response to Dustin's latest article on the Pride Flag

Written by: Karen Munz535-7107k_munz@mail.plymouth.edu

In response to Dustin Siggins' recent article under "The Right Track"

I am not writing this response letter as the President of ALSO: the Gay/Straight Alliance of Plymouth State University, an organization that has contributed to the PSU community and surrounding communities for 27 years. I am not writing this response letter because I am an "outraged lesbian". I am writing this letter as a concerned member of the PSU community, an active student, and your peer.

The topic at hand, hanging the Pride flag in the HUB, is a worthy topic for discussion. However, I find your comparison with the Confederate flag to be inappropriate and less than accurate. The Confederate flag has certain unknown truths and so does the Pride flag, however the Confederate flag has misunderstandings through two aspects. Some consider the flag to be a battle flag, a part of history and yes, I agree. However, others know it as a flag of hate, discrimination and slavery. I agree with that as well. While still others view it as a sign of "white power" and would like it hung in support of hate. Should it be hung? In my opinion, no, and I am sure you would agree with me. Now, the Pride flag is misunderstood as well. Some view it as a blatant showing of sexuality, one's own "choice" of homosexuality, and some even view it as a sign of the radical homosexuals disregarding the norm of society and shoving it down the unsuspecting throats of the heterosexuals of the world. However, none of these misinterpretations place the Pride Flag being hung in support of hate. In fact, the flag is completely opposed to hate. It is flown as an international sign of peace and was originally created by Gilbert Baker.

In 1979 Gilbert Baker created the first Pride Flags for Gays and Lesbians in San Francisco to have a symbol of pride other than the Pink Triangle Hitler used to identify gay men during World War II. The Pride flag, or "Rainbow" flag, carries a meaning for each color as follows: Red = Life, Orange = Healing, Yellow = Sun, Green = Nature, Royal Blue = Harmony, Violet = Spirit. What part of this upsets or offends you? These colors, and this flag, are used to represent the souls and feelings of individuals presented with hate and misunderstanding against them all the time. It is flown to show pride for ourselves, our allies/ supporters and it is flown to show acceptance towards those who discriminate. To call this "elitism" would be a harsh and misguided exaggeration. The Pride Flag is a sign of tolerance amongst a world less tolerable than we might believe. To "shove down [your] throat" the ideas of Life, Healing, Sun, Nature, Harmony and Spirit could very well be something you do not want or appreciate. However, when you looked up at that flag and received whatever images or ideas you thought of, you received them on your own behalf. Just as it was my choice to read your article, you chose to look up at that flag and when you made it an issue you shoved the Pride Flag down your own throat.

On the topic of homosexuality being a "choice" as you so delicately put it, I must disagree. Should homosexuality be a choice one would not find many GLBTQ persons. I do not know of an individual that would like to be looked down on, discriminated against and, at times, physically and sexually assaulted. It is, however, our choice to "come-out" and be ourselves no matter what the odds, just as I would hope you feel the need to be yourself. Whether you are seen as an outstanding person or not based on the opinions of people who do not know you is somewhat of a chance everyone takes, not just the GLBTQ community. In addition, even our allies find themselves having to "come-out" as supporters. It is their choice to love and support the people in their lives they care for because of the person they are, not necessarily because of their homosexuality, bisexuality, heterosexuality, etc. I came out because this is only a part of who I am. I am also an artist, writer, friend, family member, student, and the list goes on. Should homosexuality be a choice I would not have bothered since I am so many other things that have nothing to do with who I am attracted to or who I love. Me being gay is simply another facet to the person I am as a whole. I choose to be gay just as much as I choose to love art, music, or choose to wake up in the morning. I may not always want to go to Drawing class, but it is what I do, who I am, and what I love. I do not think anyone would fault me for that.

Yet another issue you touched upon was the comparison between the personal viewing of pornography and homosexuality. Should a heterosexual couple "make out", they are probably not looking for acceptance and neither are homosexual couples. Simply, both couples are showing their affection towards the individual they are with. No one is asking you for acceptance when they show affection towards their "partner" of any gender, same or opposite, just as no one is asking you for acceptance of the Pride Flag.

For the people who do not want to see or hear homosexuality you need to cut your ties from society as a whole. When you walk down the street, you will most likely see a gay person. When you hand in your midterm you may be looking into the eyes of a bisexual professor. When you get your teeth cleaned you may not realize your dentist had a sex-change five years ago. Your future brother-in-law or sister-in-law might love you, trust you, and want to celebrate with you enough to send you an invitation to their commitment ceremony. Whether it is accepted or not, "blatantly slamming homosexuality down throats" or not, it is still there and the people you discriminate against could very well be the EMT or doctor that treats you or thankfully saves your life or the life of a loved one. It is not our "life-style" that makes us, it is who we are as human beings, and we are ALL human beings.

-Sincerely, Karen Munz

Online resources:

http://www.sfpride.org/heritage/betsyross.htmhttp://www.keywestcityofcolors.com/press/press_Gilbert.htmlhttp://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/scotts/bulgarians/rainbow-flag.htmlhttp://gaylife.about.com/cs/imagegallery/l/blpridecolordef.htm