Rita Booke: Sodom, Gomorrah, and the Gays

Resident drag queen and answerer-of-all-questions Rita Booke is asked:

Hi, Rita -
I've heard that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is not really about homosexuality, but something to do with hospitality. I'd love to use this in an argument with some of my homophobic family members who refer to it, but need elaboration. Can you help?

Honey, this story in the Bible has been used against us time and again. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed not because the inhabitants were gay, but because they were inhospitable to Lot's visitors at a time when it was usual practice to help out travelers and strangers. In the time of Lot, if you had a long journey, people in other towns or cities would easily take you into their house, feed you, even let you sleep the night if need be. This goes back to, "do onto others as you would have others do unto you." It was considered the right thing to do. Not being welcoming to Lot's guests, who were actually angels in disguise, and being downright inhospitable to them, was what did Sodom and Gomorrah in.

Secondly, babycakes, many people make the mistake of believing that whenever the bible says "to know" someone that it means to have sex. Our Puritanical history is such that although many ultra-conservative religious folk have this disgust towards this wonderful thing God has given us, at the same time they have this unnatural fascination with it, especially gay sex. Therefore, any time they see in the Bible sentences like, "and they wanted to know them," they think it means "and they wanted to have sex with them."

Most Biblical authorities believe this is not the case, and that in most instances, when you see the bible saying, "to know," it means just that. So, when the men of Sodom asked Lot to bring out his friends so that they can know them, they were really just wanting to get acquainted with them, and to make sure they weren't spies from some other city-state in the area. However, this doesn't excuse them, and they were still a mob that was being mobbish, inhospitable, and acting very aggressively towards Lot and his guests.

At some point, the mob becomes so unruly, that Lot actually offers his daughter as a sex-toy to them, to save his guests from harm (women were considered property and sex-toys anyway). So, here's your best argument: if Lot had lived in this city for so long, one would think he would have known they were all gay, so why the hell would he offer his daughter to them? Remind your relatives this was the same daughter who he later had sex with...ahem!

Of course, your evil family members will come up with arguments like gays can convert, so it's possible to have sex with a women, but tell them that argument is not good enough, and demand again, if Lot knew he was in a city full of homosexuals, why would he offer them his own daughter? My stars, even Jesus knew it was a story of inhospitality, cited in the Bible when he told his disciples, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." Also remember that not once in the Bible did Jesus ever mention anything about homosexuality.

Remember, though, that people like this are never convinced, but at least you may have gotten them to think. As each of us has our own personal religious beliefs, tell them to believe what they want, but that you believe the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is about people who are inhospitable, unwelcoming, and not accepting of others to the table of God, and then ask these relatives which neighborhood in Sodom they're originally from.

Good luck, sweetie, you're going to need it!

Rita

Fired, Hired, Quitting

Resident drag queen Rita Booke is asked...

Dear Miss Booke -
I'm a marketing executive, and have recently been offered a new job. However, they want me to start immediately, but I feel I owe some advance notice to my current employer, who has treated me pretty well over the past few years. What should I do?

Honey child, I'm no human resources director, but I have many friends who have lately been in your position. There was a time when worker and employer had this arrangement where, "you don't quit, and I won't fire your ass." That led to a time where it was more like, "I'll let you know before you're being fired, but you give me two weeks notice if you quit."

Well, all of that is out the window now. Lately, employers have taken to walking into someone's office, saying you're fired, and having security march them out the door, only to have their "belongings" delivered to them at some later point in time.

Something tells me that your current employer would do that to you now, so regardless of how good they've treated you in the past, do to them what they'd do to you. It's a dog eat dog, small gay world out there, and if they're going to treat you like dog-poo, you may as well do the same to them. Whatever your choice, good luck to you!

Advice From Rita: First Dates

Small Gay World's resident drag queen, Rita Booke, loves giving advice. She tells us that she's always being approached for advice and her opinion, and sometimes we've noticed she even gives them without the invite. Today we asked Rita what do most guys do wrong on the first date.

Rita Booke: Honey, the worst mistake is always the first mistake, and that's the mistake that happens before the date even takes place. I don't know why guys always choose a coffee place, or go out to a restaurant when making a date with a cute guy. Why risk those inevitable pauses when there's nothing to talk about, or the awkwardness when the check comes.

Instead of some boring, unimaginative first date, take that handsome fella to a zoo, museum, botanical garden, or whatever! You'll continually be on the go, and seeing new things to discuss and talk about, which will also give you a better idea of how he thinks, and what he likes. If you time it right, your outing can wind down at mealtime, and if you're beginning to think he's the man of your dreams, then suggest going to dinner, where you'll have lots to talk about together. First dates are important, use them to share something you did together, then flaunt it.

If you'd like to ask Rita Booke a question or need advice, email Rita at mygayblog@gmail.com.

Photo couresy of www.gaytwogether.com.