This is great James. Thank you for writing it. The missing sense of reverence for those who came before in our community is because unfortunately, as Judy Garland once said about some people in her life: “I don’t think many of them are terribly interesting.”
The truth is, most people aren’t. I think all of the self-indulgent in-fighting about identity and this pursuit to police language takes place at the lowest common denominator of Queerdom. They’re playing it small and superficial. But what do we expect? Everyone’s living inside of a phone and life can get very small in there. My trans friends are not out there screaming about this. They’re busy making a life and their concerns are about the anti-LGBTQ sentiment that’s being espoused by damaged politicians and how close the planet is to destruction.
I think those who do want to make a contribution…those who are ‘creating with a fearless vengeance,’ whether artist or scientist…they do look back. We have to.
I agree, Walker! I just can't be lectured at anymore about these things from people who clearly have contempt for people like me, and who want their lived experiences and their identities honored and catered to with zero reciprocation.
For what it’s worth, I grew up in a mildly homophobic right wing family, and Quentin Crisp’s witty writing was an important influence pushing me away from that. It took longer than it should have, maybe, but Quentin helped.
And beyond that, it’s Quentin and people like him that inspire me to be the person I want to be, without whining.
Just purrfect!
This is great James. Thank you for writing it. The missing sense of reverence for those who came before in our community is because unfortunately, as Judy Garland once said about some people in her life: “I don’t think many of them are terribly interesting.”
The truth is, most people aren’t. I think all of the self-indulgent in-fighting about identity and this pursuit to police language takes place at the lowest common denominator of Queerdom. They’re playing it small and superficial. But what do we expect? Everyone’s living inside of a phone and life can get very small in there. My trans friends are not out there screaming about this. They’re busy making a life and their concerns are about the anti-LGBTQ sentiment that’s being espoused by damaged politicians and how close the planet is to destruction.
I think those who do want to make a contribution…those who are ‘creating with a fearless vengeance,’ whether artist or scientist…they do look back. We have to.
I agree, Walker! I just can't be lectured at anymore about these things from people who clearly have contempt for people like me, and who want their lived experiences and their identities honored and catered to with zero reciprocation.
For what it’s worth, I grew up in a mildly homophobic right wing family, and Quentin Crisp’s witty writing was an important influence pushing me away from that. It took longer than it should have, maybe, but Quentin helped.
And beyond that, it’s Quentin and people like him that inspire me to be the person I want to be, without whining.