Urban Thought Collective

For the past several weeks, tabloid star Lindsay Lohan has been seen kissing, hugging, holding hands and just plain ole giving up the PDA to her “gal pal,” socialite party circuit DJ Samantha Ronson. From movie sets to P. Diddy’s yacht, these two have really been getting around.

Now, at this stage in her career, Lindsay can truly sink or swim. Sure, she’s a staple in the gossip rags, but she isn’t commanding the salary and plum movie roles of her blond and blue-eyed counterparts. After a requisite stint in rehab and one box office bomb after another, you would think she would be keeping her love life (with a woman, no less) under some pretty heavy wraps. Nope. She is out with her “BFF” any and everywhere she pleases. She feels free to just be.

When asked about Lindsay’s latest fling, her publicity obsessed mom, Dina wholeheartedly endorses the “friendship” by making it seem like one big ole slumber party. “I’m friends with her mom. She’s raised some extremely talented kids. It’s a talented family.” Uh, thanks Dina. How about the fact that your kid is loving on a lady? Still sounds pretty don’t ask, don’t tell to me.

To their credit, the rag mags have actually treated the relationship like a “normal” one, even using the usual terms that every other young Hollywood couple gets. That’s progress, right? According to popular Village Voice columnist Michael Musto, this is a new sign of the times. “Traditionally, the media has been as interested in closeting celebrities as the celebrities themselves have been,” Musto said. “I’ve read things in gossip columns that would never go there in the past and realized, ‘Wow, they’re going there now.’ They don’t consider gay a dirty thing anymore. And it’s very cool.” Is it?

The whole thing got me to thinking…if she was black, would her new relationship be treated as such a, well, “cutsie thing?” I think not. Despite how open minded, liberal and “live and let live” people claim to be, I don’t believe for a second that a high-profile African American actor, singer or general personality could come out of the proverbial closet and be welcomed. Call me cynical, I just don’t think we are quite there yet.

It’s a shame. Black stars know that coming out of the closet could mean the death of their careers. It could be the end of lucrative endorsements and if they are “family friendly,” forget about re-signing the deal. And of course, the “strong black church” community would wash their hands of them.

So here’s Lindsay, former Disney darling, able to flaunt her relationship openly. I’m happy for her, but I wish that black love, in all of its forms, were as respected and accepted as blondie’s. Is this just another fun Hollywood fad? Or is true acceptance really right before our eyes?

Despite your personal, religious or otherwise divisive beliefs, I believe that everyone should feel free to be exactly who they are without fear of, well, anything. Prejudice in any form is destructive, and though Lindsay may not be my idea of a role model, at least she’s living her life as she sees fit. That is more than many of us can say, isn’t it?

I never thought I would hear myself say this, but YOU GO LINDSAY!

I’m going to go wash my mouth out now.

Ellene Miles has worked as an entertainment publicist for more than 6 years. Her collections of rants are featured exclusively on UTC for the good of the people.