Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Homo Halloween Costumes for the Effeminate Boy
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 9:19 AM
How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son
It's actually kind of heartbreaking, isn't it?
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6
I know that is a comedy skit but it's interesting to note that all the supposed 'Effeminate Boys' are actually girls, don't count on Savage making that observation tho.
8
Um, duh. The Crow. Or Spike from Cowboy Bebop. There are plenty of masculine, ass-kicking, characters out there who are effeminate in appearance. That's the point.
11
This is a parody. But we're about to elect a REAL LIFE version of these bubbleheads to the top job in the County. Who's laughing now?
12
So glad poppykins didn't see this when I was dressing up in mumsy's old prom dresses for Halloween during high school. I look dreadful in camouflage.
14
Yes, a satire, but still thougtht provoking and with an element of truth, which makes it kind of heartbreaking.
15
@9 and 13
Yes, we know it's satire. But if you're old enough, or if you grow up in a certain kind of community, you've actually seen parents (maybe even your own parents) making these kinds of calculations with their sons (or the opposite ones with their daughters). It's satire, but it also actually happens and if you've seen it happen and seen the pain that it causes, seeing it parodied in jocular skits is funny in sort of a tragic and upsetting way.
And now that I've had to explain that to you, you're qualified for one free rental of Philadelphia or some other shallow, remedial Hollywood treatment of the gay experience in America.
Yes, we know it's satire. But if you're old enough, or if you grow up in a certain kind of community, you've actually seen parents (maybe even your own parents) making these kinds of calculations with their sons (or the opposite ones with their daughters). It's satire, but it also actually happens and if you've seen it happen and seen the pain that it causes, seeing it parodied in jocular skits is funny in sort of a tragic and upsetting way.
And now that I've had to explain that to you, you're qualified for one free rental of Philadelphia or some other shallow, remedial Hollywood treatment of the gay experience in America.
17
It wasn't heartbreaking, it was brilliant (as per usual with The Onion)!
This sort of thing is perfect for helping people accept homosexuals more. Look, The Onion's popularity and reader base is continually climbing, and only complete ignoramuses don't know it's satire. This kind of parody gives people who are otherwise uninvolved in gay rights an opportunity to laugh about the ridiculousness of discrimination. Seeing ads supporting gay marriage rights and hearing it on the news is one thing... they can just remain silent or ignore it, but seeing it in comedy is perfect for letting people see how truly silly anti-gay discrimination really is.
I love it!
This sort of thing is perfect for helping people accept homosexuals more. Look, The Onion's popularity and reader base is continually climbing, and only complete ignoramuses don't know it's satire. This kind of parody gives people who are otherwise uninvolved in gay rights an opportunity to laugh about the ridiculousness of discrimination. Seeing ads supporting gay marriage rights and hearing it on the news is one thing... they can just remain silent or ignore it, but seeing it in comedy is perfect for letting people see how truly silly anti-gay discrimination really is.
I love it!
18
I love the Onion, but that *wasn't* funny. It was disturbing because that's what I think many people feel (but would never admit). The part when she tried to make the robot voice talk over the kid made me slightly nauseous.
19
The casual side comments and matter-of-fact references were spot on and magnify the sad truth that many are comfortable with their bigotry and misguided attempts to "help" their gay children.
21
Interestingly enough, the idea that it's heart breaking and a little "too true" is what MAKES it satire. Hell, it's the very definition. Damn, it's one of the founding principles of comedy.
22
@20 -- Loveschild made the very apt observation that perhaps some of the kids may be transgendered -- how openminded of her to recognize that they are "actually girls" despite being born biologically male.
24
Yep satire and funny and heartbreaking.
The video may have been funny. . . but for gender non-conforming kids this kind of shit happens in real life.
Parents, and even so called "experts" like Ken Zucker in Toronto believe that repression and reparative therapy can be effective with gender.
fuckers.
The video may have been funny. . . but for gender non-conforming kids this kind of shit happens in real life.
Parents, and even so called "experts" like Ken Zucker in Toronto believe that repression and reparative therapy can be effective with gender.
fuckers.
26
@17- I totally agree. I thought it was pretty damn hilarious, though if it were coming from anywhere but the Onion I'd be offended.
28
Oh god this hits a little too close to home for me. My parents were (are) fantastic and never had any problem with my dislike of the pink and frilly. It was a very different story at my all girls private school. I got suspended for wearing a dress suit to a dance. Lucky for me I was single at the time. Another girl got in trouble for bringing a girl as a date. Her parents sued the school though. And won. Thank god.
29
the reason it made me feel sad and guilty is as a former pre-school/daycare worker, i encountered more than one father who gave specific instructions about not letting their boys dress up and/or play with dolls. pretty fuckin' hostile about it, too.
of course it's the onion - it's a joke, except that for a lot of kids it isn't.
:-(
of course it's the onion - it's a joke, except that for a lot of kids it isn't.
:-(
30
So, everyone here does realize that the Onion is a spoof news organization, right? That writes and produces outlandish stories on false news stories? As in, this is all in jest?
31
Thanks 'exit to eden' for your quickness to point out the obvious. The Onion's a spoof!?! We had no idea! oh, and btw, we're all fucking idiots, except for you of course, and the handful of others that felt the need to say it too.
32
Yes, @30. People get it's satire. But even those who found it fucking hilarious, like myself, realize there's a core of sadness there. Realizing that it's awesomely-done satire doesn't change the fact that the crazy bitch mom character is only slightly removed from some real life parents that do real life damage to their poor kids. And people can still talk about that while also appreciating the satire.
33
You should move to Sweden. Here it's quite popular to have gender pedagogic pre schools. If your child behaves as the opposite sex it's almost a status symbol.
34
I agree with Urgutha more than anyone... Getting diverse eyes to see the truth is the biggest reason that I loved this skit. The video made me laugh, besides that.
Maybe it's because I'm not a gay male, that I didn't feel remorse or sadness?
Maybe it's because I'm not a gay male, that I didn't feel remorse or sadness?
36
#33: I've looked into it, and it's way easier said than done. Will you lesbian marry me so I can get a visa?
38
I was actually kind of happy that they could find boys who didn't mind 'fagging it up', if you'll allow.
39
I thought it was very very funny - the kids were great! I am not a parent but its always a bitter/sweet time when littlies hit the stage of development when they are not interested in dressing up and wish to conform to more 'mature' stereo tyopes. It is all part of growing up but I geta total kick out of seeing children in costume, hamming it up and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
41
@30. The Onion is satire. Satire is meant to be funny but it's also meant to be commentary.
We got a lot of flack for letting our three year old son wear a tutu and insisting he was a bride. He also insisted he was Thomas the Tank Engine. It made him happy, good enough for us.
But I will bet my house that when he came out a few years ago, my in-laws were thinking of that damn tutu. He's 17 now and has fond memories of dressing up. Much better that than the horror stories I hear from adults whose parents forbid it.
We got a lot of flack for letting our three year old son wear a tutu and insisting he was a bride. He also insisted he was Thomas the Tank Engine. It made him happy, good enough for us.
But I will bet my house that when he came out a few years ago, my in-laws were thinking of that damn tutu. He's 17 now and has fond memories of dressing up. Much better that than the horror stories I hear from adults whose parents forbid it.
42
Hmm, I feel like the gay community used to laugh at itself a lot more. Now we're becoming such sensitive souls. Dan himself used to ask readers to address him "Dear Faggot." Now there are all those campaign ads saying how much the word "fag" hurts us and how we'll melt into a puddle of water if people say it. On the one hand, I think this sort of seriousness is part of what comes with a serious campaign for equal rights and serious treatment from society, etc., but I think we lose something when we can't still laugh at these things.
This video is funny because the situation IS funny in a way, though yes also heartbreaking. But they portray the author as a shrill bitch who's torturing these kids, which is part of the commentary.
Also: "Don't dress them as a profession that's been co-opted by the gay community, or they'll just look like a stripper." Now THAT is funny.
This video is funny because the situation IS funny in a way, though yes also heartbreaking. But they portray the author as a shrill bitch who's torturing these kids, which is part of the commentary.
Also: "Don't dress them as a profession that's been co-opted by the gay community, or they'll just look like a stripper." Now THAT is funny.
43
I was about to get pissed and then i realized it was a joke. I like the big 'ol bear the most. We'll see him at CC.attles in about 10 years. Yay!!
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