WINDS OF CHANGE

                        WINDS OF CHANGE!                                                               

I am not sure that there has ever been a better time for gays to be alive than the present. The tide of hate is slowly moving out to sea, and hopefully will not return with any great force. There are encouraging signs for gays appearing in places all around the world. Thailand is not only a “land of smiles” but a land of tolerance for alternative lifestyles. 

Other Southeast Asian countries are developing campaigns to attract gay tourism. Mexico and other Central American countries are extending the welcome mat to same-sex couples. In recent days, doors of freedom have opened for gays in Cuba, which has caused a massive turn-out of thousands. (This event has yet to be covered by the conservative main stream media.) 

In the past few years the old man with a pitchfork and a forked tail has been pushed back into “the dungeon of hate” to develop a new strategy. Even though he has retreated, he is far from defeated. He still has control over some religious and political leaders who encourage hateful behavior based on prejudice.

Some “Pulpits of Hate” are still expounding misguided doctrines of distaste, focused on the gay lifestyle.  Powerful leaders not only allow, but encourage public beatings and public hangings of gays. In most of the industrialized nations of the world gays are forced to live in closets to prevent harassment, and in some countries, citizens are outright murdered because of sexual orientation. 
  

Many times in history when suppressed groups are seeking equality “certain” things happen.  The one event that did more than anything else to bring world-wide attention to the suppressed lifestyle of gays was The Flip Wilson Television Show. This show dominated television during the late 60’s and early 70’s.

The world will never forget the legendary Drag Queen, “Geraldine” whose famous line, “The Devil Made Me Do It” gained International attention. Geraldine became the most popular Drag Queen in the world with many famous quotes such as “what you see is what you get.” Mr. Wilson died, probably not realizing the tremendous impact he had on the gay lifestyle. 

About the same time the Flip Wilson Show was experiencing phenomenal popularity, the city of Pattaya was experiencing phenomenal growth in Thailand. Pattaya had been exposed to Western Culture by the influx of soldiers during the Vietnam War. The Pattaya Thais held steadfast to the roots of Eastern Culture, and when the East met the West, the East won. 

Wars change people and people change nations. Eyes had been opened, minds had been changed, and a new approach to living was on the horizon. Many soldiers returned home much different people than had departed. Thousands of wives, children, mothers and fathers could only blame the war for the new person they now encountered. These soldiers brought about many changes in social patterns of behavior in the West.

The ex-servicemen soon became displeased with the conservative lifestyle of “back home living.” They became bored and could no longer fit the mold of expectations of a husband or a father.  During the war they had experienced an “inclusive lifestyle” and had seen first hand that it was not problematic. Thousands returned to Southeast Asia.  Many returned to Vietnam, to cities where they had once fought; many more returned to the relaxed living of Pattaya. 

The return of soldiers of war had not been the only factor that provided fuel to the Gay Movement. In most of the developed countries, gays were on the move, and “closet living” was being eliminated. Gays had made progress in the conservative corners of the world, but for many it was too little too late. Hundreds of “gay martyrs” had made the ultimate sacrifice to bring attention to the plight of gays around the world. 

With lives being sacrificed, and punishments being endured, the Winds of Change had reached the shores of the Western Hemisphere and Gay Pride was the beneficiary. 

(This Op-Ed. was originally written as a tribute to Eastern Culture. It was published by a few English language newspapers in Thailand.  At the time I was writing under the name of Mr. D, which I later changed to my full name, Dervis Clement Tippen.  This one deserves a second look.)