Media
HAG: Carbone generalises her way into discrimination corner
Unlucky in love Age gossip scribe Suzanne Carbone’s odd piece this morning about her reliance on gay men would run foul of anti-discrimination laws if were penned by, say, me.
She claims gay men “squeal”, ”co-ordinate”, wear “their hearts on their tailored sleeves”, “pout and posture” and, of course, “bitch”. She also claims to prefer her gay friends because unlike straight men, they resist the urge to hit on her. I fear for the future of journalism.
Her online column stiffly prattles on about the characteristics of “gay men” with a certitude that surely belongs to the Victorian era not to a Victorian newspaper columnist.
CARBONE-NEUTRAL
One disgusted commentator on the angry Age columnist’s blog complained about her gross generalisations:
Without wishing to rain on anyone’s parade (Barbra Streisand reference), do you think there could be a little stereotyping going on here?
Perhaps it’s the type of gay men you know who are as you describe them. There are also gauche gay men with no interest in fashion or musicals, who lack tact and style. And there are straight men who behave exactly like the gay ones you mention.
Reminds me of a colleague who told me that gay men were always good at detailed work, and all were good at interior design — this, from a lady with 2 degrees and fresh from a course at work on non-discrimination!
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5 comments for “HAG: Carbone generalises her way into discrimination corner”
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Typical AgeBC put people on a pedastal prejudice.
People like Carbone give homophobes a bad name. Oops they already had one.
Many of you have probably read about the recent study that says the brain makeup of gay males is similar to that of straight women, and that holds true for gay women and straight men.
Now, I’m all for science and trying to figure things out, but in this matter, I’m trying dig a little bit deeper and figure out what exactly all this means.
From science’s standpoint, it would seem like the researchers are drawing comparisons between the sexual attractions of the subjects.
Gay men and straight women are both attracted to men, and gay women and straight men are both attracted to women.
And I don’t think it would be a giant leap to infer that people reading the study are going to deduce that gay men tend to act more like women and gay women tend to act more like … playing into the biggest stereotype faced by the gay community.
The latter part of that comparison is where we’ll have to draw the proverbial line. The problem with a study such as this is that it makes such a sweeping generalisation.
I know a lot of gay men. I also know a lot of gay women.
Part of the reason I’ve managed to become good friends with so many gay people is because I’m part of a community.
It is this last point that I would like to drive home.
Despite the fact that we may have similar brain structures, or what have you, the LGBT community is so non-homogenous, that I just cannot come to terms with this generalisation.
Is the study saying that the brain shape dictates sexual attraction?
If that is the case, then, sure, there may be something to it.
But it cannot be ignored that people are going to read this article and draw from it that gay men are all feminine and dainty and that’s all.
Over the past six or seven years of being a gay man, I’ve had to come to terms with a lot of things.
Over the past two years, however, I’ve come to terms with one bigger issue, and that’s the fact that we’re not all the same.
I know gay men who like to play football.
And I know gay men who like to decorate and sew.
And I personally think that all of these things are fantastic. I think everyone should be who they want to be.
On the flip side, I certainly know straight women who like to play cricket.
I know gay women who wouldn’t pick up a tennis racquet if Anna Kournikova were itching for a game of doubles.
I have to admit most of the straight men I know would, but not because of the tennis racquet. Some straight men would rather sit in the corner crocheting.
I’m sure this will stir even more debate; let’s just hope it’s not used to reinforce stereotypes.
The real issue is that you cannot stereotype and place the entire LGBT community into one group.
We are as diverse as the population itself, and while this study certainly has its merits, the way it is being presented doesn’t sit well with me.
You missed this bit where Suzzie refers to gay men as handbags.
I find that just as offensive as the claim that she is nice eye candy to have around the office. – It should be noted that Carbine is not good looking so I find it hard to see men hitting on her — except the dateless and desperate type looking for a one night stand.
Perhaps Sultry Suzy can be a peace maker for Ollie and Forbsey.
Perhaps Poowong Pete would care to make an offer on the farm. It has it’s own water supply.