Oh Yeah, I Wanted To Rant As Well
Shit, I totally forgot... I opened up Blogger this morning, 'cuz I wanted to let go of a rant of somthing that disturbs me a bit. This weekend marks the opening of the OutGames... to me, this raises the question of the desire for equality and tolerance.
"If you want to be considered and equal and be tolerated, why do you segregate yourselves and put yourself on a pedestal to be taunted as a whole?"
This isn't just the homosexual right, it's women's rights, it's ethnic rights and relgious rights... I mean, is it really that hard to blend in with the world. Living in Canada, I see all sorts of different groups of people, which yes, can be defined by their race, gender or sexual preference, and we all walk the streets the same, which is great.
It's the radical movements, like the OutGames, that ask for loads more than equality and tolerance. Sure, everyone in the games is equally not "straight" and they can all tolerate each other, but at the same token, is it not wrong if there was the StraightGames?
If someone was brave enough, they should go up to the OutGames and protest that they can't be involved because they're straight. It's like when girls tried to join the Boy Scouts... it's ridiculous, but at the same token, the right argument nowadays.
I don't have a problem with these games as a whole... I agree with the argument that there are some athletes that have a hard time competing or finding competition or coaching, because they are gay or bi or transgendered. Fine... good argument. There is intolerance in this world between straights and not-so-much's... that's a given.
But to bring everyone to the OutGames doesn't make things any better for the world. If anything, you're lining yourself up with the people who are intolerant by saying... yes, I participated in the OutGames, now you have even more reason to hate me... 'cuz I'm out there and you don't like gay people. There will be a backlash to these athletes from the intolerant culture.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he couldn't make it to the opening of the games. "He couldn't be everywhere at once," was the official announcement. Now, k.d. lang, a well-respected out singer is appalled by this. This also irritates me, 'cuz I think someone has to wear the stupid helmet for this one... and here's why:
- The OutGames are new and not recognized by a sanctioned body of international sports... so, who really cares who wins or loses? I don't think the Guinness Book of World Records will be there... or maybe they will. I don't know, I haven't heard.
- On Stephen Harper's platform of coming into power in Canada... trying to eliminate the gay marriage act. He's a Conservative Party member... they don't like gays. Putting a person, who wants to elminate your rights, in an arena of said people (probably upwards of 5 to 10 thousand), probably wouldn't change his mind, rather creep him the hell out and make him fight for their way harder.
D'uh...
But please, don't get me wrong. I'm a very socially free kinda guy... do whatever ya like with your life, you should be free to do so. All I'm saying is that if you want to be equal... just blend in. You shouldn't have to cry for being equal all the time... throwing whatever makes you "unique" or "different" in someone's face isn't going to make them like you.
This goes for everyone too... don't throw your culture at me, what am I gonna do with it?
posted by opiatedsherpa @ 10:50 a.m.
3 Comments:
I was wondering the same thing this morning-in our "quest" (not mine) to give everyone and their dog their own "space" to be themselves, aren't we creating more problems? I've never known any type of segregation to be useful or generally welcome. If the Olympic committee said there MUST be seperate games for gays, women, etc, there would be a HUGE uproar. So why is it so empowering this way?
Now, I don't care, and I think it would be interesting to see the results, but it seems like a step in the wrong direction.
And Harper is an asshat, who cares what he does.
If you bothered to investigate, you would learn that the Outgames are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Approximately 10% of the participating athletes are heterosexual. So there is in fact nothing segregated about these games.
The reality for gay athletes who find themselves competing at the elite level, is that they almost always have to conceal their sexual orientation because of threats to their safety, not to mention the financial consequences. Can you imagine if an athlete in the NHL, NBA, NFL or MLB came out? It would likely be akin to what Jackie Robininson had to endure - taunts and death threats.
I cannot think of a single male pro athlete who has come out while still active in their sport. The only ones that I am aware of came out after retirement.
That alone is testament to the fact that society still has a long way to go in terms of accepting this segment of humanity.
Dude it's not about having more rights than anyone else. It's about being treated with the dignity and respect that all people deserve.
Sincerely,
Straight Female in Montreal
"If we let gays get married, the next thing you know people will be marrying animals..."
Just kidding... Thats is the view of my 80 year old grandfather and I think it's great that he would disown me if I were gay.
But I agree with your point about the OutGames. Maybe we could take the winners of the OutGames and put them up against the Olympic champs and see if the queers can hold their own... I know where I'll bet my money.
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