Klarinet Archive - Posting 000094.txt from 1998/08

From: Lisa Clayton <lisakc@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Classical vs. Popular
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 19:22:13 -0400

At 06:53 PM 08.03.98 -0400, Craig wrote:
>Marty wrote:
>
>>A lot of people today are sensitive to swearing and that's ok...but a
>century ago,
>>homosexuality was completly unheard of. Today, they hold festivals and
>>parade in the streets! And that's accepted.
>
>I wouldn't say it is accepted, but I think the situation has gotten better.
>I don't think that you can make a comparison between homosexuality and
>swearing. The former is something that we are now finding out cannot be
>helped, whereas swearing is something that you DEFINITELY have control over.
>I wonder how many homosexuals would welcome such a comparison?

As a "homosexual" (not the preferred term, believe me) I was somewhat
amused and yet somewhat irritated by the first quote when I first read it.
And, since I come to the Klarinet list to get away from the politics, I
figured I'd let it ride. But now, I'd like to add a few points.

Point #1: A century ago (1898) was the beginning of the first gay (then
called "urning") rights movement started by Magnes Hirschfield in Germany.
It was probably the first time gay people were seen as having its own
distinct subculture. So yes, a century ago there were also parades and
festivals. Thirty five years later there was book burnings and
concentration camps. Which is why Trent Lott putting his foot in his mouth
makes us a bit hot under the collar.

Point #2: Swearing may have loosened up, but appropriately, we've become a
lot more taboo about using racist, sexist or homophobic slurs in this
culture. What we're looking at is not a loosening of morality per se, but
rather a shift that acknowledges differences in human beings. As sexual
morality is redefined and relaxed a bit, "swear" words that refer to sexual
acts and bodily functions in particular are becoming less shocking.

Point #3: Considering this is a listserv, and everybody here probably has
very little idea of who is *really* out there reading, it does help to
realize that we probably have a fair mix of ethnicities and sexual
orientations. So if you post and refer to one particular group, it helps
to keep in mind that there are probably a fair number of that particular
group on the listserv. It's a pretty standard netiquette clause.

So, here I am, outing myself. Feel free to email me if you have questions
or comments, I rather like the curious. But I don't like flames (been
there, done that) and I *will* report the really hateful ones. Thanks!

Lisa Clayton
bass clarinet-- San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band
clarinet-- Dixieland Dykes+3

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