My Dearest Darlings, over the last
few months there has been a terrible torrent of stories regarding your inexplicably
young committing suicide, due; it is reported to the impossible experience of
being perceived as gay in your schools. Why is it that teenagers see that the only
escape from persistent and relentless bullying is suicide?
Could it be that despite various
campaigns and celebrities championing gay people that in the ‘real’ world it is
still not acceptable to be gay? Gayness is still seen as a life choice, as something
to be kept private; to be ashamed of. In the UK recently amid spurious rumours of politician Liam
Fox’s sexuality he felt his only option was to resign from government, perhaps
it is the secrecy and therefore the dishonesty of his demeanour that created an atmosphere of
distrust which led to his resignation. The
fact that Mr Fox whatever his sexuality was subject to such prurient speculation
suggests that to be gay is still seen as something controversial. Or is it that
disguising ones sexuality is the real problem? Whatever the case the young perceive speculation surrounding ones sexual preference as a scandal and as a
result it is still seen as apparently unrespectable to be gay.
Outrageous (and popularly perceived
as slightly bonkers) superstar Lady Gaga has made it her mission to combat
bullying and apparently met President Obama recently to discuss the issue, this
was in part due to Jamey Rodemeyer’s mention and gratitude to Lady Gaga
on-line for her support of gay issues shortly before his suicide due to
homophobic bullying.
Well meaning actor and portrayer of
the eccentric Zachary Quinto ‘came-out’ this week suggesting that the tragic story
of Jamey Rodemeyer had acted as a catalyst for his own public acknowledgment of
his sexuality, he announced that his ‘coming
out’ was as an act of gay solidarity. As worthy and admirable as this is, the
fact remains that the gay people that actually have political power, the gay people
that are in a position to change laws and opinions remain relatively invisible,
these mysterious men in suits continue to refuse (perhaps understandably) to be
defined by their sexuality, though as long as they continue to do so the only
visible gay people and example to the young remain as quirky actors, cuckoo pop-stars,
and salacious celebrities, the powers that be expect the famous flibbertigibbet to be gay or gay
friendly so alas the support from the ‘weird’ does not particularly challenge
the perception and position of the gay person in society hence the continuing
chastisement and marginalisation of gay people in your complex and peculiar
society by the average or ‘normal’ who it is worth noting remain a constant
source of bewilderment and discombobulation to your humble servant Ms Coco
Laverne X.