Berlin

Too tired to really post now. But as soon as we walked through the entrance into the foyer, I knew I was going to enjoy Berlin.  

Take your party elsewhere

Given the opinions currently being circulated concerning Prop 8, I knew it was only a matter of time until this became an issue. As a black gay man living in Chicago, I have been out at bars a few times when bachelorette parties have breezed in, transforming a normally relatively sedate atmosphere into something more closely resembling a circus act. And while I'm not opposed to women letting loose in an atmosphere they perceive as non-threatening, I always feel like they're in a search of a some kind of stereotype. And invariably, one of the women will come over to me and attempt to engage me, sometimes demandingly, in conversation. "Hey, can I ask you a question" is usually how she starts, "are you gay?" And after considering the myriad of choices I have to respond, I usually stick with the simplest. "Yes." And the conversation usually proceeds in a predictable manner. She's usually from somewhere else where she doesn't think she knows any gay people, let alone any black gay people. She's usually involved with a man who would "freak out" if he knew where she was. And usually has a friend whom she thinks may be gay but can't really be sure.

Now, there are some gay folk who do their best to humor these women. But I'm not one of them, and as soon as she recognizes that I don't want to play in her little archaeological game ("help me accept you"), she usually gets offended. But at least she leaves me alone.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a firm believer in the power of dialogue. I have had some really nice conversations with women who just happened to wander in, realize they're in a gay bar, and chose to stay anyway. And I know the bachelorettes think they're proving they're decent. tolerant people, striking a blow for gay rights by invading a space gay men have carved out for ourselves. But if you really want to show your acceptance of glbt folks, take your party elsewhere.

And We're Off

Please accept my apologies for this first posting. I'm just getting my feet wet.