In 1990s America, which is surely as close to paradise as the world's gay community will come, it may seem absurd that the sexuality of a sitcom star has sparked a national debate.
When homosexuality is tolerated in all but the most backward parts of Little America, and openly celebrated in San Francisco, New York and certain neighbourhoods in most urban areas, one may wonder what the fuss regarding the TV show Ellen is all about.
Nowhere else in the world can gay men and women enjoy such personal and legal liberation, including having their same-sex partners included as if they were legal spouses on employment benefits such as health insurance. Even the most liberal parts of Western Europe seem two decades out of date in comparison.
While gay activists will argue that homosexuals are the target of severe discrimination in the United States as in the rest of the world, they could hardly deny that the fruits of personal liberty as guaranteed under the US Constitution have made America the place where persecuted gays tend to flock from their countries of birth.
But here is the scenario: Ellen DeGeneres, a comedienne-turned actress who for years was assumed to be gay, persuades her bosses at ABC to revive the fortunes of her successful - but recently flagging - prime-time sitcom by adding a plot line where the main character discovers she is a lesbian.
ABC, owned by Disney - whose business mainstays Mickey Mouse and Pluto have no sexual demons to exorcise - is keen on the idea, if only to boost the show's ratings in time for the spring sweeps, the period where high viewer figures are manipulated to boost advertising revenues. But executives dither for months, their brows furrowed in many a Hollywood smoke-free room, until they finally give the green light.
