Sit & Spin = redneck TV
chiefthracian
Times:
Dear Editor,
I am very impressed with the lovely decor and cleanliness of
our new Castro laundromat, Sit & Spin. However, upon my
third visit, I was dismayed to have to see and listen to
their overhead television blaring out a hunting show, while
doing the laundry. It discussed various types of rifles and
ammo, and scenes of deer and other wildlife being stalked by
yahoos in red-checkered felt jackets.
All in all, it was quite a redneck experience...quite out of
line with what one expects in a liberal city, especially in
the most famous gay neighborhood in the world. (Now, if the
show were a lesson for how queers could protect themselves
from homophobic attack, and how to properly use a weapon in
self defense; then I'd be very pleased.)
When I returned two weeks later, I was assaulted again by
their loud TV: this time a televangelist preaching the usual
insulting dogma that has become a plague of bigotry across
our nation. Other times I've stepped into Sit & Spin to see
whether these phobic shows were an anomaly, or perhaps a
kind of joke. However, to my continued dismay, such shows
seem to be a regular part of their laundromat atmosphere.
And the volume was so loud, one could not possibly ignore it
by reading a newspaper, or conversing.
I've found the folks who work there to be extremely
friendly...and thus am even more weirded out by their
seeming unconsciousness as to the very gay-unfriendly
material loudly broadcasting from their own television.
Other obnoxious shows play there too, such as Jerry Springer
and Texas Justice. This is not what I expect to be exposed
to, anywhere in San Francisco...not just in a laundromat in
The Castro, or anywhere else.
I cannot in good conscience continue using their laundromat
and cafe, until they put an end to forcing their LGBT
customers to listen to, and see, this offensive trash. I for
one, cannot find any enjoyment in being needlessly exposed
to the very same broadcasting idiots who promote the
persecution of our own good sexual minorities. I'd rather
put up with any of the other, older laundromats in our
'hood, albeit dirty and sometimes populated by street trash
addicts (many of whom are homophobic, too...but at least
they're not loudly broadcasting that fact in your ears).
If Sit & Spin can afford a glamorous HDTV for their
customers, they can certainly afford to switch to another
station that presents quality shows. Is this too much to
ask...or must the nightmare of redneck Bible-thumping
'phobes also invade our own queer premises, through the
hands of our own queer-run businesses (let alone the San
Francisco Bay Area)? I understand that one of the two owners
also runs Fuzio, another new, upscale establishment that The
Castro so sorely needs. I've never been inside, but I like
to think the same televised crap is not part of their
service, too.
I started going to Sit & Spin, to support their obviously
considerate desire to help improve the quality of life in
our devastated neighborhood. So I have struggled with my
conscience, in deciding whether or not to speak out.
Obviously, I chose the latter, as here I am, composing this
letter to the editor.
Unless I see the elimination of terribly redneck dogma being
broadcast at their establishment, I will boycott both Sit &
Spin, and Fuzio. In hopes that--if the owners are as nice as
they've been to me, personally--then they'd appreciate my
criticism, and correct this very unfortunate form of
anti-gay oppression, right here in our community. But if my
plea falls on deaf ears, the owners will likely never
understand why their business in The Castro, never really
took off.
There are two other issues about Sit & Spin I may as well
bring up, which pale in comparison to the TV shows, but are
nonetheless significant:
Allowing customers' large dogs to block the walkway that
laundromat customers must use. This is not only rude, it's
intimidating. Does anyone really care what happened to Diane
Whipple? Dogs--especially large ones--should not be tied up
in the corridor, but outside. I also recommend using a
muzzle, to show the public they are not one of "those" dog
owners that give all pet owners a bad name. Also, it's a
matter of civil respect.
Some of the dryers don't work, and customers are never
alerted to this fact. So you'll think your clothes are
drying, when all they're really doing is spinning around.
(Maybe we should rename the place "Sit & Sit & Sit & Spin &
Spin & Spin".) Granted, when you point this out (with
hindsight, of course) the employee gladly reimburses the
necessary quarters...but your valuable time is still wasted.
I understand the owners' desire to maintain a quality, clean
appearance...for which "out of order" signs would only add a
certain tacky touch. But surely, a better solution can be
worked out, without compromising upon customers' trust. Such
as: securing the bad dryers with a lock, or some other
non-visually-unpleasant method whereby customers do not use
these defunct machines (until repaired).
Oh, and I may as well bring up one more item of concern,
while I'm on a roll:
"Sit & Spin" is also a sexual innuendo that only serves to
affirm to the homophobic public, that we are indeed,
unhealthily obsessed with sex, above and beyond anything
else. Surely, we can come up with cute, gay-relevant names
for small businesses, without acceding to unwholesome,
stereotype notions. (I have the same complaint about "Squat
& Gobble", though it is not promoted as gay-run, it is in
The Castro; and nonetheless is another sexual innuendo,
along with toilet humor...certainly not something that whets
my appetite!)
Sincerely,
Zeke Krahlin
Queer street activist & resident of The Castro since 1983
--end of letter
--
"Many are called, but few are chosen.
Step right up for your lederhosen!"
- Big Gay Brother (Zeke Krahlin)
http://www.gay-bible.org