Sorry for getting back on my gay high horse, but nothing makes me crazier than straight asshats who say that sexuality is a choice. Via Towleroad comes news that Iowa homophobe Bob Vander Plaats of The Family Leader is asking Republican presidential candidates to sign a pledge that, in part, declares that homosexuality is a choice, rather than a biological trait.
Seriously? Mr. Vander Plaats, when did you choose to be straight? Did some hot, muscular gay boy sidle up to you and ask you to "join up?" Just looking at you, I doubt it. (That was mean -- but honest). Did a smooth, tanned twink wrap his leg around yours and invite you to a gay orgy? Or maybe a drag queen fooled you into playing a game of "bend the balogna." Honestly, I doubt it.
In fact, I'm sure not a single one of those scenarios ever took place. Not only are you too creepy and dorky for any gay man to find you attractive, but you are straight. And you were born that way. Just as I was born gay. I had no "choice." Not once did I say to myself "Gee. I think I'll try being attracted to men." Sure, sexuality is fluid and plenty of folks experiment. And there's not a thing wrong with that, But I don't know a single straight man who experimented and chose gay over straight. Likewise, I don't know a single gay man who experimented with women and chose straight over gay. As I've asked many times, what sane person would deliberately choose to be a member of the single most hated minority on the planet? The argument from people like Vander Plaats is that gay people aren't sane. But since 1972, the American Psychiatric Association has said that homosexuality is NOT a mental disorder.
Until our supposedly secular society realizes that religion and reality have no business occupying the same place in society, the LGBTQ community will continue to struggle to prove our worth as productive, valued and worthy members of society in general,. Bob Dylan may have said that "the times, they are a'changing," -- and recent events in New York prove that -- but until we can silence the ignorant rantings of the so-called 'Religious Right,' none of us can be truly equal.
It's funny, but the older I get, the more passionate I become about this issue, despite the fact that the older I get, the less likely I am to find someone I want to marry. I suppose it just boils down to taking a stand for what I believe (and know in my heart) is right.
Another rant over. More, anon.
Prospero
I just read this and am encouraged:
ReplyDeleteIt appears the alien invasion on 'Falling Skies' won't be resolved quite yet. Noah Wyle and co. will live to fight extraterrestrials for at least one more season, TNT announced today. The network ordered a 10-episode Season 2 that will air in the summer of 2012.
"'Falling Skies' is a true standout series, from its ambitious storytelling, high-profile cast and production team to its phenomenal success when it comes to international and time-shifted viewing," Michael Wright, executive vice president in charge of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, said.
"We're reaching new audiences with 'Falling Skies' and look forward to seeing where this fascinating and exciting series takes us next," he continued.
The Steven Spielberg-produced show has become cable's no. 1 new series since its debut last month, drawing an average audience of more than 6.4 million per episode, taking all airings and DVR-ing into account. 'Falling Skies' is also a hit worldwide, and currently airs in the U.K., Spain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.
'Falling Skies' airs Sundays at 10PM on TNT.