Last week, after my lecture on the ‘F’ word that doesn’t rhyme with duck, one reader commented that it’s a shame I mostly preach to the converted in the Star Observer audience and that “this shit needs to go mainstream.” Fair call.
But it’s funny you know, every so often I’m surprised to find out who actually reads these rainbow rants. I’ve had straight, burly cameramen at work approach me about stuff I’ve written on lesbian porn (go figure), my tradie uncles ask about gaybies, Mum wants to know if menstrual cups are a “gay thing” and blonde “popular” girls I went to high school with click ‘like’ on articles about gender fluidity. And then my brain explodes. Thanks Facebook!
Even though Star Observer is an LGBT publication, I do write with a broader audience in mind. After all, the issues that affect the queer community are issues our whole society needs to consider.
Serious stuff aside, I think straight folk are genuinely curious about what goes on in our secret world of gay. Like how we have slumber parties and tickle each other. Don’t we girls? Hehehe.
It’s no different to me reading Men’s Health whenever I have a doctor’s appointment to learn “the rules of stronger erections”. Healthy curiosity people.
I grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne around folks who called unsporty guys “poofters” and muscular female tennis players “lezzos” or “blokes”. Not in a blatantly nasty way, just in that casually homophobic way Australians forgive because we’re just havin’ a laugh, mate.
Some family members still say they don’t get why gays should be allowed to marry which makes my face contort like a sad, confused pug. These are people, who despite our different lifestyles and ways of seeing the world, I love to bits.
I know they’d never pick up a gay paper, but they do take notice of all the crap I post on social media.
So when I clog your Facebook newsfeed with my weekly dose of self- promotion, I like to think that some of the ideas I’m putting out there on equal rights, acceptance of diversity, tolerance and whatnot are finding an audience that’s not yet converted. Even if they’re just scanning for the bits on lesbian porn.
So if you’re reading this online, please hit share and let’s make this shit go mainstream.
You can follow Monique Schafter on Twitter @MoniqueSchafter
