Never in my life have I ever felt this passionate, upset and personally affected by government legislation.
I guess for the first time in my life I have truly seen civil rights take a backward step. I am upset for several reasons. I am upset the majority is voting on minority rights. I am upset ignorant celebrities, religious organizations and businesses want to make a personal stake in my life. I am upset that hatred, fear and ignorance trumps the basic rights this country was founded on.
Even more disgusting is the fact that counties and states with anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ have people actively trying to undo these special protections.
This past week a man in Syracuse took a gun and in cold blood shot Teish Cannon and her brother in their car, simply for the fact that Teish was transgendered and openly gay. UNPROVOKED. The rate of suicide for transgender people is 31%, while the general population is less than 0.1%
As a personal victim of hatred and abuse due to my sexual orientation, I can tell you firsthand how long and how difficult it is to overcome the shame and self hatred LGBTQ people experience.
So on top of making many of our worlds a living hell, we are now told that we are SECOND CLASS CITIZENS and do not deserve the right to marry.
To quote Dan Savage, "We've long unhooked the religious component from the civil component because you can go to city hall and get married and God will not be invoked. Those are the marriage licenses that we want. We don't want to storm into anybody's church and force anybody's preacher or any religious person to observe our wedding."
End of story. A religious defense doesn't cut it for U.S. legislation - the bible is not our constitution.
I am tired of hearing people say they're for "civil unions and gay rights and stuff" and against gay marriage. So my relationship isn't "valid" enough to get married?
I should really sit down and write about this in detail and actually make a cohesive piece. I've just been too upset about this to write the way I'd like to.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
(x-posted from my mostly dead livejournal)
Growing up in north florida is a pretty shitty thing for a gay teenager. When I started at Darnell-Cookman in the 7th grade, I was immediately labeled the "gay kid". I spent most of those 2 years at DC trying to do the best I could making the best of the few friendships I did have - my best eventually becoming an activist lesbian. I generally commanded little respect from the cool kids even though I actually was pretty fucking cool at the time. Years later my biggest tormenters would become the ones who wanted so badly to be friends with me. Funny how things happen.
It took me an inordinate amount of time to truly conquer my own self-shame that was cultivated by my environment. I had a boyfriend that I fucking LIVED WITH for 2 years in college that not even everyone in my life knew about. Not even some people I considered good friends. I was essentially peeking out of the closet - selectively out. Bobby and I criticized other gay males for doing what they do - trying to knock promiscuity and "stereotypical gay behavior" because for some reason we felt we were better than the gamut of other gay males running around Gainesville.
It's tough realizing that the harsh criticisms I doled out at the time were just manifestations of my own insecurities as a gay man. Even tougher is running into people from the past and trying to let them know that yes, I am different now. Impressions are a hard thing to change so for the most part I have to realize that peoples' perceptions of me may be very far from the person I am now. Said activities, behaviors and social proclivities that I may have once criticized are part of my normal behavior now.
I never really understood the point of "gay pride". Assimilation always seemed to me the most productive way to become an accepted group in society. But I can truly say that today I am truly proud of who I am. I wouldn't change the way I was born (yes Sarah Palin, being gay is not a choice). I do act in a manner that people would consider "gay" and I like that I am that way.
Everything is a learning experience. Although my late teens and early 20 years were tainted with feelings of particular self-shame, I can now appreciate where other people are coming from. Their insecurities, their fears, and their personal successes. I love that here in New York City I can kiss my boyfriend (whether long term or ephemeral from the evening prior) on the street and not get stared at. Or that I can wear my 3 inch heel YSL boots and be complimented on them rather than mocked for acting "gay".
I don't know where I am going with this other than to say that I am really happy.
On that note, if you are my friend, or friends with any other queer person, it is your personal responsibility as their friend to not vote for John McCain. The fact that his running mate could use the word "tolerate" to refer to the queer community is a slap in the face. We are as much a part of the community as hockey moms, mavericks, and pregnant teenagers. Separate but not equal is something that was outlawed quite some time ago and I see no compelling reason for our country to continue discriminating against the queer community. It is a personal insult to me that anyone who loves or values me as a person could fathom voting for someone who feels I do not deserve the same rights they are entitled. So please, vote intelligently and fairly.
Growing up in north florida is a pretty shitty thing for a gay teenager. When I started at Darnell-Cookman in the 7th grade, I was immediately labeled the "gay kid". I spent most of those 2 years at DC trying to do the best I could making the best of the few friendships I did have - my best eventually becoming an activist lesbian. I generally commanded little respect from the cool kids even though I actually was pretty fucking cool at the time. Years later my biggest tormenters would become the ones who wanted so badly to be friends with me. Funny how things happen.
It took me an inordinate amount of time to truly conquer my own self-shame that was cultivated by my environment. I had a boyfriend that I fucking LIVED WITH for 2 years in college that not even everyone in my life knew about. Not even some people I considered good friends. I was essentially peeking out of the closet - selectively out. Bobby and I criticized other gay males for doing what they do - trying to knock promiscuity and "stereotypical gay behavior" because for some reason we felt we were better than the gamut of other gay males running around Gainesville.
It's tough realizing that the harsh criticisms I doled out at the time were just manifestations of my own insecurities as a gay man. Even tougher is running into people from the past and trying to let them know that yes, I am different now. Impressions are a hard thing to change so for the most part I have to realize that peoples' perceptions of me may be very far from the person I am now. Said activities, behaviors and social proclivities that I may have once criticized are part of my normal behavior now.
I never really understood the point of "gay pride". Assimilation always seemed to me the most productive way to become an accepted group in society. But I can truly say that today I am truly proud of who I am. I wouldn't change the way I was born (yes Sarah Palin, being gay is not a choice). I do act in a manner that people would consider "gay" and I like that I am that way.
Everything is a learning experience. Although my late teens and early 20 years were tainted with feelings of particular self-shame, I can now appreciate where other people are coming from. Their insecurities, their fears, and their personal successes. I love that here in New York City I can kiss my boyfriend (whether long term or ephemeral from the evening prior) on the street and not get stared at. Or that I can wear my 3 inch heel YSL boots and be complimented on them rather than mocked for acting "gay".
I don't know where I am going with this other than to say that I am really happy.
On that note, if you are my friend, or friends with any other queer person, it is your personal responsibility as their friend to not vote for John McCain. The fact that his running mate could use the word "tolerate" to refer to the queer community is a slap in the face. We are as much a part of the community as hockey moms, mavericks, and pregnant teenagers. Separate but not equal is something that was outlawed quite some time ago and I see no compelling reason for our country to continue discriminating against the queer community. It is a personal insult to me that anyone who loves or values me as a person could fathom voting for someone who feels I do not deserve the same rights they are entitled. So please, vote intelligently and fairly.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Note to self: tracking various investments right now will only make me depressed.
Looks like I'll have to watch more Gina Gershon as Sarah Palin to cheer up my financial woes!
Looks like I'll have to watch more Gina Gershon as Sarah Palin to cheer up my financial woes!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Race could play big role in election, poll suggests
Posted: 01:58 PM ET
(CNN) — A new study that surveyed racial attitudes suggests that racial prejudices could tip the balance in the coming presidential election.
If there were no racial prejudice among voters, Sen. Barack Obama would receive about 6 percentage points more support, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll, designed in partnership with Stanford University.
The results suggest that 40 percent of white Americans hold at least a partly negative view toward blacks, including more than a third of white Democrats and independents. A small percentage of voters — 2.5 percent of those surveyed — said they may turn away from Obama because of his race.
Though Obama is of mixed race — his mother was white, his father black — he is generally identified as black.
Posted: 01:58 PM ET
(CNN) — A new study that surveyed racial attitudes suggests that racial prejudices could tip the balance in the coming presidential election.
If there were no racial prejudice among voters, Sen. Barack Obama would receive about 6 percentage points more support, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll, designed in partnership with Stanford University.
The results suggest that 40 percent of white Americans hold at least a partly negative view toward blacks, including more than a third of white Democrats and independents. A small percentage of voters — 2.5 percent of those surveyed — said they may turn away from Obama because of his race.
Though Obama is of mixed race — his mother was white, his father black — he is generally identified as black.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
When people say Obama is uppity or elitist, it is said out of a racist mindset.
The Obamas seems uppity to these select people because they don't act all willy-lynch and eat fucking fried chicken and sing church. Successful, prosperous, well-spoken African Americans? Who the fuck do they think they are? They can't do that!!!
Take your fucking racism and shove it up your (newly) feminist asshole.
The Obamas seems uppity to these select people because they don't act all willy-lynch and eat fucking fried chicken and sing church. Successful, prosperous, well-spoken African Americans? Who the fuck do they think they are? They can't do that!!!
Take your fucking racism and shove it up your (newly) feminist asshole.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
More political ranting...
I fucking hate how the republican party is using Sarah Palin to pander to voters. Politically ignorant voters mistake Palin for a feminist or as someone who will represent the interests of women.
What is sad is that really Palin, other in name, has really been relegated to the role of essential trophy wife to McCain's campaign. Her role is to shutup and look pretty. She isn't even allowed to talk with the media on the issue, yet their positioning her as a potential #2 in the U.S. government? Sarah Palin is a weak, complacent woman and a far far cry from Hillary Clinton.
If you watch Mad Men, Hillary is obviously the Peggy and Palin the Joan. Peggy fights 60's male oppression to establish herself amongst an industry full of boys where Joan plays into her sexuality and her mistreatment as a woman to get what she wants - limited power.
My second point relates the the democrats lack of a backbone - a contention that has led to them to continue to lose elections. All of McCain's new ads compare Palin to Obama and make those parities. Fucking call them out on it. This isn't president versus vp. Apples to apples. Call the fucking republicans out for including Palin on everything to avoid the REAL ISSUES at hand. FUCKING CALL THEM OUT. Noone said resort to petty name calling - tell it like it is. Or even continue to harp on Palin. Expose her poor fiscal track record in Alaska or her nepotistic actions while serving the state. ANYTHING. It's time to stop playing nice if they'd like to actually WIN an election this time - popular vote AND electoral college.
Also, John McCain called Cindy a cunt in public once. I probably would too.
I fucking hate how the republican party is using Sarah Palin to pander to voters. Politically ignorant voters mistake Palin for a feminist or as someone who will represent the interests of women.
What is sad is that really Palin, other in name, has really been relegated to the role of essential trophy wife to McCain's campaign. Her role is to shutup and look pretty. She isn't even allowed to talk with the media on the issue, yet their positioning her as a potential #2 in the U.S. government? Sarah Palin is a weak, complacent woman and a far far cry from Hillary Clinton.
If you watch Mad Men, Hillary is obviously the Peggy and Palin the Joan. Peggy fights 60's male oppression to establish herself amongst an industry full of boys where Joan plays into her sexuality and her mistreatment as a woman to get what she wants - limited power.
My second point relates the the democrats lack of a backbone - a contention that has led to them to continue to lose elections. All of McCain's new ads compare Palin to Obama and make those parities. Fucking call them out on it. This isn't president versus vp. Apples to apples. Call the fucking republicans out for including Palin on everything to avoid the REAL ISSUES at hand. FUCKING CALL THEM OUT. Noone said resort to petty name calling - tell it like it is. Or even continue to harp on Palin. Expose her poor fiscal track record in Alaska or her nepotistic actions while serving the state. ANYTHING. It's time to stop playing nice if they'd like to actually WIN an election this time - popular vote AND electoral college.
Also, John McCain called Cindy a cunt in public once. I probably would too.
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