It is interesting that when a person comes out all of these environmental factors try and step in the way and cause havoc. Why is it that something so personal in nature gets people who are not like us up in such a tizzy? The types of people who are bothered by my existence speak as if they know what it is like to be LGBT. Of course they are always wrong and generalize everyone around a few bigoted ideals of who THEY believe we are and what THEY believe we stand for. These types of people speak as if they know how to right all of the wrongs in the world just by pushing all of us off to some remote location where we don't have to be seen or heard from again. Never once do they look at themselves. Coming out makes you an "Insta-activist", I guess, because you will no doubt find yourself defending your mere existence, this can be good or bad depending on who you are. Some may say, well don't come out then and you won't have any problems. To that I say, how would you like to lie about everything you think and feel and do? Most would cave under the pressure in one way or another. As a human being, if I am not hurting anyone but living loudly in my own joy, a joy which I see spreads out onto others daily in my own world... friends, family, loved ones, workmates... what business is it to those who don't know me? It's not like I associate with them, it's not like they have to associate with me... but at the same time it's only the people who truly don't know me who seem hell-bent on hurting me or people like me. To counter that I have had to come out and become a part of the world around me and fight for what little I have. I had no choice in the matter because when I stayed quiet I ended up losing some part of myself. Coming out has many important benefits for a person's mental health and well-being. I do realize not everyone is in a safe position to come out or is old enough to make important life decisions to keep them safe... to them I say, do what you need to do until you find yourself in that safe position. However, it has this trickle down effect of helping those around you too. Those who feel like they're the only one and alone. Our community used to meet in the shadows, now we have LGBT activists, youth organizations and our own political and religious organizations, our own doctors and lawyers and service providers. After these people came out they were able to network with others like them to allow the next generation a safe place to be free and live in their joy. We should be thanking those who came before who were strong enough to face what they did to gaurantee us what we have now. We are nowhere near finished yet. Some of the most popular threads in this Gay forum are meant to demean and degrade, ridicule and shame LGBT people. I have read some strong voices of advocation for us. To these people I say thank you. I hope we can stand together in our joy and not allow this forum to be a platform for bigots.
i was never an "insta activist" in that i did not wake up one morning decideing to fight for the understanding of the things i believe in( i have always been that way). but i see what you mean and though i agree with you that we have with our theory of a glbt alliance squished ourselves further into a stereotype i still find that simple awareness to a teen or adult "coming out " can be an invaluable resource
I think this depends hugely on the culture you come out in. I'd elaborate, but I think I hear the grammar police coming to get me.
Whereas here, pretty much no-one gave a shit, which was pretty much what I'd hoped for. I never felt like I was fighting for my rights or anything. But I understand that it is different in other places, and from what I've heard things across the pond are developing in entirely the wrong direction.
