We suposedly live in an enlightened age. One where individuality is encouraged and differences are celebrated not feared. In nearly all social situations the veil of lies has been lifted and the ugly bestial face of bigotry has been revealed.     stereo-types are seen as mockery and laws have been issued to protect and up-lift those who find themselves one among the great many minorities.

    Indeed, in nearly all civilized cultures taboos are emerging from the dark closets and proudly walking down the sunny side of the street, leaving their worries on the doorstep and whistleing the sweet song of Liberation.

     Down in the Underground however, one finds that not all creatures are in fact treated equally.

     It is still quite dangerous to be a Fairy or a member of the "fey" community. Fairy folk are a intergal part of the Underground and a major cultural influence on our society as a whole. Still, in modern times, they are subjected to cruel and vicious treatment.

     The film "LABYRINTH" portrays fairys as feral pest who are regarded no better than destructive insects. Dispensed with swiftly and without remorse. This insensitive portrayel has sparked political and civil unrest in the "Fey community."

      I recently attended a "Fey Pride" conference and had the oppurtunity to hear, Zane Zane Ouvre la Chein, Fairy spokesperson for equal and ethical treatment of "feys" speak. The points of passion rallied the crowd to fevered pitch. Emotions ran high, and hope for change was abundant. "Feys" serving in the military was a key issue. Jareth had promised when "crowned" king that he would allow "Feys" and Fairys into the goblin-dominated armed forces. This promise met with much opposition and eventually crumbled. "Feys" were outraged and dissapointed. They had come to expect more from Jareth's rule and were shocked when the man who in 1972 bravely told a major publication, "I'm Fey. I have been fey all my life, even before I was the ruler of the Labyrinth."

        In the early eighties he changed his statement to match more conservative times, claiming to have always been a "closet" British man. This turn-about allowed him to be more fully embraced by the masses and launched him to even greater prestige. It left the Fey and Fairy community feeling used and cast aside.

        Another point of great contention is "Fey" marriage. The Underground and Goblin city still do not recognise the holy, and consecrated ceremony ritual of marriage to be legally binding when it concerns faireys or feys. It does not offer the same concessions to those married in "Fey" ceremonies either. Fey families are often ostrisized and protested by the public in general. Adoption is simply not an option for "Fey" or "Fairy" partners either.

        An Underground court recently took away a goblin child adopted by a wealthy fairy couple citing "unnatural surroundings" as his reason for judgement. This kind of medievil thinking prevades society and is robbing orphaned children of all origins of good homes.

        Recently, the media has embraced Fey and Fairy culture here in the underground. Two popular goblin sitcoms have introduced "Fey" characters into the regular cast, and one bold network actually has a prime time slot reserved for a comedy revolving around the life of a "sophisticated" fairy woman. Bound to cause some fireworks. Hopefully this trend of "Fey" chic will influence the Underground to open it's minds and break down the iron walls of predjudice.

     The fey and fairy community has walked far down the path of freedom, but many hills and valleys await. Hopefully the road is shorter than it seems and the way is paved with understanding and acceptance.

Written by the Jody from the Soapbox

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