Who You Gonna Call?

Sometimes I wonder if I have super powers. Not the powers I’ve dreamed of, super strength, beauty, intelligence or success. I don’t possess the ability to spot a lesbian from a mile off; I can’t even twiddle my pen on my thumb like I once saw someone do.

But just as Superman could hear the panicked voices of someone in trouble, I have super sensitive Queer Connotations Senses (QCS for short.) I am proud to be able to spot a pride flag, even if it is hidden in the dark corner of an office. I can watch cartoons and spot the gay connotations behind a cross-dressing Bugs Bunny. I can even sense rainbow accessories in a shop.

So where did this astounding talent come from? God-given talent? Struck by lightening as a child? Family curse? Or did I just find it at the end of the rainbow?

Inside I know this talent is actually more likely to come from my desperation to find likeminded individuals. Perhaps they are unconsciously signalling to me too – like small rowing boats surrounded my cruise ships, not in distress, but solidarity.

Sometimes it seems the lines are crossed, like most things in queer identification. I’m quite, quite sure the 11 year old who has covered her school folder in the colours of the pride flag is unaware of the statement she is making. The physics teacher with a lambda symbol on a poster in his room is probably equally oblivious to the messages he is sending pupils like me. But I can forgive them, because in the land where we are blessed by (relatively) free speech, I guess they have as much right to carrying those symbols as I do. As long as I’m allowed to continue doing so, my QCS will stay sharp.