Tuesday, June 23, 2009

If These Gay Rights Groups Don't Come Down On Perez Hilton They're Done!

I think I should have titled this "I'm Done With the Gay Rights Industrial Complex". 

Yeah this is supposed to be about the big bad blogger who uses his 1st amendment rights to bash other people for laughs and profits. This is supposed to be about our discussing how it's wrong for people to get into physical confrontations. Apparently Will.I.Am and Fergie approached blogger Mario Lavaderia, who writes as Perez Hilton at the Much Music Awards show (it's the MTV of Canada for those not aware) to complain about his pissy behavior. Things got heated and his manager hit Perez, according to...Perez. It's a little hard to tell since he's changed his story a few times. 

So in what is highly suspicious behavior Perez sends a message on Twitter for readers of his blog to call the police. He retaliates by verbally attacking Will.I.Am - not the manager. He uses several choice "F" words including the one universally accepted as an anti-gay slur. Then he proceeds to make a video to talk about it. He claims he was "intimidated". That's code word for "he's a Black dude and they're downright dangerous". Perez is like 6' while Will.I.Am is like 5'5". Now if that isn't *itch behavior I don't know what is!

I read this and I rolled my eyes, honestly because we have so many more important things going on, but this hasn't died down yet. Perez is using this to draw further attention to himself and his blog. Again, I thought I was going to ignore this as the actions of stupid, immature person, but now I'm a little peeved because another blogger posted a link on Twitter today's Dish Rag column in the LA Times AND I watched the video:
Said Hilton in his video: "I made the split-second decision -- that I was gonna say what I thought was the worst possible thing that thug would ever want to hear" -- which was a handful of assorted F-bombs.  {No I'm not linking to it}

Oh so calling a Black man a thug and faggot is okay, Perez....really?

Per GLAAD rep Rashad Robinson: "These are vulgar anti-gay slurs that feed a climate of hatred and intolerance toward our community. For someone in our own community to use it to attack another person by saying that it is, quote, ‘The worst possible thing that thug would ever want to hear,’ is incredibly dangerous. It legitimizes use of a slur that is often linked to violence against our community. And it sends a message that it is OK to attempt to dehumanize people by exploiting anti-gay attitudes.”

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has asked Perez Hilton to apologize for slurs he hurled at Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. 
I'm taking big breaths here....they've ASKED? Um Perez...could you pretty please with sugar on top not be such an hypocritical *sshole because you're drawing too much attention to our hypocrisy and we can't have that.

First of all how many Black people work for GLAAD? In positions of authority (i.e check-writing ability)? In Kat Williams voice: I'll wait.

This is the ongoing argument and unresolved problem with the Gay Rights Industrial Complex. It's run by a bunch of cis-gender white men who will be the first to cry discrimination when it suits them but engage in their own version of racist/sexist/gender identification terrorism and erasure from the table when it suits them. Of course there are white women in charge as well so they don't get off the hook either, but I'm focusing on the majority ruling class here.

Why only ASK? How about DEMAND?!!!

See I remember not too long ago when a Black man (I know some of you are surprised I'm taking up the cause of one as I'm critical of so many...whatever) on a certain tv show was vilified in the press for MONTHS and subsequently FIRED on the mere ACCUSATION of using the word Faggot.

That would be one Isaiah Washington. 

Can I just say how much the show blows and the Dr. Burke character was great but the actor got sold down the river for not showing enough deference to a white man. I still don't know how an argument with one actor turned into a anti-gay railroad job involving another actor who wasn't even involved (and has now taken his overinflated ego elsewhere). Except that I think he and a certain blond actress (who decided to stay on the show) used the conflict to their advantage for more money and increased air time. Don't tell me Hollywood isn't cutthroat!! 

Perez Hilton was all over this with multiple postings about Washington and saying some particularly nasty things. Have I also mentioned that Perez used to work for GLAAD? Well...I digress. My point is the GRIC needs to come and police their wayward enfant terrible with a quickness! They need to devote air time and hand-wringing over one of their own being JUST AS DISCRIMINATORY (EVEN MORESO) as they've accused others, including Washington of being.

Otherwise I don't want to hear about how unfair it is that "we're" not supporting ENDA, DOMA and other discrimination. Don't ask me for money or to participate in your campaigns either. As an African-American woman I have enough crap to deal with yet I still spend time and energy devoting myself to injustices that occur everywhere. 

Right now this is looking like good old fashioned white racism on Perez's part. He doesn't get to run to the Discrimination Safety Zone by using his orientation or ethnicity when it suits him while actively engaging in it against others. The silence from the GRIC will only confirm they are in agreement with hating on Black people.

You are either in support of justice across the board or you are full of it!

**Update a little birdy on Twitter told me that somebody read my little post...and Perez has "officially" apologized.** Imagine that! Now it's time to start reigning in all the wayward Blacks that are dragging down the perception of the entire group with their foolishness.
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15 comments:

Liz Dwyer said...

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Oh my goodness, I am SO with you on this. Hilton is so out of line and the relative silence is deafening.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

Thanks Liz. I'm sick of that piss-ant and the Hollywood "gay mafia" trying to dominate everything along racial lines and their preferred friends.

Khadija said...

Faith,

It's yet another example of how most people are NOT principled. I learned long ago (to my dismay) that when most folks are protesting, it's not about any sort of principle. They just don't like the part that they've been assigned in a particular social "script." If they had a better "part" (such as being the person cracking the whip instead of being on the business end of the whip), then they wouldn't say a word. And as soon as their personal problem is solved, they'll go back to being silent and complacent.

This is why many Blacks don't protest racism, etc. until something happens to THEM. And why they go back to being silent once their individual grievance is resolved.

Most folks don't want "justice," they want to get their way. And then they wrap "their way" up within the banner of seeking justice. Once I see that this is what somebody is doing, I write them off and give no further consideration to their personal gripe. If they're nervy enough to have a confrontation about me withdrawing my support from their personal issue, then I'll remind them of their failure to seek actual justice across the board.

The memory of how one of my college friends did this with a White animal rights protester still makes me smile. This individual made the mistake of getting in her face about her choice to wear a fur coat. My friend roared back at him: "Free South Africa and kiss the crack of my a**!!!" *Smile*

If I was the head of a local civil rights organization, I would tell the GRIC that no further support (for their issues) from my organization would be forthcoming unless and until they censured this Perez Hilton individual.

Peace, blessings and solidarity.

Original Najeema said...

Faith,
Glad I can count on you for a clear and colorful recap of the drama that I apparently missed. I was SHOCKED to say the least that PHilton had the nerve to come out of his mouth like that. I support people's lifestyle choices, who am I to judge anyone. But you'll called it right, we can't allow someone we've given so much freedom to be so incredibly hypocritical, racist, and rude. P Hilton needs to watch his back before BScott starts using his man voice for calling someone a thug. LoL > I kid.
And yes, thanks again for reminding us about Dr. Burke, who certainly got the short end of the stick, and Izzy who's riding her broomstick to the bank. It seems like TR Knight should be the most upset about this. He got called out, had to come out, his "buddy" got sold/souled out, and she gets all the shine.
That's hollyweird for ya!

Tom Bardwell said...

Wow. This article blew my mind. So on point. So correct.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

Khadija: Ah yes the protesters for rent. Where are the real justice-seekers? Yes you are correct that the NAACP should withhold support but they won't. Yet another example of their betrayal.

Original Najeema: Hey and thanks for stopping by. Sometimes the words just write themselves. I am the mere vessel. I saw your Tweet and responded.

Tom Bardwell: Welcome and thanks for your input as well.

K.C. Jones said...

What's the most disheartening to me and I'm actually a little surprised that you didn't bring this up-is that there are gay black people too! There are black trans people and black bisexuals and lesbians. Too often it seems to me that that the dialogue becomes one of black straight vs. white gay, which I find incredibly offensive. That dichotamy only further silences and makes those who are black and queer even more invisible. Being queer myself, I am all for "gay rights," but I don't support Hilton, because I consider him a privileged asshole first. And even though I support gay rights, I volunteer with NAMI (the National Alliance for Mental Illness), because I see the need for mental health rights exceed the need for gay rights. For though not being able to legally marry is dehumanizing, not being able to afford one's medication or getting adequate treatment is life threatening. I need to feel secure about having life in order to want to fight for the rights that I would love to have if I were sure of the long-term stability of my sanity.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

KC: Welcome. I'm not sure whether you're a regular reader who de-lurked to comment or a 1st time visitor but I've mentioned the marginalization of Blacks and other POC LGBTs in numerous posts if you look into my archives.

I also write about the internal fight amongst LGBTs and the outright hostility of the gay "agenda" by individuals and actions against trans people. So it should be understood that it's covered, but consider this a further clarification.

I've been writing at least one post per week covering LGBT issues because as I stated I am interested in fighting for justice across the board not just my individual "issue". I wish I could say I see that same action from other organizations and groups who complain about being mistreated but I do not.

K.C. Jones said...

I am a regular reader and although I don't comment often, I have commented before. I know that you are supportive of GLBTQI rights and post about it often, which was actually the reason why I was surprised, especially as I do see quite often gay black men being silenced-our society seems to like to promote the idea that it is only white men who are gay.

On a different note, I have a new blog up and your blog is included in my link list. You may want to check it out. It's called "Femi-Nation" and it's an attempt to build supportive and inclusive feminist community. It's (hopefully) womanist friendly. In fact, I wrote in the first post that I welcome guest posts from anybody, as long as it is not about privileging one group against another. I was inspired to do it after reading Renee's at Womanist Musings and other's feelings about Feministing. It's at http://femination.blogspot.com I hope it's okay that I linked to your blog-if not, I can certainly remove it.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

K.C. Thanks for your response. I did look at your profile after you posted. I have more lurkers than comment repliers so I was curious. I don't have to contribute to GLAAD or HRC to do things that assist LBGTs of color. Just like I don't have to give my time or resources to the NAACP to help Blacks. Now that some truly clueless sheep are talking about staging a protest rally on Perez's behalf I really have to distance myself from these do-nothing organizations. Feel free to link away - and thanks. I'll check out Femi-Nation.

Renee said...

Damn Faith when you hit it out of the ball park everyone should stand and applaud. I could not agree with you more on this. You keep speaking the truth.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

Renee: TY. I got you on Twitter earlier!

Update**** Perez has issued an official apology. For all the lurkers, I was informed that my post got the attention of some of those with check-writing ability. Though he stated it to the contrary he was properly censured. He's still a mean little turd but he's a chastised turd. For now. Anyway I'm writing a follow-up post.

Daisy said...

The head of GLAAD's Board of Directors is a Black lesbian woman and the new president is Cuban. Also,I believe that Rashad Robinson, the one who issued the statement, is Black and also one of the higher ups at GLAAD. So I don't agree that it is "run by a bunch of cis-gender white men."

K.C. Jones said...

Oh, I totally agree! One certainly doesn't have to volunteer with every organization out there in order to support a certain group or message. How can we? There's just not enough time. I really think it's more in the way we act towards others, especially those that we don't know personally, that shows how we want the world to change.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

Daisy or whoever you are: Pull up a chair honey it's time for today's lesson.

1. A Black face in a high place means NOTHING

2. Ethnicity does NOT determine character, empathy or sympathy or INTEREST in fighting justice. By the way the new Pres still has WHITE-SKIN and is MALE. Just like the last one. And the one before that!

3. Marketing/PR/Communications positions are usually filled by a non-whites to give the organization/company the APPEARANCE of diversity

4. The people holding the purse-strings are the ones CALLING THE SHOTS

If you can't even be bothered to fill out a verifiable profile you really have zero credibility and are just venting emotionally. Now that you've had your release do you feel better now? Has that changed anything?

By the way they are still cis-gendered. Look it up since you glossed right over it. When I see the ACTIONS of GLAAD being even remotely different than the way it's been run THEN we can talk.

KC Jones: Ditto!