Olympic Drag Queens

I’ve avoided cultural and political topics for some time now. Largely because I simply don’t want to deal with the backlash. But the Olympic drag queen parade has prompted a host of anger, offense and ire, that’s leaving the social media world in chaos. So here goes…

I don’t know what you all expected, but this is PARIS! It wasn’t a surprise to us when the queens arrived, (though we did groan).

How many prime ministers in France had public mistresses?

Can anyone say, “Moulin Rouge”?

Vile revolutions, with the invention of a machine to take off heads, that was in use until the 1970’s.

Royal court debauchery for centuries.

Class warfare that left peasants in prison for stealing to survive, (according to Victor).

Anyone read “The Count of Monte Cristo”? “Le Miserables”? “The Scarlett Pimpernel?”

This city/country is known for its perversion, debauchery and hypocrisy, especially in the religious world. The number of martyrs during the Hugoeunot massacre, is part of Christian history that your children should know.

I was looking forward to the opening ceremonies. After all, the great Steven Spielberg himself advertised them, and I’m a huge fan of his. I hoped to see his touch on all of it. And the world class, iconic, city backdrop promised to be outstanding.

Don’t think I recognized Mr. Spielberg’s touch anywhere.

The Parisian backdrop was fabulous and I love the way they’re using the city for the sporting venues. Versailles for Equestrian events? You can’t do better. And the Eiffel Tower? It’s become the star of the Olympics.

I Loved the boats bringing in the athletes, and the love they had for their countries. Lady GaGa was a swing and a miss for me. Celine Dion was fabulous, and Axelle Saint-Cirel, who sang the French National Anthem, was spectacular. Some of the dancing was fun, though the can-can dancers looked kind of lost. I was so/so on the androgynous torch bearer, and eh, on the horse rider. But to see those past Olympians carry it to its conclusion, was very sentimental and moving.

Major kudos to all of them for carrying on in the pouring rain!

I missed a lot of the drag queen parade. I was doing my nighttime ‘getting ready for bed’ routine. It’s a process-nuff’ said. I totally missed the beheading spectacle. The whole final scene of the queens, that’s raised the ire of so many Christians, lost me. The coverage of that part seemed spotty anyway. I can only hope the broadcasters kept in mind, that children might be watching. Many consider these athletes their personal heroes and seeing them arrive is an historic moment.

When it comes to the drag queens here are my thoughts…

Number one, is this truly what they think women are like? I can’t think of a more trashy, insulting, and untrue way of depicting women than the way drag queens do. I am probably missing the point somehow. God forbid our young boys grow up emulating them, or having that germ of an idea, planted in their subconscious minds about women. Their world is now considered high art?

PUH LEEZE!!

Secondly, drag queens have become some of the most celebrated people in the LGBTQ world. They now have an Emmy winning TV show. Every detective show has an episode featuring them. They are welcomed in various libraries as story tellers. And Rue Paul is considered a high level celebrity on talk shows around the globe.

Now…

Let’s talk about real drag queens. The marginalized ones vs celebrated ones. At our last church, our pastor told stories about serving that population in NY City during the 80’s. They were drug addicts, hung out around garbage cans scrapping for food, died of AIDS, and sold themselves to survive. He sat at their bedsides while they died, praying with, and for, them. Remember the movie, “The Dallas Buyers Club”?

A far more honest depiction of that world.

I don’t really care what the Olympic drag parade was trying to emulate. As far as I’m concerned, the very fact that they were there AT ALL, was the issue, despite the fact that it wasn’t a surprise to us. Children were watching this! It was entirely unnecessary.

If they were mocking Christianity, again, it’s Paris. They’ve made a mockery of Christianity for centuries, and are agnostic at best. I don’t trust their apologies or their claim of portraying Dionysius’ feast. It feels pandering and condescending. And let’s not forget that drag queens are offensive to Orthodox Judaism and Muslims.

We’ve known and loved many gay/lesbian people. And while we may disagree with their lifestyle, we accept their right to live it without hinderance. And to the best of my knowledge, they accept that we disagree. Most of the gay people we’ve known are honest, hardworking, ethical, responsible, kind and caring. We have no argument with them. We are willing to live in a world, that allows them the freedom to live unencumbered by social discrimination.

All of them have personal stories that should break your heart.

We believe that everyone will give account to God, for their actions in this life. As believers, it’s critical that we live in such a way, that we don’t give anyone the opportunity to use us as an excuse, for why they reject God.

We have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Lastly, this isn’t new. Noah’s world was destroyed for much worse. The ancient, pagan world is filled with various types of queer behaviors. Cross dressing, has always existed. During the more heightened eras of Christianity it was underground. Today in a post Christian world it’s not.

We need to get over our shock and ire. Finding a way to empathize with the ones who are marginalized, while giving ‘no excuse’ to the rest is a tall order. But it’s not optional for those who want to extend the Kingdom to a pagan world.

And with that, my rant is complete.