Does San Antonio have a Gay Community?

[Remington Steel]

I understand wanting to be "around your own kind"because that may be your comfort zone, but why does it have to be limited to your own bar, neighborhood, street, area, etc.? And I say this about any group (gay, black, Hispanic, Muslim, etc.). Isn't the main goal of any minority group to become A PART of society where everyone is treated the same and respectfully without having to be limited to when and where you hang out? Having cultural/group events to show pride, raise awareness and celebrate THE ACHIEVEMENTS of said group shouldn't be the only time WE ALL get together in harmony. Like another poster said above, no one should feel like they are "hiding out" from the majority because that leads to insecurities. And I do understand that ACCEPTANCE plays a major role in society becoming one when dealing with differences in region, sexual orientation, race, etc. and that is something we all have to work towards by making your fellow man feel comfortable wherever they might be.

[RadiantBaby]

Originally Posted by Remington Steel

I understand wanting to be "around your own kind"because that may be your comfort zone, but why does it have to be limited to your own bar, neighborhood, street, area, etc.? And I say this about any group (gay, black, Hispanic, Muslim, etc.). Isn't the main goal of any minority group to become A PART of society where everyone is treated the same and respectfully without having to be limited to when and where you hang out? Having cultural/group events to show pride, raise awareness and celebrate THE ACHIEVEMENTS of said group shouldn't be the only time WE ALL get together in harmony. Like another poster said above, no one should feel like they are "hiding out" from the majority because that leads to insecurities. And I do understand that ACCEPTANCE plays a major role in society becoming one when dealing with differences in region, sexual orientation, race, etc. and that is something we all have to work towards by making your fellow man feel comfortable wherever they might be.

It might be a goal, but it wasn't the reality of life for most minority groups for a long, long time.

Imagine being murdered for your beliefs, who you love, the color of your skin, etc. It's not just about comfort zone... It was a survival method.

And yes, there are still a TON of places in this world where that's still the reality.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Remington Steel

I understand wanting to be "around your own kind"because that may be your comfort zone, but why does it have to be limited to your own bar, neighborhood, street, area, etc.? And I say this about any group (gay, black, Hispanic, Muslim, etc.). Isn't the main goal of any minority group to become A PART of society where everyone is treated the same and respectfully without having to be limited to when and where you hang out? Having cultural/group events to show pride, raise awareness and celebrate THE ACHIEVEMENTS of said group shouldn't be the only time WE ALL get together in harmony. Like another poster said above, no one should feel like they are "hiding out" from the majority because that leads to insecurities. And I do understand that ACCEPTANCE plays a major role in society becoming one when dealing with differences in region, sexual orientation, race, etc. and that is something we all have to work towards by making your fellow man feel comfortable wherever they might be.

That is exactly the problem. The expectation that everyone "other" integrate into becoming what society expects. Assimilation.

San Antonio is fairly well integrated with respect to the LGBT community, but it's more about tolerance than acceptance. And there IS a huge difference. Being in a place where you know you're not only tolerated, but welcomed and embraced matters to quality of life.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by RadiantBaby

It might be a goal, but it wasn't the reality of life for most minority groups for a long, long time.

Imagine being murdered for your beliefs, who you love, the color of your skin, etc. It's not just about comfort zone... It was a survival method.

And yes, there are still a TON of places in this world where that's still the reality.

Even in San Antonio, where, just a few years ago, people fought hard against the NDO, which provided protections for this community.

Currently in Texas, transgender people are literally fighting for their lives - and right to pee. So yes, knowing you're in a safe and accepting community (bar, park, neighborhood, whatever) matters.