Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Crime Re: Did You Ever Hear the One About...
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 4:51 PM
We can all agree that prison-rape jokes aren't funny... although I'm afraid to delve into the comments thread on Dom's post. Surely some of our fans have unearthed examples of prison-rape jokes that appeared on Slog or in our pages. But I would like to carve out one exception to the prison-rape-jokes-aren't-funny rule: the fate of homicidal gay bashers who go to prison for life is still funny.
Right, Dom?
I realize that there are a whole lot of syllables in "situational homosexuality"—you could even call it a mouthful (GET IT?!?!?!)—but familiarizing potential gay bashers with the concept might cut down on anti-gay violence.
In other crime-and-punishment news... apparently you can beat up a cop in Seattle—beat him so badly he's left with permanent brain damage—and be sentenced to time-served and a little community service.
UPDATE: Says "Do You Get That, Dan?" in comments...
"situational homosexuality"—another way of saying that homosexuality is something people choose to do and not what they are.
I engaged in a great deal of "situational heterosexuality" in high school—I participated in heterosexual sex acts under duress, in an effort to pass myself off as straight. Which just goes to show you that heterosexuality is something people can choose to do, DYGTD, even when it's not who they are.
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2
I remain unconvinced that institutionalized violence, even when perpetrated against those who are themselves violent, ever leads to an overall reduction in brutality. If the threat of getting buggered in prison were enough to deter violent crime, ours would be a peaceful society.
3
What about date rapists? As in:
I can't take pity on men of his kind, even though he now takes it in the behind...
I can't take pity on men of his kind, even though he now takes it in the behind...
4
No, I don't agree. I don't see how the threat of violence towards a person, would lead to a reduction in violence. I basis that off of my experience working with D.V. cases, it is thought that 70% of boys (30% of girls) who grow up being exposed to domestic violence in their home, witnessing it and being a victim of it, become offenders as an adult. Violence is a circle, not a straight line.
6
"In other crime-and-punishment news... apparently you can beat up a cop in Seattle—beat him so badly he's left with permanent brain damage—and be sentenced to time-served and a little community service."
Seattle's retarded brand of liberalism comes home to roost.
Celebrate divershitty! Yall sure are having some problems with your pet negroes lately.
Seattle's retarded brand of liberalism comes home to roost.
Celebrate divershitty! Yall sure are having some problems with your pet negroes lately.
9
(6 who is also) 8, do you know you just admitted to being either a piece of shit, a fart or a hemorrhoid?
12
I found the whole Pseudo-homosexuality explanation very enlightening, it explains how many men end up engaging in this behavior even though they really are not into it, emasculinization and the wish to overcome it on the part of some men does play a very big role in all this disturbance.
13
"situational homosexuality"—
another way of saying that homosexuality is something people choose to do and not what they are.
another way of saying that homosexuality is something people choose to do and not what they are.
14
Loveschild @ 12,
Sorry, I'm not sure I get your point. You realize there is a difference between homosexuality (spontaneous attraction to same gender individuals) and situational homosexuality?
"Situational homosexuality is the act of engaging in homoerotic activity due to the prolonged absence of partners of the opposite sex. Participants are not seeking out a permanent gay life style, but rather a sense of gratification or release in a single-sex environment. A single-sex environment could be described as a venue or institution in which individuals are gender-separated for purposes based upon social expectations, the law, or simply deprivation. Consequently, situational homosexuality is also referred to as "emergency homosexuality" or "functional homosexuality" because the practitioners revert back to their "true" heterosexual state after that have the chance to be with the other sex again. The sociological phenomenon of situational homosexuality dates back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. During this era it was common for men to partake in homosexual activity with free-born boys as a form of mentoring and right of passage. However, this practice was not limited to ancient Europe: Man—boy sexual relationships extended to locations such as China, Japan, and tribal regions of the world.
Situational homosexuality is still a prevalent theme today. Although the practice is still a part of numerous global cultures, the activity has become common in extended single-sex environments, such as: prisons, military bases, boarding schools, monasteries, ships at sea, and universities. This sexual behavior has created stereotypes and generalizations about these venues and the practitioners within them. In prison, situational homosexuals are referred to as "jailhouse turnouts," while situational lesbians on college campuses are labeled as "lugs," meaning lesbians until graduation.
Even though these interactions may be deemed culturally acceptable in some regions, not all situational homosexuality is comfortable and/or experimental in nature. Certain types of situational homosexuality can be frightening or abusive. For example, prison rape and sexual domination are common in jails, and long-term sexual repression has had a history of making these activities dangerous and psychologically painful for many participants.
Although situational homosexuality is a natural occurrence in human beings, research has proven that there is a large population of heterosexuals and homosexuals that will never engage in sexual activity with the non-preferential sex, regardless of the deprivation extent. Consequently, these trends have allowed researchers to determine that situational homosexuality is most commonly found in males. This fact can be attributed primarily to the increased sex drive found in most men and the higher frequency of male same-sex environments, including prisons, military compounds, ships, and boarding schools. Moreover, analysts have determined that the most situational homosexual activities occur with males in their sexual prime"
http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/question…
So, it makes perfect sense than an individual traumatized by being raped in jail or one who willinglly engaged in same-sex sexual gratification, would not engage in a homosexual relationship outside of prison. The individual is heterosexual, eventhough the behavior they participated in while incarcerated appeared homosexual.
Sorry, if this was the point you were making. I injured my knee, and I think the pain medicine is making me fuzzy today.
More...
Sorry, I'm not sure I get your point. You realize there is a difference between homosexuality (spontaneous attraction to same gender individuals) and situational homosexuality?
"Situational homosexuality is the act of engaging in homoerotic activity due to the prolonged absence of partners of the opposite sex. Participants are not seeking out a permanent gay life style, but rather a sense of gratification or release in a single-sex environment. A single-sex environment could be described as a venue or institution in which individuals are gender-separated for purposes based upon social expectations, the law, or simply deprivation. Consequently, situational homosexuality is also referred to as "emergency homosexuality" or "functional homosexuality" because the practitioners revert back to their "true" heterosexual state after that have the chance to be with the other sex again. The sociological phenomenon of situational homosexuality dates back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. During this era it was common for men to partake in homosexual activity with free-born boys as a form of mentoring and right of passage. However, this practice was not limited to ancient Europe: Man—boy sexual relationships extended to locations such as China, Japan, and tribal regions of the world.
Situational homosexuality is still a prevalent theme today. Although the practice is still a part of numerous global cultures, the activity has become common in extended single-sex environments, such as: prisons, military bases, boarding schools, monasteries, ships at sea, and universities. This sexual behavior has created stereotypes and generalizations about these venues and the practitioners within them. In prison, situational homosexuals are referred to as "jailhouse turnouts," while situational lesbians on college campuses are labeled as "lugs," meaning lesbians until graduation.
Even though these interactions may be deemed culturally acceptable in some regions, not all situational homosexuality is comfortable and/or experimental in nature. Certain types of situational homosexuality can be frightening or abusive. For example, prison rape and sexual domination are common in jails, and long-term sexual repression has had a history of making these activities dangerous and psychologically painful for many participants.
Although situational homosexuality is a natural occurrence in human beings, research has proven that there is a large population of heterosexuals and homosexuals that will never engage in sexual activity with the non-preferential sex, regardless of the deprivation extent. Consequently, these trends have allowed researchers to determine that situational homosexuality is most commonly found in males. This fact can be attributed primarily to the increased sex drive found in most men and the higher frequency of male same-sex environments, including prisons, military compounds, ships, and boarding schools. Moreover, analysts have determined that the most situational homosexual activities occur with males in their sexual prime"
http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/question…
So, it makes perfect sense than an individual traumatized by being raped in jail or one who willinglly engaged in same-sex sexual gratification, would not engage in a homosexual relationship outside of prison. The individual is heterosexual, eventhough the behavior they participated in while incarcerated appeared homosexual.
Sorry, if this was the point you were making. I injured my knee, and I think the pain medicine is making me fuzzy today.
15
re:update
Evidently you don't get it, Dan.
Things that people innately "are" can't be changed.
There are no "situational Negroes".
Sure you engaged in heterosexual behavior.
Biologically you (and every other member of Homo Sapiens) are a homosexual creature. It's how we reproduce.
You've got the boy parts and you could get with a female and make all the babies you wanted. Through heterosexual sexual behavior. So could any other "homosexual".
Some folks may choose to engage in homosexual behavior or choose not to engage in any sexual behavior but we all "are" heterosexuals.
Let's edit your conclusion-
heterosexual 'behavior' is something people can choose to do;
'heterosexual' is something ALL people ARE.
Evidently you don't get it, Dan.
Things that people innately "are" can't be changed.
There are no "situational Negroes".
Sure you engaged in heterosexual behavior.
Biologically you (and every other member of Homo Sapiens) are a homosexual creature. It's how we reproduce.
You've got the boy parts and you could get with a female and make all the babies you wanted. Through heterosexual sexual behavior. So could any other "homosexual".
Some folks may choose to engage in homosexual behavior or choose not to engage in any sexual behavior but we all "are" heterosexuals.
Let's edit your conclusion-
heterosexual 'behavior' is something people can choose to do;
'heterosexual' is something ALL people ARE.
16
15 rewind:
Biologically you (and every other member of Homo Sapiens) are a HETEROSEXUAL creature. It's how we reproduce.
Biologically you (and every other member of Homo Sapiens) are a HETEROSEXUAL creature. It's how we reproduce.
17
@15 Keep trying to make excuses for yourself troll, but you'll never be able to pray away the gay, and the more you try to deny it the more it will fuck with your head. The sooner you can come to terms with this, the sooner you can learn how to start acting like a normal, integrated human being. Coming out will feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You might even make some friends.
20
@15. The definition of a heterosexual is not 'one who is physically equipped to engage in straight sex acts potentially resulting in impregnation'. It is 'one who is attracted to those of the opposite sex'.
22
People who desperately hold on to the "homosexuality is a choice" do so because it's their only hope for being a heterosexual. They're gay, but can't accept it, so they have to believe they can choose to be straight. They think they can will the gay away with that belief. It's sad they have to go through life with all that stress, rather than just accepting who they are.
23
20
Heterosexual is also an adjective that describes the way humans reproduce.
All humans.
Even "homosexual" ones.
Some species reproduce in other ways.
But not humans.
All of whom are,
biologically,
heterosexual.
Even Dan.
You can fight Biology.
But you will lose.
You can fool yourself.
But you can't fool Mother Nature.
Heterosexual is also an adjective that describes the way humans reproduce.
All humans.
Even "homosexual" ones.
Some species reproduce in other ways.
But not humans.
All of whom are,
biologically,
heterosexual.
Even Dan.
You can fight Biology.
But you will lose.
You can fool yourself.
But you can't fool Mother Nature.
24
22
It is tragic when people get confused about the essence of what they, as a Homo Sapiens, are.
When they get the biology backwards and rob themselves of the greatest emotional satisfaction humans are capable of.
It's sad they have to go through life with all that stress, rather than just accepting what they are.
It is tragic when people get confused about the essence of what they, as a Homo Sapiens, are.
When they get the biology backwards and rob themselves of the greatest emotional satisfaction humans are capable of.
It's sad they have to go through life with all that stress, rather than just accepting what they are.
25
24, No matter how much you fight it, you'll always be gay. It's not a matter of will power, you'll always have the same sex attraction and arousal. But keep trying to convince yourself that it's a choice, and that you will someday be able to choose to be free of your homosexual feelings.
26
25
Don't you find it tragic and cruel that nature does not give you the anatomic equipment to express those 'innate' sexual desires?
If 'homosexual' men were meant to have sex with each other it seems they would have been given a vagina and a penis.
Mother Nature must hate gays, eh?
Don't you find it tragic and cruel that nature does not give you the anatomic equipment to express those 'innate' sexual desires?
If 'homosexual' men were meant to have sex with each other it seems they would have been given a vagina and a penis.
Mother Nature must hate gays, eh?
27
17
19
22
24
Someone points out that homosexuality is a biological freak show and the best retort anyone can come up with is:
"you're gay!".
19
22
24
Someone points out that homosexuality is a biological freak show and the best retort anyone can come up with is:
"you're gay!".
28
26, One day you'll give up trying to be straight, and leave behind the emptiness of your attempts of heterosexuality. That sadness at the pit of your stomach will go away when you stop pretending that you can be straight if you wish hard enough. You'll find true happiness when you accept that your homosexual feelings are never going away, and it's okay to act on them.
29
27, You can try to convince yourself that being gay is a choice, or a "biological freak show" (at least you recognize that it's biological) but it's not going to make you straight. You'll never be able to choose to be straight.
33
To add: Think about it. I'm a gay man, on a homo-centric blog, commenting on another gay man's post. I've never spent even a second on a straight, Christian, or right wing blog.
You on the other hand spend hours and hours here responding to a gay man, on a homo-centric blog, in a thread started by a gay man. You do the math.
You on the other hand spend hours and hours here responding to a gay man, on a homo-centric blog, in a thread started by a gay man. You do the math.
35
14 I think that one also needs to consider that a good portion of people who are wrongly classified as homosexuals fall more into this category, which to me appears to be the end result of unresolved psychological issues that need to be worked through. As such the underlying pathologies that could develop early into a person's life, in their childhood or teen years that can make them more susceptible to this need to be further explored, so that maybe a better psychological understanding is formed on the part of mental health professionals so that help could be given to these individuals in prison to avoid the rapes that occur there and curtail both the emotional harm and possible spreading of diseases.
I hope you're feeling better and taking up rest, is it a really bad injury?
Please let me know.
I hope you're feeling better and taking up rest, is it a really bad injury?
Please let me know.
36
@26 "Don't you find it tragic and cruel that nature does not give you the anatomic equipment to express those 'innate' sexual desires?"
My anatomic equipment is plenty expressive, thanks for your concern. Just because yours doesn't do the trick, don't take it out on the rest of us. Next time he fucks your ass, tell him to go a little slower and use more lube, it will feel a lot better. Of course, it's much easier to have a frank, honest, and expressive discussion about your anatomic equipment after you've come out.
My anatomic equipment is plenty expressive, thanks for your concern. Just because yours doesn't do the trick, don't take it out on the rest of us. Next time he fucks your ass, tell him to go a little slower and use more lube, it will feel a lot better. Of course, it's much easier to have a frank, honest, and expressive discussion about your anatomic equipment after you've come out.
37
@26
That doesn't make sense. Desire can be fulfilled without simply "inserting penis into vagina."
Fulfilling desire does not mean "reproducing."
Even heterosexuals often fulfill their desire without engaging in acts that lead to reproduction.
That doesn't make sense. Desire can be fulfilled without simply "inserting penis into vagina."
Fulfilling desire does not mean "reproducing."
Even heterosexuals often fulfill their desire without engaging in acts that lead to reproduction.
38
@26 "If 'homosexual' men were meant to have sex with each other it seems they would have been given a vagina and a penis."
Dude, you need to watch better porn. It's easy to download the good stuff for free if you know where to look. Ask your mom.
Dude, you need to watch better porn. It's easy to download the good stuff for free if you know where to look. Ask your mom.
41
Wow. @33 is the best argument I've heard yet for all the " ew! buttsecks!!1! " trolls we've been seeing around here lately. Can't say I've ever trolled the Free Republic.
42
35:
You're refering to those classified as homosexual due to "situational homosexuality"? That would be a classification based purely on outward behavior, and not sexual orientation. I think it is a classification that only affects a few. That said, there might be a benefit to understanding the reason behind an individuals willingness to engage in "situational homosexuality", I'm guessing it might stem more from a relationship need and less from pure sexual gratification (seeing as they could meet their own need for sexual release through masturbation). Because rape, prison rape, is about violence, control, torture, and humiliation I don't think it applies. I'm of the opinion that an individual particpating in "situational homosexuality" as a result of being raped, is participating from a point of fear, a desire to protect themselves, and believe their situation is hopeless to change. Therefore, the two may look the same from a bystanders point of view, based purely off of outward appearance, they are two entirely different things. The only thing the two have in common, is that the individuals are heterosexuals (they find themselves spontaneoulsy attracted to the opposite gender), they would therefore classify themselves as heterosexuals who have either willingly chosen or were forced to participate in homosexual sex. An exception would be an individual who classifies themselves as bi-sexual (who has spontaneous sexual attractions to both genders ), but they would not fit the description, and thus would not be classified as "situational homosexuality".
Thanks for asking about my knee. It will be fine, years of being a competitive dancer puts strain on its ligaments, tendons, etc.
You're refering to those classified as homosexual due to "situational homosexuality"? That would be a classification based purely on outward behavior, and not sexual orientation. I think it is a classification that only affects a few. That said, there might be a benefit to understanding the reason behind an individuals willingness to engage in "situational homosexuality", I'm guessing it might stem more from a relationship need and less from pure sexual gratification (seeing as they could meet their own need for sexual release through masturbation). Because rape, prison rape, is about violence, control, torture, and humiliation I don't think it applies. I'm of the opinion that an individual particpating in "situational homosexuality" as a result of being raped, is participating from a point of fear, a desire to protect themselves, and believe their situation is hopeless to change. Therefore, the two may look the same from a bystanders point of view, based purely off of outward appearance, they are two entirely different things. The only thing the two have in common, is that the individuals are heterosexuals (they find themselves spontaneoulsy attracted to the opposite gender), they would therefore classify themselves as heterosexuals who have either willingly chosen or were forced to participate in homosexual sex. An exception would be an individual who classifies themselves as bi-sexual (who has spontaneous sexual attractions to both genders ), but they would not fit the description, and thus would not be classified as "situational homosexuality".
Thanks for asking about my knee. It will be fine, years of being a competitive dancer puts strain on its ligaments, tendons, etc.
43
All right... I would never advocate for or support unnecessary and/or extreme violence against the police.
However -- isn't it nice to read that, rather than a cop getting off for killing/brutally beating a civilian, the reverse has happened?
Maybe "nice" is an inappropriate word.
However -- isn't it nice to read that, rather than a cop getting off for killing/brutally beating a civilian, the reverse has happened?
Maybe "nice" is an inappropriate word.
44
LC @ # 35 You said "I think that one also needs to consider that a good portion of people who are wrongly classified as homosexuals." There is not a system of classifying people: one SELF IDENTIFIES as gay. Or Bisexual or transgendered or lesbian or ...... And I object strongly to equating homosexuality to a pathology. It was removed form the DSM in 1973, you know.
I agree with Rob from Baltimore on latency as well. In my experience, (although not a statistically valid number of people) those who are virulently homophobic are latent - especially when they haven't been brainwashed by a fundamentalist religion.
I agree with Rob from Baltimore on latency as well. In my experience, (although not a statistically valid number of people) those who are virulently homophobic are latent - especially when they haven't been brainwashed by a fundamentalist religion.
45
Kim in Portland is/was a competitive dancer!? Just when I thought she couldn't get any cooler.
What kind of dance, Kim?
What kind of dance, Kim?
46
Lymerae @ 45,
Jazz and modern mostly, plus some belly dancing on the side. I haven't competed or performed publicly for sometime. It's hard to break the body of the joy of it, so I still dance, but only in my living room. I'm trying to channel some of the joy into my guitar playing.
Jazz and modern mostly, plus some belly dancing on the side. I haven't competed or performed publicly for sometime. It's hard to break the body of the joy of it, so I still dance, but only in my living room. I'm trying to channel some of the joy into my guitar playing.
47
@23. Well, heterosexual sex is potentially reproductive, and gay sex is not, this much is true. However, not all sex acts between heterosexuals are potentially reproductive, and if one or both partners is sterile/post-menopausal, none are. Additionally, people who only feel attraction towards those of the same sex may and do engage in heterosexual/potentially reproductive sex, as in Dan's case. In situations such as these, which are the ones being discussed, only the act is hetero, not the individual involved.
48
Wow, what a wacky thread.
"Biologically" speaking, there is evidence of homosexual activity in humans going way back, and also among lots of animal species. There's lots of sex across a broad spectrum of the animal kingdom that does not even come close to resulting in reproduction. Just because 'sexual reproduction' is a dandy way of keeping the gene pool interesting, it clearly doesn't require exclusive heterosexual contact between all members of any particular group. Sex, as has has been shown in various biology/anthropology/sociology studies, is about far more than simple reproduction. Yes, havin' babies is important, but sex is essentially a form of communication between individuals that has many, many layers of meaning and social purpose.
Simply asserting that possessing gender-specific body parts ='s heterosexuality is vastly oversimplifying the matter, and ignores huge amounts of verifiable evidence to the contrary. Yes, Dan could theoretically father children with a woman (assuming he could get aroused enough to get it up...) , but heterosexuality is an "orientation", not a biological definition. Insisting it is such renders our distinction between hetero- and homo-sexual meaningless. So our little troll's points are essentially red herrings.
"Biologically" speaking, there is evidence of homosexual activity in humans going way back, and also among lots of animal species. There's lots of sex across a broad spectrum of the animal kingdom that does not even come close to resulting in reproduction. Just because 'sexual reproduction' is a dandy way of keeping the gene pool interesting, it clearly doesn't require exclusive heterosexual contact between all members of any particular group. Sex, as has has been shown in various biology/anthropology/sociology studies, is about far more than simple reproduction. Yes, havin' babies is important, but sex is essentially a form of communication between individuals that has many, many layers of meaning and social purpose.
Simply asserting that possessing gender-specific body parts ='s heterosexuality is vastly oversimplifying the matter, and ignores huge amounts of verifiable evidence to the contrary. Yes, Dan could theoretically father children with a woman (assuming he could get aroused enough to get it up...) , but heterosexuality is an "orientation", not a biological definition. Insisting it is such renders our distinction between hetero- and homo-sexual meaningless. So our little troll's points are essentially red herrings.
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