This is a really great post, Bruce.

What I thought of (as a straight, white woman from southern BC) was just how overwhelmingly we've internalized stereotypes in our culture. Not only are our emotions and reactions powerful, but our stereotypes - which speaks about our perceptions but on a collective level - are really powerful, too. It's an interesting thing to be aware of because of that internalization. It's so subconscious that it really stands out when a post like this pops up and slaps one upside the head. Thank you for that.
Wandering Coyote | Homepage | 06.28.09 - 12:12 am | #

Oh Bruce, that was an awesome post! So beautifully written!

I never even heard of Stonewall until the 70s, when I lived at Yonge & Isabella and started making a lot of gay friends. Then the story was told, but i don't think anyone realized its true impact, the start of a real revolution.

Now if the states would just catch up to Canada... I'm sure they will eventually, they are just slow with stuff like social issues. They'll get there.
JJ | Homepage | 06.28.09 - 12:46 am | #

Coyote,

That's most of the battle. Our society allows us to accept and internalize beliefs that have no basis in reality. We create our own reality now, often to the detriment of what otherwise could be valuable.

We are not a village anymore, but a society that dares itself and its participants to conform to something other than what we are.
Bruce | Homepage | 06.28.09 - 3:08 am | #

Happy Stonewall Day! Here's a present for ya
JJ | Homepage | 06.28.09 - 7:23 pm | #

Absolutely fabulous and also moving, funny and beautifully written post.

Merci, Bruce!
deBeauxOs | Homepage | 06.29.09 - 1:22 pm | #

JJ, Thanks, I was going to use that shot at first but changed my mind.
Bruce | Homepage | 06.29.09 - 2:49 pm | #