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Have you seen the “Eat Da Poo Poo” video yet? It’s of Ugandan minister Martin Ssermpa who is leading a church of homo-haters in disgust and revulsion at what gay men do behind closed doors. And what do they do? They “eat da poo poo,” of course, “like ice cream.”
Despite the very real possibility that this sort of propaganda will lead to the death penalty for men who have sex with other men in Uganda, the man is so ridiculous and clearly located elsewhere that American queers have responded with humor more than outrage . In fact, there’s even adance remix of the minister’s anti-homo remarks.
Having watched this with my teenaged daughter – it was on her favorite vlog- we had one of those “teachable moments.”
Teenager: That’s so messed up. Uganda’s messed up.
Me: Yeah, but they’re funded by American conservative Christians.
Teenager: But Uganda’s more messed up than here.
Me: I hope so.
Of course, “here” is a big country. And what happens in the Northeast or the West coast is not necessarily what happens in Texas. This is particularly true with the new Texas GOP platform that calls for the re-criminalization of sodomy AND seeks to make gay marriage a felony. According to the party’s platform,
We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.
Wow, the Texas Republicans must be watching some pretty strong anti-gay propaganda, maybe even Ugandan anti-gay propaganda, if they want to start putting people in jail for having sex that is not “reproductive.” Because that’s what sodomy is: non-reproductive sex. So really, straight couples are often guilty of it too if they engage in oral or anal, but somehow they’re not the ones targeted by the police. And although it was the Supreme Court’s decision in Texas v. Lawrence that overturned sodomy laws nationally, Texas Republicans apparently think they can vote to ignore Supreme Court rulings.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, the Obama administration is surprised that queer Americans aren’t satisfied with all that the administration has done for “the gay agenda.” According to an article in the Times today,
The Obama White House has accomplished more than any other on gay rights, yet has drawn sharp criticism from an unexpected constituency: the same gay activists who backed the president’s election campaign. Instead of the sweeping change gays and lesbians had sought, a piece-by-piece approach has been the administration’s favored strategy, drawing neither serious fire from conservatives nor lavish praise from activists.
But according to many people living queer lives in the US, it’s too little too late. The Obama administration hasn’t repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, has defended “traditional marriage” including by invoking “incest” in one of its briefs, and has generally insisted it cannot pass any sweeping gay rights because Americans don’t support it (despite at least half of Americans supporting gay marriage and 70% of Americans thinking gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military– and if we throw Texas out of these polls, I’m guessing the numbers are much higher).
Hopefully the GOP in Texas is a dying party, not due to its anti-gay bigotry, but its anti-Latino rhetoric and policies. In fact, the GOP wants to make sure there are no rights for children born in Texas unless their parents are citizens, arrest any and all illegal immigrants immediately, shut down day-laborer centers, and is utilizing a variety of anti-immigrant images to whip up its base. With Latinos expected to be the majority population by 2015, this seems like a losing strategy. At least, I hope so.
But I’m afraid of Texas. Remember those bumper stickers when Dubbya was President?
Somewhere in Texas a village is missing an idiot”
I think the idiot has been found along with the rest of his kind. And they’re running the Texas Republican Party. And they might even win the elections.
