Monday, April 19, 2010

Odds 'N Ends

1) On "Girl" Bisexuals and Lesbians

After citing statistics indicating that percentages of female bisexuality and lesbianism have grown to 15% over the years, while rates of male bisexuality and homosexuality remain at around 5%, psychologist Leonard Sax speculates on a possible reason.

Namely, he suggests a connection "between the rise in the number of young women who self-identify as lesbian or bisexual, and the increasing normalization and acceptance of pornography in the lives of young men." To support this argument, Sax cites evidence that female sexuality is more malleable than male sexuality. Yet, this suggestion also seems to be mired in male-centrism. Observe, Sax's parting question:

"...I have to wonder: Are there so many girl-girl couples out there because that's truly who they are - or because the guys are such losers?"


Here's a thought, maybe "girls" who have "girl" partners do so for reasons that have little or nothing to do with boys and men.

2) Heterosupremacy Huckabee-style

Ordained Baptist minister, former presidential hopeful, former governor of Arkansas, Fox talk show host, and Kevin Spacey look-alike Mike Huckabee recently re-iterated his thoughts on The Gay. When asked by an interviewer about same-sex marriage, he said that society should not accommodate lifestyles that are not "the ideal," saying:

"That would be like saying, well there's there are a lot of people who like to use drugs so let's go ahead and accommodate those who want to use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, should we accommodate them?"


Yawn.

This "argument" comes up regularly in a heterosupremacist society, and thus is deserves no further elaboration than my explanation of the phenomenon back in 2009:

"Generally, heterosupremacy is the belief that heterosexuality is the default, superior sexual identity. To the extreme anti-gay, two circles represent human sexuality. Inside the circle representing 'normal' sexuality, is heterosexuality. Inside the circle marked 'Other,' are homosexuality, bestiality, adultery, incest, polyamory, and every other sexual identity or behavior that is Not Heterosexual. Heterosexual sex within the bounds of marriage is centered and any sexual behavior or attraction that is Not That is marginalized. Extending this idea further, and demonstrating no capacity or willingness to make distinctions, sexualities and behavior that are not heterosexual are lumped together as equivalent."


Within a society that centers heterosexual relationships as the superior, over-valued, default norm of human relations, all other relationships are devalued, marginalized, and lumped into one deviant, malignant, immoral blob.


3) Supreme Court Vacancy

With news that Justice John Paul Stevens, a liberal, is retiring, the media is abuzz with speculations as to who his replacement will be. A short list of possible nominees can be found here.

The conservative-leaning National Review Online hosted a symposium of various commentators discussing the impending vacancy and confirmation process.

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