Backlash

Hi jim - how are you? I am up late listening to talk radio and I am saddened at all that I am hearing. I'm sure it is backlash from the supreme court sodomy ruling and Canada's latest dose of enlightenment, but never in my life have I been so keenly aware of the backlash that follows progress. It seems that the real struggle is not gaining a victory, but maintaining it period. I heard bush quote the bible in reference to homosexuality and assure the American people that his lawyers are looking into ways to "codify" [big word for a small man] the sanctity of marriage. How can a leader of democracy be so ignorant? On how many different levels are his statements flawed? I don't know what to be more outraged about? Is it the fact that someone who does not want gay to have "special privileges" is advocating that the privilege of marriage be reserved for a special class of citizens [straight class], the fact that he is invoking the bible as his guide book to leadership, or the fact that he is undermining democracy by using white house lawyers as the judicial branch of government? If he really believes in the sanctity of marriage perhaps he should outlaw divorce and persecute all his good old frat buddies who commit adultery against their first, second, and third wives. I can't believe that I'm here in 2003 and that we still have to have this debate. I can't believe that people are that scared. Then there is corporate co-option. Some of the corporations that fund such intolerant politicians are also devising ways to market to the gay population. I saw an article about ad agencies who have created a new demographic: the "metrosexual" - these are supposedly straight, urban young men who have a feminine side - maybe they wear tight jeans or paint their nails, or braid their hair...but they are willing to pay for their vanity with a lot of disposable income. Again, where should I direct my outrage: is it that corporations are creating another way to label people as products, the reinforcement of a gay stereotype, or the fact that "gay behavior" is okay as long as it is truly straight people doing it? Or should I just be mad because people, gay and straight, are losing their humanity to their vanity? Meanwhile, CEO's that sit on boards with cheney and bush and have fancy dinners together are making a killing off that loss. I think about Stonewall, before and after, and then I think about the Pride Parade I went to. As a young, self identified straight man, I feel hesitant to critique the gay community. But I also can't help but feel that behind the many victories of the last 30 years, there have been terrible defeats. This year at the pride parade every other float was an advertisement. I love the glamour and the glitz, but the commercialism I could do without. I saw more floats and nightclubs and social service agencies who are still dealing with the death and horror of HIV than floats by politicized vibrant activists and resisters. It feels like somehow the courage, humanity and vibrance of the people like Harvey Milk have been betrayed or at best, watered down. I consider also the possibility that due to the victories there is less anger and angst and that what I would perceive as a lack of radicalism, is really just a more grounded and relaxed movement. I feel I am too much of an outsider to toll every backlash - the price of victory perhaps. Anyway I'd love your thoughts on all this. I hope you are well and that Lois is doing good too. Take care, chris.

Back to main IMAGES page

Next F