Shocking numbers to ponder on World AIDS Day
Which tactics and messages are most effective—and who gets to decide?
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Friday, August 01, 2008
I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chap stick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don’t mean I’m in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it
Sound familiar? Katy Perry’s infectious pop rock hit “I Kissed a Girl” is the song of the summer. You can no more escape it than you can the August heat. Not that we’re complaining. We like it. And it is summer, when a little escapism is in order.
But while the Sapphic song always has us singing along, it often leaves us pondering sexual identity politics and pop culture.
Let’s start with the obvious: the old chestnut about two girls kissing being hot—but two guys? Not so much. Would a similar song, recorded by a talented heartthrob, about makin’ out with another dude, blaze up the charts?
That’s not to say a boy-boy ditty couldn’t be popular. It could be an underground smash, but not the ubiquitous play that makes a summer track inescapable.
Perhaps the younger generation is much more open to the fluidity of sexuality and they don’t even frame this as a straight-guy’s girl-on-girl fantasy. It’s been well-documented that younger people eschew the labels “lesbian” and “gay”—they’re too limiting, even for those involved in same-sex relationships. Instead, they prefer less-restrictive terms like “queer” or “gender-normative” or “bisexual.”
And finally, not to trade on crass and broad stereotypes, but if the song were about two guys, would the boys be making out? Or is lip-locking more of an emotional, flirty, girl-y thing? Maybe we’re jaded (blame Manhunt), but we’re thinking dudes go more for the s-e-x. How’s this for a song title: “I Got Off With a Guy”? We like it, but we can’t imagine it on MTV.
Deadline Is Aug. 15 to Register to Vote in Sept. Primary
Time is running out to register to vote in the Sept. 9 primary election for New York offices, including the Assembly and Senate. Voter registration forms must be mailed no later than Aug. 15.
The primary and general elections could put the New York Senate back in a Democratic majority and bring LGBT bills one step closer to becoming law.
Three pieces of LGBT legislation have already passed the state Assembly but are waiting for a vote in the state Senate, which has been under Republican majority.
The same-sex marriage equality bill, which would legalize same-sex marriage; the anti-bullying Dignity for All Students Act, which would ensure safe schools for LGBT youth; and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which would protect transgender New Yorkers, are all ready for a vote in the Senate.
The last day to register for the November general election is Oct. 10, and several local organizations will be holding voter registration drives to ensure the LGBT vote is heard and LGBT-conscious candidates are placed in office.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Obama campaign volunteers will host an LGBT voter registration and volunteer recruitment event 5–7 p.m. at the Astor Place subway stop.
To register to vote, visit elections.state.ny.us.
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