This Is Not A Threat
Kristian took this photo a while back. I send him out every so often with a small photo assignment, and, as I recall, this one was simply to capture quiet moments in the midst of the Fantasy Fest chaos that Key West experiences each October. He shot it on film, and while it’s maybe not his best photo from a technical standpoint, it’s a pretty amazing conceptual snapshot and says a lot about his upbringing — and our island in general. Anyways, I just got a few rolls developed and this particular image sparked some thoughts in my head.
The kids and I live less than a block from what I would guess is one of the highest concentrations of drag and LGBTQ culture in the country. Together, we walk past the clubs and performances with big grins almost daily, sometimes waving to the performers as they promote their nightly shows on Duval.
Sitting on our porch, we can feel the bass and hear the frolicking from the backyard pool parties with the boys at Bourbon Street Pub just across Petronia Street. I say “we”, but the kids are also free to roam the neighborhood without me, and I’ve never felt uncomfortable, threatened or concerned with their well-being — instead, feeling quite proud and appreciative that they are growing up with open minds and open hearts.
But halfway across the island on the quiet, sparse, and heavily guarded navy base where their school is located, I do get a pit in my stomach each time a notification pops up that there is an active shooter drill in progress. Because the thought of my kids — or your kids, or any kids — having to actually use that training is, unfortunately, a lot more likely than them being impacted (let alone harmed) by a man looking pretty in a sequined dress and heels.
Note: I love their school and understand that these drills happen everywhere.
If drag shows had the ability to impact or groom kids, mine would be first in line to feel the effects. But it’s just not the case. It’s a false fear, and the movement to ban — or even try to draw attention to — such a trivial issue is really just a tactic to divert attention from actual problems with deadly consequences.
I’m not a gun person — never owned, shot, or even handled one in my life. In my mind, if someone was threatening me (or my kids) and I went to pull out a gun, the likelihood of someone (the aggressor, me, or one of the kids) actually being shot goes through the roof. More guns, equal more shootings, equals more gun deaths. That’s just logic. You cannot refute that.
With that said, I’m not anti-gun for everyone. But I am for my own family. I do, however, try to understand and appreciate that not everyone thinks like me, and that’s the beauty of living here in the “land of the free.”
But something has to change. The percentage of Americans who agree that stricter gun regulation is necessary is well-documented — required background checks (83%), gun license mandate (72%), ban semi-automatic weapons (60%). (PBS)
These numbers prove it’s not even a partisan issue. So it’s clear that the lack of action on the congressional side isn’t motivated by the will of the people, but rather the padded pockets of those in power.
This was a more overtly political post than I tend to put out there, but the truth is, there are some very real fears for parents everywhere — and then there are false fears that some folks will create (and then focus on) in an effort to divert attention or downplay the real ones.
As optimistic as I can be, I’m of the mindset that today’s most pressing issues and the political infighting they incite are almost a lost cause at this point. And since our leaders act like children, it will ultimately be our kids who do the growing up — and they will, one day, be tasked with making the real change that’s necessary for a better tomorrow.
So let’s protect them — and bring them up to prioritize inclusion, and understanding, and love.