Jayplay label homophobic

By by Jimmie Manning

Monday, November 7, 2005



David Ta and Ryan Joy are more than roommates. They are committed life partners who have been together for years. Your feature story, “Taming of the Tabby,” from the Oct. 27 edition of Jayplay revises and minimizes that element of their lives, shamelessly presenting them as “two roommates” with some cats. This type of journalistic erasure is not only homophobic and closed-minded, but is unethical in that it intentionally misrepresents two people. They are open and honest about who they are, and that should have been reflected in the article. Some may contend that their sexual orientation is not a key issue in the story, but their sexual orientation is a reality that should not be distorted with a roommate label. The relationship could have easily and non-obtrusively been reflected in the story without making it a central element. Shame on you for promoting and continuing the hegemonic notion of a completely heterosexual society.

Jimmie Manning is a Liberal graduate student in communication and women's studies.

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