My new blog moniker
When I first considered blogging, before I had even heard of GayPatriot (indeed before this blog even existed), I ran through countless potential blogging monikers for myself from AmericanCamus to something from a favorite flick.
As I was pondering the perfect name for a website, I discovered a fledging blog called GayPatriot, wrote the eponymous solo blogger to congratulate him on a post taking Log Cabin to task for failing to endorse W’s reelection. We exchanged e-mails, instant messages and the next thing I knew, he invited me to join him here. I still agonized over my own moniker, so finally just settled on GayPatriotWest.
I’d always wanted something a little more descriptive, saying something about my passions. In the intervening years, other ideas came to me, many involving the topic of my dissertation. No one name really called out to me. Nothing really worked.
So, I decided to go with my own name.
I realized that when I was first searching for a moniker, I wanted to describe myself without revealing myself. I had intended to maintain my anonymity because my public political identification could compromise (if not destroy) any chance I had of breaking into the entertainment industry. (And it’s hard enough breaking into the industry as it is.) Still, barely two months after I started blogging, when interviewed by a reporter from a Boston gay paper, I agreed to let him use my name in the article.
I had crossed a personal Rubicon. If this would make it more difficult for me to succeed in Hollywood, then so be it. And anyway, I was getting tired of remaining silent when friends and acquaintances discussed politics.
From then on, having the moniker GayPatriotWest served primarily as a means to identify myself as the blogger at GayPatriot who lives on the West Coast.
I had thought I might have something particularly profound to say about the importance of blogging under your own name and not hiding behind a fabricated moniker.
I suppose the most profound thing I can say in this. Both Bruce and I have been subject to mean-spirited personal attacks on left-wing blogs, in our very comments section and oftentimes in our e-mail by those who hide behind a cloak of anonymity.
While we don’t engage in such vituperative attacks, we do take issue with a great number of people, including leaders in the gay community. It didn’t seem right to criticize them while not disclosing our own identities. I’m not ashamed of who I am, an American, a Republican, a gay man, a lover of myth, legend and history, a film buff and a Tolkien geek who loves Beowulf who is devoted to his nephews and nieces. And so many other things.
One simple moniker couldn’t describe all that without leaving something out. Perhaps my name contains multitudes.
25 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Great minds … I’ve started posting comments, etc. under my real name, too. Makes it easier for people to find me on Facebook.
I have more freedom to post my true feelings — or gush over my latest favorite actress — if people don’t think I’m hiding behind a moniker.
But I’ll always be a jarhead.
Comment by Julie Kelleher — August 18, 2009 @ 6:56 am - August 18, 2009
Well done! You’ve made the right decision and informed opinion, on some of the big issues of our time, moves forward. It can be a lonely public road being gay and conservative, but in private, well, there’s a lot more support. All the best, Rich
Comment by Richard Newhof — August 18, 2009 @ 7:45 am - August 18, 2009
Good on you, Daniel!
I’ve been using my real name in lesbian and gay publications since I was 18 (1972). The things I can’t stand about noms de blog are that it is like being closeted and also that people mis-use their anonymity to say or do mean things so they can hurt people without them being able to answer back. I’m not saying you did that — it’s just what I dislike about pseudonyms.
Blogging under your real name is going to feel GREAT because of the honesty and clarity and accountability it will add as a foundation for your conversation with your readers.
I wish you every blessing.
Cynthia
Comment by Cynthia Yockey, A Conservative Lesbian — August 18, 2009 @ 8:39 am - August 18, 2009
Instead of B. Daniel Blatt, how about Being Daniel Blatt?
Comment by Ashpenaz — August 18, 2009 @ 9:29 am - August 18, 2009
How was the picnic at Leah’s?
Comment by PatriotMom — August 18, 2009 @ 10:25 am - August 18, 2009
Excellent choice. But surely this listing: “an American, a Republican, a gay man …” should include “graduate of Williams” or at least “Eph.”
Comment by David Kane — August 18, 2009 @ 10:28 am - August 18, 2009
Mazel tov!
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 18, 2009 @ 11:04 am - August 18, 2009
Can we still just call you Dan?
Bbq was great, over 20 people showed up, great food, great company. Will definitely do it again.
Comment by Leah — August 18, 2009 @ 11:14 am - August 18, 2009
Hoka Hey!!! It must be akind to “coming out” in a journalistic sort of way. Continue on with your most excellent posts.
Comment by Duffy - Native Intelligence — August 18, 2009 @ 12:55 pm - August 18, 2009
Excellent! I’ve had the honor of meeting you and Bruce, and GP is a daily must-read. Looking forward to more of your posts,
Comment by Fausta — August 18, 2009 @ 1:05 pm - August 18, 2009
[...] 2009 Posted by Jehuda in Uncategorized. Tags: New Media, News, Politics trackback At Gay Patriot: Meet B. Daniel Blatt. That is, unless you already knew [...]
Pingback by Some Blogger News « The Rhetorican — August 18, 2009 @ 1:44 pm - August 18, 2009
So Benji is right out, then?
Comment by Rob Schellinger — August 18, 2009 @ 4:23 pm - August 18, 2009
So – your name is Legion?
(sorry – bad New Testament joke
)
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — August 18, 2009 @ 4:35 pm - August 18, 2009
“Instead of B. Daniel Blatt, how about Being Daniel Blatt?” (#4 Comment by Ashpenaz)
Now, that is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To B. Daniel Blatt… it is nice to really meet you!
Comment by dittos — August 18, 2009 @ 5:04 pm - August 18, 2009
Kudos from flyover redneck country (extreme southwest Iowa). I’ve loved your thoughts, sometimes disagreed, but always valued your discourse. If only more in our world would embrace the differences that make us whole.
HH
Comment by HatlessHessian — August 19, 2009 @ 12:52 am - August 19, 2009
This is kinda like the “Be Like Mike” ads. Except now we’ll do “I wanna B. Daniel Blatt”!
Comment by Sonicfrog — August 19, 2009 @ 1:08 am - August 19, 2009
Except now we’ll do “I wanna B. Daniel Blatt”!
Can we get some shots of Dan dunking like Mike?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — August 19, 2009 @ 2:17 am - August 19, 2009
Besides, I prefer to be like Brett. Keep everybody guessing and confused.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — August 19, 2009 @ 2:18 am - August 19, 2009
*shrugs* I’ve been The Livewire for so long, it’s like second nature to me. Besides, I have an evil twin here in Columbus, same name, same DOB, creepy as hell.
But to be comfortable in your own skin is the mark of true maturity.
The Livewire
Matthew Morris.
Comment by The Livewire — August 19, 2009 @ 6:40 am - August 19, 2009
Dan, I like your new “moniker” as well. Nothing wrong with the GayPatriot moniker, but also good to have your own identity. I also agree with not trying to hide behind anonymity, although I understand the reason for some to do so.
I also liked Ashpenaz’s suggestion. But I’m still curious as to what the “B” stands for.
Pat
Patrick J. Sime
Comment by Pat — August 19, 2009 @ 7:10 am - August 19, 2009
I am……
Signed
The Shadout Mapes.
Comment by Sonicfrog — August 19, 2009 @ 9:31 am - August 19, 2009
Pat,
It stands for Beowulf.
Comment by The Livewire — August 19, 2009 @ 9:45 am - August 19, 2009
Hi. I just stumbled upon this site this morning. I think it takes a great deal of courage to do what you’re doing… at the same time, I know how good it feels to boldly do the right thing. I’m defining ‘the right thing’ as doing that which conforms to your beliefs without apology or compromise.
I look forward to reading your prior blogs. So far it sure looks like some sanity in a crazy world as well as intellectual honesty.
Best of luck.
Comment by Steven D. Grover — August 19, 2009 @ 10:05 am - August 19, 2009
#23 – “So far it sure looks like some sanity in a crazy world as well as intellectual honesty.”
Yes – until gillie, NJL, bucknutlover, rusty and a few other trolls show up. Then the IQ on this board hits free-fall.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 19, 2009 @ 3:21 pm - August 19, 2009
“a few other trolls show up. Then the IQ on this board hits free-fall.”
Yeah, like calling others “tardo”, liberals are such juveniles. Oh wait, that was the elephant who specializes in calling other people names because he can’t make a valid point. I bet he/she/it would never use his real name.
Dave Rowe, Hartford CT
Comment by a different Dave — August 20, 2009 @ 6:31 pm - August 20, 2009