'The way some of these politicians talk about homosexuality is very insulting. They treat it like it's a disease, like being gay is contagious. Being gay is not contagious. And if you think that it is, YOU'RE GAY.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Cho argues that politicians who treat homosexuality as a contagious disease are insulting, and uses reverse psychology to suggest they might be gay themselves.
- In plain terms
- Politicians insult gays by acting like it's a disease, but Cho says if you think that, you are gay.
- What can you take from it?
- Fear-mongering about identities often reveals more about the speaker than the subject.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do some equate identity with contagion?
- How does language shape public perception of sexual orientation?
Another view
The logic assumes that identifying as gay is the natural response to rejecting disease rhetoric.
More from Margaret Cho
The Pope talks so much shit. The Pope was castigating the media for making gays look normal. YEAH, you're a real GOOD judge of normal, with your gold dress and…
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Permalink to quote #6 The Pope was so sick he couldn't even come to the window, he was so sick all he could manage is a 'BLAAARGH (vomiting)'. But even that 'blargh' was anti-gay.
Permalink to quote #3
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