Financial Times Writer Explains "Chirpy Gay Liberalgate": "Transatlantic Cultural And Linguistic Divide"

Financial Times:

Oh dear. I seem inadvertently to have fallen into a transatlantic cultural and linguistic divide with my line about Rachel Maddow, the MSNBC host, being a �chirpy gay liberal� in my column this week.

The truth is that I did not think about it much. I wanted a quick description of Ms Maddow, since she is the newest of the television talk show hosts whom I mentioned, and the phrase seemed to sum up her brand for those living outside the US.

For many US readers, there were two problems with this.

One is the meaning of the word "chirpy". To me, and to most British people, chirpy means lively and fun. I used it because one of Ms Maddow's appealing qualities is that she is humorous and cheerful, a welcome contrast of the self-aggrandising, bombastic style of various of her male counterparts (I will not mention any names, for fear of yet more emails).

The second problem was my describing her as gay when I did not mention the sexuality of anyone else in the piece (or indeed my own). In fact, Ms Maddow is gay, and openly so, as noted in some recent articles about her, including this one in the New York Times.

I included it because I thought it said something interesting about the US culture wars (yes the ones that I strayed into) that a gay woman was now one of the most popular talk show hosts on American television.

Read the whole story: Financial Times

Comments

[Proxy]

Here's a headline upon FT's own heart: "Condescending Hetero Tool"

John Gapper got called out on his thoughtlessly snide reductionist drivel (for starters, he might consider that he will be read in the US when choosing his adjectives, if that were any excuse), he should take it like a man, apologize and vow to review his copy a few more times in the future to meet the requirements of the 21st century.

[TooLooze]

I can accept that there is a cultural difference regarding the word "chirpy", but there is no reason whatsoever to mention Rachel's sexuality. I only wonder why he didn't mention her religion. It is so sad that people can be so insensitive even if it is unintentional.

Even if Rachel was hetero and cheerless, she would still be brilliant and funny.

[Bettysdad]

From the way she acts and dresses, I would never have guessed she's "chirpy."

[research]

There's no such thing as "chirpy radar".

Maddow is wonderful.

[Bettysdad]

Wow!

You actually tried to correct obvious sarcasm.

Very impressive.

[octo]

"Great Britain and the United States are nations separated by a common language. "
George Bernard Shaw - Irishman

[plooger]

What the author still fails to acknowledge is that Maddow's program has not even slightly hinted at her sexual orientation, either directly or through any analysis of broadcast segments, so his mentioning Maddow's orientation was not based on a review of her program.

[mertam]

Maybe her TV show on MSNBC hasn't hinted at her sexual orientation, but Maddow does not hide her sexuality at all. It really is part of her persona, and being gay, like it or not, for a political person, is a political statement as well as a personal orientation. Remember Maddow also has a radio show on Air America. She has talked about how Pat Buchanan's speech at the Republican convention against homosexuals has motivated her to become the broadcaster she is today.

[elan4444]

People want to be lesbian and gay but they do not want to be called as such. I am a heretosexual, and can be referenced in that manner, if necessary. So, does Ms. Maddow not want to be referred to as a lesbian? It seems after such a struggle to get on TV and be open, there wouldn't be a problem. Like the other writer said, LIGHTEN UP! We can't go around calling people to task every time something is said, we will live in trepidation.

[JadedAggie]

It all has to do with exactly how you are using it. In the original piece it the entire phrase read as being condescending due to the different meanings of the word "chirpy". It is also unlikely Maddow cared either way, but her fans clearly did.

[juzcuz]

I long for the day when we don't have-to or feel we need-to... put labels on any human being. Why should we care if someone is black, white, red, greeen, fat, skinny, boy, girl, gay, Dem, Repub, christian, muslim, jew, american or blah, blah, blah. WE ARE ALL PRECIOUS IN HIS/HER SIGHT... I would've sung that if I could've.
P.S. I'm a lesbian and very proud of who I am as a person and very much in love with the wonderful person I'm committed to for the rest of my life. And most people consider me "chirpy" too for what it's worth.

[BuzzingAlong]

I have been a fan of RM from the begining and never heard her say that she did not "want to be referred to as a lesbian"?

She has never denied her sexulality and often speaks of her partner.

Perhaps you, elan4444, have never heard of or listen to RM, but just feel the need to have something to say.

[TimeGrid]

Come on!
Give the British press some slack!
They have been respectful of gay public figures for decades.

In most European countries (including the U.K.) you simply don't find the kind of bigotry and discrimination about religion and sex orientation that we have here in the U.S., and the press is pretty straightforward when touching such issues.

There are many elected officials in European countries who openly declare themselves as "gay", or "atheist" or even "marxist", somethink unthinkable here in the U.S.
And that applies to the UK, Germany, France, as well as to countries such as Italy or Spain, where the majority of people declare themselves as "catholic".
In France, president Sarkowzy (a conservative) recently nominated a gay official to be the French Ambassador at the Vatican. Now think of that!

So, give the Financial Times some slack, and stop thinking that they are the British equivalent of the WSJ. They are not. And they even endorsed Obama.

[robertsandimas]

Absolutely right, TimeGrid. The younger generations of Americans don't give a damn whether you're pink or yellow or athiest or Rastafarian. Substance and fairness count with them. The US is growing up, slowly. An Obama administration will show the world that we are indeed maturing. (BTW, I'm 66).

[jlarue]

It was a sweet and accurate description of Rachel Maddow....­was she offended?

[TimeGrid]

Come on!
Give the British press some slack!!!
They have been showing respect for gay public figures for decades.
Furthermore, in many European countries is not uncommon to have elected officials or members of parliament, or administrations who are openly gay, something unthinkable in the U.S.

Recently the French President Nicolas Sarkozy (a conservative) nominated an openly gay official to be the French Ambassador at the Vatican: now think of that! (of course the Vatican rejected the new ambassador).
In Europe you simply don't find the kind of bigotry and discrimination about religion and sex orientation that we have here in the U.S. Many elected officials in Europe, both conservatives and liberals, openly declared themselves as "atheist", which is simply unthinkable here in the U.S.

So give the Financial Times some slack: they even endorsed Obama!

[w&cheneysuck]

http://www.alternet.org/democracy/105669/

[OhComeOnNow]

"a gay woman was now one of the most popular talk show hosts on American television­." Uh, another gaffe. Ellen is a gay TALK SHOW host. Rachel's show is a politcal comment and current events.

[geobushono]

the phrase was gratuitous. a competent editor would have cut it.

[Krikkit]

The phrase was AN ACCURATE DEPICTION and a competent editor would leave it teh he11 alone.

[truthyguy]

Perhaps, Mr. Gapper, if you cannot make yourself understood - especially when writing something after reflection - you should find another profession. I assume that the Financial Times will eventually become quite annoyed with you if every time you write something, you have to write another column explaining what you meant the first time.

Maybe try dentistry. The British seem to have a definite need there.

[Krikkit]

definition
chirpy (adj.)
1.(colloqu­ial;Britis­h)characte­rized by liveliness and light-hear­tedness"bu­oyant spirits" "his quick wit and chirpy humor" "looking bright and well and chirpy" "a perky little widow in her 70s"

see also

chirpy (adj.)
↘ brighten, brighten up, buoyantly, buoy up, cheerfulness, cheer up, chirpily, chuff, enliven, exhilarate, gaiety, jollity, lighten up, merriment, merry-making, mirth, perk up, refresh, revelry

synonyms

chirpy (adj.)
bright, buoyant, cheerful, cheery, gay, gleeful, jaunty, jolly, joyful, joyous, merry, perky

chirpy (adj.) (colloquia­l;British)
buoyant, cheerful, gay, jaunty, jolly, perky

[Proxy]

truthyguy, you're right on!

[Gatormouth]

Oh, for cat's sake, Rachel is the best. She is chirpy, gay (in both meanings of the word) and a liberal., and at once upbeat, informative and entertaining. I would be proud to have a daughter like her and am definitely one of her fans. We have more to do than parse foreign and apparently appreciative comments about her for political correctness transgressions. She is what she is and thank God for it because we really need her. Her show is an oasis. A caution though. Why did she not ask a question of Obama when she had him on about his position on fair vs free trade? Would this be rocking his boat? I am at heart a lunch box Democrat and care about regrowth of our industrial base and trained labor force. I get the point that he is running for office and doesn't want to put anyone off, but I have had my fill of the neoliberal positions of the DNC and the Clinton faction. Any Republican sympathies I may have are of the pre-1800 French variety.

[LollieDotCom]

That chirpy, gay liberal has done more to pry my overly biblical bs religious friend away from the religious brainwashing about homosexuality than anyone else in the world. I can see why some took offense and I can see how very clearly, no offense was intended.

And I'm pretty sure it didn't bother our Rachel one bit.

She is the greatest!

[ddslover]

I agree with you there. I really love her show and her obvious intelligence. I didn't know she was "gay" until I read about her in that NYT article but it really has no bearing to me on how I think of her whatsoever. It may have been a bit "politcally incorrect" to mention her sexual orientation in his article and I'm glad he clairified what he meant by "chirpy" but really I don't think it is or should have been a big deal. The biggest point should be is that people are being drawn to her show in greater numbers and are starting to appreciate her point of view and candor...r­egardless of her confessed liberal-ness.

[Oregon Ivy]

Just don't use the word "fanny pack" in the U.K.

Fanny doesn't mean at all there what it does here.

Heh.

[indypete]

And here's a "ROFLMFAO" from a Brit!

[Adnil]

I learned that the hard way on my first visit to the UK in the 90's when I misplaced my "bum bag" in a crowded pub and asked the barkeep if he had seen my "fanny pack".