2007
Lesbian Role Models
Lesbian Role Models
Interesting question. Rosie O’What? I am not much into the idea of role models in general. The idea of lesbian role models I find as bizarre as thinking about chain saw killer role models. Identification with ideals, mindsets etc. is certainly something that can be helpful, but I never felt I needed or wanted lesbian role models. I know several people that I admire for the one or other reason, people who have something special. Either in their character, or they have achieved something that will last beyond their own little lives that is useful for others. Sometimes we are lucky enough that those peoples’ lives touch our own, sometimes we just witness from afar, via the media how someone is doing something that we identify with. But I never paid particular attention if that person is homosexual or not.
In Germany we have also a couple of people in public life who are openly gay. Some of them are loud, obtrusive people like Mrs O’Donnell, some are brilliant comedians, politicians, artists, writers, musicians. My best male friend is gay, my best female friend is totally straight. In my girlfriend’s study group of 20 there are 4 openly lesbian women. In the company that I work I am the only openly gay person, but I know of at least one other guy who is gay but in hiding because he is afraid of his boss. What I’m trying to say is that it is important to set one’s priorities right, to look up to people not merely because of a sexual orientation or the way this is handled. I can be openly gay in my job, because I work in surroundings which does not sanction being different, with people who care who I am and not who I sleep with. But I understand anyone who must survive in a homophobic climate and keeps his/her homosexuality hidden.
I have learned a lot from many different people in my life. I have values, ethics and certain ideas how life should be like. Only a small percentage of that came from people who are also gay. Learning, understanding things, broadening one’s mind can happen every day, everywhere and from almost anyone we meet. What is recommendable is to maintain an openness and alertness to what is going on around us. Valuable input can hit at any time!
Sonoresse
