So So Gay
We love provoking debate here at So So Gay. What a boring world and magazine it would be if we all saw eye to eye on every single burning issue. However, we are not in the business of stirring up raw passions merely for the sake of it – we see it as a by-product of the thought-provoking articles we provide.
Yesterday, we published an article by a guest writer which caused the twittersphere to explode in a frenzy of WTF. We always use the prefix ‘Opinion’ when we wish to make it clear that the views expressed are those of the author; in other words, they are not standpoints necessarily shared by anyone associated with the magazine.
One of our guiding principles here at the magazine is that no-one’s opinion should be censured – that applies to same-sex marriage as much as anything else. For the record, I personally disagree with almost all that was written in the article. Although marriage is not for everyone, I firmly believe that it should be an option open to any couple, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Those who view the institution of marriage as an outdated social convention – or, indeed, as a religious concern – are perfectly entitled to hold and express that view. I would argue in response that while I believe that marriage should be accessible to anyone who wishes to avail themselves of it, I certainly disagree with the notion that it in any way makes a committed relationship outside of marriage any less valid. In short, it’s not that people should get married, rather that everyone should be able to get married.
Here is the crux of the issue as I see it, though: can you imagine any official church newspaper or magazine giving column space to anyone wishing to assert the value of marriage equality? I imagine not. Most church leaders will stop at nothing to ensure that followers are exposed exclusively to the diatribe passed down from the hierarchy. We, on the other hand, recognise and cherish the fact that we live in a society where differing views are aired and respected, even if they grate somewhat. LGBT people are not pre-programmed to simply believe what they are told to. Just like anyone else, our opinions are the end product of a range of divergent factors.
However bitter the taste in your mouth was after reading yesterday’s piece, let’s just be thankful that So So Gay reflects the very principles of free speech and openness many of the LGBT community’s opponents would happily see repressed. It is worth reiterating that what you read yesterday was the viewpoint of one individual reader – as made clear by the aforementioned longstanding titling policy of the magazine. Now, those of you who feel disgruntled enough to challenge the views expressed in yesterday’s piece, please do drop me a line and we will happily give you the floor…
