Late last night, the Crystal Lake Park District Board reversed its earlier decision and voted 3-2 to allow for an application by the Gay Games Chicago to have a rowing race on the city’s namesake for July 16. Originally, the Board voted 2-2 with the abscence of one member, and the tie denied the application. But because of the tie, it also allow for a revote to be expedited.
From what I understand, 85 people had attended the first vote, with many on both sides of the measure. Last night, it was packed to capacity with people lining the walls and adjacent room. All of the television news stations were covering the event, including some national coverage as well. There was about an equal mix of supporters and protestors again, with lots of cheering, clapping, booing and hissing, hecklers and agitators, and people who took the mike as their opportunity for a little standup comedy — so basically, there was something for everyone, and definitely entertaining as well as informative.
As a new resident to Crystal Lake, I must say I share the same concerns about what is an increasingly growing and influential group in my city; they do have a long history of promiscuity, sexually inappropriate and sometimes really perverse behavior. They break apart families, demand special rights while trampling on others’ rights, and seriously threaten family values with their activity.
Of course, I’m talking about heterosexuals.
OK seriously, my point is that trying to pidgeonhole any group of people oftentimes makes the accusing group look like hypocrites. And I saw a tremendous amount of hypocrisy at this meeting.
Me, I really don’t have much of an immediate stake in this issue. I’m a happy hetero, recently separated and soon-to-be divorced, and no kids. Bascially, a straight guy who’s often around gay people in individual, small groups or large groups, and doesn’t real pay much attention about it until an event like this comes up. I’m politically incorrect in many ways. When I hear “GLBT,” I think more in terms of a sub sandwich than a political organization. I certainly don’t believe in exclusive rights or quotas for anybody — and that includes conservative Christian white males.
I also agree with one of the Park Commissioners arguement (who voted against the application) that the term “Gay Games” is not just about rowing; its meant to get attention. But isn’t that the whole point? It would get far more attention if they called it “The Pamela Anderson Games,” but I doubt many of the protestors would have had a problem with that.
I also agree with a statement by one of the Park Commissioners (who also voted against the application), saying that we shouldn’t be making sexual orientation relevant. But tell me, could you convine George Bush of that? Could you convince the U.S. military of that? Because I’m sorry to say that they don’t seem to be following that advice.
And of course, there was the arguement by some who said that they had no problem with people being gay as long as they kept their sexuality to themselves. To that I say this:
When heterosexual couples can stop flaunting their sexuality in public, like kissing or hugging, then you can tell gays to keep their sexuality to themselves.
When heterosexual couples can stop taking their children out in public and flauting their rights to a marriage and having kids, then you can tell gays to keep their sexuality to themselves.
When conservative Christain groups like Illinois Family Institute can quit promoting their idea of “traditional families” (which IS sexually oriented in its own agenda), then you can tell gays to keep their sexuality to themselves.
And most importantly, when people finally stop getting fired from jobs, or assaulted, or even murdered for no other reason than they are gay or even just perceived as gay, then you can tell gays to keep their sexuality to themselves. Sound fair?
In truth, none of this is supposed to be about sexual orientation. Its supposed to be about conduct. And unless you can show that the Gay Games have a record of bringing with them irresponsible conduct by the participants (and they haven’t), you don’t have a pole to swing from. As for heterosexuals, I’ve seen lots of improper conduct happening at public festivities, such as getting drunk, making out in public, urinating in public, and even getting into fights. So maybe its the heteros who should be looking at the moral behavior of the people holding the Gay games as something to aspire to, and not the other way around.
So why bring attention to being gay? Well, why do we bring attention to breast cancer awareness? Because both are still a big problem in our society and bringing attention to them is the only way we can deal honestly with them and overcome them.
I don’t expect people against this event for whatever reasons to do a complete reversal just because they attended a public meeting. However, I do have a few suggestions for compromise with both groups:
The pro-gay group could change the name of its sports event from “The Gay Games” to something else that its inclusive of straights as well as gays. They could call it “The Multisexual Games,” or the “Sex Unity Games” or whatever. Just let the gays run with it, they’ll come up with something creative.
As for the anti-gay group, like the Illinois Family Institute, I would fully support them using the park where they can hold their own “Traditional Family Values Games.” (Which by the nature of its title is also sexually oriented.) They can either not allow gays to participate in their rowing events, or they can secretly allow them under a “don’t ask-don’t tell” policy. Then again, I doubt that IFI could handle the latter, since some of their participants might feel to uncomfortable sitting so close to others in the boat.
I feel confident that the Gay Games will go off smoothly and bring a lot of pride for most everyone in the community, and the Bible thumpers will be dismissed as showing much ado about nothing. No lewd and lascivious acts will take place, or none worth blogging about at least.
Besides, have you ever tried having sex in a rowboat? Its really uncomfortable and you’ll likely capsize. Totally ruins the moment.
