Gay Men & Their Relationship to Womyn's Bodies

So today, while on my beloved Twiitta (read: Twitter) I started to have a conversation about the relationship between womyn and queer men. Often times, womyn get harrassed by gay men. Womyn get a constant barrage of touches, feelys, lingering looks, luring eyes, foul getsures, and snide comments from gay men. Its as if they feel that they can touch and grope any part of a woman's body with a openness and confidence that I just don't see from heterosexual men; touching of the breats, touching of the hair, giving naughty comments, etc. It seems as if gay men feel that they have a type of access that heterosexual men don't have to womyn's bodies, as if, because they are not sexually attracted to womyn, then grabbing her breasts and commenting on how sexy they are is harmless. Of course heterosexual men also feel that they have an entitlement to womyn's bodies which is evidenced in sexual violence, telling womyn what they should wear, trying to limit the sexual sovereignty of womyn, etc. However, I find it evident that there is a different type of false ownership taking place between gay and heterosexual men and womyn's bodies. Most often, gay men are more open and friendly with their touching and inappropriate comments, while heterosexual men might save the same actions for a sexual scene or mean it in the disrespectful way. Gay men usually do not have the intentions of harming or disrespecting the woman in any way when they touch, unwelcomingly. Its usually a way that they show they like the woman, in a unsexual way, albeit.

The black gay male culture is one that I have a supreme respect and interest in. In black males, we see a culture that is totally different from a lot of cultures that we see in American society. However, womyn get a constant barrage of yelling, passes, unwanted touches, etc. from random men. Womyn are constantly aware of their bodies, unlike men. From years of being subjected to the 'male gaze', womyn see their bodies as a man sees them, on display, as sexual objects. A quick trip outside turns into a fashion show because womyn are aware that they are being watched by the supreme spectators, men. Sadly, it seems, gay men also fall into this category. When a gay man feels that they can touch or make sexual-esque comments towards a woman, it makes womyn even more aware of how her body appears to men, even someone who may not be attracted to her sexually.

Many womyn safe with gay men because they feel that this is one type of man who is not interested in her sexually, but when gay men cross the limit and invite themselves into the personal space of a woman that safety is abandoned. Womyn constantly have to deal with being sexual objects for men, anyone from friends to family members probably have shown a sexual interest or gesture towards any given woman, its tiring to always been seen as a sexual object. It doesn't matter whether a gay man is sexually interested in the opposite gender or not, crossing the line is crossing the line.

Sex Offenders

My friend and I were talking about the sex offenders in our neighborhood; we live near each other.She told me about meganslaw.ca.gov, where you can find out about the sex offenders in any neighborhood in California.You can search by Name, Zip Code, County,Specific address,Specific school or park,and City to find sex offenders in surrounding areas. I entered in my specific address they showed me a this map of my address and the immediate surrounding area.There are so many sex offenders in my neighborhood.I live almost right next door to an elementary school, also.Also, the website shows you pictures and the offenses of the person.You can also find out what distinct marks they have on them or their aliases.As I watched the map fill up with all those little blue marks, I was disgusted. I did not think my neighborhood was exempt, but I do live in a quiet neighborhood and I could not imagine that there would be sex offenders living within walking distance from me.I have two young brothers and I am afraid for them not to mention my own 17 year old self.Do not forget the sex offenders on this site are REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS.There are so many more out there who have failed to comply with the registration process.I specifically know of another sex offender who is within walking distance, is not registered, and who has not been caught by the cops.On the website it shows which offenders are in some type of violation with their living requirements or their registration process.I wonder what is being done about this?Visit the site please and report any information you might know about these offenders.Sometimes there is no address to coincide with the offender or any picture.This is sad and I cannot help but to ask why.When there is no address it says that this address is "not subject to disclosure".It sounds like these people are being protected.It also says under the picture of the person that this person may have subsequently relocated.Magen's law was inspired by a girl who was raped and killed by a known offender who moved across the street to the girl and her family without their knowledge.Magen's law needs improvements, but overall it is an exceptional tool to help protect families.You would be surprised by some of the offenders on this page: women, young men,short people, people you would not expect.I searched my friend's zip code and only two offenders showed up.She lives in Ladera Heights, so I guess that it is true that many offenders do not live in more prominent areas.Most of the offenders, truly were African-American men, some Hispanic men and very few women of any race.Also, most of the offenses were committed against people under the age of 14.The website says that there is some form of this website in every state, but I did not see any link.In conclusion, I would like to say that the purpose of this blog and the website is not for the discrimination against or the harassment or intimidation of these offenders, but only to educate and protect.I will also say that I hope that in the future there can be a similar system in place that accurately records all heinous offenses for the regular viewing of the public not just those of a sexual nature.The public needs to be able to protect themselves where our designated protectors cannot. Anyone who is particularly interested in this subject should read The Lovely Bones it's a story about a girl who was raped and killed, it's really good.