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Gay stereotypes

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Newsflash to the right: If you want to attract more women to the Republican Party, please offer female representation that is neither intellectually, emotionally or psychologically impaired. If Sarah Palin, Carrie Prejean and Michelle Bachmann reflect the Republican idea of empowered women, then the ranks of independent voters should continue to swell. How can Republican leaders deny that the conservative social platform is inhibiting the growth of the party?  They seem unconcerned about attracting younger voters.  If the U.S. was a parliamentary government, I think the religious conservatives and evangelicals would have their own political party by now.

 

As I watched Carrie blather to the morning news anchor, headlines about Chastity Bono scrolled across the bottom of the screen. Good morning America! Ms. California feels persecuted, because her stance on gay marriage has elevated her career light years beyond where she would normally be as the runner up and Cher’s daughter is going to become her son. Whereas I support Chastity’s decision to live her life as he chooses, I don’t understand why any of this is national news. Aren't there other issues that are more relevant and pressing?  Is this really national news?  Honestly, it was more than I could bear before 8 a.m.

 

Why is the gay lifestyle so fascinating or repulsive to people who are not gay? I don’t care about other people’s relationships. If people are engaged in activities that are mutually agreed upon, and doing no harm to others, then there is no reason for me to care about what they are doing. For those who are trying to fight a battle for God on this plane, I suggest getting on with your life and allowing God to sort it out.

 

 

There are so many stereotypes, and myths, about homosexuality. These generalizations are perpetuated by the media, homophobes and the gay community themselves. The tendency to mentally categorize and compartmentalize is a normal human behavior. It allows people to simplify, predict and organize the world without giving anything much thought. 

 

Are there effeminate gay men? Yes. However, there are many gay men who are not the slightest bit effeminate. There are gay men who: have no interest in fashion, have no eye for design, have bad haircuts, can’t dance, don’t like women, will never contract AIDS, have no effeminate traits, have no lisp, are not promiscuous, like sports and can fix your car. Are there butch lesbians? Yes. However, there are many women who are not the slightest bit masculine. There are lesbians who: don’t have a mullet, don’t own a motorcycle, don’t hate men, don’t arrive at dates with a U-Haul, don’t wear comfortable shoes, don’t have a cat or dog, don’t like Melissa, Ani, the Indigo Girl or KD Lang, can’t play pool, weren’t abused as children, have NO mechanical skills, eat meat, wear make-up, wear bras, shave their legs, can dance, and have never seen the L Word. Ok, that last item may be stretching things, but my point is the gay community is a large, diverse group.

 

 

The problem is that stereotypes are distorted perceptions: inaccurate maps of the socio-cultural landscape.  Just as an incorrect map would lead a traveler astray, so do false impressions about people and groups. The gay community has turned many of the negative stereotypes into jokes, using them to mock ourselves or others within the community. Despite the seemingly harmless nature of these jokes, stereotypes can sink into people's perception of themselves and do real harm.  When stereotypes permeate the psyche of a group, and they come to define themselves by that stereotype, the entire group is harmed.

 

An example of the dangers of negative stereotyping in the U.S. is the murder of Matthew Sheppard and Brandon Teena. Both were victims of the stereotypes regarding the gay community. These individuals were victims of fear and bigotry from others who did not want them in their communities.  What is worse, religion was used to sustain the moral values of the communities in which these crimes took place.  While religion is a powerful unifying and spiritual force, it can be used as a weapon, generating or justifying fear and hatred. It was utilized to assuage guilty consciences in the communities where these crimes took place.

 

We can blame our parents.  We can blame the media. We can blame society. We can only control ourselves.  I am not advocating political correctness.  Stereotyping in life, and entertainment, is unavoidable. Exaggerated portrayals are easier to understand. Stereotypes make great stock characters, such as the Jewish mother stereotype used widely in comedies such as The Nanny, Will & Grace, South Park and, to a lesser extent, Seinfeld.  The question we need to ask ourselves, individually and collectively, as we exploit stereotyping in the name of humor, is whether the negative consequences of stereotypes is disproportionately greater than the laughs generated.

 

The best antidote to stereotypes is knowledge and awareness.  It is important to consider your words, learn from the experiences of others, avoid saying things that alienate people and find ways to elevate and emphasize the common humanity.  We can change ourselves. In doing so, we change society. It is important to realize that the diversity that surrounds us is a good thing. We gain perspective by interacting with individuals who different than ourselves. Isn't that healthier than living in a cultural bubble?