Before I get on to the topic at hand, I'd like to say congratulations to Dan Howell for coming out as gay earlier this month. I have been following Dan and Phil since I was 12, and so many people around the world look up to them, so I can imagine how hard it must be for Dan to speak openly about such a personal struggle, and I admire his courage.
**Edit: Phil just came out too 💛**
Really??
Straight people aren't killed, or discriminated against. We see your pride on the daily, as you run around in trackies shouting 'faggot' at anyone who acts slightly differently from your distorted view of 'normal behaviour'. I am sick of cis, white men wanting equality in the form of straight pride, when they don't even support gay pride - do you know what equality means? Ah, yes, everyone
These days it's becoming all about sparkles and strippers and colour - I feel like the younger generations are forgetting what the true meaning of pride is. Not to get all sentimental or anything, but...
So many have fought (and died) for the rights of gay people all around the world, and pride should be about honouring those who have helped the LGBT community thrive, such as Linda Bellos and Alan Turing. Nowadays, people are more concerned about making out in skimpy outfits, which I personally find quite disrespectful.
On the contrary, though, this level of sexual freedom has never been available, so I understand people wanting to show the world that they are free do what they want with their bodies.
Being out and proud is becoming more common, as gay people fear persecution less. But don't let this get to your heads - don't be frivolous, and above all, be safe.
**Edit: Phil just came out too 💛**
❤️
Let's get one thing straight: I'm not.
But is pride month really necessary? Here are a few things that I find annoying about the idea:
1. Community
The aim of pride parades, and the LGBT community, is to smash the heteronormative nature of the society in which we live, and to normalise homosexuality so that it is no longer seen as a mental health problem or a disability, as it is in some countries.
Gay people don't want to be seen as 'different' - however, by creating a whole other community, the LGBT community, they are simply separating themselves from the rest of society, in a way to try and be accepted within that very same society.
Counterproductive, right?
This is why I think that people shouldn't simply label themselves as LGBT - there's no need! If you're gay, you're gay, but you don't need to go and create a whole other community for it. I understand that you want to be surrounded by a like-minded and supportive group of people, but in reality you are distancing yourself from everyone else.
I understand that the LGBT society is a safe-space, and throughout most of history there has been limited safety and support for those who are queer. But I feel like the labelling has gone too far - how do you expect to fit in with society when you are pulling yourself away from it?
In my opinion, this is hindering acceptance - embrace who you are, and move on.
Gay people don't want to be seen as 'different' - however, by creating a whole other community, the LGBT community, they are simply separating themselves from the rest of society, in a way to try and be accepted within that very same society.
Counterproductive, right?
This is why I think that people shouldn't simply label themselves as LGBT - there's no need! If you're gay, you're gay, but you don't need to go and create a whole other community for it. I understand that you want to be surrounded by a like-minded and supportive group of people, but in reality you are distancing yourself from everyone else.
I understand that the LGBT society is a safe-space, and throughout most of history there has been limited safety and support for those who are queer. But I feel like the labelling has gone too far - how do you expect to fit in with society when you are pulling yourself away from it?
In my opinion, this is hindering acceptance - embrace who you are, and move on.
2. Straight pride
There has been a recent uprising in favour of 'straight pride'.Really??
Straight people aren't killed, or discriminated against. We see your pride on the daily, as you run around in trackies shouting 'faggot' at anyone who acts slightly differently from your distorted view of 'normal behaviour'. I am sick of cis, white men wanting equality in the form of straight pride, when they don't even support gay pride - do you know what equality means? Ah, yes, everyone
Thank you for coming to my equal rights TED Talk!
3. Parental Guidance: Explicit Content
Pride should be a respectful safe haven for gay people, including young people. But I feel like the idea of half-naked women and men twerking on top of vehicles is definitely not what pride is about.These days it's becoming all about sparkles and strippers and colour - I feel like the younger generations are forgetting what the true meaning of pride is. Not to get all sentimental or anything, but...
So many have fought (and died) for the rights of gay people all around the world, and pride should be about honouring those who have helped the LGBT community thrive, such as Linda Bellos and Alan Turing. Nowadays, people are more concerned about making out in skimpy outfits, which I personally find quite disrespectful.
On the contrary, though, this level of sexual freedom has never been available, so I understand people wanting to show the world that they are free do what they want with their bodies.
Being out and proud is becoming more common, as gay people fear persecution less. But don't let this get to your heads - don't be frivolous, and above all, be safe.
4. Unnecessary labelling/genders and sexualities
It's getting ridiculous - there are 3 types of agender! What even is agender???
You don't need to label every little nuance in sexuality - if a woman is attracted to specifically Asian women who look like men, she is a lesbian - not polyhomoamoroussexual. Lesbian.
Lesbian.
And don't try to tell me that these 'genders' have existed all throughout history - Cleopatra wasn't 'transgender (alternative version)', she was just a woman who dressed as a man.
Really, it's that simple.
I understand that some may find it comfortable to label themselves, but personally I think it's limiting: a definition excludes the possibility for change. Change is necessary for growth - how will we ever develop as people if we stick a label on ourselves saying 'gender fluid: androgyne and female'?
Also, 'femme' and 'butch' aren't genders. They are adjectives.
In her latest book, Connie seemed to be using the sexualities of the main characters as a 'USP':
A whole month dedicated to pride is, in my opinion, useless - people should be proud of who they are all the time, and everyone should be accepting of others all the time.
~~~
But, maybe I'm being too serious - is pride meant to be about honouring LGBT activists and being proud of who you are, or is it just meant to be one big, gay party?
Whether you identify as straight, bi, gay or all three, I would love to know what you think pride is about.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
- R
You don't need to label every little nuance in sexuality - if a woman is attracted to specifically Asian women who look like men, she is a lesbian - not polyhomoamoroussexual. Lesbian.
Lesbian.
And don't try to tell me that these 'genders' have existed all throughout history - Cleopatra wasn't 'transgender (alternative version)', she was just a woman who dressed as a man.
Really, it's that simple.
I understand that some may find it comfortable to label themselves, but personally I think it's limiting: a definition excludes the possibility for change. Change is necessary for growth - how will we ever develop as people if we stick a label on ourselves saying 'gender fluid: androgyne and female'?
Also, 'femme' and 'butch' aren't genders. They are adjectives.
5. Commerciality
Nowadays, gays can sell.
And, no, I don't mean prostitution - I mean films, literature, music, even people.
I feel like, in recent years, now that homosexuality is becoming more widely accepted, people have started to commercialise it.
Exhibit A: Noodlerella.
 |
| Connie Glynna aka Noodlerella |
In her latest book, Connie seemed to be using the sexualities of the main characters as a 'USP':
It's basically boarding school mysteries, royal intrigue, a bisexual main character, and her lesbian princess best friend.I think this is unnecessary - what does it matter what the characters' sexualities are? You wouldn't say 'a heterosexual main character'. She should be promoting the book for the storyline; people shouldn't want to buy her book just because of the (unrealistically) diverse nature of the characters!
Furthermore, there has been a spike in the interest of books and films with gay story lines - Call Me By Your Name (Andre Aciman), Killing Eve, Carry On (Rainbow Rowell), Autoboyography (Christina Lauren), the list goes on.
In some ways, this is great - many people are no longer scared of The Gays™, or afraid of the taboo associated with homosexuality. But, there comes a point where people like Noodlerella are using the gay card to publicise their books, which is not okay. Gay people should not be treated as 'token characters'; their sexuality should provoke indifference, like a heterosexual character.
Exhibit B: The token 'gay friend'
How many novels have I read where the lead is a cis white male, with a cis white gay sidekick? Seriously, it's getting boring. Switch it up!
6. Why stop at Pride Month?
Why have a month of acceptance, when instead, you could just not make such a big deal out of sexuality and have it be accepted all year round?A whole month dedicated to pride is, in my opinion, useless - people should be proud of who they are all the time, and everyone should be accepting of others all the time.
~~~
But, maybe I'm being too serious - is pride meant to be about honouring LGBT activists and being proud of who you are, or is it just meant to be one big, gay party?
Whether you identify as straight, bi, gay or all three, I would love to know what you think pride is about.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
- R
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