I watched All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise as a fan who has missed Rosie O'Donnell being on television. I'm not really sure what I expected. When I heard about the show, I didn't get why there had to be something for just gays. It felt like they were separating themselves into a "them" and "us," but when the show was over, I totally understood.
I should start by explaining I really didn't know about homosexuals until I was in high school. I watched a 60 Minutes special and walked away with the impression all gay people lived in San Francisco. They referred to that city as the gay capital. What can I say? I wasn't the brightest back then. Plus I thought only men were homosexuals. I was in my early twenties by the time I met a lesbian.
So it's pretty obvious I lived in a bubble. But I got older and met more and more people, I now have friends who are gay. I didn't get the big deal or understand why people who call themselves Christian would terrorize homosexuals. I read the Bible cover to cover and the biggest lesson to be learned in those pages is God is the sole judge over us. We are not allowed to judge each other. So Bible-thumping in the name of God is actually going against God.
So back to the show, I have to admit it was odd watching same-sex couples kissing. Again, I live in a bubble, so I've never seen that happen in person. But you know what? The love these couples have for each other isn't any different from the love of heterosexual couples. The couples with kids, the bond almost seems stronger because of the prejudice they face on a daily basis.
Article comments
1 - Laura V.
OUTSTANDING article, Ruthie. I skipped "Survivor" to tune in to this HBO special last night. I thought it was OUTSTANDING; I cried like three times because I was so moved by these families and Rosie's generosity and devotion to them. I've always been a Rosie fan, but now even more so.
2 - Ruthie
Laura...I so agree...I think she did a great service to everyone with this documentary...I learned so much.
3 - NR Davis
Awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this piece. I hope it - and Rosie and Kelly's cruise doc - enlighten many in this world so filled with hate and discrimination and violence. It's so great to see pure love and true family values for a change.
4 - Ruthie
Thanks for posting NR Davis...it's too bad only HBO subscribers got to see it.
5 - Mark Bellinghaus
Dear Ruthie!
Thank you for your heartfelt article! Unfortunately I missed that show, but now I will watch out for a re-run of it.
You seem to have your heart on the right spot! That is wonderful these days...!
6 - Ruthie
Thanks so much Mark...I hope you get to watch it..it's really good.