Mentors
and Advocates ?
I have heard the words, mentor and
advocate tossed around so much; like only some take ownership. In reality we are all mentors and/or
advocates for some people or some aspects in society. Ad advocate or mentor for woman’s rights need
not be a woman; nor does one for gays need to be gay. An advocate or mentor should lead by
example. One person of a sector of
society does not take precedence as being “champion of the cause” I have seen and heard advocates go on
speaking engagements; often being paid $10’s of thousands of dollars. To me this is not always advocacy- it becomes
a profession.
Gays do not know “all what is
right” for gays. Anyone with compassion and care,
understanding and the willingness to educate themselves on the matters at hand
can both be mentors and advocates; thus being a positive “role model”
regardless of the community sector. Why
must one tout themselves as a “woman’s rights” or “gay rights” advocate.
I am a writer who “just happens to be
gay” but I have not, will not and never will say “I am Joe Lethbridge and I am
a GAY WRITER” Very little of what I
write is about being gay or for the gay cause.
We all are and should be mentors or
advocates as we all have the potential; only if we do not think what is best
for only and of good for ourself.
The other day I went to Cambridge City
Hall for a Pride flag raising ceremony.
No more than 30 or 40 attendees.
The Mayor and two councilors officiated.
Touted as a “diverse celebration” I am finding Pride to be anything
but. Sure there are a few childrens
activities but how diverse is it really when it comes off as one big ad
campaign drag shows at Club R@@@@@@e and drag races in E@@@@@ with queens sitting astride horse harness
carts. Drag is not the be-all and
end-all of Pride or that matter; gay culture.
Maybe Pride needs a renaissance of its own. Captain Cam was the children’s entertainer
wearing cow print shorts that were just a bit too tight considering the
audience. Two guys in stereotypical knee
length shorts;also too tight ( I do not need to know what side you park your
package). Of course Stonewall was
mentioned. A skewed and very abridged
version putting a more favorable view on the queens. Stonewall was said to be
for one lesbian-some drag queens and “street youth” The mention of street youth
was mentioned to gain sympathy for “the cause”.
Why not have education at Pride ? Rather
than make it all fun and games; why not educate. As it was mentioned at Pride;
more youth are getting involved. Rather than show the “flashy” elements of
Pride and the “trashy” parts; how about focusing on the history mentioning gays
who have made positive change to the world; not just for gays.
I hope that at Les@@ Bingo this year
someone stands up and yells “LESBO HAS BEEN CALLED” they reply “O-NO not the
same recycled shit again. It is about
Pride- not one aspect and not just about promoting what always seems to be the
same damned club.
I am proud but in all honesty I am
losing pride in the festivities. Unless you are into drag shows there really is
not much left. Pride in oneself does not need a celebration; nor a parade and
no “dress” code or “scantily dressed” code is in effect.
Just me. Thinking and typing out loud
again.
Joe Lethbridge
May 29th 2012
