AmosL
10-27-2006, 06:26 PM
Mattilda (aka Matt Bernstein Sycamore), editor, “That’s Revolting: Queer Strategies for Resisting Assimilation”. Soft Skull Press, 2004
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
Ask yourself the question as to whether or not you have assimilated into the society around you. There was a time when gay and lesbian culture was our own but it seems that as we gain more acceptances we are now just “other people”. As The Human Rights Campaign endorsed a Republican candidate for the Senate and several pride organizations have opted for corporate sponsorship, we have settled down in our suburban homes and watch “Desperate Housewives’ and “Survivor” like everyone else on the block. The gay mainstream is assimilating quickly and it seems that the struggle for gay rights seems to be based solely on adoption, the military and the right to marry who we want. The identity we once had that made us different has now been discarded and in its place comes a comfortable lifestyle as we find we are just like everyone else except…
What has happened is that we have become part of a multi-cultural society where sexuality is no longer a major issue (except, perhaps, in the states that rest in the Bible belt, like Arkansas and Mississippi). The queer identity we once had seems to be a thing of the past and that can be very sad. Should it be reclaimed? “That’s Revolting” seems to think so and in this wonderful collection of essays and articles is a demand for us to use our gay identity and struggle as a point from which to start to “reclaim, reframe and re-shape the world.” “That’s Revolting” is a plan, a blueprint as well as a call to action to bring the vision we once had to the new generation.
There is something for everyone here. The anthology includes everything you need to know about non assimilation and the articles, essays, interviews. Personal histories, opinions and theses are carefully organized so that we can approach the issue and be knowledgeable about it. Some of it is quite radical and some of it is so familiar. Do you remember when gay bars were really gay bars and the only people who dared go into then were gay people? Not anymore. Do you remember when gay themed movies were watched only by gay people? Not anymore, everyone goes and sees them. Likewise you remember when we hid and were afraid to be out. The price we pay for acceptance by the larger society is the cost of our own individualism. Is it worth it? That is for each individual to decide. I make no judgment. Maybe a happy compromise can be reached. Some of the things n out queer culture were wonderful but it is also wonderful being who you are, when you want.
Queer Stratr
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
Ask yourself the question as to whether or not you have assimilated into the society around you. There was a time when gay and lesbian culture was our own but it seems that as we gain more acceptances we are now just “other people”. As The Human Rights Campaign endorsed a Republican candidate for the Senate and several pride organizations have opted for corporate sponsorship, we have settled down in our suburban homes and watch “Desperate Housewives’ and “Survivor” like everyone else on the block. The gay mainstream is assimilating quickly and it seems that the struggle for gay rights seems to be based solely on adoption, the military and the right to marry who we want. The identity we once had that made us different has now been discarded and in its place comes a comfortable lifestyle as we find we are just like everyone else except…
What has happened is that we have become part of a multi-cultural society where sexuality is no longer a major issue (except, perhaps, in the states that rest in the Bible belt, like Arkansas and Mississippi). The queer identity we once had seems to be a thing of the past and that can be very sad. Should it be reclaimed? “That’s Revolting” seems to think so and in this wonderful collection of essays and articles is a demand for us to use our gay identity and struggle as a point from which to start to “reclaim, reframe and re-shape the world.” “That’s Revolting” is a plan, a blueprint as well as a call to action to bring the vision we once had to the new generation.
There is something for everyone here. The anthology includes everything you need to know about non assimilation and the articles, essays, interviews. Personal histories, opinions and theses are carefully organized so that we can approach the issue and be knowledgeable about it. Some of it is quite radical and some of it is so familiar. Do you remember when gay bars were really gay bars and the only people who dared go into then were gay people? Not anymore. Do you remember when gay themed movies were watched only by gay people? Not anymore, everyone goes and sees them. Likewise you remember when we hid and were afraid to be out. The price we pay for acceptance by the larger society is the cost of our own individualism. Is it worth it? That is for each individual to decide. I make no judgment. Maybe a happy compromise can be reached. Some of the things n out queer culture were wonderful but it is also wonderful being who you are, when you want.
Queer Stratr