The gay community knows how much it needs its straight allies. So this week's Spotlight is on Judith Light- straight woman, actress, and gay rights activist. Light is a fairly well-known TV actress. You may have seen her on the soap One Life to Live, her long-running show Who's the Boss?, or more recently in Ugly Betty. Light has won a Daytime Emmy for her work on One Life to Live and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Ugly Betty. Light was also in a very successful off-Broadway production of the play, Wit.
Light got involved with gay activism after playing AIDS victim Ryan White's mother in a TV movie in 1989. She has worked with numerous gay rights and AIDS organizations. She was a speaker at the March on Washington in 1993 (I was there too!), is on the board of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and even has a library named after her at the L. A. Gay and Lesbian Services Center, where she is a former board member. Light has also worked with the Gay Games, and was a speaker at the Gay Games Opening Ceremony in 1994. Last year she teamed up with Chad Allen and made the film, Save Me, about a man who is forced to join a Christian group to be cured of his homosexuality.
My favorite story about Judith Light is her helping her Who's the Boss? co-star Danny Pintauro come out of the closet. Pintauro played her son on the show and in 1997 when he was 21 the National Enquirer called him and threatened to out him if he didn't talk to them about his sexuality. One of the first people he called was Judith Light, the woman he describes as "a second mom." Light was totally supportive and encouraged him to talk to them so he could get the story out in his own way. Pintauro did and felt pleased with the article the Enquirer did. Light continues to support Pintauro and his career.
Judith Light helps Danny Pintauro come out
Official website of Judith Light
"Those of us who are straight don't always know what we have to come out about. I think that when gay people come out, it gives the rest of us the chance to say, `Maybe we can tell the truth about ourselves too.'"- Judith Light
I've been wanting to do a post on a straight ally for a while now and I had been thinking about Judith Light. I knew she was involved in AIDS activism and had helped Danny Pintauro come out. I had no idea how much she has done or how many organizations she has worked with. Doing the research for this post has made me so impressed with her. And she looks incredible! She is more beautiful now than when she was doing Who's the Boss? and that was over 15 years ago! Continued success to Judith Light!
Yesterday's poll is still open, so vote!
I have to tell you guys that I am utterly floored that Jay in the Great Gatsby is winning the poll for Austin roles. Spesh suggested it and I almost didn't include it because I thought no one would vote for it! Shows you what I know.
ReplyDeleteAnd almost twice as many people would rather see Jake in the Moon Project than in PoP. Interesting.
Great post today - I knew Judith Light was a supporter, but I didn't know just how involved she was, it's very commendable. Hooray for Judith Light! :)
ReplyDeleteI also could not wait to comment about today's music, it's amazing. Very "impressionistic", it has the feeling of the vitality of a life force coursing through your veins. I wasn't familiar with the Evangelicals, but I will be now. :)
Very interesting post today Wicked. I didn't know anything about Judith Light. It is unusual to see someone who is straight that is involved in gay issues on so many different levels. If only there were more people like her in HW.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Gatsby is probably the only one I wouldn't vote for, I've never been a fan of that book, although I will concede that Austin would look great in it.
The mention of Judith Light immediately reminds me of Austin's interview on the Tony Danza Show and how his mom was like Angela Bauer.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I was smiling about that, Spesh. I don't know the show or the actress, but immediately thought of Austin talking about his mum on Tony Danza. Well, good for Judith.
ReplyDeleteThe poll didn't include my own special remake project for Austin :) - a book-accurate Midnight Cowboy. He'd be divine! Jake could be a more salubrious than last time Razzo :D
ReplyDeleteFITSNews enjoys the HW attention
ReplyDeleteRumor on Datalounge that Reese is in Charleston. Anybody else read this? Seen it anywhere else?
ReplyDeleteEverybody sees Jake at the gym!
ReplyDeleteBut me. :(
Rumor on Datalounge that Reese is in Charleston. Anybody else read this? Seen it anywhere else?
ReplyDeleteThat rumor started on Gyllenbabble. Someone there posted it saying they have it from their "sources"...
Rumor on Datalounge that Reese is in Charleston.
ReplyDeleteReese has arrived in Charleston...
Posted: Friday 04/18/08 @15:47 EST
I thought that the Babblers were accusing the person claiming that Reese was in Charleston of getting that info from Datalounge. The person claims they got it from another source and thinks that Datalounge did too. Has anybody seen this anywhere else?
ReplyDeleteNETB- get the whole record. It's called The Evening Descends. It is uniformly good. All I know about them is that they are from Oklahoma!
ReplyDeleteGood post today on Judith Light. I had no idea that she was that involved with gay rights. I think its great that she helped her co-worker/friend with what im sure was a huge turning point in his life. She looks great too BTW.
ReplyDeleteI have to say at first I didnt like the music today but then I listened to it a few times and it totally grew on me. Thanks Wicked : )
One more thing about Judith Light. There are many who are straight allies behind the scenes, some who are public, and a few that really step up for their friends and co-stars publicly. Judith is a wonderful example for everyone.
ReplyDeleteReese has arrived in Charleston...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great rumor for PR to put out.
NETB- get the whole record. It's called The Evening Descends. It is uniformly good. All I know about them is that they are from Oklahoma!
ReplyDeleteWicked, I plan to! I'm really impressed, they're very creative and different. I've always admired Judith Light too, and even more so now. :)
Has anybody seen this anywhere else?
ReplyDeleteNo.
Looks like DL poster didn't expect LA paparazzi pics.
I read that Danny was pretty much not included in the last few seasons of "Whos the Boss". At that point of his life it was fairly obvious that Danny was gay and was not used in the show for that reason. That must have been painful for Danny and it was awesome that Judith Light was so good to him.
ReplyDeleteLooks like DL poster didn't expect LA paparazzi pics.
ReplyDeleteWhich LA paparazzi pics, Said? The ones walking Atticus? They were Friday, weren't they?
Although the band Evangelicals do not have any agenda to promote (other than great music!) that I am aware of, nor are they connected with any religous zealot organization, I love the connection of the choice of music with some of the problems gay people face inherent in today's posts. Whether it from the religious and conservative right being against gay marriage or the absolutely ridiculous concept of a "cure" for homosexuality, and of course the significance of bloodstream with AIDS. People who love another person of the same sex do not need to justify why to anyone, nor do they need "curing". They are beautiful just the way they are, and I believe just the way God created them. It's wonderful that there are people like Judith, famous and not, who get involved. Thanks Wicked and Special for today's post! :)
ReplyDeleteThey were Friday, weren't they?
ReplyDeleteYes.
Posted by X17online on Fri Apr 18 2008 | 13:50
Tom, where did you read that about Danny Pintauro? I would love to know if he ever commented on it.
ReplyDeleteI had to check Evangelicals' My Space page because they are from Oklahoma and the Mrs. is also from Oklahoma, Norman to be precise. And so are Evangelicals! The Flaming Lips are from Norman too but they lie and say they are from Oklahoma City. Mrs. saw The Flaming Lips at the Norman VFW back in the early '80s, so she knows they are from Norman!
(((Music Lover))) You got my bloodstream reference!
Evangelicals' My Space page
I totally expect to see reese in SC soon. With proof that Jake was in Austin for A's birthday last year PR must be pretty nervous. You damn well know that A is in SC. Maybe the whole Nichols family is in SC. reese will be there soon you can bet on that and our favorite pap agencies will be there to film the whole show.
ReplyDeleteFlynet has pics of Ryan with Deacon and Ava in LA yesterday. He and Reese have tended to have the kids every other weekend, so that would mean that next weekend would be Reese's, if they are going according to the schedule. It will be interesting to see if we see her in SC next weekend promoting her fauxmance and providing cover for her "lover's" real lover's birthday.
ReplyDeleteOKLAHOMA????????
ReplyDeletesorry I was just shocked this group is a bunch a okies. lol not what I expected!! oooo if you could only hear me laugh..
ReplyDeleteno their good, I like the music.
*still schocked*
can someone slap me?? I cant even post about Judith I'm laughing so hard,,lol
Hi guys! Another glorious day over here so more time spent outdoor and less before the computer.
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks for that Judith Light post, whom I knew nothing about who's totally inspiring. Love the fact that she's on board with people like the Matthew Shepard Foundation. I've bookmarked Light's Web site and will check it out this week.
Wicked, I did some ultraquick googling on Pintauro and there's an interesting interview that comes up in which he talks about being open about his orientation at the time, but not to the general public. Maybe that's what Tom is talking about.
... a book-accurate Midnight Cowboy. He'd be divine
Oh my. Austin in a role like this would be too good to be true. I still have to vote. I click Darcy, then change my mind and choose the Cary Grant comedy, then switch to Merchant-Ivory... Gatsby is good too, but not Indiana Jones. Ok, you must know by know that I'm not really fond of those adventure franchises right? ;) Although the thought of a great western...
I think I'll choose Darcy, but really I'm doing it because I can only vote once! ;)
I re-watched The Wedding Banquet this week but the kids want to go see the African butterflies next week (me and my BIG mouth!) so I'll probably join the discussion in the evening. Tell me, did you plan to let that thread opened a bit longer than usual?
Sorry for the typos. Gotta run and rock that vote now!
Bad Seed, now don't you rank on Oklahoma! Norman is a college town (OU is there) and pretty cool. Mrs.' family is still there and we've visited a few times. I liked it there! The best Indian restaurant I've ever been to is in Norman, OK!
ReplyDeleteFrenchy, Austy's poll is multiple choice!
ReplyDeleteyou see I have a male gay friend from Oklahoma who's all $$ and culture and wants to maintain his uppity LA image. doesnt dare tell anyone hes really from a farm in Oklahoma. whenever he tries to pull shit on me [esp in front of people] i just call him a okie from oklahomo. lol
ReplyDeletebut this band is good. I better not let him know about OK coming up with some good non-country music or I'll never hear the end of it!!
[didnt mean to offend anyone. evry state has its names. mine is the cold cereal state -fruits nuts and flakes.
^^ :) I love Oklahoma!
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm Music Lover too, from the state of confusion. ;)
Wicked - OK!! :D
ReplyDeletesorry it just blew me outta my chair when I saw the bans is from oklahoma..lol omg Im still laughing. I was thinking Toronto! maybe seattle, even Poland. but not....
ROFL
okay..Judith. Love the post! great woman, glad she's on Ugly Betty and getting work. agree with how sh looks younger now. I loked her up and saw a pic from 1989, she looked like her own great gramma back then. what a difference.
tell me tho, why why why WHY are peeps like Aniston last year and trhe other one who won this year getting the LGBT awards?? sorry but Aniston didnt do shit for gays image unless it was to kiss Jake onstage. Judith and ones like her need to get it, every damn year if they deserve it and not have the award be a PR deal.
I respect JL for how she lives her life. THX for spotlighting her.
lol is the state of confusion the state of californication??
ReplyDelete^^LOL, no it's 3000 miles away! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Judith should get an award award - GLAAD and HRC, are you listening? :)
((((((Wicked)))))))
I believe Janet Jackson received the same award this year as Jennifer Anniston did last year from GLAAD. I heard that when she was interviewed on Larry King Live not so long ago. I am not so sure why she got it. Hopefully for good reasons. Sounds to me that Judith with be an excellent candidate for this award.
ReplyDeleteWicked said...
ReplyDeleteTom, where did you read that about Danny Pintauro? I would love to know if he ever commented on it.
W. It has been a long time since I read that so I am not sure where I did. I do remember though because I felt so bad.
My favorite way to say Oklahoma
ReplyDeleteI=Oklahhoma
cool, SK. hope *some people* keep their cork on the fork. lol
ReplyDelete