Speculative fiction has a long history of taking the issues of the day and reframing them in a new context with the hope that people will look at them in a new way. Our "unprecedented" times are bringing all sorts of old ways and old thinking back to the forefront. On Tuesdays, I present "what if?" questions. Previously, the intent was as an idea generator. It still is. But now, I ask that you really think about all the repercussions that these ideas will have. If only these were just thought exercises.
What if they made being gay illegal again?
I know at one time it was. I know some of those laws are still on the books but aren't enforced. (I know there are some countries where it still is.) If you're paying attention, you're aware that various states here in the US are rolling back protections on the LGBT etc. community. And that is headed one way.
Stonewall. ‘Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteThat I posted this in June did not escape me.
DeleteYikes! Its none of anybodies business what goes on in a bedroom or even inside someone's house. Why one party is so stuck on sex, whether's its women's bodies or sex acts, I don't know. Somethings' super wrong there, probably in their childhoods. Who cares? I don't even like to imagine my own parents in the bedroom. I would say to them---you know, let it go, let people have their private lives. It doesn't affect you.
ReplyDeleteExactly. But some people have decided it's their business. Or, it's a way to control people...
DeleteI think it would be the straw that broke the camel. A lot of the younger generations are already at a breaking point with many injustices that are being inflicted upon them. I think such an obvious turn away from progress and humanitarian interests would result in full blown revolution.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, they've been chipping away at so many things the last few years. It's like the saying about boiling a frog. The water temp has gotten pretty hot of late, but slowly.
DeleteThen I guess folks would go back into hiding how and what they feel. Personally, none of anyone's business. I have several gay friends, friends I visit with and do things with. Even attended gay bars with them and recently photographed a wedding. It was not their choice, it was the hand dealt to them. They should have the right to live it.
ReplyDeleteThey should. And things have been going in the right direction for a while. But it's already started in the trans community. If it continues, it'll continue.
DeleteI think it will be, at least in some states. Will the entire LGBTQ plus population reenter the closet willingly? Not without a great personal cost. It's not a lifestyle and can't be turned on and off. Would anyone willingly choose a lifestyle where they might be rejected by friends, family, employers? Or where they (as teens) would be thrown out on the streets (literally) to fend for themselves, which happens more than we want to admit? In some of those other countries, the penalty is death.
ReplyDeleteIt's time to sound the alarm, as it's starting to happen now. We can't let it.
DeleteAdd to that the loss of bodily autonomy for women. It would/will be a tremendous hardship for many.
ReplyDeleteI really hate living in interesting times.
Delete(Blogger keeps eating my words. I'll try to keep it short.)
ReplyDeleteI hate this. I know people on both sides and I do not understand how people can promote a restriction on love. Mostly it's Biblical, but the world - look around - is not. So suck it up and let people love!
On the international front, China - shortly before we moved out - outlawed homosexuality. I have good friends in China who are gay and raising a child there. It bothers me to think of the discrimination and the possibility of repercussions should they be called out. Because make no mistake. The CCP knows. They collect data on everyone just in case someone makes a BIG mistake. Then they can use all that stuff against them. It's very Black Mirror over there. You couldn't pay me enough to move back.
We hear things, but it's whispers, so we wonder. I just can't with all of this. Was it so much better before? I don't think so.
DeleteOK, I am on my little phone trying to comment. I tried for Thursday and it would not open up for me to write but it let me here...weird. This sucks!
ReplyDeleteI have friends ds who are gay and they didn't choose to be this way and to feel ostracized or scared they may ne beaten up...they were born this way and that is just how it is. There os nothing wrong with this and the conservative, religious,backwards morons should stop inflicting their rules onto other people . It's wrong..
What is it about the ultra religious that makes them so judgy?
DeleteThe only way I can see that happening is for the oppressors to scare the general population to go along with them.
ReplyDeleteWell, we seem to be much closer to that happening now. It's infuriating. I will NEVER understand why people think what consenting adults are/aren't doing in the bedroom is ANY of their business.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it either. This is why I'm screaming into the void with these questions.
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