Saturday, October 20, 2012

Gays out in the world

Charles Blow ponders the meaning of the findings plotted here in the Times. I'm sure the social scientists will come up with some explanation. Older gays of color and mixed race folks seem more willing to name themselves than presumably more economically and socially secure white older gays. He finds this a mystery.

gay-blow.jpg

I find it much easier to fathom: as Janis Joplin sang, "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose ..."

2 comments:

RQC said...

Veeeeeeeeeeeery interesting, I don't know what it means, but veeeeeeeeeeeery interesting. I'd like to know who these "others" are and where they are.

Anonymous said...

Jan, Charles Blow's article is a very interesting read. I can think of many reasons why people of color are more likely to identify themselves, more so than white people. Perhaps one slant (of many !?) is because people of color are more likely to be used to prejudices and economic hardships, thus admitting one is gay is another part of the dynamic of living as a person of color in all of its many facets! Being "different" in a sense is normal in every day life for people of color, adjustment may be easier. Admitting to being a white older gay may not fit in with the perceived "norm" of a more conservative upbringing if you like and maybe there are more risks associated with "outing" yourself. Obviously each culture/religion will have a take on how they see gay people within their community and I suspect there are a few "macho" cultures which disseminate homophobic responses. But I think this area of topic would require a thesis! There are too many factors at play here! Very interesting and thought provoking.
-Mai