[PapaC]

My response in bold

Originally Posted by Cyclopea

What I learned from SVU tonight:

-Lesbians are cultlike followers

Some of what was presented on the show tonight is unfortunately accurate, Cyclo. I've seen and and been a part of ridiculous blind loyalty to unscrupulous characters who yes, happen to be part of the LGBT community. Cultlike? Thank you, that's very good word actually.

-Lesbians are overreactive angry harpies

Some are, absolutely. Come on? Are you going to deny that angry lesbians don't exist? with or without justifiable reasons?

-Outspoken or politically active women are harpies
See above

-Lesbianism is a choice
hmmm.... no sure how to comment on that one.

-Lesbianism is malleable in the presence of the "right" man
It happens. Can you (and others) deal with that? Care to take a guess on how many of my lesbian/queer partners ended up or turned an eye towards men? Think I give a shit or think they weren't 'real' lesbians at the time? or that their queer politics weren't in check?

-Lesbians recruit
Some try to, proudly. How many married women have dated lesbians and then came out? (putting my hand up)

-Lesbians are attracted to and hit on every attractive straight women that crosses their path
Yeah, I'll agree Griffin's character was a bit over the top on that. but is Law and Order the series, and the show stating this by having this type of character on one episode? Really?

-Lesbians are quick to misinterpret the intentions of well-meaning straight women
I saw as them having a difference in perspective because hello, a lot of well-meaning straight women actually do NOT get it, or understand

-Lesbians believe straight women cannot be "strong" or work in non-traditional jobs
no particular comment or argument there.

-Organizations or groups that focus on specifically lesbian concerns are exclusionary and should not exist
Why do you feel they should not exist? Do you think that was the message they were trying to convey? I think the message was, 'LesBeStrong' was more exclusively about Lesbian rights, yes, but when its founder comes out as Bi, or more true to herself, she felt the need to open it more to LGBT. Is there anything wrong with that message?

-Aggressives have secret nicknames and would lie about a nickname even if it undermined the murder investigation of their significant other
I don't know (personally) anyone who IDs as an Aggressive however, there are many many butches I know with 'secret' or secondary 'boi' names. I thought that was quite accurate and on point.

-Aggressives are crazy violent criminals
I'd imagine some of them are. So? It's called LAW AND ORDER. It's a show that's going to show insavory characters who have violent streaks. This time, an aggressive. Is that so wrong and inaccurate? really?

-Women who embrace their masculinity are secretive and express that masculinity through violence
Again, see above. They questioned one aggressive, who was violent. There were a sea of others on the show that didn't express their masculinity that way.

-Masculinity=violence
see above

-Transgendered lesbians do not exist
and was this episode supposed to showcase every single type of queer? in one hour?

-Bisexuals lie about, and are ashamed of their affectational orientation and only come out when forced
Wanna take a guess at how many femmes and butches have had to be in the closet about being bi, or worse be labelled players and sluts by other femmes and butches in our community because they happened to like dick (past or present?). Would you like to know some of the reasons why I personally stayed in the closet for 6 years longer than I personally should have? If you don't have a history of being bisexual, you are not aware of the rampant bi-phobia that continues to exist in this very community. Again, that portrayal of Griffen's character reasons for being in the closet was sadly, very very on point.


-Bisexuals with boyfriends who are hospitalized with gunshot wounds kiss any hot guy that's around and tell them to "give me a call"
The little bit made me laugh actually,. It was entertaining. Like a hot gay men's kiss.

-Lesbians reject bisexuals because bisexuals make a choice of sexual orientation that they themselves could also make, but reject
SEE ABOVE


All in all, SUV is sexist, homophobic, stupit, and sucks. Reminds me all the more to try and represent for my lesbian sistahs. (Until the right man comes along of course.)

Ok, granted I can respect that opinion, but really, is it the only show that has flavourings of sexism, homophibia, and stupidity? Have you ever seen "How I Met Your Mother" where the principle character is a sexist, quasi homophobic character, played by a gay man in real life: Neal Patrick Harris? Real eye opener of an episode I saw last night, I can tell you. I've liked Neal Patrick Harris as an actor for years, but won't be visiting that show any time soon.

Look, I get it. It's important to have a critical eye with queer-themed episodes on mainstream shows like Law and Order. I totally get it. But, was it ALL bad? was it ALL inaccurate? Is it wrong to GASP, have queer violent perps. showcased on TV?

Here's my personal malfunction, Cyclo: as a survivor of non-consensual date rape by a lesbian in the late '90's it's important for me to see some accuracy (and therefore, some portrayal) of this very hidden facet of our community .

And that brings me to perhaps the best line in the whole episode. If there's a "take away" from this ep. it's here:

Like B.D Wong's character stated "Like everyone else, it all boils down to the individual. Which is why gays and lesbians are not immune to domestic violence, substance abuse, rape... just more proof that we're all equal

In 2009, I had to explain to family members (intelligent but straight family members) that yes, domestic violence can exist between two men, just like it can exist between two women (or female born). I didn't come out to them about my date rape because it would have been too hard for them to grasp "how" and "why". I had to explain to them just exactly how 'normal' (and by that, I kinda mean how fucked up) we all are.

I've told and will continue to tell anyone who might be questioning or coming out, that there's no sacredness to loving women (or wimmin/womyn/ etc if you prefer). Just because the majority of us here were born with vaginas (and still possess them) doesn't mean we are on some sort of higher plane of existence, intellectualism, altruism or any of that sort of nonsense.

We're people. The good and the bad, the ying and yang.

I'm not saying there's not a patriarchical society, the fuckedupness of masculinity paraded as 'more-than'.... (heck that's felt in queer circles, but I'm sure you're aware of this, yes?)

sometimes it's just about the heart. The heart wants what the heart wants.

oh, P.S. thanks for showing that hot gay kiss though. I might start watching OZ again.