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Has 'Brokeback' Set Back Gay Rights?

As the Academy of Motion Pictures validates 'Brokeback Mountain' with eight noms, the movie has become an excuse to tell graphic sexual jokes that make fun of gays. Forget the obvious -- Jay and Dave, who play to middle America. Even TV news anchors are getting in the act. Chris Marrou, a San Antonio anchor, quipped recently, "Why don't they just give one of those guys from 'Brokeback Mountain' best actress?" But bloggers, many of whom are thought to be more "progressive" thinkers, are the ones having a field day.

Item: A takeoff on Barry Manilow's 'Copacabana.' Chorus: "Up at Brokeback, Brokeback Mountain, Those gay cowboys, they did some mounting. Up at Brokeback, Brokeback Mountain. They felt the passion as they discussed fashion..."

Item: A takeoff on The Beatles' 'Get Back.' "Gyllenhaal's Jack Twist, he thought he was a woman, but he was another man. Hot Anne Hathaway would love to give it to him, 'stead, he'll take it in the can."

Item: The movie is referred to as 'Humpback Mountain,' 'Bareback Mountain,' 'Brokebutt Mountain,' 'Fudgepack Mountain' and on and on.

Item: "The movie is making history as the first western ever where the goodguys get it in the end."

Item: Question: "How do you know when a HollyPuke fake 'cowboy' is horny?"Answer: He puts his saddle on his horse, backwards.

Item: Check out thesecartoons from MSNBC.com

It's ironic that the movie that has broken barriers is also the source of somepretty snarky jokes. Damon Romine, a spokesperson for the Gay and LesbianAlliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) says his organization has not beenmonitoring blogs, but has been watching the late night TV shows and that GLAADdoesn't have a problem with the 'Brokeback' jokes. "With all the buzz andvisibility Brokeback's been getting," Romine says, "I'd be more concerned ifLeno and Letterman weren't talking about it at all."

Romine adds, "What we're seeing is a lot of comedy around 'Brokeback' that ispoking fun at people's own discomfort with the subject and not so much at thesubject itself."