 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
I'll never forget the day I first met John Dicker. In the spring of '92, while walking though Ithaca College's academic quad, my eye happened upon a small but vocal demonstration. John led a radical vegetarian rally for his short lived militia "Tofu Now". He stood finger posed in the air like a young Malcolm X, wearing Woody Allen glasses and a "Nobody Knows I'm a Lesbian T-Shirt". Remember this was the early 90's and at least 6 months before every sensitive-post-modern-sarcastic-straight-guy was wearing "nobody knows I'm a lesbian" apparel. Placed with in this context you can understand why I was smitten with his brilliance. Anyone who knows us, understands the tensions that develop between to close friends when one is gay and the other isn't. Arguments over sexual orientation have on more than one occasion threatened the to rip apart the very fabric of our relationship. Here is the problem: John insists that my car Monty isn't gay. If straight guys can name their cars after women why can't I name my car after a neurotic gay closeted movie star? Yes, assigning a commodity a gender implies that the gender is a thing to be owned and dominated. While this may piss of the feminists - I wish to climb to the highest mountain top and cry "This is my gay car. He is a boy. I am boy. Please objectify and dominate me." These are my politics. Take them or leave them. John and I went to Inspiration point. The home of Saturn - the place were Monty was born. Much to my chagrin, photgraphy is not permitted in the plant. But let me assure you that Inspiration point is trippy! One expects to hear Raymond Scotts "Powerhouse" thundering in the background, while the various bits and pieces of Saturns twist around the vistors on a neon yellow assemly track.. There is no chipped paint, no dust, no dirt, and no unhappy employees - its as if you went into the auto world exhibit at Disney Land. My gay car came from a good home. After the tour John wrote to Saturn about our argument. Click on John's inquiry first and then have a look at the response. |
 |
 |
 |
