My Theory on "The Gay Noughties"
Just saw that new special on VH1 on gay culture. Everywhere I turn these days, the talking heads and pundits are disecting and debating "the summer of the gays" or "the gay noughties" or some other completely ludicrous label for what they see as an emerging trend in pop culture.
I think the best thing for the gay community will be when the current "gay/lesbian fad" dies out. Y'see, here's my thinking: yeah, it's awesome that now gay is chic and as such is more widely accepted and whatnot. With every major trend, however, comes a backlash. In this case, a homophobic backlash. Also, the whole "gay culture" that's being marketed to the media is so artificial and self-conscious and not really about exploring sexuality at all, but about selling various items. Sort of "Coming out as informercial." Plus, all these right-wing types are just jumping all over themselves to restate their hopelessly outdated stances on gay marriage, teletubbies, etc. Hence, a fad or trend is a really dangerous snd explosive thing.
Now, on the other hand, a former craze seems far more palatable to middle America with its calmer, less in your face demeanor, and more honest to the people it actually attempts to represent - the GLBT community. Follow me for a second. When Jerry Falwell starts spouting off about the evils of homosexuality, as he doubtless will long after this "moment" has passed, response will be "oh, that was so early noughties," rather than "oh, what a topical and inflammatory debate." In short, while being gay, bisexual, transsexual or other may be more accepted now, it is still A Really Big Deal. Just look at all the press generated by the wide viewership of gay-themed programming such as QEftSG and Boy Meets Boy. When the fad passes, I doubt that anyone will really take three steps back in their attitudes and impressions of GLBTs, but instead it will just cease to be A Big Deal. Hopefully, the US will just follow the lead of the far more socially advanced (and civilized) western European countries, and be able to say "Oh, you're gay? So what?" instead of "Oh, you're gay? Hmmmm . . . wow! How do you feel about RuPaul/Babra Streisand/insert "gay icon here?" Oh, and while we're at it, could you give me some fashion advice?"
Any trend of this magnitude is to some degree controversial, whether it deals with music, fashion, or sexuality. Look at the huge Disco controversy in the seventies and early eighties. People were getting up in arms about whether this admittedly silly and incredibly glossy brand of pop was going to slay "real music" once and for all. Now, Donna Summer and ACDC happily coexist on many major radio stations, and while you may have your own personal view on the relative merits of the Captain and Tenille, they seem, for all intents and purposes to be decidedly non-threatening, if not necessarily in the best of taste.
So there it is. My theory of the day.
P.S. And yes, if you must know, I am addicted to QEftSG (not to mention QaF), so I'm also a big hypocrite.
I think the best thing for the gay community will be when the current "gay/lesbian fad" dies out. Y'see, here's my thinking: yeah, it's awesome that now gay is chic and as such is more widely accepted and whatnot. With every major trend, however, comes a backlash. In this case, a homophobic backlash. Also, the whole "gay culture" that's being marketed to the media is so artificial and self-conscious and not really about exploring sexuality at all, but about selling various items. Sort of "Coming out as informercial." Plus, all these right-wing types are just jumping all over themselves to restate their hopelessly outdated stances on gay marriage, teletubbies, etc. Hence, a fad or trend is a really dangerous snd explosive thing.
Now, on the other hand, a former craze seems far more palatable to middle America with its calmer, less in your face demeanor, and more honest to the people it actually attempts to represent - the GLBT community. Follow me for a second. When Jerry Falwell starts spouting off about the evils of homosexuality, as he doubtless will long after this "moment" has passed, response will be "oh, that was so early noughties," rather than "oh, what a topical and inflammatory debate." In short, while being gay, bisexual, transsexual or other may be more accepted now, it is still A Really Big Deal. Just look at all the press generated by the wide viewership of gay-themed programming such as QEftSG and Boy Meets Boy. When the fad passes, I doubt that anyone will really take three steps back in their attitudes and impressions of GLBTs, but instead it will just cease to be A Big Deal. Hopefully, the US will just follow the lead of the far more socially advanced (and civilized) western European countries, and be able to say "Oh, you're gay? So what?" instead of "Oh, you're gay? Hmmmm . . . wow! How do you feel about RuPaul/Babra Streisand/insert "gay icon here?" Oh, and while we're at it, could you give me some fashion advice?"
Any trend of this magnitude is to some degree controversial, whether it deals with music, fashion, or sexuality. Look at the huge Disco controversy in the seventies and early eighties. People were getting up in arms about whether this admittedly silly and incredibly glossy brand of pop was going to slay "real music" once and for all. Now, Donna Summer and ACDC happily coexist on many major radio stations, and while you may have your own personal view on the relative merits of the Captain and Tenille, they seem, for all intents and purposes to be decidedly non-threatening, if not necessarily in the best of taste.
So there it is. My theory of the day.
P.S. And yes, if you must know, I am addicted to QEftSG (not to mention QaF), so I'm also a big hypocrite.