Polyamory in the News
. . . by Alan M.



March 20, 2008

Minx vs. talk jocks

Q101 radio (Chicago)

After she appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times article day before yesterday, Cunning Minx, who produces the wonderful Polyamory Weekly podcast out of Chicago, got a few minutes this morning to explain poly on a local radio station. She held her own against a couple of morning DJs who can't believe that male bisexuality exists (though gal-on-gal is hot). Listen here, and educate the idiot jocks here.

Labels: ,

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am emailing this letter and posting it on my own LiveJournal:

I just listened to the bit of your show that had Cunning Minx from Polyamory Weekly. And I have to say I was incredibly disappointed in what could have been a good blurb about polyamory. The DJs seemed to be relatively open-minded and tolerant of the idea of polyamory, at the very least not inserting their own personal judgements but just letting the description and Minx speak for what it is without imposing moral values. But then they had to go and open their mouths about male bisexuality.

I have news for you fellas ... it does exist and it is incredibly sexist and offensive to hear anyone make comments that imply female bisexuality exists and is welcome when male bisexuality is not only not welcome but shouldn't even be allowed at all. You don't have to like it, you don't have to do it, but if it is possible for women to like both genders without giving them the incredibly stupid and naive ultimatum of "at least plant your flag in somebody", then men must have that same freedom.

I happen to be a straight female and I am not into hot girl-on-girl action. I don't care that you are, but it doesn't do anything for me. But male bisexuality is a huge turn on for me. And it is the attitude of these DJs that makes it so dangerous for people to be who they are. It is absolutely inexcusable to encourage women to display their sexuality for the enjoyment of men while at the same time discriminating against men for expressing the exact same sexuality just because you, personally, don't get off on it. This kind of attitude is what allows our society to turn the other way while men are beaten and killed for consensual sexual enjoyment. The gay community is notoriously intolerant of bisexuality in both males and females, but that is no reason to justify the intolerance from heterosexuals. The fact that many gay men don't like bi men either does not absolve you of discrimination, it merely includes them in your discrimination.

Also, as Minx said, Polyamory is absolutely legal. There are local adultery laws to consider, but the act of engaging in multiple romantic relationships is completely legal, especially now that the sodomy laws have been repealed at the federal level and especially considering that many of us do not marry for exactly this reason (and other reasons).

I thought the tone of your little blurb at the beginning was acceptable, until Minx happened to hit upon the DJs' personal prejudices and that completely destroyed any enjoyment I might have taken at this bit. While this bit could have brought huge amounts of positive PR from the poly community, it will now receive negative PR from both the poly and the GLBTQ communities who do not appreciate the message of intolerance and prejudice. But since I am not local to your area and do not listen to your show regularly, I don't know, maybe your show is all about the shock jocks and "equal opportunity offender" content.

Sincerely,
"Joreth"
http://www.theinnbetween.net/poly1.html
http://joreth.livejournal.com

March 20, 2008 9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And I got a response!


> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alan Cox" acox@Q101.com
> To: joreth
> Subject: RE: Cunning Minx Show
> Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:19:16 -0500
>
>
> I appreciate you listening, and differing opinions are always welcome, (although you
> clearly don't feel reciprocal in that regard). I would discourage anyone from co-opting
> anyone's disenchantment. I'm confused as to why a straight woman would feel compelled
> to speak for gay men. Thanks, though.
>
> AC
>
>
> Alan Cox
> Host-The Morning Fix
> Q101.1 Chicago
> 312.245.8167
> www.q101.com
>

I feel compelled to speak up for all civil liberties, and that includes standing up for the rights of people who belong to sub-cultures that I do not necessarily belong to personally. No one is free unless everyone is free. If you are referring to the part where I mention that the GLBTQ community often discriminates against bi-men, just because I, personally, do not feel that discrimination, doesn't mean I don't see it happening, since I happen to be fairly active in that community as a supporter of gay rights.

I am not opposed to you personally disliking male bisexual activities. I am opposed to your reaction that allows female bisexual activities as valid and male bisexual activities as invalid and even non-existent. That attitude is what allows discrimination to happen. That's what allows women to sexually harass men and get away with it while men are ruthlessly persecuted for a very broad definition of sexual harassment of women. That's what allows men to be beaten in the streets and the assailants to get off with only community service. You do not have to enjoy participating or watching male bisexual activity. But your dismissive attitude towards it, particularly while contrasted with your very enthusiastic acceptance of female bisexual activity, is not merely a difference of opinion (which is acceptable), it is the underlying motivation for discrimination and that is unacceptable.

March 20, 2008 10:44 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home