The Problem with Gay Marriage PSAs
Oscar Raymundo’s Easy Target takes one conventional argument from news media, pop culture, local politics, or queer lifestyle — and shoots it down.
A public service announcement is most effective if it reaches that tipping point of public relevance, which in the Internet age means YouTube views. However, not every same-sex marriage PSA that is released by even big nonprofit groups like the HRC and GLAAD reach that level of prominence. Here are a couple of reasons why.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
The Problem with Gay Bullying
Oscar Raymundo’s Easy Target takes one conventional argument from news media, pop culture, local politics, or queer lifestyle — and shoots it down.
The problem with gay bullying is that we have resolved that curbing a culture of verbal and cyber abuse is the viable solution, while neglecting the fact that for depressed teens the bullying is only the final push over the edge. It’s something else - more internally troubling - that has them convinced they should be standing there all alone, awfully close to the precipice.
If you don’t want your child to drown, don’t put fences around the pool. Instead teach him or her how to swim. When it comes to preventing suicide, we should not be “putting barriers,” as Savage suggested. We should be teaching gay kids how to swim in self-esteem - how to be strong enough to navigate through a harsh world where insults come flying at you 140 characters a second, and the anonymity allowed by the Internet lets human cruelty flourish without the least bit of responsibility.
We are telling kids, “it gets better” when they’ve already experienced the worst it can get.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
The Problem with Gay Monogamy
Oscar Raymundo’s Easy Target takes one conventional argument from news media, pop culture, local politics, or queer lifestyle — and shoots it down.
The problem with gay monogamy is not a reality TV personality with a big mouth. The problem is a lack of communication: understanding our partners, aligning our expectations of commitment, and forming a pact - not to get on the HRC homepage - but to make our relationship work. In some cases, it might even save our lives.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
The Problem with 'Post-Gay'
Easy Target returns! Oscar Raymundo takes one conventional argument from news media, pop culture, local politics, or queer lifestyle — and shoots it down.
It’s perfectly fine to stay away from the Castro (especially on Saturdays), to think the gay rights movement is misguided (especially the Human Rights Campaign), and to never feel ostracized for being white, privileged, and normal. But we need to be different. We need to live with an understanding that the freedoms that we now share were entitled to us by generations of queers who lived and died so that we could graduate from Penn, get hired at Google, and post pictures of our boyfriends on Facebook — all without being subject to lobotomies.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly] [The Huffington Post].
My Original ‘Easy Target’ Try-Out (February 18, 2011)
Fun Fact: The column was originally going to be called, “That’s So Dangerous!” Glad we changed the title last minute.
Lady Gaga arrives inside an egg to the Grammy Awards, a disappointment since Miley Cyrus had the whole bird metaphor pegged circa summer 2010. Mick Jagger struts out right after the In Memoriam. His subtle way of saying, “I’m still here, bitches!” Barbra Streisand can’t pronounce the word, “suburbs.” The singer presented the Album of the Year award to Arcade Fire. The band’s response: “Is it a mistake?” Safe.
San Francisco becomes the first city to create a marketing campaign to promote the use of female condoms among gay men. The Department of Public Health is using the $100,000 grant from the MAC AIDS foundation to put up illustrated posters throughout local businesses and on Muni stations. Scott Metzger, the guy who designed the Healthy Penis campaign illustrations, was commissioned to do the new female condom ones. Safe.
“To be or not to be?” That is the question all servicemen weren’t asked under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now, Shakespeare rejoins the military; this time in a new gay adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, a film titled Private Romeo. The characters have their accents on, but we’re not sure if they’re reciting the original source or if it’s new dialogue imitating the Bard. Risky.
After taking a long vacation since the release of “I Kissed a Girl,” bisexuality is making headlines again! Darren Criss, the straight actor who plays the “don’t mean to sound cocky, but…” gay teen on Glee, poses wet for OUT magazine, while rumors of his character’s bisexuality have diehard orientation extremists outraged. Risky.
Just to show bisexuality really is timeless, Barbara Walters confessed her girl crush on Jennifer Aniston live on The View. The venerable host has also admitted being fond of Julianne Moore and Sarah Jessica Parker. When Joy Behar called Barbara a “big lesbian,” Walters denied, but bisexual? “Whatever!” Risky.
While delivering the keynote speech at the CPAC conference last week, Anne Coulter said gays are natural conservatives, just not natural human beings deserving of equal rights. She goes on about convincing the GOProud to drop support for gay marriage, and even goes so far as to say, we have the same taste in men! Meanwhile, controversially shirtless GOProud chairman Christopher Barron had a breakdown and stormed out the Michael Signorile radio show, presumably to go dive straight up Sarah Palin’s butt. Dangerous.
Daily moisturizer? Check. White sailor’s hat? Check. Three grams of meth? A West Hollywood dealer took to the high seas in “the largest gay cruise” ever but didn’t get far. He was escorted in handcuffs off the Atlantic Cruise while docked in St. Thomas. Safety aboard these gay cruise ships has caused recent concern since there are usually not enough medical personnel to assist in an overdose - or a circle jerk. Dangerous.
S.F. Giants It Gets Better Video, Well, Could Be Better
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, the San Francisco Giants are forced to tell you It Gets Better. Straight athletes don’t have the right to beat you in softball. Ex-gay therapist is now an ex-therapist. It’s cheap to tag anti-gay stickers. Men’s magazine freeballs with objectification. AT&T and Time Warner have more conscience than Orbitz. Miley Cyrus stands up against Rick Santorum. And God won’t rain on your pride parade in Harlem.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
On Harvey Milk Day, San Francisco Elementary School Kids Read My Uncle's Wedding
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, a gay author indoctrinates our school children. Superheroes will rescue Moscow Pride. Academy of Friends might have some frenemies. Orbitz gets caught between the truth and Fox News. A pedophile lurks in the Vatican. And a trans woman gets beat outside a 7-Eleven.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
CNN Anchor Don Lemon Outs Himself, Backs It Up with a Book
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, Don Lemon comes out. The sports world experiences an openly gay whirlwind. S.F. circumcision ban is up for vote. A transgender editor shares her story. Equality California’s new executive director is not a white guy. John Hamm and Jimmy Fallon are anything but ambiguous on SNL. And Newt Gingrich gets glittered.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
Chaz Bono Makes the Transgender Case to David Letterman
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, Chaz Bono is more famous than his mom. Gay Presbyterian clergy get their sex on. Phyllis Lyon will vote for Dennis Herrera for S.F. mayor. The Castro is getting straightened out. Delaware legalizes unions. Minnesota bans marriage. And Uganda wants you dead.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
Bill Clinton Backs Gay Marriage, Target Inc. Blocks Gay Reporter, Blake Shelton 'Takes It Back'
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, binational couples get good news from the attorney general. Bill Clinton comes out in support of gay marriage. Bevan Dufty makes a promise he can’t deliver. Target does not want to talk to gay blogs. Blake Shelton wants you to know he’s not a homophobe. Jake Shears is out to make you hard — while Focus on the Family is out to make you flaccid.
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
Church Praises Gays, Budweiser Ad Might Be Gay, Lil B Says 'Gay OK,' School Says 'Go Away'
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, another church gets the message right. Budweiser soldier ad goes for the gay heart. Queerty is coming back. Despite Kanye rape allusions, Lil B is not really gay. A high school in New Mexico says no to a gay-straight alliance. A transgender woman gets beaten in a Baltimore McDonald’s. And in Ohio, a barn containing eight horses is burned to teach them gays a lesson.
Read the rest of the column [SF Weekly].
Sacto Schools Get Milk, Heteros Don't Get Licensed, Lesbian's Dad Gets Murder Charge
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, California students get Milk’d, a church separates itself from the state, Jesus is kind of a hunk, Courtney Cox discovers Grindr, Christina Aguilera does the Walk of Shame, Kobe Bryant can’t fake it, and a father murders his daughter’s girlfriend.
Read the rest of the column [SF Weekly].
Delaware Advances Civil Unions; HIV Study Sees Hope; the Eagle Leathers Up the Skylark
Each week, Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, Delaware moves closer to approving civil unions. HIV study sees a better future. There are no powerful gay black men. The Eagle plucks at the Skylark’s plumage. Bret Easton Ellis tweets too much. And a college student fakes his own hate crime.
Read the rest of the column [SF Weekly].
Ann Coulter Coming Our Way; Soldier Sex Stays on the DL; A Different Light Fades to Black
Each week Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, Ann Coulter threatens to come to San Francisco. Military man-sex exists only in our fantasies. 50 Cent won’t apologize. Glenn Beck backs off television. Four percent rounds up to 10. Lady Gaga wants a Modern Family. And a truly magical place in the Castro fades out.
Read the rest of the column [SF Weekly].
Binationals Get Support; WeHo Wants to Drive on Liz Taylor; Gay Bingo Can Get You Fired
Each week Easy Target alerts you of potential advances or threats to gaykind from the forces of the news media, politics, and popular culture — the front lines of the culture wars — in San Francisco and beyond.
This week, a new act aims to keep binational LGBT couples together. WeHo wants to outgay itself with a Liz Taylor Street. Not even a gay character will save the Teen Wolf reboot. Trans activists can read. Off with our pretty little gay heads in Saudi Arabia. And if you play gay bingo, watch out for your job!
Read the rest of my column [SF Weekly].
