In 2011, I published a blog post (since removed) encouraging those in the media who focused primarily on issues pertaining to the LGBTQ community (loosely referred to as 'gay media') to stop yelling fire for a living.
We know as a community there are many folks in the world who make their living off hating the LGBTQ community. As they do, many folks in the 'gay media' have found that reporting on such hateful rhetoric is a good way to drive traffic to their blogs, and in doing so, add to the chaos that many of our LGBTQ youth must encounter.
I am not so arrogant as to think my little opinion had any impact, but I write today to attest to the fact I have seen DRAMATIC improvements all around! Gone are the days that every blogger on Twitter published "copy and paste" versions of each others' articles. Gone are the days that every word uttered by Tony Perkins was their biggest draw. And it seems that gone are the days that bloggers were more interested in making money than reporting on truly important issues of concern to the LGBTQ community.
I don't mean to complain, but the words that continue to draw most bloggers' attention are those of Bryan J. Fischer. As they have, we see Mr. Fischer's vitriol has only grown more intense, not less. Today, if there was only one thing I could ask for 'gay media' outlets to improve upon, it is to boycott anything that man ever says again.
Some outlets will say, "Well Brian, that's news!" No it isn't. It's sensationalism for the sake of sensationalism. The 'gay media' is Bryan Fischer's biggest bullhorn because he has figured out that if he says it, 'gay media' will report it....and in doing so, he knows he reaches the audience he is truly after: LGBTQ youth. He wants to reach those kids who are not yet firmly established in their identity. He wants to make it known to them that social and religious pressure is a consideration in their choice to be honest. He wants to demonize a segment of our youth that has not yet figured out that the Christian right is only in it for the money...especially the money that can be made from ex-gay therapies whose only draw is "those with unwanted same sex attractions." Because Bryan J. Fischer knows that the only reason anyone has "unwanted same sex attractions" is because people like himself "tell" kids they should not want them.
One other thing I hope to encourage those in the 'gay media' to make a concerted effort to do is begin specifying up front in each article they publish about same sex marriage legislation, whether the bills they are reporting on are for or against gay marriage. Today, as we have a plethora of 'gay media' outlets to choose from, we can read 3 or 4 articles on the same legislation, and yet still not be fully aware if the legislation is for or against same sex marriage.
The most recent example is New Zealand, where first the bill was considered, then it was pulled, and now it sounds like it's going to be approved....but I'm still trying to figure out if that means For or Against same sex marriage. As this issue is debated around the world, and as various legislative measures can be for or against same sex marriage, now more than ever, I think it's important and helpful to readers if 'gay media' would let us know in the first sentence of their reports whether the legislation opposes or supports same gender marriage.
Otherwise, I just want to say THANK YOU for the work everyone in 'gay media' is doing on behalf of the LGBTQ community. Your reporting helps us know who our enemies are, and thanks to marked improvements and what appears to be a concerted effort for bloggers to actually put their hearts into their work, we also are beginning to see who our friends are.
In the process, we are also learning who in the 'gay media' is in it for the purpose of reporting news, and who is in it for the purpose of reporting personal profits.
There is always room for improvement, especially in the blogosphere, and in the humble opinion of this reader, those improvements continue to be made...and our entire community is better for it!
Thank you for your consideration of these suggestions for further improvements!
Sincerely,
Brian Anthony Bowen
Author, The Bed Keeper
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