The F Word

So they are at it again.

Ann Coulter, the well known right wing shock jock, blogger, and author was speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday in Washington, D.C. At the end of her speech, Coulter said: "I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word faggot, so I'm kind of at an impasse."

It is impossible to justify this kind of hate speech in the United States of America in 2007. Ms. Coulter thought that this remark was humorous or an ill-conceived attempt at humor, but it clearly is not. I have no doubt that she will go on to sell millions more books and she will continue being paid thousands of dollars to speak at different functions, colleges, universities, and many other organizations across the country. This is a sad statement about how homophobia is still acceptable and "the norm" to most people in this country. While in many ways we have overcome racism or racist speech, this does not hold true for homophobic speech. The use of the word faggot as a means of feminizing John Edwards (or anyone in their sights) is a tactic that the right uses over and over again. The Swift Boat Veterans campaign of 2004 is a classic example of this. John Kerry, love him or hate him, served in the Vietnam War. He did not draft dodge like George W Bush and not show up for reserve duty that his father arranged for him through political connections, he did not apply for and receive five draft deferments like Dick Cheney, he actually served as an officer in the United States Navy and reached the rank of Lieutenant. Yes, he grew up with a privileged background and yes he speaks French. Does that make his military service any less distinguished? Because he speaks French, he is less of a man or less of an American? It is baffling how the right can effectively make a case that John Kerry is less of man than George W Bush. But they did it and very successfully.

As a gay man, it is hurtful and offensive to hear the word faggot thrown around with such candor. This is the same word that was used to torture many kids because we were different, but could not express why. This is what cruel kids used to yell at me when I sucked at baseball, dropped the ball, and could not hit to save my life. This is what the same kids called me when they pushed me down in the snow, kicked me, and threatened me. This is the word that kept me living a life of fear the better part of my childhood. In response to the controversy created her her remarks, Coulter appeared on Fox News yesterday and was quoted as saying "the word I used has nothing to do with sexual preference. It is a schoolyard taunt." Uh yeah Ann, I would argue that the remark has direct ties to sexual preference. And by your use of the word faggot, you are condoning the use of it in school yards, in news conferences, and in society in general. You are stating that it is ok to bully and belittle people that have a different point of view than yours, regardless of age. In fact, the Bill O'Reillys, the Rush Limbaughs, and your friends at Fox have made a cottage industry and a lot of money doing just that. God forbid you might find a civilized forum to debate issues like, oh, public radio or public television programs like Charlie Rose. No, that might require doing your homework and coming up with some facts to support your ridiculous and indefensible positions on issues like global warming, immigration, or same sex adoptions. Why do that when the status quo seems to work just fine?

Thanks for showing us your true colors girl. Keep up the great work.