Best Supporting Actress 2012: Pimping Out the Gay Family Member

An interesting (or not so) development has occurred in this year's Best Supporting Actress category: playing up the gay family member. Anne Hathaway, the frontrunner and eventual winner, has been vocal for quite some time about her gay brother Michael (she also has straight brother Thomas, who doesn't make for good copy, I guess). As she is Anne Hathaway, she did go a little over-the-top recently and received some flack for commenting on her new shorn appearance. "When I eventually looked in the mirror I just thought I looked like my gay brother," she told a New York audience during a private unveiling of Les Misérables Thanksgiving weekend. Now, she has two brothers. One would think she would refer to Michael as "her older brother," as most of us distinguish our siblings by age, if required. Or, if both of her brothers were older, by name, "my brother Michael." There's almost something backwoods about it: "that's curly-haired ginger brother; over there is Hefty Smurf; and, oh, that other one in the corner, he's my gay brother, but mama don't like to talk about that."  Hathaway, you love your brother Michael (and presumably Thomas), we get it.  Ultimately, you're doing a great thing by singling him out and creating more awareness.

Likely nominee Sally Field has three sons, the youngest, Sam Greisman, is also gay. He received attention recently for giving the (quite charming) introduction to her mom's HRC recognition.  His speech was hilarious and detailed the relationship hardships facing the gay son of Sally Field, which included meeting a blogger on a first-date and learning his site is called, "Shelby Drink Your Juice Dot Com."  Field has also gone on Oprah and has been spreading the word about Sam.  Ultimately, a good thing.

My more cynical side finds it suspect, but I'm glad that we live in a country where Hollywood actors are open about and proud of their gay family members. Has this happened before?  My memory sucks.  Even if it's just posturing (although, both ladies appear genuinely fond of their gays), this country has a lot of time to make up. And there are worse things on this planet then pimping your gay during Oscar season. One question: whose next? Does Amy Adams have a transgender cousin? Does Helen Hunt have a lesbian niece? Join the party! Bring it on!  Can't wait to see who is next.  Seriously.