Can you think of any ways in which gay people uniquely contribute to society?

Question

UNIQUELY....

I mean unique and not necessarily universal
like Oscar Wilde's perspective in his writing for example.

Static Icey:
That King James bit is a dubious contribution indeed.

Answer 1

This may not be quite the answer you seek but allow me to put my answer to you as this: Consider that for as long as gays have existed, which is since the beginning of human kind, they have been persecuted for who they are and who they love. Now also consider, that through this persecution, be it brutal beatings or murder, gays have not only continued but have also maintained their collective love and creation of Art, Music, Poetry, Dance, in other words, they have continued to bring culture and beauty to the world.

What make gays unique, I believe, is that after so many centuries of brutality, we are not only still here, but that we continue to grow and bring creativity and life to a world that has tried to destroy us.

Also a thought, perhaps this is as God intended, since heterosexuals would be concerned with procreation, maybe gays were meant to be on the 'outside' as it were so as to bring the cultural and creative side of man to the fore.

I offer this as a possibility.

Answer 2

Each and every gay man and woman contributes to history everyday. We live each day making decisions that affect people around us and our lives each day. On 9/11 we had a gay man along with others attempt to take back a plan that was being hi-jacked as a weapon. We had a gay firefighting pastor out there giving last rights that also would perish that day.
Our fight for equal rights today is changing society around the world. We are being allowed to marry, and foster childern. As the days continue we as a whole continue to change the world.
If you know your history you will also know that many great people through out society were gay, or suspected to be gay (not to openly come out). This would include a couple US Presidents, and popes. Long before today press when one could keep such secrets quiet.

Answer 3

Consciousness & Pro-activity
When making a deliberate choice to "come out" and live accordingly a person is much more aware and involved with acceptance , tolerance, opinion and family issues, raising children , marraige, education, career and health care etc. More so then the norm since there is so much controversy surrounding the lifestyle, Choosing to be open and not live a lie takes courage . Alot of courage to stand for ones convictions despite poplular opinion. The Gay community sticks toghether much better then the "straight" community.
Take the lgbt centers for example, the centers offer a very full range of services and social support system from legal to mental to health to social , to education, and community improvement and more. The activities and benefits are enormous, and one never has to be alone or silent or in despair without a supportive community that doesnt judge by gender , race , nationality or sexual intersts or religion. sounds like a great community to me, and it is. Volunteer for a center and see how your network will grow and a whole new world will open up , and you don't even have to be gay , just gay friendly. So yes , the gay community has creativitry , culture, courage, strength, sensitivity, values, education, intelligence, manners and A voice . and they take care and look out for their own. the non-gay community has these things too but people are so divided

Answer 4

Us gays have the fashion world on lock down, not to mention the art world, we have a good hold of, and plus, can you think of a gay man that is not intelligent, there are few that are not intelligent, and the most important contribution from gays, is something christians need to be thankful for, King James was gay, enough said

Answer 5

I admire the out professionals, the ones who are living, breathing examples that we are not the sterotype. That takes a lot of integrity, self-acceptance, and inner strength because the easiest way to fit and get ahead usually is to be like everyone else. To achieve these things without compromising yourself or who you appear to be is a huge contribution to the society. It's living with genuine integrity - something that doesn't appear to be so common these days.

Answer 6

Tough Question! In general, I find that "Gay" is a minor issue in life...it deals with whom we go to bed with only. BUT....if we were to examine facets of life, I think that Gays have strengths that have proven themselves over the years.
- We tend to be more creative...When AIDS ravished the community, Hollywood, Broadway, The ARts in general, were hit very hard, indeed...choreography, set design, scene concept, writing, scripting....all these and so much more took a serious nose dive for 15-20 years...we are just NOW coming out of the void left by the tragic deaths of so many
- We tend to have a very good eye for harmony in surroundings...far more of the better interior designers and artists are Gay than are Hetero
- WE have a more sophisticated understanding of human nature and make excellent psychologists, Social Workers, humanists
- We ARE NO different in many fields..we make excellent businessmen, lawyers, brokers, Speculators...any field, but truthfully, no better than our straight counterparts.
We Do seem to have a gift for spotting the NEXT place to be! Gays are responsible for the resurrection of many, many areas that had fallen into slums...KEY WEST, SOUTH BEACH, CAPITOL HILL..in fact, every major city in the US has benefitted greatly by an influx of Gays who spent money, restored, updated, and produced centers of wealth. Gays tend to buy up discarded areas, produce show pieces, then sell at a profit and move to the "next hot area." We do have a talent for picking the "Next Hot Area," don't we?
I would love to generalize and say that Gays have more money, but that is not really true.....we have more disposable cash, there is a difference. Many of us invest that 'extra cash' into our futures, but then again, there are many Gays who just get by...so much for that stereotype!
All in All, Gays provide a very rich, textural finesse the world would sorely miss were we not here. But as for unique, there are plenty of Straights who have excellent taste, etc....it just seems more prevelent in the Gay society.

Answer 7

Collectively they are responsible for the renissance of culture and art that is going on in the American society.

They are also a successful group of people who have recently overcome widespread prejudice to the point where they had to 'hide' who the really are. It emboldens you to see such bravery.

They also have brought several disease issues to the forefront and are responsible for popularizing societal fundraising efforts (such as sit-ins, walk-a-thons, etc)

On an individual level there is just so much...it's like asking "what have people uniquiely contributed to society?"

Great question!

Answer 8

Well, it varies person to person doesn't it?? But K.D. Lang and Melissa Etheridge really broadened the music world making it easier to be who you are. Ellen Degeneres was the first person to ever come out on a television show and brought a whole new view to being gay on said sitcom.

All three opened eyes to what "being gay" really is. I wish I could think of more, but unfortunately that is all I have for now. I hope that answers your question.

Answer 9

I wouldn't think there would be any particularly unique way that "we" contribute to society simply because we come from so many various walks of life. While we may have our Sexuality(or sexual preferences if you wish to term it that way) as a common bond, Homosexuals as a whole are about as diverse a group as you will find.

Answer 10

We are the constant topic of conversation so I would say that we contribute by opening the lines of communication.
We also provoke emotions in people (positive or negative) that lets us know as a society in general some people do care and America is not a cold heartless machine.