When I was 10, living in a small rural town just north of Calgary, I observed how boys in my class would tease one boy because of his strong femininity. It was evident, and clear, and a terrible enabler for the boys to harass him with fag! queer! faggot! This confused the hell out of me. Why would these boys pick on him incessantly? Daily? Sometimes fights would break out, but thankfully never brutal. During these confusions, no one to talk to about it, Id watch a music video show (if you know what Im talking about, it was awesome back then! MuchMusic anyone?), and recall the first time seeing Bronski Beat Smalltown Boy. It was this video that proved to me I wasnt crazy to feel empathy for that gay boy in my class. Even at an early age, I saw that anyone who wasnt considered straight was still harmless, and rightfully Human. The video was exceptional for its time. With the AIDS scare going on, targeting the gay/lesbian group as the blame, the video beautifully reveals what people had to experience then, and still to do this day. My favourite part is near the end of the video, fellow takes bite of an apple, and shares it with his friend. Proving that you dont get AIDS by sharing food together. Because during the AIDS scare, courage was rare.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 06:06:23 +0000