Talking straight
It is time to dust out the Shithouse File again.
To my astonishment I stumbled on a letter to the editor in the other paper written by a young gay man called Corey.
A quick summary of the letter: Corey tells us that the gay and lesbian community is filled with either effeminate boys connected to drag in some way (speaking like a gas leak) or huge leather queens still speaking in a lispy voice.
And all clubs are filled with talentless drag acts that should be replaced by more boys shows. It seems Corey has been forced to go to straight clubs as there is no place for straight-acting gay boys to go.
Corey, you poor thing, I am happy you have given your opinion. What makes our community so fabulous is that we are able to air our opinions. But I also strongly believe that if you are going to air your opinions you should get all your facts right.
As a gay man who actually makes a living as a performing drag queen, I take offence at your comments. Granted not everyone has to like drag queens but I am hoping you will be there to take on the amount of charity work that would be left undone without us.
Not only have I been a worker/ supporter of AIDS and HIV charities (too many to list), I have worked unpaid for children-based charities, the Royal Women’s Hospital, etc. What do you do Corey? Who led the Stonewall Riots? While you are doing your research, look up Polly Petrie and 1978.
I love my gay and lesbian community because it comprises so many different people, lispy girly queens, butch dykes, leather bears etc. I want to be who I want to be, I am sick of acting.
It’s enough to have to deal with homophobia from the outside, let alone get it within the community.
As for having to go to straight clubs because you are too normal to be gay, I perform the majority of my shows in straight clubs you would never set foot in.
If we really want to compare who is more of a man, try working a 200-strong crowd of pissed punters in the straightest pub in Sydney while wearing a dress.
For your uneducated comments, Corey, you have been put in the Shithouse File. Learn to accept yourself and you will be a lot happier.
