by Morgan Bell

Created on: January 20, 2009

Once you adopt a few gay friends, or come out as gay yourself, it may seem that perhaps the whole world really is gay.

An insider to the queer community will be privvy to all the different shades of sexuality and the world will never seem the same again.

Gay people like identifying other gay people. It may be an instinct, information acquired from word-of-mouth, or a direct confession from a closeted gay. The ability to dentifying other gay people has become a currency in the queer community. Many people thrive on it. Knowing who is gay, bi, curious, questioning, or simply touring the facilities is a skill.

Why do gay people do it?

- it is reassuring to know you are not alone and that your sexuality is not really that different to the masses

- it is a safety mechanism to seek out those who are safety in the like-minded, as opposed to potential threats and harm

- knowledge is power

People that are not acquainted with the queer community would probably be quite surprised to learn of how many "straight" married men cheat on their wives with gay lovers or male prostitutes. They may also be surprised to learn of celebrities, entertainers, sports-people, politicians, and professionals that dabble in behaviours of the same-sex variety.

Mainstream media has slowly cottoned-on in the last five years to what members of the queer community have known for decades. Many programs are intoducing a gay character, or a same-sex romantic plot element, or a transgendered controversy. The inclusion of queer culture in popular film and tv reflects how gay people are woven into our everyday lives. Most people are related to or work with at least one gay person. These gay people that exist in our real life experience are generally respected and accepted. Mainstream entertainment is just catching up.

Now that it is ok to show a gay person on tv or in a film, creative artists and producers are having a ball. Writers everywhere have had the floodgates of their imaginations open to same-sex possibilities.

There is bound to be a period of over-compensation and over-representation in the media until a time where gay people are treated 100% equally in the greater community.

We are in a period of history where culture is just peaking its head out from a great umbrella of censorship. We are approaching a new renaissance where freedom and liberty will soon flourish.

It may seem now with increased media interest, increased pride and visibility, and increased inclusion of the queer community, that perhaps everyone really is gay. Some queer theorists claim that everyone has the potential for bi-sexual activity. However, it is unlikely gay relationships will become more common than heterosexual partnerships any time soon.

The percentage of the world that seems gay will depends greatly on where your perspective is coming from. It also depends on how you define "gay". There are a thousand shades of grey between exclusively homosexual and engaging in isolated same-sex behaviours. Maybe the whole world is gay? Or maybe it is a small but vibrant slice? Hang on, i need to adjust my kaleidascope ...

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