"Read a Bible"
I'm the traffic girl for Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on Kiss FM in Dallas, and there was a light-hearted yet riveting conversation about homosexuality on the show earlier today. It was sort of a playful dance around the fact that Shanon is now in a serious relationship with a woman, but it got the point across. Kidd, Kellie, Al, and Rich wanted an update on how things are going on Shanon's journey toward self-acceptance, and Shanon did her best to affirm that she's happier than she has ever been. The show seemed genuinely happy for her.
I looked at the message board at http://kiddlive.com when I got home and although the posts were generally supportive of Shanon, there was one message that jumped out in stark contrast and prompted me to write this blog. It was titled, "Read a Bible" and it simply said, "Kids listen to this show. Love how ya'll make homosexuality so acceptable. Hey, let's just tear those pages out of the Bible." Signed, Troy.
A typical response I suppose. But it has become tiresome. It seems to be almost a reflex for some Christians to say something to this effect at the mere mention of homosexuality, and the tone is such that it attempts to discount all other perspectives. The title, "Read a Bible" suggests that all we have to do is glance through the pages, and the edict to condemn homosexuality on spec will be right there before us. But as I've peppered throughout these blogs and as other gay Christians have stated, there is much more to it than that. We certainly don't know it all. Troy doesn't know it all. But if we can share our Christian experiences with one another in an effort to grow beyond our current point of understanding rather than issue quick judgments and matter-of-fact indictments, we will achieve far greater levels of wisdom and understanding.
By offering support, Kidd and the other members of the morning show afford Shanon the freedom to be who she is. They're not throwing a party to celebrate the greatness of homosexuality (although that's not a bad idea). They're supporting a friend who has discovered something meaningful about herself, and in doing so they leave the judgment to a power higher than themselves. They're not somehow "making" homosexuality acceptable. Its acceptance does not hinge upon the reactions of a select few. Rather they are proving that even though they may not completely understand its origin, homosexuality is not something to be feared or condemned on spec. The person comes first.
One woman who responded to Troy's post on the message board put it best. She said, "people are gay--get over it." Indeed. Being gay is a personal truth, not a blanket ideology. I'm gay, the pages of the Bible that Troy is referring to are still intact, and they have served an essential purpose in my maturity process as a Christian. I'm not alone.
Of course, the morning show is not making any statements about homosexuality as it relates to Christianity and it's understandable why they would remain neutral. But their love and support for Shanon speaks volumes. And sometimes that's all we need.
I looked at the message board at http://kiddlive.com when I got home and although the posts were generally supportive of Shanon, there was one message that jumped out in stark contrast and prompted me to write this blog. It was titled, "Read a Bible" and it simply said, "Kids listen to this show. Love how ya'll make homosexuality so acceptable. Hey, let's just tear those pages out of the Bible." Signed, Troy.
A typical response I suppose. But it has become tiresome. It seems to be almost a reflex for some Christians to say something to this effect at the mere mention of homosexuality, and the tone is such that it attempts to discount all other perspectives. The title, "Read a Bible" suggests that all we have to do is glance through the pages, and the edict to condemn homosexuality on spec will be right there before us. But as I've peppered throughout these blogs and as other gay Christians have stated, there is much more to it than that. We certainly don't know it all. Troy doesn't know it all. But if we can share our Christian experiences with one another in an effort to grow beyond our current point of understanding rather than issue quick judgments and matter-of-fact indictments, we will achieve far greater levels of wisdom and understanding.
By offering support, Kidd and the other members of the morning show afford Shanon the freedom to be who she is. They're not throwing a party to celebrate the greatness of homosexuality (although that's not a bad idea). They're supporting a friend who has discovered something meaningful about herself, and in doing so they leave the judgment to a power higher than themselves. They're not somehow "making" homosexuality acceptable. Its acceptance does not hinge upon the reactions of a select few. Rather they are proving that even though they may not completely understand its origin, homosexuality is not something to be feared or condemned on spec. The person comes first.
One woman who responded to Troy's post on the message board put it best. She said, "people are gay--get over it." Indeed. Being gay is a personal truth, not a blanket ideology. I'm gay, the pages of the Bible that Troy is referring to are still intact, and they have served an essential purpose in my maturity process as a Christian. I'm not alone.
Of course, the morning show is not making any statements about homosexuality as it relates to Christianity and it's understandable why they would remain neutral. But their love and support for Shanon speaks volumes. And sometimes that's all we need.
posted by Jen Austin at 5:37 PM
1 Comments:
Was anyone else insulted by the way lesbians were portrayed during this segment of Kidd Kraddick in the Morning? I was so insulted that I couldn't bring myself to listen to them this morning (the day after ), and I have been a faithful listener since Kidd was on the Eagle radio station.
Shanon's 3-some with a married woman and her husband were discussed and joked about as if it was an acceptable (and common) practice of lesbians.
Kellie and Kidd did a skit about Shanon's girlfriend's recent trip to buy a kayak. Kellie portrayed Shanon's girlfriend as a dip-chewing, deep-voiced woman shopping for a plaid flannel kayak. And Shanon did not stand up and say that those stereotypes were not acceptable.
I did notice Rich was unusually quiet during the whole segment, which made me happy (the only thing that made me happy). I know his sexist comments would have sent me over the edge.
I just feel that as a radio personality, Shanon has the unique opportunity to add a positive light to the GLBT community. Although she may not have asked to be a role model or spokesperson for our community, she has put herself into that role by talking about her personal life on the air. Yesterday's show did nothing to draw the two communities (heterosexual and GLBT) together, but it did perpetuate the stereotype that we are immoral homewreckers who wear flannel.
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