POLITICS: 'No More Mr. Nice Gay!'

Two reactions were palpable in the days, weeks and months following California voters' approval of a same-sex marriage ban in 2008.

Disappointment, then anger.

A phrase scrawled on signs and often shouted at demonstrations for marriage equality was "No More Mr. Nice Gay!"

Many gay men were, and still are, angry that once again they were denied a right because of their sexual orientation. With that single phrase, they sent a message to supporters of Proposition 8 that the ban would not be tolerated without a fight.

It was more than a threat against an opponent; it was a rallying cry for lesbians and gay men to express their anger in a constructive way.

Anger became passionate activism for some. It's the kind of activism screenwriter and producer Del Shores explores in his art and practices in his life.

Fans of Del's work have seen his down-home wit and confrontational humor hilariously on display in "Sordid Lives," "Daddy's Dyin' ... Who's Got the Will?," episodes of "Queer As Folk" and other films and TV shows.

But he reserves his scathing observations and revelations about public figures for his one-man stage show and new stand-up routine called "Sordid Confessions."

And for Facebook.

Del recently launched a "Say Gay" Facebook page in response to Tennessee state Sen. Stacey Campfield's proposed bill that forbids any mention of homosexuality as a part of school curriculum. In defense of Senate Bill 49, now known as the "Don't Say Gay Bill," Campfield has said he wants to ensure that only parents decide when kids in kindergarten through eighth grade hear about homosexuality. However, teachers would be allowed to talk about heterosexuality and the human reproductive system.

To say that Del thinks the senator's time and energy would be better used addressing other issues facing Tennessee would be an understatement. He's challenged Campfield to a debate about the bill and other gay issues, but that has yet to come to fruition.

"It's important for out celebrities to take a leadership role and go after the people who are going after us (LGBT citizens)," Del said. "I feel like it's my duty to expose and educate."

Del directs his harshest criticism to those who espouse outright denial of LGBT rights. Victoria Jackson, the former co-star of "Saturday Night Live," recently made her anti-gay religious beliefs clear in a YouTube video. It prompted a strong reaction from Del who wrote her a letter that started with "Dear Fat Ass, here are the scriptures that apply to you."

He went on to list them one by one, including a scripture that defines gluttony as a sin. His point? Those who use the Bible to condemn homosexuality often give a literal interpretation of a few scriptures and ignore the ones that apply to them.
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During a performance this month of his one-man show, Del also referred to Victoria Jackson as a "cunt." It was unexpected by the audience -- evidenced by guffaws and nervous laughter -- but the second time he's said it onstage. The first time was in reference to former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Some might argue Del's reactions show a prejudice toward overweight people and women, but that's not the case, he said. He has always felt an affinity to women and many of his films are about women's journeys. He's simply saying in a very public way what others may be thinking.

"I've always been like that," Del said. "I've always had a mouth."


What do you think? Is anger an effective way to advance gay rights?