What to do with Ann Coulter

“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. Can’t really talk about Edwards. ...”

That was the quote that landed right-wing political commentator Ann Coulter in hot water. But we all know what Ann Coulter is. Is she a homophobe? I suppose. But more than that, she caters to the sensational -- she will say just about anything to get attention to further her career. None of this surprises me, any more than the article on the non-biased “fair and balanced” article on Ann Coulter has been pulled from the Fox News website. So, none of this surprises me, and, like most of you, I’ve been sitting idly by enjoying all the hoopla over this incident.

What does surprise me is the reaction from some in the gay community...

Dan Savage, editor of the Stranger, a Seattle alternative news weekly, and author of several books on his life as a gay man, said the reaction to Coulter could indicate a change in how people view gays.

“I always thought we would be reaching a tipping point with anti-gay hate where it will no longer be acceptable, and maybe we are reaching that tipping point now,” said Savage.

I think Mr. Savage is right. All of this has happened because we are seeing a tipping point in attitudes.

Conservative gay scholar Andrew Sullivan, who heard Coulter’s comments live, said she uttered it with “malice aforethought.” But equating it to other slurs is a difficult comparison, Sullivan said.

“Nothing has the power of the n-word,” he said. (Source)

WRONG! Andrew, tell that to any kid who is thought to be gay in middle school and high school. Being called a faggot, or being thought to be gay, can bring with it intimidation, threats, bullying, beatings, and death. The threat is real and being called a “faggot” is just as hurtful as being called the “n-word”. Sometimes, I honestly don’t understand where Mr. Sullivan is coming from. It’s as if he grew up in an alternate universe.

I grew up with the reality that I may not make it out of high school alive. I left Emmett, Idaho and went to college, but not to get an education. I left Emmett to save my life, and in so doing, I happened to pick up an education. The weight of that was every bit as evident and real to me as being black in Emmett. But I’m not reliving that experience here. That has been covered in vivid gory details in other posts. You can look it up if you are interested. My best friend’s family was literally burned out of their home when I was in Emmett. His sin was being black. So I don’t know. To me, being gay and being black in Emmett was pretty much equal. He was called the “n-word” and I was later called... what would you call it, the “fa-word” (there’s already a reserved “f-word”).

I just think it’s really ironic for an educated gay man such as Andrew Sullivan to simply not get it.

And then there’s this from Matt Arundel who lives in Shreveport...

I implore all readers to understand that I do not oppose free speech, and Coulter can feel free to write as many books as she pleases. However, I will not sit by and watch this woman try to slur a presidential candidate using a word that has enabled violence against gays. She calls it a joke. I challenge Ann Coulter to defend the context in which she used the word “faggot” and tell us how it’s funny. The same context, I might add, that has been shouted to victims of hate crimes as they were left to die or suffer in pain because they had the strength and courage to tell an unkind world they were different. (source)

Well, that just hits too close to home for me. “Faggot” was exactly what they were yelling at me as I was being beaten and left. Andrew Sullivan, want to let that happen to you and then come back and say, “Nothing has the power of the n-word&rdquo? Enough said.