A whole lot of isms, but mostly heterosexism.

[strange_tomato]

Given that this Sunday, May 17, is the International Day Against Homophobia, it's interesting that I was recently called out for being heterosexist. To my face, by a lesbian. I was pretty embarrassed. (Not that it would be any better to have this pointed out in another way, but I felt pretty careless.)

Comments

[meetme2theriver]

I don't think I have too much to say on the topic of real life heterosexism, except that yes, it's very, very easy to be so without even thinking about it, because of the society we live in. Also, absolute constant vigilance is difficult unless you care really, REALLY deeply about something, and while you can strongly support something you're usually not at that level of REALLY deep care unless you're part of the offended group yourself (as such I'm probably quicker to notice sexism than heterosexism, etc

[meetme2theriver]

Also, mostly unrelated, May 17th is also my country's (Norway) national day. Hee.

[strange_tomato]

Your whole country is gay? I didn't know that. :P

The date is actually the date the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.

[leskuh]

Oh man, I know people like to complain about how things were better 'back in the day', but knowing that we're beyond things like that makes me believe that we are still moving forward. :3

[strange_tomato]

Seriously, right. Fuck that.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and declare that things were definitely NOT better back in the day.

For starters, I'm pretty fond of being considered a person. *arches brows*

[leskuh]

Hee, yeah I think most of it is just nostalgia anyway. I do kind of think it's a bit sad that kids would rather play on the computer than go out and play (although that's not really true in my house - Em and Dan are almost always outside when the weather is nice), but for the most part I think we're moving on to a much better place.

Also, I just read this and it was awesome: http://www.shorpy.com/node/6128

[ikichi]

Hah, yea, I'm thrilled with not being categorized as farm equipment. I had a (white) co-worker say something about how great everything used to be and the manager saw my expression and shut him up before I could rip his throat out.

[meetme2theriver]

Totally agreed on that. Minor annoyances like horrible mobile ringtones aside, nothing was better back in the day.

[leskuh]

Oh man, I kind of hate cell phones. Like, I think they are useful and sensible, but I HAAAATE when you're talking to someone and they check their phone or they start texting. It's the worst.

[meetme2theriver]

Yes, indeed. Everyone is always talking loudly and obnoxiously into their phone on the train about unimportant personal stuff. I'm not a fan. I also hate all the useless crap you can buy and download for phones and how it's marketed. All of those things I can do on a computer where they are cheaper and better. Phones are for calling and sending texts - but be a little polite about it, dammit!

...I'm not 80 years old, honest.

[silentsteel]

I definitely favor telephone devices for the deaf - or using modern cell phones like you are. My hubby and I rarely ever use the few minutes we have for our cell phones (We went for one of the deaf-specific plans that are available with TMobile, and get a small minimum of minutes with our unlimited data), and instead either txt or chat on AIM. It's less intrusive in general.

I definitely understand about the interrupting conversations to txt or check the phone though. I have a hard enough time hearing what someone's saying without them turning away. Bleah.

[meetme2theriver]

It might as well be - I read today that Norway (along with Iceland and Sweden) are on the top of some list US "researchers" have made over countries with the most children born out of wedlock. No kidding. It's a whole 54%, zomg!!! (Never mind that a LOT of people choose to coinhabit instead of getting married, which in most cases is pretty much the same thing, even legally.) But yes, my country is a heathen godless state of fornication and bastard children and - as of last year - legal gay marriage, so it only makes sense that the national day is on the official Gay Day. ;)

[leskuh]

For some reason this made me want to dance.

[strange_tomato]

Let's all move to this heathen country.

[meetme2theriver]

Haha. :D We still have many issues to work through, but the new marriage law made me very happy.

[muslemura]

54 %?? Wow, I didn't know that! Although maybe I should, counting our friends three of the couples with children are married, and one of them had two children before they tied the knot :P The rest of them just live together.

Heathen godless state - heehee!