June 25, 2009

• I've decided that it is quite important to conduct a trip dedicated to visiting places related to gay history with a relatively small group of voluntary people in my relative age range who have a interest in sexuality and are majoridly non-heterosexual (this largely, though not entirely, because I can't imagine finding a huge group of heterosexuals who would be direly interested in this sort of trip; I certainly wouldn't dream of turning any one away, of course).

  The reason for this trip? Well, little more complicated than the simple line answer I'd like to give. Part of it is I know the disassociation from identity that growing up gay, etc. in this type of society a person can acquire. And identity means the difference between being un-phased by someone using faggot as a threat to someone else around you and then actually deciding that your rights ought to be faught for and you deserve to be equal. And you never really realize just how much of a difference a personal association and connection to your sexuality can really make. That would be a huge aspect of the trip, to restore a sense of history to a community which still isolates its youth beyond partying, clubbing, and pop references (as if those things have anything specific to do with being gay, but I'll avoid descending into a rant).

  Also is the immense ignorance of history that many gay youth have; I'd slightly forgotten this over the past year with the time away from the high school GSA that I've had and my own inclusion in the QSU on campus and my keeping up with gay news outlets. Most have no concrete idea what the Kinsey Scale is (or who the Hell Alfred Kinsey was), much less are even out of the closet.

  Finally, the simple time taken to hang out with a group of old friends (and any others I can get to come with) in a setting where everyone, even those not out yet to most anyone, can feel safe with their own sexuality.

  Of course, the trip won't be strictly limited to just these sites. We'll visit the surrounding areas if they strike a person's interest, though such diversions won't be often. Some will be necessary. For example, the visit of the Holocaust memorial in Berlin focusing on gays persecuted during the Nazi regime will certainly include (and may be visited after) the memorial dedicated to the Holocaust persecution of the Jews (in part because the former imitates the latter and because the two are quite connected and the attack towards other minorities is a very important lesson for them to learn).

  The trip will not only cover the USA. Not only that the spot of Stonewall must be visited, (as I noted above) the Holocaust museums in Berlin will be visited. I want to see if any spots dedicated to the progressive and leading stance Weimar Germany held as a gay haven and educational center are around. I know there are other places I saw I want to see but I have to do a bit more research.

  Now, of course, this trip won't be easy. Particularly if I want to jump around countries. Parents can be protective. And then there's the whole thing about taking their kids to learn about gay history.... But I really want to see if I could do this. It'd be a blast and be important to be done. We'll see. Would have to be next year (or later), anyway.

  Anyone else have suggested places?

  • 4:41 am
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