Friday, February 18, 2005
It's like gay catnip.
I haven't talked about homosexuality in a while, so I thought I would bring it up. There seems to be a couple of big stories out there about the whole "gay" debate. I'll address each thing separately, to try my hardest to keep myself from rambling all over the place! : )
It isn't that drug use by homosexuals is shocking. They are, despite the theories of some, average American human beings... and like it or not, America is a drugged up country. Drug use is high, no pun intended. If you are into tracking such things, you will notice that the rise of meth is at epic proportions in many areas of the nation. So why wouldn't this abuse be evenly distributed among homosexual populations?
As a humorous aside, the thing that shocked me was that the homosexual community would be in for such a dirty drug. We are led to believe in certain stereotypes about homosexuals; in the 70's they were the free-love, disco, and cocaine crowd. In the 80's I think they were portrayed as much of the same, but with pills and different music. In the 90's, we start to get the message that homosexuals are immaculate in dress and culture, politically active, and that they are all whistle-clean from top to bottom (some even desiring to settle down and raise a family). The party image was wearing off.
A counter-stereotype being portrayed is the toothless, unbathed, NASCAR paraphenalia owning, white-trash crank-head. But, as I spoke about in a previous post, this image is not accurate. The rednecks of the world are not the only ones clamoring for an easy-to-make and cheap high. But for some reason, I can't reconcile this truth in my mind. It seems so dirty to huddle over a scorched wad of aluminum foil to inhale fertilizer, rat poison, and other grade A ingredients. At least cocaine has a false air of decedent sophistication to it. It is easier to think of meth users in terms of trailer parks, weekly rental hotels, and decomissioned school buses (places where you wouldn't expect to find a homosexual... by stereotype anyway).
All musing aside, another interesting fact is that the reason that this rise in gay meth use is being reported is because of the fear that high gay men will forget about the dangers of AIDS when they hook up. It seems as if only the gay brain is capable of being wiped clean via meth, and it seems as if once again, gay men are the cause and vector for AIDS.
I think this shows an ignorance on the media and in Americans in general. ANYONE under the influence of a recreational drug (from beer to heroin) is in danger of losing decision making abilities. Consequences are not the first thing on your mind when you are high. That being said, since when does being high have to do with making bad choices in the sack? I know any number of people that let sense go out the window when it comes to hooking up with someone of the opposite sex. Complacency to AIDS, and every other STD, is a real problem regardless of sexual orientation and inclination towards drug use. Trying to shame the gay public with this story may be just another tool used in the organized campaign against homosexuals. I don't mean this in the "vast right-wing conspiracy" way, but in the truthful and obvious wave in America that is fighting to inhibit homosexuality on the basis of morality and "family." Just something to think about.
#2 - Simpsons go gay
I knew that this coming weekend's Simpson's episode was on its way. It is the big "gay marriage" episode. And Conservatives are already gearing up to complain about it. It will be the focus of a story tonight on ABC's (or was it CBS...) nightly news show. The teaser commercial asked "is this funny, or is it a case of Hollywood just not getting it?" I'll answer. Its funny. Not only is it funny, IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE! The Simpsons has never been shy to be controversial. There have been numerous episodes that homosexuality was the core of the plot. Homer has even shared at least two on screen gay kisses. It is a comedy that attacks and embraces people from all groups, so of course they would eventually address gay marriage. Again.
And secondly, what is Hollywood "not getting?" Is "America" sick of Hollywood pushing its agenda on us? As we saw in the last election, apparently Hollywood doesn't have the influence that we like to think they have. Is it that we are sick of the perpetual presentation of homosexuality on TV, leading to increasing acceptance? I don''t know about you, but I see the opposite happening. I see it being very fashionable to stand against homosexuality. America is becoming very complex in its polarization. At once we have violence and sex being portrayed in increasing frequency and intensity, and yet we are backing up into the morals of our forefathers at the same time.
This could elicit a long, rambling commentary, so I will back off for now. But I just don't understand what the big deal is. I feel as if the teaser was saying "Why doesn't Hollywood quit trying to sell us homosexuality?" when homosexuality pre-dates the so-called permissive culture that we have today. Hollywood is more or less a whore for what the public wants. There are very few TRUE Hollywood producers and studios that want to offend people or buck the system. Don't confuse Hollywood with maverick auteurs and independent filmmakers. Hollywood's livelihood rests in reflecting the attitudes and values of their viewers, and catering to their every whim. If there was not a demand to see homosexuality portrayed in humorous or dramatic situations, then it would not be shown.
Just be careful not to fall for this sort of thing. Don't let the media (who used to be called the "liberal" news media) make something an issue just to fill time. If you weren't worked up before about gay marriage, or the Simpsons, then don't get worked up now. Nothing has changed.
And to sum things up, I'll quote Marge Simpson; "as long as two people love each other, who cares if they have the same hoo-hoo or haa-haa?" : )
Horns up.
#1 - Epidemic
I heard a report today that there is a new epidemic in the gay community. It isn't AIDS, that is already a problem. It isn't complacency to AIDS, that has also been a problem for too long. It isn't even the new strain of AIDS that is being discovered... that is disconcerting, but not yet epidemic. No, the new epidemic is crystal meth. I was shocked to learn this.It isn't that drug use by homosexuals is shocking. They are, despite the theories of some, average American human beings... and like it or not, America is a drugged up country. Drug use is high, no pun intended. If you are into tracking such things, you will notice that the rise of meth is at epic proportions in many areas of the nation. So why wouldn't this abuse be evenly distributed among homosexual populations?
As a humorous aside, the thing that shocked me was that the homosexual community would be in for such a dirty drug. We are led to believe in certain stereotypes about homosexuals; in the 70's they were the free-love, disco, and cocaine crowd. In the 80's I think they were portrayed as much of the same, but with pills and different music. In the 90's, we start to get the message that homosexuals are immaculate in dress and culture, politically active, and that they are all whistle-clean from top to bottom (some even desiring to settle down and raise a family). The party image was wearing off.
A counter-stereotype being portrayed is the toothless, unbathed, NASCAR paraphenalia owning, white-trash crank-head. But, as I spoke about in a previous post, this image is not accurate. The rednecks of the world are not the only ones clamoring for an easy-to-make and cheap high. But for some reason, I can't reconcile this truth in my mind. It seems so dirty to huddle over a scorched wad of aluminum foil to inhale fertilizer, rat poison, and other grade A ingredients. At least cocaine has a false air of decedent sophistication to it. It is easier to think of meth users in terms of trailer parks, weekly rental hotels, and decomissioned school buses (places where you wouldn't expect to find a homosexual... by stereotype anyway).
All musing aside, another interesting fact is that the reason that this rise in gay meth use is being reported is because of the fear that high gay men will forget about the dangers of AIDS when they hook up. It seems as if only the gay brain is capable of being wiped clean via meth, and it seems as if once again, gay men are the cause and vector for AIDS.
I think this shows an ignorance on the media and in Americans in general. ANYONE under the influence of a recreational drug (from beer to heroin) is in danger of losing decision making abilities. Consequences are not the first thing on your mind when you are high. That being said, since when does being high have to do with making bad choices in the sack? I know any number of people that let sense go out the window when it comes to hooking up with someone of the opposite sex. Complacency to AIDS, and every other STD, is a real problem regardless of sexual orientation and inclination towards drug use. Trying to shame the gay public with this story may be just another tool used in the organized campaign against homosexuals. I don't mean this in the "vast right-wing conspiracy" way, but in the truthful and obvious wave in America that is fighting to inhibit homosexuality on the basis of morality and "family." Just something to think about.
#2 - Simpsons go gay
I knew that this coming weekend's Simpson's episode was on its way. It is the big "gay marriage" episode. And Conservatives are already gearing up to complain about it. It will be the focus of a story tonight on ABC's (or was it CBS...) nightly news show. The teaser commercial asked "is this funny, or is it a case of Hollywood just not getting it?" I'll answer. Its funny. Not only is it funny, IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE! The Simpsons has never been shy to be controversial. There have been numerous episodes that homosexuality was the core of the plot. Homer has even shared at least two on screen gay kisses. It is a comedy that attacks and embraces people from all groups, so of course they would eventually address gay marriage. Again.
And secondly, what is Hollywood "not getting?" Is "America" sick of Hollywood pushing its agenda on us? As we saw in the last election, apparently Hollywood doesn't have the influence that we like to think they have. Is it that we are sick of the perpetual presentation of homosexuality on TV, leading to increasing acceptance? I don''t know about you, but I see the opposite happening. I see it being very fashionable to stand against homosexuality. America is becoming very complex in its polarization. At once we have violence and sex being portrayed in increasing frequency and intensity, and yet we are backing up into the morals of our forefathers at the same time.
This could elicit a long, rambling commentary, so I will back off for now. But I just don't understand what the big deal is. I feel as if the teaser was saying "Why doesn't Hollywood quit trying to sell us homosexuality?" when homosexuality pre-dates the so-called permissive culture that we have today. Hollywood is more or less a whore for what the public wants. There are very few TRUE Hollywood producers and studios that want to offend people or buck the system. Don't confuse Hollywood with maverick auteurs and independent filmmakers. Hollywood's livelihood rests in reflecting the attitudes and values of their viewers, and catering to their every whim. If there was not a demand to see homosexuality portrayed in humorous or dramatic situations, then it would not be shown.
Just be careful not to fall for this sort of thing. Don't let the media (who used to be called the "liberal" news media) make something an issue just to fill time. If you weren't worked up before about gay marriage, or the Simpsons, then don't get worked up now. Nothing has changed.
And to sum things up, I'll quote Marge Simpson; "as long as two people love each other, who cares if they have the same hoo-hoo or haa-haa?" : )
Horns up.
Comments:
Carl, The Most important thing was that the show wasn't funny. That was the most shocking thing about it.
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