Saturday, February 2, 2008

WE SHOULD THANK THE REACTIONARIES

"Students say that instead of addressing the harassment itself, Principal David Davis personally targeted and questioned students showing pro-gay sentiment, claiming they were part of a 'secret organization.' Davis is said to have actively suppressed speech, such as rainbow-themed insignias and pro-gay statements on clothing, on the grounds that such expressions were disruptive. Part of Davis' course of action was a five-day suspension of Gillman and her unnamed classmate, which was upheld by the school board. Davis was said to have personally admonished Gillman's unnamed classmate, in particular, for her homosexuality, and called homosexuality 'against the Bible' in front of at least one other student." [For the full article, see here.]

The ACLU has taken this case!

"The ACLU sent a letter in November to the school board's attorney on behalf of Gillman, asking for clarification as to whether a variety of symbols and slogans, such as the rainbow flag or 'I support my gay friends,' would be allowed at the school. The school district replied that it would not allow any expressions of support for gay rights at all because such speech would 'likely be disruptive.' The district then went even further, claiming that such symbols and slogans were signs that students were part of a 'secret/illegal organization.'" [For the full article, see here.]

The reactionary forces that censor and intimidate young Gay people, and all Gay people for that matter, are doing more to cause a backlash against their fascistic ways of thinking and acting than the Gay Rights organizations are able to do on their own.

Notice that Gillman is reported to have said that homosexuality was "against the Bible," thereby seeking to use the Bible as one justification of that censorship and intimidation. Beyond the fact that "his interpretation" of the Bible is flat out wrong when it comes to "homosexuality" as we understand the term, we are under the Constitution of the United States, and not the Bible.

We don't allow a given person's or group's interpretation of the Bible to determine the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizens of the U.S! Moreover, the very fact that the principal allegedly appealed to the Bible as one justification for his censorship and intimidation of the Gay and Gay-friendly students again shows how the ignorant and hateful rhetoric that has been spewed from so many pulpits throughout the nation has infused the psyches of so many people, both Straight and Gay.

By moronic actions such as these school officials have demonstrated, the cause of full and equal civil rights for LGBT people will that much more readily likely move forward.

It would be nice, however, if LGBT people and allies would engage in grassroots activism, such as picketing homophobic churches (And there are plenty to choose from.), writing letters to the editor of their local newspapers, having groups of Gay couples who seek to marry continuously go to marriage license bureaus demanding the same marriage rights as their heterosexual counterparts, speaking out to neighbors and friends, boycotting businesses that in any way discriminate against Gay people, and other such modes of activism to aid and abet the cause of acquiring those full and equal civil rights!

Let's not leave it up to the reactionaries to do all the LGBT civil rights work!
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2 comments:

DC HAMPTON JACOBS said...

"LGBT people and allies would engage in grassroots activism, such as picketing homophobic churches (And there are plenty to choose from.), writing letters to the editor of their local newspapers, having groups of Gay couples who seek to marry continuously go to marriage license bureaus demanding the same marriage rights as their heterosexual counterparts, speaking out to neighbors and friends, boycotting businesses that in any way discriminate against Gay people, and other such modes of activism to aid and abet the cause of acquiring those full and equal civil rights!"

Jerry,

This quote will be added to my blogsite. MANIFESTO!

Jerry Maneker said...

Thanks so much, Don Charles. I also urge all readers to read your excellent blog, "Christ, The Gay Martyr," located at:
http://www.christthegaymartyr.blogspot.com/