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Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: megimoo on May 01, 2008, 10:10:18 AM

Title: Gay rites; Bishop Gene Robinson " I've always wanted to be a June bride."
Post by: megimoo on May 01, 2008, 10:10:18 AM
Gay rites; New Hampshire's Bishop Gene Robinson is about to enter into a civil union

In a new book the Anglican clergyman explains why he wanted to formalise his 20 year relationship. I've always wanted to be a June bride. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew there'd be trouble. I'd just delivered an hour-long lecture on the relationship between religion and public discourse, and why religious fervour over homosexuality plays such a large and negative role in the securing of full civil rights for gay people. During the question-and-answer period, someone asked me about the forthcoming civil union between me and Mark, my partner of 20 years.

Surely no one thinks that I'll don a wedding gown and wear flowers in my hair. But I suspect that a lot of people are uncomfortable with me using the word “bride” - a word associated with women as property - to describe a man. For many centuries marriage was about the transfer of property (the bride) from one man (the father) to another man (the groom), in some places accompanied by the payment of a dowry or bride price. Is calling myself a “bride” offensive because it relegates a “privileged” man to the status of a woman? I'll be the first to admit that it would have been better if I'd never uttered those eight words - not because they aren't true, but simply because they gave the conservative forces something else to use against me. It was a stupid thing to say, and I should have known better.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3833364.ece
Title: Re: Gay rites; Bishop Gene Robinson " I've always wanted to be a June bride."
Post by: Lord Undies on May 01, 2008, 10:32:31 AM
Quote
But I suspect that a lot of people are uncomfortable with me using the word “bride” - a word associated with women as property - to describe a man. For many centuries marriage was about the transfer of property (the bride) from one man (the father) to another man (the groom), in some places accompanied by the payment of a dowry or bride price.

I don't think the word "bride" conjures up the associations this Holy Man wants us to believe.  I know when I see a copy of Brides Magazine on the newsstand, I don't think of the oppression of women or how the word means women are the property of men.  The same goes when I see an ad for the television program "Bridezilla".

How can it be the word "gay" can change meaning in everyday usage, but the meaning of "bride" remains the same?  Should I assume when I hear someone is gay that the person is carefree and joyful?  That has been the meaning for centuries. 

If words don't evolve and change meanings, why the hell am I using a mouse to post this?  The Holy Man is an social retard.  What he had to say then and now is ridiculous.   
Title: Re: Gay rites; Bishop Gene Robinson " I've always wanted to be a June bride."
Post by: Chris_ on May 01, 2008, 11:34:47 AM
...and he's got no liberal agenda either.   :whatever:
Title: Re: Gay rites; Bishop Gene Robinson " I've always wanted to be a June bride."
Post by: Chris_ on May 01, 2008, 01:44:47 PM
Quote
But I suspect that a lot of people are uncomfortable with me using the word “bride” - a word associated with women as property - to describe a man. For many centuries marriage was about the transfer of property (the bride) from one man (the father) to another man (the groom), in some places accompanied by the payment of a dowry or bride price.

I don't think the word "bride" conjures up the associations this Holy Man wants us to believe.  I know when I see a copy of Brides Magazine on the newsstand, I don't think of the oppression of women or how the word means women are the property of men.  The same goes when I see an ad for the television program "Bridezilla".

How can it be the word "gay" can change meaning in everyday usage, but the meaning of "bride" remains the same?  Should I assume when I hear someone is gay that the person is carefree and joyful?  That has been the meaning for centuries. 

If words don't evolve and change meanings, why the hell am I using a mouse to post this?  The Holy Man is an social retard.  What he had to say then and now is ridiculous.   

When referring to Robinson, a lot of us would prefer a phrase other than "Holy Man" be used......

YMMV

doc
Title: Re: Gay rites; Bishop Gene Robinson " I've always wanted to be a June bride."
Post by: Chris_ on May 01, 2008, 05:51:38 PM
Quote
But I suspect that a lot of people are uncomfortable with me using the word “bride” - a word associated with women as property - to describe a man. For many centuries marriage was about the transfer of property (the bride) from one man (the father) to another man (the groom), in some places accompanied by the payment of a dowry or bride price.

I don't think the word "bride" conjures up the associations this Holy Man wants us to believe.  I know when I see a copy of Brides Magazine on the newsstand, I don't think of the oppression of women or how the word means women are the property of men.  The same goes when I see an ad for the television program "Bridezilla".

How can it be the word "gay" can change meaning in everyday usage, but the meaning of "bride" remains the same?  Should I assume when I hear someone is gay that the person is carefree and joyful?  That has been the meaning for centuries. 

If words don't evolve and change meanings, why the hell am I using a mouse to post this?  The Holy Man is an social retard.  What he had to say then and now is ridiculous.   

When referring to Robinson, a lot of us would prefer a phrase other than "Holy Man" be used......

YMMV

doc
Hole man?
Title: Re: Gay rites; Bishop Gene Robinson " I've always wanted to be a June bride."
Post by: Chris_ on May 02, 2008, 11:23:28 AM
^That will do nicely :hyper:

doc