Talking Points #3: Gayness and Community

For one, the general public often forgets the issue of sexual orientation when presented with thoughts of embracing diversity. While those who fill in the categories of SCWAAMP often degrade others of different color and ethnicity, no one takes more of a verbal beating with harassment than the gay community. Sadly enough, a person's public status can entirely be 'destroyed' by others regardless of the fact that they are white, middle class, catholic and able-bodied. The second an onlooker hears that they are of a different sexual orientation, the dirty looks and slurred remarks begin. This is downright sad.



#1: "Thus the words "homosexual", "gay", "lesbien" and "queer" have histories we have to consider when we invoke them." (Carlson, 235) In a culture based off of diversity and independence, we as Americans continue to go about our everyday lives using slang words like such in describing someone who either annoys us, humiliates us, or outsmarts us. Rarely do we realize what kind of negative tribute we are paying to the Gay culture. In elementary schools and middle schools, the words are highly overused to make fun of weak or silent children who "are not of the norm". No wonder our culture continues to reak of unending stereotypes. The words are used incorrectly far too often, and this is primarily one of the many reasons we find these words hard to forget (or use properly).



#2: "Some young people, particularly in big cities, are beginning to bring their "out" identities to high school, affirming who they are and asserting their rights." (246)

-This, in my opinion, is an extremely turbulent topic to discuss. Should groups be formed in stages as early as high school? While the general answer is 'yes', that the groups allow students to embrace rather than fight themselves, the issue rather involves a greater concern on outside parties (the rest of the student body for example). While mockery and name-calling can only go so far, will organizations like such lead to heavier bullying and/or harassement for closet homosexuals who wish to hide their identity. Say for example, a 'popular jerk' sees who attends these meetings. Will this give him/her a map to who the school's actual homosexuals are? While school can help a student embrace themselves from 8am-3pm, the actual events of what happens outside of school hours are what truly determine a student's future. Is this willing to be risked?



#3: "Some gay males in urban areas feel as though getting AIDS is just inevitable, and is just a part of being gay" (253)
-This is extremely sad. The stereotype displayed in popular culture that all gays will receive AIDs because of their sexual orientation is horrendous. It is inhumane and so wrong for someone who is gay to sit there and think, "because of my orientation I'm going to automatically extract a deadly disease and die young; oh well :( "Therein lies the problem with pop culture in solving our country's issues with being different. With being an African American you are prone to being forced into hard labor and little pay? With being gay you will indefinately receive AIDS? This is not only terrible, but also a true knock in the face to the word stereotype. Films such as "Philadephia" may hold great story lines and phoenominal actors, however conveys the wrong message entirely. I would love to hear other's thoughts on prime examples of what has made this a recurring stereotype with homosexuality.