The old and the beautiful

The old and the beautiful

It is impossible not to fall in love with gay Sydney.

The west drags out costumes at the local leagues club; parents and families plan their tri-annual pilgrimage eastwards (NYE fireworks, Australia Day and Mardi Gras Parade) to see what offerings the bent fringes of the community can offensively cast before their children to avoid pubescent, embarrassing questions; and the darling-it-hurts tailors commence dual 12 hour shifts to meet outfit deadlines.

In the midst of all the frivolity and fun, some sadly miss the point. Jaded queens label themselves as -˜above all this’ and many can’t be bothered as they -˜have seen it all before.’ Parties are for the young, the outrageous and those who simply love life. If you don’t fit any of these criteria, how can you possibly be gay?

Reactions to being gay are amazing to watch.  The girly girls (whatever gender) attract looks, some flattering, some disdainful, some aloof. All they are doing is being gay (I include lesbians in this term).

They are having fun, whether on sports fields, dance floors, in gyms, or, this week, on the streets. Every time they turn your head -” for whatever reason -” full credit to them.

Nobody is demanding you dress similarly, use the same expressions, shave the same hairy bits, or mince like a 10km walker. Additional brownie points to all who can be themselves.

Discrimination, harassment and abuse are countered by fact: this is who I am and I’m proud of it. From schoolyard bullying of our beautiful twinks, to ignorant assumptions from family or co-workers, when people know us first for who we are -” and second that we have different sexual preference -” this dramatically alters any difficulties or discriminatory behaviours to which we may be exposed.

Sporting teams may enhance or reinforce stereotypical behaviours. We love the young. They learn quickly, become highly skilled, and many become young leaders amongst their peers as team captains. They may view the veterans of bygone years as dinosaurs or as the steadying hand of experience in times of sporting crisis, where actions may win or lose games or contests.

How truly amazing that over 1000 people have participated in Team Sydney’s Mardi Gras Sports Festival! Didn’t have time in ’09? We do it again in 2010! Get Out and Play: www.teamsydney.org.au

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