The Last Sunday in June
The last Sunday in June has a symbolic purpose for all LGBT Americans. This was the first time gays and lesbians in the United States rose and fought for our rights in the aftermath of the raids at Stonewall Inn. One by one, homosexuals in New York stood up and rioted for several days, demanding equality and fairness.
This Sunday, was the 38th anniversary of the riots. and in typical fashion, Heritage of Pride, held a number of celebrations from the Rally at Bryant Park to the big Parade and culminating with an outdoor pier dance. (The Street Fair was canceled this year due to political and legal issues.)
For the first time since I came out, I chose to skip all the festivities, and nearly the dance all together. I wasn't "feeling" particularly gay this year. That is not to say I'm about to join the ex-gay movement. Far from that!
This year happens to be the 10th anniversary of my coming out. Ten years! The "Gay Agenda" has come a long way since the late 90's. Sodomy is now legal. Massachusetts allows homosexual couples to marry. New Jersey has instituted Civil Unions. New York is working on some version of all this. Statistically, more kids are coming out at a younger age simply because those of us who have come out have become more and more visible -- out and proud as they say. And now, by some statistics, 70% of heterosexuals know at least 1 gay person. I work among all heterosexual women. I'm glad I'm contributing to this statistic.
What is the status of my personal agenda? I'm more comfortable in my own skin than when I first came out. I remember the days when I didn't want to talk about it with friends -- rather I kept two sets and hoped that neither would meet the other. Then I progressed to making sure I told everyone. Now, I'm just me, and I don't really care if you know or you don't. I'm simple out and proud but not loud about my sexuality. I find it to be a turn off actually when someone is too loud about being gay -- after all, the heterosexuals are usually not loud about it. And I'm generally not very loud about my ethnicity either -- at least I'm following a pattern. I'm still single. Sure I've dated, but I haven't found anyone that I can see myself settling down with "until death do us part". Finding the one has not been a priority.
I also think a part of me is becoming disenfranchised with the gay establishment in part. The whole community is very physical. It's all about how cute is your face, and how hot is your body. It's all about the alcohol -- there are few venues to meet other gays outside of the bars. It's about sex and how high of a body count you can have. Perhaps part of the problem is that all my friends here in New York are gay. I never leave the "gay life". And having a gay sibling does not help either. I may need a break.
Happy Pride everyone.
This Sunday, was the 38th anniversary of the riots. and in typical fashion, Heritage of Pride, held a number of celebrations from the Rally at Bryant Park to the big Parade and culminating with an outdoor pier dance. (The Street Fair was canceled this year due to political and legal issues.)
For the first time since I came out, I chose to skip all the festivities, and nearly the dance all together. I wasn't "feeling" particularly gay this year. That is not to say I'm about to join the ex-gay movement. Far from that!
This year happens to be the 10th anniversary of my coming out. Ten years! The "Gay Agenda" has come a long way since the late 90's. Sodomy is now legal. Massachusetts allows homosexual couples to marry. New Jersey has instituted Civil Unions. New York is working on some version of all this. Statistically, more kids are coming out at a younger age simply because those of us who have come out have become more and more visible -- out and proud as they say. And now, by some statistics, 70% of heterosexuals know at least 1 gay person. I work among all heterosexual women. I'm glad I'm contributing to this statistic.
What is the status of my personal agenda? I'm more comfortable in my own skin than when I first came out. I remember the days when I didn't want to talk about it with friends -- rather I kept two sets and hoped that neither would meet the other. Then I progressed to making sure I told everyone. Now, I'm just me, and I don't really care if you know or you don't. I'm simple out and proud but not loud about my sexuality. I find it to be a turn off actually when someone is too loud about being gay -- after all, the heterosexuals are usually not loud about it. And I'm generally not very loud about my ethnicity either -- at least I'm following a pattern. I'm still single. Sure I've dated, but I haven't found anyone that I can see myself settling down with "until death do us part". Finding the one has not been a priority.
I also think a part of me is becoming disenfranchised with the gay establishment in part. The whole community is very physical. It's all about how cute is your face, and how hot is your body. It's all about the alcohol -- there are few venues to meet other gays outside of the bars. It's about sex and how high of a body count you can have. Perhaps part of the problem is that all my friends here in New York are gay. I never leave the "gay life". And having a gay sibling does not help either. I may need a break.
Happy Pride everyone.
posted by Clue Lessness at 10:25 PM
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