Omar Mateen and the convenient myth of the violent, self-hating ‘closet homosexual’
In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, reports are surfacing that the Orlando shooter, Omar Mateen, was gay—or, at least, struggled with his sexuality and frequented gay clubs, with accounts on gay hook-up apps like Grindr. Some people have made the (good, valid, necessary) point that this complicates the mainstream media’s narrative that Mateen was motivated by his allegiance to “radical Islam”, and they have criticised the knee-jerk racism and xenophobia present in much of the mainstream media after the attack.
Unfortunately, many people have also declared that Mateen was clearly a “closet homosexual”, and that his shooting was fuelled by psychotic self-hatred and mental illness. Comments sections are teeming with announcements like, “I called it!!”, “that was obvious”, “he’s clearly mentally ill” and “the biggest homophobes are always closet gays”.
There are multiple problems with this line of reasoning. To begin with, let’s get a quick terminological point out of the way: we should talk about gay people, not “gays” and “homosexuals”, unless we want to dehumanise LGBT people by conflating their entire identities with their sexuality. Despite the (sometimes understandable) feeling that “language policing” has proliferated out of control in these “PC times”, the words we use to describe each other are the most basic foundation for how we understand and treat each other. In other words, language matters.
Moreover, these glib, self-congratulatory sentiments betray a harmful misunderstanding of both mental illness and sexuality, each of which can be dealt with in turn.
http://thespinoff.co.nz/media/20-06-2016/omar-mateen-and-the-convenient-myth-of-the-violent-self-hating-closet-homosexual/
= new reply since forum marked as read
[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=#009999]All too often, whenever there is a notable homophobe rumors start circulating that the person is a closet homosexual. It is like Straight people can't ever be homophobes.
For example, people keep on accusing Linsey Graham of being gay here on DU. This is despite the man saying he is not. And, if we are going to start speculating on his orientation based upon his behavior, he is far more likely to be asexual like me than anything.
Yes, there are some people who turn their hatred in-ward because of an extremely oppressive, heteronormative culture. But most homophobia is the not result of self loathing homosexuals. The majority of the supporters of the "kill the gays" bill in Uganda were not gay. Demographically, the majority of the people who supported that were straight.
This homophobic meme needs to be fought and the very LEAST I can do is call it out when i see it for my L/G allies.[hr]
I also want to point out that the shooter being gay is incredibly unlikely. He had two wives and stalked women. He quite obviously had opposite gender sexual attractions.
The question is, at most, was he straight or was he bi. There is some evidence that he might have been bi, but that is either based upon speculation (his ex-wife saying he might be "gay"
or on un-named sources and hear-say.
Just as I am going to defend my LG allies, I am not going to throw my B allies under the bus either. Until there is some hard evidence of the contrary, I am going to fight this ridiculous assertion that this evil man was LGBTQIA+ in any way. [/font]
I hope more and more GLBT people see your posts and recognize your importance contribution to this and other LGBT issues. But, more importantly, I hope straight people read your words and see, "this is how one is an ally to the LGBT people", it is a hell of a lot more than posting an avatar or crocodile tears or "wow! that's so bad!".
Thank you! I sincerely, and heartily say it again; THANK YOU!
She did a fantastic job. I find this paragraph the most salient:
Unfortunately, many people have also declared that Mateen was clearly a “closet homosexual”, and that his shooting was fuelled by psychotic self-hatred and mental illness. Comments sections are teeming with announcements like, “I called it!!”, “that was obvious”, “he’s clearly mentally ill” and “the biggest homophobes are always closet gays”.
It has been that attitude which has been most prevalent and infuriating. It is made worse by GLBT people who promote it or make excuses for it. Then again, I am not surprised because one can always find someone in an affected group who is willing to promote any argument, Fox sure did:
The person they interview, Guy Benson, who is gay (and only watches Fox news, by his own admission), "confirms" that gay journalists are biased and nothing more than activists, particularly Anderson Cooper. "See! See! We have a GAY person who agrees with us and tells the "truth"! See! I knew it. I knew I was right that gay journalists are biased activists!!"
Something else which definitely should be highlighted:
Secondly, let’s turn to sexuality; and, in particular, the depressingly common trope that “the biggest homophobes are always closet gays.” Let’s be perfectly clear: homophobia is not a gay problem. While some LGBT people who are struggling with their identities certainly exhibit internalised homophobia (and transphobia), homophobia is a widespread, institutional problem most often perpetuated by straight people.
Know what, I am going to say it again (OK, cut and paste it again):
Secondly, let’s turn to sexuality; and, in particular, the depressingly common trope that “the biggest homophobes are always closet gays.” Let’s be perfectly clear: homophobia is not a gay problem. While some LGBT people who are struggling with their identities certainly exhibit internalised homophobia (and transphobia), homophobia is a widespread, institutional problem most often perpetuated by straight people.
There! Made it a bit more readable. It pisses me off some are trying to play the LGBT community off of the Muslim community, mainly the right, and it is failing, of course; but what is worse, other than tripe I have already discussed and this author discussed, are those who are "concerned" about this incident and it doesn't have jack to with Islam, Muslims (well, in some cases it does), and certainly not the LGBT community. Once again, demonstrating, the LGBT are a disposable group, unless it fits the narrative someone wants, and if it doesn't, then by G-d, they will make it fit, by hook or by crook!
