Confused
Monday, April 23, 2007
In my time here at the University I have been, as most of my readers know, in the queer activist culture here. I spoke on many panels, presented safe zone sessions, and even entertained a class or two on my own. One of the perpetual questions that comes up is my take on the "that's so gay" phrase that many youth seem to be comfortable with. My response to those who challenge the anti-GLBT statement has always been, "ask them what makes that drinking fountain, locked door, or other general disappointment gay... make them think about what they are saying." Well today, I was put in a position to say something myself, but then something weird happened. The dialogue went like this...
From behind me in the hall: "That test was the queerest thing I think I've ever taken."
I my head: "Do I confront this? Does he really mean that? Does it matter? I identify as queer. I didn't spend 4 hours in high heals and a dress last Saturday to have someone belittle me now. I am going to say something."
Just before I turned around I heard him say: "No really, after that test I totally feel like having sex with another man has some merit."
Now, I am just confused. I said nothing. I just wandered off to my study area thinking...
What is this test? Can I get this test and administer it to a larger population? Purely for valid scientific purposes - of coarse! I need to know if the effect is replicable.
But seriously, I decided not to say anything because he did realize what he was saying. And really, I wasn't offended. I might be later, who knows. There are certainly other ways to take his comment. In the end, what I have been asking people to do for the last 6 years is to know that what they say has a meaning. To hear someone acknowledge that meaning without being confronted. The realization that someone did just that feels really good.
posted by ZEUS @ 10:17 AM,
