Gay Conservative

Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the word “queer” thus:

1. Worthless, counterfeit (queer money); 2a. Differing in some odd way from what is usual or normal; 2b. Eccentric, unconventional – mildly insane; 3. absorbed or interested to an extreme or unreasonable degree: obsessed

The definition that reads “homosexual (sometimes offensive)” is dead last.

So, in essence, the gay community using this word to describe itself is just like a black man referring to himself as a nigger, a Hispanic referring to himself as a spic or a wetback, or a Jew calling himself a kike.  It’s the same thing.  It’s sad that anyone refers to themselves as any of these things.  ”Queer” is a label I refuse to accept.

I’m not all that different.  I’m a human being; I have to breathe, eat, sleep, drink water, and scratch an itch just like everyone else.  My body gives off the same sweat and waste products as everyone else.  If I drink too much, I get drunk.  If I don’t sleep enough, I’m cranky.  If someone makes me mad, I’m probably not going to be very nice.  I work to earn my keep, pay my bills, wish I were rich and hope to spend the rest of my life with some wonderful person.  How is that so different from you?

I’m sure as hell not worthless.  I care about the other people around me and I’m fiercely loyal to those I love.  I’m not counterfeit – a fake.  I say what I think, do what I say I’ll do, and I don’t play games for my own benefit.  Even though many in the gay community might argue this point, I’m not insane, mildly or otherwise.  I believe the way I do because it is logical to me and I refuse to allow my emotions to rule me.  And I certainly don’t think it’s unreasonable that I love women, nor is it obsessive.  I just happen to feel about women the same way most straight women feel about men.  Homosexuality does occur in animals, most often when a species overpopulates an area and the population needs to be controlled naturally.  In humans, it’s often genetic.

I don’t like labels because they are often lacking facts about the person wearing them.  I don’t see myself fitting any of the labels society might give me.  Least of all do I feel like allowing anyone to label me queer.  It has always been derogatory, and like the other racial ephithets listed above, is beyond reclaiming by the gay community.

Pride means more than being okay with yourself, it’s loving what you are.  Have some respect for yourself.  You should never allow any person go give you a name that is disrespectful or insulting.  You are worth more than that.  Stand up straight, hold your head up, and look everyone in the eye.  Nobody can take your dignity or make you inferior without your express permission; never give it.