Just when you thought the storm was over, another squall hits to remind you just how quickly bad winds can return. Jamie Garza of Porterville found this “announcement” taped over the top of a poster for the PC Pride Club. There is no indication that this is a real club forming on campus, but the appearance of this ‘notice’ is indicative of the hatred and prejudice still faced by many here in the big shiny buckle of California’s Bible belt. This is the area, remember, that voted 75% in favor of Proposition 8, and Porterville is the only place in California whose city council went on the record officially endorsing Prop. 8.
The angst, hatred, bigotry and prejudice of some anonymous coward in Porterville, who probably thought they were being ‘clever’, reminds all of how far we still have to go. We must remain vigilant, and call out this homophobia whenever and where ever we find it.
Of course, we have another problem to consider as well. What if this is an actual club someone is trying to start? If they found someone at Porterville College to be a faculty advisor, and people who wanted to join and support it, could PC deny the club’s formation? They had to allow the PC Pride Club. Under the law and in the spirit of equality, could they or we deny some their right to have such a club? Does our rainbow have exclusivity over their dark cloud? Or do we have to endure the storm clouds once again? Lets hope this is simply a homophobic idiot who thought this would be funny, and not indication of a second storm front in Porterville.
