Remain in the Heat of Battle
Aging is fascinating. As I hit my late fifties, I found myself increasingly looking back over the past 35 years. Looking back and marveling, as a gay man, at the seismic changes for gays. Seismic and positive. To look back and recall the out-and-open homophobia -- personally, in the workplace, in the law, etc. -- and to compare it to the situation today is to feel a sense of, well, complacency.
And how smugly dangerous would that be! Because the battle for GLBT rights is hardly over.
Indeed, I wonder sometimes if it has barely begun. To read about the issues dominating headlines -- gay marriage, partner benefits, the aging of the gay population, teen bullying of gays, gay bashing, etc. -- is to realize that now is no time for those of us in our fifties to rest on our laurels.
Yes, so much is better today for the GLBT community, but so much is not where it should be. Period.
Reaching a certain age is no reason to step back from the fray. It is, rather, the age to remain in the heat of battle.
Proudly.
Chris Holden
January 29, 2008