Passions on the "Down-Low"
The Southern Voice weighs in on the new "down-low" storyline presented on Passions. Rod 2.0 readers should enjoy the debate because we're extensively quoted in the article and rebut claims by actor Charles Divins who portrays Chad.
“Chad loves his wife, so in his heart this isn’t a deception. He is not in love with this other guy. He’s addicted to sex,” Divins said.
Despite Divins’ uncomplicated view of Chad’s promiscuousness, black gay journalist and blogger Rod McCullom, a “Passions” fan, laments the current twist in Chad’s story. The plot tarnishes the soap’s sterling reputation for diversity, he said.
“I think it’s a ridiculous turn of events. What I liked about ‘Passions’ when it debuted was that it had such a strong diversity of characters. Half the cast was African American or Latin,” he said.
Interesting that Divins rationalizes Chad's deception as merely a sex addiction—which is more or less exactly the type of stereotypical characterization of black men (or black gay men) that we need to be moving away from. Any-who ... there's plenty in the article to chew on.
Action Alert: Bisexual ‘Passions’ (SoVo)
Some Background ...
On the Next "Passions" (Rod 2.0) On "Passions" (Rod 2.0) "I Love Black" (Rod 2.0) A Conversation with Keith Boykin (Rod 2.0) "The Down Low Exposed" (Rod 2.0) And Now—Back to the Down Low (Keith Boykin) Primetime Reports the Black HIV Epidemic (After Elton) Have Black Gay Roles Gone Beyond the "Sassy Sidekick"? (Rod 2.0) Coming to a Megaplex Near You (Rod 2.0) Couldn't I See the Signs? (Rod 2.0) "Fear Tactics" are Best Way to Reach the DL (Rod 2.0)
"Interesting that Divins rationalizes Chad's deception as merely a sex addiction—which is more or less exactly the type of stereotypical characterization of black men (or black gay men) that we need to be moving away from."
Right on.
Posted by: Hikaru | 24 February 2007 at 07:19
What's up Rod. Holla sometime.
I don't know jack about "Passions," but that picture of Jay-Z on the right gives me a jolt everytime I check you out. Scary! lol
Posted by: seahawk | 24 February 2007 at 10:27
I watch Passions on the regular and was happy that they portayed the the lesbian story so eloquently. With the DL story it his every stereotype known for the reason why a man would cheat on his wife with another man. Especially when Chad said he didn't believe in love between same-sex couples because he's being in love with his lover would mean the he's gay and he's not gay he just likes to have sex with him. I was like damn the denial to the fullest. I remember when I thought like that.
Posted by: Mordecai Jonez | 24 February 2007 at 12:56
Two of the things that I hate about the whole dl debate. One is the idea that dl equals gay, or that all gay men sleep with women, or lie about who they are. The other is the idea that being gay is only about sex. That two men can't be together because they are truly in love or attracted to one another.
I'm not surprised that Passions would take this route. While the diversity of the cast is wonderful, the writing has always been horrible.
Posted by: Cadence | 24 February 2007 at 15:06
There is an interview with Charles Divins in the new issue of Soap Opera Weekly and he states of Chad: "let's get real. he's on the down low: he's gay"
As far as his earlier comments about sexual addiction, he was speaking of how Chad views the affair. Chad is clearly in denial about his sexuality.
He also expressed in the article his concerns with how the show was going to handle the storyline.
Give the guy a break.
Posted by: Syrus | 02 March 2007 at 01:14
Hate for this to be but as fine as Chad is yes he's gay. Even he don't wanna face it so how sad is that?
Posted by: Georgia | 22 March 2007 at 23:53