Outspoken Joy Behar chats with AfterElton.com: “I like speaking up for the underdog”

Joy Behar’s new show on HLN is a real bright spot on the television landscape. Love her outspoken nature, intelligence, humor and sensibilities. I also love that I no longer have to endure The View in order to get my fix of Joy who has always been the best part of that show.

So any interview Joy does – especially with the gay press – is an interview I want to read. She recently chatted with Brent Hartinger for AfterElton.con. Here is a little taste of their conversation:

AE: How often do gay people tell you they appreciate what you say?
JB: Quite often. I get a lot of positive feedback from the gay community. But I’d say the same thing about blacks, Jews, and anybody else I think is being discriminated against. I come from an Italian background. Yeah, the Italians have had their problems, but it’s not the same kind of abuse.

I like speaking up for the underdog.

AE: Are you going to be less likely to ask a personal question about, say, are they dating someone, if you know or suspect that they’re a closeted gay actor?
JB: I don’t find it to be my job, and I have never really been interested in this part of the job, going after their personal life. I’m much more interested in exposing their views.

So if someone comes on and they’re gay, but they’re married to someone I know, am I going to say something to him? It’s really none of my business.

You saw the movie Outrage? I thought they did a great job going after hypocritical gay politicians who are against gay rights. On the other hand, they went after Shephard Smith, who’s a commentator on Fox, only because he’s on Fox. I thought that was unfair, to tell the truth. He’s just doing his job, and I didn’t see any proof that the guy’s gay. He’s not out with it.

I know this is a controversial thing in the gay movement right now, but my feeling is why destroy people’s image of themselves in the public if they don’t want to be, unless they’re doing something destructive to the movement, voting against gay rights and gay marriage.