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April 08, 2007

Let's choose not to be pitied

Posted by Ariel Troster at 09:37 PM ET

Okay, take a look at the image for yourself:

This is the photo that Fondation Emergence has chosen to illustrate this year's National Day Against Homophobia on May 17th. In my latest column for Capital Xtra, I argue that this kind of imagery elicits pity rather than celebration, and treats the queer community like we're something that should be tolerated, rather than celebrated. It also denies the reality of most queer and trans people's experiences, in an attempt to gain mainstream acceptance. It takes the sex out of homosexuality, and it harkens back to the days when gayness was considered to be a medical condition that could be cured.

What do you think?

(Cross-posted to Dykes Against Harper)

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Reader comments:

Interesting point of view.

I don't share your opinion that it elicits pity rather than celebration. There is something vulnerable about a baby, of course. But there's also something natural, which is what I get from the picture.

As a straight who lives in a pretty straight world, I can't speak to the rest of your opinions - but I am surprised that they would choose to put "not a choice" as their tagline. I personally don't see what it matters whether it's a choice or not. There are aspects of both that could be used against gays (a condition to be cured, as you say, or a choice to be changed), so it seems an odd thing to put front and centre.

Posted by: tom s. at April 8, 2007 10:30 PM

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Yes. "Not a choice" implies no one would ever choose such an inverted and strange way of being, so you should feel sorry for those who are stuck with being that way.

On the other hand, there is something at least a tiny bit edgy about using a baby in a queer ad, given the deep-seated and lingering panic in some straight people's minds about queers somehow affecting kids in some "deviant" way. If only they had done a better job of it somehow.

Posted by: shawnsyms at April 9, 2007 09:26 AM

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