Malinowitz Response

BEFORE YOU READ:

I personally hate the word "Queer". I hate when people use it in the wrong form. It is derogatory and hurtful. Growing up in German Village, I was surrounded by gay, lesbian, and bisexual couples and culture. I was taught to respect people's choices and that their sexual preferences did not make them any less of a person. I hate when people use words to hurt others.

SUMMARY:

In "Queer Texts, Queer Contexts", she talks about how today's society treats the gay/lesbian community and its members. She gives examples of the discrimination, talking about in every day tasks to even the classroom. She talks about some of the struggles that the community has fought and some of the things they have over come, such as marriage and "Don't ask; Don't tell." She talks about the ways that the community is affected and their effects on outsiders to the community. 

SYNTHESIS:3

I compared Malinowitz with McCloud to begin with. They both use a good amount of their articles talking about identity and masks. McCloud talks about how in certain situations people use the mask to appear different than who they are really. Malinowitz claims that gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people should not have to hide who they really are in the classroom, the church, and many other situations where their "lifestyle" is not accepted. This can also tie with Wardle with Identity being a key point for many of the same reasons as McCloud. I think that Malinowitz's article also ties in with the article by Gee, who also mentions Identity. But Gee also talks about primary/secondary groups, and Malinowitz talks about how the GLBT community needs to form both forms of groups or at least find a way to better interact between the two groups to ease tension.

DIALECTICAL NOTEBOOK:5

RESPONSE	QUOTE
This quote makes me think that it's not only student's battling their sexual identity and who they are, but also teachers, administrators and staff.	In the last few years, there has been a subtle but persistent change in the classroom climate around the subject of sexual orientation. page 110
We do not understand these people, because they are not given a chance to learn to understand themselves. Typically when people show signs of being different they are redirected back to the "norm" even if they go their entire life pretending to be "normal".	Yet our understanding of lesbian and gay subjectivities- and of the role of sexual identity in producing discourse generally- remains quite limited. page 112
The problem with media versus real life, is that TV and movies can glamorize or also give these people a bad name. In real life, individuals struggle to please others in fear for being ostracized for being different.	Behind the media glitz and hype, most academic institutions and the communities that contain them are still homophobic enough to discourage teachers and students from coming out of even speaking out strongly for a change. page 112-13
This quote angers me. It is so outdated and unfair to be close minded in our generation. The things our  parents and grandparents faced growing up are over and we do not still feel the same way that their parents and grandparents felt. Why should we not move forward with our society and write history much like our grandparents and parents.	Other's frankly acknowledge their anti gay feelings and beliefs, secure that cultural precedent has rendered them understandable and acceptable. page 114.
This quote is also much like women fighting to vote in the 20's and all the equal rights in the 60's. GLBT groups should not be afraid to gather and promote themselves and voice their wants and needs.	Much has been at stake for lesbian and gay people, not only in coming together and mobilizing as a group, but in promoting a sense of this group as a group to the society at large. page 115

THOUGHTS: 5

I really enjoyed this article. I did not realize how cruel and unacceptting some people were of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Growing up I never thought anything was wrong with their choices. My oldest nephew came out his freshman year of college, and although it has made certain members of our family uncomfortable I have stood behind him and supported him and will continue to. Who you love has no effect on who you are. There are couples out there who are doing worse things, so why can't two people who love each other be happy together? Regardless of their gender.