Welcome back, jstephens9.
OT:
As a note on the SNL performance by Jake, I for one don't necessarily agree with you and WW.
I am not particularly into drag numbers, nor am I particlularly into show tunes, and the like. And I for one consider Gyllenhaal much more attractive in a t-shirt or suit than in a glittery gown.
But I think both of you may be missing his point. It was never meant to be a show of disrespect to the gay community, nor did it intend to sterotype or lampoon a certain lifestyle that is preferred in certain quarters of the gay community.
To put this better into perspective, I recently met a friend here in Chicago who told me that a certain bar on Halsted street in Boystown has started playing this segment of SNL every weekend -- always to raptuous applause. But what I found most interesting was that some of these people considered this gesture more memorable and more meaningful than Brokeback Mountain itself.
I don't happen to share this opinion, but I appreciate the spirit of diversity that the gay community has always been blessed with. Not every gay person is into drag, for instance; but I don't consider it an insult or a sign of disrespect when a performance is done in drag.
Many people in the gay community thought that Gyllenhaal had guts to do a performance which, after all, is not uncommon in the world of gay culture, but is very uncommon in the world of straight males. In addition to this, I disagree with the contention that the performance was an affront to Brokeback Mountain. Why should it be? Many of my friends who revel in show tunes and drag performances also have a love for BBM, and they seem to appreciate the humour of Jake's performance more than I ever will.
My point is that not to see humour in something does not necessarily mean that one should be offended automatically. What is found to be objectionable in some quarters is not in others.
I enjoyed the performance for what it is: a sign of appreciation from a straight actor who has no fear and is confident enough to do a drag performance, and do it well. It was not meant to make a statement about BBM, himself, or the gay community at large. In this context, I cannot voice any personal objection to it, although you have every right to voice yours.