From: mike@gordian.com (Michael A. Thomas)
Subject: Re: Year of the Queer
Organization: Gordian; Costa Mesa, CA
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 21:00:52 GMT

In article <mattm-060193112338@mcmelmon.apple.com>, mattm@apple.com (Matthew Melmon) writes:
> In article <1993Jan6.180114.21278@gordian.com>, mike@gordian.com (Michael
> A. Thomas) wrote:
> 
> >   No, you're missing the point. It's just the arrogance and unmitigated
> > gall of saying something to the effect "Well LA, you've kissed our
> > butt before, why can't you keep on kissing our butt?" in an incredulous
> > tone. 
> 
> Calm down, poopsie.  I think you might be reading too much into
> whatever was said - or, whoever said it may have full well meant it,
> but that does not make his position that of San Francisco as a 
> whole.

  Well, it makes me angry. I mean really, how dare that pasty 
plebeian be insolent! We've cornered the market on Bitchy Queens
with a culture and refinement not seen elsewhere in the western
world. How dare that piker presume to be arrogant to us.
  Really.

> It cannot, however, be denied that San Francisco - as a word
> (all right, two words...) - practically *means* homosexual.
> When you say "I'm from San Francisco" to someone, you almost
> invariable get a mini "Oh" experience.  

  All one has to do is replace San Francisco with Hollywood and
one gets much the same reaction. Remember, Tinkerbell is a 
*Hollywood* schtick (actually (blecht) Burbank, but no matter).
Though there doesn't seem to be any equivalent concept for
the "Gay Bay" unless "La La Land" qualifies.

> In fact and of course,
> there are more homosexuals in Los Angeles; but the perception
> is that Frisco is a "gay" city - and therefore the gay community
> often tries to "live up" to it's reputation.  

  We're here, we're queer, and life's *faaaabulous* in La La Land.
Well sort of. But I certainly see my share of types that Arne was
talking about a while back. And to think, there was once a song
called _Hollywood Vamires_; they obviously haven't been to the
supposedly fog ridden place. (And I *still* haven't seen no stinking
fog up there!)

> There are also
> more activist-types, or more active activist-types, in San
> Francisco (*especially* if you include the People's Commune
> just over the bridge)

  Er, which one is that? Berkeley or Marin?

> - and these make the city even more
> visible (and are largely responsible for a false reputation -
> San Francisco's liberal-ness has evaporated along with the
> city's beauty:  it is becoming a pit).

  I have often wondered what San Franciscan's attraction with 
creaky old Victorians with kitchens and bathrooms from hell is.
We need to send the Irvine City Fascist-er-Planning Commission
up their to do some *redecorating*. 
  First off, that place needs some *parking*, and parking where
you don't see the glass of a hundred shattered car windows. And
Burger Kings that you don't need to take a cab through. And
poodle safe zones. 
  Yeah, we'll redecorate. It'll be **faaabulous**.
-- 

		Michael Thomas	(mike@gordian.com)
	"I don't think Bambi Eyes will get you that flame thrower..."  
		-- Hobbes to Calvin
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