Family Pride Blog: viewer discretion is advised
David on Jun 30th 2007
It all started when my coworker, Lisa, sent me a link to a website that rated our blog as “R” and advised children under 17 to be accompanied with a parent or guardian while viewing. The reason? We use words like gay and lesbian.
And we advise strong and sarcastic caution when reading Mombian’s blog; hers is rated NC-17 due to the use of dyke.
Though the website’s rating system is meant to be humorous (and should be taken with a grain of salt), it does speak to the power of words. Specifically, words that relate to sexuality.
On one hand, I acknowledge that words like fag and dyke shouldn’t be used as insults and adjectives (i.e., that shirt is so gay). But, on the other hand, there can be power in the reclamation of words. When we give a new meaning to an oppressive word, we take power from the oppressor and place it in our hands. Because I am gay, I get to take back that power.
It’s a controversial subject, but words like dyke and fag can’t be taken at face value; they must be taken in context. Who’s saying it and how it’s said determines what it means and whether or not it’s appropriate.
Of course, I don’t expect a blog rating system meant as a joke to take these considerations into account. In fact, with the number of times we use dyke and fag in this post, I suspect we’ll be branded with at least an “X” rating. But I do expect schools, institutions, businesses, organizations and everyday people to understand the power of these words and what they mean to some LGBTQ people.
Filed in general |
Not happy with the rating of your LGBT-oriented blog? Head over to IQN and give your response - Does ‘Blog Rater’ carry built-in anti-gay bias?
Hey, I added you to my blogroll. Could you take a look and see if my site is worthy to be on your roll?
Mombian is one of the first blogs I read each day. Dana is great. Now I’ve found you through Daddy, Papa and Me. I will be back.
I’m the somewhat straight mom of a gay son, a great-granny raising 3 mixed race tween and teen girls, and a member of PFLAG. I write two blogs, one political and one family oriented.
Those ratings are peculiar. They let gay slide on my family blog; they never noticed the number of times I talk about PFLAG and moveon.org, but chided me and gave me a PG for using the word “death”. I was talking about my oldest (50 year old) daughter who died in May of this year. What other word could I have used?
I didn’t rate the political blog but it would probably come in as NC-17 although my blogging partner and I don’t usually cuss over there. We talk about everything and I’m especially vehement about the religious right and civil rights.
Yes, I do think there is a built in bias in those ratings.
Best,
Ann
http://rocrebelgranny.blogspot.com
http://isamericaburning.blogspot.com
This must be a fluke. I went to the site and put in manhunt.net and that came up rated “G”.