Subject: Re: kerrection
From: jason varsoke (jjv@caesun.msd.ray.com)
Date: Thu Apr 06 2000 - 09:08:26 EDT
On Wed, 5 Apr 2000, Scottie Bowman wrote:
> '... Give the damn pubescent homophobe a break ...'
>
> Over a number of years I seem to have been instrumental
> in helping quite a few homosexual men work their way
> through some travail to an easier acceptance of their own
> sexuality. Apparently as a result of these efforts, I was asked
> by the local support group to become their consultant
> shrink: someone to whom others with similar problems
> could be confidently referred.
>
> Because of my honorary membership of this group I've
> acquired many of their usages & attitudes: their practice,
> for example, of happily referring to each other as 'queers'
> or 'bent' & - above all - their derisive dismissal of the primping,
> po-faced, prune-mouthed, nervously correct Nellies who
> evidently regard homosexuality as such a horrific phenomenon
> that no jokes invoking it must ever be made.
Dike friends, fag friends, weekends in Provincetown, Cape Cod, and a
good wholesome liberal arts education are only a few of the reasons I tote
a membership card. And, within the community I'd agree with you. There
is a lot of reclaimation that goes on -- lot of jokes, jibes and name
calling. But the thing I don't agree with is the whole Gaydar
(Gay-Raydar) fad. I don't believe you're helping anyone feel more
comfortable with their latent homosexuality by pointing to them in a crowd
and saying, "fag." Even if you have the best intentions. And I think the
whole business about suggesting men who engage in high macho activities
are really covering up the fact that they are gay is dispicable. It has
the same validity as saying a lesbian just hasn't 'known' the right man
yet.
Bullfighting is not evidence of Hemingway's repressed homosexuality.
Gertrude Stein didn't secretly long to get down Hemingway's pants.
Your original comment sounded more invective than like self-referential
humor. And since you often tread that line, leaning to either side, just
thought I'd ping you on it.
-j
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