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All The Time Wasted
Tearing Ourselves Down
by James Lehman
Having been involved in developing Extra Stimulus Inc.
as a strong, economically attractive force in local gay
multimedia production, I have come to realize a very sad
fact, that has been substantiated by many similar stories
told to me by others in our community that are also trying
to advance gay positive awareness within this very region.
Plain and simple, our biggest and most vicious adversaries
are always other gay people. That is disgusting and
reprehensible. But, as I'm learning, it is very common and a
bigger waste of time than our straight opponents could ever
muster. You see gay people have the inside advantage.
A lot of what we have had to deal with is just bad
attitude and apathy. We've heard of a few rumors moving
around about this magazine and our Internet service, in some
cases spoken by people who would praise our efforts to our
faces. If you really want to know the truth, just call and
ask us. We have no secrets and would gladly work with anyone
interested in advancing gay culture through media. That is
what we are here for!
If you are eager to believe the crap, go ahead. We have
a lot of support now from people who know us personally and
understand and appreciate what we and those who work with us
are doing for our community.
But beyond that, there are some disgruntled gay people
out there that are really upset by our obvious diligence and
resulting popularity. They would like to destroy us, our
magazine and our Internet service. I can't see how they
would be in any position for personal gain from this, only
the satisfaction that they might take away something that we
have a great passion for. All of our resources are available
to anyone who wishes to be a positive influence. And will
always remain so.
There are those who thought that we couldn't handle the
seemingly overwhelming tasks of publishing this magazine and
maintaining all of the hundreds of Web pages at
rainbow-akron.com. Since we did not fail, and are actually
doing rather well, they have become infuriated. Hey! If you
think you can do a better job putting it all together, then
by all means, DO SO! The Internet is wide open for new
content. All you need is the will and the know how. And,
there are plenty of print shops that would be glad to affix
your concept of a better magazine to paper.
With all of the REAL opposition that we face as gay
people, the last thing we need is to be tearing down the
efforts of others within our own ranks. Being gay doesn't
mean that we must all agree on every issue. We have printed
editorials that didn't exactly express our own ideas. When
are we going to get past our petty differences and see the
benefit of a unified gathering of creative gay activism?
Where are these childish, ego-maniac, middle-aged,
useless losers going to be in ten years when they've worn
out their sorry stories with all of the decent gay people in
our community? ~Probably run out of town or still living at
home with their mommies.
GROW UP! JL :o)
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