Ok, as one of the dykes that the Mayor was so kind as
to stick up for, I just have to weigh in here. Though
I hardly know where to begin, there are so many things
wrong with this picture.
First of all, I found the mayor's remarks patronizing
at best, and really down right insulting. Why does he
think 'dyke' is a derogatory or insulting word?? It's
a perfectly lovely and self-chosen word for a
particular group of lesbians. Is he suggesting that
we are so awful that to acknowledge who we are is to
insult us??
This is the same guy who, about a year and a half ago,
told a room full of us what a great friend he'd always
been to the gay community, because he supports the
arts! I kid you not people, he actually said that.
Talk about stereotypes!
Or perhaps he is perpetuating the stereotype that
lesbians have no sense of humor, and was afraid that
we wouldn't understand Jane's remark. Well, fear not
Randy, I know very few dykes who are unable to
distinguish between a friendly use of the word and
someone who is trying to be insulting. I doubt many
people, unless they are homophobic, would really think
Jane Prince was trying to insult anyone but Randy and
Tim and the Republicans behind the anit-marriage
amendment.
Which is another point - THIS was all he could find to
dispute in her parody??? What, he couldn't deny the
truth of any of her other points?
If Randy is such a great friend of the GLBT community,
why doesn't he turn his vast powers of persuasion to
stopping the amendment at the Legilsature? For that
matter, if he cares so much, why did he VETO the
Council's 2004 Resolution that opposed the
anti-marriage amendment??
I feel no need whatsoever for Randy's protection, nor
do I for one minute believe that he really was looking
out for us when he wrote this and gave it to the
reporters. Clearly, if he was serious about this, the
appropriate course of action would have been a PRIVATE
letter to Mr. Benanav. But of course, that wouldn't
have served to embarrassed anyone. I'm no lawyer, but
it seems to me that Jane should have cause for a
harassment suit here, having been publicly accused of
being a homophobe, which she most certainly is not!
Think of it: Randy Kelly pretending to preach ethics,
tolerance and civility to Jane Prince and Jay Benanav!
Boggles the mind, doesn't it?!
Mr Mayor, I for one RESENT having been used as a
weapon in your little war against the City Council in
general and Jay and Jane in particular. Grow up and
learn how to play nicely with your co-workers, or get
another job.
One can only hope.
Jeanne Schnitzen
Highland Park
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