it's time to be annoying because i saw a post telling people that refusing to mask during a pandemic is eugenics and there's a specific brand of comments that pissed me off:
"i would really like to mask, but i can't, because i'm queer, there's already a target on my back, i would be even more visible :("
i am speaking to other white queer people here, because there's much more nuance otherwise, but: what the fuck
no, you don't desperately want to mask sooo bad but can't because you're gay ;( you want to be told it's okay for you to not do it, you want the person who made the post to justify and comfort you, because you've been called out on your lack of care for your community and it makes you uncomfortable, but you don't want to make a change or any efforts.
i'm going to use your own argument, it's going to sound stupid, and that's because it is: by your own logic, why don't you just try to not look queer then :) oh because that's not how it works? people will know to oppress you either way? how does the mask do more to identify you as a target than the big ass rainbow patch on your sleeve or your alt outfits? why will you "risk it for self expression" with your fashion but putting on a mask is too far and too visible?
you're only asking to be told that it's okay, that you don't have to mask, "it's too risky for you, poor little thing"! i know you're lying to yourself because one, it's not 'too risky', you're just not used to breaking social expectations as much as you'd like to think you are, and two, you're also not masking at concerts. at drag shows. at queer parties. where you know, you wouldn't be targeted for being queer. you're not putting on a mask when someone else in the room is wearing one. you're not isolating and testing after one of your friends you just hung out with was sick. you're only trying to get the people who mask and care to absolve you of the guilt you're feeling. you're hiding behind queerness, like we often do about many other issues.
to end it on a kinder note, yes it is uncomfortable socially to mask sometimes. i chose not to mask at certain work functions because of the whole, social pressure, too hard to stand out by eating in a different room than everyone for several days, etc. but i take on the consequences and test+isolate after. i mask everywhere else to add a layer of protection in case i caught something. so i know the feeling of masking being difficult socially. is that a reason to never do it? to not even try? i mask everywhere else and it's only comfortable in covid conscious queer spaces. everywhere else i feel off and isolated. does that discomfort kill me? spoilers, no it doesnt!
and the more of us that mask, the harder it is to target someone for masking. maybe you just have to be the one to start it in your local community. get a friend to do it with you when you're out. the weight of the stares is lighter to carry with another person. just don't fucking use "i'm oppressed already ;(" as an excuse to let disabled people die because you couldn't handle getting a few stares at the grocery store
*anyone can catch and die from covid btw. but the lack of care is directly ableism. because you don't think "healthy people" (ew) are at risk and you don't care enough about the ones you know are at risk. womp womp you're gross
