One was the case of Aaron Hernandez, whose sad story was written in the Boston Globe recently. Hernandez, it was revealed, was bisexual. He had had love relationships with several males but also had a child with his fiancee' before being sent to prison on murder charges.
His home background was awful. Hernandez gave off effeminate actions and mannerisms, which infuriated his hot-tempered father, who administered terrible, angry beatings. Anyone who has read about home-centered violence knows that the victims are inclined to take it out on others in bullying and other self-destructive actions. That it caught up to him was no surprise. Hernandez then committed the ultimate act of selfishness and self-destruction by hanging himself in his jail cell.
Another was Matthew Shepard, whose ashes were interred this week, finally and permanently, in Washington National Cathedral, more than a thousand miles from his home in Wyoming. In 1998, Shepard was robbed, pistol-whipped, and left for dead, hanging from a fence. He later died in a hospital. His two killers now serve life sentences.
Shepard was gay. His murder was a hate crime. His parents have always feared that his remains would be desecrated. A young, peaceful man, he attracted violence because of his innate nature--only that. Diminutive at 5-2, he was no doubt considered an easy mark, so he was lured to travel with two men who made him believe they were gay, too. They actually couldn't even abide having a gay person among them, though he meant them no harm.
His funeral became an international cause celebre, in no small part because it was picketed by the homophobic Westboro Baptist Church, whose signs said, in addition to other things, "God Hates Fags."
His funeral became an international cause celebre, in no small part because it was picketed by the homophobic Westboro Baptist Church, whose signs said, in addition to other things, "God Hates Fags."
That his parents felt they needed to solicit a national monument to be sure of the safety of their son's remains, across the continent, is a sorry comment on the lack of tolerance that has always existed.
The person accused yesterday of allegedly sending pipe bombs to several Democratic critics of 45 was known to make critical comments of gays and transsexuals. That President Obama and Vice-President Biden, who began the momentum toward accepting gay marriage in the U.S., were two of his targets (Did he not know Anthony Kennedy's home address?) spoke to his potential motivations (Though we have not heard from him yet and, considering his other targets, there were in all likelihood a host of other twisted reasons. This is assuming, of course, that his identity is accurate).
It is an albatross of this society that it cannot settle upon the inevitable fact of homosexuality within it. It is an albatross of this educational system that teachers cannot reasonably discuss it--including the possible hereditary explanations and its long history, including important world figures who were homosexual.
It is also an albatross of religiosity that clerics of some religions, Christian or otherwise, consider homosexuality sinful, to be reviled and hated, instead of a condition of the human race that, while not pervasive, is a consistent phenomenon--and, with acceptance, might be reduced in its effects instead of having them accentuated. At least it has nothing to do with being a bad person.
I have been approached by good, decent gay men a few times (each time quite surprising) over the years, inquiring in their ways whether I was one of them. But that has nothing to do with my consideration of their equality under the law and the basic acceptance of their humanity. I do not diminish them for asking, and I seriously doubt that they diminish me. As much of the Bill of Rights implies, we live and let live. But my attitudes, too, had to evolve, and my deep connection with the National Education Association had a great deal to do with it. I'm glad for that.
There is too little of that nowadays. The specter of intolerance has been unleashed again, rambling like a tiger escaping from its cage. It is there, stalking. If you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, well--too bad for you. When it pounces, it is already too late. The proliferation of weapons only makes it easier to fulfill.
Intolerance of sexual preferences provides much of the base of what motivates people to hate--in addition to religiously-based incitement and locked-in definitions of what it is to be a man. When those religions, or clergy, give their implicit permission, it gives permission to preclude additional thought and consideration, leads to grossly inaccurate generalizations about the deterioration of society as we know it, and raises frustration and anger to irrational impulses.
That was at the base of the three examples above. To overcome this is a heavy lift. But we must try.
A transsexual was standing right behind me at the Obama speech at North Division High School yesterday. Seemed like a nice lady. The gymnasium was plenty big for both of us.
Be well. See you down the road.
Mister Mark
Be well. See you down the road.
Mister Mark
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