No Homo (2008)

A poem about homophobia and discrimination in general. The ending is telling of our community as a whole

“ Yo, those jeans look tough on you.”
“ No Homo!” 
“Wait, I never took you as homophobic.”
“ I’m not.”
“ Then why all that ‘No Homo’ stuff ?” 
“ It’s just a figure of speech.”
“ Well, what if someone turned ‘No Negro’ into a figure of speech, How would you feel then?”
“ I would feel nothing because it makes no sense.”
“Okay. I had fried chicken for dinner last night. Pause. No Negro.”
“ Ha, you think you’re funny or something don’t you?”
“ Nah, But I did cheat on my wife the other day. Pause. No Negro” 
“ Okay, chill out wit’ all dat homie.”
“ ‘ Chill out wit’ all dat homie?’ you better throw a No Negro behind that, before someone starts thinking you’re some weirdo negro or something.” 
“ What are you tryna do? Pick a fight with me or something?” 
“ No I’m trying to prove a point.”
“ Oh yeah, what kinda point you tryna prove?”
“ That saying no homo is no better than saying, ‘No Negro’s Allowed’ or ‘Colored’s only.’ You get me?"
“ Yeah, sure. Whatever. Now can you chill with that ‘ No Negro’ stuff?”
“ No problem. Anyway those jeans do look tough on you.”
“ Wait what!? No Homo!” 

Reviews

[DamienHino]

I like it and your right people are easily influenced by pop culture...but it's just plain discrimination. And you show a way to combat it.

[Kenneth The Poet]

Nice piece of work. I like it.

[unknown]

Interesting take on the figure of speech and it did have a bit of humor....as i hear alot of men say it often lol.

[joshua deathdealer]

I was captivated by this, even amused. You have an excellent story telling ability. I defiantly got the point portrayed here. "Thats gay" is a pretty common saying. Even I use it as a figure of speech jokingly amongst friends and I'm bi. But I do see how it could be offensive to some. Thanks for this enlightening write.

[realmwriter]

Interesting way of saying "thats gay" I must admit I read Renes' comment before I made mine, but this is a great way of pointing out how stupid some sayings can be!

[Maya Storm]

I liked how this was written with the quotes. And I get the point, words hurt and until it's done to you... there is no understanding of the pain associated.

[Amber Betty Marie Child..]

point taken
but anyway
this amused me much
not that i didnt take it seriously
like i said point taken
just a fun slice on the way it was writin

[Rene Velez]

haha, that's funny, nice flip on "sayings"...the new one "that's gay" totally wrong...but your poem proves a point...this is a poem that matters...

[Coyote Poetry]

It would seem this country would have lost the fear of homo-sexual. I believe it is none of my business what you prefer in sex and religion. I like the purpose and reason for the poem. Hate is hate. Wrong is wrong. I believe need to rate a man or woman on their deeds. Not the clothing or color of skin. Thank you for a powerful poem. Made old Coyote think this afternoon.
Coyote