Proof? What do they want? Photograhs? Video tapes? What kind of ‘proof’ exists about anyone before the invention of photography? There’s no ‘proof’ about anybody, unless they happened to have penned a graphic gay sex novel, or wrote some gay pornographic letters to someone of the same sex. So you will always find people saying ‘there is no proof that so-and-so was gay’…and they are usually closet cases themselves.
Does it actually matter whether Andersen was gay, bi, or just straight but with a tendency to get a bit fruity with other men from time to time? Surely an enjoyable festival celebrating same-sex love is a good idea whatever the (inevitably obscure) realities of the matter? If you really must have a bona fide Danish gayer in the title then why not call it the Sandi Toksvig festival – she’s still alive, you can go and ask her to confirm it!
I don’t think there’s much doubt Andersen was by nature gay, whether he acted (sexually) on it or not. But my only quibble about this proposal is why it should be aimed at gay couples (as it says in the article) when Andersen was never part of a couple. It might be better to aim it at those who’re out, proud and single!
Anything that celebrates humanity, diversity and just being is worth it, bring it on.
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With times the way they are at the mo whose the right to happiness and celebration?
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Then why stop it when it creates happiness? Keep em coming.
How about a gay village built out of Lego at Legoland?
Joking aside, Denmark has to be congratulated on being one of the most advanced countries in the world when it comes to gay rights.
I do not really think that there is any need for them to question Hans Christian Andersen’s sexuality or make his stories gay friendly as the whole nation has embraced gay people and diversity.
While the Government is sending out that other fictional book of religious fairy tales free to all our schools, The King James Bible it might also consider sending the works of Hans Christian Andersen along with it.
The Emperor’s New Clothes is a literary classic after all.
I always thought “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling” were written for gay people. One tries to change herself to fit in, the other couldn’t help but to be different from the rest. One fails and her heart is broken but the other turns out to be something much greater than everyone around him. It’s a perfect fit to let the gays celebrate with Andersen.
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Proof? What do they want? Photograhs? Video tapes? What kind of ‘proof’ exists about anyone before the invention of photography? There’s no ‘proof’ about anybody, unless they happened to have penned a graphic gay sex novel, or wrote some gay pornographic letters to someone of the same sex. So you will always find people saying ‘there is no proof that so-and-so was gay’…and they are usually closet cases themselves.
Does it actually matter whether Andersen was gay, bi, or just straight but with a tendency to get a bit fruity with other men from time to time? Surely an enjoyable festival celebrating same-sex love is a good idea whatever the (inevitably obscure) realities of the matter? If you really must have a bona fide Danish gayer in the title then why not call it the Sandi Toksvig festival – she’s still alive, you can go and ask her to confirm it!
Does it really matter.
It celebrates diversity and it celebrates literature … surely that is a good thing?
I don’t think there’s much doubt Andersen was by nature gay, whether he acted (sexually) on it or not. But my only quibble about this proposal is why it should be aimed at gay couples (as it says in the article) when Andersen was never part of a couple. It might be better to aim it at those who’re out, proud and single!
Or maybe both. Fun for everyone :)
Anything that celebrates humanity, diversity and just being is worth it, bring it on.
-
With times the way they are at the mo whose the right to happiness and celebration?
-
Then why stop it when it creates happiness? Keep em coming.
How about a gay village built out of Lego at Legoland?
Joking aside, Denmark has to be congratulated on being one of the most advanced countries in the world when it comes to gay rights.
I do not really think that there is any need for them to question Hans Christian Andersen’s sexuality or make his stories gay friendly as the whole nation has embraced gay people and diversity.
While the Government is sending out that other fictional book of religious fairy tales free to all our schools, The King James Bible it might also consider sending the works of Hans Christian Andersen along with it.
The Emperor’s New Clothes is a literary classic after all.
I always thought “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling” were written for gay people. One tries to change herself to fit in, the other couldn’t help but to be different from the rest. One fails and her heart is broken but the other turns out to be something much greater than everyone around him. It’s a perfect fit to let the gays celebrate with Andersen.