WMST/CMST 419

For non LGBTQ members of this class, I just wanted to share this video with you. This is an an interview with Dan Savage, whom is  both a famous sex columnist and a gay man. He talks about the worst advice he has ever given and the repercussions of that advice. In this instance he advised a 15 yr old boy to come out. He mentions a few details as why some people feel they should come out and some things that often tend to happen whether  person comes out or not.

A lot of people, who aren’t LGBTQ take the stance that person has the choice to come out and that they don’t have to. That is both true and wrong. its true because we all have that choice. However, from my own experience, I felt like i was living a lie and I really was. I felt like I needed to reveal that part of me. Coming out is only an issue because people make it an issue. If our society did not put so much emphasis on gender roles and homophobic ideals, nobody would have to come out as anything, because it would not be an issue that anybody had to really acknowledge. With the exception of transgender and third gender people whom should be supported. As again their gender is not a choice, with the exception with the gender they feel most comfortable with identifying themselves with and choose to display themselves as. In which case, they deserve our compassion and understanding. If all the students in our country, whom take classes like ours, took what they learned and adapted to their lives, I really believe our society could change for the better in so many ways. This isn’t a drastic change, simply showing respect and acceptance (not the same as tolerance), really isn’t that difficult. To put it in perspective, again for non LGBTQ people or allies, you don’t know if a neighbor, a friend, a sibling, one of your parents, cousins, your even one of your (future), children may be LGBTQ, your possible intolerant or homophobic/transphobic, views and ideals may seriously hurt someone you care about, whether you know it or not. A good general rule of thumb is to have respect for all people.

“Coming Out” “The worst advice Dan Savage ever gave”

The Brown Family from TLC's "Sister Wives"

The reading for this week, Only You. And You. And You., and the TLC show “Sister Wives” made me think that polygamy might not be so bad. It has a long historical tradition in societies across the globe, but it is largely frowned upon in the West, and especially in the United States today.

As many social conservatives like to point out, legalizing gay marriage may lead to a wider acceptance of polygamous relationships and then down the slippery slope to bestiality or other “unnatural” behaviors.

The difference of course between bestiality and polygamy or gay marriage or straight marriage is that it involves consenting adults who are cognizant of their actions.

Polygamy comes in several varieties – one man taking multiple wives (polygyny), one woman taking multiple husbands (polyandry), or multiple husbands and wives (group marriage). Relationships that don’t formally enter a marriage arrangement are considered polyamory.

While I do not want to be a polygamist, I don’t see the reason for preventing other people from doing so.

What does everyone think?

So a friend of mine shared this video with me. Though this video doesn’t address all the stereotypes, it does forcefully address many of them. This video is a preview to a upcoming Documentary call “What homosexuality is not.” I am really excited for this film to come out. A lot of activists, speakers, and educational materials are passive about speaking out. This video is aggressive and in your face about the message without being disrespectful. I believe that this documentary will be great for the LGBT community. While trying to educate heterosexuals whom are not allies, about heterosexuality, the people responsible for this video are not going out of their way to justify who they are or their sexual orientation to anyone, which I believe is how it should be.

What Homosexuality is not

http://www.economist.com/node/18986073

This article states that patriarchal societies in which women are more likely to work in the home may be the result of their ancient ancestors adopting the use of the plough in early farming techniques.  In compares those societies to others that did not adopt the plough, but stuck with a hoe.  Thought I would share.