Be gay, do crime

Be gay, do crime is a popular LGBT slogan. The exact origins of the phrase are unknown, but it has been used since at least 2011. The slogan was primarily popularized by an internet meme on Twitter of an 1800s political cartoon originally created by Thomas Nast of a skeleton holding a torch and scroll, with the scroll edited to say "BE GAY DO CRIME!". The slogan has spread into becoming commonly put on signs at Pride parades and LGBT-related protests, as well as being frequently used in graffiti.

The base image for the widely circulating meme; the banner text is replaced with "be gay, do crime" and the caption with one referencing LGBT issues

Meaning

"Be gay, do crime" is meant to be anti-capitalist and anti-authority in nature. The phrase is meant to imply some crime and incivility may be necessary to earn equal rights considering the fact that being gay was illegal in the United States and is still illegal in various other countries, along with the fact that the Stonewall uprising was a riot and was crucial in advancements for LGBT rights. Mark Bieschke, a curator at the GLBT History Museum, claimed that the slogan is meant to stand against the "polished, corporate narrative of Pride".[1][2]

References
  1. Hudson, David (2018-08-10). "What does 'Be Gay, Do Crime' mean?". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  2. Pockets, Our Back. "What "Be Gay, Do Crimes!" means, and why it's important now". Our Back Pockets. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.