Happy New Queer
Jan. 8th, 2006 12:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cabensonThe dance last night was great fun. There were a lot of kids there from the few GSAs (Gay/Straight Alliances) that have thrived in the local school system as well as s few from the center where Mrs. CB tutor/mentors every week. We met a lot of the other volunteers as well as some school counselors and we talked quite a bit about the societal change between our high school days and kids today.
The dance last night was called "Happy New Queer" and was designed to be a safe haven gathering for GLBT teens and their teen-aged supporters. I doubt there were more than fifty kids there but it was the night of the Gallery Hop downtown, so I wasn't surprised at the low numbers. There were probably 20-25 adults there as well which was nice as we got to meet some new people. And just an FYI, the Saturday Night Dress Code for Columbus area lesbians requires a black leather coat. As Mrs. CB found out, you will be mocked if you don't comply. I, of course, had on my Shaftiest of jackets and therefore fit right in.
The chaperons were encouraged to join the kids on the dance floor but really...how the fuck was I supposed to dance to hip-hop without pop-popping my back out? TPTB wanted the adults to dance with the kids to show them that we support their choices and that there is nothing wrong with being gay- some of these kids are still trying to adjust- but damn, dancing has really changed. Mrs. CB made mention that she knew how to do The Bump, but I pointed out that yesterday's "Bump" is today's "Bend over so I can fuck you from Behind." Where the hell did The Robot go? And why was that young girl wearing halter-top made from a napkin? So as you can imagine, we kept our fully clothes selves off the dance floor during the upbeat music.
We did join the kids for a few slow songs and I'll be damned if I don't think teen boys dancing together is the cutest thing ever. Yeah, there were a few girls dancing together, some straight couples, and one three-way, but those boys were just so sweet! We learned later on that there is a school in town, predominately African American, where the majority of the student population identify as being gay or bi. WOW! Having gone to Catholic school in the 70's/80's, and only hearing the word "gay" being used as a smear, I can only say that I am thrilled that kids today have this freedom. But it's important to note that their freedom comes from my generation's sacrifices and battles for recognition as well as those of every generation before us. We fight today for the right to marry our partners; thirty years ago, queers fought just to have the right to gather in public. My hope is that future generations won't have to fight for anything because gay people will be seen as what they really are- people.
I also learned last night that teen agers have different priorities than adults. I don't remember it being this way when I was a teen ;) We were standing on the fringes of the dance floors while they announced the winning raffle numbers and I noticed a young gal sitting by herself...hiccuping. I watched her for a few seconds thinking I would go grab her something to drink when I noticed she was not hiccuping, but rather gulping for air. I asked her if she had her inhaler-I can spot an asthma attack a mile away- and she said it was in the car.She said she was okay, so I walked away and kept my eye on her and just as I saw she clutching her chest and headed back toward her, she decided t get her inhaler. We walked her to the car and all was well, but she really had me worried. Why did she wait until she was breathing like a fish? She wanted to see if she won any of the door prizes. :headdesk:
I did enjoy myself last night and being around the kids made me really think about getting involved as a mentor this spring. Hahaha...I am more of a de-mentor, but we'll see.
The dance last night was called "Happy New Queer" and was designed to be a safe haven gathering for GLBT teens and their teen-aged supporters. I doubt there were more than fifty kids there but it was the night of the Gallery Hop downtown, so I wasn't surprised at the low numbers. There were probably 20-25 adults there as well which was nice as we got to meet some new people. And just an FYI, the Saturday Night Dress Code for Columbus area lesbians requires a black leather coat. As Mrs. CB found out, you will be mocked if you don't comply. I, of course, had on my Shaftiest of jackets and therefore fit right in.
The chaperons were encouraged to join the kids on the dance floor but really...how the fuck was I supposed to dance to hip-hop without pop-popping my back out? TPTB wanted the adults to dance with the kids to show them that we support their choices and that there is nothing wrong with being gay- some of these kids are still trying to adjust- but damn, dancing has really changed. Mrs. CB made mention that she knew how to do The Bump, but I pointed out that yesterday's "Bump" is today's "Bend over so I can fuck you from Behind." Where the hell did The Robot go? And why was that young girl wearing halter-top made from a napkin? So as you can imagine, we kept our fully clothes selves off the dance floor during the upbeat music.
We did join the kids for a few slow songs and I'll be damned if I don't think teen boys dancing together is the cutest thing ever. Yeah, there were a few girls dancing together, some straight couples, and one three-way, but those boys were just so sweet! We learned later on that there is a school in town, predominately African American, where the majority of the student population identify as being gay or bi. WOW! Having gone to Catholic school in the 70's/80's, and only hearing the word "gay" being used as a smear, I can only say that I am thrilled that kids today have this freedom. But it's important to note that their freedom comes from my generation's sacrifices and battles for recognition as well as those of every generation before us. We fight today for the right to marry our partners; thirty years ago, queers fought just to have the right to gather in public. My hope is that future generations won't have to fight for anything because gay people will be seen as what they really are- people.
I also learned last night that teen agers have different priorities than adults. I don't remember it being this way when I was a teen ;) We were standing on the fringes of the dance floors while they announced the winning raffle numbers and I noticed a young gal sitting by herself...hiccuping. I watched her for a few seconds thinking I would go grab her something to drink when I noticed she was not hiccuping, but rather gulping for air. I asked her if she had her inhaler-I can spot an asthma attack a mile away- and she said it was in the car.She said she was okay, so I walked away and kept my eye on her and just as I saw she clutching her chest and headed back toward her, she decided t get her inhaler. We walked her to the car and all was well, but she really had me worried. Why did she wait until she was breathing like a fish? She wanted to see if she won any of the door prizes. :headdesk:
I did enjoy myself last night and being around the kids made me really think about getting involved as a mentor this spring. Hahaha...I am more of a de-mentor, but we'll see.
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Un-Shaft-y Nerd
Date: 2006-01-08 06:41 pm (UTC)My beloved forgot to mention the chocolate bar, the bubbles, the free couple photos, and the rollicking dance to "YMCA" that included the chaperones.
Some things never change.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-16 11:29 am (UTC)*lmao*
What you wrote about the sacrifices of earlier generations of gay men and lesbians was beautiful. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-01-16 06:42 pm (UTC)You two having a good time?