tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311425.post1461575472647653609..comments2012-01-18T19:11:18.887-08:00Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10082164332880198884noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311425.post-365012158672822382012-01-18T19:11:18.887-08:002012-01-18T19:11:18.887-08:00Gay rights advocates deserve some pride for their successes.<br /><br />I thoroughly agree, and would like to add something that&#39;s oft overlooked.<br /><br />The gay community came to terms with itself. Some say it &quot;grew up,&quot; others say the AIDS crisis forced it to re-evaluate priorities. I don&#39;t care what excuse is used.<br /><br />I can remember being shunned and castigated for being a parent, that was practically worse than being a PWA. The stereotypes were embraced - I knew several men who would never dare admit they liked to watch football. The list goes on.<br /><br />Like the movement itself, there were pioneers in the community who demanded to be treated for who they were, not who they were &quot;supposed&quot; to be. I like the changes. Now, the hiking club coexists alongside the drag communtiy. The fear of parenting has evolved into the joy of parenting. These are but a few examples.<br /><br />I think a lot of these internal changes solidified the foundation on which we stood when lobbying for societal changes. Now here we are, slowly but surely achieving marriage equality. Forward!<br /><br />There is still much to be done within our community. Transgendered people still face terrible obstacles, both from within and without our community. Elderly gays, disabled gays - we still have a lot of work to do.<br /><br />So we will. Forward!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com