Not a Faggot? Then Don't say Bitch.

When rapper Azealia Banks screamed “Fucking faggot!” at a flight attendant, mainstream (read mostly white) LGBTs went berserk on social media: “homophobic bitch” and “ratchet bitch” were just a few of the expressions left in the comments sections of HuffPost Gay Voices online by angry gay men. Clearly, what Banks said was wrong, we get that. However, is it necessary for the gay (white) community to voice their frustrations by referring to her as a “bitch”, “whore”, or “cunt”? Gay men sit at the top tier of hierarchy in American society; the only thing separating them from straight white men is who they sleep with. So what gives them the right to complain about a bisexual black female using that word, and complaining about how oppressive that word is, when their community continually kicks gays of color and transgender people to the side?

If you don’t like hearing a woman say “faggot” then stop using the word “bitch”. One is not better than the other. I hear gay men casually using the term “bitch” all the time; “Bitch, she slayed” or “Bitch! That outfit is on point.” Gay men are very dismissive of women; to the point where the lesbian community is often left out major gay organizations (Have you seen the new team of leaders for the HRC? No surprise, it’s a white boys’ club). Women have often proven to be our greatest allies in the fight for LGBT rights. Houstonians don’t have to look any further than their own native warrior Januari Leo, who, among other things, has advocated for the Equal Rights Ordinance, which will protect gays from discrimination in the workplace. Defenders of the b-word claim there is no harm in using that word casually, but would they ever call their mother that? Or heaven forbid; would they stand by idly if a stranger referred to their idol Beyoncé as a bitch?

When did the gay community start using the word “bitch?” Was it within the drag queen circles? Those glorious men emulate women, yet behind the false eyelashes and pounds of Mac makeup, decide to let their sexist ways bubble to the surface in cute catch phrases that include the b-word. Do they need their male privilege validated by championing misogyny?

Why use that word in gay circles anyway? Bitch is a term used for a female dog that breeds. Yet, the gay community uses that word so much they have been desensitized to the harmful impact that word can have. Next time someone tries to say, “Bitch is on fleek”, remember that 1 in 4 women suffer domestic violence and probably had to hear that word from their attacker. So is Miss Banks wrong for saying faggot? Absolutely, but calling her a bitch is not going to solve the problem.

GBT Maio was born in Oakland, CA and has lived in Houston, TX for the past 10 years. He loves art, and in his spare time loves to read and write. One of his goals for the future is to direct a feature length movie.