What's "gay" now: we are everywhere indeed. Photographer Steven Lam captures the diversity of LGBT America in this exclusive portfolio of 15 men and women.TOMMY LEE This article is about the American drummer Tommy Lee. For other uses, see Tommy.
Tommy Lee (born Thomas Lee Bass on October 3, 1962), is a Greek American rock musician. AGE: 24 IDENTITIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Arts coordinator HOMETOWN home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" : East Los Angeles East Los Angeles, uninc. city (1990 pop. 126,379), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles, in an industrial area. It has a large Mexican-American population. There is a performing arts center and a cultural center. A junior college is there. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single How do you see yourself fitting into the gay community? Being part of the gay community is a mix of being an active gay consumer and an advocate for gay issues. [Being] an advocate can be fun things like pride and going out every weekend. I'm active with AIDS Walk AIDS Walk is a walkathon fundraiser that raises money to combat the AIDS epidemic. The funds raised from AIDS Walks usually benefit a local AIDS service organization (such as Gay Men's Health Crisis or the AIDS Project Los Angeles), which provide services and advocacy for local . Is "gay" over? "Gay" is over when we feel defeated and we're not represented in the media or in everyone's minds, including our own. I don't think that will ever happen. ADIEN AGGENBACH AGE: 36 IDENTIFIES AS: Lesbian OCCUPATION: DJ; president of Subtek, an underground lifestyle brand (www.subtekworld.com); and freelance scientist and engineer HOMETOWN: Cape Town Cape Town or Capetown, city (1991 pop. 854,616), legislative capital of South Africa and capital of Western Cape, a port on the Atlantic Ocean. It was the capital of Cape Province before that province's subdivision in 1994. , South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single Is the gay community welcoming to people of color Noun 1. people of color - a race with skin pigmentation different from the white race (especially Blacks) people of colour, colour, color race - people who are believed to belong to the same genetic stock; "some biologists doubt that there are important ? I think the gay community has problems with people who are bisexual bisexual /bi·sex·u·al/ (-sek´shoo-al) 1. pertaining to or characterized by bisexuality. 2. an individual exhibiting bisexuality. 3. pertaining to or characterized by hermaphroditism. 4. or straight. Is "gay" over? "Gay" is now becoming mainstream, so we don't have to be defined as "gay"--we can become more of ourselves. JABALI HICKS Hicks , Edward 1780-1849. American painter of primitive works, notably The Peaceable Kingdom, of which nearly 100 versions exist. AGE: 41 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Owner of graphic arts graphic arts: see aquatint; drawing; drypoint; engraving; etching; illustration; linoleum block printing; lithography; mezzotint; niello; pastel; poster; silk-screen printing; silhouette; silverpoint; sketch; stencil; woodcut and wood engraving. production company HOMETOWN: Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Partnered with Albert for eight years Is "gay" over? "Gay" is a blanket statement. The definition is always modified. You can call it whatever you want to call it. It doesn't dilute di·lute v. To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water. adj. Thinned or weakened by diluting. the value of "gay." When did you first come out to another person? I came out at 17 to my neighbor. He was a Soul Train dancer. He was flamboyant and fearless--everything I wasn't. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? Most of the gay people I know are the most eclectic e·clec·tic adj. 1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles: an eclectic taste in music; an eclectic approach to managing the economy. 2. , well-rounded people--I think that's a good thing. WILL MOURADIAN AGE: 18 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Student HOMETOWN: Palos Verdes Palos Verdes is often used to refer to a group of coastal cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the Los Angeles/South Bay area of California. This affluent bedroom community is known for its dramatic views, good schools [1] extensive horse trails [2] , Calif. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single How do you see yourself fitting into the gay community? Being gay is part of my identity, but it doesn't define me. It's sort of a bonus. I wouldn't trade it for anything. When did you first come out to another person? I was 14 when I came out to my mother. She was excited--she's a total fag hag Fag hag is a slang term for a woman who either associates mostly or exclusively with gay men, or is best or good friends to a gay man or men. It originated in gay male culture in the United States and was historically an insult. . What are the gay signifiers in 2006? Bitchiness bitch·y adj. bitch·i·er, bitch·i·est Slang 1. Malicious, spiteful, or overbearing. 2. In a bad mood; irritable or cranky. has become the new thing--especially with Desperate Housewives Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series, created by Marc Cherry, who also serves as show runner, and produced by ABC Studios - The Walt Disney Company's main television studio - and Cherry Productions. becoming popular. [Gay] people seem to be taking to female characters kicking ass. JEN ZERN AGE: 32 IDENTIFIES AS: Lesbian OCCUPATION: Writer HOMETOWN: New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Partnered with Love for 10 years When did you first come out to another person? I came out to my mother at 18, saying I was going to marry Jodie Foster Alicia Christian Foster (born November 19 1962), better known as Jodie Foster, is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress, director, and producer. She has also won two Golden Globes, 3 BAFTA awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award, making her one of the few select someday some·day adv. At an indefinite time in the future. Usage Note: The adverbs someday and sometime express future time indefinitely: We'll succeed someday. Come sometime. . What are the gay signifiers in 2006? The gay identifiers today are Madonna, Volkswagen cars, gossip, and IKEA IKEA Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd (Swedish home furnishings retailer founder's initials and location) . FLORIAN NOVAK AGE: 78 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Retired HOMETOWN: Los Angeles RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single Is "gay" over? I don't think "gay" is over. I think it's blossoming. Fifty, 60 years ago it was much different. We have much more freedom now. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? I think it's that we're such a diverse community. The West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. parade, for example, with the guys baring their butts. I'm involved with the senior community and some of them are conservative, but I try to avoid that. ANDREA JAMES AGE: 39 IDENTIFIES AS: Bisexual transgender transgender or transgendered adj. Transsexual. woman OCCUPATION: Producer and activist HOMETOWN: Los Angeles RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single How do you see yourself fitting into the gay community? Where [transgender people The people on this list have been selected because their fame or notoriety is in some way due or connected to their transgender identity or behaviour. Each person in this list has hir own Wikipedia article, where each subject can be studied in much greater detail. ] used to be seen as a liability politically, a lot of the forward-thinking people see our goals are on a parallel course as gay and lesbian goals. LGBT LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender people all face gender-based oppression. We're all somehow transgressing those boundaries. Transgender [rights are] about 20 years behind, and that's what we're really starting to change. Are you religious? I consider myself agnostic ag·nos·tic n. 1. a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God. b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism. 2. but guided by a set of unwavering moral principles. Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? Any great political movement is a constant chipping away at the monolithic Single object. Self contained. One unit. stereotype stereotype (stĕr`ĕətīp'), plate from which printing is done, made by casting metal in a mold, usually of paper pulp. The process was patented in 1725 by the Scottish inventor William Ged. . We still have a ways to go, but we're starting to see there's such diversity. "Gay" now conjures up a multitude of images. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? I think the most important thing in the LGBT world now is the radical assimilationist--the people who aren't threatening to Americans. You need Malcolm X Malcolm X, 1925–65, militant black leader in the United States, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, b. Malcolm Little in Omaha, Neb. He was introduced to the Black Muslims while serving a prison term and became a Muslim minister upon his release in 1952. and you need Oprah. You need Andrea Dworkin and you need Ellen DeGeneres Ellen Lee DeGeneres (born January 26, 1958) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and currently the Emmy Award-winning host of the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show. DeGeneres has hosted both the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmys. . CRUZ AGE: 32 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Actor-singer-dancer HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, N.Y. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? People of color have demanded a place at the table and the [gay] community has responded in kind. It's not about being welcomed to the table; it's about crashing the party. When was the last time you feared for your safety as a gay person? I gave up living in fear for my life when I came out publicly [in 1994, when he was starring in My So-called Life My So-Called Life is an American television teen drama created by Winnie Holzman and produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz that aired on ABC from August 25, 1994, to January 26, 1995. ]. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? There are some things that are forever gay. Madonna is still gay after all these years. These days it's more about the fact that our interests are closer to that of the straight culture. We've become the torchbearers and definers of pop culture, so it's harder to define what is gay culture and what is straight culture. DEADLEE AGE: 32 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Rapper, actor, and youth counselor HOMETOWN: Denver RELATIONSHIP STATUS: With boyfriend Renne for two years Is "gay" over? As far as the gay stereotypes, I have that side to me; I like my girl divas, but then I like to throw on my hip-hop. Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? I think there's still a bit of [racial prejudice] in the gay community. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if you call it racist or not. Your color takes precedence The order in which an expression is processed. Mathematical precedence is normally: 1. unary + and - signs 2. exponentiation 3. multiplication and division 4. over your sexuality. QUINCY LENEAR AGE: 32 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Filmmaker HOMETOWN: Chicago RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Partnered with Deondray for 10 years How do you see yourself fitting into the gay community? Over the past couple years, [Deondray and I] have been exploring [as filmmakers] a segment of our population that's gone unexplored: African-American men on the down low. Most of the projects on gay people, we see them as out and proud. Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? The gay community is welcoming to people of color from a distance. It's not like, "No, don't you come here," but [rather] "I won't date you. I won't give you more than one show on my network." The gay community has always represented "white." STEVEN GERSTEIN AGE: 36 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Stylist HOMETOWN: Long Island, N.Y. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single How do you see yourself fitting into the gay community? I think instinctually I'm a gay man. The majority of my friends are gay. I'm not an activist, but I'm totally gay. Are you religious? I'm Jewish, but I'm not a big practicing Jew Jew Any person whose religion is Judaism. In a wider sense the term refers to any member of a worldwide ethnic and cultural group descended from the ancient Hebrews who traditionally practiced the Jewish religion. . I'm more spiritual than religious. Is "gay" over? If "gay" is not over, it's on its way. I see how the general population previously viewed gays--now it seems to be not such a big deal. CHINEA WASHINGTON AGE: 22 IDENTITIES AS: Bisexual OCCUPATION: Sales HOMETOWN: Los Angeles RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Partnered with Maryann for six months Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? The gay community is very welcoming to people of color. I don't even think that's an issue. When you're in the gay community, you're dealing with enough prejudice already, so there's not enough room for that. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? The [gay] stereotypes are more for men. No one says, "You're a gay woman and you like this thing and you like that thing." JAKE SARGEANT AGE: 22 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Party promoter HOMETOWN: San Anselmo San Anselmo (săn ănsĕl`mō), city (1990 pop. 11,743), Marin co., W Calif., near San Francisco; inc. 1907. It is mostly residential. San Francisco Theological Seminary is there. , Calif. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single Is "gay" over? The "gay" that the rest of the world sees never truly existed in the actual [LGBT] community. Since being gay has nothing to do with how you act, your personality, how you treat people, or how you dress, it can never be anything that's "in" or "out." What are the gay signifiers in 2006? I love Ellen [DeGeneres]. Her DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. Here and Now is the groundwork for almost all my conversations with people. I think Ellen represents the gay community, though I hate that phrase. BRICKSON DIAMOND AGE: 34 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay OCCUPATION: Wealth adviser HOMETOWN: Atlanta RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single How do you see yourself fitting into the gay community? I support lots of gay charities like Outfest, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation defamation In law, issuance of false statements about a person that injure his reputation or that deter others from associating with him. Libel and slander are the legal subcategories of defamation. Libel is defamation in print, pictures, or any other visual symbols. , the Human Rights Campaign, the National Hospice hospice, program of humane and supportive care for the terminally ill and their families; the term also applies to a professional facility that provides care to dying patients who can no longer be cared for at home. Foundation, Project Angel Food, and the Black AIDS Institute. It incorporates my identity as both African-American and gay. Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? In dating, people can be as racist as they want. If a white guy wants a black guy, he doesn't want me. He doesn't know I have two Ivy League Ivy League Group of eight universities in the northeastern U.S., high in academic and social prestige, that are members of an athletic conference for intercollegiate gridiron football dating to the 1870s. degrees and that I manage $3 billion in client relationships. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? Gay power is our signifier sig·ni·fi·er n. 1. One that signifies. 2. Linguistics A linguistic unit or pattern, such as a succession of speech sounds, written symbols, or gestures, that conveys meaning; a linguistic sign. now: the gay marriage movement, the explosion of media representation, the gay dollar. SILAS HOWARD AGE: 38 IDENTIFIES AS: Gay/butch-trans OCCUPATION: Film director HOMETOWN: San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Partnered Is the gay community welcoming to people of color? It seems, unfortunately, that we're still very segregated in terms of [racial] representation. When was the last time you feared for your safety as a gay person? I've been gay-bashed in San Francisco in the middle of the day. I think the guy was on speed. It would happen a lot in San Francisco because it's a small city and everyone's up close together. What are the gay signifiers in 2006? Lord of the Rings was the gayest movie I've ever seen! As far as what is "gay" now, I don't know ... Tom Cruise? --Reported by Neal Broverman Survey says ... 3,225 Advocate readers tell us about themselves, their lives, and their experiences as LGBT Americans WHO ARE WE? Male * 74% Genderqueer * 1% Female * 24% Other/I don't want to be labeled 1% * Includes transgender participants--just over 1% of total respondents Age 18 or younger 4% 19-24 12% 25-39 35% 40-59 42% 60 older 7% Sexuality * Gay 70% Lesbian 19% Bisexual 5% Straight 1% Queer 3% Other 2% * May include men and women Where do you live? Major urban area 38% Midsize city 26% Suburbs 18% Small town 14% Isolated/rural/other 4% OUR GAY LIVES How important is your sexuality or your gender identity? Primary and essential 30% Significant but not primary 53% Occasionally important 12% It has little impact on my life 4% Not important at all 1% How many LGBT people are there in your extended biological family? None, not even me 3% Just me 50% Two 28% Three or more 19% In your circle of friends: Most are LGBT 26% LGBT and non-LGBT are evenly mixed 43% Most are not LGBT 28% None of the above 3% Where are you out? * Online only 22% In my home/parents' home 50% At work 68% At school 31% At place of worship 22% * Respondents could select more than one answer. At what age did you first come out to another person? 12 or younger 4% 13-15 13% 16-18 23% 19-25 37% 26 or older 23% FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIP What's your relationship status? In a committed relationship 44% Single, not dating 31% Single and dating 13% In a relationship but not married 12% Where do you meet the people you date? * Place of worship 7% Public places (gym, shopping, etc.) 25% School or work 31% Bars/clubs 38% Through friends 59% Via the Internet 46% * Respondents could select more than one answer. Do you have children? No 86% Yes 14% Respondents who: Have had a significant sexual relationship with people of more than one sex 32% Believe there's nothing wrong with having frequent sex with multiple partners 38% Date people with racial or ethnic backgrounds different than their own 56% THE GAY COMMUNITY Do you consider yourself part of the "gay community"? Always 26% Never 3% Rarely 13% Sometimes/often 58% How religious or spiritual are you? Active in an organized religion or place of worship 11% Sometimes attend a place of worship 19% Not religious or spiritual at all 21% Religious or spiritual in my own way 49% Do you often work to hide sexuality in public? your No 79% Yes 14% Not sure/no opinion 7% Do you fear for your safety when you're "out" in public? Never 20% Rarely 41% Sometimes 34% Often/always 5% Percentage of respondents who: Have many friends more than 15 years older than themselves 41% Have many friends more than 15 years younger than themselves 27% Have many queer friends of a gender different from their own 48% Feel tension between their sexual and racial or ethnic identities 7% Believe the LGBT community is welcoming to people of color 61% IT'S GOOD TO BE A GAY Is being gay a choice? No 93% Yes 3% Not sure/no opinion 4% Would you be straight if you could? No 74% Yes 11% Not sure/no opinion 15% Is it possible to change your sexual orientation? No 92% Yes 3% Not sure/no opinion 5% Is homosexuality a sin? No 96% Yes 1% No opinion/not sure 3% Did you choose where you live in part because of your sexuality or gender identity? No 60% Yes 34% Not sure/no opinion 6% Have you been discriminated against in employment or your career because or your sexuality? No 59% Yes 29% No opinion/not sure 12% GAY ACTIVISM AND ACTIVITIES Respondents who consider each of the following part of their personal LGBT experience * Queer car club 3% Gay rodeos 10% S/M and B&D 11% Bear activities 13% Drag 14% LGBT sports activities 16% Being HIV-positive/having HIV-positive family or friends 19% AIDS activism 24% Queer TV channels 46% Activism on LGBT issues 47% Pride events 59% Erotica/pornography 57% * Respondents could select more than one answer. INTEREST AND PASTIMES Respondents who consider each of the following part of their personal LGBT experience * Volunteering for LGBT/AIDS causes 32% Surfing/snowboarding 5% Parenting activities 8% Recreational drugs 11% Team sports 11% School-based activities/groups 14% As much sex as possible 17% Writing checks to LGBT groups 30% Online personals 32% Political/electoral activism 47% Participating in an online community 53% Social drinking/nightclubbing 61% * Respondents could select more than one answer. POP CULTURE Respondents who consider each of the following part of their personal LGBT experience * Queer as Folk 56% The L Word 28% Madonna 33% Cher 30% Judy Garland 20% Barbra Streisand 20% Christina Aguilera 10% * Respondents could select more than one answer. |
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