Remembering Betty White: ‘Thank you for being a friend’
Betty White, Hollywood icon and ally of the LGBTQ community, died at her home in Brentwood, in West Los Angeles on December 31, a day shy of the new year and two weeks before her 100th birthday.
She had tweeted on December 28 about reaching 100 with an upcoming People Magazine cover featuring her: “My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me!”
While Betty was a pioneer in the television industry, she was also a longtime LGBTQ ally, giving her support to the community.
Betty White’s support throughout the years
Betty has shown strong support for the community not only in actions but in her statements as well.
From being a public support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and GLAAD, she had also expressed her early and outspoken support for same-sex marriage.
Speaking to Parade Magazine in 2010, she said, “If a couple has been together all that time– and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones– I think it’s fine if they want to get married.”
She also said at the GLAAD Media Awards in 2013: “Listen, I’m 91 years old… I’ve been around the block, okay.”
“I just want to say to all the judgmental people out there: if two people in love want to get married, let ’em get married!” she added.
Betty White and the roles that she plays
Betty was also known for her roles in sitcoms, from “The Betty White Show” to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls”. She also appeared in “Saturday Night Live” in 2010.
In some sitcom episodes, her character would tackle topics considered controversial by society at the time.
During the episode, “72 Hours” of “The Golden Girls,” Betty’s character, Rose Nyland, discovered of her potential exposure to HIV from a blood transfusion.
This was a time when sensationalist headlines pushed HIV/AIDS messaging. The show’s episode contradicted this message by saying that anyone could contract HIV, not just LGBTQ people.
Speaking to Frontiers LA magazine, Betty said, “Throughout my career, I’ve always portrayed characters that were humorous, but also weren’t afraid to speak their minds, especially when it came to racy or controversial topics.”
“I think this struck a chord with the LGBT community,” she said, adding that their shared love for animals also helped them to match as Betty was also known as an animal rights advocate.
The LGBTQ community speaks on her passing
Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast wrote a stirring piece on Betty’s influence on the community.
Speaking of Betty’s character, Sue Ann Nivens in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Kevin noted that: “When people underestimate or judge you, you deserve to be a bit of a bitch.”
“Maybe, even, that’s what earns you their respect. If nothing else, it makes you indisputably fabulous,” he added.
“I suspect that’s something that the LGBT community and so many other marginalized people relate to—the passive-aggressive sarcasm you wield as both a weapon and a shield when you’re misunderstood or devalued,” he explained.
Meanwhile, John Casey in the Advocate wrote, “I can’t believe she didn’t make it. I thought she would go on forever. I think we all feel that way.”
“But Betty leaves behind so many fantastic characters and memories that her talent, impeccable comedic timing, and uniqueness will live on forever. We were so lucky that we had her for so long,” Casey said.