Wow! I miss reading the thread for 24 hours and all THIS is what I miss?
Let the sucking up begin!
People, I want to apologize to all the people I may have offended because of my comments on having a Gay or Bisexual Bachelor. The comment was taken out of context. If you listen to the entire interview, there's nothing but respect for Gay people and their families. I have many gay friends and one of my closest friends who's like a brother has been a constant in my life especially during the past 5 months. The word pervert was not what I meant to say and I am very sorry about it. Everyone knows English is my second language and my vocabulary is not as broad as it is in Spanish and, because of this, sometimes I use the wrong words to express myself. What I meant to say was that gay people are more affectionate and intense and for a segment of the TV audience this would be too racy to accept. The show is very racy as it is and I don't let my 5 year old daughter watch it. Once again, I'm sorry for how my words were taken. I would never disrespect anyone.
Sinceramente,
Juan Pablo Galavis.
I'm not sure how he could confuse "pervert" with "affectionate and intense"
.
Okay, when I read the first post, that said Juan Pablo said the word "pervert," I was shocked. And when I went to the website to listen for him say it, I was still shocked when the word came out.
But, I DID listen to the whole clip. And frankly, he did point out someone he was there with him, Peter(?), and he said he had the utmost respect for him and for other gays.
He then said
his beliefs, which where he comes from, raised in Venezuela, since the age of 2, that for HIM: marriage is a husband & wife, meaning a man and a woman. He also said he thought a "Bachelor" show of two men would be
even in America, too [my words & interpretation of what
he said (not necessarily what I believe myself,] racy and extreme.
I believe
that is what he meant by the show being "pervert."
I don't agree with Juan Pablo's beliefs on gays and homosexuality or their ability to raise wonderful kids. However, I DO believe he has a
right to his differing opinions. And he has a
right to say them without being vilified or crucified for his beliefs. There
are unfortunately many others who believe the same as him. That there are many that fall between Phil Robertson & him.
I think we cross a really thin line to intolerance and judgement ourselves when we do not
allow others to believe or openly say what they believe - as long as it is not promoting stringing up people to poles and beating them, burning them on crosses, or dragging them by chains behind a pick-up truck. Neither Phil Robertson or Juan Pablo said anything remotely like that. Yet, they DO come from cultures which have vastly different beliefs then what I have. And I believe in their rights to have their cultures and beliefs, whether it is bible thumpers or people from different countries. It's called cultural diversity and tolerance.
As pro-gay as Disney/ABC is, do (general) you
really think that a gay "Bachelor" show will be airing anytime soon on ABC?
I don't. They haven't even aired a black Bachelor, because they don't think the ratings will be there. Then there is the stigma of the idea that a black Bachelor with 25 beautiful women may give the impression of a pimp with a bunch of hookers. (I read that somewhere - NOT
my belief.) But, if they are so worried about that, then, NO, ABC will not be having a gay "Bachelor" show any time soon. Certainly, not
before a black Bachelor.
It might show on Bravo, HBO or some other cable network. ABC still errs on the side of more mainstream, middle-American values. There are still only 17 states that have legalized same-sex marriage. That means 33 states have
not adopted the ideas or beliefs. In those states, for many, it may be more "perverse" for them to believe it, or to watch a couple who is gay. (Again not MY beliefs - don't go after me.)
And I think "perverse" was the word Juan Pablo was looking for. Perverse in the vein of too racy and extreme for middle America - the 33 middle America states that have not legalized gay marriage. Heck,
The Bachelor, with one guy hound-dogging 25 women is kind of extreme and out there. He only gets away with banging the 2-3 women on the overnight dates near the end, because the show thinly uses the excuse the Bachelor's looking for a wife.
97% of these couples do NOT end up in marriage. Yet, every one of them did have sex with their chosen partners (and possibly the other finalist.)
Now, the ironic thing that I was going to post before all of this was that I was watching
Access Hollywood last week. One of the hosts, Billy Bush, after watching the 1st episode, said he didn't think Juan Pablo has any chemistry with ANY of the girls. He said he seemed like they were all BFFs. That in fact, Billy wondered if Juan Pablo was even into women at ALL.
Maybe Juan Pablo WILL turn out to be the first gay Bachelor after all! Maybe he was doth protesting too much, in order to stay in the closet?
Maybe for the finale, he comes out and says he's in love with the guy Des really loved, the one who left the show. The one most of us we thought was a closet gay.
Now THAT would be "the most unexpected
Bachelor EVER!"
and now he's blaming his "English is my second language so I sometimes use the wrong word" 
