With all of the recent discussion about Ann Coulter and her now well known comment about John Edwards, I felt compelled to write this diary. I have seen and heard enough people try to justify her comment by saying we should just lighten up, it was after all, only a joke. It seems to me that when we openly accept the use of a word such as the one she used, then we are putting ourselves in danger of blanket acceptance of it's use in society.
Once we find it acceptable to openly disgrace people by calling them an insulting word, how long will it be until it's acceptable to think of the person themselves as a disgrace. Then we will find more and more of society accepting that not only are gays a disgrace, they don't matter as people.
Sadly, I have experienced first hand someone who thinks this way. And he decided that a broken neck, and a crushed face was the price someone should pay if they "decide" to be gay.
I strongly despise that some people refuse to accept the fact that people do not "decide" to be gay. It is not a choice that someone consciously makes. I don't know of one heterosexual who actually made the choice one day to be with the opposite sex. I know for myself, I just was attracted to men, there was no thinking about it, no choices made. Anyone who is capable of using logic must realize the same holds true for homosexuals. I guess it must be that whole using logic thing that messes some people up, they are obviously not capable of it.
Also, I am the only one who has noticed the double standard of the thinking that two women together are fine, but two men together is sinful and disgusting. Either you are against homosexuality, or you are not. We all know the obvious reason for this, even if most don't want to admit it. Men find men being together as despicable, but they think two women together is just one big turn on. I have a male friend who is adamantly against homosexuality, yet openly admits he'd love to sleep with, and watch two women have sex. Ummm, anyone else seeing the hypocrisy?
My friend is a caring, warm, quiet, loner, and he is a wonderful historian. In fact, at every local parade, he would dress up as Abe Lincoln, ad he bores a remarkable resemblance to him. He grew up in the same small town I did. (about 200 people) We always just accepted him as he was, and most people in the town enjoyed his brilliant mind. He could tell you who all your ancestors were, all the people that lived in your house before you, he had most of our county's entire history down to memory, every single family in it. He is so incredibly interesting to talk to. Well, I don't want to write a novel here, I just want to make it clear that he never once in the 40 years he lived in that town treated anyone with disrespect or rudeness. It was just the opposite actually. As much of a loner as he was, if he knew someone needed help, he was always one of the first people there offering his assistance.
Well, after both of his parents passed away in a span of two years, he had to sell the beloved home where he had grown up and lived in all his life, and move to a larger city. When this happened, I felt very uneasy about it, and commented to my mom that I was very concerned for his safety. He would not know to hide who he is in front of obviously bigoted people. He just wouldn't have thought of it. After all, he had been accepted and loved just the way he was his whole life, it would have never occurred to him that there are sick people out there who would harm him just for being gay. Nobody should have to hide who they are just to stay safe anyway. Damn it...I thought we lived in the greatest civilized and progressive nation in the world. I no longer believe that, and haven't for quite some time. OK, back to the point here.
Well, last Saturday night, my friend was sitting in his apartment, doors locked, enjoying a quiet night watching TV. All we know so far is that someone broke into his apartment and beat him almost to death. He had his neck broken, his eye sockets were crushed, broken nose, teeth and bones in his mouth smashed, cheek bones destroyed, and his skull smashed. The attacker left him for dead, but not before he left a note behind that said, "God despises the men who lie with other men". Oh, sure, and I'm just so positive God is cheering you on for this inhumane, brutal, and senseless attack.
Apparently, my friend was unconscious, and when he came to, he somehow had the ability to call 911, and then he collapsed again. He's been in ICU since, and it's touch and go. Thankfully, he's not paralyzed, and I'm glad of that, it will be quite helpful....should he survive. I have tears streaming down my face, my stomach feels sick, and I am so damn angry. Where do I go with this anger? If the Bible is going to turn some people into sick, twisted freaks who beat the shit out of an innocent person, then what the hell does that say about religion? Not to mention all the wars and crusades caused by religious beliefs. I know not every religious or spiritual person is bad, in fact, most aren't. But when this type of thing happens, it's up to the religious leaders all around this country to openly and strongly condemn it. Instead we have the likes of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell cheering it on in their own coded way.
I'm not sure how to end this, other than my friend could use all the get well vibes you have to send him. And if any of us know of people who think it's OK to commit hate crimes, maybe we could all do something to make them realize it is not OK to almost take a man's life because you think he is a f****t. Or because they are black, or Hispanic, or anything else that their small minds perceive as 'different'.
Thanks for taking the time to read it, I could use some cheering up from you wonderful people on Dkos. I think I'd be lost without this place.
Oh yeah, one more thing.....Ann Coulter, I hope you burn in hell. Think what you want Ann, but hateful rhetoric does indeed lead to hate crimes. So, hey...great joke, I hope you are really fucking proud of yourself.