Thursday, July 13, 2006
For too long, the gay movement has operated under the backward assumption that we could pass legislation without simultaneously educating Americans. This failed strategy wrongly dismissed all Americans who were not on our side as rabid rubes.
In reality, many of our "opponents" are not discriminatory dogmatists. They have simply gotten false information or they do not have fully formed opinions because they don't know anyone who is openly gay. This allows the opportunistic right wing to fill the vacuum and portray homosexuality as a breezy lifestyle choice. Since we have clearly failed to define ourselves, the extremists have done it for us.
The answer to such ignorance is clearly education. When mainstream Americans are introduced to the GLBT community, attitudes inevitably change and passing pro-gay legislation is made easier.
Finally, there is a
smart effort to inform the public about homosexuality. The
Born Different advertising campaign is a $900,000 effort funded by the Denver-based Gill Foundation. The
ad campaign features a super-cute pooch named Norman who "moos" on theaters, billboards, buses and street lamps. The cuddly canine also stars in radio and television commercials. The message: People are born gay. It's exclusively running in Colorado Springs, a bastion of right wing hate groups, including Focus on the Family.
The subtext of
the message aims right at the heart of Focus on the Family's anti-gay conversion therapy program, Love Won Out. It suggests that asking gay people to go straight is as ridiculous as suggesting a dog act like a cow. The power of this campaign is that it skillfully uses a puppy to take the politics out of this emotional issue.
Please check out this very cool campaign!
51 Comments:
Right on!!
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/13/2006 1:29 PM
queer indeed
posted by , at
7/13/2006 2:24 PM
Perfectly said Wayne; now we can expect the facist right to start threatening, attacking and boycotting any media outlet that airs these ads. Lets hope they dont cave like some other corporations did. Moooooo
B. Queer
posted by , at
7/13/2006 2:52 PM
Brilliant campaign! This is the best thing I've seen in a while!! Why hasn't HRC or GLAAD been doing this a decade ago??? Those of us in red states need our organizations to talk to real people, not just beltway blowhards and New York know-it-alls.
I hope this campaign comes to the deep south soon.
Pauline in Alabama
posted by , at
7/13/2006 3:01 PM
You people are closeted Republicans. I CHOSE to be a dyke for political reasons and a distaste for the patriarchy! No one can force me to LIKE MEN just because of society. So, I like WOMEN, even though I am more attracted to men.
To hell with the damn conformist mut.
Ginny
S.F.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 3:09 PM
Hello Wayne;
I respect very much your blog and I love the work you do, that is why I feel compelled to write this.
The current column seems almost like a justification of the behaviors of those who think they own the truth. Non on e of us own the truth, that is why we need to work together, but in some instances, people preffer to turn their backs on LGBT folks, in stead of getting to know us a little better.
I respectfully disagree with your column this time. In church, for instance, ( I am an Episcopalian) we contribute large ammounts of money and efforts to the well being of the whole church, here in USA and abroad, we clean, celebrate mass and take care of the community because many of us don't have the responsibility of chidren and can dedicate more time to the church.. The result? we are attacked, disregarded and sometimes insulted... and finally treated as second class people, by people who know us.
No all of us aare confined to the Gym and the bar scene, MANY of us interact in mainstream society, and I think we are the ones that endure the stupidity and bigotry of the self appointed "righteous".
You just mentioned in a pass column, La Barbera, for instance, seems to know about the LGBT community, and still chooses to "report" on the negative... sometimes using lies.
I don't think that in America, where more and more households have access to cable TV; internet and other sources of information, hate is a choice, no the consecuence of misinformation.
I am sorry if I say someething that sounds a little out of place, but this issue makes me very emotional.
Dan, NYC
posted by , at
7/13/2006 3:21 PM
I don't think that in America, where more and more households have access to cable TV; internet and other sources of information, hate is a choice, no the consecuence of misinformation.
I meant to say, "I think"
Dan
NYC
posted by , at
7/13/2006 3:26 PM
Dan, I'm not sure what your point is. We dont condemn progressive religious bodies that treat glbt people as equals, but the evangelical types have given all of you a bad name. Also, you said, "no one owns the truth", the truth is not a commodity that one can own, information is either factual or as penn and teller would say, 'it's bullshit'. The 'information' about glbt people coming from the rightwing is BULLSHIT!
Have a nice day.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 4:02 PM
I think Wayne's comments were brilliant and he is hot. Is he single???
Joe -- South Carolina
posted by , at
7/13/2006 4:21 PM
Hayden - show some fucking imagination! You dim-wited butt plug.
K.R.N
Brooklyn
posted by , at
7/13/2006 5:59 PM
This is so true! The worst thing that can happen to the extremists is that average people see that we are really average people just like them.
One other note on strategy... I believe this is not only a gay rights issue, but a children's issue. My children do not have the right to the same level of security, the same rights to tax benefits for college tuition or child tax credits because of who I am. Most people have no idea how many gay parents are out there, simply raising their kids. They do not see the faces of the kids and realize that they are just like any other kids. That our children grow up to be stable, contributing members of society as well.
I have a neighbor who is a single mother. She attends a vehemently anti-gay church. She watched me for a couple years as I raised my children by myself. She actually had a crush on me, but that's another story. When I finally came out to her, I know that it totally shattered her screwed up view of gay people and what type of parent a gay person can make. She would never learn this in her church. Maybe she's even brought the message back to a few other people.
To coin an old phrase from Nixon, there is a "silent majority" of gay and lesbian people who simply work hard, pay their taxes, raise their children, and contribute to our society. People will continue to believe the lies that there is no such thing as us if we continue to hide.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 6:08 PM
I share your felling Hyden. Here in NY, there was a campaign showing celebrities with their LGBT family members.
Out. com have had very simple billboards showing two guys together. Even the United Church of Christ had a national TV add that was not aired in all TV stations... why? because it was clear and to the point, showing regular people in church, that -off course- were rejected because make the biggots take a close look to their failure as human beings and as Christinas.
A message with cryptic elements and subject to interpretation gives some people with lots of time in their hands the opportunity to refflect about it, but the reality is that people need clear cut messages.
GLAAD pay attention to messages that are not very welcomed for every one, but actually more efficient, like the ones contained in sitcomes, movies, music, etc.
The money invested -with good intentions- in this kind of add is necessary to create anti violence campaings, aiming to parents and bullies in schools and other places.
The reality is that the right wing, as much as they like to play stupid, is not. They know where the money is and that is why they like to maintain the status Q. Treat them like inteligent people, who act knowing that they are openly trying to harm, and only them, someone is going to react.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 6:18 PM
Getting a gay person to become straight is like asking a dog to moo, is the point as I understand it.
It is also a step in the right direction. We can talk on this site all we want about how we are born gay, but unless mainstream america is taught that very vital point, they will not bother to stand up for us at the polls. And unfortunately, this website doesn't reach mom and pop america.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/13/2006 6:58 PM
I'm with Jim. Anyone who doesn't get it is a dim-witted dolt.
It is an excellent campaign.
Brutus
posted by , at
7/13/2006 8:15 PM
You people can take out all the ads you want. You are all still lowly, sick, unclean, unGodly QUEERS.
You will go to HELL. Why would a man want to stick it in a man and get peenuts on his penus?
J.D in Tulsa
posted by , at
7/13/2006 8:26 PM
Such language from such a prestine person. Tell Fred Phelps I said hey.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/13/2006 9:02 PM
To JD in Tulsa-- it's spelled penis--with an i. And dont knock it if you havent tried it, but since you're reading this website i suspect you have and enjoyed it ohhh so much.
Estrogen Williams
posted by , at
7/13/2006 10:08 PM
jekelhyde,
What exactly makes you so sure that people are born gay? As far as I can see, this is an as yet unproven and rather dubious scientific theory.
And doesn't it seem silly to argue for gay right on this basis? Surely gay people deserve their rights regardless of whether they were born gay or not? Arguing for gay rights on the basis that people are born gay is like saying, "Being gay is bad, but we can't help it, so please tolerate us anyway."
posted by , at
7/13/2006 11:17 PM
Anon says: Arguing for gay rights on the basis that people are born gay is like saying, "Being gay is bad, but we can't help it, so please tolerate us anyway."
Answer: The right wing has said that homosexuality is not natural and comes from rape or failed families. The born gay argument makes the smart point that homosexuality is just as natural and beautiful as heterosexuality. So, you have really got your points ass backward.
Also, when you say that there is not much evidence that people are born gay, you are either ignorant or full of shit. There is a shit load of evidence if you'd bother to look. But, maybe you have already made up your small mind and evidence is something that does not interest your little pea brain.
Connie in Conn.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 11:46 PM
Oh, one more thought. If its really true that gays and straights are like different species of animals, then this doesn't exactly seem like a good reason for straights to treat gays equally. Most people don't regard different species as equals, and this isn't going to change.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 11:48 PM
Connie,
I really don't agree. There are all sorts of horrible birth defects that people can be born with. The fact that people can be born with something doesn't automatically make it good, let alone 'beautiful.'
As for the rest of your comments, it's not a question of how much evidence there is linking homosexuality to biological factors, it's a quesiton of how it is interpreted. I'm not aware that any of this evidence directly shows that people are born gay - the biological factors could be only one influence on homosexual development among others, including environmental, social and other influences.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 11:54 PM
I've got a third thought. It's nauseating and infantile for gay people to want to compare themselves to puppy dogs.
posted by , at
7/13/2006 11:54 PM
Wayne, there are some really dumb, illogical people on here lately. Like the schmuck who says, "If its really true that gays and straights are like different species of animals, then this doesn't exactly seem like a good reason for straights to treat gays equally. Most people don't regard different species as equals, and this isn't going to change."
Are we supposed to take this crap seriously? The ad does not say gay people are like a different species. It just says that we are exactly alike, but there is one difference. This is obvious to people with brains larger than a gnats dirty ass.
And the other maroon who compared homosexuality to a birth defect - love is not a defect. Homophobia - like racism and anti-semitism - is a defect.
It is amazing how many stupid people gravitate to a smart website. Where do these freaks come from? It makes me glad I'm pro-choice. These fundamentalists should not be breeding and tainting the geneitc pool.
Panama City Bill
posted by , at
7/14/2006 12:21 AM
Anonymous is obviously trying to get under everyone's nails; like a fungus. All of his/her comments were meant to cause anger and to fuel an already smoldering flame. If you believe that there is no evidence pointing to the fact that gay is chance, not choice, your mind will not be changed. So you are irrelevant in this debate. The campaign will help most people who are not so closed minded to understand that which gay people already know: I was born gay, unchangable
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/14/2006 10:22 AM
J.D. in Tulsa (go figure!)
1) I am not unclean, I clean myself eveerytime before and after sex (you should try it!)
2) Hell is an invention of christianity to keep your money.
posted by , at
7/14/2006 10:38 AM
Jesus Saves
Moses Earns
posted by , at
7/14/2006 12:24 PM
oh brother! J.D. you really ought to read the bible before you go about judging people. it does say in there that people will say "lord, lord! did i not do wroks in yourname?" and the lord will say "i do not know you" be very, very careful about judging people. and what idoit says that gays are a different species??? did they not develop from a human sperm and egg? huh? as an ex-gay i am constantly amazed at how christian fundamentalists think i think like them or how gays think that being ex-gay makes me a bigot or how anyone can definitely say one way or the other that being gay is nature all the way or nurture all the way. personally from my experience - and it may not be the experience of others - but for me - it was a little of both. so go figure. gays, ex gays, straights, etc... shouyd all be given equal access to tax rights and privileges, loans, grants, visitation, etc... and marriages. who cares if what you are.
posted by , at
7/14/2006 1:47 PM
I think the best think gays can do for themselves is to get out there and portray their families as real people. And stop with the gay parades that celebrate sex, sex, sex. Hate to say it but most Americans don't want look at that. Neither do I. And as we know, homosexuality is more about where the heart lays than anything else. It's about making our own families safe and secure.
posted by , at
7/14/2006 1:59 PM
Remember Silo and Roy...
posted by , at
7/14/2006 3:12 PM
do you remember what happened when they introduced a girl penguin?
posted by , at
7/14/2006 3:13 PM
"I'm not aware that any of this evidence directly shows that people are born gay - the biological factors could be only one influence on homosexual development among others, including environmental, social and other influences."
The lastest study involving an increased rate of homosexuality based on birth order of male sons sought to remove (non-biological) environmental factors by contrasting those raised in their natural family to those not so raised and by also observing whether there were non-natural older siblings (step or adopted older brothers). The results suggest that the birth order was the only relevant factor that could be identified. This pretty clearly indicates that for these gay men (but not all gay men or lesbians) the most significant factors impacting their ultimate sexual orientation are pre-natal.
In other words, they were "born gay".
The earlier study of chromosome activation in mothers of gay men also supports a biological basis to some sexual orientation. It's pretty hard to argue that having gay sons somehow effected the chromosome activation in the cells of the mother.
Of course if your religious or political faith requires one to beleive that no one is born gay, then it's not much use discussing science. It's like those people who believe OJ is innocent - evidence doesn't matter.
Timothy Kincaid
posted by , at
7/14/2006 4:11 PM
Talk to the media. When the media films the pride parades they don't film the families, they film the "carnival." And I would never ask single gay people to stop participating the the "carnival." Because it's fun. And it's not all about sex, it's about expression. I think it's unfair and rather hypocritical to suggest that all gay people should strive to achieve a heterosexual view of normalcy. Yes, I am living the "Hetero American Dream" minus the marital benefits. Complete with white picket fence. My friend Ray is a drag queen. I'm OK and he's OK too. We cannot all be alike and we shouldn't be.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/14/2006 4:16 PM
The question that reminds is: Who's damn bussiness is what do I do with my A-hole? or my prick? or another adult man? Why in the world do I have to justify what I enjoy to these looney toone "christians"? Mind your own bussiness people (to the christians)! you are destroying this country and this planet! you are the cause of all the bad things that happen in the world! People like you make me doubt if you actually burned Rome and then blame it on NERO, because you are not any better!
posted by , at
7/14/2006 4:22 PM
To anon at 4:22, since you put it out in public it becomes the business, concern, discussion of the public. Ain't no way you can galavant around in such explicit manners (not even straights can do it) and not have someone respond in a negative way - especially if you advertsie it, and then exagerate it.
posted by , at
7/14/2006 7:44 PM
I wish with all my heart the Christians could show true love for others. Like a father loves a child or the way our mom's show love for us. With kindness, caring, understanding.
posted by , at
7/14/2006 9:51 PM
'Christians' and christians, and capital C - Christians are showing love for LGBTQ people. They're still shy about showing it. And the media is afraid of showing love, eroticism, and 'sex'uality in any way except as a topic for controversy.
What would our world be like if all the ways that we bind ourselves to each other and devote ourselves to love were regarded as a deep truth?
What would it be like if 'Journalism' did not feel compelled to provide a 'balancing' view to the precept that love is a gift of big g and small g god? Perhaps love is what matters, whatever attempt we make.
Many evangelical fundamentalists have only experienced love when they adopted extremely strict boundaries. Most Gay / LGBTQ people have had to work through those boundaries.
This will likely sound naive, yet it's worked for me: Say to people who disagree with us that we all want love. We don't agree that their way will work for us, but it might work for them.
At this juncture we surrender our power and integrity when we buy into a polarizing modality. We feel empowered because we are fired up. People in power laugh all the way to the bank. We are being distracted from the things that matter most to us.
D Pecan
P.S. This media campaign is not aimed at 'us'. It's aimed at people who don't regard 'us' as human, and who don't regard 'us' as graced by god as a worm. Puppies are far ahead of us. Check the polling - Cute puppies, Kittens, and many other creatures are far ahead of us in line. We and our plight don't inspire sympathy. We and our love don't register. It's important for a media campaign to start where the target audience for a media campaign are, not where we think they should be..... We should know from 'difficult' or troubled conversations around Thanksgiving that we / LGBTQ are extremely confusing to most people. Myths persist that puppies are more lovable than gay people, or should I say homo'SEX'uals. We need rebranding, and puppies are further up the scale on the love and respect index. We've made progress since I first stepped out on the streets of Chicago holding hands with a guy in 1969, but not as much as I, a pioneer, hoped. Embrace this media campaign. It's brilliant. It communicates on a level that is not intellectually rigorous.
That's a good thing..... since intellecutally concise research has demonstrated that the vast majority of the public do not process on a logical basis. There is great wisdom in other means of communication than intellectual.
posted by , at
7/15/2006 4:25 AM
Jekelhyde said it welll - "Right on!!"
If you understand cognitive science, communications, and marketing, you're rejoicing at this campaign.
If you don't - listen up, read up, study up. This campaign is brilliant.
It's illogical - as is the vast majority of communication.
Read up, study up, and utilize the knowledge. The extreme right embraced it 4 decades ago because it worked to their advantage.
Can we embrace results instead of assumptions and old paradigms?
Dan
posted by , at
7/15/2006 4:29 AM
as a woman, i would have preferred they used a cat. and she could bark!
posted by , at
7/15/2006 7:52 PM
I do not understand why we continue to allow the argument against Gay Equality to be framed in terms of the "Nature vs Nuture" argument. I "get it", we continue to look for ways to explain how or why we are this way. I think this ad campaign is cute and does a great job of communicating what we already know to be true for ourselves - for many of us we know and feel we were just born this way.
The fact remains that in a Free Society - I should not have to explain my sexuality in order to be treated Equally Under the Law. We continue to be drawn into a debate that paints us in a corner demanding that we justify why we exist and have always existed in every human population since the beginning of time. The fact remains that we do exist, and as productive tax contributing citizens we should expect Equal Treatment Under the Law.
In a free society the government has no business enacting law that discriminates against same-sex coupling - period. Those that wish to deny us equality must be made to frame their argument without tossing in red herrings such as as pedophilia or procreation. Pedophilia is not a pairing of consenting adults and is not equivalent nor a valid comparison. Procreation is not a prerequisite for heterosexual marriage nor should it be a prerequisite for homosexual marriage.
Nor can we continue to allow the argument to be framed in religious terms. We believe that religion is a wholly separate protected Right in our society but one's religious beliefs do not trump my civil rights and government should never take sides or enact legislation that would enshrine religious beliefs into penal law. We would never accept laws in this country that force all women to shroud their faces in public or forbid the sale of pork nor should we allow Gays and Lesbians to be denied Equality under the law because some religions deem it sinful.
The populace is constantly being bombarded with misinformation about GLBT people so ad campaigns like this are necessary as an educational tool. I agree and support these types of campaigns as a necessary antidote to the bigotry and hatred spread by those that continue to thwart our efforts for Equality. But I also believe that it is equally important to realize that we shouldn't have to justify our existence in order to be treated as Full Class American citizens.
--
Paul in Houston
posted by , at
7/16/2006 10:49 PM
:>:>:>:>:>:>:
Sorry that last line should've read:
But I also believe that it is equally important to realize that we shouldn't have to justify our existence in order to be treated as FIRST Class American citizens.
--
Paul in HOuston
posted by , at
7/16/2006 10:58 PM
I agree with you Paul. It doesn't matter where homosexuality comes from. People who consent should be able to do what they want to do. I think we are all going to be shocked to find that it is both nature and nurture - and who cares??? Fundamentalist christians think it is wrong and that is final. Others think differently and that is final. As long as no one is hurting someone then do what you want to do.
posted by , at
7/17/2006 2:01 AM
It's a matter of special privilage versus equal rights. If I am gay by choice, than I can marry any time I choose just choosing to live a straight life. I would be, therefore, demanding special privilages in demanding marriage to my partner.
I understand your point, but because of this factor, we need to attempt to convince the general public what we already know. This has been their arugment all along. The argument that gay people want special treatment needs to be put to bed once and for all.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/17/2006 10:36 AM
Why give people rights who lick anusus and actually like it? We need sodomy laws so queers can be arrested again. In jail, they can find Jesus and repent.
This is a LEARNED BEHAVIOR not to casually celebrate. It is SIN. Look what happened to Sodom, people!!!!!!!
posted by , at
7/17/2006 5:23 PM
The story of sodom was not about homosexuality. Why don't you try reading it? In fact, why don't you try reading the whole Bible, and not just the versus that your preacher interprets for you. If reading is a problem, they do sell the Bible on CD. I hear Charlton Heston reads the King James Version. You should enjoy that. As far as going to jail and finding Jesus, I know all the murderers, rapists and robbers flaming Jesus freaks about now; between raping their cell mates, they pray and repent. Give me a break.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/17/2006 6:14 PM
"This is a LEARNED BEHAVIOR not to casually celebrate. It is SIN. Look what happened to Sodom, people!!!!!!!"
Well, if you think it's a sin, don't do it. Who cares what other people do? Don't you believe in freedom?
posted by , at
7/18/2006 12:48 AM
it is only a sin by the standards of some. homosexuals should not be arrested as that would prevent the understanding of homosexuals (trying to suppress something)Plus, it is difficult to talk, interview, observe people in their natural environment when they are incarcerated in a jail where all sorts of crude activites occur. i get so tired and disgusted with people who want to bash the gay out of someone. if you want to change - do so. if you want to continue in the manner and your standard of living - then do so. if you want to evangelize then do so - but please don't do so in the wrong spirit. pray sincerely and listen to the holy spirit not your own heart. so many people believe they have God's wisdom whispered into their heart and really it is just malignant filth.
posted by , at
7/18/2006 2:04 AM
"homosexuals should not be arrested as that would prevent the understanding of homosexuals (trying to suppress something)Plus, it is difficult to talk, interview, observe people in their natural environment"
Geez, it makes us sound like scientific specimen. Like we all live in a friggin zoo where you can come by and observe us in our natural environment. Announcer-"Observe the mating habits of the homosexual male. Notice how he looks around the bar for only minutes before he decides on a possible mate." Then the little girl next to the cage points and says. "Look mommy, he's drinking a martini."
For most gay people the only choice in life is to be gay or to grow old alone, because pretending to be straight doesn't work forever. My natural environment is different than the "natural environment" of other gay men and similar to some. Just as my "Lifestyle" is different than other gay men and similar to some.
I can only guess what you mean by "supressing something", but if I am correct in your meaning, you have been brainwashed by the political right, disguised as the religious. Please elaborate.
Thanks
Darren
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/18/2006 12:44 PM
I'm sorry you took what I said out of context. What I was tryintg to say was that if christians so desire to elimnate gays then understanding them and getting to know our situation is better than caging us in an unnatural environment. Really sorry for the confusion. Understanding is usually the beginning of resolution - one way or the other. It's just the idea of jailing people to elimnate behavior is so ridiculous. That's equivalent to saying I don't like, I don't want to see you, I want you gone. How can someone say that to a gay person? Easily when they don't understand.
posted by , at
7/18/2006 10:55 PM
Thanks for the follow-up. I hope you can understand why I took it that way.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/19/2006 4:30 PM
I really wish I could support this campaign, but it just not the right way to promote tolerance. It trivializes prejudice, and prejudice is not trivial. Focus On The Family will have no trouble at all tearing the puppy ads to pieces. The Gill foundation needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with something that has more bite . . . and I don't mean a dog bite.
posted by DC HAMPTON JACOBS, at
7/20/2006 9:52 AM
Again, it's a step in the right direction. A step at attempting to educate the general public on the realities of homosexuality and the reality of the "homosexual lifestyle." We are all human, just like any other human, but we were born gay.
posted by jekelhyde, at
7/20/2006 7:59 PM
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