Is gay life becoming, gulp, boring?
The Brits seem to think so. A story from the Economist’s June 28th edition sums it up: “Out and Proud Parents: As Tolerance Spreads, Gay Life Is Becoming More Suburban, Contented and Even Dull.”
The article cites opinion polls that show Americans are more accepting of gays and lesbians. As a result, gays and lesbians are living more openly in their communities. Nationwide, the number of openly gay households grew at five times the rate as the general population. And though gay couples are often thought to be living exclusively in urban centers, recent trends show that we are moving to the suburbs as our straight counterparts are relocating to cities.
It seems obvious that life in the ‘burbs would be more subdued than living in the big city. But how can we qualify this statement?
One way is to look at the gay media. New York City has a popular nightlife/events magazine called Homo Xtra (a.k.a. HX). North of the city, in the Hudson Valley, Inside/Out is the magazine to read. Both are glossy, entertaining, and thick with ads.
HX calls itself the “totally biased, politically incorrect party paper, the hottest guide to gay nightlife and culture in New York City!” and features on its covers diva performers or young men in various states of undress. Inside/Out takes a more civic approach. Its most recent edition, for example, highlighted the movers and shakers in New York’s Capitol, all dressed from neck to knee.
HX is highly sexual; fit and uncovered bodies are the ideal. Inside/Out is highly cultural, with profiles of antiques dealers, ‘green’ activists, and authors. And while there are certainly dowdy antique collectors in the city and party boys in the country, each magazine clearly reflects the overall tone and expectation of the community it serves.
I think we can all agree that the growth of gay life in the suburbs is a good thing, reflecting the progress we’ve made in American society. The more we can integrate and interact with middle America, the more we can win over their hearts and minds. However, does that make us boring?
Personally, I think it’s exciting. The LGBT community has always been a frontierspeople, and our push into the countryside continues this legacy.
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