Single and Sexless
My relationship status is single and sexless. I would like to see social networking sites add this to the list of available options.
I feel as if we're on the brink of a lot of different revolutions. Politically, economically, and especially socially. With gay marriage now being legal on a national level, the LGBTQ community is currently in the process of building an entire generation of children who will know what it is like to have a new plane of acceptance in their lives. We don't have to continue telling select teenagers they won't get to express their love through marriage.
The scope of acceptance has already opened many doors to new sexual identities, orientations, and roles. Living in an era of caffeinated ADHD style entertainment, the constant barrage of impulsive decision-making, singular wants and necessities, and the overall erosion of monogamous ideology in relationships brings an interesting new perspective to the LGBTQ community.
While many LGBTQ people get to have these experiences daily, there are others left behind.
Earlier this year, two articles exploring the degrees of loneliness gay men may face made waves on Reddit. One of the authors even engaged the community in an AMA (Ask Me Anything). My largest issue with these articles was, they only expressed the two sides most commonly spoken of in American LGBTQ circles, the West, and East coast. One article was clearly written by a New Yorker, and the other by a Californian.
Of course, we're all familiar with how both New York and California are considered to be the American equivalent of Mecca when it comes to the LGBTQ community. The lifestyle, work, social gains, freedom, and acceptance in these areas are things I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing.
It doesn't mean I'm not a part of the LGBTQ community but, I definitely feel out of place and disconnected. The internet doesn't always make a good substitute for the lack of inclusion I've endured either. The loneliness has often been crushing.
Even in this age with a sexual revolution on the horizon, I still feel as if my love boat traveled to the wrong destination or was sunk by "The South". It shouldn't be hard to explain why I and many other gay men feel lonely. Where is our community to turn to in our time of need?
I feel as if we're on the brink of a lot of different revolutions. Politically, economically, and especially socially. With gay marriage now being legal on a national level, the LGBTQ community is currently in the process of building an entire generation of children who will know what it is like to have a new plane of acceptance in their lives. We don't have to continue telling select teenagers they won't get to express their love through marriage.
The scope of acceptance has already opened many doors to new sexual identities, orientations, and roles. Living in an era of caffeinated ADHD style entertainment, the constant barrage of impulsive decision-making, singular wants and necessities, and the overall erosion of monogamous ideology in relationships brings an interesting new perspective to the LGBTQ community.
While many LGBTQ people get to have these experiences daily, there are others left behind.
Earlier this year, two articles exploring the degrees of loneliness gay men may face made waves on Reddit. One of the authors even engaged the community in an AMA (Ask Me Anything). My largest issue with these articles was, they only expressed the two sides most commonly spoken of in American LGBTQ circles, the West, and East coast. One article was clearly written by a New Yorker, and the other by a Californian.
Of course, we're all familiar with how both New York and California are considered to be the American equivalent of Mecca when it comes to the LGBTQ community. The lifestyle, work, social gains, freedom, and acceptance in these areas are things I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing.
It doesn't mean I'm not a part of the LGBTQ community but, I definitely feel out of place and disconnected. The internet doesn't always make a good substitute for the lack of inclusion I've endured either. The loneliness has often been crushing.
Even in this age with a sexual revolution on the horizon, I still feel as if my love boat traveled to the wrong destination or was sunk by "The South". It shouldn't be hard to explain why I and many other gay men feel lonely. Where is our community to turn to in our time of need?
Comments
Post a Comment