From a spontaneous riot of trans women and other sundry queers who were fed up with police harassment evolves this - a corporate branding opportunity? Certainly a url painted on a model's chest is not what Silvia Rivera had in mind when she snapped that day a lifetime ago and stood up for herself.
I should pause. Surely Sylvia - and all the other massively oppressed queers that don't enjoy the assimilated (in a good way) lifestyle we do today - would be dumbstruck to see corporations embracing queer culture. I know targeting marketing has done a lot to raise our visibility - it got Will & Grace on TV - but right this minute it just doesn't sit right.
How can they crap all over us in legal discrimination after constitutional amendment but throw products and advertising at us like we're Jane Q American? The cognitive dissonance is giving me vertigo - it just doesn't feel respectful to the history of gay pride. I want to reread my copy of Martin Duberman's Stonewall and research adoption with my partner. I want to use my domestic partner registration for more than just extending my benefits to him. I want to feel my anger at every anti marriage article I read and every roadblock I stumble on in my life and my relationship.
Ok, so I'm angry. Better yet, I'd like to figure out a way to pound some anger into all the numb hedonists at "pride" parties across the country. Sure that dancing is a part of what was fought for - but it wasn't the end goal. Now that we're an out and visible community we have so much more power and influence than they did 37 years ago. This pride, won't you join me in being angry for what we're denied? Just to one person who questions the right to marriage - or is blissfully ignorant of the limited adoption rights - or doesn't know that we pay taxes on domestic partner benefits. Don't be rude, but show your anger.
Hi, Thanks for selecting the walking advertisment image. Indeed Pride isn't so much about dancing. I get the feeling they're celebrating their individualism and that can be seen as hedonism. I hope acceptance by all is not just tolerance as I've observed (eg Govt is ok but still ban marriages, medical privilege and so on). Cheers
Posted by: Su-May | July 22, 2006 at 04:44 AM