Appearances

Vazquez waited until the end to reveal that Brian and Mickey were both actually straight men so that it increases the effect and adds an element of surprise. Because they were perceived as gay, they were beaten up. The disclosure that the two men were actually straight helps the reader to realize that appearances are more important than many of us would like to think. The attacks of the men were all based on their appearances. The attackers only assumed that they were gay based on the way they dressed and presented themselves. People in our society will judge and hate whomever they want for whatever reason they want, the easiest of which being the way someone looks. Her disclosure adds emphasis on the dangers of biases based on appearance and how everyone is at risk even if one is not homosexual. The issue of antigay violence changes when the victims are also heterosexual because it puts more people at risk for attack. It is sad that both heterosexuals and homosexuals are at risk for choosing to be an independent individual in society, living life according to their own values and moral standards. More people would respond to a heterosexual being attacked than a homosexual. It is sad that we grow up being taught not to judge a book by its cover and to treat people with respect, but people still remain condescending based on appearances.