In our perverted society (and in many others) the sign of a "real" man is gal-bashing and fag-bashing...which, as a gay activist (and dedicated feminist), I often speak out against. Even here in "Gay Mecca" San Francisco, homophobia AND misogyny are alive and thriving. Female pornography and hard-core sex clubs thrive; and any man who admires the beauty of another male is at risk of violence or, at best, public disgust and derision.

I consider the pornographication of women to be horrific and an utter degradation of any society. And seems about to cross the line into popularizing snuff films. It is this commonly shared violence of male machismo which closely unites the cause of both women and sexual minorities. I have also come to the realization--after many years introspection--that worldwide violence (war, poverty, famine, slavery, etc.) will only come to an end, once homophobia is eradicated.

Notice how much BETTER a nation fares, when it comes to respect its own LGBT community: all OTHER minorities (and females) win, too. Those nations would be most of Western Europe (especially Scandinavia and Holland), and the former British Commonwealth of Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In fact, it is the European Union pressing member-wannabes to CEASE their homophobic attitudes, as a prerequisite for joining their civilized network.

Social engineering is WHY we are constantly bombarded by heterocentric notions, in the media via movies, advertisements and most other entertainment and news. In fact, I propose renaming movie theaters "heterosexist indoctrination centers," to more accurately define their true purpose. Female rock stars--no matter how old (I mean: Tina Turner?)--are displayed like jailbait tarts for the tittilation of male audiences.

This is a crude form of social engineering, though most effective. Turn off the machismo spigot, and watch how quickly bisexuality becomes the norm...and as a consequence, respect towards females and queers. Men will no longer feel pressured to produce unwanted babies simply to PROVE to the public, their manliness and NON-gayness. They will no longer be coerced to threaten and bash queers to likewise prove their masculinity.

In fact, I believe that the very ROOT of war is this subliminal current of machismo: all these red-blooded, infuriated males all riled up to fight any culture Uncle Sam perceives as "wimpy" and unamerikan. Just look at how redneck citizens view our European (and Canadian) allies: as a bunch of simpering faggots. Not shown in the mainstream news re. wartime footage, is our own soldiers scrawling homophobic graffiti throughout "enemy" territory. Of course, this exacerbates Arabs, because they have proven to be even MORE gay-hating than the USofA (and THAT'S saying a mouthful; 'scuse pun). And so it goes, round and round.

Gays are like the bonobos chimps of the human race. Distribute us in strategic places of government, and we'll REALLY show you how to make love, not war. BROTHERLY (and sisterly) love. Homosexuals are the tempering force of society, and once we are allowed to breathe free, we will dismantle all forces that seek to rape, pillage, and otherwise decimate what goodness and joy exists in any culture. It's our nature.

But until societies across the world wake up to the very FACT that resolving homophobia will also resolve male violence and WAR, we will continue down this sorry path of terror and Fascism. Even (with rare exception) our most liberal and progressive movements continue to TRIVIALIZE the utter importance of gay liberation, to their own detriment, and to Amerika's, and the world's.

I nonetheless applaud those still way-too-few media/political/social outlets who are finally waking up. Salud!

Sinqueerly yours,

Zeke Krahlin

--
Lavender-Velvet Revolution
http://www.gay-bible.org