Blah Blah in Iraq, Gaga in Afghanistan

(Click pic to enlarge)

As the Great War on Terror continues, and young people continue to fight and die so old people can feel safe.

And in the United States the Generals and the politicians continue to drag their heels on whether gay soldiers should be allowed to serve openly.

Three years ago Don't Ask Don't Tell silenced me from reporting repeated abuse by fellow soldiers and my unit chief, all because they suspected I was gay. But when I told my story to Congressman Dan Lungren's (R-CA) Legislative Director Kevin Holsclaw, he dismissively replied, "The Representative does not support social experiments in our armed services."

A group of straight soldiers in Iraq put out a video to say what they think about Don't Ask Don't Tell....



And manage to offend EVERYBODY.

To many gay people, including veterans, who watched the ''If the Army goes Gay'' YouTube video – a take-off of pop singer Ke$ha's song ''Blah Blah Blah'' staged by U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq – it was funny and hot, as reflected by comments on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

To others, however, the video played off homophobic stereotypes of gay soldiers that have been used by those opposed to ending the ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy in the military.

To the Army, the video was ''clearly … in poor taste,'' and Army spokesman Col. Collins on Friday, May 14, told Metro Weekly that he had ''sent the video on to the people in Iraq'' to address any specific concerns regarding the soldiers who participated in making the video.

One gay soldier I sent the video to thought it was homophobic. The former soldier who lives with me thought it was moronic...or débile as we say in Québec. 

But I loved it eh?

Because it's a generational thing. They're making fun of the bullshit. It's the attitude and the blah blah blah that counts.

And I'd be devastated if people couldn't laugh at me, and with me, if you know what I mean. Because I spend about eighty percent of the day laughing about everyone and just about EVERYTHING. 

So naturally I also love this parody of Lady Gaga's Telephone video, made by a group of American soldiers in Afghanistan...



The one with a happy ending...and a proud lesbian mum.

“I am the VERY proud mom of the handsome redhead, Sgt. Aaron Melcher! He's been a class clown his whole life! He's an amazing son, PHENOMENAL husband and AWESOME soldier. He's found a way to bring humor to a very chaotic place. I couldn’t be prouder.”

See...I was right. It is a generational thing. Today is bullshit.

But tomorrow will be BETTER...

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Awesome Photo: David Guttenfelder/Associated Press

Homophobia and a Flag for Michael Causer

Today people in fifty countries marked International Day Against Homophobia.

Which is pretty amazing for an event that began six years ago in Montreal.

And commemorates the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization stopped classifying homosexuality as a mental illness.

There were all kinds of events like this Pink Day in Singapore.



















The first gay outdoor event EVER in that conservative country.

And this lie-down in Hong Kong...












But the event that most moved me was the one in Liverpool, England. Where for the first time ever, the rainbow flag of freedom flew over City Hall....and over all the police stations in the Merseyside.

To mark Anti-Homophobia Day and remember Michael Causer.

The kid I wrote about here.

But even that flag raising, as moving as it was, didn't lift my spirits as much as this poll.

When children were asked whether they thought being gay was normal, 71 per cent said yes, and 86 per cent said it's like any other sexual orientation.

"In a context in which may of these parents come from countries where homosexuality is oppressed, we have to celebrate the fact that their children find distance from those attitudes and adopt values of their new country."

Which says something really good about those immigrant kids ....and our precious Canadian values.

Yup.The present may be bleak.

So many of my brothers and sisters are brutally oppressed. Bullying and bigotry are still such a huge problem. And instead of being allowed to live our lives in peace we must fight FOREVER.

But they flew the flag for Michael today. Isn't that awesome?

And the future WILL be better...

Why I Won't be Calling in Gay Today

Oh no. I've been so busy fighting Stephen Harper's attempts to turn Canada into a fascist state, I completely forgot that today is the day that I'm supposed to call in gay.

Now I think it's always great idea to show that gay people are EVERYWHERE.

And I really wish it would turn out like this:



But what if it didn't? What if it turned out like THIS?

Ring. Ring.

ME: Hello Boss it's me Simon !!!

THE BEAST: Yeah what do you want? Don't you DARE tell me you are going to be late ... AGAIN. Because two people phoned in sick and we're REALLY busy.

ME: Oh....well...um...you see boss I just want to phone in....um....GAY?

THE BEAST: You what ????? You want to phone in sick EH?

ME : No no boss ....I want to call in GAY. You know to show that gay people are EVERYWHERE.

THE BEAST: * heavy silence*.... OK.... OK....that's it you little shit disturber....you radical...you separatist...you commie slacker....you're FIRED !!!!!!!!!

Which is why although I hate to say it I think this a dum idea. Especially in a time of recession. Because there are better ways to accomplish the same purpose. Like coming out to your co-workers, instead of pulling a disappearing act, or getting fired. And helping gay organizations all year round...instead of just one day.

Then there's the other reason I won't be calling in gay today. I work in a place where a lot of people depend on me. I'm on a team that must deal with some pretty desperate situations. All my co-workers know I'm gay, and they treat me with respect. And we're always understaffed, so I could never let them down either.

As for my boss...well he's not really a beast. He's a really decent guy. Who just happens to be gay too. So if there was a conversation it would probably go like this:

MY BOSS: Hello Simon? I'm sorry to bother you, but as I'm sure you know today is Call in Gay Day, and I really really need to hear ....for the love of Baby Jesus or Judy Garland....that please please please you WON'T.

ME: Don't worry boss I'll be there EARLY. I'll just be talking gay a lot.

MY BOSS: OMG. You mean even MORE than usual. *Groan* See you later....

Good luck today kids. All ideas to try to get straight people to respect us more as human beings, and show them that we really are everywhere, are good.

It's just that some are better than others. The important thing is to keep trying and never give up.

Gawd. Never a dull moment.

Long live our beautiful cause !!!