Change, Two Dads At a Time

The stereotypical dad is the slob who never shows his kids love, only life's hard knocks and the little lessons of physical and business until his life's final reel. Then, weepy eyed he and kinder close the circle of life: lessons are passed on and human love is confirmed.

If we believe this stereotype, is it absurd to think that the gay father might be the better dad? Might he be so in touch with his inner mom, that his child doesn't have to await his taking those final steps from death's anteroom (cf: Florida, et al.)? Or are stereotypes just a useful shorthand in popular culture media such as books, tv and movies that save time on character development so we can move on to plot or laugh lines?

Intriguingly, mediaspeaking, the two Cambridge, Mass., effetes who become dads (think La Cage aux Folles/Birdcage) in Michael Downing's novel Breakfast with Scot aren't really in a butch enough situation to make the transition to the silver screen. We now have Downing's novel adapted for screen and possibly (?) only for Canadian audiences, becoming "the gay hockey movie." There's a ex-hockey enforcer and lawyer and since the NHL had to approve the script and use of logos perhaps even an interesting look at a marketing decision of how to increase the popularity of a sport not so big below the 48th parallel or how to build interest in a niche subject (gay dads) above it.

** Can a dad make a son gay or is that women's work ... or perhaps fated by powers beyond human control?