Hey, Miley, Stop Trying to Speak for the Gays

Miley “Cultural Appropriation” Cyrus is at it again. The Huffington Post reported on a recent TMZ video of Cyrus at a concert in London, where she said, “everyone’s a little bit gay.” Ms. Cyrus, you probably think you’re progressive and edgy, or even supportive, by saying this. But you’re wrong, and I’m going to tell you why.

The LGBT community has to struggle for even minimal acceptance and respect in our mostly conservative and close-minded society. However, respect goes both ways. We as gay people must respect the sexuality of our heterosexual counterparts in the same way we want them to accept and respect ours. In short: Your trying to be the gay community’s mouthpiece is nothing but a direct jab at heterosexuality.

However, it gets worse. You close with a date-rape joke?!

“You know, everyone’s a little bit gay … it’s the truth. Everyone’s gay, all it takes is one cocktail. And if that doesn’t work, sprinkle something in their drink. That’s what I always do.”

People who are intoxicated, or under the influence, cannot consent to sex, which means behavior like this veers awfully close to sexual assault or rape (depending on what actually occurs.) Your “joke” only perpetuates the stereotype that gay people are perverts trying to prey on people of their same sex. Gays don’t do that!

The gay community needs to stand against behavior like this, regardless of how we might feel about Miley’s style or music. She may not have intended to say what she said, and Lord knows she was probably high, or drunk (or both). We as a community need to educate our allies so they’re not saying things on our behalf that are inaccurate and offensive. Also, someone should draft a public service announcement about the danger of having a drink with Miley “Sprinkle Stuff In Your Drink” Cyrus.