I think a lot of sex in the media, especially our media, is simply reflective of how sex-negative we are and the rest of our culture is.
Why does sex sell? Because it's controversial, subversive, counter-culture, etc. Also, because humans (mostly men) are very sex-motivated.
But associating sex with clothes, jewelry, cars, luxury, etc... it just devalues sex.
So... I think sex should be used less in advertising. Absolutley. Not because sex is bad, but cheapening it to sell a product is.
Do I think we need to be concerned with sanitizing our media, conversations, etc., for the sake of uncomfortable straight people? No. They might use examples of the woman walking in the pride parade wearing nothing but saran wrap and a dildo to try and create prejudice against us... but as long as we continue distancing ourselves from her and thus shaming her, we, OURSELVES, give weight to the prejudicial arguements.
I'm gay. I have sex with a man. No matter how yuppie I look and act, there will always be "that" thought in the back of some people's mind... reducing me to the act of sex.
And... as Christians, we are to love unconditionally. We are to live our lives with compassion. Our shaming and condemning the more "risque" or vulgar among us does not resemble Christ.
The other thing to consider is that by taking on the shame and sex-negativity that the extreme right is heaping on us, we are not holding them responsible for their part in creating much of the "mess" in the glbt community.
How many people were disowned by their families and churches and are now struggling with depression, lonliness, suicidal thoughts, risky and/or addictive sex, drug and/or alcohol abuse?
So, yeah... seeing the woman in saran wrap and a dildo might make you angry... but consider where she's been. Remember God's heart for her. Remember that she is your family.
-- Edited by nateblack at 11:09, 2006-05-25
-- Edited by nateblack at 11:09, 2006-05-25
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Perfect love casts out fear. God is love. Anything else is a lie.
I am an ex-prostitute. I remember how after the very first time that I "sold" myself to another guy, I felt so dirty for days afterward that I wondered if I would EVER feel clean again. I didn't need to scolded and shamed...I needed someone to hold me and show me what real love is. I needed JESUS, both in the Person of the Holy Spirit, as well as in the open arms of Christians that would love me and accept me as I am. And not made to be felt like being gay is just a form of sexual perversion.
..... I have sex with a man. No matter how yuppie I look and act, there will always be "that" thought in the back of some people's mind... reducing me to the act of sex.......
Oddly enough Nate, it wasn't until a gathering that we had at the house and a friend, Mark Lawrence (CQG on GCN) and I were talking and he asked what was the first thing I thought of when I thought about my son being gay. Of course my answer was "the sex act" and that made me realize that I was looking at the situation all wrong. I didn't think about that when talking to, or about straight heterosexual couples, why then would that be the first thing I thought of. It actually helped me get past having those thoughts and moving towards being more accpeting of people. I realized that everyone is different and different doesn't mean bad, it just means different. If we were all the same this world would be a very boring place.
