Now that Mexico City has its own Gay Marriage Law, there's even more reason to be proud. On Saturday, June 26, the annual gay pride march will be held. For all the details about check out
what our friends at MachaMexico blog have to say--that's where I got the news. As far as I know, this is the only lesbian-oriented blog in English about Mexico City--good for them!
2 comments:
This business of being "proud" of one´s sexual preference baffles me. I´m straight, but I´m not "proud" of it. Not ashamed of it either. One simply is what one is. Furthermore, since sexual preference is, I do believe, thrust upon one by Mother Nature, what´s to be proud of? One should be proud of accomplishments, things that one has done through one´s devoted efforts.
But gay pride, straight pride, even black or white pride? It´s misplaced. Do something useful in the world. Of that one can be proud.
I think the writer has stated feelings held by many but not often voiced. As I see it, Gay Pride is a counterbalance to Gay Shame. I lived in New York City for much of my adult life and rarely encountered gay people who were not 'out' to friends and family, although I'm sure in many other places in the U.S. there are gay people still in the closet. Here in Mexico, things are a bit different. Many of the gay people I've met have said, "My family knows, but we don't talk about it," or "My parents would die / kill me / disinherit me." Many enter into marriages not for love, but for cover. I meet many fewer gay couples who choose to live together, for example, than I did in the U.S. It's too much of an open statement. And how can you really feel part of a family--extremely important here in Mexico--if your parents or siblings don't know who you truly are? These are issues not usually faced by heterosexuals.
When I was a kid growing up in New Hampshire there were almost no gay people visible--unless they were on TV or in the movies as limp-wristed, 'flaming queen' types (these stereotypes still haunt Mexican media). Positive, proud role models open a door to self-understanding. Marching with pride is a way of showing others that they, too, can live open lives.
I look forward to the day when a Gay Pride march will seem quaintly anachronistic, but we're not there yet. --Jim Johnston
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