Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Straight Minister Releases New Report on Seminaries

You didn't see that headline, did you, when we released our new report last week?

Then, why was it that every print article I read today on Bishop Robinson speaking at Sunday's events was headlined, "Gay Bishop to speak"...Not simply Bishop, or even Episcopal Bishop, but Gay Bishop?

Why weren't Rev. Watkins or Rev. Warren labeled by their sexual orientation? Are we to infer that they are both heterosexual because the label wasn't used?

Thank goodness we are passed the time when the President-elect isn't being labeled as "Black President-elect" or "Multi-racial President elect", at least in the stories I'm reading in the mainstream press.

We all have a race...we all have a cultural identity...we all have a sexual orientation and a gender identity. And unless we are going to comment on it for everyone, it is time to stop the heterosexist assumption that unless we use a different label, you are presumed straight.

There is no gay marriage...there is only marriage.

There is no gay adoption...there is only adoption.

And there is only one kind of people -- God's people.

2 comments:

Spiffy said...

Wow, I didn't even notice that, actually... I guess I'm used to seeing people referenced in terms of their sexual orientation. Weird. Thanks for pointing it out!

Anonymous said...

I think sometimes headlines like this are used to attract those who may be interested in hearing what a gay bishop has to say. In a perfect world we would have no need for such tactics but I think there would be more interest in gay speakers from the gay community than there would be for just "speakers".

Now, I'm not implying that the gay community has no interest in speakers who are not gay. But it's no secret that peoples of many communities identify better with people who are also members of that community.

Look at it this way. If it was a gay journalist who wrote the article would that make a difference? In that case it may be viewed more of a service to the gay community than a "label".

This is the year of "giving everyone the benefit of the doubt". At least for me. And in this case, we can look at it as a dig, or a service. It has to start somewhere, right?