Thank-you! Drag is fun and very entertaining. To be targeted like this in my time is abhorrent to me. Targeting all people in the LGBTQIA+ community is a political stunt to many states right now and as part of our community it pisses me off. They have no regard for my life and more importantly for our young people. I grew up with this back in the Stonewall age and it was very difficult. The fact that we are here again sickens me. I say loud and clear we’re not going anywhere. We’re here and Proud and alive.
I bet it was a fun night for everyone....you look fabulous!
Do any of us really fit neatly in to these categories that we don’t really get to choose...from afar I may be perceived as fitting in, after all, I’m white female, 66 years old, grew up in a relatively white washed society that I did not choose. It’s only part of my story. My heart dictates my belonging and even that is flawed by my experiences that would seem rather dull and uninteresting to many. It’s the categories that need to go no matter who you are or what your experience has been. When I read what you wrote I find myself longing to truly know and feel, at a more deep level, the experiences that queer and trans (or any label of “other” that exists) folks are faced with. I have great empathy for anyone’s suffering at the hands of another’s judgement especially this blatant hate that is thrown about and encouraged to be made into law. The idea of fitting in is foreign to me as well, but different than what you are describing here and I can see that it is different. Is it possible to be an ally and have good intentions but still not really know what to do to affect the bigger picture...that where I am. Teach me
It’s difficult to know what to do to affect the bigger picture, Eileen. For all of us. One of the best things we can do is start close to home. What’s happening in your community? Your city? Your state? The bigger picture, I think, is actually much smaller and more reachable than we think.
"'Maybe you're a straight person in their 60's or 70's who is fine with gay people being gay, so long as they don't get radical about it."
There are straight people of all ages who feel this way. Don't quite understand why mentioning a specific age group was relevant. I work in a wonderfully diverse and inclusive place and have seen new hires that don't work directly with me assume that I must be MAGA because of generational stereotyping since I'm older. . Wrong AF. I live in Florida. I get radical about everything. Excellent and insightful piece outside of that though
My experience in communities has showed me generational differences in how this issue is engaged. This perspective, be gay but not too radical, isn’t one I’ve seen equally present across age groups. I’ve seen it most present in the age group I referenced, though I know it’s not universally held by all people in their 60’s or 70’s, or exclusive to them.
For what it’s worth, I think it’s a discouraging and disempowering perspective, regardless of the age of the person who holds it.
It's not as if men dressing up as women is a new thing. In Shakespeare's time, there were no female actors, or there were VERY FEW of them. 'Respectable' people (aka high society and women) didn't mix with actors. So the female roles went to men. Drag has been with us for a helluva long time. Sadly, some jerks needed a SCAPEGOAT to distract people from what they are really doing....the gun owners keep their AK4whatevers, children, non-white, older folks keep dying. It's tyranny with a democratic twit.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Say it, scream it, sing it! Channel that anger! Keep being loud and we will make those that seek to silence the voices of LGBTQI+ listen and hear.
I remember years ago when I lived in NY and we'd go down to Greenwich village where all the "cool" people hung out. I was so young then and it didn't matter in that community. I was also very ignorant about how to handle my own naïveté.
Late to the party, but I've got the boots on! ...or rather, in my case, the swim trunks that confuse people and make me comfortable. Love this, Matt. Channel that everything. Honestly, I think drag, along with all queer art, makes the world better for *everybody*, no matter how straight they think they are. Possibility and creativity are what we're here for.
Thank-you! Drag is fun and very entertaining. To be targeted like this in my time is abhorrent to me. Targeting all people in the LGBTQIA+ community is a political stunt to many states right now and as part of our community it pisses me off. They have no regard for my life and more importantly for our young people. I grew up with this back in the Stonewall age and it was very difficult. The fact that we are here again sickens me. I say loud and clear we’re not going anywhere. We’re here and Proud and alive.
Thank you for recommending the book! I have placed a hold in my library for it. I'm saddened and angered by the way our country is going!
I bet it was a fun night for everyone....you look fabulous!
Do any of us really fit neatly in to these categories that we don’t really get to choose...from afar I may be perceived as fitting in, after all, I’m white female, 66 years old, grew up in a relatively white washed society that I did not choose. It’s only part of my story. My heart dictates my belonging and even that is flawed by my experiences that would seem rather dull and uninteresting to many. It’s the categories that need to go no matter who you are or what your experience has been. When I read what you wrote I find myself longing to truly know and feel, at a more deep level, the experiences that queer and trans (or any label of “other” that exists) folks are faced with. I have great empathy for anyone’s suffering at the hands of another’s judgement especially this blatant hate that is thrown about and encouraged to be made into law. The idea of fitting in is foreign to me as well, but different than what you are describing here and I can see that it is different. Is it possible to be an ally and have good intentions but still not really know what to do to affect the bigger picture...that where I am. Teach me
It’s difficult to know what to do to affect the bigger picture, Eileen. For all of us. One of the best things we can do is start close to home. What’s happening in your community? Your city? Your state? The bigger picture, I think, is actually much smaller and more reachable than we think.
Thank you…I will seek out local ways to contribute. It no longer feels like enough to passively wait for something to cross my path and then act.
I’m grateful for this uncomfortable feeling I’m having, I welcome with curiosity any change it brings
"'Maybe you're a straight person in their 60's or 70's who is fine with gay people being gay, so long as they don't get radical about it."
There are straight people of all ages who feel this way. Don't quite understand why mentioning a specific age group was relevant. I work in a wonderfully diverse and inclusive place and have seen new hires that don't work directly with me assume that I must be MAGA because of generational stereotyping since I'm older. . Wrong AF. I live in Florida. I get radical about everything. Excellent and insightful piece outside of that though
My experience in communities has showed me generational differences in how this issue is engaged. This perspective, be gay but not too radical, isn’t one I’ve seen equally present across age groups. I’ve seen it most present in the age group I referenced, though I know it’s not universally held by all people in their 60’s or 70’s, or exclusive to them.
For what it’s worth, I think it’s a discouraging and disempowering perspective, regardless of the age of the person who holds it.
It's not as if men dressing up as women is a new thing. In Shakespeare's time, there were no female actors, or there were VERY FEW of them. 'Respectable' people (aka high society and women) didn't mix with actors. So the female roles went to men. Drag has been with us for a helluva long time. Sadly, some jerks needed a SCAPEGOAT to distract people from what they are really doing....the gun owners keep their AK4whatevers, children, non-white, older folks keep dying. It's tyranny with a democratic twit.
Distract....bait......hook......
Yes. Yes. Yes. Say it, scream it, sing it! Channel that anger! Keep being loud and we will make those that seek to silence the voices of LGBTQI+ listen and hear.
Enchanted to meet you, Mia 🌟. Proud to be your friend, Matthew ♥️ .
I remember years ago when I lived in NY and we'd go down to Greenwich village where all the "cool" people hung out. I was so young then and it didn't matter in that community. I was also very ignorant about how to handle my own naïveté.
What song did u sing?
(u left me hanging)
I sang a couple, Chuck. ☺️ “I Will Survive,” a classic, and “Hold Back the River” by James Bay.
I love that song, I will survive!
No matter if you are gay, I still love you as a fan, do you said you are a fan page on Facebook?
Krissy
Just checking on you. Making sure you’re OK.
Late to the party, but I've got the boots on! ...or rather, in my case, the swim trunks that confuse people and make me comfortable. Love this, Matt. Channel that everything. Honestly, I think drag, along with all queer art, makes the world better for *everybody*, no matter how straight they think they are. Possibility and creativity are what we're here for.
❤️❤️❤️💃