Last week’s cover story, “Dawn of a new gay,” set off a firestorm of debate. The writer, Paul Aguirre-Livingston, wrote about his experience coming of age in Toronto in the era of legalized gay marriage. He used the term Post-Mo to describe himself and a growing faction of gay men in their 20s living in downtown Toronto, a group he says no longer defines themselves primarily by their sexuality, and, as such, feels disconnected from the Church Wellesley Village and annual Pride celebrations. A number of readers agreed, but many more took offense and let us know in these letters to the editor.
STILL FIERCE, STILL STRUGGLIN’
In direct response to “Dawn of a new gay,” we speak out to our experiences as queer people of colour who are still fighting homophobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia, classism and oppression in Toronto.
We resist with integrity, tireless work and love. In doing so we empower ourselves and each other. This photo [featured above] only represents a small portion of the slew of queer organizers and artists of colour working in Toronto. Here we are: The Asian Arts Freedom School, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Colour Me Dragg, Deviant Productions, Ill Nana/ DiverseCity Dance Company, @kalmplex, Les Blues, The Let Alvaro Stay Campaign, No One Is Illegal, OUTWords LGBTQ2SIA Arts and Leadership Program, The People Project, secret trial five, The Sex Appeals, Supporting Our Youth and Trigger Festival… to name just a few.
BE MORE INCLUSIVE
Aguirre-Livingston’s article is yet another symptom of a political landscape that is dominated by selfishness, fear of difference and a rejection of inclusiveness. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with Aguirre-Livingston’s own experience of being gay and he certainly has every right to live out his sexual identity in whatever way he chooses. I take no issue with that. What is disturbing is the article’s complete lack of awareness/acknowledgement of his position inside the broader world. The article does not speak to the context in which he is living nor does it place his experience in relationship to a broader community of homosexuals, except in the most superficial of ways. His personal and extremely privileged position inside the gay experience is not the norm. Nowhere close, in fact. For a widely distributed media outlet to imply (or outright state) that it is the norm is outrageous.
It is the equivalent to some posh Rosedale resident saying that there is no poverty because they do not directly experience it in their own lives. It is self-centered, short-sighted and irresponsible. It denies our interconnected existence as a community—a community that is made up of a multiplicity of experiences. It feeds a growingly disconnected society of isolated individuals who have little understanding of the larger social realities that they are a part of. This is frightening to me.—Brendan Healy, Artistic Director, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
In the uproar surrounding Aguirre-Livingston’s essay the words “entitled” and “privileged” have been thrown around. It brings me to the question: Isn’t everyone entitled to and privileged to free speech? To me, the writer only exercised the rights that had been afforded to him by the people who fought for his right to live the way he wants. It’s painful to see that the people he should have feared by writing on this topic were other members of his own community. The younger generation has not forgotten the work that has been done on our behalf. My decision to live a certain way is not a direct attack upon someone who chooses to live differently. Entitled and privileged? No. Instead I am thankful for the fights fought so that living my life the way I want is even a possibility.—Sean Collins
HIV is STILL A REALITY
In “Dawn of a New Gay,” Aguirre-Livingtons writes, “I have regular HIV tests, because I’m aware of the importance of sexual health, but I’ve still managed to forget the condom once or twice without freaking out.” As a 29-year-old white gay male living with HIV, I have an even greater respect for the many heroes who fought to make HIV a chronic illness rather than the death sentence it was for so many. I was disappointed by the reckless abandon with which Aguirre-Livingston addressed the topic of HIV. With over 300 gay men diagnosed with HIV in Toronto alone every year, this is not a matter to be taken lightly. For the 73,000 Canadians and 33 million of us worldwide living each day with HIV: This is reality!—Ron Barry, Chair of the Young Professional Council at the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research and Marketing Chair of the LGBT Philanthropy Conference
NOT FREE FROM BULLYING
I moved to Toronto with my partner just over a year ago from Vancouver. On our first night at our new apartment in the Annex, we decided to go for a walk. A block into our walk, we were called faggots by a group of people lingering on the sidewalk—and we weren’t even wearing our rainbow pantsuits at the time. We tried to laugh it off, but something like that becomes hard to shake. It was a few weeks before we felt fully comfortable again.
So when I read Paul Aguirre-Livingston claim in The Grid this week that “to be a twentysomething gay man in Toronto in 2011 is to be free from persecution and social pressures to conform,” I had to stop and blink. But it was 2010 when I was called faggot, so maybe things are better now.—Jake Tobin Garrett
PITBULL WELCOMES EVERYONE
As the resident DJ of the “rare new party in the Village” mentioned in this article, I can tell you straight up that there is no sort of “masculine-guys only” policy, which is implied by the writer. The monthly event, called Pitbull, is welcoming to all and a good time is encouraged to be had—by all. I can honestly verify, having been to every single event, that people of all shapes and sizes and colours are present. Trust me, I’m the DJ.—DJ Shane Percy
SOMETHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT
I thought the piece was honest, and the writer put himself on the line. From my point of view, the Village has lost its lustre. However, it does have an attraction for those who still live there—it’s the starting point for many gay boys who leave home and come to Toronto and it’s still the spiritual home of gaydom. It remains a vibrant neighbourhood. But I’m a straight woman, and the village for me and many of my gay friends isn’t as fun as it used to be—whether that’s because we’re older or because it’s changed.
I think the negative responses missed the point of the piece: It wasn’t about the struggles gay men had to endure and that still exist today. It is about the happy reality that the writer and his friends have found for themselves. Good for them! —L.C.
VILLAGE VOICE
I am so not over gay. While I’d like my queerness to be a non-issue, far too many people—including the muscle-bound tourist on Yonge Street who once threatened to beat the crap out of my partner and me for holding hands—think that my sexuality is a problem.
The assumption that the new [west end] gaybourhood is far more relevant because it offers a superior party experience is to miss the point. The Village offers more than a good time. It is embraced by countless queers who contribute to or benefit from the good work of The 519, the Hassle-Free Clinic, AIDS Committee of Toronto, People with AIDS, Casey House, Fife House, Xtra! and so many other community organizations and businesses. Oh, and the Church Street parties are pretty epic, too.—Christos Tsirbas
Next page: a compilation of comments posted to our website
