I am not writing this response letter as the President of ALSO: the Gay/Straight Alliance of Plymouth State University, an organization that has contributed to the PSU community and surrounding communities for 27 years. I am not writing this response letter because I am an “outraged lesbian”. I am writing this letter as a concerned member of the PSU community, an active student, and your peer.
The topic at hand, hanging the Pride flag in the HUB, is a worthy topic for discussion. However, I find your comparison with the Confederate flag to be inappropriate and less than accurate. The Confederate flag has certain unknown truths and so does the Pride flag, however the Confederate flag has misunderstandings through two aspects. Some consider the flag to be a battle flag, a part of history and yes, I agree. However, others know it as a flag of hate, discrimination and slavery. I agree with that as well. While still others view it as a sign of “white power” and would like it hung in support of hate. Should it be hung? In my opinion, no, and I am sure you would agree with me. Now, the Pride flag is misunderstood as well. Some view it as a blatant showing of sexuality, one’s own “choice” of homosexuality, and some even view it as a sign of the radical homosexuals disregarding the norm of society and shoving it down the unsuspecting throats of the heterosexuals of the world. However, none of these misinterpretations place the Pride Flag being hung in support of hate. In fact, the flag is completely opposed to hate. It is flown as an international sign of peace and was originally created by Gilbert Baker.
In 1979 Gilbert Baker created the first Pride Flags for Gays and Lesbians in San Francisco to have a symbol of pride other than the Pink Triangle Hitler used to identify gay men during World War II. The Pride flag, or “Rainbow” flag, carries a meaning for each color as follows: Red = Life, Orange = Healing, Yellow = Sun, Green = Nature, Royal Blue = Harmony, Violet = Spirit. What part of this upsets or offends you? These colors, and this flag, are used to represent the souls and feelings of individuals presented with hate and misunderstanding against them all the time. It is flown to show pride for ourselves, our allies/ supporters and it is flown to show acceptance towards those who discriminate. To call this “elitism” would be a harsh and misguided exaggeration. The Pride Flag is a sign of tolerance amongst a world less tolerable than we might believe. To “shove down [your] throat” the ideas of Life, Healing, Sun, Nature, Harmony and Spirit could very well be something you do not want or appreciate. However, when you looked up at that flag and received whatever images or ideas you thought of, you received them on your own behalf. Just as it was my choice to read your article, you chose to look up at that flag and when you made it an issue you shoved the Pride Flag down your own throat.
On the topic of homosexuality being a “choice” as you so delicately put it, I must disagree. Should homosexuality be a choice one would not find many GLBTQ persons. I do not know of an individual that would like to be looked down on, discriminated against and, at times, physically and sexually assaulted. It is, however, our choice to “come-out” and be ourselves no matter what the odds, just as I would hope you feel the need to be yourself. Whether you are seen as an outstanding person or not based on the opinions of people who do not know you is somewhat of a chance everyone takes, not just the GLBTQ community. In addition, even our allies find themselves having to “come-out” as supporters. It is their choice to love and support the people in their lives they care for because of the person they are, not necessarily because of their homosexuality, bisexuality, heterosexuality, etc. I came out because this is only a part of who I am. I am also an artist, writer, friend, family member, student, and the list goes on. Should homosexuality be a choice I would not have bothered since I am so many other things that have nothing to do with who I am attracted to or who I love. Me being gay is simply another facet to the person I am as a whole. I choose to be gay just as much as I choose to love art, music, or choose to wake up in the morning. I may not always want to go to Drawing class, but it is what I do, who I am, and what I love. I do not think anyone would fault me for that.
Yet another issue you touched upon was the comparison between the personal viewing of pornography and homosexuality. Should a heterosexual couple “make out”, they are probably not looking for acceptance and neither are homosexual couples. Simply, both couples are showing their affection towards the individual they are with. No one is asking you for acceptance when they show affection towards their “partner” of any gender, same or opposite, just as no one is asking you for acceptance of the Pride Flag.
For the people who do not want to see or hear homosexuality you need to cut your ties from society as a whole. When you walk down the street, you will most likely see a gay person. When you hand in your midterm you may be looking into the eyes of a bisexual professor. When you get your teeth cleaned you may not realize your dentist had a sex-change five years ago. Your future brother-in-law or sister-in-law might love you, trust you, and want to celebrate with you enough to send you an invitation to their commitment ceremony. Whether it is accepted or not, “blatantly slamming homosexuality down throats” or not, it is still there and the people you discriminate against could very well be the EMT or doctor that treats you or thankfully saves your life or the life of a loved one. It is not our “life-style” that makes us, it is who we are as human beings, and we are ALL human beings.
-Sincerely, Karen Munz
Online resources:
http://www.sfpride.org/heritage/betsyross.htmhttp://www.keywestcityofcolors.com/press/press_Gilbert.htmlhttp://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/scotts/bulgarians/rainbow-flag.htmlhttp://gaylife.about.com/cs/imagegallery/l/blpridecolordef.htm
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I am writing this letter in response to the most recent installment of The Right Track by Dustin Siggins. This column was filled with unsupported evidence, ignorance, and bigotry; something that lacks intent and intellectual thought. One piece of his column that I did particularly like was his welcoming of letters to help him better understand his own arguments, or lack there of.
To further your understanding, the rainbow flag is a sign of GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning) and human rights; not an expression of physical sexual acts. The flag was created in the 70s for a pride event in San Francisco to symbolize the world efforts for equal rights for gay and lesbian people. You might want to check out http://clubs.ulv.edu/~rainbow/faqs.html for more information.
I agree with you that public displays of affection (i.e. “making out”) are better left private. The right to express oneself however and work towards equality for all people is not something that should be hidden. The fact that you equate viewing pornography with the gay lifestyle is wrong and ignorant. Answer me this, would you get beaten up or possibly even killed for renting or viewing pornography?
The point that you may have missed is that the flag signifies more than individual rights and perverse acts. The flag’s presence in the HUB is not there to make you ponder the sexual acts of gay people. Its purpose is to allow you to see the beautiful and diverse cultures that students, faculty, and staff bring to our wonderful University.
As far as your argument with the confederate flag is concerned, you may be correct in your captivating story of the Civil War, but it seems to me that the reason that the flag is such a controversy is not just because of misunderstanding. The confederate flag is used by many hate and racist groups. Check out this link: http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/racist_confederate_flag.asp
You repeatedly state that the lifestyle “choice” that gay and lesbian people make is not a reason for flaunting it and making you accept it. First and foremost, being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning is not a choice; just like being straight is not a choice. It is something that is born in all of us. I would agree with your arguments if perhaps next to the flag were two people making out or engaging in heavy-petting in front of the flag. Alas, that did not happen and unfortunately you missed the point and importance of this flag and the people it represents.
I suggest that the next time that you decide to write an article about issues that you feel you completely comprehend, you take the time to actually understand the issues both socially and politically.
Fran PageSeniorGLBTQ Activist