July 2012
Chely Wright | 'Like Me' - Autobiography reviewed by Clare Moran
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I'm a bit fussy when it comes to choosing a book to read. This is mainly because I'm more of a TV buff than a bookworm. I find it much easier to switch off to the power of television than engross myself in a good book. That requires effort and I feel it necessary to be open and honest in the fact that I am slightly lazy in this regard. Having to actually visualise characters and scenes in my mind is such a chore. I'd rather it was done for me thanks! Apart from telling you that 'Philip was simply a humpback' (Mill on the Floss) or 'you're a woman Harry' (Harry Potter) I struggle to think of a line from a book. Ok, so that last quote was from a French and Saunders sketch and not an actual book. See I'm useless. Although French and Saunders are awesome so I'm not going to apologise for spouting their genius. Did you see their Titanic spoof? Hilar!!! |
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I digress. Basically the point I am slowly making is that when I come to chose a book to read I don't make the decision lightly. Other than the Harry Potter books, I only really read autobiographies. Specifically autobiographies by openly gay women: Melissa Etheridge, Martina Navratilova, Jane Lynch, Ellen Degeneres, Tina Fey... Well Tina Fey is no lesbian but she sure does have a lot of gay and lesbian friends. This is because I have a very limited attention span and I need a subject matter that interests me. This may sound bad but I couldn't care less about their school life or their eating habits, I only want to get to the story about their sexuality. Before stories started appearing on rucomingout, this was the only time I had ever read anybody speak of a similarity within myself which I could connect to. I'd always seek out the chapter where they spoke about being gay and it gave me a calming feeling inside that I wasn't a freak but that there are other people like me out there. Sounds a bit crazy now but I also thought that they may give me a few tips on how to be gay. Although thanks to Martina, I have a cracking forehand now. On a side note, everybody who has submitted a story to rucomingout has, whether they know it or not, become a role model in their own right. Respect to you all. And thank you!!!
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Recently I read a book which has overshadowed all of the other books regarding it's impact and power. Chely Wright's memoir 'Like Me' has towered over anything I have ever read or even seen on television. I had not experienced tears from a book since the death of Dobby the house Elf. It has nothing to do with needing to feel accepted as I have been comfortable and confident in my sexuality for a number of years now. It is purely through sheer admiration that I found myself engrossed in this book. After the introduction, I dare you to not feel the same.
A number of you may not know who Chely Wright is as she is not really a household name here in the UK (sorry Chely). She is however a massive country music star in the US. In 1994 she won the award for the top new female vocalist at the National Country Music Awards and has been nominated for countless other awards since for her seven studio albums. She has dated some of the most sought after male country music stars and has been a regular entertainer for US troops in action overseas. Chely Wright really is a huge star in America. In 2010 Chely very publically (and purposefully) came out. Remember when Ellen came out in 1997 and what a massive event it was? Remember the repercussions? Well you could say the same magnitude was realised in 2010 for Chely. I remember reading afterellen.com in the weeks prior and them announcing that a major celebrity was about to come out. And then it happened and Chely Wright, one of the world's biggest country stars came out as gay. Whoop Go Chely! I'll be honest, I didn't really feel the meaning and power of this occasion at the time as I was quite ignorant of country music culture, but this was a big deal in America. And to Chely too obviously. It takes a lot of courage to accept your own sexuality where ever you find your home to be. In the religious heartland of america where the normal ideology is to think that being gay is an abomination you need to be super strong. What Chely shows us in the book is that even if you are gorgeous, popular and successful you cannot escape the fear of rejection and fear of being exposed to brutal homophobia. |
"I picked up the gun and put the end of it in my mouth. It was cold.
I held it steady and got my right thumb on the trigger and prepared to pull it by pushing it outward.
I looked up into the mirror, the one built into the mantel.
I struggle now to fully explain what I saw staring back at me.
My mouth stretched open with the end of a gun in it."
For someone to describe in DETAIL the journey they took to put a gun in their mouth left me speechless. It made me think of a dark period in my life and the emotions that engulfed me. But to actually get to that point and then publicly write about it... I could not hold any more admiration for somebody as I did when I read that preface. I have never read such a powerful chapter in my life. So eloquent. So honest. So heartbreaking. There are so many honest, heart wrenching and inspiring quotes to pull out from every chapter.
The importance of this book should not be underestimated. It teaches tolerance, challenges misconceptions and holds a brutally rare honesty that should be admired. Chely Wright is a beautifully courageous soul who is such a positive advocate of the LGBT community. Please support her and read her book. Hopefully it will inspire you to do something positive with you life.
The importance of this book should not be underestimated. It teaches tolerance, challenges misconceptions and holds a brutally rare honesty that should be admired. Chely Wright is a beautifully courageous soul who is such a positive advocate of the LGBT community. Please support her and read her book. Hopefully it will inspire you to do something positive with you life.
"Perhaps I could have hidden my homosexuality for the rest of my life, but that's not how I want to live.
Shedding more light on the argument that no one can say definitely what gay 'looks like' does play into my decision to step forward, but it is not my most powerful motivation for coming out.
I am standing up for myself, because if I don't, I will never be whole. That my story might help others find comfort, safety, and understanding is a beautiful by-product of truth."
Chely is dedicated to LGBT advocacy. Not only did she write this memoir but she documented her coming out with a film crew in a documentary called 'Wish Me Away'. Currently released in the States and wowing viewers with her honesty. No word as of yet when it will become available in the UK but I hope we don't have to wait too long.
So, Chely Wright. 'Like Me' is my book recommendation for all rucomingout readers. What is yours? Please use the comments facility below to share your recommendations.
Follow Clare on Twitter - @klaramoranova
Follow Chely on Twitter - @chelywright
Buy 'Like Me' on Amazon - CLICK HERE
So, Chely Wright. 'Like Me' is my book recommendation for all rucomingout readers. What is yours? Please use the comments facility below to share your recommendations.
Follow Clare on Twitter - @klaramoranova
Follow Chely on Twitter - @chelywright
Buy 'Like Me' on Amazon - CLICK HERE
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