Inspire LGBT youth—be happy!

I just watched on Logo a show on Freddie Mercury and once again I heard the idea that “if he had come out” it would have been an inspiration to young people struggling with their homosexuality.

Nonsense. What this means is that someone would only be happy to be “gay” if other cute, famous people are too. What about all the pioneers who risked their lives to change the world so that today it is possible for us to be happy and gay?

 Why are they not an inspiration?

 Since 1953 there has been at least one publication available in all major cities discussing the subject. Since 1950 there have been a dozen or more pioneers who were speaking out. Since 1958 there has been a victory in the US Supreme Court for our community to gain the right to even discuss homosexuality in publications.

 Every major city has a GLBT newspaper. There have been national magazines, like the Advocate and Out, covering our lives and dozens of cute and famous people who have “come out.” There have been dozens of movies with gay-friendly themes and major TV shows with serious discussions on the issues we face.

 For years there have been organizations giving help in the legal, religious and political fields. There are LGBT centers in every major city. There have been marches on Washington, and one is planned for this month.

 How many people coming out does it take for all of these young people to be comfortable with themselves? Perhaps the reason our cause has still got a long way to go for equal civil rights is because too many gays are unhappy being gay. That is what we have been trying to educate them about since 1950. if they haven't “heard” us, that is their problem.

Billy Glover, co-founder