Tolerance of Hate

I learned something rather disturbing the other day.  Sometimes I wish I would never take my head out of the sand.

I'm a fan of science fiction, among other things.  Last year, I read Ender's Game for the first time. I loved it, I can't tell you how much I loved it.  I hear that there is a movie in the works.  I'm usually disappointed by movies based on the books that I love, but I don't care.  I wanted to see it anyways.

That's not what was disturbing.

Last week I came across an article about the writer of Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card.  DC Comics has asked Card to write for their newest Superman series, Adventures of Superman. Great! Right? No, actually it's not, and a lot of people are pretty upset.

You see, the disturbing thing is that Orson Scott Card is a raging homophobic.  Look, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.  I have my opinions, I don't expect everyone else to agree with me.  I know I'm right, but that's not the point.  Despite my attempts at tolerance, I know that I am incapable of not thinking about this little tidbit of information anytime I think about this great book.  The book is now tainted.  I probably won't want to go see the movie, I probably won't pick up the book again, I probably won't recommend it to anyone. (Fortunately I didn't actually pay for the book, so I haven't yet supported him financially.)

The dark secret of homosexual society—the one that dares not speak its name—is how many homosexuals first entered into that world through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse. (“Homosexual ‘Marriage’ and Civilization”, 2004)

Card's views on homosexuality are egregiously distorted. 

The argument by the hypocrites of homosexuality that homosexual tendencies are genetically ingrained in some individuals is almost laughably irrelevant. We are all genetically predisposed toward some sin or another; we are all expected to control those genetic predispositions when it is possible. ("The Hypocrites of Homosexuality", 1990)

His idea that homosexuality is caused by some early trauma is idiotic. His idea that acting on homosexual impulses is akin to an immature child's need for instant gratification is offensive.  There is no room in Card's world view for the idea that a man could form a happy, loving, healthy relationship with another man, or the same for a woman.  In his article, "Homosexual 'Marriage' and Civilization", he explains how allowing homosexuals to marry actually destroys real marriage for real couples, because, allowing homosexuals to marry changes the very definition of the word "marriage".  He hangs a lantern on his writing as hate speech in an attempt to defend it.  But, in fact, it is just that, hate speech.

I am not in the habit of posting about my political or social views, that's not what this blog was intended to be about.  Almost everything that I have posted about I have had to keep secret from those in my "real" life.  What is ironic is that my life, my inability to "control [my] genetic predispositions" gives credit to Card's views.  So, in addition to the cheating and the lying, I also get to enjoy the guilt of epitomizing the man that Card is speaking out against.

In my public life, I am a straight man (bisexual man to a precious few) that fully and whole-heartedly supports such novel ideas of equal rights for everyone, the right for people to marry whomever they want to marry, the right for all boys to gain the benefits of being a Boy Scout, the right of children to grow up in a safe environment free from bullying.

I realize that I am beginning to ramble on, so I will stop now.  I just, I guess I want to say that I try to be as open-minded as possible, even to those whose beliefs directly contradict my own.  Perhaps I am not as tolerant as I thought.

What's the title of this post?

I've enjoyed reliving my experiences of the last [almost] two years, of crossing the line.  Writing for Bi Like Me was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed reaching a new audience.  My first thought when I learned that BLM was moving on was that I'd just post my normal Friday post on my own blog.  I know, novel idea right?  Thing is, it feels a little odd rewriting experiences here that I have already written about.  Take that away, and considering my current dry spell, what the hell do I write about?

I could get into fiction.  I love writing x-rated stories.  Only problem is that I have to be in the mood, and not having regular trysts is not doing much for my libido. I'd post what I've already written, but that's too risky.  You see, my wife has read those.  It would be too much to explain if she ever came across them on this blog.  So I need new stories, and new inspiration.

I could write about other things important in my life.  Certainly there are more things interesting going on than just sex, right?  Yeah, maybe I'll turn this space into a political action blog.  Maybe I'll start writing about the trials and tribulations of the family dog.  Maybe. 

I started this blog as a way to express a part of my life that I couldn't express to anyone in my life, as all of you who have been a part of this from the beginning, and those who have read my recent posts on BLM, already know.  I have other modes of expression for the other parts of my life.  Odd thing is, those other modes, I've actually neglected them more so than this blog.  Maybe it's time to bring it all together, but anonymously.  I'm sure that this is not my first post where I lamented on what to post, but there it is.  Maybe this is my way of dealing with writer's block.

The hardest part about writing a post is figuring out what the hell to put as the title, go figure.  At least I always include some pics of hot and hunky men.  There will always be that. :)

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

This morning I mourn the loss of another blogger brother, Bi Like Me.  When his blog was unceremoniously taken down last week, I feared the worse.  I know it is tough to start over, and had a feeling that he would not want to go through that pain again.  So I was not surprised when he emailed me to tell me that he was done.

I was surprised when his blog was up and running a short while after.  I had not heard of blogs being resurrected once they were removed by Blogger.  But still, BLM had made his decision to bring an end to his blog, and I respect that.  Although I am choosing to look at this as "See you later", hopefully it's "See you soon!", rather than "Goodbye."

I have enjoyed following Bi Like Me over the last couple of years.  His blog was, and still is, one of the big dogs in my blogging world.  BLM is a staple in my daily routine.  Much of what he has described about his life, his desires, and his disappointments, mirrors my life.  When I got the opportunity to write for BLM, I jumped at it.  Writing for him has resurrected, somewhat, the efforts on my own blog.

His latest post, his Epitaph, only reaffirmed why I have been such a loyal follower.  I recognize similar situations in my own life in what he has written.  Similarities in how his feelings towards Ross began and changed.  Similarities in his relationship with his wife.  Please join me in wishing him luck, love and success in his life.  And let's all hope that he decides to return one day.