PRINTCelebrating LGBT pride
April 24, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Since coming here, I’ve heard a lot about the diversity of Columbia. It’s the liberal island in a conservative sea of rural mid-Missouri; it’s filled with arts and culture and a variety of ethnicities.
But when it comes to the gay community, I always found myself wondering, “Where is it?”
In this issue, Vox sought to find the members of Columbia’s LGBT community who are a vital part of the city’s strength as a cultural center. It takes more than arts and dining to create a vibrant place to live; it takes all sorts of people who embrace their identities without fear. These folks compel us to question any conventional beliefs, preconceived notions and stereotyped thoughts we hold.
These very people are celebrated throughout our pages this week.
Jessica Orsini boldly speaks about being transgender; Maureen Dickmann is a local pastor who accepts members of the LGBT community at her church; Tom Harris and Brian Mahieu put wedding rings on their fingers and declare themselves married.
In the spirit of being unafraid, we’ve also included stories that question exactly how much the LGBT community has been embraced by the mainstream. MU still does not provide benefits for domestic partners; local theater does not offer many LGBT roles.
What might prove to be our most controversial story explores online dating geared toward gay men. Although this story caused a stir among Columbia’s LGBT community when word of it got out, I think it brings up a valuable point: For all its diversity, this town does not offer many conventional ways for singles in LGBT community to meet, which has, in many ways, made the dating scene go underground and onto the Internet.
But don’t let that all that get you down about the Midwest’s acceptance of gay culture. This week’s Endnotes features Dennis Kitchen, Mr. Missouri Gay Rodeo Association 2008. What’s more American than rodeo?
I thought the story on Orsini was amazing; all too often transgender issues are totally ignored perhaps for the fear that the news audience will reject that information and papers are, after all, a business.
What is unfortunate though is that this LGBT issue seemed - for the most part - to leave out the B. Where is the representation of bisexuals in the community? More often than not we have struggle because the legitimacy of our sexuality is called into question on both sides and much like those who are transgendered, we too are ignored.
Posted by monique quayle on Apr 30, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Report Comment)