filed in Daily Life, What Gets Me Through the Day
A Single Woman and a Few Close Friends
June 28, 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of “Stonewall,” a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village which sparked days of riots and protests, and the start of the gay rights movement.
I mention it here, amid my heterosexual rants about unmarried life, because of how much I’ve been shaped and embraced by the lesbian/gay community, and how fortunate I am for it. William, the first gay person I had the pleasure to meet, or at least the first who acknowledged it out loud to me, turned into my most cherished friend.
Why is there such a bond?
I wouldn’t dare to compare my personal ups and downs as a single, straight woman, with those who have experienced brutal discrimination because of sexual preference. But it’s been a relief to share the loving company of others considered outside the cultural norm, because of a journey without spouses and children.
Now that gays are marrying and having families, perhaps the camaraderie will change. But I doubt it. I’m sure we’re linked for life.
(Photo: From a 1970’s Gay Liberation Front Poster)
Discussion
2 comments for “A Single Woman and a Few Close Friends”
Leave a Reply
About this Site
FIRST PERSON SINGULAR is a guide to surviving, thriving and sometimes just getting through a single day. Created by Wendy Braitman (more…)
Follow First Person Singular
Greatest Hits
Glad you’re part of the tribe
I love that picture! There are still and again dissenting voices on the same-sex marriage thing within the LGBT rights movement. I am sure we’ll continue to have allies there despite matrimania and the normalization pushes.
See here and here for examples.