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| Gays won’t bite you |
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| Written by Cady McCowin -Argonaut | ||||||
| Tuesday, 11 October 2005 | ||||||
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I love gays. I think they’re fabulous, wonderful, super-fantastic. On a spring break trip to San Francisco, a close friend told me he was gay. We had spent ridiculous amounts of time together in college, but I never, ever thought he was gay. In fact, when he told me he was, I laughed it off and called him an a-hole. Before then, I’d never really had exposure to gay people. Sure, some of the guys I went to high school with have since come out of the closet, but I didn’t know then that I knew anyone who was gay. During that time, gays were always a mystery to me. I knew about the “flaming fairy gay-boy” and “bull dyke” stereotypes from popular media. I knew that people uncomfortable with homosexuality were afraid that homosexuals would try to hit on them. But I didn’t know what real gays were like. Turns out they’re pretty much just like everyone else. So far, I’ve found that gay people are a lot of fun, and usually don’t fall into the stereotypes our culture sets up for them. Of the three gay men I’m friends with, two are in stereotypical professions (hairdressing and ballet dancing), but none are “flamers” or “fairies,” or particularly effeminate. Of the four lesbians I know, not a single one could be classified as a “bull dyke,” and they are all feminine. In my experiences with gays of both genders, I have never seen or been subjected to unwanted advances. In fact, while it seems impossible for me to shake the unwanted attention of various skeezos at the bar, I’ve never seen a gay person continue to hit on someone who’s made it obvious that he’s straight and not interested. When I found out my close friend was gay, that didn’t change our relationship. Sure, we talk about hot guys now, but mostly we just hang out and do the same things we used to do. In fact, the only real difference between my friendships with gay men and with straight men is a little bit of hair, makeup, clothing and boy talk. And they’re the only male friends I have who can really tell me I’m sexy. It’s nice to know that they’re saying it because I am, and not because they want to get into my pants. Today, some University of Idaho students may have their first exposure to gays. It’s National Coming Out Day and gay students may take this opportunity to tell their friends and loved ones about their sexual orientation. I have one piece of advice to offer anyone who might find out that a friend or loved one is gay: Remember, that person is still the same person he was before you knew he was gay. The things you liked about him before you knew he was gay will not change now that you do know, and he is not going to try to jump your bones if you’re the same sex. UI’s Gay Straight Alliance celebrates National Coming Out Day all week. GSA members are handing out pink triangles — a Nazi symbol the gay rights movement has reclaimed as a pride symbol — in the Idaho Commons today that people can wear in support of their gay friends and loved ones. (Pink clothing is a suggested alternative.) If you have gay friends or loved ones, take some time this week to thank them for having the courage to stand up and be their true selves. If you have pink clothing, wear it. I will be.  Add as favorites (20) | Views: 926
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