In today’s society it is a fact that the gay and lesbian community are being oppressed. “The experience of oppressed people is that the living of one’s life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasion and hence avoidable, but are systematically related to each other in such a way as to catch one between and among them and restrict or penalize motion in any direction” (Frye). I fear that was the case for the five gay teenagers who recently committed suicide. However, it is the social environment that allowed conditions to get so bad that these teenagers felt suicide was the only option. Clint McCance, vice president of Midland school district in Arkansas, is an example of an individual who helps society build those barriers against the gay and lesbian community. The anti-gay messages that McCance posted on facebook, contributes to the overall structure of the birdcage that is surrounding the gay and lesbian community today.
The famous facebook posts that ultimately lead to McCance’s resignation were in response to a “bullying awareness campaign sponsored by GLAAD” (CNN). This campaign asked for members of society to wear purple in memory of the recent gay teen suicides. Instead of writing in support of the event, McCance said: “‘seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers committed suicide. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed therselves because of their sin’” (CNN). Although McCance’s post received large amounts of backlash from the public, he defended his words by citing his religious beliefs. McCance has since apologized to the public and to the families whose children he was referring to by saying “I’m sorry I made those ignorant comments and hurt people on a broad spectrum” (CNN). However, the fact that such a strong opinion was voiced in the first place, speaks loudly about the social conditions we are living in today.
The inabilities of the systems and the people, who participate in the system, to recognize variations in sexual preference as acceptable, has lead to the creation of an institution that is equivalent to the overall structure of the birdcage. As Rich notes, “the failure to examine heterosexuality as an institution is like failing to admit that the economic system called capitalism or the caste system of racism is maintained by a variety of forces, including both physical violence and false consciousness” (Rich 317). The forces that the gay and lesbian community absorbs include hate speech like the post that McCance used on his facebook. Statements such as “want[ing] gay people to commit suicide” (CNN) is a strong statement that can have a large impact on the community it is referencing. Although McCance said that “[he gives] everyone a chance and [tries] to love everyone” (CNN) it is clear from his previous statements that he is not a liberal minded individual. It is individuals, like McCance, who refuse to give people different themselves a chance, that perpetuate the belief that the institution we are living under is oppressive.
In society we are confined by the ideals set forth about what is considered normal. As Ettelbrick notes, “the concepts of equality in our legal system [do] not support differences, it only supports sameness” (Ettelbrick 306). Therefore, since being gay is seen as a difference and heterosexuality as the norm, homosexuality is not easily accepted by the system, especially the religious system. People use laws accepted by the religious community in order to justify their beliefs regarding homosexuality. Despite all of the negative press that McCance experienced for his posts such as “thousands of phone calls, hate mails, people threatening to kill [his] family and [him],” the scary part is that not everyone disagreed with his appalling statements.
McCance’s position as the Vice-President of Midland school district meant that he was elected into a position of power in order to help carry out the standards of the school. The district denounced the posting by issuing a formal statement that claimed “the district strives to foster an environment that discourages all forms of bullying…and an environment that encourages a safe and productive educational climate [for] all of our students. The district is very diligent in pursuing and addressing bullying of any variety on our campus” (CNN). However, it would appear that McCance’s words are a form of bullying. It is ironic that an elected board member whose responsibility it is to make sure that students do not experience discrimination is abusing his power and discriminating himself.
In Addition to the system inflicting its beliefs on individuals, parental beliefs regarding the gay and lesbian community are another wire contributing to the all-encompassing structure of the birdcage that surrounds that community. McCance asserted that he “promised to disown his children if they are gay” (CNN). This sort of statement does not foster an environment where his children are able to explore what options are available to them as they mature. Instead it confines them to the narrow vision of what the world should be like, and provides children with minimal tools for dealing with differences they may experience or encounter throughout life. However, this is not uncommon. As Frye writes, “the same parents who would be disapproving of her sexual activity may be worried by her inactivity because it suggest she is not or will not be popular or is not sexually normal” (Frye). This point emphasizes the fact that being homosexual is not considered “normal” and is treated as taboo in society, even today.
Since it is evident that not all elected officials can be trusted to utilize their power in a beneficial manner, there are also rules instated by the federal government. These rules are intended to protect the rights of all individuals, an example being warning that “school administrators who fail to properly deal with harassment risk being cited for civil rights violations” (CNN). However, it is clear that these rules are not being enforced strongly enough. As Gilbert noted sexual identity was never seen as an option to her before (Gilbert 82) even though according to the laws she should be allowed to have the choice. We live in a society where we believe that in order to be successful, we have to all conform and resemble an ideal mold of what is considered normal. And as McCance makes clear from his original statements, being heterosexual is what is largely viewed as normal. However, this oppressive environment that the majority of society has fostered has lead to resentment by others. Gilbert confesses, “I became angry with the society that hadn’t given me the option-my right-to be a lesbian/bisexual women” (Gilbert 83). People should been given a chance to discover their true identities, especially in the school system, which is designed to help individuals prosper intellectually.
Based off of the recent suicides of five gay teens, society should be more aware than ever of the type of environment that our personal beliefs and institutions have created. Clint McCance, is an individual who was put in a position of power and expected to foster a safe and comfortable environment for children to learn in. However, he failed to meet the expectations given to him by the people who elected him. Although it may appear that McCance is just one individual who wrote offensively about the gay community we have to remember the point that Lorde brings up, we are living “in a country where racism, sexism, and homophobia are inseparable” (Lorde). It is all the individual acts similar to his that band together to construct a structure that bars minority communities from advancement. Therefore, McCance who “disapproves of homosexuality” (CNN) represents only a small niche in the overall obstacle facing the gay and lesbian community. Each time we speak negatively of another group different than ourselves, it is important to remember the metaphor of the birdcage: acts that are seen as a wire individually are not much of an obstacle, but when molded together, each of those wires contribute to a cage that is impossible to escape.
Works Cited
The CNN Wire Staff. “Arkansas school board member to resign over anti-gay post.” CNN.com. Turning Broadcasting System, Inc., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2010.
Ettelbrick, Paula. Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation? 1989. 305-308. PDF file.
Frye, Marilyn. Oppression. N. pag. PDF file.
Gilbert, Laurel. “You’re Not the Type.” Listen Up. Ed. Barbara Findlen. Emery: Seal Press, 2001. 182-187. Print.
Rich, Adrienne. “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence.” Feminism in Our Time. By Miraim Schneir. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 310-326. Print.
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