Ok
I'm angry...
There's a certain Australian "parenting" website that's run by a woman who used to edit women's magazines here in Australia that decided to report that Sir Michael Parkinson asked Ian Thorpe if he was gay. Now because she used to edit women's mags they might have thought this was news... for my american readers think national enquirer with dieting tips.
I have a hate/hate relationship with it. I also do keep trolling it - but I get bored and I need the laughs.
I think it's more that the site tries to bill itself as being inclusive.
So I got my back up. I was on facebook and saw that a friend had commented on an article that this site had posted about Ian Thorpe being asked by Michael Parkinson if he was gay. That was pretty much the crux of the "article".
Now that got me to thinking...
If you look at recent history.
Tom Daley had to deal with so many questions around his sexuality... as did Matthew Mitcham...
Now when was the last time someone was asked if they were straight?
Why do people need to keep being asked if they are gay?
Why?
I understand that people feel the need for gay role models. You know as a society we shouldn't. We should just accept that people are people. And it really does come down to why are people who don't fit into the norm are asked why they are "gay" - I don't get it.
I have been an out gay man for 23 years.
I still don't get it.
People are people.
Asking someone if they are gay is rude.
Same as asking someone if they are heterosexual is rude.
It's not something that should be done.
/end rant
Good post Michael and very valid. Why people need to know is beyond me! Oh apart from that it sells more copies of a magazine - can't forget that can we :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Michael. I am forever asking people this question and pondering why it seems to be OK to ask people of non-heteronormative sexual orientations (and gender etc) about their sexuality.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you and others constantly have to endure personal and community scrutiny about sexual orientation ... what business is it to anyone? What people get up to in their own time is completely up to them!
Tanya