In the article “Sex, Lies and Houston,” Frank Bruni comments on the everlasting prejudice that riddles our country. He wrote this article following a vote in Houston last week against an anti-discrimination law. This law was attempting to fight discrimination against transgender individuals; however, Houston voters believed that it “enabled men in dresses to sneak into women’s restrooms” (1). This narrow perspective illustrates the prejudices rampant within the minds of many people. Houston, a seemingly “progressive city” (2) and whose voters elected an openly lesbian mayor, voted to ostracize transgender individuals. Bruni explains this decision saying that it is convenient to “[demonize] people whose lives puzzle us” (2). He even admits that he cannot fully understand transgender people, but that this is no excuse to treat them…show more content… But, on the other hand, have we really completely defeated gay hatred? Will we ever? Skillfully incorporating rhetorical appeals and devices, Bruni addresses Americans and people from all over the world as he presents the issue of transgender inequality. Bruni relies heavily on the rhetorical appeal of pathos to evoke emotion from his audience and to compel them to become invested in the issue. Right from the beginning of the piece, he slaps the reader in the face with his powerful language. Bruni utilizes this strong diction to describe gay individuals as seen through others’ eyes. Homosexuals were labeled as “child molester[s],” “sexual deviants,” and “sexual prowlers” (1). The public painted them as predators of the “young” and “vulnerable (1). This was the initial reaction towards homosexual individuals. Because we could not understand them, we demonized them. Bruni compares this initially narrow-minded response to the backlash transgender are currently bearing the brunt of. Ethos is also featured strongly throughout the article,
