1./ The story of Rob Roberts is a tragedy for the victims. It also provides a lesson in how the word 'queer' is poisoning our discourse. When the MP came out a year ago during an annual exercise in virtue-signalling, Pink News hailed him as 'queer', its ultimate compliment.π 
2./ Only 2 months later, after harassment allegations, Roberts was downgraded by Pink News to plain old 'Gay', though they still seemed to give him the benefit of the doubt. Apparently, coming out had been terribly stressful for Mr Made for Radio face. Boo fucking hoo. π
3./ Sexual harassment is about power not sexual attraction but surely the catch-all term Queer from only 2 months earlier would have been more appropriate? After all, claims of harassment were made by victims of both sexes. Isn't queer about not being just old-fashioned gay?π
4./ Don't get me wrong gay MPs who behave badly deserve as much censure as MPs that say they're queer, whatever that means. And that's the point: I've no idea what queer means and neither does Pink News. If it's a badge to be worn and 2 months later taken off, what CAN it mean?
5./ I never use this derogatory term to describe myself or friends. But in the weird world of LGBTQ+ the word queer is a badge of honour, bathed in virtue. Is that why Pink News has now banished it from its coverage of Roberts, who is now demoted routinely to merely a Tory MP?π
6./ But if 'queer' people can never be seen to do wrong won't calling someone queer encourage all their own worst faults? They're being told they're special, virtuous and to be judged by their own rules. That's a harassers' charter. And not just on the personal level.
7./ Our laws are increasingly being shaped by a cadre of politicians who say they are gay or more often queer but didn't stand up for our rights when it mattered. They 'came out' later when there could be no damage to their careers. Yet, now they're showered with effusive praise.
8./ They're instantly placed on a pedestal as if they were some latterday Rosa Parks. This feeds the entitlement that good politicians know is always a risk of public life. Does this skew their judgment and encourage their extraordinary arrogance; not least on women's rights?
9./ For my money the use of the word Queer by or about any politician is suspect. It's an attempt to put voters and opponents on the back foot. Pink News has used it to put a shield around MPs like Rob Roberts to suggest criticism of them is suspect and hateful; when it isn't.
10./ The word queer is now almost always accompanied by a toxic mix of aggressive self-righteousness, entitlement and mawkish vulnerability. In that sense perhaps Pink News was right for once. Rob Roberts is more than queer; he's the perfect emblem for a disgraceful word.
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