1989. Bob Hope speaks out against homophobic violence
Bob Hope was an American comedian who was at his most popular from the 30s to the 60s. A staunch Republican, Hope’s comedy reflected the values of that period,and his material often included casual sexism, racism and homophobia.
In 1975, for example, he declared, “I’ve just flown in from California, where they’ve made homosexuality legal. I thought I’d better get out before they make it compulsory.” His close friendship with, and public support of, Ronald Reagan also won him few friends in queer communities.
In 1988, Hope appeared on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In the course of the interview he ridiculed fellow guest Ed McMahon’s tie, saying he would have taken him for “a fag” ten years earlier. This outraged activists, particularly the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), who wrote to Hope expressing their anger.
Much to their surprise, Hope responded positively. Not only did he apologise, he agreed to film a Public Service Announcement condemning violence against gays (below). When he discovered that GLAAD did not have the funds to create the PSA, he paid for it himself.
Looking very formal in his tuxedo and bow tie, Hope begins by declaring his pride in living in a ‘great nation’ that believes in free speech. He continues…
“That’s why I was amazed to discover that many people die each year in anti-gay attacks and thousands more left scarred emotionally and physically.
Bigotry has no place in this great nation. Violence has no place in this world – but it happens. Prejudice hurts and kills. Please don’t be part of it.”
GLAAD’s lack of funds also meant that the ad never aired on a national network basis, but it did play on a number of local TV networks, including Chicago’s The 10% Show and the Gay Cable Network in New York.
Hope’s Joke
July 30, 1986
One of the delights of Liberty Weekend, as many observers of the national celebration have pointed out, is the knowledge that the Statue of Liberty managed to rise above all attempts at trivialization. Unfortunately, Bob Hope’s attempt at humor was the only exception. He shocked an audience with a tasteless and offensive remark about Miss Liberty.
Hope appeared before 360 guests, who paid $1,000 each for a July Fourth dinner and fireworks cruise aboard the yacht Princess. His so-called “joke” was about Miss Liberty having AIDS. Hope said, “Nobody knows if she got it from the mouth of the Hudson or the Staten Island Ferry.” Those who did not groan in embarrassment sat silent in dismay.
Hope’s “joke” was worse than obscene. It was abusive and unworthy. He should not have to be reminded that profanity–and he was profane–is the refuge of insensitivity. It is both sad and shameful that a man who many have considered a national treasure should think it would be funny to besmirch Miss Liberty on her 100th birthday with the kind of glibness and vulgarity that, in truth, only brings discredit to him in the evening of his years as an entertainer.
The Statue of Liberty survived all of the hoopla, slogans and souvenirs of the weekend–and it will also survive the morally crude and indecent language of Bob Hope. The Statue came through everything with its dignity intact. Regrettably, that is more than can be said for Bob Hope.
JOHN H. BUNZEL
That’s pretty fucking funny!
-Beth Hinde, producer Iowa
It saddens me so to hear this about Bob Hope. I grew up thinking he was a very genuine and generous man. It shows me how important it is to look beyond the appearance of a person no matter how great his stature is in the world.