For my media analysis, I am analyzing an Instagram post from the Instagram account @impact. Impact, in their bio, claims to post digestible and socially impactful content. Their account has 2.2 million followers, and is verified on Instagram. The certain post that I am analyzing was posted on Friday, September 30, 2022. The first slide is a graphic of Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG), a member of congress representing Georgia district 14. She is extremely far right leaning. The first slide of the Instagram post includes the text, “two months ago, Marjorie Taylor Greene voted against gay marriage because it’s a sin. Now, she’s getting divorced from her husband after reportedly cheating on him with the manager of her gym” (Impact, September 30, 2022). The next slide shows a video with the caption, “Marjorie Taylor Greene is a US congresswoman and conspiracy theorist from Georgia, She’s spent much of her career preaching christianity and using religion as a mask for bigotry. Marjorie recently claimed that straight people will be extinct within five generations” (Impact, September 30, 2022).
Her opinion that there are more people who are identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community should not be framed in a negative light. Knowing that there is more identification and representation is a testament to the work that our society has done in terms of creating spaces where people feel comfortable to express their true identity (even though we still have A LOT of work to do). Her analysis of members of the LGBTQ+ community only starting to exist within the past couple of generations is WILDLY inaccurate-as we have seen from multiple readings (including D’Emilio, Rupp, etc.). Members of the LGBTQ+ community have existed as long as we have lived.
Her theory of the extinction of straight people is baffling, and honestly, stupid. In what case scenario would an entire sexuality be extinct? This brings up an entire new lens of many people who are extremely right leaning-that the existence and celebration of LGBTQ+ members take away from heterosexuality and being “straight”. The two can exist in conjunction with one another, and do not have to eliminate one sexuality or the other. In other words, LGBTQ+ members do not threaten the identity of others, and the identity of others should also not impact LGBTQ+ members. They can coexist in harmony, with equal unwavering support from either end.
The post (sadly) continues, as the next slide says that “Marjorie, who has claimed that LGBTQ peopel are “against god’s creation,” voted against codifying gay marriage into law. Now, she’s getting divorced from her husband after reportedly hacing two extramarital affairs–one with a “polyamorous tantric sex guru,” and one with the manager of her gym” (Impact, September 30, 2022). @impact brings up an incredible point-that Marjorie is entitled to do whatever she wants with her life, but it is hypocritical that she says that LGBTQ+ members are against god’s creation when she blatantly is going against the bible by cheating on her husband. If you are going to use the bible as your moral grounding-you can not “pick and choose” which parts you decide to follow, and which parts you decide to not follow based on your own convenience. Marjoie Greene Taylor has not allowed other people that luxury, so it is hypocritical that she chooses to live her life the way that she does.
Overall, I commend @impact for drawing attention to the statements and actions of Marjorie Greene Taylor. The way that the post is laid out is easily digestible, and easy to understand for any viewer with any level of previous knowledge. They quote Marjorie herself, making her claims indisputable.