So I was just watching Harry Potter (the 5th one, if you must know) on TV and it got me thinking about the forthcoming final two movies in the series. No, you didn't miss a book, they divided the last book into two movies. This is not my point, however. What I really got into a froth about was Dumbeldore's revealed homosexuality by author J.K. Rowling after the conclusion of the series. I still see this statement as something of an attempt at a publicity grab by the author since no one knew this about Dumbledore until Rowling stated such; meaning that this aspect of the character clearly had no bearing on him or the story. HOWEVER, and this is a big damn however (notice the caps), this shows Rowling's talent as an author in her dedication to thoroughly defining her characters. Contradictory? Stay with me. I simply wish that Rowling had explored this to some extent within the books so that it would indisputably be considered canon rather than an "Oh, by the way..." after the series' conclusion. Especially because Dumbledore is such a magnificently virtuous character that also completely avoids any type of stereotypical characteristic often attributed to homosexual characters found in fiction of any medium. "Dumbledore is this character...that just happens to be gay. Now move along, dear reader." I think this could have done a lot for pushing forward the portrayal of homosexual characters in all forms of fiction.
Where the actual bitching comes in (the previous was just whining) is the reaction of certain members of the public to this assertion, primarily Christian groups. Side note: why is it that so many Christian groups use the guise of religous virtue in order to do and say some of the most offensive, bigoted things ever witnessed? (read: not the kind of things normally referred to as "being a good christian") For example:
Christian author Berit Kjos "[Dumbledore's sexuality] helps us show others that these books should not be used in the churches to illustrate Christianity. Because Dumbledore has been revealed as a homosexual, it helps me communicate my message"
Actually I tend to agree. Anything displaying both independent thinking and tolerance really shouldn't be used to "illustrate Christianity" because that's just false advertising.
Next up, Linda Harvey, president of Mission America: "Will we allow our kids to believe it would be perfectly appropriate for the headmaster of any school to be homosexual?"
My favorite part about this one is that the author asks the question as though the obvious answer is no, as in "No, it's not OK to be homosexual." I have to say, that's just Palinesque.
As stupid as that was, this next one may very well be my favorite.
Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America: "It's very disappointing that the author would have to make one of the characters gay...It's not a good example for our children, who really like the books and the movies. It encourages homosexuality."
Ahh yes, the old assertion that being exposed to homosexuality encourages one to be homosexual. That's why straight parents never raise gay children, right? More importantly, remember all of 3 minutes ago when I rambled on about Dumbledore's homosexuality never coming up in any of the books or movies thus far? And about what an outstanding example of virtue and altruism the character is? So where's this example of an evil, child-corrupting homosexual that children are being exposed to through the books and movies? Nowhere, but since when did loudmouth zealots need something superfluous like evidence?
I'm not done though, this act of people who have likely never even read the books using them as ammunition for their thoroughly Palinesque agenda reminded me of the fate sexual content in video games often suffer, one instance in particular. I know I'm now in serious danger of simply echoing the last article I posted, but again I must ask that you stay with me.
Anyone remember Mass Effect? Hugely successful game, even more successful sequel that came out this year? Yeah, that's the one.
Well back when the game was first released there was a big hooplah over the fact that the game allowed characters the choice of engaging in a sexual relationship with another character. In particular a perceived lesbian relationship. Technically the relationship isn't lesbian in nature since one of the characters is neither male nor female, but that is entirely beside the point. What is the point is that one especially untalented Conservative writer, a Kevin McCullough, had a few things to say about this game that he never played or even saw. Let's have a look at some of his choice phrases now, shall we?
"It's called "Mass Effect" and it allows its players - universally male no doubt - to engage in the most realistic sex acts ever conceived. One can custom design the shape, form, bodies, race, hair style, breast size of the images they wish to "engage" and then watch in crystal clear, LCD, 54 inch screen, HD clarity as the video game "persons" hump in every form, format, multiple, gender-oriented possibility they can think of."
And because of the digital chip age in which we live - "Mass Effect" can be customized to sodomize whatever, whoever, however, the game player wishes.
With it's "over the net" capabilities virtual orgasmic rape is just the push of a button away."
The important thing to remember is that NONE OF THIS EVEN APPROACHES ANYTHING THAT ATTEMPTS TO PRESENT ITSELF AS SOMETHING CLOSE TO RESEMBLING THE TRUTH. This cannot be emphasized enough. In fact, the article was so fallacious that the author later issued a completely half-hearted and backhanded apology. You can find that yourself if you really want to see. Even thinking about it brings the bile raised in the back of my throat by the previous article to dangerous levels. In fact, you can't even find the original article anymore, because the host site (uber-conservative townhall.com) took it down. Instead, clicking a link to the article brings you to a more or less blank page. The best part of all, is that not only does this king of the asshats have the influence to get an article so full of fabrications and outright lies published in the first place...he has a book. Wait so... I mean...and I can't get decent any kind of decent work as a writer? Are you kidding me? Am I being Punk'd? Where are the cameras?
In an effort to prove just how big and pungent a load of BS Asshat McDouchebags statements are, I will now show you a YouTube video of the ONE AND ONLY sex scene in Mass Effect. The only possible differences are in which characters are involved, nothing else changes. While the video is on YouTube, which does not allow nudity (hear that McCullough?) I will warn you that there is about 1 1/2 seconds of visible buttcrack and a brief glimpse of sideboob.
Also important to note: in order to even achieve the possibility of this scene, the player has to put in about 20-30 hours worth of work to develop the relationship. I know this because I have actually played the game, unlike the douchetool that inspired this particular aspect of this rant.
Although I really shouldn't be surprised at stuff like this making it's way into legitimate news publications when it's in a country that thinks like this.
Yes, apparently the depiction of "a man and woman having sex" is the most offensive thing to see in a video game, followed by "two men kissing" and then "the graphic depiction of a severed head." Think about that for a second. Let it sink in.
Now imagine this:
You're walking through the park, you see two men kissing. Assuming you even notice this, I doubt it would be very offensive. Unless of course your uber-conservative and/or homophobic.
Continuing on your walk, you see two people having sex. Odd...they are in public after all. You'd probably take more notice at this, maybe pull out your phone to take a quick pic or video to later show your friends and go "this was in the park, wtf? hahaha"
Moving on, you see a severed head sitting on a bench. What do you do? According to the poll, you should just shrug, and go "Sucks to be you." But it's more likely you'll scream and call the police.
So why do the rules change so much when these things happen in a movie or video game? If we ever find a way to tap into stupidity as an energy source, it looks like the conservative and "religious" asshats could keep the entire planet powered until our sun expands and destroys the planet. I doubt we'd even need to have an "off" switch on anything anymore...
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