perhaps not so much about music, but lets spend some quality morning coffee time here...
of course it is hard to say what exactly is queer, but I think the article is clear about homosexual & "gender challenging" things. And in Noisefanatics discussion of this same topic, someone says people should try investigate homosexuality not from symbolism, but from behavior patterns. Which I'd think is better approach:
Leather pants = gay? Maybe... maybe not?
Man designing fashion = gay? maybe... maybe not?
Man sucking other mans cock = Gay? I guess so!
In Finland, there is a HUGE homo discussion going on in society:
In national tv channel, there was talkshow where they had gathered politicians and other people. Topic being homosexuals. The leading name in discussion being female politician, the leader of christian democratic party. It's rather big party, not some extremists. Anyways, church has tended to be openminded, there's all the bullshit heavy metal sermons in churches and whatever jesus discos and such. Very openminded and relaxed comments. But now, old testament hits in, and the high profile (female) politican is giving comments a'la "all faggots know deep inside they are doing wrong" etc. All the religious people chosen for the show are high profile people from politics/church and they gave such a statements than as result of this, now c. 30000 people resigned from church within.. 10 days? Priests are trying to cover it up, making excuses like that christian party aren't their spokesmen, apologizing etc. This is already such a massive ongoing citizen movements, that it's about 1000-3000 people a day resigning. C. 10 times more than usual. And while
it was suspected to be just few days reaction, now its feeding itself via blogs, websites, talk on news.. it's possible to leave church nowadays on
visiting a website. Few clicks, little info and you're out.
In most of counties in Finland, church tax is 1-1,5% from income. If you make for example 24000 euro a year, if you live in Helsinki, you'll be paying c. 200 euro a year tax. In Lahti we have higher %, so it's about 300 euro a year one pays with same income as in Helsinki. You can think that 30000 x 300 euro = 9,000,000... Church already lost c. 10 millions for next year because of this TV discussion. And I'm confident it won't stop here. I think total can easily reach before end of year that we're talking more than 15-20 millions loss in tax money. And it is annual loss. Thinking these people would have paid this money for probably another 20-30 years... And their children won't be in church either.
Anyways, it is amusing fact, that it needs some conservative church member & politican to place judgement of homosexuals, to create massive spontaneous citizen movement. As if do christian approve faggots would be the biggest issue in this country?! A lot of shit happens and nobody
cares. Perhaps it is mainly issue that something can be done with ease. There isn't so many political & social issues you can comment with visit
on resignation website...
There has been already strong waves of turbulence. Like Luther Association resigned from the main Evangelist-Lutherian church, since Luther Association believes in the original purged format of Luther. They don't approve homosexuals. They don't approve female priests. And so on. It was originally brotherhood inside the church, but since last spring independent due too many conflicts of priest refusing to do sermons in co-operation with female priests. While main church is kissing ass of the openminded, the smaller branches call for return to older ideals where faith actually mattered, and it wasn't all just corruption to keep income coming and everybody happy. The new urban young adults sees the church as relic, and I guess many conservatives sees church as too progressive and too rainbow colored treat. It will be curious to see where things take from here. Church elections are coming soon. Now is promised lots of sexual minorities as candidates. Including "mr. gay finland 2010" !
Statistically, antihomosexual violence is smaller in Finland than in Sweden. Although it may be also, because in Sweden they register it as antihomosexual offense even if you just yell at someone. When such a small minority is such a huge & visible issue, I'm sure it will get some die hard red neck assaults on the rise. Recall the teargas attack to Helsinki Pride this year. So if end of this decade will show intensively escalating public profile and ever increasing vocality, I guess few upcoming years probably will show escalating gay bashing?
