My two statements make two separate but by no means contrary points. The point of the first is to show that JLA’s use of the term “peace queers” cannot be taken as a de facto insult to homosexuals because the way in which he used it could easily apply to non-homosexual but queer people who were advocating peace in a way that JLA thought was ridiculous. That meaning is obviously present, especially when we read JLA in greater context calling the demonstrators “saddambuttkissing peace queers.” We cannot assume here he was calling the folks “faggots,” and to ban him when the term “queers” is quite elastic is just plain wrong.
The second statement makes the point, by implication, that while the terms “queer” or “homosexual” or “Sodomite” may be offensive when used to refer directly to homosexuals (which clearly we cannot claim was the case with JLA), they are quite valid even here. They are used to describe people of a certain behavior. They are not necessarily meant to offend. Offense here must be taken from some other source, such as from the person using the terms. Nevertheless to describe a homosexual as “queer” is exactly correct. To describe him as a Sodomite is also correct because his behavior, sodomy, defines him. The word “faggot,” unlike the terms “queer”, “homosexual” and “sodomite” has fallen into disuse in describing reeds and other such things (not merely cigarettes) and has been expressly applied to homosexuals pejoratively. That is why I do not use the term. It is clearly meant to inflame and hurt.
The other words can be pejoratives just like the words “liberal” and "left wingers." But the fact is the words can be used to describe homosexuals in a way that, while perhaps causing offense, are filled with precise meaning to vast numbers of humans and not necessarily used for the purpose of causing suffering (though they may well cause suffering).
Banning JLA was just plain wrong, and if we ban him for using the term "peace queer," we must on the same principle ban anyone who has used the term "right winger" here, or "fundie," or a host of other clearly pejorative terms describing whole groups. The same principle applies. SI is wrong... wrong... wrong... wrong... friggin' wrong. |
