PostSecret and Homophobia

PostSecret: Discover instant therapeutic release contained in one 3" x 5" card. Frank Warren's art project started out as an Internet phenomenon circa 2005 and later spawned numerous printed volumes and videos. Now, it's become a social movement supported through Warren's endless tours -- and heck, the audience has expanded across linguistic borders at this point with sites designed for France, Germany, Spain, and China.

I've followed this blog for at a number of years now and I mention it tonight because of one nagging question burrowed deep in my brain:

Why is there such a huge influx of homophobic postcards on PostSecret?

When I use the term "homophobic," I reference a number of issues. The tone is often aggressive among this set and there's a trend toward supporting narrow, hurtful, and often stereotypical perspectives about queer people. In addition, when the author is queer, the secrets often featured on the blog are thick with an internalized, self-directed sense of hatred.

Now, given the nature of this blog, I understand the higher number of closeted LGBT people who might write in. If the site caters to a crowd needing to vent their secrets in an anonymous form, then I can see how closeted individuals might find release. I just wonder why Mr. Warren tends to select postcards with a definite homophobic vibe to them. This is a hefty accusation and I do have examples where queer-themed cards are positive and uplifting, of course.

But, with the current suicide rates among queer youth as high as they are, I wonder how postcards of this nature would help:

Internalized Homophobia

I am one of the lucky few who have never felt the press of internalized homophobia. I know it took me some time to come out, but I never once hated myself for being queer. Women are gorgeous and have a knack for making me overjoyed, so why be down about it? But, after reading postcards like these each Sunday makes me wonder if I'm a minority within a minority.

Abrasive Commentators

I imagine most queer readers would get defensive after these gems. Without context, I tend to picture the worst scenarios. Response to the First: Visibility matters. Just re-read the first three secrets and you will see why representation is important. Response to the Second: Four exclamation marks? Really? I'd love to know more about the back story there...

A Curable Cause

I find it strange how few people are willing to acknowledge bisexuality as a legitimate sexual identity. Instead, queerness is presented as a character flaw or a curable affliction -- and now, there's yet another platform to promulgate the idea.

Abuse as a Trigger Cause

The idea of sexual misconduct or abuse from childhood leading to a queer identity in adulthood is one of the oldest "explanations" for homosexuality in the textbook. (You might need to shake off the dust on said textbook, of course). Again, when I see postcards like these, I'm concerned for queer youth stumbling across them and deciding these are the consensus of all queer people.

The Queer Shotgun

... Where "gay" is synonymous with "last nail to the coffin." Is the writer pleased that the child is with a loving couple, or is the writer reveling in the supposed paradox of the situation? I find it problematic when queer kids are used as ammunition or the nightmarish worst-case scenario.

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Right, enough with the rants. I do have examples of uplifting, reaffirming postcards with queer content. I wish these secrets were more common to Warren's site. I give ample credit to him for including postcards featuring LGBT voices at all, but, I think there's still ample room to develop a more queer-positive voice for the masses.

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PARALYMPIC UPDATES:

No time to slow down in Vancouver -- the 2010 Paralympic Games opened on March 12 and the competition's fierce. Team Canada has taken home six medals thus far and are gearing up to own more podium space. So, who's been crowned with the laurels of success thus far?:

• Colette Bourgonje, Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 10 KM, Sitting (Silver, March 14)
• Josh Dueck, Alpine Skiing - Men's Slalom, Sitting (Silver, March 14)
• Viviane Forest, Alpine Skiing - Women's Slalom, Visually Impaired (Silver, March 14)
• Brian McKeever, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 20 KM Free, Visually Impaired (Gold, March 15)
• Lauren Woolstencroft, Alpine Skiing - Women's Slalom, Standing (Gold, March 15)
• Karolina Wisniewska, Alpine Skiing - Women's Slalom, Standing (Bronze, March 15)

Coverage has been sparse on the major networks which I find ridiculous considering Team Canada's Paralympic team is outshining their able-bodied teammates at the moment. Make sure to check out medal updates and full coverage over at the Main Headquarters. I shall keep readers posted in the following weeks, you best be certain of that.