LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
High CAMP |
by Brent Mundt |
(Gay) Lions and Tigers and Bears (Oh, my!) Generations of LGTB on Campus This column is retroactively dedicated to the legions of lesbian and gay Penn State Nittany Lion alumni who converged on Rehoboth Beach a couple of summers ago. Hosted by a proud local Penn State alumnus, who wanted to share our community with his brothers and sisters, the festive gathering seems to have been, by all accounts a raging success. Letters carried a photo of the event, which attracted Nellie Nittanies and Lezzie Lions ranging from the classes of 1947 to 2006. Sidetracked by other summer dalliances, this cub reporter completely missed the storyand what a shame. I couldn't help but marvel at the contrast of the two "bookends" who participatedjust imagine what life was like circa 1947, twenty odd years pre-Stonewall, versus that in 2006 nearly four decades post. It was such a lost opportunity. Without much investigation, by and large, I think its safe to say universally that there are more queers in the quad today. Sixty years of closet cleaning has had its affect. I still wish I'd been there for the exchange. 1947: "I walked to class eight miles in the snow, both ways and we didn't have no fancy schmancy Rainbow Pride Club House with cookies and punch in the student union. I lived in the closet. We wore raccoon skin coats and swallowed goldfish." 2006: "I ride my Vespa to class with my boyfriend and hang out in the Rainbow Room. I have a pink faux fur shoulder bag and last Halloween I wore fierce disco stilettos with goldfish in the heels. I keep both in my closet." What a world we live in today. Runner up American Idol Adam Lambert talks about driving home one day from high school with his mother and her asking if he had a girlfriend. When he said no, she asked nonchalantly if he'd like a boyfriend. How healthy and normal can it be? Generational differences are indeed stark. A bit of web research turns up something we never dreamed of in my dayLGBT clubs blossoming all over the countrynot just for Lions, but for Tigers, Bears, Terrapins, Cavaliers, Blue Hens and...holy guacamole...Aggies! Yes indeed, ladies and gays, Texas A&M has an LGBT club! It must take chutzpah to be a Faggie Aggie. Much was written about the gay generation gap during the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. Are we segregated and destined to misunderstand one another? Is my generation resigned to be bitter toward the younger ones, miffed that they'll never understand the suffering we endured before the hard-fought breakthroughs? Will the young ones always view us as too serious, bitter and political? Personally, I return to St. Stephen Sondheim in times like these. Our modern day philosopher never fails to disappoint His brilliant work in Follies chronicled the lives of aging show girls who reunite in middle agetheir regrets on parade and unresolved issues dragged into the middle of the room. All are survivors thoughand the legendary Yvonne DeCarlo has the showstopper: "I'm Still Here." Many say that it's Sondheim's ode to the gay community: Good times and bum times, I've seen them all and my dear, I'm still here Plush velvet sometimes Sometimes just pretzels and beer But I'm here I've stuffed the dailies in my shoes strummed ukuleles sung the blues seen all my dreams disappear but I'm here. (Lots of 40s and 50s nostalgia, then...) I've run the gamut A to Z Three cheers and damnit C'est la vie I got through all of last year And I'm here Lord knows at least I was there And I'm here Look who's here I'm still here Ballsy Broadway diva, Elaine Stritch quips that anyone under 80 dare not sing this song. They haven't earned it. Our alum from 1947 could easily sing it. "Kids today" those gay lions and tigers and bears who frolic carelessly across their quad on campus don't need to be penalized. I wouldn't wish our experience on them. It's heartening to know that they don't have the isolation, the angst and the lack of self-esteem. As for the reunions, somehow I think the commonality of the shared collegiate lives they once lived bridges gaps, even if there's a gulf of years between the two gay experiences back on campus. This comes full circle for me as I talk to my contemporaries about their own college days. My own view is that we should support these clubs as fervently as we can. The gains we've made and the momentum we can show on campus should not lose steam. There's another crop of freshman each year and each and every one should have a safe and welcoming place to live and learn. And if you want to host your school, don't forget the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center now has its very own reunion hallplenty of space for every lion, tiger and bear!
Brent Mundt makes a living in Washington and a life in Rehoboth Beach. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 19, No. 10 July 31, 2009 |