Alton: So guys what is your definition of a hero or who has been a hero in your life?
Manuel: My Dad
Jason: My mom
Manuel: Because he made sacrifices to raise our family.
Christopher Rice: Someone who acts against their own self interest to help others.
Randy_RocketScientist: Someone who realizes the downside of something but does it anyway because it’s necessary or important….
Manuel: Which meant he cared beyond himself
Alton: Great…
Ron Buckmire: Someone who sees what need to be done and odes it, regardless of how much it will cost them.
Alton: Do you think that gay men in our community need heroes or people to look up to?
Thomas G: To me that has many meanings. One is my parents, and another is someone who does something they are afraid to do, but do it anyways for the benefit of others. Example, Rosa Parks, My High School History teacher, and many others.
Manuel: Someone who can live by this Dalai Lama saying “Benefit others, if not… at least try not to harm them.”
Manuel: YES we need more role models.
Thomas G: I do agree that we do need heroes, and others to look up to.
Christopher Rice: I think a lot of gay men need to get more clear with themselves on how they’re defining the word hero.
Thomas G: I personally benefitted from those who came out before me, and to all the men and women who were out, and showed me they are no different than everyone else.
Ron Buckmire: and “role model.”
Manuel: A hero doesn’t have to do something grand.
Christopher Rice: Or having more sex than I do.
Manuel: It can be a momentary lapse of heroism.
Thomas G: Do you think there is an exact definition of hero?
Thomas G: Besides websters?
Alton: Now on to a serious question. In West Hollywood it is sometimes said that men are trying to live up to a certain image of being gay. This campaign as some mentioned before looked at different ways of living as a gay man and many different lifestyles. What are your thoughts on this?
Ron Buckmire: Which I think is it’s strongest point.
Christopher Rice: I agree.
Ron Buckmire: You don’t have to look like a falcon videobox cover. AND not all gay people are in West Hollywood.
Manuel: Although it can help.
Alton: What does pride mean to you and how do you express pride in your own life?
Ron Buckmire: Depends on what you need help doing.
Ron Buckmire: Rainbow stickers on my car. J
Christopher Rice: If I want to develop self esteem and I have to act in an esteemable manner. I have to treat myself like someone who is worthy of respect.
Thomas G: Pride to me, means being who I am, and living my life the way it makes me happy.
Randy_RocketScientist: Pride is the belief in the idea God had when he (or she) made you- Isak Dineson
Alton: Nice
Thomas G: I don’t have to be in West Hollywood to be gay, and there is no one way of being gay.
Manuel: To simplify Pride for me is just being Real, having to not ever feel we need to hid parts of ourselves.
Alton: Sometime portraying a positive image for a gay man to strive for takes many forms. Some are mainly on the exterior. Do you think that there are ways to address the inner, like self-esteem and coming out?
Randy_RocketScientist: It would be fascinating if there were available funds to do some focus groups testing which demographic group was impacted the most by this campaign…. I guess that would be the scientist in me. We like data…J
Thomas G: One way of doing that is to show the future generation that they are not alone, and I think one way of doing that is by being out. In terms of helping the inner self, is to be there for others. Friends in the gay community are important.
Jason: Group and community…
Ron Buckmire: Yup—because a public education campaign by definition will be received by the general public AND the gay community simultaneously.
Thomas G: But I also have to say, that many families have become open and accepting of gay people in their families.
Alton: It sounds like visibility is a key thread here….
Thomas G: I believe so.
Manuel: Indeed
Alton: What does community mean to you?
Thomas G: One of the first people I ever knew to be gay was my history teacher in high school. He lived his life.
Thomas G: Community is a hard one for me to define. Especially the term Gay Community.
Manuel: Community means having to care for everyone’s needs.
Ron Buckmire: hmmmm. What would be an interesting campaign, ”Who was the first gay person you knew?”
Randy_RocketScientist: One of the pivotal things in my life has been my volunteer activities with APLA, GLASS, etc. I wonder to what extent the City can facilitate getting more people connected to organizations….and in particular, younger people.
Christopher Rice: Brilliant.
Thomas G: I think community to me is when a group of people share a common experience.
Manuel: To be inclusive in every aspect.
Alton: I’m in that camp myself. The first hero or gay image I remember was Pedro he really inspired me to do the work I do today.
Ron Buckmire: Pedro was my first person in the media—although “Torchsong Trilogy” was a biggie too.
Manuel: Oooo I love that movie.
Thomas G: I think Pedro was the First real gay person to be out, and started a shift in our current generation.
Randy_RocketScientist: With the advent of Amazon and other online bookstores the augmentation of regular bookstores with GLBT sections, gay-themed bookstores have been having a hard time lately.
Christopher: A very hard time.
Alton: Wow that brings up another idea. As we become more assimilated into the mainstream culture do you guys feel that we are loosing some of the things that make us unique. What about our other social institutions that are specific to us like film festivals?
Thomas G: I agree, it’s sad to see that those stories are going away to larger chains, but aI also think it’s great that main stream bookstores now have gay sections ( I want to note that when I refer to gay, I include the LGBTQ community.
Manuel : If we do start to lose things that make us unique we also have to ask the question at what gain. If it means that we are being accepted more then isn’t it worth it?
Alton: Guys you have all assisted in getting the message out about being a healthy gay man. If you were to speak to one gay kid or person out there what would it be?
Ron Buckmire: I would want the issue of gender and misogyny/sexism among gay men and the masculinity/femininity (butch/queen) divide to be addressed.
Randy_RocketScientist: I dream of the day that in the average work environment it becomes OK to ask if someone dates men or women…
Thomas G: I think that sometimes leads to destructive tendencies, yes the normalized adolescence, which could lead to the work place questions.
Alton: Workplace questions?
Thomas G: If someone else dates men or women, being open about it at a younger age would allow people to know it’s ok.
Alton: But isn’t that changing more and more each day. I mean if we look at just the last 10 years we’ve really moved forward as a community don’t you think?
Christopher Rice: Absolutely.
Randy_RocketScientist: I think some industries and locations more so than others…
Ron Buckmire: Soon in California when someone gets married you’ll have to ask, “to a man or a woman?”
Thomas G: I agree, I live in a time where being gay is much easier, if not completely easier.
Manuel: All the more important to be role models to our families first, so to have a rippling effect on the next generation.
Thomas G: That is very true Manny.
Thomas G: I started with my family.
Alton: So Manuel with all the change we have seen in this generation what would be your hopes for the next 10 years?
Randy_RocketScientist: I think it’s “easy” to be gay in LA. I was recently exchanging messages with a nephew about his best friend who had just come out to him. The friend lived in South Carolina and was not having an easy time of it…
Thomas G: For me, I would say equal marriage in all the US.
Alton: Did you hear about Massachusetts yesterday?
Thomas G: Your right Randy, we do live in a very fortunate place, No I didn’t…
Manuel: Coming out meant that my nieces and nephews can think of at least one person that is just fine being queer. Next 10 years we finally have moved on to bigger issues and have solved global warming.
Ron Buckmire: Yes, I heard about Massachusetts.
Alton: Great answer Manuel I think it’s going to take all of us for that one.
Manuel: Less division or no division amongst us would be great in the next 5 years.
Manuel: The sooner the better.
Thomas G: I hope I’m fortunate to see that happen.
Alton: Okay guys we are coming up on the end of our chat.
Thomas G: Wow, that was one fast hour.
Alton: Did you have other comments to add about your role in that campaign?
Randy_RocketScientist: Thanks for the opportunity…
Alton: Or did you want to leave us with anything unique to take into another campaign?
Christopher Rice: I have to say something creepy. My framed Gay Heroes ad which we were all given at City Council was the only thing that fell off the shelves and broke during the earthquake yesterday!
Manuel: Great start… let’s keep going.
Manuel: That is creepy.
Alton: Oh my…that’s something….
Ron Buckmire: Chris: Oh no!
Manuel: Never underestimate the powers of super glue.
Christopher Rice: I know. The picture is fine, though. Maybe just a little nudge: don’t get too complacent. Keep working.
Thomas G: I’m very greatful to have had this opportunity, as a friend said to me, I will now be a little part of gay culture.
Ron Buckmire: I would say that for the next campaign it again be citywide and also dispel stereotypical images of gay people..maybe about lesbians.
Manuel: Wonderful, that’s a great idea.
Randy_RocketScientis: Or transgenders….
Thomas G: That would be great Ron, I do believe that gay men or pushed to the forefront of being gay, and there is more than just us.
Alton: Great that is really inclusive…
Thomas G: Also our friends, who welcome and accept who we are.
Manuel: Add our friends, who welcome and accept who we are.
Thomas G: I agree.
Alton: That would be a great idea, the perspective of family members too.
Manuel: That would be a powerful campaign.
Alton: It really would.. Alright guys I wanted to once again thank you for taking the time to help us with this chat tonight.
Manuel: Include our family pets, who are always have unconditional love. Bless their hearts.
Randy_RocketScientist: LOL
Manuel: J
Alton: I also wanted to thank our chatters for joining.
Thomas G: Thank you
Manuel: Thank you everyone and to all a good night.
Christopher Rice: Thanks guys!
Randy_Rocket Scientist: Good Night. Have a great week! (and watch for falling picture frames…)
Alton: Have a good night gay heroes…
Thomas G: Good night.
Ron Buckmire: upwards and away!
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