Jan
12
Is a new Prostate Cancer awareness campaign Homophobic?
ByA national prostate cancer nonprofit is promoting the following campaign:
“Put the Man in January! Manuary is a month-long event where the boys will be boys. Do manly things! Make January into Manuary! ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer recognizes that part of being a man is knowing your risk for prostate cancer and getting tested for it.
We invite you to make a New Year’s resolution to help out the prostate cancer cause by participating in something manly.
- Host a Poker Night
- Go Ice Fishing
- Grow a Beard
- Wear the Same Flannel Shirt for the Month
It’s time to Man up. What are you going to do for Manuary?”
Loading ...
It’s certainly playing up to a certain definition of manliness that is probably more associated with straight than with gay guys (though there are a lot of gay guys who find beards and flannel shirts very manly!)
I think the gender stereotyping here is just a little odd. I suspect there are straight guys who would find it so as well. It doesn’t seem that it would be effective for a PC awareness building campaign.
“Manuary” sure comes across as suggesting that being “manly” is pretty exclusive to the couch-potato, slovenly, and pseudo-bear stereotype perspective of what’s manly. While these stereotypes are not the exclusive realm of the heterosexuals they certainly are not appropriate for most men I know (whether homo or hetero). Where are the descriptors of the manly men who:
* attend or coach our (grand)children’s games and concerts,
* go to the ballet, symphony, or opera
* dress up clean and sharp
* take our husband or wife on a special date
* volunteer in our community
* repair / remodel the house
* mentor a child
* drive for a senior citizen
* cook a special meal for friends
* sing barbershop ?
Indeed, this campaign comes across as weak, borderline offensive, borderline homophobic, and inappropriately stereotypical. Next year come up with a better concept, and it might just be appropriate to link it to the official Prostate Cancer month — called September.
Manuary, 29, I had the robotic percedure. And for this I am so thankful and cancer Free.