I was forced by the state to take a course in "multiculturalism" in order to receive my undergraduate degree and I opted for a course in women's studies on the recommendation of a friend at the time. I learned in that class that various minorities have "reclaimed" some of the hurtful words that have been directed at them and by using them willingly toward one another they become less hurtful when used by others.

While this notion has been far less successful with the term "nigger," which everyone in America knows is still considered extremely offensive when used by white people, other terms like "gal," "queer," and "bitch" have been more or less "reclaimed."

I find the whole notion of "reclaiming" terms to be a little bit specious. Yes, the meaning and especially the connotations of words shift over time, but actively using an offensive word in an effort to dis-empower unfair prejudices while some how promoting acceptance strikes me as absurd. Therefore, as a general rule, I take offensive language to be offensive.

The reason I chose to name the category of posts on this blog regarding the topic of homosexuality "On Faggotism" is because the term "faggot" is offensive and I appreciate the absurd reversal of application since nearly everything I write on the topic is pro-sodomy. But absurdity one aspect of effective humor and here the joke hinges on the fact that the term is offensive.

I dislike the term "faggot." It makes my skin crawl. I could count the number of times I've actually uttered the term on one hand. It offends me. I don't even like the term "fag," although it's marginally less obnoxious to me.

And I find it notable that I have heard it from the lips of homosexuals at least as frequently as I've heard it uttered by heterosexuals and they have generally used it to express at least as much disdain for a fellow gay as a homophobe would. Therefore, I think it is arguable to say that the homosexual who uses the term is expressing that disdain not merely for the individual toward whom the aspersion is cast but for the homosexual population at large. At the risk of sounding a little too "multicultural" I would be inclined to call that phenomenon "internalized homophobia."

This brings me to Mario Lavendeira AKA Perez Hilton. Mr. Lavendeira was recently involved in a violent altercation with bodyguards and members of the band Black Eyed Peas. During this altercation, Mr. Lavendeira apparently provoked someone to violence by calling William Adams AKA Will.I.Am a faggot.

Before I continue, I should point out that I have no respect for Mr. Lavendeira. Prior to final editing, this post included several colorful references to Mr. Lavendeira and his character both of which I consider to be vulgar and low in nearly every conceivable aspect. I used terms like "asshat," "twit," fuckwit," and a metaphor involving both the word "pustule" and "syphilitic testical" along with a reference to a farm animal that I find to be amusing. As you can see, however, I have taken the higher road here because this post isn't about my evaulation of Mr. Lavendeira's person or character.

The Gay, Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has spoken out on this issue, asking Mr. Lavendeira to apologize for his use of the word. And Mr. Lavendeira has responded by whining some more, "I am saddened GLAAD chose to victimize me further by criticizing me for how I non-violently dealt with a very scary situation that, unfortunately, turned violent." And then he goes on to suggest that GLAAD ought to apologize to him.

I don't think arguments should be settled with violence, but I can see how lesser men might decide that a smart alec deserves a punch in the nose for mouthing off as I believe Mr. Lavendeira did. So, the question of whether or not it was right or wrong for someone to allegedly hit Mr. Lavendeira. That was certainly a rightfully criminal act.

But having been wronged does not mitigate or diminish the fact that Mr. Lavendeira was also wrong even if not criminally so. (It might be argued that some of his editing of celebrity photos to imply that they are drug addicts is libelous, but that does not immediately seem to apply here.) And his use of the term "faggot" is also not made less offensive for it, either.

Mr. Lavendeira admits that he chose to call Mr. Adams a faggot because it was the worst possible thing he could think of.  He knows the term is offensive.  As a gay man, he also knows the term applies to him and not Mr. Adams who is heterosexual.  He is implicitly accepting the idea that, if nothing else, Mr. Adams thinks that being gay is a VERY bad thing.  The worst thing he could think of for Mr. Adams to be, actually.

He attempts to dodge the accusation of using an offensive anti-gay epithet by suggesting that he was merely being manipulative, but fails because his manipulation requires acknowledging and applying the hatefulness he wishes to exploit. So, aside from being hurtful and slanderous, Mr. Lavendeira tacitly accepts the accusation of homosexuality as an insult.

I'm glad that GLAAD called Mr. Lavendeira out on this crap, although I can't say I'm really all that surprised that he used the word.  If there is any gay man who would spitefully call another man a faggot in an attempt to insult and provoke, it's him.  That's exactly what kind of person he is and why I don't like him.

Update: Lavendiera apologizes and claims not to be homophobic.  I remain unconvinced.  I think he still subconsciously regards gay sex as shameful and immoral.

Posted by: Flibbertigibbet at 11:08 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Category: On Faggotism
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