The Real Scurge of Gay Marriage...

...Knitting

That's right, knitting. According to Donald Douglas, this picture:

Vantha Sao, 22, works on some knitting next to spouse Jay Mendes, 41, while watching the televised California Supreme Court hearing on Proposition 8 at the West Hollywood Auditorium. The couple were married in 2008. (3/5/09 - Los Angeles Times)

"...raises serious questions about what's really at stake in the same-sex marriage debate..." because "The younger guy is KNITTING!" and as we all know "knitting's a girl's thing!"

While Donald claims he's "no absolutist on stereotypical gender roles," he believes "there's something weirdly out of sync about a male homosexual with his husband attending a public rally while knitting away on some fluffy cap or sweater."

Donald prefers his men to be manly, not the kind of guys who'd "get their sissy butts kicked by men like Rosey Grier, as would you." ("you" apparently being anyone with the nerve to burst poor Donald's "men are men" fantasy by pointing out that Rosey Grier quite enjoyed working with yarn, himself... ...and what is it with Donald and kicking ass, lately? Does he think it makes him more "manly," rather than more ridiculous?)

But of course it isn't just about knitting. It's about the effects of knitting on the children...

"So, what does this say about marriage? Are these guys adopting? What does the son say to his "dads" while hoping to make the JV football squad at the tryouts: "Gee, 'dads,' can you leave the knitting needles in the car ... might hurt my chances with the coach, you know?'"

Parent's are born to embarrass their kids, and I'm certain that Donald has embarrassed his one way or another a time or two, even if knitting needles weren't involved. Yes, Donald... Assuming the kid or the coach is as much of a troglodyte about gender roles as you, he does ask dad to leave the knitting in the car, the same way he asks mom not to bring the harlequin romance novel, or perhaps the Chilton's manual or the tools to change the oil in the car, while she's waiting...

While I can appreciate some traditional gender roles--I'd rather take the chance that I might be thought sexist because I hold open a door or offer a lady my seat on public transportation, rather than give up doing such things--gone are the days when "knitting is a girl's thing!" (or fixing cars is a boy's thing, for that matter.) As with several things coming out of the "traditionalist" camp, maintaining outdated gender stereotypes like the one the professor displays, in the name of "tradition" alone, is just foolish.

Grow up, professor. It's a new millennium.

UPDATE 1: Is it really excoriation and ridicule when you quote a person's words, and then call the thoughts they express backwards and behind the times? No, I didn't think so, either...

UPDATE 2: Apparently, Donald still fears that people won't think him "man" enough: Donald Douglas' Fear of "Feminization" (3/14/09)

UPDATE 3: If anyone visiting from a Facebook link other than mine on December 3, 2011 (or after) wishes to leave a comment as to whose account posted a link to this 2009 post--or, if you wish to keep the person anonymous, the circumstances, gist, and general slant of the post, at least--I'd be most appreciative...

It's kinda disconcerting to have one's post used as an example of somethin' more than two years after the fact, and have no idea what's being said...

(I'd think it was a hit piece from our friend Dishonest Donald Douglas, but he so seldom links to anything those he disagrees with actually say, preferring to paraphrase them "saying" whatever most fits his chosen tall tale and purpose for telling it.) (12/3/11)