Personal: just some thoughts on the occasion of California

[butterfly]

Stuart spends the first solid half-hour of QaF2 dedicated to trying to get Vince into bed. Time after time after time. And every single time, it's Vince who pulls back (and when he finally does get Vince there, Vince flat-out tells him that if Stuart sleeps with him that means that Stuart is too old for anyone else). And no one on the show really seems to get it (Hazel's the closest, but even she seems to believe that the biggest problem is Stuart -> Vince rather than the other way around).

It's because Vince is so good at making you believe he's a sad bastard (he pulls this tons in the first series too). Everyone thinks that he's the poor, put-upon one. Phil thinks that. Cameron thinks it and that's what, in the end, dooms his relationship with Vince. He doesn't understand that Vince is and always has been the person in control of the Vince/Stuart relationship. Vince is the one with the power. Has been since he pulled back from that wank when they were kids.

I love both first series QaF and QaF2 but for different reasons. They're different shows, for all that the center of both is Stuart and Vince and their relationship. The first QaF is about Vince and Stuart learning not to take their relationship for granted. To rededicate themselves to each other.

QaF2 is about homophobia and saying, "Fuck it. I've had enough." About Vince telling Stuart that Alexander's father is dying and Stuart saying, "Good." It's about that feeling that I had back in 2004, when eleven fucking states passed measures to 'protect' straight marriage -- that fuck you, you assholes, fuck you all feeling (I can remember wanting to throw up). Not what I'm feeling today, right now, not with California doing something right. But I still feel it sometimes.

Sometimes, I am so tired of being queer and living in this world. Sometimes, I am so tired of being a woman and living in this world. Sometimes, I am so tired of being a person and living in this fucking world.

Homophobia. Sexism. Racism. Classism. It's out there. Sometimes, it feels like it's everywhere.

One man. One woman. I still see it on cars. People saying that fewer than ten gay characters over the course of fifty episodes of television is 'overdoing' it. The way women get discarded or mistreated in too many places and in too many ways to name. Michelle Obama getting called Barack Obama's "baby mama" by Fox News (or the button bullshit that was done at the Texas GOP Convention). This world can be so depressing sometimes.

Sometimes.

And sometimes there are moments when the light seems a little brighter, because this time another person or group of people was willing to admit that everyone counts as a complete person with all the rights and privileges and respect that should bring. That's what California is doing right now -- making the light just a little bit brighter so that we can all see a little bit better.

Comments

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

*applauds*

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[a-white-rain.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, I am so tired of being a person and living in this fucking world.
I'm sorry.

But you're right. Sometimes something really worthy happens. <3

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

And the good things balance out the bad. There's some really horrible crap that goes on, but the wonderful stuff makes it worthwhile.

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

I have no comment except to say nice job and so much yes.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[jic]

*hugs* Word up, hon.

This is the type of thing that I admire you for.

[mekare-enra.livejournal.com]

Agreed!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Wonderful post :)

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[tijsmans.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree with you more. I really have nothing to add. :)

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

What's sad is that this is a great post, but I'm reeling from this because it's the first time I've heard it:

Michelle Obama getting called Barack Obama's "baby mama" by Fox News

How do these people even look themselves in the mirror? I'm sure they think they're being terribly edgy and clever by doing that too. Assholes.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I know! They suck so much. Fox news is... they keep sinking to a lower level.