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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 4, 2010)
WA2 WWW JU STOUT COM JUNE 4 2010 VO ICES .With Pride Comes Sex/ Shorts Pride, for me, is like the Gay New Year. I can define much o f my gay existence in pre- and post-Pride terms. Is it because it’s sort of an unofficial start to summer? Because I love seeing so much queer in one place? Maybe I indulge in so much celebrating, it just feels momentous? (A close friend mentioned, “You barely survive Pride every year.” But, I do sur vive.) Pondering the imminent Gay New Year prompted some pre-Pride musings. W e’ve kind of let “pride” become a nasty little word. And we’ve watched it— slowly but surely—define stereotypes, determine percep tions and in some ways, splinter the queer movement (pro- and anti-Pride), not to men- ^ tion exacerbate our separation from society at large. Inside our movement (make no mistake, it is a movement), we argue about who’s the more enlightened gay, who has a monopoly on truth. In the interim, Pride has become synonymous with, say, popular gay clubs, drag shows and dominant gay rights groups— ar guably, mainstream queer culture. We battle ourselves over seemingly basic issues: marriage, adoption, serving. Age, race and class (for starters) work to divide us— and who can blame us, really? W e’ve spent the better part of post-Stonewall, post-M ilk days mustering the wherewithal to simply survive. To top it off, many facets of society at large find Pride “troubling.” O ur celebration be comes the object of bitter vitriol and raised N§2» A i > / b y D a i l i e l ) LADY ABOUT TOWN EB o r g e n The Pride flag —the symbol, of its root —embodies open ness and diversity. ... It's empowering, uplifting and yes. loud and in your face —but it doesn’t have to be a point of contention or exclusion. eyebrows. How should we cope? New rule: dissing the rainbow is like flip ping off your grandmother, so don’t. Yes, it’s bright and yes, some adorn themselves far too gaudily in it. (Do you need 11 rainbow stick ers on the back of your Subaru Outback?) O f course I value what counterculture offers; I fervently contend we must embrace and take seriously ideas outside of our minority’s main stream hive mind. The Pride flag— the symbol, at its root—embodies openness and diversity. I used to recoil at the rainbow’s flamboyance and garishness. I don’t recoil anymore. I t’s empowering, uplifting and yes, loud and in your face—but it doesn’t have to be a point o f contention or exclusion. No movement got anywhere by sitting quietly with its collective arms folded, hoping to blend in, donned in dulls and grays. New rule: enough shit-talking; let’s respect differences inside our movement. We certainly don’t have to be friends with everyone (hello, have you met me}), but we can find common ground even when we start from vastly dif ferent points. Some younger, more radical queers— and hell, some older, less radical ones— aren’t interested in marriage. And they might argue that those fixated on marriage rights aren’t concerned with supporting radi cal activism. No, marriage equality isn’t the end-all, be-all o f the queer movement— nor should it be. Nor should be repealing “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” But it’s logical to forge a fundamental base, our movement’s new starting point. Once we establish elemental equalities, we muster a be ginning from which we can more effectively address other systematic oppression— race/ class/able-ness issues, for example. L et’s lis ten to each other and find common causes. If gay rights organizations don’t address your particular concern, make them listen. Make your voice be heard. O ur leaders listen with sympathetic, empathetic ears. New rule: don your sexiest short shorts and embrace Pride’s excesses. People, it’s a time to celebrate, a time when disparate queers from all walks o f life come together. Perhaps it is a study in extremes. Parades, bars, dancing, house parties, bears, drag queens, dykes on bikes, scantily clad gym gods and goddesses. If the mainstream criticizes you, ask, “How was that last bachelorette’s party with your college pals? O r M ardi Gras?” Pride’s excesses may seem gratuitous at times, but th at’s pre cisely the point. Reveling doesn’t make anyone a boring queer clone. And who cares if Aunt Bev is horrified by your short shorts? Shrug off incomprehension, hike ‘em higher and let go. I t’s Pride— these are your people, this is your movement. New rule: appreciate our progress. From the suburbs to the cities, from queer families to queer singles, from gay mayors to gay sena tors, from bright rainbows to black-and-white ones representing new queer perspectives, we’ve come a hell o f a long way since we first christened that colorful arch. Look around, marvel at our progress— because before we know it, we’ll be hunkered down, fighting for our very survival again. W ith all that in mind, I don’t think a few days celebrating the Gay New Year is too much utopia to demand for one weekend. Questions? Concerns? A lady remains at the ready: danielborgen@gmail.com. SU STA IN AB LE • A F F O R D A B L E • C R A F T S M A N S H IP V _ Our experienced Craftsmen Provide: • Uncompromising Quality • • Personal Friendly Service • • Timely & Efficient Project Completion • Our Commitment to Sustainability: • Eco-Friendly Materials • Reuse, Repair, and Recycle • • Supporting Local Products & Businesses • • Energy Efficiency • Indoor Air Quality • Water Conservation • www.eworksnw.com 503.719.6715 CUSTOM BU ILD • R EM O D ELIN G • HAN DYM AN SER V IC ES C C B # 1 85 781 WA« E N V I R W N 9 0 6 C S
