“There are ways to write this poem that could get me fired” (Killebrew 88). In his poem “The Bisexual Purge,” Paul Killebrew discusses his bisexual identity in relation to his work for the federal government combined with discussions of transgender rights. As an attorney, Killebrew acknowledges that the decisions made by the government he works for harm him as well as members of other communities. This position is like those of two other attorneys, V.L. Seek and Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia (Demme). As victims of the law, Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia (Demme) and V.L. Seek in her essay “Utmost Resistance” are shown as the best people to fight for changes in the system that has harmed them due to their knowledge of lawyers and the legal system …show more content…
While there are statutes in place to punish rapists, these statutes can revictimize survivors and jeopardize their chance for justice. Seek quotes State v. McClain which states, “There must be the utmost resistance by the woman by all means within her power” (178). The author includes this language as it illuminates the core of rape culture and victim blaming. Seek calls attention to the responsibility that society often places on women to avoid being raped. As a survivor herself, Seek knows that this kind of language is harmful, and that the aforementioned responsibility is offensive and detrimental to …show more content…
While Beckett’s position as a lawyer and knowledge of the law help him in his role, his passion for law is what propels him. While on the witness stand, Beckett states, “I love the law. I know the law. I excel at practicing it. It's the only thing I've ever wanted to do” (“Philadelphia”). He continues, “I think the thing I love the most, is that every once in a while, not that often, but occasionally...you get to be part of justice being done. It's really quite a thrill when that happens” (“Philadelphia”). Despite how the law has affected him personally, he still feels this way about it. He still believes in the practice. Beckett has experienced how the law can work very well in getting justice and how it can fail. This experience makes him the perfect person to engage in