actually touches our lives. Will you change your life-style to be a role model?