Dear Editor,
Again, I am writing to express a dissenting opinion in response to a letter published in YCN’s June 24th edition by Dr. Herbert.
In his letter, Dr. Herbert claims to know the “real” definition of a drag queen, as told to him by a prison inmate during his time as a lawyer. Apparently, said definition is: “A man who loves to dress as a woman and DRAG HIS GENITALS on the ground in front of SMALL CHILDREN for SEXUAL PLEASURE.” Now, those are DR. HERBERT’S EXACT words, NOT MINE.
First of all, I am absolutely shocked and dismayed that anyone who is smart enough to write a letter to the editor is also IGNORANT enough to believe such an untrue and vulgar statement. I’m not a drag queen, but I am offended on their behalf.
Next, if this Dr. Herbert is so brilliant and qualified as he always loves to claim in every piece he submits, surely he would know that you cannot form a conclusion on something based on the statement of one person or entity. Especially not one statement from a source so unreliable as a prisoner who is up for parole. Dr. Herbert’s statements are not only incredibly ignorant and lacking in merit, but they are deplorably prejudiced, hateful and untrue; and it is a travesty that he is so full of himself that he thinks by publishing such statements in his local newspaper, he’s doing the community some great service.
Now, Dr. Herbert is not the only person to spout off about drag queens like an ignoramus lately. Many folks have said twisted things like “drag queens are targeting children and exposing them to sexually deviant behaviors” and other delightful nonsense.
But, as City Council member Kendra Shaw stated, the event at the zoo this past Wednesday was “not a burlesque show,” and neither the zoo’s director nor anyone else in their right mind would allow anything of the sort and label it “family friendly.”
So, to all the folks that say, “Boycott the zoo!”, I will put it very bluntly for you:
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT…SHUT UP.
That is all.
Casey Mackey
Billings, MT
