Eric McCormack and Debra Messing reunited on stage Monday at a "Trevor Live" event, six years after the finale of "Will & Grace." They took the opportunity to express both hope for their children to grow up gay and also disappointment about not getting invited to the White House after Vice President Joe Biden noted the cultural impact their breakout sitcom had on marriage equality.
"Eric and I are so thrilled to be here with you all on Chelsea Piers -- one of the nation's most beautiful urban parks slash cruising grounds," Debra joked, before Eric congratulated her on her new show, "Smash."
"Who would've thought you'd end up on a show that was even gayer?" he said.
And although Messing said she was bummed she had missed McCormack's performance on Broadway in "The Best Man" (which he's still in for another week) the comedy duo expressed more disappointment in the president and vice president.
"So, how 'bout Joe Biden, huh? What a year! I can't believe he said Grace was responsible for gay marriage. I don't know if it was in the forefront of my mind when I was playing the character, but it was definitely my subtext," Debra told the crowd.
"What the vice president said, Debra, was 'Will & Grace' did more to educate the public than pretty much anything else. And if in some small way Will, the gay one, helped change attitudes, we're honored," Eric responded. "You'd think this would've gotten us a dinner invitation to the White House, but whatever, that's not important. I just think it's weird."
"I think it's weird, too," added Debra. "At least a tea with Michelle. How hard is that?"
For more than 13 years, the Trevor Project has been helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning teens and young adults realize their lives have value by providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.
"We want all LGBTQ kids to grow up in a world where they feel safe and equal to their straight peers," Eric said.
"Equal? I'd say they're better," Debra continued.
"I pray to God my son grows up gay," Eric said, to cheers from the crowd.
"I know. I'd be devastated if my son grows up to be a hetero. I mean, I'd still love him ... but as a parent you just envision a certain life for your child. I mean, if he's straight, think of all the fabulous things he's going to miss out on," Debra said. "When I think my son might never know the joys of having a quarter share on Fire Island and walking through Judy Garland Memorial Park on the way to the Meat Rack."
Eric told her not to worry -- there's no way she could give birth to a straight kid.
