Pay A Lot of Attention to the Men Behind the Curtain

Just to dispense with a pretense that may be held by newly out or
younger people who find themselves pursuing a place in the 'gay
community;' There really is not such a beast in existence.

Sure, there are a couple thousand devoted, hard-working, insightful
folks of all races, age, beliefs who represent all the rainbow of queer
and are looking out for equality for everyone. And then there are
several million noxious, self-serving, addicted, bar-hopping body nazis
who are as shallow as the day is long. The latter's objectives include
being catty and getting their dicks sucked.

I'm aware of the horror stories of growing up gay that produce such
people, but there are times when you have to deal with bottom lines,
and everybody has a sob-story, sister!

Just like in the 'real world,' there are good and bad aspects in everyone,
and frankly because of the damage we suffer in life, our group has more
than its fair share of damaged goods, and not a lot in place to make sure
that those basic needs are being addressed.

There's a lot of division, a lot of factionalism, a lot of marginalization.
A lot of lacking promotion of safe sex, of emotionally-healthy sex, of
mutual respect. The emphasis is on fun and abandon and consumerism
and a market, rather than community-building, shared interests, and
coalition-building. Politics and social reform are an after-thought to many.


The Transport Group Theatre Company does the classic "Boys in the Band"

Pretending it's a perfect party, for the presentation to the outside world,
may seem like a unified show of support, but it keeps the necessary changes
and developments from taking place. Criticism allows for transformation.

And casting the spell of one big happy family just sets the new guys up
for a fall. And let's face it; the new guys' best interests are not at the heart
of most of the selfish agendas I see.

**************************************************