I was thinking that today I'd write
about the birds in my backyard (a thrilling entry, to be sure),
but I came across something this morning that disturbed me a
little bit. While I was browsing through Cast And Crew
to make any needed updates, I stopped at my description for one
of Luke's dog toys, Faggoty Parrot. Although I tried to
use the term "faggoty" in an endearing context, it
still made me pause. Is that name derogatory? I
didn't mean for it to be, but that's not the point. Is
it demeaning to use the term "faggoty?" And then
it hit me: Do I come across as anti-gay in this journal?
It's a good question.
Well, the
first thing I did was perform a search on all the pages in my
journal (yes, I have magic searching capabilities). I
found that besides writing about Faggoty Parrot in three of the
pages, I also used the terms "queer" and
"gay" in several entries. However, my use of
these words wasn't derogatory. I used "queer" in
the cliché "queer notion" and the three times I used
"gay," I didn't use it in an uncomplimentary way.
In one entry, I was making references to gay porn, in another
entry (actually in the Credits) I mentioned Richard
Simmons, and in
another I was talking about our fine country's citizens'
penchant for beating up gays.
On the
other hand, I did use "homo" on two occasions.
And I'm pretty sure that each time I used that word, it's wasn't
in a positive setting. I called Barney a homo for peering
out of the shower in Vegas and I also have a big ol' picture of
Erik Estrada saying "You're a homo." Yeah, I'd
say that isn't exactly nice. No Bueno.
However, I'd like to point out that I'm
not anti-gay
at all. Very much the opposite. I'm quite liberal (as all my friends will attest)
and I'm extremely tolerant. I consider myself pro-gay,
if there is such a term. I'm very much in favor of
same-sex weddings and the persecution that gays live with on a
daily basis is one of the larger injustices in this world.
So then why did I use "faggoty" and "homo"
in a disparaging manner? Well, it's all for comedy.
I know, I know. That's not an answer, but it's all I
have. I poke fun at anything, everything, and all
things. That's my nature. I also make fun of the
stupid, the obese, the unattractive, the sad, the
poorly-dressed, and even
the physically-challenged. But does the fact that I'm an
equal-opportunity rudeness-peddler excuse me from scrutiny?
Huh? Does it?
No, no it doesn't, you ignorant fat-assed ugly suicidal
bell-bottom-wearing cripple!
(Sorry.)
