The gay rights movement and the feminists had a lot in common. Both, essentially, demanded to be treated as equal before the law and society, while continuing to express themselves as they chose.
That argument was just so good, that it was conceeded. Discrimination continues of course, but it is a mark of how it is viewed that generally, those that discriminate, seek to cover it up or find specious arguments.
While most women, having won their battle, sought to return to their lives, a few looked for more battles. The phrase, All Men are Rapists was a more extreme example of the depths this rump sank to.
For the gay activists, a few toyed with a notion, in the late 70s, that the age of consent for gay people should be abolished. Quick explaination. Here in the UK the age of consent was intially put at 21, then 18, while the age for hetrosexual people was 16. The activists argued that since there is no corelation between gay and child molesters, (absolutely true of course), then there is no argument for imposing any age restrictions on gay relationships.
The flaws in this argument are obvious but it was made quite openly and supported by a number of accademics at the time. We can only be grateful that the press didn't take it up before it was pushed into the rubbish bin.
But the activists continue with their notion of 'coming out', as if this is some sort of social necesity, a mark, not just of self respect, but of distinction.
I and I know a lot of gay people take issue with this. My sexuality is no-one's business other than who I choose to share it with. I am not ashamed of who or what I am. (At least now). But as far as I am concerned, all society needs to know about me is that I am a respectiable citizen who contributes to society.
It is no-one's busness who I sleep with. I don't happen to sleep with anyone. My wife and I have for over 20 years slept separately through mutual choice. Again, that is no-one's business other than those I choose to tell.
The bisexual community presents a specific problem because, by implication, its sexual interest, and therefore activity, is with both sexes and therefore with multipul partners. Another, completely separate, can of worms really.
The transgendered community presents further problems for the gay activists. Firstly, because within our community, there is a broad range of needs.
Some actively seek to change their gender and live, hetrosexually in that gender.
On the other extreme, some simply seek to express themselves in their opposite gender.
In between, is a wide range of other needs. There is a significant cross over with bisexuality. And then there are those, like me, who would dearly love to change but lack the opportunities or the courage.
For us, we seek the right to express ourselves within the context of society. Few of us, I believe, really want to stand out as beligerant 'Trans'.
Now the issue of self expression deserves to be looked at more closely. It may seem like a non-argument to many, like democracy, liberty, comfort. But in reality, it is a political objective.
Social order and conformaty is completely natural to many. Companies frequently demand uniforms for their employees, or at least, a standard of dress. Many people find the sight of a beard to be unsightly, even unplesent. Margaret Thatcher was known for this for example.
This is what we are really faced with. Those that rant about bathrooms are just a silly bunch of rabble rowsers appealing to the rednecks or their non-American equivelent.
Self expression is about individuality. It is about individual freedom. It is about each of us, transgendered or otherwise, having a natural opportunity to participate and contribute to society. More, or most importantly, it is the notion that contributing to society is a bigger imperitive than conformaty. Social exclusion is a bigger threat to social order than crime or drug abuse.
The opponents of individuality of course, seek to enjoy and defend the freedoms they enjoy. They see these as natural and the achievement of these as a fulfilment.
Those of us who demand Individuality, see the achievement of those freedoms so far acheived as part of an incomplete process.
For those gay activists who think failure to come out is a sign of inferiority or cowardice, such complicated notions are possibly too difficult to manage. In any case, they have achieved their goal. Now they pat us on the head and expect us to be grateful they are providing a small corner where we can get on with whatever, as long as we don't make a fuss. (And disturb the 'Adults').
But more importantly. many of these gay activists, are not really in favour of establishing a new front of individual liberty.
We can perhaps, compare our own situation with the 19th century Americans, left out in the cold while a few declared that 'We hold these truths to be self evident, that all White Anglo Saxon Males are created equal.'.
