2008 Woodie Awards
Gay pride needs change
Ryan Bacher
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: Opinion
Originally published: 11/16/06 at 9:34 PM EST
Last update: 11/16/06 at 10:25 PM EST
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If you live on campus and don't want a roommate, then tack a gay pride flag on your wall.
You don't even have to talk with a lisp or dress particularly "fruity."
Your roomie will simply walk in with his Budweiser memorabilia collection, look at your flag and suddenly remember the empty bedroom his buddies on Broad Street offered him.
I managed this feat at least three times last year, but I feel no remorse. The rooms in the high rise dorms are obscenely tiny, and I enjoyed the ability to sit down at my desk without bruising my butt on my bedpost.
A few have criticized me for it, though.
Apparently they're uncomfortable with a gay man using homophobia to fulfill his own selfish desires to the detriment of his "people."
I think we should examine why I was able to do that in the first place and see who is really hurting the gay community.
And to do this, we need to view the rainbow flag through the eyes of a "homophobe." Don't worry. It won't hurt too much.
First off, what is a homophobe?
Well, kids, "homophobe" is a general term used to describe anyone perceived to be afraid of, discriminate against, or simply dislike homosexuals as a whole.
The "homophobe" is a creature who cringes at the sight of a six-striped rainbow.
Rainbows aren't inherently distressing. Rainbows can't harm you, unless of course you piss off a Care Bear.
The actual rainbow isn't the issue. The gay community could have chosen - and almost did choose - a lavender rhinoceros as its symbol, and it would have produced the same effect.
What happened was that the homosexual community came together under the rainbow flag in the 1970s and began demanding their rights.
What happened was that more and more GLBT members and their supporters started speaking out every time a brutal gay-bashing went unpunished or a couple was arrested for breaking a state's sodomy laws.
And then what happened was that a strong civil rights movement morphed into something ridiculous and dismissible.
You don't even have to talk with a lisp or dress particularly "fruity."
Your roomie will simply walk in with his Budweiser memorabilia collection, look at your flag and suddenly remember the empty bedroom his buddies on Broad Street offered him.
I managed this feat at least three times last year, but I feel no remorse. The rooms in the high rise dorms are obscenely tiny, and I enjoyed the ability to sit down at my desk without bruising my butt on my bedpost.
A few have criticized me for it, though.
Apparently they're uncomfortable with a gay man using homophobia to fulfill his own selfish desires to the detriment of his "people."
I think we should examine why I was able to do that in the first place and see who is really hurting the gay community.
And to do this, we need to view the rainbow flag through the eyes of a "homophobe." Don't worry. It won't hurt too much.
First off, what is a homophobe?
Well, kids, "homophobe" is a general term used to describe anyone perceived to be afraid of, discriminate against, or simply dislike homosexuals as a whole.
The "homophobe" is a creature who cringes at the sight of a six-striped rainbow.
Rainbows aren't inherently distressing. Rainbows can't harm you, unless of course you piss off a Care Bear.
The actual rainbow isn't the issue. The gay community could have chosen - and almost did choose - a lavender rhinoceros as its symbol, and it would have produced the same effect.
What happened was that the homosexual community came together under the rainbow flag in the 1970s and began demanding their rights.
What happened was that more and more GLBT members and their supporters started speaking out every time a brutal gay-bashing went unpunished or a couple was arrested for breaking a state's sodomy laws.
And then what happened was that a strong civil rights movement morphed into something ridiculous and dismissible.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
B
posted 11/21/06 @ 12:48 PM EST
Seriously. Wow, it's 2006 and widespread homophobia still exists (!). What a great idea, to drop the symbol so many are stupidly and pointlessly against. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 11/22/06 @ 2:10 PM EST
It's a shame this story got over-shadowed by the porn story. I think more people should read this. It's very well written, Ryan. Nice job.
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