What ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ Teaches Us about Queer Bullying and Injustice
We queer people must empower ourselves by challenging toxic conservative politics, misinformation, and hostility.
Pervasive bullying of queer people is a direct result of the current political climate in the United States. This climate is shaped at the national level and filters down to state and local levels. Toxic masculinity is a major contributor, as it fosters a controlling stance that limits, devalues, and dominates anything perceived as inappropriate.
The queer community has historically faced bullying and harassment. While there has been a forward march toward greater social acceptance, recent political movements driven by conservative frustrations use propaganda and misinformation to redefine societal norms and structures.
Their endgame is to reverse LGBTQ+ gains and erase our progress.
Lessons from an ’80s comedy
The 1980s saw many coming-of-age comedies. Revenge of the Nerds is a notable example, relevant to queer history. The film depicts a group of socially awkward nerds who endure persistent harassment from a fraternity of jocks. The nerds persevered and gained respect and a place in campus society.
While a comedy, the film delivered a powerful message. Driven to action by persistent harassment, the nerds confronted their tormentors. Instead of physical confrontation, they used their intellect, strengths, and resourcefulness.
The film’s plot offers a lesson for the queer community. We can counter unjust conservative agendas using our intelligence, ingenuity, and inner strengths. Like the film’s jocks, most conservative arguments are brutal — relying on repetitive, unsubstantiated claims and factual inaccuracies.
The queer community must respond to conservative challenges by highlighting our community’s value and contributions to advocate for social acceptance benefiting everyone’s rights. It is being visible and vocal with honest and open conversations in our family and friends' networks.
Queer rights are human rights.
Many people fail to notice much of what conservative elected officials are doing. This is common in authoritarian regimes. They overwhelm the news cycle with an abundance of narrative and actions, causing people to tune it out. Over time, individuals become complacent, believing their lives are unaffected. The mindset becomes, ‘If I’m fine, then you must be fine too.’
A commitment to social acceptance is a shared responsibility. It’s demanding that we actively work towards inclusion for ourselves, our queer community, and our loved ones. It’s educating others on the greater consequences of these actions. The lives and rights of queer people are not a threat to anyone, but a part of a fair and equal democratic society.
The queer community is facing increased legislative challenges from conservative lawmakers. Growing concerns are the potential overturning of marriage equality and an unprecedented attack on transgender people. These politically motivated efforts have resulted in numerous bills to restrict and eliminate transgender rights.
Tell your story
Like the film’s nerds, queers must challenge those who seek to oppress us. This is a difficult but necessary task. The strength of queers lies not in violence but in the power of truth. Be authentic and honest in your everyday presence. When confronted with harmful rhetoric, do not remain silent. Counter with facts and personal stories, speaking from your heart.
I strongly believe in the power of storytelling. This stems from my experiences advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Lutheran Church and my professional life. Storytelling humanizes issues by placing a relatable, familiar face on complex and divisive topics.
This is precisely what we must do. People must look beyond political affiliation to understand that votes impact the lives of real people. They are then more likely to support the rights of all, particularly the queer community.
Storytelling results vary, but personal stories resonate deeply with many. Connecting an issue to a human face and life leaves lasting impressions that can influence their future. Authenticity comes from you telling your own story.
Thirty Years Ago: The Power of Storytelling
About ten years after Revenge of the Nerds, my husband and I, along with a lesbian couple, were invited to speak to a Sunday school class. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was conducting its first sexuality study, focusing on same-sex relationships.
The study encouraged congregations to invite Lutheran gays and lesbians to share their stories and discuss their sexuality. These invitations were common in urban congregations but rare in rural areas. This particular invitation came from a small, conservative rural town. I was unsure of what to expect.
We attended the worship service and the social hour, where we were warmly welcomed. During Sunday school, we told our life, relationship, and faith stories in an open and friendly atmosphere. Looking around the room, I saw minds opening, smiles, and nods.
This is the power of storytelling. The audience was challenged to look beyond gay and lesbian stereotypes and see us as people who shared their faith. That hour was a step forward for all, affirming and energizing my faith advocacy. While likely not fully accepted, we were seen as people of faith with faces humanizing the study.
Never underestimate the power of stories and words to shift perspectives and narratives, no matter how small.
Celebrate your individuality.
Celebrate what makes you uniquely you. The world thrives on diversity. Forty-five years ago, as a newly out gay man, I had to grow my self-acceptance. I did not value my uniqueness. Growth comes from surrounding yourself with supportive communities that offer differing perspectives. Coming out was my first step on my journey to individuality.
Individuality is an important cornerstone of the queer community. While identifying with specific labels is natural, we must embrace all queer identities without exception. Collectively, we share the duty to empower and support every letter of the LGBTQ+ alphabet. At this critical point in time, this unwavering support is essential for all.
Use your power to challenge.
Like most comedies, Revenge of the Nerds ends on an uplifting note. The nerds confronted the jocks during the homecoming festivities, putting on a spectacular show that the jocks couldn’t match. The jocks, confident in their ability to intimidate through discriminatory words and actions, were proven wrong. The nerds’ victory highlighted the power of intellect, skill, and resilience over brute force.
This is the time for the queer community and its allies to follow the nerds’ strategy in confronting discrimination. Our power is in our inherent strengths and talents to combat injustices. History shows that societal change moves forward by the resistors of inequality and violence. Queer advocacy must continue until all in the queer alphabet experiences true equality and acceptance.
Resist bullying. Embrace your individuality and celebrate your true self. Celebrate all the diverse identities within the queer community. Lead by example, showing how the queer community can be the beacon of positive change in our society.
