BY JENNIE MCNULTY
Lesbian.com
Normally, I do not read the comment section of internet articles and blogs. It usually aggravates me. But, I did. And, I’m not sure what is more surprising to me — the fact that the internet comments about Caitlyn Jenner are so mean and ignorant or the fact that I’m surprised by that.
She looked so fabulous in the Vanity Fair photos and had been receiving so much seemingly positive coverage, I was curious to see if people were more supportive for her than they were for Chaz Bono (about whom some pretty horrific things were written).
Nope. Every bit as hateful. Not all, of course, but a majority of the comments I read were definitely negative.
I guess I had hoped that more people were coming around. Being more, if not enlightened, accepting. But, the comments I saw were very disappointing. And, at times, moronic. There was the usual “everything wrong with the world is because of the Queers” variety comment.
And the, “It’s not my personal feelings and rationalizations, it’s in the Bible” hate speech excuses.
As well as, the ugly name-calling bigotry that I certainly will not give specific voice to here.
Although, one comment did make me laugh: “I have no words.” Why the hell would you log in to comment to say you don’t have a comment? What’s the thought process there? “Hmm, people are gonna need to know that I have nothing to say. I better write that down.” Now, THAT’S an example of narcissism (thrown around a lot) not Bruce becoming Caitlyn.
Why? Why do, theoretically, adult people feel the need to say ugly things about others who have no impact on their lives? Perhaps, it’s the same insecurities that made them bully when they were younger. Or, perhaps, they’re just douche bags. Oooops, hey, they started it.
But what can we learn from this (other than a chunk of our society is very mean-spirited)?
1. Don’t read the comment section. You will either agree with it (and be wasting your time) or be offended and/or pissed off by it (wasting your energy).
2. Bigoted people tend to also be shitty spellers. Do they not see the giant red line under their words? Maybe they just think that’s the internet tellin’ ‘em, “That was a good one! I underlined it in red for you.”
3. It takes a lot to upstage a Kardashian pregnancy announcement. We hardly heard about it. And, if you didn’t know, well, see?
4. Every letter we add to our acronym takes a little heat off us. I’m just a plain old “L” now. No one’s even ranting about “the gay thing” anymore. Now it’s the “T’s” turn. I say we do the recruiting they accuse us of just to add some more heat-takers to our group. Look out “Questionings,” you’re next.
5. If you need headshots, call Annie Leibovitz.
Caitlyn Jenner finally took the steps she needed to live her life authentically and be who she knows she really is. I think, whether they know it or not, that is what the haters don’t like. Somebody taking difficult steps to change their lives for the better. No longer living a life of frustration. I think those haters are stuck in miserable places in their own lives and either unwilling, unable or unknowing how to change. So they take it out on someone who has the courage to do so. Or maybe they’re just douche bags. Either way, don’t read the comment section.
And, don’t be fooled by a panel of talk show hosts or your Facebook and Google feeds (algorithmically altered to suit your tastes — seriously, that’s true). This is not an easy road. Racism isn’t over because we have a black president and GLBTQ-phobia is alive and well. So, as part of the ever growing acronym, we need to continue to stand up when we do hear people say horrible things. And, also stand up in support.
The only thing that I don’t get, my only questions to Caitlyn is, how could anyone living in a house full of Kardashians ever want to be a woman?
Please, leave your thoughts below!
Jennie McNulty was named one of Curve magazine’s Top 10 lesbian comedians. She can be heard weekly as co-host of LA Talk Radio‘s “Cathy Is In: The Cathy DeBuono Show.”
Self-righteous religious zealots are usually to blame with condemning people who are of the LGBT community. But then you have these rednecks (who by the way, emailed me today calling me a “dumb bitch”) because I spoke about Caitlyn Jenner.
Mainstream society is ignorant. They don’t educate themselves on how other people live — and why should they? They’re all sitting on their asses in their tiny world full of misery.
I have heard the most absurd things from, “What? He doesn’t have his frank ‘n beans?” TO “He will go to hell for mocking God!”
How is she mocking God?
I have heard, “Oh “HE” made it our business by coming out publicly!!!”
Giving justification for their public hatred.
Sometimes I just wanna crawl back under a rock. I really do.
Moral of the story: DON’T READ THE COMMENTS!
(Read this one… that’s ok, ….)
i was also sickened by people’s comments. Mostly a comment about bravery and how that is meant for military service and not this. Well I beg to differ bravery comes in many forms. Public figures coming out this way to the public is very brave because they have to listen to all the ignorant people and their negative hate!! But what they do is pace a way for young people who are hidden in the shadows to be themselves and not consider suicide because they are so scared to be who they are!! The bible says we are not here to judge that’s a job given only to God yet all these people feel it’s their duty!! I’m sick of it!! If you don’t have anything nice to say shut up!!! Way to go Caitlyn!! You have much unspoken support!!!!
Ignorance breeds contempt and knowledge breeds acceptance.
I will always be extremely thankful for my university education; choosing to major in the field of sociology. I was exposed to a myriad of information and people whose diverse life experiences ultimately opened both my mind and my heart to the fact that differences in thought, appearance and practice, are to be celebrated and not ridiculed!
When William and Katheryn were wed in Westminster Abbey before God, the Queen, Great Britain and the World, they listened to a very special message from the Archbishop of London who sought to encourage this couple to become their best selves: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire!”
God has created each of us in his own image–not just the Royals, or the rich, or you–but each and every last one of us. Some of us are born into incredible privilege, many are born in the majority, and many others are born into one of many minorities.
Regardless of the diverse histories of our births, the Archbishop’s charge to the Royals remains true for us all–that God wants each of us to become who He intended us to be–knowledge that God alone has for each of our individual lives.
When we listen to God, and to the still, small voice within, we hear that God-given intention. All the rest of the words which come in angry fits and misunderstood starts are not from God, but from self-appointed surrogates for God.
Being and becoming who God meant each one of us to be is between God, and we ourselves. To criticize, to hate, to attack with angry words that too often are poorly-chosen, and are neither of or from God–therein lies tragedy born of poor education, misinformation, prejudice, and enough hatred to seriously endanger the life which God intends for each of us–a shared life of which each of us is a sacred part.
As Americans, we too are children of God, and are loved by Him just as we are. The Bible is not a cookbook with which to damn one another, but a testament to the power of forgiveness and love. If we do not follow Jesus’ Commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you,” then, no matter who we are, majority or minority, we need to return to God, ask for forgiveness, and request help with loving those who are different from ourselves.
Then, all of us, as children of God, can listen for God’s voice, the Holy Spirit, within. That way, we may know our best selves, and honor God by becoming our best selves in our relationships with one another.
Morgan