2007 Columbus Gay Ohio Pride
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GENDER IS OVER-RATED
At a recent family affair, my philistine cousin was complaining about the gay sex shops in the West Village. He recently moved to New York and finds the openly gay culture "offensive" and "abrasive." Feeling the need to defend the gay community (and being bisexual myself), I said, "Intolerance is rooted in fear. Maybe you’re afraid that one day you’ll be attracted to a guy." His response: "If the guy had breasts and didn’t have a penis and looked like a woman, then maybe I would." He could have been describing a transsexual. "You see how gender is irrelevant?" I said. Ignoring my point, he reiterated his heterosexual pride: "I just want everyone to be like me. Fuck you." Of course I wanted to slap him, but I found enlightenment in his insulting comments. My cousin is an extreme example of the human tendency to perceive gender as a fixed state of being, attached to expected qualities and behaviors.
Gay And Proud
Twenty-five years ago, they were a small group gathered behind the Old State House, staking out a claim for gay pride, but uncertain and scared about what might happen at this rally. Masks were handed out to those who feared repercussions - would they be fired, evicted, attacked if their identities were known? Some watched from cars, wanting to take part, but afraid to be seen.
Richard Stillson remembers what it was like for him: He was just beginning to come out. He had been in a heterosexual relationship and was starting to question his sexuality. He had recently arrived in Connecticut for graduate school and knew no one, so he didn't fear others seeing him. However, taking part in the rally was a big step for him.
"It was my first public appearance," said Stillson.
Church Backs Anti-Gay Firefighters
LONDON, UK - The Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow said on Friday that he is backing the nine firefighters who were disciplined for refusing to hand out fire safety leaflets during a gay pride rally.
Strathclyde fire service said it had taken action against the firefighters who refused to give out "community fire safety advice" at the Pride Scotia festival in June.
"All nine will undergo a further intensive course of diversity training," the force said in a statement. "Their refusal was a fundamental breach of one of their core responsibilities."
However, Archbishop Mario Conti said he was concerned about what had happened and expressed solidarity with their actions, adding neither the officers' competency and commitment had not been questioned.
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