Comments on: NY Pride 2010 http://literarylens.org/2010/07/ny-pride-2010/ Sat, 16 Jul 2011 04:48:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Becky http://literarylens.org/2010/07/ny-pride-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1132 Becky Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:57:42 +0000 http://literarylens.org/?p=827#comment-1132 Lots of really good points, points that I think a lot of people don't really think about. I think that it's good that people are pushing for equality for marriage anyway, despite the issues you pointed out. That said, we really do need to be focusing more on the TQ of LGBTQ. I was reading an Internet forum awhile back where a transsexual posted about some relationship problems, and the entire thread didn't have a single bit of advice, just people arguing over whether the person was male or female. It was utterly ridiculous, full of "stop being so PC, he's definitely a man since he was born that way!" nonsense. And these were supposed open-minded I think it's easy to just look at the issues the media makes a big deal out of while at the same time ignoring other issues, but we really need a whole shift in mentality and a whole lot more open-mindedness about the whole thing. That said, I think that the "born gay" thing is just a backlash to conservatives/religious saying that everyone is born straight and it's a choice to be gay, and so since gay folks are choosing to be gay, they're choosing to be perverts and all sorts of other nonsense. It's like saying that since a gay person is choosing to be gay, that person is choosing to be a sinner, and so it makes it easier to hate the gay person. I really feel, though, that we do need to stand up and say, "My choices do not make me a bad person." If sexuality IS controlled by a gene or not, it shouldn't matter, because even if it were a choice it's not a BAD choice. That's what we need to be thinking. You're also right about excluding trans folks. I think there should definitely be a better saying instead of "born gay." Anyway, not sure if any of this makes sense. I get where the GLB folks are coming from, which is basically backlash against conservatives/religious telling them they're sinning/unnatural/horrible people. But they (and the rest of everyone) are ignoring transsexuals, queers, questioning people, and all sorts of other people falling outside of the traditional heterosexual cisgendered people. I don't know what the solution is, but I'm glad you're posting about this to make people aware of the issues. Lots of really good points, points that I think a lot of people don’t really think about. I think that it’s good that people are pushing for equality for marriage anyway, despite the issues you pointed out. That said, we really do need to be focusing more on the TQ of LGBTQ. I was reading an Internet forum awhile back where a transsexual posted about some relationship problems, and the entire thread didn’t have a single bit of advice, just people arguing over whether the person was male or female. It was utterly ridiculous, full of “stop being so PC, he’s definitely a man since he was born that way!” nonsense. And these were supposed open-minded I think it’s easy to just look at the issues the media makes a big deal out of while at the same time ignoring other issues, but we really need a whole shift in mentality and a whole lot more open-mindedness about the whole thing.

That said, I think that the “born gay” thing is just a backlash to conservatives/religious saying that everyone is born straight and it’s a choice to be gay, and so since gay folks are choosing to be gay, they’re choosing to be perverts and all sorts of other nonsense. It’s like saying that since a gay person is choosing to be gay, that person is choosing to be a sinner, and so it makes it easier to hate the gay person. I really feel, though, that we do need to stand up and say, “My choices do not make me a bad person.” If sexuality IS controlled by a gene or not, it shouldn’t matter, because even if it were a choice it’s not a BAD choice. That’s what we need to be thinking. You’re also right about excluding trans folks. I think there should definitely be a better saying instead of “born gay.”

Anyway, not sure if any of this makes sense. I get where the GLB folks are coming from, which is basically backlash against conservatives/religious telling them they’re sinning/unnatural/horrible people. But they (and the rest of everyone) are ignoring transsexuals, queers, questioning people, and all sorts of other people falling outside of the traditional heterosexual cisgendered people. I don’t know what the solution is, but I’m glad you’re posting about this to make people aware of the issues.

]]> By: Dennis B. http://literarylens.org/2010/07/ny-pride-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1123 Dennis B. Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:03:25 +0000 http://literarylens.org/?p=827#comment-1123 Interesting comments, Lauren. I am with you on people equating the Civil Rights movement with the "Gay Rights" movement. No matter how much we may think homosexuals and transexuals are opressed or persecuted in this country it is nothing compared to what black American suffered under Jim Crowe laws. There are no 'straights only' drinking fountains and "no gays" lunch counter. Homosexuals are not being beaten back by high powered hoses. To compare the movement to define marriage however you see fit with the struggle of blacks to be treated like human beings along their white countrymen is absurd and insulting to blacks and homosexuals. Interesting comments, Lauren. I am with you on people equating the Civil Rights movement with the “Gay Rights” movement. No matter how much we may think homosexuals and transexuals are opressed or persecuted in this country it is nothing compared to what black American suffered under Jim Crowe laws. There are no ‘straights only’ drinking fountains and “no gays” lunch counter. Homosexuals are not being beaten back by high powered hoses.

To compare the movement to define marriage however you see fit with the struggle of blacks to be treated like human beings along their white countrymen is absurd and insulting to blacks and homosexuals.

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