Ok, I want to know. CynicalGabe, are you accusing me of homophobia? It certainly seemed that way to me. I am calling you out to speak your mind plainly in a forum suited for it.
looks like CynicalGabe jumped to a conclusion and interpreted your surprise as disappointment.
I was sure surprised when I found out Ian McClellan was Gay, but it didn’t alter my opinion of him (heck, it might have even improved it slightly)
McKellen
Damn! I fell into lee’s trap.
Any relation to Ayn Rand?
Sorry Lobsang. I suppose I should have added [sic] to the quote.
That wasn’t lee’s trap, it was CynicalGabe. You will note that lee never used the incorrect spelling.
Damn, hell, sod, blast and arse. Sorry lee
No, just a lighthearted jab. Your post reminded me of when my friend told me about Gandalf (because I cant spell the actor’s name). No offense meant.
I’d better explain myself further before you guys mark me down as a Class 1 Asshole. I was just making light (weird sense of humor) of the fact that most people see most celebrities as completely 1 or 2 dimensional people. We know more about their characters, and are more familiar with their alter egos than we are with them. When we learn some detail about their personal lives, it frequently comes as a shock when it conflicts with the images we have of them from films. For example: Magneto is gay. No reason he couldn’t be, but the data types are so inconsistent, its shocking and funny sometimes. One never thinks to ask about Gandalf’s sexual orientation. Just one more for the record: Gandalf rocks!
Sorry for the confusion. I’m an idiot for expecting people to always get my poor attempts at humor. Just ignore this tired old man and his ramblings.
Your post did not sound lighthearted. It sounded accusatory. I am not the only one who saw it so. I take such accusations seriously. Comments such as yours have a chilling effect on discussions of controversial topics. It lets people know that there are indeed people ready to jump out and point fingers at the makers of any even vaguely non-PC comment. There is enough homophobia sloshing around the net; if you want genuine examples, they can be found far too often on this very board without seeing it where it is not.
Congratulations, 'Gabe. Now that you’ve been Pitted, you can accepted in to the 42nd level of the Straight Dope Illuminati. 
Me? I’m still on Level 1. Nobody wants to pit me. I did get called a called a “monstrous slut” the other day, though. Does that bump me up a level?
Stranger
I didn’t read Gabe’s comment as particularly accusatory. I do see where you could read that into it, but in the context of the thread, I didn’t find it particularly obnoxious. I think you’re overreacting a bit, lee. I realize the thread was in GD, so discussions must be rather circumspect, but I’d have preferred you to ask in that thread, rather than taking it here.
Note that I’m not telling you your reaction is baseless, just that it’s a bit out of proportion with the post that prompted it. If you’re still saying “dammit, there’s no tone on the Internet so how was I supposed to know that Gabe was being lighthearted,” then I invite you to go back and read your own post. As **Lobsang **noted, your surprise sounds like dismay.
And this:
is uncalled for, particularly after Gabe explained himself and said he meant no offense.
You’re not being homophobic, he didn’t accuse you of being homophobic, so get off the soapbox.
Just my $.02.
I agree with lee, personally. The comment wouldn’t have been so bad if the portion about McKellan had been left off but as it is, it comes off as exceedingly arrogant, condescending, and snarky and I don’t blame her in the least for starting this thread.
Somebody call the WAAAAHbulance!
His second post was not showing when I submitted my reply. Even so, I don’t believe anything I said was uncalled for. I have been in far too many discussions of controversial topics that have broken down because of veiled or not so veiled accusations that were entirely unfounded. What CynicalGabe has admitted to is not much more admirable. It too closely resembles schoolboy sniggering for my tastes. I don’t find it funny, even if no harm is meant. He took me to task; I don’t appreciate it.
I have never viewed Langston Hughes as one or even two dimensional. I was delighted to find out more about him. I don’t like my curiosity being met by irrelevancies that sidetrack the discussion. No, my calling CynicalGabe out did not belong in the thread or in Great Debates. I feel bad that my other post may have sidetracked that very interesting thread further.
I also don’t care for the sloppy characterization of Magneto is gay, Gandalf is gay. It is as ludicrous as saying Magneto is English.
I was likewise a little surprised to discover Sir Ian is gay. I also read that he’s an atheist, which I was likewise a little surprised about - but none of those change the fact that he’s a great actor. 
Oh, give me a break. The original comment could have been construed as an accusation, but it could also have been construed innocently. He came in an explained. Chill the heck out.
You’re being a dumbfuck, lee. Stop whining and accept the man’s explanation and apology.
Sam
Lee, you fuck’n puts.
I was SO hoping some one would start a thread about CynicalGabe’s annoying “Look at me threads” instead this is the best you could come up with!?
Disappointment level; off the dail!!
Although to CynicalGabe’s defence I haven’t seen any lately…