Real World: Davis Mallory
So I’m back. Thanksgiving was great. It really was good just to sit back and do nothing.
On Wednesday I sat down to watch the premiere of Real World, Denver on MTV. I hope you got the chance to watch it. Despite the fact that the guy I think is the cutest is straight (that’s Alex, by the way), my focus is on the story of Davis Mallory (pictured right).
A few days ago I posted on the situation between Davis Mallory and Stephen Nichols. There is definitely going to be some tension between the two. Davis is a white, gay, frat boy, Southern Baptist from Atlanta and Stephen is a black, straight, Republican from Howard University.
In the first episode, Davis doesn’t come out automatically. He finds out that he is mutual friends with one of his roommates, Jenn, and he does come out to her (she has already heard a little gossip about him being gay). Davis, however, leaves the other roommates wondering, “Where is the gay person? I thought there was going to be a gay person?” For a while, Stephen is under the impression that Davis is straight and has a girlfriend (although he never said such a thing).
Jenn decides she’s going to try to help the situation out (literally). While the group is sitting at a bar she asks, “So is anyone here homosexual?” giving Davis the perfect opportunity to come out without having to bring the subject up for himself.
Stephen almost flips out and the conversation quickly turns in to a “But the Bible says…” and “You can’t be gay and Christian…” one. Later that evening is when Davis and Stephen get into the little spat when Stephen tells Davis, “There’s something wrong with you being gay.” Davis responds, “What if I said there was something wrong with you being black?”
Stephen, again, almost flips out. He tells Davis, “I didn’t choose to be black; I was born this way.”
“So you didn’t wake up one morning and say, ‘I think I’ll be a black man?’” Davis asks.
“No,” Stephen responds.
“Well, it’s the same for me. I never woke up one morning and said, ‘I think I’ll be gay,’” Davis told Stephen.
And the point was made, even if Stephen didn’t accept it.
In the first episode, Davis also tells his story of being forced into ‘Christian therapy’ to work out his ’sexuality problems.’ He was in therapy his whole life (he told his mother he was gay in 6th grade) and throughout high school he dated girls and had girlfriends tryign to fit into the mold his parents and his therapists were trying to force him into. Needless to say, no amount of therapy worked.
Davis came out in college. He decided to no longer hide who he really was. According to Davis, his mother thinks he is ‘full of demons’ and that he is going to hell. He says his mother can’t talk to him or look at him without crying.
Davis’ story is definitely a strong one; a very strong one. I’m glad that MTV has put him on the show and I’m glad that millions of youth will get to see his story, especially the many LGBT youth who may be still in the closet, starting to come out or living as out, gay teens in high school or college.
I’m going to try covering Davis’ story here on the blog, each week as a new episode comes out. I don’t know how long the season is for Real World, but if it lasts longer than February, the series on Davis will have to stop. Until then, however, you’ll be able to catch re-caps of the Real World in relation to Davis under the new blog category: Real World Davis Mallory.
Technorati Tags: real world, mtv, denver, davis mallory, gay, stephen nichols, christian, coming out
About the Author: Matt
8 Responses to “Real World: Davis Mallory”
Keep in mind, though, that The Real World is pretty much of a staged and scripted show, not really “real”, from what the insiders say.
By Joe T. on Nov 26, 2006
you cannnot decide with it.
it comes the way that you cannot choose.
that’s ok man…
i hope people would change the way they think
By Yu on Nov 29, 2006
I went to college with Davis and let me tell you that all of this is an act. He is a super sweet guy and is very smart. The whole part about him not going out to gay bars is untrue… he’s been out in Orlando and has even hooked up with a few of my friends. While I like Davis, I kind of disagree that he is a good role model for high school youth. While his background is very down-home, he isn’t overly comfortable telling people he is gay. I don’t think you should be in your face about it, but I do feel like if someone asks, you shouldn’t say that you are hesitantly. I remember Davis when he was a scrawny freshman trying to decide which frat to rush. There were rumors about him being gay, but nothing more than that.
By florida boy on Dec 13, 2006
Thanks for the comment florida boy I appreciate it. I never said he was a good “role model” but I do believe his story, as presented on the Real World, might do some good for some people, maybe. Who knows…
By Matt Hill Comer on Dec 13, 2006
florida boy would you recommend Davis as a good speaker. The reason I am asking is I am with HRC and thinking of having him speak at an event targeted at people between the age of 18-29. Let me know if you have a contact email for him. Thanks!
Josh
By Josh on Jan 18, 2007
Hello, and thank you for writing things about this show…this is my favourite ever, because it has a lot of special things on it! I really love Davis, in spite of being a straight girl. He is very sweet and strong…just like a real man, that`s what he is in spite of being gay! I would like to keep in thouch with the crew of Real World Denver…how can i do that? Specially with Davis.Thank you…be cool.
By katlen freire on Jun 1, 2007
Hi, thank you for this subject too
In Poland today we have the last episode of The Real World:Denver, and because of that I have to watch all episodes in the net (http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?type=1474&id=1559349&vid=149489). I must admitt that I’ve seen episodes with Davis specially a one where he told about his parents and his love to P.J. and I must say that he is a great guy because I know that it is hard to say everyone that ‘oh I’m gay’. He is a very strong person and I want to know that his life is better now and if it would be possible you give some mail adress, please? it will be great. because I want to tell him that God loves everyone reagrdless of a ’sexual orientation’ and for God the most important thing is the love, simply. And I know that it was his choice but by it that he is a gay he has STILL the same change on salvation as other people.
By Pauline on Jun 29, 2007