Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones but Words May Hurt Too
Not a single day goes by with out at least one harmful word escapes the lips of some one nearby. Slurs such as “that’s so gay”“, that’s so homo”, “f**” and even “dyke” have been thrown around, along with “that’s retarded”. All though, some of these phrases are not as commonly used around the school as much as outside of the school it is still unnerving to hear those phrases. Even in the Rainbow Community, words such as “dyke” and “f**” may be used, but they tend to be used in a different meaning. Many people now shudder at the slurs, and it paints the image of hatred, and refusal to be kind and courteous towards others.
Many of you are guilty of these slurs of hate-filled comments. It is not easy for many people, friends of GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender) members, family of GLBTs, especially the GLBT his/herself to sit through a class or lunch period or walk through the hall hearing some one go off bashing homosexuality. Saying that it is gay; well at least the people calling homosexuality “gay” has at least one thing correct; congrats to them. Nevertheless, other statements have also been used that are much more graphic. For those brave enough to stand up against this it is not uncommon to be laughed at after getting a response of “want to hear a joke…? Gay rights!” Then the person doing the bashing then thinks s/he has the right to laugh in the persons face thinking it is so hilarious to not only humiliate a human being but also be so ignorant of the feelings of others.
Stereotypes also float about, that all gay men are flamboyant and dress perfectly, some that gay males are very feminine speaking with a lisp. That female homosexuals are either butch or “lipstick lesbians”, either or. Though some of these might fit some of the homosexuals out there, they are incredibly wrong in most cases. Many are writers, artists, singers, athletes, doctors, firefighters, police, drug addicts, actors, waiters, store clerks, teachers, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters; so on and so on. All of them range from being shy to outgoing; depressed to happy; kind to mean; selfish to selfless. They all have hopes and dreams, friends, family and in some cases lovers. To stereotype some one as butch, dyke, prep, jock, emo, or any other stereotype is just dehumanizing the person. Placing them in with a group of people, not caring to see their likes, dislikes; who they are. Does it truly matter what group or society one belongs to?
