http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/gayculture Questions tagged with 'gayculture' at Ask MetaFilter. Sun, 04 May 2008 12:43:31 -0800 Sun, 04 May 2008 12:43:31 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/90509/I%2Dcant%2Dbelieve%2Dyou%2Ddont%2Dknow%2Dwho%2DEdith%2DPiaf%2Dis I am a newly minted gay boy (out for a few months) who has missed the gay train. I don't know any show tunes, any famous gay icons in queer lore, how to properly do a flower arrangement, etc. Point me to any resources out there that can help me catch up. Growing up, I was the nerdy, quiet, geeky type with similar friends, never being exposed to the wonderful world of gay history and culture. Now I want to know about Broadway, Edith Piaf, and Rock Hudson, there is so much out there that I don't know where to start. I need a crash course in gay culture and history, a list of show tunes every guy should know, gay dos and don'ts, fashion tips, design tips, flower arranging tips, gay arts &amp; crafts, past and current gay authors, movies, ... anything! I don't necessarily want to turn into your stereotypical gay guy, but I want to be able to know what I'm talking about when I am in the company of them. Help this nerdy guy embrace the Martha Stewart in him. Thanks!<br> <br> P.S. I don't mean any of this to be offensive to anyone, with the apparent over-saturation of "stereotypical gay" references, I am still learning my P's and Q's of the life, but I assure you I most definitely am gay, boyfriend and all. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2008:site.90509 Sun, 04 May 2008 12:43:31 -0800 broadwayshowtunes gayculture gayhistory queerlore Advocate, I http://ask.metafilter.com/12269/Is%2Dgay%2Dculture%2Dtruly%2Dtechnically%2Da%2Dculture Is gay culture truly a <a href="http://www.merriamwebster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=culture&x=0&y=0">culture</a> (per 2nd and 5b definition)? Why or why not? I've always felt ambivalent about this question--mainly due to continuity of culture via education thoughts--but have never really discussed the matter with other people. I sometimes feel there really is no such thing as "gay culture", because gay people younger than me often have no knowledge, indeed usually possess a great deal of wilful ignorance, of the history of homosexuals/ity throughout the last century (at least). There's often rejection of (stereo)typical gay iconography by gay youth, and little inter-generational communication that doesn't seem to have a stigmata of pederasty attached to it. There are no rites of passage common to all gay people, and little continuity of education passed from elder members of homosexuals to younger ones (nothing really in schools, family, or church that merits true continuity in my opinion). These things make gay culture more than flexible, its fluid, so fluid that it can change from year to year in its desires, mores, trends, fashions, likes and dislikes, etc., at least from what I can observe.<br> <br> Yet at other times, gays of all stripe seem to move with a particular single-mindednes, such as in voicing support of legalizing gay marriage. But is this a cultural trait, or just a bunch of people who want the same thing?<br> <br> This issue confounds me to no end. What are your thoughts? tag:ask.metafilter.com,2004:site.12269 Mon, 29 Nov 2004 07:29:57 -0800 culture gay gayculture WolfDaddy