<> The reason you have noticed "ALOT" of Gay Pride demos and court activity is because June is the month in which people observe the anniversary of the Stonewall Riot in New York City which was pivotal in "kicking off" the Gay Rights Movement. <> It is not Gay and Lesbian people who make it a big deal it is heterosexuals who are uncomfortable with homosexuality who make it a big deal. It is heterosexuals and heterosexual identified people who are bigoted toward and prejudiced against Gay people. If there was no taboo there it wouldn't be a big deal. << It is ridiculous that major "gay rights" organizations must make a BIG DEAL about simply being gay. There are parades, and public demonstrations for the "gay struggle", that scream "LOOK AT US, WE'RE GAY AND PROUD OF IT!">> Again, it is not Gay people who make the big deal. The "big deal" exists because of the taboo imposed by heterosexuals. If heterosexuals get used to it then it won't be a big deal. <> I think you need to look inside yourself and ask why you are uncomfortable. Why do you give an awkward glance. Do you feel awkward when you see a husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend hold hands in public? What's the difference? <> Gay people are not alienated by Gay Pride events. If you think they are then who is making them alienated? Who is reacting to their pride events? Furthermore, being Gay IS considered normal by mainstream, established, professional medical, psychiatric, and psychological associations. The groups or organizations that have a problem with Gay people are churches that historically had a difficult time accepting that the earth was no longer flat. Yes! The Earth is not flat! And Gay people are normal. < "Although knaves win in every political struggle, although society seems to be delivered over from the hands of one set of criminals into the hands of another set of criminals, as fast as the government is changed, and the march of civilization is a train of felonies, yet, general ends are somehow answered."
--Representative Men(1850).>> Well, thanks for the quote. Once again we have that normal v. abnormal thing going on. Gay people are being compared to criminals?! Hate the sin. Love the sin. Thanks but no thanks. The answers to your questions are with yourself not with Gay people. You seem to have to deal with your issues. We, Gay people, don't need to deal with your issues. I suggest you contact an organization like PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

The only thing about pride day celebrations that`s gone too far is the commercialism.We are mainstream now,and it`s easier than ever to come out and participate in our no longer underground community.That`s an advance,but also a setback,as at one time,the movement for gay liberation was linked to wider struggles and other social movements.Today it just means a rainbow credit card,and gay bars that have plate glass windows. Personally,I don`t want to get married,I want to see an end to patriarchy, militarism,racialized oppression and violence against women.That`s a tall order,but to see queers in the middle of the anti-war movement,white queer men supporting immigrant rights,in the reparations movement,and in trade union struggles is a positive indication that there`s more to queer politics than just a narrow gay agenda.We aren`t all white,male,upwardly mobile nipple-ponies prancing around at JRs every night.We are everywhere.

I agree. I hate Gay Inc.!!!!! But, as you stated, it is the price of going mainstream which is a part of our success. I mean, let's face it, for right reasons or self interest, Walmart now offers domestic partnership benefits. For Gay workers at Walmart this is a good thing. But, like regular workers at Walmart they still get screwed in other ways. I also agree that our struggles are connected to militarism, patriarchy, and racism. Also, yes, I do see the Gay white men too amongst all the other Queer people in the marches and demos. I just wish we had a more visible presence, as a group, here in DC.

First of All, Tiranog, all your answers were Bland and Gray.

Tiranog, before I begin, I was not comparing gay people to criminals through the Emerson quotation, rather I was applying the final line of the quotation to the gay movement --> "General ends are somehow answered." Meaning that even though criminals and close-minded people are running the show, society adapts to allow necessary changes vital its balance. Leaving the gay community aliented would simply breed an unbalanced and troubled society.

It is most definately taboo to be gay in our present society, but that is no sensical reason for public personalities to come out of the closet by making a huge deal out of it.

The gay "struggle" is not a STRUGGLE in the least, if anything its just a "SQUIRMING," a squirming to get being homosexual out from underground culture through the crack into society's mainstream bubble.

Simply through two words, "pride" and "struggle" one can see that the gay movement is becoming very full of itself, it needs to be understood, gay people want to be part of mainstream society, not the wierdos that live in the woods.

Therefore, think about where the gay movement is going, because if it keeps up this way, gay people will become so alienated and separated it will seem like a new human race.

Well Meekins, you are entitled to your opinion about my initial response being bland and gray. No problem. But, I can't help but think that you have no depth of understanding of what it is like to be Gay or even know Gay people and, yes, their struggle. Because it IS a struggle. And it IS a movement. And, yes, we should be proud. Proud that we have stood up to join the other liberation struggles in our society. Futhermore, what's it to you if a famous person comes out as being Gay? Why does that seem to bother you so much? In addition you state: "The gay "struggle" is not a STRUGGLE in the least, if anything its just a "SQUIRMING," a squirming to get being homosexual out from underground culture through the crack into society's mainstream bubble." Your description and "analysis" shows your ignorance and bias on this issue. You apparently have know knowledge of what it was like for Gay people prior to 1969. You have know idea of how people were suffocated by your beloved mainstream society. And if the Gay Pride Struggle is becoming full of itself it is no thanks to people like you. We should be proud. Look what we have accomplished without the help of people like you. Meekins, I guess this is where you throw in your two cents about Adam and Steve. Do yourself a favor and go to your public library and get a few books, not written by a Christian fundamentalist, about Gay liberation, THE STRUGGLE, AND GAY PRIDE.

Not Gay Bashing, Just a Though = Some of my best friends are black

Dear Sirs and Madaams,

You may have me confused and I feel estranged by your accusations on me of being anti-gay. My beliefs regarding homosexuality are not of key in this situation, as I have not in any way alluded to support or disaprove of homosexuality; if you say I am anti-gay you are generalizing and making mountains out of mole hills.

Nevertheless, it does not bother me that public personalities come out of the closet in the least. It only seems awkward that many public personalities must make a huge deal out of coming out.

Furthermore, if I were gay or a member of any other non-mainstream culture, I would live my life "PROUD" of who I am and maintain my SELF-ESTEEM. I would NOT give the mainstream the pleasure of asking for permission to live my life the way I want to, even furthermore I would not take a stand-offish attitude towards mainstream society.

The gay community, or more accurately "Gay Inc." would have the world believe that homosexuals are an oppressed people who have a struggle to fight. Gay Inc. comes across as the kid that was bullied all throughout highschool, and finally steps up to the bully (mainstream society). There is no such bully to gay people, only the STATUS QUO.

DEAL WITH THE STATUS QUO, Change It, and be happy --> No need to FLAUNT your homosexuality and show society "LOOK WE ARE HOMOSEXUAL, WE LIVE NEXT DOOR TO YOU, WE GO TO WORK WITH YOU"

The growing acceptance and visability of queer people in our society isn`t something we begged for,we took it.The stonewall rebellion initiated by drag queens and hustler boiz in response to a typical police raid, was the start.In San Francisco,the political power of queers in that city was won not at the ballot box but in the streets during the white night riots.Closet cases never did anything but slither along the edges of respectability and tolerated the legal sanctions that constrained our community.It was precisely the unassimilated and marginalized queers that broke through and started a proccess of change.The rigid division between strait and gay arose in tandem with the nuclear family,industrial society,and monopoly capitalism.During the late 60s,and early 70s,the black liberation and anti-war movements sparked other movements for self emacipation such as the women`s movement and the gay movement. But,every form of oppression can`t be reduced to economic factors,and even within the larger movements for social change patriarchy,homophobia,racism are still painfully obvious.
Personally,I`ve been out and about since 1972,and am both pleased and dismayed by the changes of the past thirtyone years. Glad that we have won certain things,sad that our community has forgotten where we came from, and how hard it was to get here.No one should live in a gender strait jacket,and the current assimilationist trend is just as confining as the old days before stonewall.I don`t identify with those who claim to speak for the community,we aren`t all affluent white men in our early twenties,with a proffessional job, condo,CD player,and fabulous boyfriend too.Most of us make less than our strait counterparts,still deal with discrimination,while dealing with the same shit everybody else deals with as well.

Thanks for your response, you answered my current concerns with precision.

Actually Meekins it seems like you only confirmed what you want to believe. Your statements do have an under current of anti-gay rhetoric and a basic lack of understanding of what you are talking about. By the way, the word "flaunting" which you used is a real red flag indicative of your discomfort with non-heterosexuals. Again, if you really really want to educate yourself on this issue go to the library and get a book not written by a Christian fundamentalist or contact PFLAG. But, I suspect you will not do that. Futhermore, "Gay Inc." refers to the gay owned businesses that make money off the Gay community and not the ones saying "we are oppressed!" Again, your lack of understanding shows itself.

Well you know what they say he who bitches must be him/herself. get over it guy we are every where