I was having a drink with a friend, Brian, and we were discussing our favorite movies. His favorite was Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner and he thought it should be remade today, but with a gay theme.

I think that’s brilliant. Hear me out.

The original movie debuted in 1967. The civil rights act was signed into law in 1964. Malcolm X was killed in 1965. The Black Panthers formed in 1966. Race relations were on everyone’s mind. Interracial marriage, it was the major topic of the day. Here comes this movie about two rich, white liberals who have to face the issue head on. On a personal level. When their daughter brings her African American fiancé home to meet her parents for the first time. Are they hypocrites? Will they live up to their liberal ideology when the issue is staring them in the face? In their own home?

It’s a great movie with a great message. It asks hard questions but it does so without ever being heavy handed or preachy. It was topical, timely and presents a view into the world as it was at that time. 

Now seems like the perfect time for a remake. This time it’s about gay marriage.  Marriage equality is a hot social topic these days. Prop 8 in California, DOMA etc. You also have the end of don’t ask don’t tell and the “It Gets Better” project.  Now you have two rich, white liberals who have to face the issue head on. On a personal level. Are they hypocrites? Will they live up to their liberal ideology when the issue is staring them in the face. In their own home?

In 2005, it was remade (with an African American spin) as Guess Who starring Ashton Kutcher. This version was told from the African American side. Ashton’s character goes home with his girlfriend to meet her family. Wackiness ensues. 

Now would be the perfect time for the gay marraige version of the film. I think it would be great for the community to have a speech like Spencer gives at the end of the movie.  I’m quoting just a little bit here: “Because in the final analysis it doesn't matter a damn what we think. The only thing that matters is what they feel, and how much they feel, for each other. And if it's half of what we felt - that's everything.”

Imagine the impact of seeing that on the big screen for a gay audience, as I’m sure many African Americans felt watching the original.

Now did white people suddenly see the original and everyone became accepting of interracial marriage. Of course not. Did it have some impact? Somewhere? To someone?  Certainly. 

They say art imitates life. But doesn’t art sometimes inform life? 

The original gave a face and a voice to acceptance and tolerance in a time when it was sorely needed. That message needs to be heard again.