What is the Gay Community?
We always hear the words “gay community” when talking amongst ourselves, but what is it? Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people span a spectrum of diversity that doesn’t lump us together by class, race, religion or really any binding character, trait or belief. The only commonality most of us have with one another is that we are discriminated against socially and in our judicial system. Perhaps, that is enough to create a “community.”
Recently, I was on the forums at gaywallet.com and I asked members what they though were some of the positives of being a member of the LGBT or Q classification. Almost all answers revolved around a sense of community.
One common thing that happens to most of us upon coming out is we lose the community we are part of – or at least lose the standing we had in that community. We fall a bit from the social ladder. Perhaps this is particularly true with white gay men who, until coming out, are at the top of the social food chain. But none of this tells me what the gay community is.
Is the gay community the club kids at the bars looking gorgeous and dancing until dawn? Is it the activists whose feet are swollen from walking the neighborhoods asking for people to consent to our marriages? Is it a singles’ group, a couples’ group, an HIV/AIDS prevention network, a circle jerk, a crafts store, a bookstore, a local church? No, those are all just aspects of the LGBTQ community.
Before going to the National Equality March I had several little 140 character conversations with people from all over the country on twitter. One of these people was Kate Walsham, a beautiful young woman from California. Months ago we had promised each other a hug and at the National Equality March, we were able to deliver on our promise.
Originally, Kate wasn’t going to be able to come to the march. Like many of Americans, she was down to a one income household due to the painful economy and it seemed she would miss this historic event, but through the kindness of a stranger, Kate was able to travel across the country and we were able to have our hug. Kate told me her story while standing somewhere between the U.S. Treasury Department and the “Ellipse,” and that’s where I found the Gay Community. Here is Kate, sharing her story with you:
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(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Five stars isn't enough for this story – but I did give it the full * * * * *. Wow. Today when there is so much worry about meeting people online – this beautiful story happens. It's really exciting – I'm so happy that Kate got to go to the march.
Thank-you to Kate's friends and thank-you to the generous person who left the envelope. (…and of course thank-you for posting this…)
mj
What a great story!
Frickin' awesome!
Love, love, LOVE this story!! I'm sure Kate will do something fabulous in her life to pay it forward. Total and complete awesomeness from beginning to end in this story…oh wait, I don't think this story WILL end.
I'm sure it is only the beginning for Kate. Jen's investment was a very wise one.
What a beautiful and amazing story. One person's generosity of spirit can change another's life. I'd love to hear where Kate is a year from now and 5 years from now and how she does pay it forward. Thank you for giving voice to her story.
Susan Berland
http://www.susan-berland.com
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