Earlier this semester I had posted about homosexuals and the importance of the internet in perpetuating their community. I had stated that many people who are unsure of their sexuality find internet homosexual communities that create an outlet of expression and discovery. Through these outlets, homosexuals are able to experience interaction with others, while still deciding if this is right for them.
After reading Lucas's article about gay porn, I find that I agree with him on many points. The stigma of being gay in our society is damaging to the gay communities. Often portrayed in unrealistic and illogical stereotypes, homosexuals are faced with adversity continually in our society. Even the most liberal of outlets in our nation, the media, is sketchy to portray gays in a sexual manner. Instead, they are viewed as people with something wrong.
As they are faced with this stigma, gay porn and on-line communities are growing increasingly important in the gay society. Lucas says as women are oppressed by acting in pornography, gay men are "oppressed by the heterosexual status quo." I feel this is an accurate depiction of the situation. The only sexual liberation gay men have is to act or engage in real, passionate gay porn. Until society can remove the "ball and chain" of homosexual stereotypes, outlets for sexual expression of gay men will be limited. It's for this reason that on-line communities and the work of men like Michael Lucas is so widely celebrated by gay society.
