“Gay” is Not an Adjective
“Dude… that’s GAY.”
I refuse to be referred to as STUPID. As I reflect on my past experiences with slightly ignorant heterosexuals, the simple phrase of “that’s gay” has become prominent in the colloquial speech of young suburbanites. I’m well aware that many of my fellow North Americans are unaware of this derogatory slandering toward my fellow flamers. In fact, some are probably even fun-lovin’ liberals or gay mongering fag hags. Yet the words “that’s gay” has other social implications, negating the social strives that homosexuals have accomplished in order to attain respect and equality.
You might as well say, “Dude… that’s Black.” Although it may come across that various homosexuals are being “overly sensitive” to the sophomoric quip of “that’s gay,” attempt to step outside of yourself and replace the word “gay” with a word that is associated with your own personal identity. It may be “Latino,” “woman,” “Christian,” or even “white republican.” Regardless of what identity you choose to substitute, attempt to connote your identity to the meaning of “that’s fucking stupid.” Note: results may vary… say, if you’re an obese, one-legged mime, or the Fast and the Furious‘ blonde-hair, blue-eyed Paul Walker. You may or may not be slightly offended, depending on how cold and bitter your heart is. Nevertheless, at least you stepped outside of your own bubble in a fruitful attempt to understand the position of your fellow fruit friend.
My best friend, Suzie, confronted a fellow American in attempt to slap some sensitivity into the poor sucker. After the words “that’s gay” spewed from a juvenile salesperson’s mouth to his fellow co-worker in regards to something or other, Suzie immediately responded with, “What do you exactly mean by that?” He then had to explain that the word gay meant stupid, which my friend then spouted off with, “What if I were a lesbian? Then you would be equating me with everything that’s stupid in this world. I find that extremely offensive.” The salesboy reacted like a large phallic object had suddenly probed him. Granted that I was somewhat embarrassed by the situation, her brash way of approaching the that’s gay statement opened my eyes to the underlying social implications this phrase possessed. In other words, it has the potential to offend someone. The word “gay” shouldn’t be treated so flippantly, nor be used in jest.
Gays shouldn’t be the butt of jokes – no pun intended. Yet, mainstream media has the ability to present such matters as mockery. The other day I ventured on to apple.com/trailers to satiate my quest for ultimate brain stimulation in this mountain hideaway. What struck me as interesting were the various teeny-bopper previews, glittered with garish colors, flawless Aryans, and various gay jokes. Take the preview Eurotrip for example. Synopsis: Four friends are taking a backpacking trip around Europe (hence the title), encountering zany antics including incest, absinthe, and an overtly homosexual, Mediterranean predator who gets his kicks by groping young men in dark tunnels (he’s even fixed with a lacy garter belt). Or take the preview for Club Dread, where good-looking white people are in a tropical paradise, only to be knocked off one by one by a psycho killer. The preview shows a snippet of a closeted gay groping a fellow frat bro. The point being, what sorts of images are being presented to the masses? Sure, some of these jokes or images may be construed as merely “harmless,” such as the television show Will and Grace. In fact, I chortled a bit from the painfully bad preview of Club Dread and its comment on closeted manly men itching to find some cock-to-cock action. Nevertheless, many of the negative portrayal of homosexuals in mainstream media, as well as the “that’s gay” crack, have an impact on forming opinions and perpetuating stereotypes.
I’m not suggesting for liberal minded folk to rise up in arms and reap havoc in response to movies like these from being screened. If anything, I’m asking for those prudish North Americans to sexually liberate themselves from this ridiculous standard of male masculinity. It seems as if the “that’s gay” comment or movies such as Eurotrip and Club Dread may be an indirect backlash in order to defend the essence of “male sexuality” amidst the progressing women and gay rights movement, the bourgeoning style of metrosexuals (males who actually care about their appearance but are straight [note: the TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), and the declining image of the All-American, rugged Marlboro man. Or, maybe it’s defending the puritanical upbringing many Americans have felt accustomed to, causing many men and women to repress their curiosity of nob-to-nob/cooch-to-cooch action. Well, WAKE UP EVERYONE… gay experiences don’t necessarily make you gay.
Moreover, I’m not condoning the practice of sexual promiscuity. If there is any “real” point to this article, it’s the importance of sensitivity and respect to every categorical grouping, albeit race, sexuality, and so forth. Yet, some may respond with, “Well, does that mean I have to walk on egg shells with everything I say?” The answer is “no.” Just don’t be stupid.
“That’s gay” or any gay jokes have the potential to be funny. But why? Could it be that it’s hilarious to believe that two members of the same sex happen to be attracted to each other yet cannot act on those “taboo” desires in fear of facing oppression or encountering incidents like Matthew Shepard? I think not. In other words, there isn’t a reason for it to be funny. And that, my friends, is fucking stupid.
