Yesterday, I heard news of a Ugandan newspaper encouraging the death of 100 gay/lesbian individuals in its home country.
Inwardly, I was incensed.
Today, I read the same news and my negative emotions surfaced again. This time, I am outwardly expressing them with my pen (keyboard, I mean).
Currently residing in Los Angeles, I am in daily contact with people, such as myself, labeled as "gay/lesbian." Just yesterday, after hearing the Ugandan anti-gay, pro-murder news, I decided to wear purple and take a walk, supporting Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) "Spirit Day." How fortunate I am to have the privilege of revealing my lifestyle in this country without constant fear of violence, I thought.
Then, I remembered my friend who called me earlier in the week. He has been harassed numerous times this month by people negatively calling him out on his sexuality. I remembered Tyler Clementi who jumped off the Hudson Bridge, Asher Brown, the 13-year-old who shot himself, and countless others the media have not yet revealed. Were these youth driven to suicide because of the violence inflicted on them-the violence of bullying?
Ilana Angel posted a blog on JewishJournal.com, "Gay Teen Suicide: Rest in Peace Asher, Raymond, Tyler, Billy & Seth," where she cites the military, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as a part of the catalyst to teen, gay suicides. Is she correct? How does the military's turning away of gay and lesbian applicants register in the minds of those discarded? What does it say about our military and it's "mission to spread democracy" to all?
And what about the government itself, see-sawing between repealing the policy and staying it? Will we continue to label the Ugandan homophobia as "ominous" while allowing the structural violence against homosexuals within our own country?
What are some movements, actions, words, or thoughts permeating our own society that condone violence against homesexuals, directly and indirectly? My mom used to reference a Bible verse from Matthew and tell me not to point out the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye before taking the plank out of my own. Is killing someone's quality of life the same as taking away their quantity of life?
Also, see today's story on Democracy Now linking Uganda's anti-gay sentiments with right-wing U.S. evangelicals. With the rise of the Tea Party movement, what can be said of the future of the United States, specifically for homesexuals?
i love the way u word thing and get a stron point across! love ya hunnie <3 kyle
ReplyDeleteI cannot understand why some people tries to remove only for the differences and why they cannot accept "Individual."
ReplyDeleteIn my country, The Tea Party Movement is broadcated and the books are recently published. I also pay attention to this movement. Masses of people are taking part in that, but most people are superficial. They fear that Mr.Obama change the system of the United States because he focus on the poor or the socially disadvanteged, different from Mr. Bush that focus on the rich. One of the reason that the discrimination like anti-gay movement or for homosexual happens from their narrow outlooks that they believe only one idea in their world. I think They need to see a whole world.
by keisuke
Thank you, Kyle! The love is reciprocal. I trust you are well :-)
ReplyDeleteKeisuke! It's been a while and I'm happy to feel your presence through your words. There are people in our society who's outlook is that of a poor lens. A proper prescription is advised for us all so we can see clearly and with focus.
Correction: It was the George Washington Bridge Clementi jumped off, not the Hudson Bridge.
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