CELEBRITY STATUS IN AMERICA

Ahhh! The price of fame. As if the pressure of pleasing producers, studios, backers, and audiences wasn't enough. The act of creating art, being an artist, is clear cut. You work for the purpose of enlightenment, to better the world, to expand preconceived notions and ultimately to bring into existence something challenging or original or beautiful that previously did not exist. However, once an artist has excelled in his or her field to the point of being plucked out of it for creative or commercial gain, you find that you've entered an entirely new ballgame.

With this we deal with the issue of celebrity. To be a public figure in today's times your contribution can range from shallow and fleeting to powerful and life-altering. We live in a fast paced world with rapidly produced entertainment and news. What might appear in the headlines or on the latest reality series today will more than likely be forgotten tomorrow. And yet, those still striving to create art, redefine structure, and activate change find themselves at a crossroads. Today is the crossroads of change. We are at a point in time where we as a culture can choose to step forward into a society based on open-mindedness, acceptance, and love or retreat back into a universality governed by fear, bigotry, hatred, and oppression. The time has come for public figures, leaders, creators, and artists to feel the freedom to step out onto the world's stage and speak the truths of their lives. The time has come for the world to greet the beautiful diversity of these public figures with opened arms. The fate of the world accepting gay and lesbian artists and leaders truly rests within the bravery of those stepping out of the closets. Those first terrifying steps must be made and made boldly. Ultimatley these public figures are here for reasons separate from their homosexual identity. So long as the music is still fresh, the political leadership is still keen, the performance is still moving, and the game is still won, whether slow and sure or quick and painless, opinions will change. We as a society rally behind bravery, innovation, and creativity even when it scares some. Certain opinions will never be changed, and at end of the day it isn't really our job to change them. But few people look to hate. Gossip and tabloid sensationalism are part of the world we live in, but alongside that belongs truth and freedom. No one should live the life they've been given as a lie. No one should be at risk in their lives or careers because of unchangeable desires.

Gay representations have grown into prime time television, music video love scenes, and award winning contributions to film, television, music, and theatre. Gay men and women more and more are entering a public consciousness. Barriers in the political and entertainment industries are being broken down. There is more road to pave, but just take a long look at the diveristy and range in the public figures featured on this site to get a sense of the importance of their places in the world.

Then try to imagine it all without them.