http://www.bulliedbygays.com/
This website was created in the wake of the current suicides by queer youth in the area. It is meant to exemplify the role of straight males in this tragedy. It's a strong message and it need to be the one heard in many conversations hopefully to come in the future.
I keep saying queer instead of gay/lesbian/homosexual because I feel queer as a word and a theory is far more inclusive than the alternatives. As Dennis Carlson describes in "Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community," homosexual carries with it a very scientific connotation, gay and lesbian carry with each their own respective gender assumptions, neither gay/lesbian or homosexual takes transsexualism into account. Therefore, queer, the more radical option according to Carlson, in my view is the most inclusive of the terms because it address sexuality in a sociological context; an attraction to the same gender at some level is "queer" or different in this society. It also highlights the struggle of between queerness and as Carlson describes it the, "normalizing factors" of society. Thus, the term reminds us that the struggle is in fact to change society as a whole so as variations of sexual attraction are no longer considered queer.
Carlson does hit the nail on the head in describing the neoconservative, right-wing policy of advocating for a normalizing community. Whether its in propaganda that distorts the American past into a twisted romantic character of itself or in calling for "family values" what is intended is the social control of the many by the correct few. Its part of what makes the struggle for queer liberation an inclusive struggle of all oppressed people. As Carlson states, " in the height of the McCarthy era in the late 1940s and early 50's, homosexuality and communism were closely linked as threats to the "American way of life." From this has even come a strange folklore of disinformation in which people believe the term "pinko-commie" was coined to insinuate that all communists are also homosexuals. [the term is in fact a reference to supporters of communism or socialism who aren't actual car carrying members of the communist party. the pink thus referring to a lighter version of the socialist/communist red flag.]
This piece of literature also makes another wonderful connection between oppression of queers in two different institutions; the military and the public school system. "The official policy in most school districts is in fact identical to that of the U.S. military, namely: "Don't ask, don't tell." This is a wide spread issue, one that I think is the responsibility of every social justice group/collective/what-have-you, we need to face, head on, the unwillingness to discuss topics which bring out people deeply held opinion of repression. We make excuses again and again, "The two things you never bring up in school/workplace is religion and politics." What hope of progress can ever be made to cultivate a new society if we're unwilling to root out the weeds that strangle the fruits of our labor.Are we afraid to say "you are bigot for thinking homosexuality is morally wrong" would we be equally afraid to tell someone they are a racist for believing African's are an inferior race? "blacks and gay remain curiously linked-the two great indispensable Others..." When do we begin to draw a line and confront those who pass it. I'm not talking about a physical confrontation but an intellectual conviction and willingness to call others out on their bigotry.
There is honestly alot in the article that is both intellectaully spot on and socially relavent that I took alot from and enjoyed. From the identification of characterization of homosexual identities in mass media to the very idea of self identity formation and identity politics. Even to the subject of pedagogical reform I sympathise with Carlson's view that even the right's vioce needs to be involved in the discussion, if nothing else so that again we can directly face their views.
when it comes down to it this is a struggle on almost all grounds; social, class, religious, race, etc. Its a struggle that those who consider it a duty to sand with all oppressed people as Eugene V. Debs did must confront in every aspect of life. Confront a friend or co-worker on their views, denounce bigotry in media and politics, open your minds to intellectual compassion and autonomy.
This article also shows how common and complacent the mass media is in allowing bigotry to seethe and spread;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/05/barney-frank-rush-limbaugh-homophobic-attack_n_751713.html
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