Stonewall Riots and Pride Marches

[kumu]

We must remember it was drag queens who started the attack (the fight back) against the police at Stonewall. Good for them! It is said "Never cross a Queen. Never!" Stonewall was a case in point. Its ironic today to see police contingents marching in gay pride parades, and being welcomed. The times they are a changin'.

Males are pretty much visually oriented, whether gay or straight. A difference I see between straight & gay males is that gay males tend to take better care of their bodies. Much less likely to develop beer guts, much more likely to exercise and eat healthily. Also unfortunately a bit more likely to have alcohol or drug problems. But I always figured, considering the stress especially from life in a closet, its amazing we turn out as sane as we do. I am very glad to see young gays, men and women, boys and girls, comfortable with themselves these days.

A few years ago my beloved played in the local gay basketball league. The league has female as well as male players. At one time two female players asked who Anita Bryant was. Interesting. While its very satisfying that Anita Bryant has faded to insignificance, its still as important that people remember her campaign of bigotry as it is that they remember Stonewall. One of my most cherished mementos was a scandal sheet with Bryant's ex husband proclaiming life with her was hell on earth.