who can i offend this time? (5.10.2005)

It is not difficult nowadays to offend people. It seems as if folks are overly sensitive and too wound up to make use of the natural faculties that are required for free thought and common sense. This is particularly true with two extreme wings of the house of the ridiculous: the religious right supra Christians and organizations that have bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender attached to their name.
Now I am not against anyone’s sexual orientation or religious preferences, albeit I am neither a pagan nor insecure about my sexual orientation or preferences. As a matter of fact, I feel that it leaves more women for me—well, at least I used to think that when I was roaming the streets pinning all the eligible female volunteers to the mat when I could.
Earlier this year, I read in an esteemed conservative daily newspaper that actress-singer Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of Will Smith, had been in Cambridge, Mass. to receive an award from the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. The award was aptly titled, Artist of the Year. In her comments upon accepting the award, she spoke of overcoming impediments in her childhood—namely being the child of teenage heroin abusers. In addition, she made a statement indicating that women can have a fulfilling life including “a loving man, devoted husband, loving children...”
The problem was that this was not received so well, in particularly by the bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender and supporters alliance (BGLTSA). One of the executive members of the group, Jordan B. Woods, called Jada Pinkett-Smith’s comments “extremely hetero normative” (I laugh every time I say this phrase). I’m certain that what I have just penned will be perceived as offensive to somebody, some way and somehow. --torrance stephens