To Those That Just Sit Back and Stay Safe

Recently, I came across a person who described why they just sit back, play it safe, and let other people stand up instead. These people exist in the gay community, and therefore it is definitely part of our gay culture. In some more rural areas or midwestern areas, these segments of the gay population are in the majority.

This is exactly why there will continue to be no visible or invisible community effort in these areas. The fact that these people oftentimes frame the reason for not attending protests around their circle of friends not attending protests is information indicative of where they focus in interpersonal relationships as well as to what they feel they must deserve in life.

Until these groups are willing to stand up for themselves and screw their circle of friends and what the people and the public might think of their actions, then this community will remain in the dark ages and the socially conservative agenda of the religious right will become their reality. It's most assuredly sad but true that if these people cannot stand up for themselves, their own life, and their own rights, that the rest of the gay community surrounding them will be harmed by their inability to act.

I have heard from this group of people within the gay community that doing something simple, that draws no attention to themselves, and takes little time or effort is the preferred method for inacting change. The reason this approach is likely to have little impact is because of two words, NO ATTENTION. An effort against a governmental body simply will not be effective when it garners no attention.

This appears to be a mindset based in fear of reprisal or being alone in their efforts. That's why doing something important and vital for yourself and for others is not easy to do. This community simply does not have the guts to stand up for itself because of a host of reasons. It is with hope that this portion of the gay community is not to the detriment of all the wonderful people that do take a stand.

I do want to take the moment to say how wonderful the upstanding members of our community truly are that take the effort and the risk to stand up for not only themselves but the rest of the community. Their efforts usually go without thanks or recognition from the community. I applaude each and every one of those wonderful souls that have taken the opportunity to stand up for us all.

It is unfortunate that the majority of our gay community don't have even 10% of the guts of this determined group of individuals. I might not agree with them, but my agreement isn't what is important. What is important is that these individuals stand up for themselves, for their view point, no matter what.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer