Dear Editor,
Why is it that criticism of religions, politicians, police officers, normal men, etc. is fair game, but when someone says anything about gays, who by now we know have fought tooth and nail to be considered normal, that is considered discriminatory?
We comment on everybody’s behaviour. We address people’s way of dressing and carrying themselves, both in public as well as in private places. We talk about lack of decorum. We often talk about certain behaviour which is not becoming of people in certain positions.
Hence, the reaction to Emmanuel. Let me react like my Dutch colleagues used to, often when I put them in their place. “Wees niet zo kinderachtig, man” So when the same thing is said about gays’ behaviour or appearance, who by now we know expose themselves to public scrutiny because of the often-exaggerated way they go about to let it be known that they are partners, that is being discriminatory.
Where is the solid line here? Who decides then who should behave how and when? Who should be the judge of that? Just like I asked if “50 years of Carnival” is not a fact I would like to know if Emmanuel spoke the truth. Do not we have to accept that when we openly portray who we are there could be consequences? Nothing personal against anyone, but I do not think that my rights end where your emotions begin.
Russell A. Simmons
