Regarding Denise Jameson's letter "Sexism Against Women in the Castro":
Bravo! Though male (gay and Caucasian to boot), I couldn't agree with
you more. My hope as an independent activist since 1973, was for the
Castro to become a shining example to the world of multicultural
harmony in an LGBT milieu...putting your average heterosexual society
to shame. Sadly, this has not happened (yet) and, in my own jaded
perception, the Castro has been for way too many years, a haven to
Nazi-macho white male leather cabals. Not only are they for the most
part misogynistic, but racist, exclusionary, and anti-progressive as
well.
While I still live in the Castro, I have not ever felt welcome here in
my own neighborhood since, oh, well, around 1985 or so. The lack of
interest and concern towards Ms. Jameson by bar owners is no surprise
to me...and I don't know how you can make a dent in this armor of
callous incivility. But one idea hatched in my head this morning, which
inspired me to write this letter:
Organize a Lesbian's Night Out once a week, not necessarily at the same
bar: perhaps rotate through all the Castro bars. I actually think the
business you bring would be most welcome in these tough economic times.
Those idiot pigs who resent any significant female presence will be
free to take their hateful egos to any number of other watering holes.
They would even know which bars to avoid, as Lesbian's Night Out would
become part of our local events calendar. Who needs these bigoted
dipwads anyway? Two suggestions though:
1) Why not help our rainbow dream come true, by also founding a
"Multicultural Night Out" for queers of color, Pacific Islanders,
Asians, Native Americans, and so on? Not asking you, Denise, to burden
you with more than one vital cause; just putting this out in the gay
ether, in hopes of inspiring interested parties. Both projects could
become part of a greater movement: "Take Back The Castro." It would
certainly make this lonely old activist queer feel at home once more,
after many years living in spiritual exile!
2) Alcoholism needs to become far less of an influence in our social
life and fund raising. No civil rights revolution was ever won on the
backs of substance abuse of any kind. So do your girlfriends a big
favor: encourage everyone to order non-alcoholic beverages, and
increase the use of marijuana as a more healthful social lubrication. I
hope that eventually, bar drinks will morph into exotic beverages based
on cannabis infusions, and flavorful fruit juices, herbal teas and
coffees. (Another dream I have, silly me, is to become the world's
first Coffee/Tea Barrista And Herbal Dispenser IN A GAY BAR.)
Much success to you, Denise Jameson, in your rightful cause for
sisterhood and cultural harmony here in the Castro. Perhaps you are
destined to be a leader in getting our gay neighborhood to finally grow
up. Someone's gotta do it!
Sinqueerly,
Zeke Krahlin
One queer baby boomer flower child who has never sold out!
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