Wolf in sheep's clothing

Isagani Cruz strikes again. And you can't really blame him. MLQ III's reaction to "Don We Know Our Gay Apparel" wasn't very effective and Cruz successfully brushed him aside.

But I can't believe nobody's called him on his sophistry yet. He can't escape the accusation of bigotry by saying he's only intolerant of gay people who remind him of their gayness.

Cruz is afraid of a sexless society, but that's exactly what he wants: sexless gays. Never mind that research shows an extreme majority of homosexuals display gender-nonconforming behavior as children. This gender-nonconformity is only extinguished through intense reinforcement-punishment and socialization that relies on the fear and anxiety to which Isagani Cruz and his five macho sons were probably accomplices. Cruz wants a society kept gendered through the deprivation of dignity and emotional security of human persons.

Another interesting observation is that flamboyant gay images are not new in Filipino media and culture. Big stars cross-dressing and playing at being softie limp-wrists have been around for a long time (think back to episodes of Palibhasa Lalake or Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata or any number of old Dolphy movies. Cruz did not find these old images objectionable because they made gay men objects of derision and scorn. Today these images are being embraced and subverted as a means for at least some gay men to reclaim a shred of pride and dignity.

Cruz waxes nostalgic about a past when those stereotypical gay images were exploited for heterosexist ends. He bewails a present (and perhaps a future) when those stereotypical images have been coopted for homosexual goals.

What else can you call the man but a bigot?




In other news, my arms still hurt from carrying Sir Mendoza to Emir's car. If you haven't heard, he's okay na raw. Nakauwi na daw siya at nagpapahinga sa bahay. Whew. Wouldn't it be freaky if the polsci department lost one of their infamous M's at Jojo's despedida?