Has Much Changed?

Today officially marks one year since this little corner of the internet was started. It also marks the actual birthdate of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last year, I asked "so where are we now?" Now I'm asking it again.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Black Justice Coalition are holding a summit of black religious leaders to attempt to combat homophobia within the black churches and the community-at-large.

On a considerably more shallow note, but nonetheless surprising to me, I watched My Sexual Harrassment on Q Television (via DVR) . If you had told me last year that we would have a gay premium channel broadcasting yaoi anime Cinemax-esque films in the US, I would've thought you were dreaming. For all the mocking I do of QTN, it certainly is beginning to establish a niche as the HBO/Showtime of the gay networks. If you have issues with LOGO (I don't, but some do) not allowing nudity and swearing, well they are definitely alive at QTN for $7.95 a month here.

Which brings me to another point. I'm shocked that we now have 3 gay networks available here in New York. Granted, Ozaukee County is still not offered LOGO on cable, but there's still a surprise there: Brokeback Mountain is playing in Mequon, the land of the closet cases.

So things are better, but there is still a need to avoid resting on our laurels. We still live in a society where we still really have no A-list stars publicly declaring that they are gay. We still live in a society where young white women going missing causes a national uproar, while children of colour barely make the front page. We still live in a society where there is still is inequality in payment and treatment based on the colour of skin, gender, nationality, and sexual orientation.

Yet, for a second today and tomorrow, do acknowledge the successes and visualise how to combat the problems that continue.