Wanda Sykes Comes Out!

I have been a big fan of Wanda Sykes. She is a hilarious comedian who is a scene-stealer in any movie she appears in (she was the only good thing in the god-awful Jane Fonda/J-Lo stinker Monster In-Law).

Now, I am an even bigger fan because yesterday at a Las Vegas rally to protest Prop. 8, legislation which proposes to ban gay and lesbian couples from marrying, Sykes came out of the closet to show her support with protesters of Prop. 8.

While there have been a number of artists who have come out before Sykes, her coming out is unique because 1) my gaydar apparently did not detect her (!) and 2) her coming out has more to do with human rights than making magazine covers or plugging a new film or comedy special.

You have to hand it to Sykes. Coming out is still a big deal for a performer even as there are a number of gay celebrities, and she runs the risk of losing out on comedy gigs, commercial deals and sadly, some fans. But coming out to protest an ill-advised piece of legislation is a reminder that we need to come out, be proud and rise up against hate. Because that is what Prop. 8 is; it's hatred. It's unacceptable and reminds us that we need to speak out against legislation which makes it acceptable to hate gays and lesbians.

Sykes did such a thing yesterday in Las Vegas. And she did it in a big way, in a move that was both personal and political. But most of all, it was brave and courageous.