Ross Douthat cites survey results which indicate that a far greater proportion of Gen Z members identify as LGBTQ than their parents or grandparents. He divides public opinion on this issue into three groups: one that celebrates this development; one that deplores it; and one that thinks the issue will resolve itself appropriately in time. He wants the last group to join with the second group in supporting measures such as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, but fears that the power of PC will prevent them from speaking out.
Here are my thoughts on the issue:
- I don’t want to oppress or discriminate against LGBTQ people. I do not, however, accept the notion that there is no such thing as “normal,” and that heterosexual people are just “cisgender.”
- As a result, I do not welcome the results of the survey, if they are being described accurately. No measure of “cancel culture” can stop me from saying that.
- I have no great desire, however, to use the power of government to regulate sexual attitudes or behavior in the absence of evidence that anyone is being injured.
- It is highly unlikely that the increase in LGBTQ people has anything to do with teaching in public schools.
- Consequently, I do not think it is appropriate to terrorize teachers and school districts at a time when teaching is already becoming more difficult, and large number of teachers are leaving the profession. “Don’t Say Gay” won’t accomplish its ostensible objective; it will only make everyone except reactionary parents miserable.
- Of course, it is perfectly possible that the right is playing a longer game here– to use culture war issues to destroy the public school system and replace it with a voucher scheme. After all, Rick Scott always refers to public schools disdainfully as “government schools.”
- If state governments ever succeed in replacing “government schools” with vouchers, and thus make schools accountable to parents instead of the community as a whole, I have no interest in paying for the new system. Why should I, if it doesn’t reflect my values, and I have no children in it?
- The increase in LGBTQ children is probably due mostly to the information and culture available on the internet.
- This is the same internet that facilitates the dissemination of fake news about the rigged 2020 election by the right. When the social media companies attempt to control the avalanche of lies generated by the right, they are accused of “censorship.”
- The right is oblivious to allegations of hypocrisy, as evidenced by the use of pro-choice slogans by anti-vaxxers. As a result, it would be a mistake to assume that the battle against LGBTQ people begins and ends in public schools. The next frontier will involve censorship of the internet by red state governments, and, if possible, by the federal government.
- That’s part of the GOP end game here. The other part is the old tactic of throwing red meat to the base in order to elect Republicans, who will then vote for tax cuts for business.
- I can’t support politicians like DeSantis who promote legislation such as “Don’t Say Gay,” even if I have a slight degree of concern about Douthat’s statistics, because I know where this legislation fits in the bigger picture–not because of “cancel culture.”
A note to my readers: I will be out of town until April 23. Regular posts will resume the following day.