A-LISTS think about it by william e. kelly
PRIDE 2011
DEFINING, CELEBRATORY, DEFIANT AND FORWARD LOOKING?
Once again, annual Pride events are being planned all
over the world, and it is a time to consider the dedicated generations of men and women who made this possible. As a new generation picks up the torch outgoing war- riors pass to them, the burning desire for equality and respect has never shined more brightly. We have much to rejoice and future generations have much yet to do. Ever so slowly, the terms of disdain, hate, disgust
and venomous condemnation have been rendered unacceptable and powerless. Justice wavers but finds it’s own equilibrium as right trumps might and truth overtakes ignorance. One by one, we continue to break down barriers that hinder our individual pursuits of happiness as we define and share who we are as people. More than at any time in our turbulent history, we define ourselves without sacrificing or hiding our sexual prefer- ence and gender identity or allowing others to limit what we achieve. Even so, many still remain threatened within their
own communities. Minorities continue to struggle for freedom and security as we and they battle internal prejudices, ignorance and unreasoned fears by which we justify injustices inflicted on those perceived as unacceptable or “different”. Minorities within our own LGBT communities - transsexuals, transvestites, seniors and any number of sub-groups compose the broader LGBT community. This month, “JUST THINK ABOUT IT” asks questions common to us all. Who, what and where are we? What defines us? Who defines us? Where are we headed and how do we get there? Previous generations provided guideposts to help
us reach the destination of acceptance and respect as people who happen to be gay, not because we are gay. As we journey forward, there are many complex ques- tions to resolve. Those planning future strategies and
32 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2011
next steps need the help of each of us. United we stand or divided we fall has never rung more truthfully. In the past, we have unintentionally handed our foes a tool box full of exaggerated images and words that promoted ignorance, disrespect, prejudice and injustice. To beat them at their own game, we need to counter with strong representations that accentuate our commonality with families, neighbors, co-workers and “friends”. Focusing only on our real or perceived differences is
a trap that can only widen the abyss of ignorance and abuse. We must examine the messages we send to na- tions where beatings, stoning, torture and hangings are considered morally justified. If we analyze the treatment of people who happen to be gay inside our community with the same critical eye we keep on those beyond it, would we conclude that we are sending the intended message? We exist in a time like no other in which it is possible
for more of us to be open with others and ourselves. Closet doors are swinging off their hinges. Let us use that power to celebrate and show who we are. We can be delightfully outrageous in our defiant demonstration of Pride, and it is great fun to temporarily set aside far harsher realities for more unifying truths. However, we must be empowered to do better; let us rejoice in our commonality by including all of its diversity, and not just our sexual identification and preferential differences.
Would doing so be a sell out? Does it have to mean that we ape or replicate heterosexual behavior and forsake our identity? Really? If acceptance, understanding and respect are things
we demand of others, should we not reciprocate, and if so, how? Is being free to pursue happiness reserved for any particular race, gender, sexual preference, religious affiliation, political party, ideology or philosophy? If so, who among us is qualified to anoint them as the chosen ones? Does our skin, language, political party or the events we attend solely classify us? Are we defined by whom we choose to devote our lives to, our appear- ance, education, wealth or perceived importance? Does whom we sleep with, what we eat, how we dress, drink or who we share time with make us any more or less likely to be responsible contributing citizens? The human race does not thrive in a one-size-fits-all bubble. There is no combination of variables that consistently identifies any of us as compassionate, caring, respectful, honest, and trustworthy, friend or foe. Would we gain or lose by treating others as we ask to be treated? What if we could show mutual respect and compassion for all beings? Are we capable and willing to show tolerance and understanding to others at the caliber we demand of them? Let us neither define nor be defined by what we are but rather by who we are. Who we are makes a real difference. THINK ABOUT IT.
“One by one, we continue to break down barriers to our individual pursuits of happiness as we define and share who we are as people.
”
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