Shonda Rhimes, the creator and
executive producer of the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy,
says she includes gay storylines in her shows because she loves her
gay and lesbian friends.
The 42-year-old Rhimes was asked on
Twitter: “[L]ove your shows but why all the gay and lesbian story
lines?”
Rhimes, who also developed the ABC
drama Scandal, responded:
“Because I believe everyone should get to see themselves reflected
on TV. EVERYONE. And because I love all my gay and lesbian friends.
AND because I think same-sex marriage is the civil rights fight of
our era and back when being a person of color was the civil rights
fight, people like Norman Lear put black people on TV and helped
change some minds. So you know, it's gotta be paid forward. As long
as we are willing to sit by while one person is not free, none of us
are free. And FINALLY: because as long as someone feels like it is
okay to ask the question 'why all the gay people on your shows,' then
there is still a HUGE problem that needs to be solved. It's like
asking 'Why all the black people on your shows.' (Which is, in fact,
why there are also a lot of people of color on my shows. Cause
people keep asking. Like it's unusual. Which means we have a LONG
way to go). Okay, done preaching.”
(Related: Facebook,
Shonda Rhimes win GLAAD honors; Dianna Agron hosts.)