The value of social interaction

If you flip through any newspaper or magazine between now and Jan. 1, the pages will be filled with recaps, highlights and summaries of the most significant individuals and events of 2008. It’s a time of year suited for looking backward and forward simultaneously, measuring where we’ve been and determining where we want to go. In addition to penning this column for PGN, I also produce and promote special events and parties for the gay community through www.nightlifegay.com. It has been a passion of mine for 10 years, and it affords me the opportunity to witness firsthand how social interaction changes over time. In that spirit, I’d appreciate your indulgence as I use this, my last column of 2008, to make some observations about LGBT social life following one of the most significant years in recent memory.

For the last several years, gay activists, politicians and community members have tried to determine what effects increasing acceptance and visibility of gay men and lesbians will have on social life. After all, the gay community forged its political and civic identities primarily through social interaction in the 1970s and ’80s. As men and women come out at younger ages, where do they turn for community and social support? Will young men and women continue to support LGBT social events and businesses? Has online communication through Facebook and MySpace supplanted the need for in-person socializing with like-minded people?

Though the answers here are complex and subjective, I’m convinced that there is no substitute for interpersonal interaction among community members. In 2008 alone, record numbers of individuals joined together at Equality Forum to discuss and consider civic LGBT-rights issues; thousands upon thousands of audience members and volunteers shared cultural products at the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival; a new crop of young, open community members celebrated their identity at Outfest; and over 5,000 area supporters gathered at City Hall to protest California’s Proposition 8 and other marriage amendments nationwide. Despite some arguments to the contrary, recent experience indicates how interpersonal interaction remains vital for a variety of social, political and civic purposes.

As 2009 approaches, our country is undergoing profound political transitions and economic challenges, the effects of which are felt deeply in our everyday lives. In times like this, it’s critical for our community to look inward for support. But unfortunately, social life often loses its prominence during tough times.

Gay and lesbian social networks are powerful tools our community can utilize to overcome individual and community-wide obstacles. They help us find jobs, learn coping strategies, share new information and defend our rights. No matter the problem, social relationships often help with the solution. For this reason, I charge every reader with the following for 2009:

— Reach out to at least three gay or lesbian friends with whom you’ve lost touch; — Commit your time to volunteering with one new community organization; — Attend no fewer than two new LGBT social events; — Support LGBT businesses as often as possible.

If you follow these steps, I guarantee you’ll feel stronger, more productive and more accomplished than ever before. We’re much more effective together than we are alone — I can think of no time in history when the stakes have been higher.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. ’Til next time, get offline and enjoy what our community has to offer!

If you have comments or information on upcoming events, e-mail Bruce at [email protected].

Newsletter Sign-up