New Years Day we went to a holiday open house hosted by one of the boyfriend's long time friends. It was a fun party and what was perhaps most striking to me was the fact that few, if any, of the men in attendance fit the public stereotype of what gay men look like. The talent of some of the individuals was also amazing - our host has an addition to his house in which he has built his own pipe organ. As he and others played the organ, another guest alternated between playing a harp and a flute as we were all serenaded with classical music and carols. It was pretty amazing. This thought brings me to a post that James Hipps has up at Gay Agenda with which I very much agree. Although I have been taken to task by long time activists for advocating that others come out of the closet since I was long closeted myself, I believe that what James talks about does matter and make a difference. Here are some highlights:*
Often I have stressed the importance of being out. Whether you’re a celebrity, professional athlete or Joe plumber, if you’re part of the LGBT community, coming out and being out is of huge importance.
*
I remember the process well and know first hand it takes a lot of strength and courage. When we come out in the workplace, we risk losing our income. When we come out to family, we risk losing them too. We risk being beaten or murdered. We set ourselves up for verbal and/or physical abuse. But, as one who has been fired for being gay, I know the ultimate outcome is well worth the trade-off.
*
But it’s not simply about being here and being queer, it really has more to do with other’s perceptions. When we do come out, we demonstrate the ‘normalcy’ of being LGBT. We allow people to see us as human, and we break the stereotypes which are reinforced by media and are so often detrimental to our equality.
*
But, just in case you don’t believe me let’s take a look at the facts. According to a post on the NY Times:
*
There are currently at least 445 openly gay and lesbian people holding elected office in the United States, up from 257 eight years ago, according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a political group that supports gay candidates.
*
and…
*
The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago has been polling people since 1973 about whether homosexual behavior is morally wrong. In 1973, 73 percent of the people polled described it as always wrong and only 11 percent as “not wrong.” By 2006, those saying homosexuality was “always wrong” had dropped to 56 percent, and 32 percent said it was not wrong.
*
Why the change in attitudes towards homosexuality…well as also stated in the post:
*
One reason for the shift in attitudes, some political scientists contend, is a rising number of gays acknowledging their sexual preference openly in various walks of life, from workers on factory floors to Hollywood stars.
*
This is why being out is so important. Tell your neighbors, tell you co-workers, tell the person that rings up your groceries every week at the store. The more people know of us, the less they will fear us, and the more they will accept us.
*
Will there be those who want to hit you over the head with the Bible…of course. That’s a battle you can choose to take or not. Will some people dislike you, yes! But those are not people you really want or need in your life anyway. But as long as you are matter of fact about it, you will be representing a movement toward equality.
*
I leave you with this for the ’straight’ people who don’t know you. Whether you know it or not, someone you love is gay. Whether you know them or not, someone gay is fighting for right from which we will all benefit!
*
I remember the process well and know first hand it takes a lot of strength and courage. When we come out in the workplace, we risk losing our income. When we come out to family, we risk losing them too. We risk being beaten or murdered. We set ourselves up for verbal and/or physical abuse. But, as one who has been fired for being gay, I know the ultimate outcome is well worth the trade-off.
*
But it’s not simply about being here and being queer, it really has more to do with other’s perceptions. When we do come out, we demonstrate the ‘normalcy’ of being LGBT. We allow people to see us as human, and we break the stereotypes which are reinforced by media and are so often detrimental to our equality.
*
But, just in case you don’t believe me let’s take a look at the facts. According to a post on the NY Times:
*
There are currently at least 445 openly gay and lesbian people holding elected office in the United States, up from 257 eight years ago, according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a political group that supports gay candidates.
*
and…
*
The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago has been polling people since 1973 about whether homosexual behavior is morally wrong. In 1973, 73 percent of the people polled described it as always wrong and only 11 percent as “not wrong.” By 2006, those saying homosexuality was “always wrong” had dropped to 56 percent, and 32 percent said it was not wrong.
*
Why the change in attitudes towards homosexuality…well as also stated in the post:
*
One reason for the shift in attitudes, some political scientists contend, is a rising number of gays acknowledging their sexual preference openly in various walks of life, from workers on factory floors to Hollywood stars.
*
This is why being out is so important. Tell your neighbors, tell you co-workers, tell the person that rings up your groceries every week at the store. The more people know of us, the less they will fear us, and the more they will accept us.
*
Will there be those who want to hit you over the head with the Bible…of course. That’s a battle you can choose to take or not. Will some people dislike you, yes! But those are not people you really want or need in your life anyway. But as long as you are matter of fact about it, you will be representing a movement toward equality.
*
I leave you with this for the ’straight’ people who don’t know you. Whether you know it or not, someone you love is gay. Whether you know them or not, someone gay is fighting for right from which we will all benefit!
1 comment:
56% still say it's always wrong. We have along way to go.
Post a Comment