How much does politics influence glb culture?

Mar 1 03:25 UTC 1999

Whatever happened to the clones, denims, and leather men in g/b men's 
culture?  Has it been the political climate?

If I remember right, the Stonewall Riots happened in the wake of the 
hippie and yippie movements, in the Haight-Ashbury area.  Then the gay 
culture found an outlet in the disco era.  There was freedom to channel 
pent-up sexual tension into creativity, hedonism (but everyone was 
calling themselves bisexual, more or less, then), and drugs.  There was 
the Village People, who may have been the only visibly gay group in the 
public spotlight at the time.  They represented butch gay.

The early 80's marked a return to conservative politics, and the 
feminine New Romantic movement, started in London, was added to the mix. 
 It was the only time I was old enough to experience enough of really 
remember, and looking back, even though the phrase 'genderbending' was 
coined then, ironically, it seems men were polarized on masculine and 
feminine sides.  The movie 'Cruising' was put out in 1983.  There were 
several protests about this thriller set in the gay leather culture, and 
perhaps the reaction to this movie made certain stereotypes unpopular.  
(There is an especially disturbing scene where a man picks up another 
man and is later stabbed in the back by the same guy.)

It seems the 90's has been, in some aspects, the year of the woman, 
especially this last year.  Women artists have filled the Grammy 
nominations, and with the Clinton scandal, it might be possible for the 
nation to have a female president.  Ellen DeGenres was the first woman 
to have a character admit she was gay *and* have an relationship.

Now, this is all presupposition, because I'm relatively young, 
inexperienced, and probably don't know what I'm talking about.  But it 
seems that it has become vastly more important for gay and bisexual men 
to get in touch with their feminine side than with their masculine one. 
 I have a friend who claims he was once one of the toughest leather 
bears around, 99.9% butch, weighed 180 lbs. and could bench 500.  But 
after an accident, he is fat, femmy, and old.  I suppose he is hurt 
because he says most gay men think he's an old troll.  (He can only wear 
a few clothes because he's so big.)  He seems all but ashamed of his 
past, and it seems to me that although his circumstances are unusual, 
his attitude is not-- being femmy is hip and in.

So why is butch behavior among men so.. unnoticed?  Does it not fit in 
anymore?  Is the community trying to make themselves appear more 
sensitive, cultured, or worthy of the public's pity?  I've been told the 
butchies are out there, but I sure can't recognize them like I do the 
'nellie' boys. 

response 2 of 9:

Mar 12 07:17 UTC 1999

Yeah.  How did you tell who was a homosexual and who wasn't then and 
now?  Is there some tried and true way?

response 4 of 9:

Mar 16 05:37 UTC 1999

I know the leather community has their own codes, but I was told they 
can change (to keep them secret, I suppose).  Currently, a collar means 
you're taken.  The Goth community adds a chain on the collar to mean the 
same thing.

I dunno.

One day gay codefashion, next day's style?

response 6 of 9:

Mar 31 04:31 UTC 1999

well, actually, I did some research on D/s, and a lone collar does still 
mean you're taken-- the community is not all gay.

However, I was at www.halycon.com/elf and took a look at the hanky 
guide-- a code which is now defunct.

response 8 of 9:

Jun 4 06:08 UTC 1999

That sucketh.