Yaoi/Slash Appreciation Club Reveals Double Standard on Campus
by Patrick Landers '12Opinion Writer
January 21, 2010
As the semester begins, the Lesbian Art and Film Appreciation Society (LAFAS), a new organization formed over winter break, is quickly gaining momentum. According to the Hamilton website, "LAFAS is dedicated to the appreciation of gay female culture as represented in all types of media past and present. The club is aimed mainly at men, though of course members of any gender or sexuality are welcome. Club activities will mostly include the viewing of movies and TV series, but plans also include the acquisition of a library of video and literary works that would be available to lend to all members of the club. Other club activities may include discussion of current gay issues, both social and political."
While this organization is actually completely fictitious, its existence is not implausible. In fact, the imaginary description of LAFAS was adapted from the actual Yaoi/Slash Appreciation Club's listing by creating a new name and reversing the sex-specific pronouns. The Yaoi/Slash Appreciation Club, which focuses on genres that are not explicitly pornographic, was formed last year with little fuss; but many students would expect LAFAS or a similar organization to attract far greater attention and opposition.
For many, the idea of women watching gay male-themed entertainment is mildly humorous yet perfectly tolerable. Even the point about keeping informed about relevant social and political issues is plausible. On the other hand, a mostly male group watching gay female-themed entertainment would certainly raise eyebrows and cause consternation. The claim that the group follows current issues would likely just be seen as a smokescreen for their true purpose; engaging in a practice which many view as degrading toward women.
Surely at least one student, faculty member, alumna or parent would object to Hamilton College recognizing and funding an organization that promotes male viewing of female-focused homoerotica. Would the Administration even have allowed an organization like LAFAS to be formed? It stretches the imagination that the school would sanction such a group. Yet when the gender/sex roles are reversed, the school had no problem accepting the Yaoi/Slash Appreciation Club. Thus, they reasonably would be expected to condone any organization that simply changes the gender identities and orientations involved.
Hamilton College and the individuals who comprise the institution should become more aware of the double-standards underlying their views on different genders and sexual orientations. To reject LAFAS as unpalatable while accepting the Yaoi/Slash Appreciation Club would be engaging in an obscene level of mental dissembling.