OK, before you all throw me off the planet, I'm not saying that there shouldn't be a gay community but I'm having my doubts calling myself a part of it.
Whenever I hear someone talk about any kind of community (like the black community etc.) the first word that comes into my mind is "separation". I feel that as soon as you call yourself a member of a community based on your race, sexual orientation or whatever your minority is, you automatically separate yourself from the global community.
I was raised to be non-judgmental and non-political and I managed (or still am working on it) to overlook any personal traits and look at everyone as a human being. In my eyes there are no communities, there are only people with different or similar (cultural) backgrounds.
Having said that, I don't believe that we need to hold on to the community while we're told to be unique cause it's giving me a headache at some point. There should be support from all over the place, no matter who or what you are. I mean, we are striving for equality after all.
I don't know why we need a flag and why we need a pride parade and all that nonsense that freaks out every homophobe within close proximity. I know that we have to be heard to make a difference but we can do that without becoming obnoxious drama queens.
Do you feel part of the gay community (as it is displayed with all bells and whistles) or not and if yes, why do you think there has to be one?
When you can walk down the street holding hands with the same sex partner that you're married too, and you have equality in every shape form and fashion that your parents have, then you can leave your "minority status" behind.
When we give in to what "they" want, without getting anything in exchange except "more of the same" then what do you/we gain?
Isn't THAT one of the reasons WHY you/we/I come out of the closet in the first place?
To show the "homo-phobes" both at work and within our families, that we're the same but
NOT equal?
If we're equal, then we wouldn't be having this conversation.
The "community," with all of it's faults, would be nothing more than a "self-imposed-ghetto" if we leave it behind because we can't see immediately what it all means, and how
we related to it.
But we're more than that!
We're family, and friends, and coworkers, and neighbors, and LOVED ones, who currently do not share the same "status" minority or otherwise with the rest of our friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and society.
I get what you're saying, I just don't believe that WE'RE there yet.
I've always laughed whenever I heard some "right-wing-nut" proclaim, "THEY JUST WANT SPECIAL RIGHTS!"
What's so special about wanting to be treated as an equal?
A "special right" IMO, is a right given to those who have all the rights.
But you're right.
We may not even need a "gay community." Eventually "gay" may actually become something that "we are," but someone has to be around to remind them about the "house-cleaning" that they need to do legally to clean up the "homophobic/political/get-out-the-evangelical-vote legislative crap that's been passed to make us second-class citizens.
Not "separate but equal" mind you, but "not worthy of consideration."
Anyway, that's my two cents on the issue.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
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