One one hand, this country is being inundated by images of queerdom in all its forms on TV, in films and plays and music videos. The other night in the area around Washington Square and SoHo (not particularly the "gay ghetto",) I saw dozens of same sex couples walking arm-in-arm attracting no particular notice.
On the other hand politicians and ministers rail against us, we are beaten and harrassed and murdered. Gay youth in schools have as bad a time as ever. Our desire to have our relationships legitimized by the State has been denied-- even if it we do not mask it behind the "safe" guise of "domestic partnership." Should we join our armed forces (though at this point I might wonder why) we must not only keep silent, but we will still be hunted down and persecuted.
I am very much reminded of an a fellow classmate in grammar school who hated Blacks with a passion, yet adored the music of Motown and lionized Hank Aaron. It's fine for the niggers to do "de ole minstrel show for de white Massa," after all...
But, things are changing bit by bit... the fact that my father's home helper has a partnered HIV+ gay son who is spoken about openly and casually and that my Dad, who was born during World War I, derides his own church for their homophobia, proves that things have changed a great deal. All my nephews have gay and lesbian friends. Like Mr. Joe points out, the revolution happens one person at a time.
Yes, Bobby, Act Up is currently not "in vogue." There are a variety of reasons for that-- one being the fact that the HIV crisis is perceived (wrongly) as being over. Another reason is the "collective" sort of way in which the group operated. And of course, young people are never interested in history. Unless of course they are really advanced.
I agree-- fight back! NEVER take your rights for granted. And Sweetie, your friend should get in touch with a group like AVP. No one should have to live this way. And we must not be silent about it.