Thursday, July 16, 2009
Homo No One Hates The Gays...
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 7:14 AM
...like an "ex-gay."
A NSW Catholic private school has come under attack for publishing an "anti-gay letter" in its newsletter which activists say calls for the murders of homosexuals. Xavier High School in Albury printed the letter, written by former student Matt Price, in the latest edition of its alumni newsletter Xavier.Mr Price said he was "trying to make the world free of homosexuals," who live lives devoted to "sex and drugs." ... Mr Price said he was a "cured" homosexual and now lived in Noosa working as a registered nurse.
Anti-discrimination campaigner Garry Burns blasted Xavier High's decision to publish the letter, saying he understood Mr Price's letter to mean that gays and lesbians should be killed. "It says he wants the removal of homosexuals from the face of the earth and there's only one way to interpret that," Burns told ninemsn.
I certainly hope Mr. Price isn't allowed to "nurse" any openly gay or lesbian patients, lest he decide to "free the world" of them.
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1
I don't think there's only one way to interpret that. He just wants to pray (and proselytize) the gay away. Deluded, but far from calling for a holocaust.
2
@1: I agree. I don't like defending this sort of loon, but "trying to make the world free of X" does not necessarily involve mass homicide. By the same token, ending homelessness would probably not involve killing hobos en masse.
I do think he would be better off receiving some real mental health care prior to pursuing a health care career, though.
I do think he would be better off receiving some real mental health care prior to pursuing a health care career, though.
3
@1 & @2 As much as I hate to add a redundant "I agree" I have to do so here. Interpreting Price's remarks as a call to have gays and lesbians killed sounds like it's reading too much into what he's saying. This is especially true since he considers himself "ex-gay".
In addition to getting Price some mental health care, though, I think his right to say what he wants should be defended. If he really thinks gays and lesbians should be killed, let him say so. If that really is his position let him be confronted on it. If not, let's not stir up trouble by putting words in his mouth.
In addition to getting Price some mental health care, though, I think his right to say what he wants should be defended. If he really thinks gays and lesbians should be killed, let him say so. If that really is his position let him be confronted on it. If not, let's not stir up trouble by putting words in his mouth.
4
This is why religion is such a negative and so harmful. It is not difficult for simple minded and compassionless people to be turned into monsters by extrapolating what has been drilled into them. This is how the "good Christian upbringing"
of the German people was turned into a nation of fucking monsters and murderers called Nazis.
of the German people was turned into a nation of fucking monsters and murderers called Nazis.
6
This link gives a bit more information about the original letter and the way it is being reported by the local (Australian) area media.
http://sxnews.e-p.net.au/news/nsw-high-s…
The author of the letter is at the very least calling for employers to actively discriminate against gays and has defamed the gay community by his statements - and that's just in the bits that fall outside of the "making the world free of homosexuals" statement.
This is not much ado about nothing, rather it is appropriate that the sentiments being promoted by this letter be called out and challenged lest silence be confused with acceptance of these positions.
http://sxnews.e-p.net.au/news/nsw-high-s…
The author of the letter is at the very least calling for employers to actively discriminate against gays and has defamed the gay community by his statements - and that's just in the bits that fall outside of the "making the world free of homosexuals" statement.
This is not much ado about nothing, rather it is appropriate that the sentiments being promoted by this letter be called out and challenged lest silence be confused with acceptance of these positions.
7
Nobody called it "much ado about nothing." But it's still short of how it's being described here, which is the point.
9
@1-3
Ummm, why does it matter how any of us interpret what the letter says? I would hazard a guess that you are all very reasonable and at least somewhat opened minded people, which is why you are probably making a correct interpretation of the wording and giving someone whom you don't agree with the benefit of the doubt here.
However, how many of the religious nutbags that this guy is spouting his vile at are going to be as reasonable and stable in the head on this matter?
People who insight violence against any group of people often say "well, that is not what I said and it is not my fault how they interpreted it" however their intentions are to insight something, to increase hatred and anger towards a specific group. Plus they have totally dehumanized this group of people, so they don't give two shits about what actually happens to "rid the world of gays and lesbians."
Ummm, why does it matter how any of us interpret what the letter says? I would hazard a guess that you are all very reasonable and at least somewhat opened minded people, which is why you are probably making a correct interpretation of the wording and giving someone whom you don't agree with the benefit of the doubt here.
However, how many of the religious nutbags that this guy is spouting his vile at are going to be as reasonable and stable in the head on this matter?
People who insight violence against any group of people often say "well, that is not what I said and it is not my fault how they interpreted it" however their intentions are to insight something, to increase hatred and anger towards a specific group. Plus they have totally dehumanized this group of people, so they don't give two shits about what actually happens to "rid the world of gays and lesbians."
10
It's Australia. He was probably drunk when he wrote it and they were probably drunk when they published it.
11
Dang, I didn't know I was addicted to sex and drugs, for someone with such a addiction I do not get laid or high as often as I should!
13
It took me a minute to realize that NSW meant New South Wales and not "not safe for work." I was wondering what a not safe for work catholic private school is.
15
Has anyone actually read the letter? Because you can't really argue semantics if you haven't actually read it the letter.
And since it's been removed from the online edition (hmm, wonder why they removed it if it's not offensive?), I'm guessing that no one here has actually read the letter.
If I'm wrong, please, enlighten us.
And since it's been removed from the online edition (hmm, wonder why they removed it if it's not offensive?), I'm guessing that no one here has actually read the letter.
If I'm wrong, please, enlighten us.
18
@ 9 & 16, I read the link and am still not convinced it's that bad. There are (unfortunately) a LOT of worse anti-gay propaganda that's much more likely to incite violence than this.
Not saying that this is good; even milder anti-gaymessages play their part in supporting rabid, violent homophobia. But I just don't see some fag-bashin' shitbag going postal after reading this.
Not saying that this is good; even milder anti-gaymessages play their part in supporting rabid, violent homophobia. But I just don't see some fag-bashin' shitbag going postal after reading this.
21
I like no. 10, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who queries his career choice. Further to that, Noosa is camp as a sunshiney tinsel tourist town on a golden beach can be. Pina Colada, Nurse Rachet?
22
@9: Incitement to violence is not protected speech, no. But this is not incitement. It's a stupid opinion stated by someone with a messiah complex. A stupid messiah complex.
The fact that mentally unstable people, in turn, may take such written messages as though they were incitements is another matter. But, if you seriously believe that someone should be held accountable for the ways in which the mentally ill interpret their written record, I don't think you and I have any common ground.
By your logic, we should lock up the Beatles for Charles Manson's crimes.
The fact that mentally unstable people, in turn, may take such written messages as though they were incitements is another matter. But, if you seriously believe that someone should be held accountable for the ways in which the mentally ill interpret their written record, I don't think you and I have any common ground.
By your logic, we should lock up the Beatles for Charles Manson's crimes.
23
Hi Guys,
I raised this story to Gay Burns as I live in the area and my first great love gay bashed and died. At the time some Xavier students boasted about bashing gays in the local park at night.
Our local newspaper went into defend the school. My new partner of 8years wrote the following below. I would encourage you to write to the paper The Border Mail and let them know what you think about there support for such gay hating articles. The email address if the paper is bmm@bordermail.com.au The website address is www.bordermail.com.au They do not publish most of the articles they print in the paper online. The Matt Prices of the world will always be around. The schools website address is http://web.xhsww.catholic.edu.au/
The letter my partner wrote is:
CLARITY is required regarding two articles that appeared in The Border Mail on July 11, 2009: “Gay activist wants cash from school” and “World of sex and drugs”.
Lest your readers are mislead, gay activist Gary Burns did not want cash for himself.
He was asking Xavier High School, which published an article calling for the world to be “free of homosexuals”, to show remorse through a relatively small donation to a gay support group.
It appears to be a reasonable demand for what he believed to be a breach of NSW anti- vilification law, and an act that will lead to harm and violence for residents of Albury-Wodonga who are gay, or are thought to be.
While Xavier High School is avoiding responsibility for the homophobic article, it feels fake because it seems to be after the fact and prompted by publicity.
It is also extraordinary, because this article was published and distributed by the school. How much more responsible can Xavier High School be for this?
I suggest that “World of sex and drugs” is an unfortunate choice for a title, for an article linked with “homosexuality”.
It needs to be clear that this is only one man’s experience of the gay identity – that of Matthew Price, who was the author of the Xavier article.
Many straight people have problems with sex and drugs but we don’t tend to describe “heterosexuality as a world of sex and drugs”.
As a medical doctor who sees the evil that comes from picking on minorities, I urge Xavier High School to accept responsibility for publishing homophobic material.
More...
I raised this story to Gay Burns as I live in the area and my first great love gay bashed and died. At the time some Xavier students boasted about bashing gays in the local park at night.
Our local newspaper went into defend the school. My new partner of 8years wrote the following below. I would encourage you to write to the paper The Border Mail and let them know what you think about there support for such gay hating articles. The email address if the paper is bmm@bordermail.com.au The website address is www.bordermail.com.au They do not publish most of the articles they print in the paper online. The Matt Prices of the world will always be around. The schools website address is http://web.xhsww.catholic.edu.au/
The letter my partner wrote is:
CLARITY is required regarding two articles that appeared in The Border Mail on July 11, 2009: “Gay activist wants cash from school” and “World of sex and drugs”.
Lest your readers are mislead, gay activist Gary Burns did not want cash for himself.
He was asking Xavier High School, which published an article calling for the world to be “free of homosexuals”, to show remorse through a relatively small donation to a gay support group.
It appears to be a reasonable demand for what he believed to be a breach of NSW anti- vilification law, and an act that will lead to harm and violence for residents of Albury-Wodonga who are gay, or are thought to be.
While Xavier High School is avoiding responsibility for the homophobic article, it feels fake because it seems to be after the fact and prompted by publicity.
It is also extraordinary, because this article was published and distributed by the school. How much more responsible can Xavier High School be for this?
I suggest that “World of sex and drugs” is an unfortunate choice for a title, for an article linked with “homosexuality”.
It needs to be clear that this is only one man’s experience of the gay identity – that of Matthew Price, who was the author of the Xavier article.
Many straight people have problems with sex and drugs but we don’t tend to describe “heterosexuality as a world of sex and drugs”.
As a medical doctor who sees the evil that comes from picking on minorities, I urge Xavier High School to accept responsibility for publishing homophobic material.
24
Hi Guys,
I raised this story to Gay Burns as I live in the area and my first great love gay bashed and died. At the time some Xavier students boasted about bashing gays in the local park at night.
Our local newspaper went into defend the school. My new partner of 8years wrote the following below. I would encourage you to write to the paper The Border Mail and let them know what you think about there support for such gay hating articles. The email address if the paper is bmm@bordermail.com.au The website address is www.bordermail.com.au They do not publish most of the articles they print in the paper online. The Matt Prices of the world will always be around. The schools website address is http://web.xhsww.catholic.edu.au/
The letter my partner wrote is:
CLARITY is required regarding two articles that appeared in The Border Mail on July 11, 2009: “Gay activist wants cash from school” and “World of sex and drugs”.
Lest your readers are mislead, gay activist Gary Burns did not want cash for himself.
He was asking Xavier High School, which published an article calling for the world to be “free of homosexuals”, to show remorse through a relatively small donation to a gay support group.
It appears to be a reasonable demand for what he believed to be a breach of NSW anti- vilification law, and an act that will lead to harm and violence for residents of Albury-Wodonga who are gay, or are thought to be.
While Xavier High School is avoiding responsibility for the homophobic article, it feels fake because it seems to be after the fact and prompted by publicity.
It is also extraordinary, because this article was published and distributed by the school. How much more responsible can Xavier High School be for this?
I suggest that “World of sex and drugs” is an unfortunate choice for a title, for an article linked with “homosexuality”.
It needs to be clear that this is only one man’s experience of the gay identity – that of Matthew Price, who was the author of the Xavier article.
Many straight people have problems with sex and drugs but we don’t tend to describe “heterosexuality as a world of sex and drugs”.
As a medical doctor who sees the evil that comes from picking on minorities, I urge Xavier High School to accept responsibility for publishing homophobic material.
More...
I raised this story to Gay Burns as I live in the area and my first great love gay bashed and died. At the time some Xavier students boasted about bashing gays in the local park at night.
Our local newspaper went into defend the school. My new partner of 8years wrote the following below. I would encourage you to write to the paper The Border Mail and let them know what you think about there support for such gay hating articles. The email address if the paper is bmm@bordermail.com.au The website address is www.bordermail.com.au They do not publish most of the articles they print in the paper online. The Matt Prices of the world will always be around. The schools website address is http://web.xhsww.catholic.edu.au/
The letter my partner wrote is:
CLARITY is required regarding two articles that appeared in The Border Mail on July 11, 2009: “Gay activist wants cash from school” and “World of sex and drugs”.
Lest your readers are mislead, gay activist Gary Burns did not want cash for himself.
He was asking Xavier High School, which published an article calling for the world to be “free of homosexuals”, to show remorse through a relatively small donation to a gay support group.
It appears to be a reasonable demand for what he believed to be a breach of NSW anti- vilification law, and an act that will lead to harm and violence for residents of Albury-Wodonga who are gay, or are thought to be.
While Xavier High School is avoiding responsibility for the homophobic article, it feels fake because it seems to be after the fact and prompted by publicity.
It is also extraordinary, because this article was published and distributed by the school. How much more responsible can Xavier High School be for this?
I suggest that “World of sex and drugs” is an unfortunate choice for a title, for an article linked with “homosexuality”.
It needs to be clear that this is only one man’s experience of the gay identity – that of Matthew Price, who was the author of the Xavier article.
Many straight people have problems with sex and drugs but we don’t tend to describe “heterosexuality as a world of sex and drugs”.
As a medical doctor who sees the evil that comes from picking on minorities, I urge Xavier High School to accept responsibility for publishing homophobic material.
25
The principal issue is that Matt Price is alleged to have unlawfully vilified gays as a group in breach of NSW Anti-Discrimination law and that the school as the publisher of the content is vicariously liable (having failed to exercise a duty of care to students and readers to moderate offensive and potentially unlawful content).
Slot any ethnic minority into the same sort of claims as Matt Price made and no ordinary reasonable person would doubt for a moment that what was published was irresponsible and wrong. It's a no brainer. But whenever it comes to gays, it seems the prejudice blinkers go down and a culture of permissiveness towards abhorrent ill-founded statements rears its ugly head. Shame on *anyone* who quietly assents to, let alone incites, that.
Slot any ethnic minority into the same sort of claims as Matt Price made and no ordinary reasonable person would doubt for a moment that what was published was irresponsible and wrong. It's a no brainer. But whenever it comes to gays, it seems the prejudice blinkers go down and a culture of permissiveness towards abhorrent ill-founded statements rears its ugly head. Shame on *anyone* who quietly assents to, let alone incites, that.
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