(no subject)

[your_new_cuckoo]

I heard about this story last week and wanted to write something about it, but I had trouble getting my thoughts together in a coherent way. Ellen did a good job, so here's her take.

The one thing I can add is my disappointment at how it was presented on the news (I think I saw it on ABC, but I'm not sure). When explaining what happened, they said it was because the boy "admitted" to being gay. While technically admit means "to concede as true or valid", the connotation of the word "admit" is that someone is confessing to doing something wrong. Hell, even in the dictionary, an example of the definition's context is "admitted making a mistake." This kid wasn't doing or being anything wrong and it's upsetting that a news writer would even think to use that word. What's more upsetting is that probably wasn't an intentional thing- it's just so ingrained that being gay is something shameful that has to be kept a secret so if someone comes out or is outed, then of course "admit" is the right word. Which is sad.

Comments

[lala2.livejournal.com]

This is the saddest story. It breaks my heart on so many levels I can't even explain it. Of course I don't need to...you feel the same way...I already know it.

I agree with you about the "admitted" part. I don't like it fot the same reasons you didn't.

Man I love Ellen. She is just amazing.

Love you!

[geobabe1.livejournal.com]

This is one of the many things that terrify me as a mom--what if one (or both) of my kids is gay? There's a lot more acceptance now, which is fantastic, but there are still way too many knuckle-draggers who think an appropriate response to being asked out by a kid of the same gender is murder. Jesus.

I can tell you one thing, if my kids are straight, they will understand that being gay is totally normal and nothing to be threatened by. That's one thing I do have some power to do something about. And they are going to stand up for kids who can't stand up for themselves.

I feel strongly about this.

[lovemonster.livejournal.com]

*sobs* i had no idea that happened!