A poll is being conducted at http://daily.gay.com/lifestyle/2011/02/vote-hottest-guys-of-the-it-gets-better-series.html (women are somehow spared this indignity, probably because gay.com is primarily a site aimed at men). You get to vote on a select group of mostly sports and entertainment celebrities, a few accomplished professionals, and two "gap kids." You get to say who is the hottest. NOT the most inspiring. NOT the most heartfelt. NOT most helpful. This dark twist on a well-intentioned and valuable campaign that only reinforces to young gay boys and young men that looks are the primary commodity in the community. The hidden message, "[Your looks] Get Better." But that just isn't true for everyone.
Being good-looking is a valuable commodity in the gay community and in the straight women's community (anywhere men are the objects of affection and hold the rating card). But, not everyone gets to the top of what can be a difficult and generally temporary heap. There are probably kids and adults who realize that they will never be considered by the masses to be "hot." Seeing a campaign like this may only reinforce despair.
It doesn't surprise me that representatives from the gay community end up shooting the community in the foot once in a while. All communities have similar (and often more dramatic) examples. I just hope we step back once in a while and do a values check. Are looks the thing we want to celebrate in an anti-bullying campaign?
No comments:
Post a Comment