“Here’s my version of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ Don’t ask me to stay in the closet, and I won’t tell you to go fuck yourself.”
Those were the first words I’d ever heard Kate Clinton say. Or at least I think that’s what she said. It happened many years ago at San Diego Gay Pride so, admittedly, I’m a little fuzzy on the details.
I was a fledging gay who’d snuck into the festival, petrified someone I knew would see me. As I walked past booths for clubs, local businesses, and vendors selling every kind of rainbow colored clothing and jewelry item you can imagine—we were a tackier people back then—I heard her voice in the distance. It was followed by cheers and laughter. Lots of laughter.
Standing on a stage that was flanked by tall eucalyptus trees, Clinton worked the crowd. She was feisty, funny, and glowed with energy. As she talked about the then-newly passed “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, slashing at it with a biting, satirical wit, I found myself being caught up in the moment. I suddenly felt safe, like I was a part of something bigger, a larger gay community, and I didn’t need to be afraid of being gay any longer.
Long before Melissa Etheridge, Ellen DeGeneres or Rachel Maddow, Clinton was openly gay and offering smart political commentary and humor. She was on mainstream talk shows when no one else would be the face of our community, and she helped rally many gays like myself.
Emmy-winning host Charlotte Robinson asks Clinton to reflect on 2010, including the historic repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ If you know Clinton you’ll feel like you’re listening to a familiar friend, and if she’s new to you—well, take a listen to one of our important queer living legends.
