Bugs*
You've likely seen the re-postings of neo_prodigy's re-posting of a call to wear purple for a so-called Spirit Day. You may have wondered why I haven't re-posted it.
I was going to write something about it, but I've been swamped with stuff. Luckily for me, xanath had already summed up most of my thoughts. (I found it because neo_prodigy had re-posted it.) (Yes, I'm trying to say "re-post" as often as possible.)
Why I Won't Be Wearing Purple On October 20th (re-posted with permission) (see?)
Yes, you'd think that, with all the posts I've written about homophobia and my loathing of it, and the recent suicides among GLBTQ teens, that I would jump right on this. I won't.
Why?
Because it doesn't do anything.
Let's be serious. What these kids need is someone to listen to them. To help. To be there. To give them some real support. How supportive is a piece of purple clothing, and how do you know your local Anita Bryants and Fred Phelps won't show up in purple that day as well?
Seriously, if a piece of clothing or any object was of any help, all those rainbow bumper stickers would have ensured the end of homophobia in America over ten years ago.
Today I talked to a girl in my church. She's a giddy little Methodist, full of the zeal to help the poor and downtrodden, a budding activist for social justice. She is also an out bisexual. This week some girls cornered her in her school bathroom and started making threats. She hasn't told her parents yet because, as she told me, "They're just words. They haven't done anything yet."
Anything yet.
I gave her my number at work and made her promise to call me if anything happens.
Do you think my wearing purple on the 20th is going to help her beat off school bullies? It's a color, not the "S" patch on Superman's cape.
Do you really want to help? Write letters to your political representatives and demand the repeal of DADT, the repeal of DOMA, the addition of sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Sign petitions to end DADT and DOMA. Donate to Servicemembers United. Find a local group that reaches out to GLBTQ teens and see what you can do to volunteer.
If you really support equal rights for gay adults and teens, you know it goes farther than one day a year, one article of clothing a year.
Write. Sign. Donate. Volunteer. Talk to any teens you know who are gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered, or just uncertain of their sexuality. I'm not saying you have to do all of these things. But do something, please. Hatred take enough of these young lives, and wrecks enough adult lives, to make wearing purple look utterly frivolous.
Love,
Kris
As quiet_dignitea says, just re-posting (and you thought I was done with that) neo_prodigy's Spirit Day post and wearing purple on October 20th is slactivism. It means as much as slapping a yellow ribbon on your car, or having the theme of your school dance be something socially conscious. You need to actually do something about it.
These six kids weren't the first, and they aren't going to be the last. A purple shirt isn't enough.
*Buffy's answer to "So what are the most immediate threats to the world environment right now?" when they're working on the senior dance theme in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The good one. (That would be the movie.)
I was going to write something about it, but I've been swamped with stuff. Luckily for me, xanath had already summed up most of my thoughts. (I found it because neo_prodigy had re-posted it.) (Yes, I'm trying to say "re-post" as often as possible.)
Why I Won't Be Wearing Purple On October 20th (re-posted with permission) (see?)
Yes, you'd think that, with all the posts I've written about homophobia and my loathing of it, and the recent suicides among GLBTQ teens, that I would jump right on this. I won't.
Why?
Because it doesn't do anything.
Let's be serious. What these kids need is someone to listen to them. To help. To be there. To give them some real support. How supportive is a piece of purple clothing, and how do you know your local Anita Bryants and Fred Phelps won't show up in purple that day as well?
Seriously, if a piece of clothing or any object was of any help, all those rainbow bumper stickers would have ensured the end of homophobia in America over ten years ago.
Today I talked to a girl in my church. She's a giddy little Methodist, full of the zeal to help the poor and downtrodden, a budding activist for social justice. She is also an out bisexual. This week some girls cornered her in her school bathroom and started making threats. She hasn't told her parents yet because, as she told me, "They're just words. They haven't done anything yet."
Anything yet.
I gave her my number at work and made her promise to call me if anything happens.
Do you think my wearing purple on the 20th is going to help her beat off school bullies? It's a color, not the "S" patch on Superman's cape.
Do you really want to help? Write letters to your political representatives and demand the repeal of DADT, the repeal of DOMA, the addition of sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Sign petitions to end DADT and DOMA. Donate to Servicemembers United. Find a local group that reaches out to GLBTQ teens and see what you can do to volunteer.
If you really support equal rights for gay adults and teens, you know it goes farther than one day a year, one article of clothing a year.
Write. Sign. Donate. Volunteer. Talk to any teens you know who are gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered, or just uncertain of their sexuality. I'm not saying you have to do all of these things. But do something, please. Hatred take enough of these young lives, and wrecks enough adult lives, to make wearing purple look utterly frivolous.
Love,
Kris
As quiet_dignitea says, just re-posting (and you thought I was done with that) neo_prodigy's Spirit Day post and wearing purple on October 20th is slactivism. It means as much as slapping a yellow ribbon on your car, or having the theme of your school dance be something socially conscious. You need to actually do something about it.
These six kids weren't the first, and they aren't going to be the last. A purple shirt isn't enough.
*Buffy's answer to "So what are the most immediate threats to the world environment right now?" when they're working on the senior dance theme in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The good one. (That would be the movie.)