Stupidity reigns supreme

It’d obviously been a long hard winter in more places than southern Ontario judging by some of the articles in various publications recently.  I say that because sundry politicians, would-be politicians and ordinary citizens seem to have taken leave of their senses and
aimed their paranoia at the LGBT communities.

Where to start?

I suppose overseas is as good a starting point as any.  Today I read an article in Pink News UK about a caller to a radio show somewhere in England.  This person is of the opinion that bisexual people are giving people HIV/AIDS with the aim (intended or not, he didn’t say) of destroying the white race.  Umm, I have several problems with this pronouncement.  First is the assumption that all bisexual people are positive.  Second is the supposition that only white people would be affected or would be involved with someone who is bi.  As any intelligent person knows, HIV/AIDS knows no racial boundaries; respects no variations of the gender rainbow.  It seems to be a case of someone adapting an unusual and unpopular stance strictly for the attention. He can’t really believe that crap he spouted, can he?

And now we call the bathroom police.  I think it is Texas that has passed, or is discussing, a bill that would make it illegal for a trans* person to use a washroom that differs from their genetic gender.  So even though all my documents show me as “female” I could be charged should I go to the ladies’ room. And apparently the building manager could be fined and jailed if they permit a trans* person to use the restroom agreeing with their presentation. Since the L and G part of the LGBT acronym appear to have won some major victories, it seems to have become open season on trans* and bisexual people.

Finally, California (where else?).  Some lawyer has filed papers and the $200 fee, and is now trying to get the 365,000 signatures needed to have added to the ballot a proposition that homosexuality be banned and punishable by death.  According to this lawyer, doing so would avert God’s wrath from the state of California. I think that last statement is very telling of this person’s views and a good indicator of from where this idea sprung.

As much as I try to stay positive, I must admit I despair of ever seeing a day when LGBT people are treated as people, rather than aberrations or freaks.  And the more I see of things like the three incidents I mentioned above I feel that day may never happen.  In today’s society, we have freedom of expression and can express ourselves in any manner we choose, within legal limits of course.  Only the small-mindedness of mainstream society prevents us from so doing.

Cat.

Is it relevant?

The cover of the current issue of Sports Illustrated apparently is a photo of three Boston police officers rushing to the aid of the runner who was knocked over by the shock wave of one of the explosions at the marathon.  Pink News.co.uk, a website that specializes in news of interest to the LGBT communities, today had an article on this photo.  Why?  Because one of those three officers is openly gay.  Can anyone explain to me what the officer’s sexual orientation has to do with this?  When I look at the photo, all I see is three of Boston’s finest rushing to the aid of a citizen who was injured, therefore that the officer is gay is irrelevant to the photo or story.

Why does the press feel it necessary to bring up a person’s sexual preference unnecessarily?  Doing so in the case of the Sports Illustrated cover did not advance the story in any meaningful way.  Three officers doing their duty is what is shown in the photo.  Nothing else need be said other than that they helped the runner to his feet, determined he wasn’t hurt and allowed him to finish the marathon.

There are also some instances where the sexuality of public figures is ignored by the press.  Is that what happened with the Pink News item?  It was “just a cop”, not anyone well-known, so it is okay to tell everyone he’s gay?  Kathleen Wynne, the Premier of Ontario is openly lesbian. That fact has no bearing on her duties, so it is ignored.  It also had no effect on the members of Liberal Party of Ontario, which chose her as their leader a couple of months ago.  They simply voted for the person they felt was best suited for the job.  Of course, considering the mess and scandals she inherited, they didn’t do her any favours.

Is there really any difference between the Boston police officer and Premier Wynne?  In both cases, the people involved are civil servants just doing their jobs.  Whether they are gay or lesbian is as relevant to news stories on them as would be what toppings they like on their pizzas.

Pray for the people of Boston.

Cat.