I like the Phoenix New Times. Usually. And I am highly appreciative of the fact that the paper has recently taken a very critical look at Gov. Janet Napolitano. That’s awesome.
However, in at least one case, the paper has gone too far.
In “The Bird” (Nov. 2), writer Stephen Lemons delved into something that’s admittedly much talked-about, albeit rarely in the media: The governor’s sexual orientation. I’ll let you read the column for yourself, but here’s my summary: Lemons basically makes a bunch of butch-woman jokes (he calls Napolitano “Manet”), leaps to the conclusion that Napolitano’s probably a lesbian, and caps the column by recounting how he asked her about her orientation during a press conference, citing the fact that she’s on the record opposing gay marriage as a justification.
There are a lot of revealing tidbits in the column. I think it’s great Lemons exposed the lapdog quality of some Capitol media members. And he gets points for being willing to put in print questions about Napolitano’s sexual orientation that—let’s face it—are rampant.
But after thinking a LOT about this column—a LOT—I have to say I don’t care for it.
First off, Lemons—in an attempt to be snarky and amusing—crosses the line into being mean. I am in favor of snarkiess, of using profanity, even justified name-calling. But he goes way, way too far here. He comes off as sexist and anti-lesbian—I don’t know why he just didn’t come out and use the term “dyke”—and, in the process, masks what are some valid points.
The biggest flaw in his column, however, is the fact that he basically leaps to the conclusion that Napolitano’s a lesbian, without citing any evidence—other than the fact that she’s single and manly. While some in the gay community are opposed to outing people, when it comes to public figures and hypocrisy, I am not, and Lemons’ point—it would be hypocritical for a lesbian to oppose same-sex marriage, presumably for political purposes—is right on, except for the fact that he produces no proof or even hard evidence that Napolitano is a lesbian. All he has is the fact that Napolitano is unmarried and butch.
Is it possible Napolitano is a lesbian? Sure. If so, is it appropriate to hold her feet to the fire for opposing gay marriage? Yes. (Although one can be lesbian and opposed to gay marriage, I suppose.) But until Lemons—or anyone else—comes up with proof that Napolitano’s a lesbian, we have to take her word for it that she’s not, don’t we? After all, being manly and single does not make a woman gay. And to say so is wrong.
The Bird deserves to be plucked for this piece. And it’s a shame, because in between the nastiness and the unsubstantiated assumptions are some really good points that need to be made.
This article appears in Nov 9-15, 2006.
I think Janet Napolitano has had a long, steady relationship with her career. And I, for one, have no problem with that.
I wonder what they’d say about her if she were a single, pretty, petite, blonde, soprano-singing type with a following of male suitors. Unless her appearance is affecting her job, who cares?
I think Bea strikes an appropriate chord here regarding how society evaluates people based on their appearance.
Here’s something: As a powerful (but not so pretty) woman, Janet Reno reportedly went through the same questioning of her sexuality.
Stupid reporters ask stupid questions.
A good question would have been, “Governor, if there were a ballot proposition to allow same-sex marriages, would you vote for it?”
Or maybe, “Governor, what do you think of California’s civil unions? They have a Republican governor over there and he doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.”
Or maybe, “Governor, the last time Rudy Giuliani’s wife kicked him out of the house, he went to live with a gay couple. If Cindy McCain kicked John out of the house, could he come live with you?”
What?? “Nappy da’ Guv” is gay? (yeah that’s what we call here ’round here)
I’d still do her. She’s sooooo smart-sexy-hot, my ol’ lady will just have to understand I’m doing it for the good people or Arizona.
Not sure if Lemmons is stupid, but he maybe a closet republican?? Word has it the “right” is creeping into the “Alt” weekly business. What direction do you lean??
“LA Weekly News editor Alan Mittelstaedt is out and controversial columnist Jill Stewart is coming in to edit local news coverage. Mittelstaedt was described to me as the Weekly editor most like the New Times crowd — the LEAST KNEE-JERK LIBERAL and most likely to enjoy yanking chains — but apparently was not liked by Village Voice Media editor-in-chief Mike Lacey.” “Stewart, you may recall, wrote a right-of-center political column for the late Lacey-run New Times Los Angeles (among a great many other things) before New Times was folded”
— Kevin Roderick, LAVoice.org
It took NewTimes years to develop this Bird column, with many failures, . Ironically, I believe it was The Skinny and a handful of others that inspired the column, and now the generators of The Skinny cry “over the top!” “over the top!”
“My sense is the Weekly has gone to by-the-numbers journalism. I remember The Skinny as more crusading, but it doesn’t float my boat much anymore,” says Richard Howard, a man with a beef against this alternative newspaper.
—Tucson Weekly
So let’s see a little more trash in that Skinny! Let the dailies do it by-the-numbers! Which brings me to the point. That crap about Nappy is trash. But that’s the Bird’s style.
–Tort