'RHOA's Lesbian Rumors Are So Unnecessary

Here we are again on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, another season later and the cast is no better when it comes a tendency towards attitudes that are at best regressive, and, at worst, homophobic. The cast allegations that Real Housewives star Kandi is a lesbian were finally revealed to the group on Sunday, and the resulting fallout may have been interesting from a TV perspective, but it was disappointing when it comes to the RHOA cast's relationship to the issue of sexuality. And, for the record, Kandi was quick to shut the rumors down. “I truly love my husband and I truly love his d*ck, OK?” she said. “I’m very much married and happy with my man.”

Frankly, I'm tired of writing about this topic. In the nine seasons of the show, practically every season has a moment where the women indulge in stereotypes about gay people. Memorably (and not in a good way), NeNe called Peter a "bitch" and implied he was acting like a woman when he chimed in to some argument between the Housewives. And, last season, Kim Fields' husband's sexuality was constantly, derisively joked about because he's a nice guy who knows how to tap dance. It's always disappointing, and I would hope that these ladies might slowly be learning that their small-mindedness on this issue is not cute. Turns out, they haven't really learned anything.

The worst part? Until the ignorance became too much to ignore, it was actually a pretty exciting scene. It was deliciously edited, like an Agatha Christie murder mystery novel. Shereé went from orchestrator of a vast conspiracy to the bomb holder to the innocent victim. After Marlo spilled the beans and asked Kandi point-blank if she is gay (allegations which she firmly refuted), Shereé, back in her mind and realizing that she was in the hot seat, offered to the group the chance to come clean about starting the rumor. Porsha, for some reason, played innocent, but was exposed immediately. The constant barrage of past clips used as objective evidence of what happened was brilliant... but it was in service of an argument that's so fearful of the idea of other sexualities.

Why do these women have to be so negative about one another's sex lives? This was a chance for the women to finally be progressive when it comes to sexuality, but they weren't. It's time for the cast to do better and, really, be better.