In today's Los Angeles Times, the following opinion article was printed. Written by long-time gay activist Larry Kramer, I believe it accurately describes the attitude toward gays throughout society. He makes a strong case and says what I want to say, only he's far more eloquent.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-kramer20mar20,0,1705133.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
I invite you all to read this opinion and then...share yours.
2007-03-20 03:07:50 · 7 answers · asked by behrmark 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Hero is a bit of a strong word to use. He DOES say exactly what is on the minds of millions of gay and lesbians everywhere and makes no apologies about it.
I'd like to be able to disagree with him, but the evidence I see, the things I experience, even on here, proves otherwise.
I plan to continue doing what I have always done. Fight. I don't lose so long as I don't quit. I don't quit.
2007-03-20 03:36:40 · answer #1 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
To Your Gay Lord's defense, Larry Kramer has been written off for years as just another frustrated homosexual. Many, gay and straight, didn't want to hear what he had to say.
Kramer says the things that need to be said... that no one else has the courage to say.
Yes, he's a hero.
"Larry Kramer is one of America's most valuable troublemakers.. I hope he never lowers his voice." --Susan Sontag
2007-03-20 14:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love that mad son of a bit ch!! Yes he is a hero and a martyr and one of our greatest leaders. The man saved thousands of lives with his organizations Act Up and Gay Men's Health Crisis. Love him or hate him everyone should respect him and know his contributions to humanity. He will go down in history as one of America's greatest activist leaders.
You're all a bunch of pathetic fuc king sissies!!
-Larry Kramer
It’s so wonderful being a gay person. I said that before. I’m going to say it again. I love being gay. And I love gay people. I think we’re better than other people. I really do. I think we’re smarter and more talented and more aware and I do, I do, I totally do. And I think we’re more tuned in to what’s happening, tuned into the moment, tuned into our emotions, and other people’s emotions, and we’re better friends. I really do think all of these things. And I try not to forget them.
-Larry Kramer (The Tragedy of Today's Gays - Speech at Cooper Union)
WHAT DOES THE GAY LORD KNOW?! LARRY KRAMER IS A BRILLIANT ACCOMPLISHED AUTHOR/PLAYWRITE AND A GRADUATE OF YALE. JUST ANOTHER FRUSTRATED GAY MAN??? WOW, NO RESPECT AND FRANKLY IT SHOWS YOUR IGNORANCE OR IS IT ARROGANCE?! I SWEAR OPINIONS ARE LIKE AS SHOLES, EVERYONE HAS ONE.
OH AND ONE MORE THING. DO YOU THINK THAT THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT HAPPENED BECAUSE WE HOPED EVERYTHING WOULD CHANGE AND WORK OUT IN THE END? NO. IT TOOK ACTION HENCE THE WORD MOVEMENT. YOU CAN'T JUST SIT AROUND AND HOPE THAT ONE DAY PEOPLE WILL SEE THE LIGHT. YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT INJUSTICE. THAT IS THE MESSAGE KRAMER IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO PEOPLE. IT'S THE GAY LORDS TYPE OF PACIFISM AND APATHY THAT HAS STAGNATED OUR COUNTRIES GROWTH. YOU GOT TO MOVE....
2007-03-20 10:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I read through the article, and although I respect what he has done for us, I don't agree with what he has to say. Maybe I am misreading it somehow, but he seems to be recommending that we don't vote??? I'm sure he doesn't mean that, but there ARE some viable candidates out there who will work to advance gay rights. I have never voted republican in any major election, but I CERTAINLY see Rudy Julliani as an option. He HAS supported gay rights for as long as I can remember, but for THAT reason alone, I don't know if he can win the republican nomination. Gays not voting, though, will only lead to another 4 years of hatred in the office of the president, I am afraid. We have the opportunity to do something to change this country, imagine what would have happened in 2004 if all of the 18-23 year olds came out to vote, and not been apathetic.
As for the rest, I think he hits it 99%. What we need is equality, and he puts that in perspective. He loses the 1% because he doesn't seem to understand what I believe, that the ONLY way to make equality happen is through legal marriage. Until that happens, we will ALWAYS be second class citizens in the public eye. And that is why I think that we need to focus on that issue!
You asked for my opinion!
2007-03-20 10:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by Tikhacoffee/MisterMoo 6 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Quite honestly I think his editorial is poorly written and will be laughed off as another "ranting" by a frustrated homosexual.
The only way the gays in the United States will be able to "win the war on ignorance" is to hope that straight couples start educating their children.
Children are "our" future. These children will become voters.
Smart voters hopefully will know the difference between right and wrong.
Add: I'm gay and this is my rather pessimistic overview.
2007-03-20 10:29:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
I think the article is very informative and very much true. I also feel like he has said everything I've wanted to say, but he backs it up with actually facts and actually people. I would also suggest both homosexual and heterosexual people to read this article. It is well written and very informative. Thank you sir for sharing this with me.
2007-03-20 10:33:15 · answer #6 · answered by Adam 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Powerful. I don't know what the solution is. I don't know how to stop people I'll never meet from being the antithesis of goodness for goodnesses sake. I don't have the faintest idea of how to proceed. And in the meanwhile I have a life a live which includes work, home, family, and I've got to fit sleep in somewhere. I think he brings up many relevant points but offers no solutions.
2007-03-20 10:37:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋