From JoeMyGod – “Watching The Defectives”

In honor of Gay Pride Month, I’m posting this piece by my favorite LGBT writer, Joe Jervis. I can never hope to come close to the clarity of thought and emotion about what it’s like to celebrate Gay Pride as Joe does in this.

Years ago, while on tour with “A Chorus Line” I had one of my straight friends ask me “don’t you think gays would be more accepted if you chose different, more mainstream people to be featured on the news at gay pride?”  I remember I started to explain WE don’t elect our “news coverage” representatives – the news channels do.  And then I thought to myself: we’re ALL different and that’s the point of any celebration of equality.

I used to try to “assimilate” – I used to try to be “one of the good ones.”  I used to try to not offend anyone with the fact that I happen to love my husband.  That I am who I am.  Then one day I realized – no one was worried about my comfort.  When I read Joe’s post the first time I was dumbstruck with how spot-on he was.

Joe wrote this in 2005 and posts it each year. I celebrate his writing and passion.  A book of his writing is coming out later this year.  Believe me, you’ll hear about it from me.

Go to his amazing blog – JoeMyGod – and read it every day. He was and is the inspiration for me to even begin blogging.

Watching The Defectives