Todd Glass, a stand-up comic, publicly announced that he is gay when he appeared on Monday’s episode of ‘WTF with Marc Maron.’ Glass told Maron that his decision to come out publicly stems from the rising number of suicides by gay youths in America.
“I cannot listen to stories about kids killing themselves any longer without thinking [to myself], ‘When are you going to have a little blood on your shirt for not being honest about who you are?'” said Glass.
The two discussed what life was like for Glass as he denied being gay for most of his life, even to his friends in the world of comedy who knew him for quite some time. Glass also talked about gay rights in America, attacking one comedian’s comparison between African American rights and gay rights.
“This came from a very intelligent person, and a comedian I really admire. Dave Chappelle said once, ‘I don’t know why gay people compare themselves to black people,'” Glass said. “You can hide [that] you’re gay, but you can’t hide that you’re black.”
“Empathy is not a competition,” Glass said. “If it is, then I would say, [gay people have] had it harder. If we’re having a competition, I would say, but how about in the area that you’re not afraid that your parents will hate you? Or your friends will hate you?”
The two then agreed that comparing multiple groups and their plight is unfair to all those involved, saying that all people deserve equal rights in this country. Glass said that he has been in a non-public relationship for 15 years. He also said that a main enemy in the world today is the confidence that gays are not living their lives the right way.
“I always say, if you are homophobic, you better be positive you’re right. Because is it going to blow [that] all these kids are killing themselves, and … that in 20 years … you get to write a book about how wrong you were. They’re dead. So why don’t you have a soul-searching moment now? Go into your house, shut the door, and make sure you’re positive that you’re making kids feel like crap for no good goddamn reason.”
Glass also said that he was mortified by Rick Santorum and Rick Perry making gay rights their top issue as they try to earn the Republican nomination from the GOP.
“We’re going to live to see where they’re embarrassed about what they’re saying. It’s not going to happen in 50 years. In 10 years, they’re going to have to show their grandchildren that, and look like fools. It’s going to be mortifying!”