Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

"I've often thought what a pleasant place the world would be if there were no great enthusiasts. How nice to have lived in the eighteenth century where, in a certain society at least, one could consider almost any problem without having continually to make reference to a doctrine. But there's nothing to be done about it. Free inquiry is unfashionable. Faith is in the order of the day: Freud, Marx, Stalin, Jesus... every man can now wear a complete suit of doctrinaire armor..." Getting rather drunk, he continued to denounce the new dark age until he had said all that he felt, pronounced very clearly his hatred of systems and programs, of all selfless leaders, and, far worse, of those vacuous professional followers who scurry like terrified sheep from pillar to post, from Communism to Catholicism, moaning softly, ecstatically, like rutting sheep in the spring, kept always in line by a sharp-toothed dog whose brutal presence is more than compensated for by the divine, aloof yet watchful presence of some good shepherd with his crook. -- Gore Vidal, The Judgment of Paris 1952

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did." -- Jack Handy

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

You see there is a major difference--and it remains a vital difference --between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide... it's not just enough anymore just to have friends represent us, no matter how good that friend may be... A gay official is needed not just for our protection, but to set an example for younger gays that says that the system works. -- Harvey Milk

Merci, Non

Surfing the web today I learned that it is once again OK to consume French products. Bill O'Reillly has lifted his ban on France following the election of the far right of center Sarkozy to the Presidency.

Watch him blow is own horn.

Heterosexism

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when adults are afraid of the light. -- Plato

Heterosexism is the oppression of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons by believing in the superiority of heterosexuality. This belief creates a situation where everyone, not just the homosexual, is harmed. The basic fact is that heterosexism hurts everyone.

The heterosexual who supports heterosexist ideas, is hurt in several ways. First, many people eliminate someone from their life because they feel that their homosexuality, bisexuality, or transgenderism will reflect upon them. Others just dislike people because of their sexual orientation, and deny themselves the opportunity to know many people around them.

Even though everyone is affected by heterosexism, the hardest hit groups are gays, lesibans, bisexuals and transgendered persons. Discrimination because of their sexual identity can destroy the morality and emotions of someone who is not heterosexual. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons, often face discrimination in employment, as well as everyday living.

When someone is discriminated against, their self esteem is often hurt or in extreme cases, even destroyed. For people growing up in a heterosexist environment, it can lead to a great deal of self-hatred and in some cases suicide.

Heterosexism is a serious problem that plagues us all. But there are things that can be done. Acceptance is only the beginning. It must be followed with education and familiarization. Homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism is all around, but so is heterosexism. Take the time to educate yourself and others; a world with less ignorance is a world worth living in. Remember, if you can, love someone who is gay, bisexual or transgendered because a comforting word could save a life.

_____________________

I wrote that over 13 years ago while a freshman at CSU. If I remember right, it was for a brochure I was putting together on Heterosexism and the Queer community. I came across it today, and wanted to share.

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

You see there is a major difference--and it remains a vital difference--between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide... it's not just enough anymore just to have friends represent us, no matter how good that friend may be... A gay official is needed not just for our protection, but to set an example for younger gays that says that the system works. -- Harvey Milk

Is it just me or....

OK so, am I the only one who has seen Wag the Dog?