January 24, 2024

In the TV show "Any Day Now," Mary Elizabeth is a tomboy who can throw a baseball like a boy, spike a football, and beat up the class bully.

Her mother didn't have her change her gender. She taught her manners, and M.E.'s brash nature never changed. And it worked.

She was an ardent civil rights proponent from the time she was a little girl. Her best childhood friend in 1962 Alabama was Rene, who was black, and they were lifelong friends.

There used to be a time when girls could be tomboys, and people could be characters, and not have to change.

In the movies, Raymond Burr was Perry Mason, who was a subtle love interest of Della Street. Montgomery Clift was a heart throb in countless movies. Charles Nelson Reilly was so funny as one of the Hollywood Squares. And Paul Lynde was a delight as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched.

All those men were gay, but they didn't need to tell the world. The world knew, and loved them. They didn't have to change their genders, or dress in evening gowns. They were just good actors, and didn't have to make the world fit them.

That was a great world.

Hang tough.