Mommy Bloggers Rule But her Son is Not Gay

The thing about the media is that no matter what the medium, you can go all sensational with it. When composing a title for a written piece, insert a buzz word like "terrorist," "gay," "Muslim," or anything remotely controversial and people will surely read your post, re-post it, talk about it on Facebook, Twitter, the radio, TV or their own blog etc. There, you have yourself a famed writer.

For a few days now, a blog post on Nerdy Apple Bottom titled, "My Son is Gay" has gotten more attention than Obama's visit to India or all the terror attacks put together in Pakistan. At least, I didn't turn on my TV this morning only to hear a bunch of morning news eye candy talking about the same thing again. I've heard scores of people rave about this mother's courageous words or analysing a 5 year old's want to dress up like his favourite girl on TV.

In the midst of horrific news of teenagers committing suicide or activists screaming to gain equal rights regardless of sexual orientation, I don't know how or why a child's Halloween costume should become the focus of hardcore analysis and discussion over all media channels. I mean I am writing about it too! However, after reading the article, all I gained was that a decent human being let her child have fun on Halloween. What I don't understand is the title of her post. For one, I don't think many h0m0sexual men grow up wanting to be women or to dress like one so why the misleading title?

Perhaps, it made it easier to get the media attention along with 50,000 comments on the post. But being gay or being bullied for it are far more serious issues with serious repercussions. To some extent, our cute 5 year old in all his orange glory may have experienced a little of the trauma, and that too because his mother felt so. I haven't seen many children who never get shy or self-conscious.

For the amount of emotional trauma I have been subjected to due to the fact that America is wonderful at exaggeration, I am afraid of what may happen. The Paris Hiltons, Anna Nicole Smiths and Kim Kardashians are testimony to how things can get ugly. I am not comparing the two but still, it scares me that we always lose the essence of things that matter and end up commercialising them (Not that there was anything worthwhile going on with the three lovely ladies I mentioned above- no offence).

Next thing we know, our mommy blogger will become an expert spokesperson on the matter, write a few books, get on Oprah (if she hasn't already) and have people eat out of both her hands because she said something all educated and decent human beings already feel and if I may, slightly maligned the characters of the Mommy A, B and C in the process.

I wouldn't say it happened intentionally, because this wasn't meant to generate the disproportionate media dialogue in the first place. And if Mommy A, B and C have children who are bullies and can potentially scar a little child emotionally or hurt them, I would put both my hands up and agree with her whole-heartedly.

I just hope she doesn't scar her own son and make him think more of his wishes to dress as a favourite cartoon character, beyond what it really was. Because her son is not gay. Not that there is anything wrong with it!

Photo Credit: Nerdy Apple Bottom