A video of people (and kids) shouting f-bombs and yelling at Republicans to “get over” gay marriage? Doesn’t sound like your typical campaign advertisement, but FCKH8.com’s “Straight Talk About Gay Marriage” project is circulating the social media world with its controversial in-your-face approach.
The video is part of the FCKH8 campaign, created by non-profit media campaigner Luke Montogmery, who, in 1993, became known in the LGBT community when he changed his last name to ”Sissyfag” in an effort to bring more attention to the issue of LGBT discrimination.
Although the video grabs the attention (positive or negative) of anyone who comes across it, does it prove to be an effective way to get the public to support gay marriage?
People are taking extreme measures against gay marriage so it’s time for some “radical steps in support of gay marriage”, said Kayla Maroney, senior Psychology major and treasurer of PRIDE! Kent.
“I’m glad someone is putting this out there. It gets you laughing, but it really gets you thinking as well,” she said.
The video shows more of an angry reaction from the LGBTQA community to stress the importance of the issue and the need for awareness.
“It’s definitely going to have a large impact socially,” said Trae Ruscin, senior general studies major and president of PRIDE! Kent.
However, the very aspect that makes the video captivating and interesting is the same thing that may hinder its effectiveness in the political world.
“I don’t know that it would necessarily be effective against some right-wing Republicans because they may be turned off by the obvious title,” said graduate student Jenna Garrett.
On a liberal college campus you are sure to find the majority to be in support of gay marriage, but some people may not necessarily support the use of this campaign to get the message across to the rest of the not-so-supportive population.
“It’s pretty effective but it kind of depends on who they’re targeting. My mom doesn’t care about gay marriage, but she’d be really offended by the f-word,” said Stefanie Wilson, sophomore Hospitality Management major.
Such an abrasive and overwhelming approach may not seem ideal to capturing the attention of conservatives, yet the topic of gay marriage is one they already have strict views on.
“It’s an offensive topic for them anyway, so they’re going to be offended one way or another,” said John Shelstalk, junior Pre-Med/Psychology major.
The energetic, profanity-filled FCKH8 video was released around the same time as other LGBT related campaigns, such as the more subtle “It Gets Better” movement, and, although far more aggressive, is arguably just as effective. Youtube users have reposted the video countless times and one reposting recorded more than 1.6 million hits from viewers.
