Our Introduction

The gay community has been viewed in a negative way since before the erection of the pyramids.  The stereotypes of gay people are not only created by the ignorance of those who are outside the community, but also by the way we conduct ourselves.  Though there are plenty of organizations that are in place to assist, guide, and mentor gay persons, there are not a lot of “big brother/big sister” programs for us.  We pick up on most of our knowledge of the community from the guidance of those we associate with and the things that we see in the media.  This trend has created a revolving cycle of inadequate information.  How do we expect the views of those outside the community to change, if we are not willing to change ourselves?

Stereotype is defined as something agreeing with a pattern: an idea that many people have about a thing or group and that may often be untrue or only partly true.  The stereotypes that circle the gay community fall mostly into the latter; only partly true.  Most of the negative ones are bolstered by television.  Let’s start off with Will & Grace, Queer as Folk, and any show with a beauty shop or church scene. What do they all have in common?  They have the overly flamboyant, effeminate, promiscuous gay man as a character.  I do not know what the general census of the community is, but that image of the gay male disturbs.  Not all gay males are feminine, and gay female does not automatically mean an overweight, flannel wearing woman named Bertha.  I have been told on many occasions that I am too pretty to be gay.  What that is supposed to mean is beyond me.  As if one only resorts to being gay if they are unattractive to the opposite sex. 

According to the Human Rights Campaign, approximately 5% of all Americans consider themselves gay or lesbian.  This figure could be much higher if you add in the persons who participate in homosexual intercourse, but do not consider themselves gay (a separate article altogether).  That being said, as a reader of this article, if you are not gay yourself, you know, work with, or are friends with someone who is.  So it is not that we are not visible in the community; we see each other and have firsthand knowledge of what is occurring.  Why do we allow ourselves to be perceived in the manner in which we do?  Why do we continue to adhere to the stereotypes by not only promoting them, but also passing that on to those new entrants in the gay community?

I foresee a new view of the community, a perception that would not only empower us, but also open many doors that are currently closed.  A view that we all can be proud of and want to share with others.  A place where one can feel comfortable expressing themselves.  A showcase of who we really are and the type of talent we have to offer the world.

Welcome to Tea 2 Java!