We're Here. We're Queer. What's Next?

There was a time when as a collective group, gay people needed to band together to have our voices heard. We were persecuted, had our bars raided, had our homes taken when our long-term partners passed away and their families didn't approve of our relationships or lifestyles. Our government turned a blind eye when thousands of us started dying from a mysterious disease, so heroic people within our community formed advocacy groups. These groups supported our "families" and gave us a place to turn for help when we needed it since it didn't seem that many others cared. We had medical groups, social groups and, of course, activists. It was this last category that showed America what it had turned its gay community into: angry, frustrated people who weren't going to sit back and be ignored anymore.

One of these groups, Queer Nation, eventually adopted a slogan that many of us have embraced over the last 20 years. "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it" became a rallying cry, a line chanted at parades, outside government buildings, at events. But over time, as gay people became more and more accepted into mainstream society through TV, movies and everyday regular people feeling more comfortable to come out at work, "We're here" became something people used to toss off a joke or just say, "Hey, pay attention to me. I'm talking and I'm gay!"

The line still has an impact but is it necessary today? Yes, we still aren't fully integrated into American culture and, yes, we are fighting for the basic civil right to marry our loved ones. But is telling people that we're gay and around and to basically, well, get used to it, a little aggressive?
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/06/30/pride/
An article written by Christopher Ott on Salon in 1999 had a headline "We're here, we're queer, I'm sick of it," which talked about how the gay "agenda" morphed its focus from a political activist viewpoint to one of partying, when in reality we should've been focusing on obtaining equal rights. It's interesting that we're still talking about this last point today.

That said, maybe it's time to come up with a new slogan that we can all embrace and get behind. Someone jokingly said to me that we should say, "We're gay, we're pretty, please don't beat us up," at which time I told him to shut the hell up. We don't want people to think of us as weak or meager, but as equals. Not every straight man is butch and into sports. Not every straight woman is soft and feminine. Just in the same way that not every gay man or woman can be pigeonholed into stereotypically categories.

So yes, we're here and we are queer and yes, people need to get used to it. But do we need to throw it into their faces? Can't we just live our lives and let people get to know us as people and not as gay people? Of course we need people to know who we are otherwise we will never get our rights. But we've advanced tremendously in the last few decades. So is it time for a new slogan? What do you think? Throw us your ideas. We want to hear from you.

Comments

[Jono]

Jonathan, Queer was reclaimed a while ago. While the dictionary might not recognize this yet the community took this word back starting in the 90's.
Also it's a hell of a lot easier to use as an umbrella term for all of those in the Queer community - versus the LGBTTSISTSTG (etc) community.
And also for slogans I liked Pride Toronto's this year - "Can't stop, won't stop".

[Chris VonTanner]

thank you Jono for such simple clearity.

[Chris VonTanner]

Out for Good!

[tj]

"Gay is the new straight."

[Takky]

Gay til dead

[Takky]

Let's Gay

[John]

why do we need any kind of 'slogan' ? Leave things alone... people tend to forget when things slow down and start to look 'normal', but remember human nature ... we as a 'social' group are so easily exposed to discrimination regardless of what the non-queer world likes to think. They pat themselves on the back at the notion of having a gay friend, but the reality of the true homophobe is that they would drive a stake thru the heart of any of us if they believed it would expunge the feelings of self hate they have always felt for themselves. I say let it be, never much cared for 'gay' either .. the connotation is dainty, affected something less than masculine and just another stereotype. The 'straight' people named us, let it stick. Hell i suggest the word queer should work itself back into daily conversation to remind those who would like to forget about just how vicious and brutal things can turn in two seconds. And it will be a very cold day in hell that true equality will come to us as a group, it's just easier to give lip service as needed and grind the axe whenever the opportunity presents itself. So whoever the self appointed self serving person or persons that believe we need something new and 'nice' are, take a walk on the real side, and never .... forget.

[Bootsnshoes]

I'm a proud American, I just happen to be gay

[Ethan]

Why do gay people need a "slogan" anyway? We want equality, yet we want a slogan to separate ourselves from the rest of the world...I don't think so.

[John]

We're not selling laundry detergent here. Not a national ad campaign to sell a new car. Why can't we just be our slogan? Just be you!

Signed, Queer.

[Nutmeg]

"like oh my god, gurl, like we need to be athepted or thomething, i mean, Will and Grace and Golden Girls aren't on, and like Madonna isn't thinging. I mean we so need to get equal rights and scream "i'm a fabu fag" at work and people need to deal " snap snap snap.

[Kerry]

I think over the years, the use of the word queer has become synonomous with negative connotations. I personally have never liked the word, but then again, I am one of millions of LBGTQ in this country alone. I believe that as a group, we should try to be more inclusive of others just as we try to get others to be inclusive of us. Why throw out labels? Plainly stated:

This is me...let us be...

This ...meaning any aspect of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, etc...
Let ...meaning to allow us to live our lives as any other citizen of this country is allowed to live...finding the pursuit of happiness and all men(women) created equal...

[James]

Live for strength,
Live for Unity,
Rally together for our gay community!

United together,
Equality for ALL'
LGBT community,
Proud and strong.

Come together this is our call
Civil rights once and for all.

[TNNude]

Gay: Just like you, only happier.

[Frankly]

How about:

The Queerer the berry, the sweeter cherry.

[ray]

WE ARE HERE WE ARE QUEER GET OVER IT

[ste]

Gays, gays, the musical fruits?

[Brad]

Gay...The other lean meat

[Clay]

I'm GAY. So WHAT?

[Jesus]

It's Only Gay if Balls Are Touching

[teddy c]

So many gay people have become so militant and intolerant of other people's opinions and beliefs that maybe something like "Disagree and you will see the wrath we will inflict on thee" would be appropriate. Its kind of unfortunate.

[Joe]

All men are created equal. (period)

[MAP]

superbad, super real

[Jeremy senters]

Peace, Love, Equality
Peace, Love, Equality
Peace, Love, Equality
Peace, Love, Equality
Peace, Love, Equality

[Jerry & Weslee]

How about "We are already out so why not let us in."

[Hardy]

Gaiety Everywhere!

[David]

Say it isn't "NO!"

[tonybudz]

One Way Gay!

[Jack]

"We WERE persecuted, HAD our bars raided, HAD our homes taken when our long-term partners passed away..." What is with the past-tense, Mr. Bendersky? Do you live in some kind of Fantasy Land where these things are not sill happening throughout most of the Country?? There was a police raid on a gay bar in Fort Worth just this past weekend!

So how's this for a slogan: "No GLBT Rights = No GLBT $$"

[Thom]

We're here! We're queer! Get out of our way!!

[pino]

"No GLBT Rights = No GLBT $$"
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OH...That's good too!!!

[pino]

Brad says: Gay...The other lean meat

Posted by: Brad | 06/30/2009 at 06:57 PM
===========================================================
I don't know about that one brad...I'm not too lean...lol

[patrick l]

I'm not gay! I'm heterosexually challenged

[pino]

"Disagree and you will see the wrath we will inflict on thee" I really like this one.

I'm not militant and intolerant of other people's opinions and beliefs...I just like this one. It sounds so, Biblical. :o)

[pino]

Say it out loud I'm Gay and Proud

Posted by: Don | 06/29/2009 at 11:35 AM
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You got some James Brown goin for U there Don. :o)

[Tony]

"Taste the Rainbow"

"Proud to be Gay, I'm here to stay"

F.A.G
F: Fantastic
A: Awesome
G: Guy

"Proud God made me Gay"

"Queer is here to Stay"

[pino]

I've always liked the word Queer. Our enemies, (and yes, we stiil do have them) thought it up to make fun of us, to shame us, to ridicule us, to make us seem far less than human. WE TOOK that word away from them, used it as our own and made a positive out of it. They can't deride us with it any more. I'm proud of that.

[Justin]

I want some 'mo.

[muzyqman]

FORGET THE SLOGANS!!

Having a slogan for gays as a group says that we are NOT mainstream. If we want to be part of the community, enjoy the same rights as the rest of America, a slogan stressing how separate we are is counterproductive. A "gay" slogan implies that we want something DIFFERENT from what straight folks have, which is not the case.

The fact is that what most makes us different, our sexual practices, should not define us as individuals. But we have been flaunting our sexuality in public for so long that this difference is the only thing the straight community sees.

We need instead to talk about how we're the same, just like any other neighbor, and stop hammering bedroom choices. We need to talk about how we go to work, pay the bills, sing in church choirs, do the laundry, shop for groceries, take care of our kids, hope they get into the right schools, take them to gymnastics and little league, send brownies to school bake sales, and all the other things straight folks do. They need to start seeing us as "just like them" and forget the bedroom choices that are different.

Forget the slogans that make us a separate group. We need to become identifiably like our neighbors so they don't see us as "the other," or "the enemy," and so they'll understand and support us when we talk about being denied the rights they all enjoy.

[pino]

patrick says: I'm not gay! I'm heterosexually challenged

Posted by: patrick l | 06/30/2009 at 09:24 PM
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Hi Patrick...Most of the Heterosexuals I know are heterosexually challenged. It's like they don't have the particulars of it down yet.

[Guanacool]

"EVERYONE has at least one gay friend"

[pino]

"Forget the slogans that make us a separate group."

"Having a slogan for gays as a group says that we are NOT mainstream."
===================================================
muzyqman, we are not mainstream. Not Yet. We still are a separate group, although many of us are working our butts off to change that.

You're right, our sexual practices should not define us. Heck...It makes most straight people offended to see any STRAIGHT SEX, much less gay sex. For a long time though, it's all we had to differentiate ourselves from them. NOW...we have sooooo much more to do that. Like you so wonderfully put it and I'm going to copy it here because it is so good;

""""We need instead to talk about how we're the same, just like any other neighbor, and stop hammering bedroom choices. We need to talk about how we go to work, pay the bills, sing in church choirs, do the laundry, shop for groceries, take care of our kids, hope they get into the right schools, take them to gymnastics and little league, send brownies to school bake sales, and all the other things straight folks do. They need to start seeing us as "just like them" and forget the bedroom choices that are different.""""

Many will NEVER FORGET the bedroom choices we make. To hell with them. Many will never stop defining us by our bedroom choices. To hell with them too. We are making progress. We WILL WIN!!! We're just not there yet.

[pino]

"EVERYONE has at least one gay friend"

Posted by: Guanacool | 06/30/2009 at 10:01 PM
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Hell...I wish I had one :o(

[Sean H.]

In Boise (of all places) to break the monotony, we used to shout:

WHAT DO WE WANT?! BRUNCH! WHEN DO WE WANT IT? 2ISH!

[Jordan]

how about...

Come to the gay side....We're SPARKLEY!

[brent armour]

(gay gay)

[brent armour]

oops. i tried to post this correctly but it would not let me for some reason:

gay is less than happy so long as equality is greater than gay.

[Cyle]

It's difficult to escape the "gay" identity because I have feminine tendencies in an environment where the local culture stereotypes what men should be and the same with women. Social Construction is hilarious in many ways, but nonetheless harmful and obsolete.

As I have learned though, even taking on the "gay" identity can be dangerous. What happens when I am content, and am no longer terrified of myself? That identity deteriorates and I find myself seeking my own identity.

With that said, I believe no slogan can work. A vision on the otherhand is an entirely different story! I have a vision! To live a simple life. It's easy, but only if I am whole inside.

So much has changed in time and it's only going to get better!

So, if you're queer! I love it! You can be here and be queer because no matter-what, I'm going to love that you enjoy being feminine, and if you're weaker, never fear...everyone has a weak spot. We'll take care of it! :) Just focus on being yourself regardless of if your masculine or feminine by nature!

Cheers!

[Matt]

Come Taste the Happy Rainbow

Taste the Rainbow

We have found the rainbow and we are happy

We found our own rainbow

[Dj Thompson]

-"Just taking life, a gay at a time." or "Just living life a gay at a time"
-"Not so different, just loving the same" (kind of has a double meaning... loving the same as everyone else.... but also, loving the same sex...)