I’m writing this on Jan. 6, 2025, the day Congress is to certify the election of Donald Trump for a second term. Noticeably absent from the United States Capitol? Progressive rioters scaling the building and breaking in for the purpose of shitting on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s desk and attempting to overturn the 2024 election. The fact is, Trump definitely lost in 2020. Unfortunately, he did win in 2024. Because in the United States, we apparently love to let the absolutely worst people run the country.
As we get closer to Trump’s inauguration, it is probably wise to find something pleasant to distract ourselves from another four years of racist fury and misogynist wrath. And what better way to do that than to escape with a good movie? Something like “Wicked,” perhaps?
Now, I have not seen and have no intention of seeing the “Wicked” movie. I did, however, see the musical at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit many years ago. I remember thinking it was pretty good. I’m not huge on musicals, so that’s a pretty rousing endorsement from me.
But I recognize that there are a lot of people super hyped about “Wicked” the movie. And like I said, we’re going to need all of the joy we can muster in the coming years. So if you want to see “Wicked,” for the first or for the 10th time, do it! Before Christian extremists somehow ban it.
One Million Moms (OMM), a division of the Christian extremist American Family Association that does not actually include a million moms, has its sights set on the film. OMM describe themselves as people who are “fed up with the filth many segments of our society, especially the entertainment media, are throwing at our children.”
OMM warns, “’Wicked’ Not Only Includes Witchcraft But Also LGBTQ Content!”
Yes, a movie about witches contains… witchcraft. Something even OMM admits is pretty obvious.
“The musical contains a tremendous amount of witchcraft and sorcery, and that content prompts most parents to avoid taking their children to see Wicked. But the film also shows not-so-discrete crossdressing and men crushing on men, which parents may not expect,” OMM explains on their website.
“Instead of an uplifting Broadway musical about friendship and family, talents and resources were used to create a dark movie that also pushes wokeness,” they continue. “Universal Pictures has traded its usual subtlety for intentionality.”
Ah, yes, Universal Pictures, the infamously subtle movie company that gave us the likes of “The Fast and the Furious,” “Bridesmaids” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
So what about “Wicked” is so woke?
Well, for one thing, Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, identifies as queer in real life and is currently in a relationship with actor Lena Waithe. They seem happy, which no doubt makes OMM furious.
And then there’s apparently a very close connection between the two main characters, Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba, that many are reading as queer.
“I think [Elphaba] loves Glinda, I think she loves love,” Erivo told The Gay Times. “And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection the both of them have.”
Grande told The Gay Times that Glinda “might be a little in the closet” and calls the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba “a true love….that transcends sexuality.”
Heaven forbid that two people love each other, especially two women who love each other in a way that could (gasp!) be read as queer.
Actor and singer Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda alongside Idina Menzel as Elphaba on Broadway and who is an LGBTQ+ ally, is having none of OMM’s hate disguised as pearl-clutching.
“Everyone knows the ‘one million Moms’ are a mere few hundred. Maybe. It’s called entertainment. Artistry,” Chenoweth wrote on Instagram. “All the silliness that these women spew [is] out of hate.”
As a Christian, she says, “I can’t help it: I try to love ’em anyways,” but admits that “they don’t get it.”
Indeed, they don’t.
OMM claims they are fighting to give children “the best chance possible of living in a moral society.” Unfortunately, they believe it is moral to denigrate LGBTQ+ people and treat any depiction of queer love as if it is equivalent to pornography that will irreparably harm children.
Of course, there are plenty of queer people, kids and adults, who would actually be quite happy if they didn’t have hate directed at them constantly by groups like OMM. Last time I checked, the Bible said to love your neighbor. It doesn’t say, “Unless they are queer, then you must dehumanize them and work to make their lives as miserable as possible.” Now that would truly be wicked.