That Deafening Silence ...
In this powerful talk, the speaker, Ross, addresses the challenges and struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who are gay. Ross shares his personal experience of growing up gay and feeling the weight of societal expectations and norms. He highlights the impact of media, education, and institutions on shaping society's perception of the LGBTQ+ community. Ross explains that the movies, books, and music we consume often present a heterosexual narrative, leaving little room for gay individuals to see themselves represented and validated. This lack of representation can lead to feelings of confusion, self-doubt, and a struggle to accept oneself. Yep. Because we never see OURSELVES in the world around us.
Ross then delves into the concept of validation and how it is applied to people. He questions the standards used by society to measure someone's acceptability or correctness. He argues that in a diverse world that celebrates individuality, there should not be a need for validation based on societal norms. However, he acknowledges that the LGBTQ+ community often faces discrimination and judgment because they do not fit into the mold created by a predominantly heterosexual society.
I agree with him when he traces the roots of homophobia and discrimination to colonialism, particularly in countries that were once under British rule. He explains how laws criminalizing homosexuality were imposed by colonial powers, leading to the stigmatization and marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community in those regions. Ross highlights the fear and discomfort that people often have towards those who are different from them. He explains how fear can be learned through observation and the reactions of others. This fear, or homophobia, leads to vulnerability and mistreatment of the LGBTQ+ community. Just ask Mike Johnson.
He also emphasizes the importance of education in creating a more inclusive society. He blasts the "Don't Say Gay" bill imposed in schools in Florida, which limits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. Ross argues that teaching children about homosexuality does not change their gender identity (duh) or cause them to deviate from traditional gender norms. Instead, it promotes understanding and acceptance. And we all know THAT is something the Repugs abhor.
Call me woke, but calling for a society that treats LGBTQ+ individuals as normal people and provides them with a safe space to learn and grow should not be groundbreaking. He urges the audience to break the chains of fear and discrimination and to open their hearts and minds to the vulnerable LGBTQ+ community. By doing so, society can create a world where growing up gay is just a natural part of life.
And this, Constant Reader, is basically why I have this blog. Because representation is what?
XOXO
Obviously if LGBT people were perceived as normal people (which they are), there would be no problems with coming out (and the previous suffering)
ReplyDeleteCorrect.
DeleteThe thing is that the dominant culture (or at least part of it) makes Queer people feel like outliners. And then there's religion, of course.
XOXO
LGBT people in general are still not perceived as normal people. Here's the problem.
DeleteHuntleyBiGuy:
ReplyDeleteThis was a powerful talk. All we ever want is to be seen as a person, not gay, bi, trans, or straight. Just a person. As he said, when he was growing up, he was exposed to a heteronormative environment. However, NEWS FLASH, he’s still gay. The environment you are exposed to doesn’t change your core being. It informs you and and instills in you knowledge and , in many cases, fear. Fear of being “different” or less than. Fear of harm or hate. This is definitely a mental health issue.
In the end, all we want is to be who we are.
XOXO 👨🏼❤️💋👨🏽
He was great.
DeleteWho knew TED talks could be so touching? And he's right: we grew up with only or mostly heteronormative examples and guidelines. And yet, here we are, as Queer as possible. Fear: the engine of the religious.
XOXO
We've all been there, haven't we!
ReplyDeleteOh yes.
DeleteEven though many of us have not been in the closet, there's still a big portion of Queer people who grew up feeling 'different' and almost ostracized. And those were not even in the closet.
XOXO
Honestly, I never experienced that. Call me simple minded, but it never occurred to me that gay was not normal. Looking back on my life, I sometimes think about the things I did and think, wow, that was rather bold, or I can't believe I did that.
ReplyDeleteWell, not simple minded.
DeleteJust lucky, I guess. I was never in the closet, and still, there was always Clark Kent and Lois Lane, not Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen, for example. All my role models were heterosexual. We flourished even when society did not provide any guidance to us to navigate the world as Queer people.
XOXO
I never really was closeted I was just me, even though I felt different. I never lied or tried to hide myself, but I see how people feel that way; we all want to fit in and be accepted, but being accepted should be normal.
ReplyDeleteAccept people as they are.
xoxo
Oh, tons of people grow up in a sea of shame because they are LGBTQ.
DeleteThey only find acceptance when they move away from their family/towns and find their tribe.
XOXO
Big says,
ReplyDeleteIt really is odd, isn't it? We grow up - particularly in our teens - wanting to fit in, to be like everyone else. We're told we can be anything we want to be. But, of course, that is meant "within the normal bounds of what is acceptable to society."
It sure does help to build one's esteem to see oneself in everything, every walk of life. And, of course, we are there. The Repugs would just like us to stay in the shadows, to remain a secret. Fuck 'em. XOXO
Oh, the teen years.
DeleteI was too rebellious to fit in. But I can see why most people want to fit in. Being bullied for being different is such a horrible experience that people conform just to fly under the radar.
I think representation helps with that. When you see people like YOU, you don't feel alone. Fuck the repugs. Uhg.
XOXO
Adore your blog. Thanks for representing.
ReplyDeleteAww
DeleteThnx, Upton.
We all represent a side of being Queer here in our little tribe.
XOXO
Always saying that I was born Gay I am sure if I had been able to focus those new born eyes I would have been staring at the bulge in my doctors groin and not seeking out some nourishment. After all the only thing i was doing for 9 months was sleeping and eating and trying to kick my way out so the my Gay life could get started. Yes, like everyone else my examples were all the male/female relationships on television shows. But even watching the Nelsons define what the American family was all about it was young Ricky that caught my eye and virtually went to bed with me every night. My church told me I was a sinner and I told them to take it a shove it. My school sent me to a counselor and he told me if there was anything I ever wanted to talk about to just come to him...then he told me where the physique magazine were hidden at the local drug store. I honestly did not begin to feel out of place and alone as a Gay man until I turned 50 and then it came from my own Gay community and not from society as a whole.
ReplyDeleteOhh yes.
DeleteWe all find those things among the sea of heteronormativity that tell us who we are: I wanted Superman to fly with ME, not Lois. I never really felt out of place because from an early age I knew who I was and what I liked, just like you.
It's a shame that anybody would have made you feel out of place. SHAME!!
XOXO