Post gay is an ideology that sees each sexual orientation – homosexual,bisexual, heterosexual and asexual – as being equally valid forms of human expression. (queerty)
Although some believe that we are in the post gay era, i disagree with this claim. There are still so many people in Europe and North America, who are afraid of accepting their sexuality as a gay person, more so to tell the whole world that they are gay for so many reasons.
One of reasons is what they think of themselves. In small ( conservative ) towns, children and people are taught that homosexuality is a sin. There is ideology that people who engage in this sexual act are immoral should not allowed to be a part of the community is widespread and held on to.
If one is taught something from a young age, you internalize it. If you have been called fat your whole life, you (most likely) see yourself as fat.Likewise, if you are constantly told you are beautiful, you see yourself as beautiful. Following this logic then, one of the biggest obstacles people face in admitting to themselves that they are gay is what they think of themselves. Some homosexuals are disgusted with themselves, because they have internalised this homophobia they grew up around.
Gay people also have to constantly worry about being classified as the “other”. As we have discussed in previous classes, there is a strong and deep rooted fear of the other. “Others” are usually ostracized from society. In some countries ( eg. Uganda) , coming out as gay guarantees you some time in jail. Even though these may not be that extreme in North America, people fear that they would be shunned by society, their friends would exclude them from their “friend” circle. In some American states, some supermarkets and cafes would not tend to you because you are gay. These everyday microaggressions against queer and gay community make it difficult for people to come out.
There is also the fear that one would just be classified as the gay person. Her/his identity as a gay person overrides any of his/her personal traits.Even if they manage to escape this classification as the other, there is also the fear that people would just come to know them as the “gay” person. And nothing else. Their talents and knowledge do not really matter, they are just “gay”. The aforementioned reasons are why i do not think we are in the post gay era just yet.
References;
(http://www.queerty.com/what-does-post-gay-mean-anyhow-20091018)
