ry

All Feminists Are Dykes N OT

**Itseems to me the underlying intent of the above phrase (except the NOT!!!), is that somehow being a lesbian is a bad thing. As a dyke who is actively involved in the so called ‘feminist movement’, some- times I wish it were the case that all feminists were dykes.

When the statement ‘‘all feminists are dykes’’ is made, I usually reply with an answer like - ‘“Hey I wish...you gotta problem with that?’’ What hurts, and alienates me however, is when | hear some of the isnottrue’’ (apologist and defensive)... all the way to silence (no voice, no challenge, no connection).”’

Margaret Mizuik

The statement “All Feminists Are Dykes’ also both-

ersme. | think this stereotype is completely unfair to -

Feminists (heterosexual feminists (lesbian) and lesbi- ans (non-feminists). The two don’t have to be related to one another, and to say you have to be one to be the other is stupid. Ms. Mizuik is right this state- ment is followed by defensive and apologist re- sponses. Really such astatement does not deserve a

response at all. Who cares ifa person is a lesbian or

heterosexual. Lesbianism is not a requirement needed

to be involved in the Feminist movement and because |

you may be a lesbian does not mean you have to be involved in the feminist movement.

So why do people make such aconclusion. I think it stems from an old stereotype ‘‘feminists want to be men’’. Thisis also untrue, most women don’t want to be men, once again whether your a feminist or not does not make a difference.

Ms. Mizuik says its ‘‘the silence that hurts the most’”’ Well besides saying all feminists are not lesbians and all lesbians are not feminists, what can we do. When I give this reply I don’t say it in an apologetic way or a defensive way. Instead I shake my head and say ‘*What difference does it make what sex youchoose _ to have as your partner.’’ What people have to under- stand is a person’s sexual preference does not make the person abad person. It is just that they have found fulfilment in a partner of the same sex.

Tracy Smith

"The more I traveled the more I realized ;

that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends."

--Shirely MacLaine

(

w

|

| Illustration: Kimberley Whitchurch, Da! Gazette

anes el

International Pen Friends

International Pen Friends is a non-profit, non-sectar- ian organization founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1967 to promote international goodwill and friendship through letterwriting. With 300,00 members in 188 countries © it provides penfriends in English, French, German or Spanish. Members select countries and are matched by age and interests. For information write: Interna- tional Pen Friends, Po Box 27074, Golden Valley,

MN 55427 USA. |

UPEI X-P RESS

February 20, 1992 |

Page 18