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Loading ...Neff: Tattooing prejudice
I sport two tattoos.
I got my first tattoo, that of a wolf howling at sunset, on my upper right arm, when I turned 35 years old.
I got my second tattoo, a red band and a blue band, on my upper left arm, when I turned 40 years old.I will get my third tattoo next May, when I turn 45 years old.
I bit my lip with the first tattoo, then forgot about any pain over a birthday dinner and drinks.
I teared up with the second tattoo – the needle on the underside of the arm hurt worse than the needle on the muscle.
I take pride in both tattoos, which I think look pretty good with my Florida tan, though my mom frowns anytime I arrive at a family function in a sleeveless shirt.
To get a tattoo feels like a bold act, a statement about identity, personality, individuality, choice, personal freedom and liberty.
To be tattooed — forcibly — is something altogether different, signaling ownership of property or condemnation of person.
And for a priest to suggest forcibly tattooing gays with a sodomy label seems beyond offensive.
The Rev. Peter Mullen, a priest with the Church of England, suggested just that in a posting on a Web blog.
Mullen, the chaplain to the London Stock Exchange wrote, “Let us make it obligatory for homosexuals to have their backsides tattooed with the slogan ‘Sodomy can seriously damage your health,’ their chins with ‘Fellatio kills.’”
Mullen, in a separate posting, suggested that GLBT Pride parades be outlawed for obscenity.
And, in yet another posting, he wrote about the blessing of the civil partnership between two clerics: “The Bishop of London is in a high huff, Because Dr Dudley has married a puff; And not just one puff — he’s married another: Two priests, two puffs and either to other.”
I read in a 365gay.com news report that the Bishop of London criticized the minister who blessed the civil partnership and then chastised Mullen for his Web postings.
The chastised Mullen issued a formal apology that read, “I did not intend to cause offence when I made some joking remarks about homosexuals.
“I was not actually meaning to criticize individual homosexual persons, but the promoters of gay culture. However, my remarks have caused offence and for this I am sorry and make a full and complete apology.”
My mom, in addition to frowning on my tattooed arms, has over all my years frowned upon apologies that don’t ring sincere — there have been a few. As often as she said, “Would you jump off a bridge if Karol did?” she said, “Don’t say ‘sorry’ unless you mean ‘sorry.’”
As I read Mullen’s apology, I don’t sense that he’s sincerely sorry — maybe a sullen Mullen, but not a repentant Mullen.
And really, I don’t think the GLBT community should want an apology from Mullen.
Do we think that he’s sorry for thinking gays should be branded like cattle or marked deadly like a pack of cigarettes? Or do we think he’s sorry for being so stupid as to share his thoughts on the World Wide Web?
When incidents such as this happen within an organization — whether it is a classroom, an office, a government agency or a religious institution — it is important not to erase the words, conceal the ignorance and hide the disease.
A man who suggests making it “it obligatory for homosexuals to have their backsides tattooed with the slogan ‘Sodomy can seriously damage your health,’” should not be chastised like a child who sticks out his tongue at another kid.
Saying “Say you’re sorry” to prejudice solves little. Homophobia should be discussed, analyzed and, most importantly, treated — or, terms Mullen might understand, exorcised.
Is it gay to rape little boys or no? i keep getting confused. Will the religious figures that enjoy doing this activity get the tattoo? or is there a special tat for child predators? Perhaps a tat of Chris Hansen?
Tattoes are not my cup of tea. I am not into pain of any type. If someone else wants to have them that is fine with me. Personally I would cross them off of any list that I might have.
Peter Mullen can rant and rave all he wants to himself and if anyone else wants to listen that is their decision. I am surprised a little bit if anyone would listen to the looney. Now I am not sure if the tattoos that a lot of women got in the 70’s qualify for his spewing hatred. But do not forget a lot of armed forces types also get them. Is he going to try and tell them they are gay? I wouldn’t want to be around when he tries. That shows how bad homophobia is in the services btw. Now tell me again why gay people want to serve in them?
I guess it would be a good idea to have gay people tattooed with “fellatio kills” being since heterosexuals never engage in such scandalous activity. Pan-applicable perfection can always be used for heterosexuals and their sexual activities (or lack thereof).
In my opinion, organized religion is the root of all evil in the world.
When are the delusional fundamentalists & evangelicals going to wake up from their mass psychosis?
The Bible, Qur’an, Torah are all works of fiction.
There is not a human being on Earth who knows for certain why we exist, where we came from, how we got here or where we are going. It’s all man made speculation.
I have never been able to comprehend why any LGBT person would even want to belong to a religious organization that believes we are an abomination.
I don’t need any religious group to validate my life.
GOSH-LIKE DICK ARMEY CALLING BARNEY FRANK-BARNEY FAG-HE APPOLIGIZED-BUT DID HE MEAN IT-HELL NO !! HE GOT AWAY WITH IT JUST LIKE THIS ASSHOLE DID. MAKE HIM SERVE TIME IN AN AIDS WARD FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE-HE NEEDS TO LEARN COMPASSION AND HUMILITY.
How soon we forget. Homosexuals were forcibly tattooed, along with the six million Jews Hitler exterminated in WWII. Perhaps the right revered would like to turn the clock back to the days of Nazism?
It reminds me of Falwell’s infamous comments after 9/11. When he apologized, I had a mental flash to Clark Gable’s performance in Gone with the Wind: ” You’re like the thief who isn’t sorry he stole but is terribly sorry he’s going to jail.” Have we another Scarlett here? I think so.
Interestingly enough, I got a tattoo of a pink triangle on my left wrist (it’s closer to the heart doncha know) last Saturday.
To me the pink triangle represents those of us that have gone before and their abuse, suffering and death, and those of us who, today, also are still paying for being who we are.
It is my “poppy” and I wear it proudly.
That said, I’m all for a little black humour from time to time but as I remind my daughter on occasion, one must needs be very careful where and with whom one exercises ones sense of black humour.
I don’t believe for a second the Wrong Reverend Mullen was engaging in ANY attempt at humour… black or otherwise.
You’re right. We should stop demanding apologies from people, because a public apology means absolutely nothing. However, what we should demand is equal time, equal press as those who spout off with hatred, and force them to back up their comments and explain them fully, without the option for a cop-out apology.
I whole-heartedly agree with the sentiments given here. There will not be any public outcry until such actions are taken against them, the individual. Not long ago, actions like this were taken against harlots, overly talkative wives, and such. Until such time as these things are reapeated upon the whole population, the attitude of “it doesn’t effect me” will continue. That is why it is important that everyone who can without harm to come to themselves, should come out of the closet to family, friends and even co-workers. The more visible we are as humans with lives just like everyone else, the easier it is for others to see the serious hatred and bigotry that is espoused by these supposedly “good and moral” people.
Bright Blessings,
Rev. Draigh Lunara
How incredibily offensive!! That he posted this on the Web makes it a public statement, not an offhand remark. That apology was no more sincere than the Stock Exchange is a “safe” investment.
I think Mullen has a good idea. We should forcibly tattoo his backside with “here are my brains.” That would help the neurologist if Mullen needs brain surgery. And we should forcibly tattoo his chin, “caution: toxic waste.” That would help people who happen to stand in front of him.
He obviously has a serious birth defect that has the function of his orifices reversed. Filth is coming out the wrong end. Meanwhile, a little heart surgery might be in order. His doesn’t seem to be working too well.
90% of *institutional* judeo-kristiano-islamo-fascism is the sworn ENEMY of GLBT people. I want SOMEBODY to file a smart class-action suit against them ALL for conspiring across state lines to deprive GLBT people of our civil rights, property, and LIVES. In San Diego, a KKK organizer was found guilty of accessory to murder when his racist pamphlets were found in the murderer’s apartment. Just exactly HOW is that different from the gay-bashing literature handed out and the incendiary sermons preached from kristianist pulpits every Sunday? Or the inflammatory videos advertised by Focus on WHOSE Family, American Fascist Family Association, Concerned Big-Hairs For America, the American Anglican Anal-Retentive Council, Pat Robertson’s 666 Club, etc? Gay-bashers’ bishops, pastors, rabbis, and imams should be in prison as well, IF they incited them. Free speech has limits, as the person who shouted “kill him” (referring to Obama) at a McCain rally is finding out.IF there IS a Judgement Day, religionists will have MUCH for which to answer.
Cheers,
Bud Clark
San Diego CA USA
What no one has mentioned, and yet what came immediately to mind for me, is the horrific use of tatoos to brand Jews, homosexuals and anti-Nazi dissidents sent to camps during WWII. I cannot help but believe that Mullen was fully aware of the significance of his suggesting a ‘brand’ for us, and fully cogniscent of his intended ramifications. Why does anyone forcibly brand a person except as a denotation of ownership, subservience and being the hated ‘other’. It is the most sickening and disheartening of homophobic slanders I have yet to hear. The fact that this man is supposedly a priest and man of God underscores the deep seated hatred still found all around us especially in Christain and other faith communities; the lack of outrage in the media underscores how little thought is given to our community. Had Mullen’s ’suggestion’ been directed in supposed ‘humor’ at any other minority, whether ethnic or religious, the outcry would have been stupendous. Where is it now? Where is the rage of our supposed friends in the Jewish, Black and Latino communities, or in religious congregations of supposedly ‘open arm’ policy for the GLBT community? I see no such support, and that is perhaps even more disheartening than Mullen’s own proudly displayed hatred.
I’ve seen a picture of Mullen. What a freaking queen. Like most typical right wing Christofascist homophobes he is so obvious he doesn’t need a facial tattoo