Tab: Normal

The pronounced pucker.

In direct response to my post regarding what I feel is an anti-gay moment in the current issue of Star, EIC Candace Trunzo has issued a formal apology, sent to me just now by GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director Damon Romine:

"'Normal/Not Normal' is supposed to be funny, and I regret that this particular photo caption was offensive and not written in a way to make it clear that we were being humorous. The joke was that Kevin James and Adam Sandler are not gay. If the kiss was between Lance Bass and his boyfriend or any other gay celebrities it would be 'Normal.' Let me point out that in the same issue of STAR, we devote the entire Couples News lead to Neil Patrick Harris and his boyfriend moving in together. Now that's normal. I sincerely apologize that our attempt at humor was perceived by some to be offensive to the gay community. That was certainly not our intent. We are proud that we support the gay community and will continue to do so."

According to Romine (in addition to the content of Trunzo's own statement), she was "deeply apologetic."

Some of the commenters on various blogs that linked to my post have suggested this kind of thing is petty, not worth mentioning, that it isn't worth bringing up when we are fighting a war or that there was no chance Star would respond. Some have said Star is a tabloid so who cares what its editors believe on issues of substance. But I strongly felt and feel that what is written in Star and what is put out there by the entertainment world are sentiments that matter deeply, that mold young—and old!—minds. Star has an audited circ of 1.5 million—that alone makes it powerful.

So while I'm critical of certain aspects of it from time to time, I respect Star. And wasn't it worth bringing up this minor complaint now that it's led to a statement that Star respects us, too?

Personally, I totally accept Star's apology and I don't care how gay it is—I'm tickled pink that Ms. Trunzo cleared that up.

Comments

[jason]

I wholeheartedly agree. This is strongly related to something I've been arguing for years! Anyone, or any company, who produces work for the public consciousness assumes a social responsibility whether they wish to accept it or not--so I'm pleased that it seems Star has chosen the former.