Speaking Out (of his mind!)	Speaking Out Archive

Although the gay community faces many challenges today, I think most people would agree that none is more urgent than the need to upgrade our appearance through the adoption of some sort of dress code.

All the wonderful work of many of our leaders in attempting to make us more presentable to the straight world is seriously undermined because of careless or sloppy attire on the part of some thoughtless gay people.

Of course, in extreme cases like the wearing of drag or leather and chains, I think stern measures are in order. Any person arriving at any gay establishment, organization, or function so outfitted should be refused admittance, and their names taken down and put on a computer. If the inappropriate dress should recur a second time, the individual should be immediately expelled from all gay organizations and permanently barred admission to any gay clubs or meetings.

I

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t would seem with all the new-found political clout that the gay community has acquired, it should be possible to get the city council to pass an ordinance imposing stiff fines on men who dress as women or who parade around in S/M type uniforms.

As terrible as these outrages against decorum are. there are many less flagrant infractions that may, in the long run, more seriously jeopardize our integration. So many gay people dress in a manner that exposes their orientation. The earring, the necklace, the too brightly colored clothing are all emblems that signal deviation to the attentive eye. People, we don't need to advertise our problem!

Fortunately, being gay, unlike other undesirable conditions such as being black or female or physically disabled, can be disguised. There is no reason that all gay people cannot become truly straight-acting and straight-appearing, if they put their minds to it. Yes, some men by nature look more effeminate. So they may have to work a little harder to fit in. That's hardly too high a price to pay in order to be acceptable. Until gay people are willing to discipline themselves to conform outwardly in every way to straight society's expectations they will never enjoy full inclusion.