Whats a gay community? Are you proud? Am I dreaming?

[hotdog1846]

<analogy2>The gay community is there, whether you take part in it or not. Sure, it's got its covens of assholes, its rabid political separatists, its weird customs and unpleasant nooks and crannies of ugliness... same as any other community. But just because you don't get what you want from it doesn't mean that it's not there.

I've had that frustration myself.

Sometimes, I've wished the gay community was entirely composed of people just like me. It's about affirmation and validation. If lots of other gay guys are just like me, then it's OK, isn't it? And what's with all these weirdos and freaks? If all these gay people are just a bunch of weirdos and freaks, then I'm a weirdo and freak, right?

I like your choice of the rainbow backdrop under that incredibly hot hunk of manflesh, with that gorgeous boner-inducer ass, narrow hips, wide shoulders, V-shaped torso, .... mmmm ... uh ... what was I saying?

Oh yes.



The symbolism of the rainbow flag. We're all different, save one respect: we're all different from the norm. We're the exception to the rule. We all know the feelings of social rejection, religious persecution and misunderstanding, and the difficulty of finding other like-minded people.

That's the community I seek out at times. Sometimes I even give something back. And I'm still glad it's there.

 

[drhladnjak]

Excellent post Robert~Marlénè!

 

[NickCole]

I think gay pride and the gay community are things we notice if we need them, and otherwise they exist --like other support structures-- without our awareness. When I first came out I couldn't have cared less about those things. I was just happy to be out and dating men.

When AIDS happened and the Reagan Republicans ignored our need and the early version of BushRepublicans came after us with God Hates Fags stuff, and my own family and straight friends didn't want to hear about AIDS and my gay friends who were dying, that's when I first started marching in Pride Parades and immersed myself in the gay community. I needed it -- and it needed me and all other gays.

Today I'm barely cognizant of a gay community or gay pride --my community and my sense of pride comes from the life I've built and my partner and our friends and neighbors. But the gay community probably thrives on for those who need it now -- no doubt as wonderful and frustrating as it ever was.