The World Wrestles with the War of Queer Issues
Gay Soldiers Don’t Cause Disruption, Study Says
This article provides insight into the debate concerning the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy with the U.S. Military. The article argues that quickly changing the policy proves to not be as disruptive as political leaders may assume. Studies show that in foreign military, the queer population did not cause consequences that some Americans fear. The part of the article that I found most interesting was the comment made by the governor of Minnesota: “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
College Wrestler Champions Gay Rights
This short article speaks about Hudson Taylor, a UMD wrestler. Although he identifies as straight and is engaged to his girlfriend, Taylor feels a strong need to stand up for LGBT rights. Because of his strong opinions regarding LGBT issues, others often label him as gay.
How to Respond to Teachers Pushing Pro-Gay Curriculum:
This article speaks about a battle between teachers and parents in B.C. Canadian teachers have received a sheet that helps them confront parents who are not happy with their inclusion of homosexual teachings in their curriculum. The parents have written responses to the teachers that support homosexual teachings. Parents argue that they support the teachers explaining such issues as race or disability because those are not a choice. These parents argue that homosexuality is a choice and that the teachers do not have the right to teach about it without their consent.
I picked the first article because although it does not deal specifically with the crossover of race and queerness, I feel that it mirrors racial issues that America dealt with during the Civil Rights Movement. I think that many people might sit next to people of other races in schools and have no connection to the times of Brown vs. Board of Education, yet only fifty years ago these same issues regarding the speed of racial integration and how it would effect our schools were present in this country. Now, we are dealing with the speed of integrating Gay individuals into the military. I also personally am intrigued by the Governor’s remark, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” This reminds me of the point of view of segregationists during the Civil Rights Movement who felt that things were fine as they were.
The second article reminded me of the discussion pertaining to the idea of self-definition of queer versus queer labels given by society. Hudson Taylor is not queer, yet because of his stance for LGBT rights, others label him queer.
Lastly, the final article challenges what it means to be queer or a particular race. Rather than exploring their cross-over, the parents from the school in B.C. form a clear distinction between the two, stating that race is not a behavior, whereas homosexuality is. This speaks a lot to how these particular individuals view race-queer living now. To them, the main argument stems from the idea of choice and that unlike things such as disability or race, queerness can be prevented.
Queer/Race 
I work for the Athletic Department and have run into Hudson Taylor many times when I’ve worked wrestling meets, and I have to think that what he’s doing is necessary and brave. Part of me hopes that one hundred years from now, someone will say wow, people use to get attention and admiration for speaking for LGBT rights and equality, in that someday it will just be expected for someone to have the same feelings as Taylor; but, alas, we live in a much more narrow minded society where a male athlete is recognized for this time of social justice initiative, so I do commend Taylor. I’m sure it would have been much less controversial and much more smooth sailing from his teammates if he had never publicized his stance on LGBT issues. When I sit in Comcast, I hear male athletes walk by my office and use insulting terms for Gay people when talking about someone they don’t like or an action that they disapprove of….actually I hear this all the time, so I know the weird macho energy many male athletes feel here, where their masculinity and heterosexuality are worn on their sleeves and projected, which makes me look up to Taylor even more given the context of his showing awareness.