Random Ruminations

wadeinthefire:

homothex:

desperateandredeemed:

amazingatheist:

When I was young, I read a book called ‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card and so, I’m sure, have many of you. It’s a very popular book among young adults (and adult-adults as well, I’m sure). It is, in my opinion, a very good book. I’m not alone in believing this. It has 2,400 five star reviews on Amazon. It won both the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award (prestigious in sci-fi circles). And next year, ‘Ender’s Game’ the movie is set to come out, featuring Harrison Ford.

This is a book that meant something to me as a kid. It was empowering in a lot of ways, with its themes of unashamed intelligence, looking outside of the box, persevering against adversity and finding your own power through thought and action.

The problem: the aforementioned author, Orson Scott Card, is a completely homophobic asshole. This is not the case of the guy making an off-color joke and the LGBT crowd taking it too seriously. This is not a case of him being misconstrued or misinterpreted in any way. He is proudly homophobic.

• He called gay marriage, “the end of democracy.”
• He is on the board of NOM (An activist group dedicated to fighting gay marriage).
• He actually said this: “Laws against homosexual behavior should remain on the books, not to be indiscriminately enforced against anyone who happens to be caught violating them, but to be used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society’s regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society.”

He is a man who is, at best, confused. At worst, evil. And I’ve bought at least three of his books. Can I, in good conscience, ever buy another one? Can anyone, in good conscience, see the movie based on his work? Do we judge the art by the sins of the artist, especially when said artist is still alive and profiting directly from our purchases? Or does art stand alone, separate from the flaws of the artist?

This breaks my heart, b/c that was one of my favorite books growing up.

what? Card is homophobic?

that distant mewling sound you just heard was my childhood being stomped flat

Now I have a real reason for disliking that book that’s basically about Super Hitler. 

I don’t care what he thinks about gays. I think that art is indeed separate from artist. After reading this, I will still proudly admit that I am a gay male who likes Ender’s Game. If Card doesn’t like that, then he can stop selling books where I might find them. I’ll just find something else to read. 

I don’t see why people make such a big deal over a celebrity being homophobic. While I may want him to think differently, I know there’s little I can do about it. I can’t go up to him, and say “Many people disagree with your point of view. Here’s why:” First off, I don’t know where he lives. Second, it’s harder to “teach” someone about something like this. Tell him “There are a billion stars in the sky, and there were two billion last eon”, and he’d believe you. What could he do to prove you wrong? However, bring up “It’s okay if two guys, or girls (or whatever they identify themselves as), are married.”, and he’d probably start listing “moral” reasons why not. And he’ll repeat himself, assured that he’s right.

Also, I do not support the hate generated from this post, and left in the comments. So someone doesn’t feel the same way you do? And he happens to be a famous writer? Big deal! People are entitled to their own opinions. Personally, I like guys, and I am proud to see same-sex couples holding hands in public. He doesn’t like the idea of two guys in the bedroom? Fine. I won’t ever sleep with him. It’s that simple. Let them believe what they choose to. I can even respect the fact he’s holding on to an unpopular opinion, while the rest of the world is changing, albeit slowly.

I want to make it clear, I don’t support homophobia, or hatred towards homophobes, either. I was one of those kids who kept themselves hidden, instead of embracing who they were when they first realized. While I knew I liked boys in middle school, I didn’t come out until about the middle of the summer (July 11th, 2011) before my senior year of high school. I didn’t care what other people thought at the time. I hate that now, some LGBTQ kids don’t come out, because someone else would hate them for it. People should have the freedom to express themselves, no matter what that is. Others should either stay out of it, or offer support. They shouldn’t hate just because it’s not something they agree with.

(via couscousprince)