8. Billy And Chuck's Wedding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4mrRVBt71M Tag team duo who won the tag team title twice, Billy and Chuck acted out a fake homosexual relationship with each other in the WWE. At first, they demonstrated affection for each other, this was followed by wearing matching suits and putting their hair in pigtails (because that's how all gay men carry on, isn't it?). In September 2002, Chuck 'proposed' to Billy and they held a commitment ceremony in the ring. Things went off kilter when both men admitted it was a hoax and they were really heterosexual. They subsequently dropped heel and no talk of homosexual goings on between the two were ever mentioned again. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation were irate with the WWE. They had worked closely with the organisation over the correct treatment of homosexual relationships but the Alliance had thought Chuck and Billy were going to 'marry' and come out. GLAAD accused the WWE of using them under false pretences. The treatment of homosexuality by the WWE through the Billy and Chuck 'romance' was poor indeed. Gay men had to be seen as effeminate and less masculine than straight men and when push came to shove and they were about to be married, they revealed they were both straight. Clearly homosexuality does not go down well with the WWE unless they can exploit the stereotype of 'mincing poofs' which is a slur on homosexuality and is also deeply cynical.
Clare Simpson
Contributor
My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!
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Clare