LGBT
Related: About this forumWas Norman Rockwell gay? Family aghast at biography
Norman Rockwell, icon of homespun, patriotic American illustration, was not attracted to men, irate relatives are saying.
On Sunday, a biography by Deborah Solomon, was reviewed in the Post-Dispatch. This is what reviewer Harry Levins said about the question of sex in "American Mirror":
"Many people close to Rockwell wondered whether he was a homosexual. Solomon found nothing to suggest that Rockwell had ever had sex with another man. But she writes, 'He demonstrated an intense need for emotional and physical closeness with men. From the viewpoint of twenty-first-century gender studies, a man who yearns for the company of men is considered homosexual, whether or not he has sex with other men.'
Even though the book's biggest surprise may really be how admiring Solomon is of Rockwell's work, the family is taking issue with her interpretation of the artist's sexuality.
http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/book-blog/was-norman-rockwell-gay-family-aghast-at-biography/article_2e608e9d-4224-5a20-b076-49bad1177a5d.html
Rockwell Biography Angers His Family
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/arts/design/rockwell-biography-angers-his-family.html
WillParkinson
(16,862 posts)People who have a diverse group of male and female friends must be bisexual and those who only want female friends are obviously straight?
:Shakes head:
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)From the NYT:
Surprised the publishers ok'ed it and the times gave it publicity. Strange really.
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)I'm just guessing.
Behind the Aegis
(53,961 posts)Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)If Rockwell were gay, however, that'd be fine with me. As I'm sure it would be for just about anyone in our group.
By the way, is this part of the story true:
"From the viewpoint of twenty-first-century gender studies, a man who yearns for the company of men is considered homosexual, whether or not he has sex with other men."
Where does she get THAT???
Behind the Aegis
(53,961 posts)The statement you pulled out is also the one that made me go ! Does that absurd viewpoint apply to women? If so, then there are a shit-load of gays and lesbians out there who don't have a clue.
last1standing
(11,709 posts)It sounds to me like Solomon is trying to find a way to sell a few extra books. She makes a completely unsubstantiated comment and then backs it off with "well he wanted to be around other men."
She's using homophobic shock value to make money.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)Otherwise this is possibly the most disgusting post I've ever read on DU!
Either way...
Fearless
(18,421 posts)If he was gay: Ok, that's pretty neat. Any time a piece of Americana, beloved by conservatives (and non-conservatives alike) turns up gay, I laugh my ass off.
If he wasn't gay: So what.
Either way: There's no reason for anyone to be angry about the suggestion that he might be.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Are all gay...and the women who don't like football are lesbians, and the ones who do are straight, because they're hanging around with men, and don't get me started about us pet lovers! Don't want to go there!