I have a new post up at Unherd about the American Academy of Pediatric’s heavy-handed attempts to shut down debate over how to support gender-questioning kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics has a gender problem. But it really doesn’t want to talk about it
I got my first significant tattoo recently, and in looking at the FAQ of all the studios in my area, one statement came up every time: They will not tattoo minors, even with parental consent.
It struck me, because so many also are, positively so, clear supporters of the queer community, signified through rainbow iconage or pride tattoos in portfolios.
What cognitive dissonance, i thought, that one can be comfortable with the permanence of GAC - but also have concern that some ink in the dermis is something a minor cant possibly understand the lifelong consequences of.
Please don't use the term "queer". Many gay people still consider that term to be a slur, as do I. All of its meanings are negative: strange, odd, weird, abnormal, unusual, etc. No person with self-respect calls him- or herself that.
A curious point - it comes to mind, perhaps, as I've recently been reading Jarman's memoirs where he was quite fond of it. Strange how time changes things.
In addition to that, I would like to ask: Did my usage of it come across as disparaging? Negative? I ask this earnestly, because I reached to it simply as a simple descriptive, without any attached qualia.
I've long been curious, since at least adolescence, in the way we react to words; For a long period of my life I found the idea of being labelled a "nerd" to be demeaning, preferring "geek" - after some time I came to realize, I suppose, that both may apply and the cognitive exhaustion of attempting to clarify and categorize the distinction for myself was too much to bear. Playing video games online and laughing with friends about what nerds we were struck me as friendly, whereas a comment like "don't be such a fucking nerd" would hurt.
If you are gay and calling yourself "queer", then I think you are foolish. If you are not gay, please remember that many (probably most) gay people do not call themselves that. Mainly it is young gays and "non-binary" people who are using the term. Every time I have been called a "queer", it was by a bigot who was slurring me. Thank you. I have to turn off my computer now.
I'm sorry you have been mistreated in such a way. I myself have been called "faggot" more times in my life than is possible to count. A few times lovingly, otherwise with disdain and an aim for division.
But the schism is there as well - you casually cast at me the claim that I am a fool with no self-respect. Compared to a single word I wrote, without judgment, without hostility - you respond with judgment and hostility - you aim to hurt or demean. And yet, I am not hurt, I am not demeaned.
I know who I am, neither fool, and with an abundance of self-respect. And I respect you as a fellow person.
I'm sorry if I don't seem open-minded to you, but I'm not. I'm tired of the stupidity of my gay brethren. As I indicated above, the word "queer" does not have any positive meanings. When you refer to the "queer community", you are branding us all, including yourself, as misfits. Sorry to be blunt.
The AAP is being slippery so they can evade taking responsibility. Any time you find yourself utterly lost or exhausted after trying to engage with someone on a topic, it's a good sign they're engaging in mindf*ckery. They're being contradictory, vague, and gaslighting you in order to conceal the true nature of their actions and evade responsibility.
I got my first significant tattoo recently, and in looking at the FAQ of all the studios in my area, one statement came up every time: They will not tattoo minors, even with parental consent.
It struck me, because so many also are, positively so, clear supporters of the queer community, signified through rainbow iconage or pride tattoos in portfolios.
What cognitive dissonance, i thought, that one can be comfortable with the permanence of GAC - but also have concern that some ink in the dermis is something a minor cant possibly understand the lifelong consequences of.
Please don't use the term "queer". Many gay people still consider that term to be a slur, as do I. All of its meanings are negative: strange, odd, weird, abnormal, unusual, etc. No person with self-respect calls him- or herself that.
A curious point - it comes to mind, perhaps, as I've recently been reading Jarman's memoirs where he was quite fond of it. Strange how time changes things.
In addition to that, I would like to ask: Did my usage of it come across as disparaging? Negative? I ask this earnestly, because I reached to it simply as a simple descriptive, without any attached qualia.
I've long been curious, since at least adolescence, in the way we react to words; For a long period of my life I found the idea of being labelled a "nerd" to be demeaning, preferring "geek" - after some time I came to realize, I suppose, that both may apply and the cognitive exhaustion of attempting to clarify and categorize the distinction for myself was too much to bear. Playing video games online and laughing with friends about what nerds we were struck me as friendly, whereas a comment like "don't be such a fucking nerd" would hurt.
If you are gay and calling yourself "queer", then I think you are foolish. If you are not gay, please remember that many (probably most) gay people do not call themselves that. Mainly it is young gays and "non-binary" people who are using the term. Every time I have been called a "queer", it was by a bigot who was slurring me. Thank you. I have to turn off my computer now.
I'm sorry you have been mistreated in such a way. I myself have been called "faggot" more times in my life than is possible to count. A few times lovingly, otherwise with disdain and an aim for division.
But the schism is there as well - you casually cast at me the claim that I am a fool with no self-respect. Compared to a single word I wrote, without judgment, without hostility - you respond with judgment and hostility - you aim to hurt or demean. And yet, I am not hurt, I am not demeaned.
I know who I am, neither fool, and with an abundance of self-respect. And I respect you as a fellow person.
I'm sorry if I don't seem open-minded to you, but I'm not. I'm tired of the stupidity of my gay brethren. As I indicated above, the word "queer" does not have any positive meanings. When you refer to the "queer community", you are branding us all, including yourself, as misfits. Sorry to be blunt.
Hiya, I saw JK Rowling being promoted in MSM for her new book under the name Robert Galbraith. Is all forgiven now?
Jo
The AAP is being slippery so they can evade taking responsibility. Any time you find yourself utterly lost or exhausted after trying to engage with someone on a topic, it's a good sign they're engaging in mindf*ckery. They're being contradictory, vague, and gaslighting you in order to conceal the true nature of their actions and evade responsibility.