I'm rather frustrated by this. LGBT History Month is indeed an event of good faith however, in my mind, it does completely the opposite of what it is supposed to. It is described by the official website as a "Celebration of the lives and achievements of the LGBT community". What it actually does however is highlight everything that is wrong with the world. That may sound drastic, but if it is equality we are after, why are we pushing the notion of a dedicated month for LGBT people in other's faces? If it is equality we want, then why are we not championing it all year round, with equal intensity? If we really are like everyone else - which we are - why are we celebrating a month based on an attribute of ourselves? I am me. I am completely normal. And I don't want a dedicated month to carouse it.
I believe Morgan Freeman has similar views on the crazy notion of Black History Month. Why should the history of black people be relegated to a month? Why can it not be classed as "history"? A past that includes everyone and everything. It says a lot about the world when the human race is prepared to place parts of society in a box and celebrate their existence for a whole month. I don't see why a flag should be flown to show support of the LGBT community when it is human nature to support them unconditionally regardless of whether it is February or October. I, as do many others, get that the intention is to promote awareness, but we shouldn't need to promote awareness because what's being "promoted" shouldn't be seen as different. And by dedicating a month to it, it clearly suggests that being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is exactly that. Different.
The very people promoting equality are providing the opportunity for people to recognise the inequality and prey upon it. This is wrong.
Society should unquestionably and without hesitation support the idea of "equality". If the world was a perfect place, that word wouldn't even exist. True, there are people out there who unfortunately still hold prejudices, but why not educate them all year round? Suggesting that there is a "special month" for this sort of thing suggests that it is ranked alongside the likes of Autism Awareness Month, AIDS Awareness Day and many, many other dedicated days and months that exist. This is quite frankly nothing short of an insult. Don't the people championing this month recognise that?
Despite the undoubted best intentions of the community, I'm afraid this charade is an embarrassment. Something else that irks me about this sort of thing is the random events that occur. I'd like to quote an extract from the local paper, the Times & Citizen, from this evening's edition:
...
"To mark the event, the group have teamed up with the Rock City Art Gallery, in Castle Quay, to support their launch of She-Bop-A-Lula exhibition. The exhibit showcases photographs of iconic female musicians such as The Spice Girls and Etta James, taken by the best female photographers in the business".
...
I think that paragraph sums it up quite well. Despite promoting an event based on the work of the LGBT community, the very first event is based on photographs of... well... Anyone. There is nothing there to suggest that the work of an LGBT person has been praised, so what is the point of doing it?
I'm not sure I can say a lot more. Someone mentioned that it is similar to the website I donated my Coming Out story to, but I don't think that's the case. That website is primarily designed to help people accept who they are within themselves. As soon as you've done that, you can live a normal life, just like anyone else. Just like any "straight people". For we are all equal. Aren't we?
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9 comments:
Pretty ignorant of those who fought such difficult battles to enable you to be who you are without fear. To those who underwent persecution and electro shock therapy. I am glad those persecuted in minority groups didn't have your attitude. What would Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Peter Tatchell or anyone else have achieved by not pushing their agenda into people's faces?
An occasional reminder of those dark days is a good thing. A constant all-year-round reminder would create resentment. And doing nothing at all because we are all equal is ignorant of the history of those who went before you. It is about a group of people linked by their sexuality, this is a group that has diversity within it and has a history of struggle and persecution. It's not just about you.
Was Peter Tatchell the man who went around "outing" people, sometimes against their will? I know not really anything to do with the article but if I am right - I don't think I'd appreciate him as a person.
In regards to your comment, you are right. Of course it isn't about me, and I would indeed be ignorant to suggest that it is. Being gay is normal. A month to "celebrate" that isn't normal. Simple. Sure, we can remember the ones who did do a lot to help, but what exactly does that achieve? Hosting an art exhibition about anyone is not a way to educate people on the troubles of past generations, is it?
(P.S. I'd appreciate it if you let me know who you are. Anonymous comments are cowardly, almost as if you are scared for your comment to be paired with you.)
In addition, hosting a special month with random events trivialises what the LGBT community went through. It's an insult.
Such a strong view. An independent and honest opinion. Nothing makes me more proud to have you as my friend than it does when you dont care what people think. Its your blog. Your view. Well said.
Thankyou, your kind words are appreciated. I'd like to know who makes these comments sometimes... Haha.
Signed: Miss L Science xx
You owe your current freedom to those who fought these battles for you and you have the disrespect to question what remembering the battles they fought achieves? Your comments at best ignorant or at worst egocentric.
I'd love to see you trot out the same contempt for history on Remembrance Day.
You know nothing of being discriminated against, by your own admission but that doesn't mean people all have it as rosy as you. Discrimination is widespread so raising awareness is obviously still needed because the reality is equality still does not exist. It might for you but to apply your own experience to the entire LGBT community is short sighted beyond belief.
At least these people are trying to do something positive for the community and all you do is slag their efforts off. What have you done? Well, that will be nothing because as you keep telling everyone you're equal and you don't need to do anything. Bully for you. Others desperately need help to fight the ignorance that still exists in society. Stop being so selfish. If it wasn't for people doing all these 'awareness' type events, you wouldn't have the freedom to be so open about your sexuality in the first place and yet your contempt for their efforts is disgusting.
"A Nation That Forgets Its Past Has No Future" Winston Churchill
"Sure, we can remember the ones who did do a lot to help, but what exactly does that achieve?" Tom Carr
I agree with 'Anonymous' who has brought up a lot of the same concerns I've already raised with you on Twitter.
You say you'd rather educate people, but then you proceed to dismiss an awareness campaign as an insult and a waste of time?
Not everyone is lucky enough to live in Mitten World with understanding family and friends. You said previously you've had no negative comments since coming out. Don't you think that could be down to these types of high-profile events that have raised peoples' awareness over the years and educated them into seeing that homosexuality is not a mortal sin and that gay people are not the spawn of Satan?
Finally, to accuse someone of cowardice for posting anonymously is bang out of order. He/she could have a very good reason for not identifying him/herself.
Believe it or not, I am not the only "ignorant" and "egocentric" LGBT person who has this OPINION. It is shared by many others, and I will agree with them. What exactly does holding a few events and hoisting a flag achieve? What tangible results do we see? I wonder if anyone can ask that question... What happens on 1st March? The flag gets taken down? Isn't that a symbol of inequality as much as hoisting it in the first place is that of equality? (Look at NI as an example with their British flag). By doing so, it insults me that my sexuality has been trivialised to such a thing, and I'm sure those who fought for LGBT freedom (or increasing freedom), would think so to.
Just because it looks good on paper and ticks the right boxes, it doesn't necessarily mean it is a force for good. We need a figure(s) to stand up and do something. A Rosa Parks moment or similar sort of catalyst, if you will. That will get noticed. An art exhbition under a rainbow flag? What a joke. What an insult.
And I am more than entitled to know who I am having a debate with, as much as I am entitled to have an opinion. Although, bearing in mind my opinion has been instantly rubbished, I have a fair idea who I am talking to already.
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