Biden on homophobia: 'I've had it up to here with cultural norms'

[theHandpuppet]

http://www.latimes.com/local/abcarian/la-me-ra-joe-biden-on-homophobia-20140326,0,6012116.story#ixzz2x9qsFhHt

The LA Times
March 26, 2014
Biden on homophobia: 'I've had it up to here with cultural norms'
by Robin Abcarian

Vice President Joe Biden has never lacked for passion. And his occasional failure to restrain his enthusiasm has sometimes gotten him in trouble. But his over-the-top rhetoric was right on point when he gave the keynote address Saturday evening at the Human Rights Campaign’s gala in downtown Los Angeles.

Biden told a story I had never heard, about the first time he saw two men kissing (at minute 14 of the video above). He was in junior high, and his father was driving him to apply for a lifeguard job.

“We stopped at a red light and I looked over to my left and there were two men kissing goodby. And it was the first time I’d seen that. And my father looked at me and said, ‘They love each other.’ That’s the end. That’s the end.”

Pretty progressive for the mid-1950s.... MORE

[Plantaganet]

1. But...

...he hasn't "had it up to here" with the intrinsic homophobia of Catholicism.

Funny guy, our Joe.

[nomorenomore08]

3. Leaving behind a religion you've been a part of from birth is often extremely difficult.

Believe me, I know. I've never been a practicing Catholic, but my way of thinking is still shaped by the Church I was baptized into.

[Plantaganet]

4. Actually...

...it's quite easy when you have to do it. I speak from experience.

When you don't have to (i.e. - when you're heterosexual) you tend to rationalize and equivocate - like Joe.

[Initech]

2. I have had it up to here with cultural norms too.

I have always said that I think the next phase of human evolution is tearing down gender "norms" - and we're finding out every day more and more that straight male - female stereotypes don't exist like they used to.