For some reason today while I was in the Johnson Center eating, I started contemplating the diversity of the school. I know I have touched on this in previous postings, but I wandered off into deep thought. As mentioned, Mason is a school of all colors and creeds. That being said, there are some nationalities that hold prejudice beliefs. Perhaps a generalization, but Jamaicans, for example, do not view homosexuality in a positive light. However, they are here at campus. Diverse doesn't necessarily mean liberal. Diverse just means different, variety, an array of conglomerated experiences.
That being said, diversity is closely related to minority. The different groups that make up Mason are mostly minorities on the national scale. Gays are a minority--a suggested ten percent of the overall population. How then, are we supposed to secure our minority rights among the remaining ninety percent? I believe, and I am sure that many will agree, that coming out as gay is the road to take.
Just look around today. There are so many more people who are out compared to, say, ten years ago. It is wonderful for me to see. When gay men and women let the world know who they are, and get to know them better, it helps to break down prejudices. If more people knew a gay person, then they might change their opinion of homosexuals. They will realize that they are the same as they are. Of course, for all the gays reading this blog, what I am saying is old hat.
The gay population is small and we need allies to accomplish what we need to accomplish. 30 million people is far from the majority of the American population, and if we are to sway the majority of our legislatures, we must get the heterosexual population to better understand who we are. I know many gay folks, most of my friends included, who hang out with a predominantly gay group. Now, saving heterosexual women (who seem to be our greatest allies) we must befriend more of the straight male population. I must say, I love my girls, but when it comes down to being friends with a straight male, it can be quite rewarding.
I have two wonderful friends, Jason and Ben, who are both hetero. Jason and I were best friends throughout high school and we lived together for a while. I was terrified when I was 18 and decided to come out to him. I didn't wanna lose his friendship. Eventually the secret came out behind my back. I knew his was mad at me, but I didn't realize why. He was mad because I didn't tell him first. He couldn't have cared less that I liked guys. We are still close to this day (his younger brother and I dated for a while =)>. Ben is a little bit of a different story. We have only gotten closer since I came to Mason. He is a bit metrosexual himself. He is the closest thing to gay without actually liking guys. The point is, guys will accept gays if they actually know one. It is mainly those who have no gay friends that have negative things to say.
If you come out, though it seems like a daunting task, it will only make you feel better. Sometimes people fear what their friends and family think of them. There are plenty of people who would react badly at first, but it is assuredly better than having to live a lie. Coming out will also help breakdown the walls that exist among certain groups, such as the Jamaicans that I mentioned earlier. Instead of keeping the idea of homosexuals removed from daily life, being out and about will help make the issue real.
We cannot succeed without allies. The world heading toward acceptance, but we still have a long journey ahead. It would be nice if we can brings friends.
Making Love in the Club
0 comments
So last night officially began the weekend. Though I spent it eating Haagen Dazs, about which I cannot complain, I would have liked to have gone to the club. I mean, there is plenty of time to eat ice cream through the week. Clubs, at least the good clubs, are only in full operation on the weekends. So I thought to myself, why do I like going to the club so much? What is it that allures people to pack into a building full of drunk and sweaty folks? I think it must be a primal urge...
A little background info, a couple of weeks ago, I finally got the time to visit Apex in DC at a decent hour with a friend who loves to dance, like myself. I accidentally got drunk while I was there... the bartender gave me a drink that I didn't request and I couldn't refuse. It put me over the edge. It made the dancing so much better. The lights were playing tricks with my eyes... it was FABULOUS! I will admit though that I had a hard time dropping down low and sweeping the floor with it while keeping my balance, but I seriously had a great time.
The thing is, I haven't been since then. I haven't had the delight of staring at a go-go boy across the room while dancing to the latest Madonna remix. I am having withdraws! It truly is addictive. I have to bitch for just a second though: I despise when guys use the club as their sole outlet to getting laid. I understand that's the reason many people go, but it is a little skeezy. What ever happened to bumping into someone at a cafe and proposing a lunch date or catching a flick together? Does it always have to be drunk, dance, then get laid? I think that people should stop selling themselves short. It's a bit degrading, in my humble opinion.
I understand the urge, however. It is a very intense sexual experience, clubbing. You are surrounded by hot, sweaty, and half-naked guys--it is admittedly hard to resist, but there are other ways.
Bring your girls to the club and they will have a killer time and keep you focused on having fun. Folks bitch about having the 'fruit flies' at the club, but they are just there to have fun too. That being said, I guess I should get on the phone and try to get some of them on the line. It is my last weekend in the DC area before summer break. I've got to do something, it would be sinful not to go out without a party.
A little background info, a couple of weeks ago, I finally got the time to visit Apex in DC at a decent hour with a friend who loves to dance, like myself. I accidentally got drunk while I was there... the bartender gave me a drink that I didn't request and I couldn't refuse. It put me over the edge. It made the dancing so much better. The lights were playing tricks with my eyes... it was FABULOUS! I will admit though that I had a hard time dropping down low and sweeping the floor with it while keeping my balance, but I seriously had a great time.
The thing is, I haven't been since then. I haven't had the delight of staring at a go-go boy across the room while dancing to the latest Madonna remix. I am having withdraws! It truly is addictive. I have to bitch for just a second though: I despise when guys use the club as their sole outlet to getting laid. I understand that's the reason many people go, but it is a little skeezy. What ever happened to bumping into someone at a cafe and proposing a lunch date or catching a flick together? Does it always have to be drunk, dance, then get laid? I think that people should stop selling themselves short. It's a bit degrading, in my humble opinion.
I understand the urge, however. It is a very intense sexual experience, clubbing. You are surrounded by hot, sweaty, and half-naked guys--it is admittedly hard to resist, but there are other ways.
Bring your girls to the club and they will have a killer time and keep you focused on having fun. Folks bitch about having the 'fruit flies' at the club, but they are just there to have fun too. That being said, I guess I should get on the phone and try to get some of them on the line. It is my last weekend in the DC area before summer break. I've got to do something, it would be sinful not to go out without a party.
A Hot Tranny Mess
1 comments
Let me just start off my clearing the air--there is nothing better than sitting around a pint of Haagen-Dazs with the girls, absolutely nothing! Funny thing is, when you let your inner fat-bitch have her way, it seems that your inner intellectual decides to run her mouth. Ever have that happen to you?
Tonight my friend Liz and me decided that we needed a night on the town. Not the swanky kind, but the rather low-key dinner and drinks kind of thing. The drinks never happened (that's where the ice-cream came in) but we still felt at ease. Ben & Jerry's was closed, so we headed over to the supermarket and stocked up. Let me mention that Rum Raisin Haagen-Dazs is Christ incarnate, I promise you.
We decided that, being such a pleasant night, we should share the wealth under the stars. That being settled upon, we proceeded to find the neared cul-de-sac that included a park area in the center of the circle. This wasn't a challenging task as there are McMansions strewn about the city. For some reason, after settling down and digging-in, we started discussing the oddest topic--transgendered people.
Now, I won't disclose personal aspects of the conversation; however, we concluded that it must be an extremely difficult choice to make. Transgender individuals, especially pre-op transsexuals, have a difficult time finding someone to confide in and support them on their journey. It seems as though they have no home. They feel as though they aren't part of the gay community (despite having a letter on the marquee: GLBTQ), yet they don't quite fit in with straight culture either. Imagine not having a cultural home.
I am glad to be a part of the ever-expanding queer community. We have a total of FIVE letters now. I swear the gay community is eventually going to include everybody. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning. Eventually we are going to add people who have Looked at a person of the same gender. The point is, we are still a community, and many times, we forget that "T." We forget to support those who are by definition, just as queer as we are. Those who are making the decision to go under the knife to align their bodies with their souls are making a much bigger decision than any of us who have had to simply come out to our friends and family. They are adopting an entirely different lifestyle. I think it is time to share the love.
Even people in the gay community have odd feelings about people who wish to switch genders, but it shouldn't be like that. It is quite hypocritical to judge people when we are always yelling that we don't want to be judged. I suppose that is my point overall, love, don't judge. Hell, tear down that wall and hug a tranny! I am sure any support is good support.
Tonight my friend Liz and me decided that we needed a night on the town. Not the swanky kind, but the rather low-key dinner and drinks kind of thing. The drinks never happened (that's where the ice-cream came in) but we still felt at ease. Ben & Jerry's was closed, so we headed over to the supermarket and stocked up. Let me mention that Rum Raisin Haagen-Dazs is Christ incarnate, I promise you.
We decided that, being such a pleasant night, we should share the wealth under the stars. That being settled upon, we proceeded to find the neared cul-de-sac that included a park area in the center of the circle. This wasn't a challenging task as there are McMansions strewn about the city. For some reason, after settling down and digging-in, we started discussing the oddest topic--transgendered people.
Now, I won't disclose personal aspects of the conversation; however, we concluded that it must be an extremely difficult choice to make. Transgender individuals, especially pre-op transsexuals, have a difficult time finding someone to confide in and support them on their journey. It seems as though they have no home. They feel as though they aren't part of the gay community (despite having a letter on the marquee: GLBTQ), yet they don't quite fit in with straight culture either. Imagine not having a cultural home.
I am glad to be a part of the ever-expanding queer community. We have a total of FIVE letters now. I swear the gay community is eventually going to include everybody. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning. Eventually we are going to add people who have Looked at a person of the same gender. The point is, we are still a community, and many times, we forget that "T." We forget to support those who are by definition, just as queer as we are. Those who are making the decision to go under the knife to align their bodies with their souls are making a much bigger decision than any of us who have had to simply come out to our friends and family. They are adopting an entirely different lifestyle. I think it is time to share the love.
Even people in the gay community have odd feelings about people who wish to switch genders, but it shouldn't be like that. It is quite hypocritical to judge people when we are always yelling that we don't want to be judged. I suppose that is my point overall, love, don't judge. Hell, tear down that wall and hug a tranny! I am sure any support is good support.
This is the Big Gay Bang
0 comments
I was told that I should definitely start off my blog with a big gay bang. I take that to either get excited about something "cute" or just get down to the gossip and drama. I would rather blog about the gayest thing in my life, my friends.
Since I came to George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., I have gotten more and more comfortable with the diversity of the school. It's nice not having to walk around all day defending your lifestyle. There are plenty of queer folks around here, not to mention people of every other culture one could think of. If there are any "haters" around here, I guess they just have to get used to it.
One such person recently wrote to the school paper about how he believes that homosexuality is a mental illness; that when the APA took it off of their list, it was politically motivated. I dunno, but it starts making me feel the stares again. You know, the stares of people burning through you with judgmental eyes. I had almost forgotten what that feels like.
I am almost finished with the semester here. I transfered in as a Junior at the beginning of this semester. Because of the notorious cliquey-ness of the school, it was a rough start. Eventually I made some wonderful friends and started making this sleepy DC suburb finally feel like home.
Home. Home is a crazy concept. It is a concept that has different meanings to different people. The place where I grew up will probably always be Home (with the capital 'H'), but I find that it isn't hard for me to make a home wherever I go. Still, I am looking forward to the summer when I can finally go back to what I thought was normal, and now, of course, it will feel completely foreign. I get to see my two uber-gay friends, however, which is something I am lacking here. Though I friends here, one is a metrosexual, the others are girls. That's great, of course, a gay's gotta have his fruit flies, but there is nothing like fellow queer companionship! Fags Unite!
I am planning to have a wonderfully queer summer with my bestest-es Patrick and Zahk. I cannot wait to go Home. Actually being able to have a sleep-over and watch movies without having to worry about university rules is going to be great. Of course, in June we will be back here in DC for Gay Pride. If it is anything like what it was last year, it is going to be a FABULOUS time. Maybe I will see some of you shakin' at Apex or Town Danceboutique. Who knows who I may meet on my maiden voyage into the blogosphere, but I know one thing for sure, it's gonna be a gay ole time!
Since I came to George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., I have gotten more and more comfortable with the diversity of the school. It's nice not having to walk around all day defending your lifestyle. There are plenty of queer folks around here, not to mention people of every other culture one could think of. If there are any "haters" around here, I guess they just have to get used to it.
One such person recently wrote to the school paper about how he believes that homosexuality is a mental illness; that when the APA took it off of their list, it was politically motivated. I dunno, but it starts making me feel the stares again. You know, the stares of people burning through you with judgmental eyes. I had almost forgotten what that feels like.
I am almost finished with the semester here. I transfered in as a Junior at the beginning of this semester. Because of the notorious cliquey-ness of the school, it was a rough start. Eventually I made some wonderful friends and started making this sleepy DC suburb finally feel like home.
Home. Home is a crazy concept. It is a concept that has different meanings to different people. The place where I grew up will probably always be Home (with the capital 'H'), but I find that it isn't hard for me to make a home wherever I go. Still, I am looking forward to the summer when I can finally go back to what I thought was normal, and now, of course, it will feel completely foreign. I get to see my two uber-gay friends, however, which is something I am lacking here. Though I friends here, one is a metrosexual, the others are girls. That's great, of course, a gay's gotta have his fruit flies, but there is nothing like fellow queer companionship! Fags Unite!
I am planning to have a wonderfully queer summer with my bestest-es Patrick and Zahk. I cannot wait to go Home. Actually being able to have a sleep-over and watch movies without having to worry about university rules is going to be great. Of course, in June we will be back here in DC for Gay Pride. If it is anything like what it was last year, it is going to be a FABULOUS time. Maybe I will see some of you shakin' at Apex or Town Danceboutique. Who knows who I may meet on my maiden voyage into the blogosphere, but I know one thing for sure, it's gonna be a gay ole time!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)