Modern Society Just Doesn’t Like Celebrating Normality

How many days are there to celebrate heterosexuality in the year, or heteronormativity in academic parlance? I would argue zero. Actually, the very concept is often treated with disdain. University of Canberra: “The suffocating blanket of heteronormativity. The privileged and normalised view of heterosexuality. It is a social and cultural expectation of straightness and gender conformity. The term describes a system that harms queer people, because firstly, it assumes we do not exist.” If anyone dares try to celebrate heteronormativity, it is shot down as being bigoted, or exclusionary. “A news station employee was fired for posting a picture of an old-fashioned husband and wife with the caption ‘Celebrate straight pride.’” Comedian John Oliver in his late-night talk show criticised straight pride by declaring that “Heterosexuality is a prison”, and that “The Pride flag is a joyous explosion of colour.”

The Yarra City Council in Melbourne seem to celebrate everything except, you know, heteronormativity. In their civic flag policy, they happily fly a whole bunch of flags such as, intersex inclusive pride flags, lesbian flags, pansexual flags, non binary flags, just to name a few. I can guarantee you won’t find a heterosexual flag in there, because that would be bigoted.

In the name of reconciliation, the day formally known as Australia Day, January 26, “The Australian National Flag shall be removed and the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag shall be flown at half mast”. You know, in the name of inclusion and diversity, just dismiss an entire nation of people! Although, the council’s flag policy has faced a bit of a backlash.

As I said, in my reckoning, there are zero allowable celebrations of heterosexuality. Some of you might be thinking Valentine’s Day, but that has been somewhat hijacked of late. For example, here’s an article from the ABC: “Feel-good queer films and TV shows to stream over Valentine's Day and WorldPride”. Noting, this is on their “news” website. The word “news” has seemed to have lost all meaning.

But when it comes to celebrating things other than heterosexuality, the list in endless. Here in Australia, we have the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the Midsumma Festival in Melbourne, Trans Day of Visibility, Lesbian Visibility Day, the Big Gay Day in Brisbane, IDAHOBIT Day, Pride Month – yes, an entire month dedicated to this in case all the other days weren’t enough, Pride Cup, International Non-Binary People’s Day, A Week of Leather, Queer Screen Film Fest, Bisexuality Day, International Lesbian Day – I thought they already had a day… Oh that’s right, that was Lesbian Visibility Day – There’s a lot about visibility in here as if we are completely unaware of the LGBT community, Ace Week – another entire week, this time dedicated to raising awareness about asexuality, that is, people who don’t experience sexual attraction to others, Intersex Awareness Day – one day’s not enough, so there’s also Intersex Solidarity Day, Trans Awareness Week, Trans Day of Remembrance, World AIDS Day – which is often observed by LGBT groups.

The one thing in common with all these days is that they focus on inclusion, respect, and equity. As long as you don’t celebrate heterosexuality or Australia Day, we’ll respect your opinion. “Bar sparks outrage after launching ‘heterosexual awesomeness month’”. Of course, the Guardian wrote a hit piece on this with all their normal ad hominem attacks: “If these people rubbed their two brain cells together for a minute… When you are accustomed to privilege, the saying goes, then equality feels like oppression. This Pride month, spare a thought for all the disgruntled straights who suddenly feel oppressed.”

Although I’ve mentioned a whole bunch of LGBT days, there’s one that I missed, today, 30 August 2024, Wear It Purple Day. “Wear it Purple Day is an annual LGBT awareness day especially for young people, based in Australia. Supporters wear purple to celebrate diversity and young people from the LGBT community.” Just what we need, more awareness. Luckily there’s all these days, otherwise I would be completely unaware of the LGBT community. Wear it purple focuses on young people and has a dedicated school resources page. Last year, my children’s primary school encouraged everyone to wear purple, with a little bit of a backlash from some parents. Interestingly, this year, all state schools have a student free day. I don’t know if this is coincidental, or otherwise, but no children in the state are wearing purple to school day, as there is no school.

Anyway, as I hinted at in the title, modern society just doesn’t seem to like celebrating normality, and if you dare try to celebrate it, you are attacked and called names. Another instance of the abused quickly becoming the abuser.

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Allégro by Emmit Fenn