Gay Activism in Mexico - Why I think it doesn't work.

Ah, we are well in 2011 already! Time went by quite quickly and I took a break from everything but eating all I could... Including updating the blog! But here I am again, ready to post my point of view about the bear community in Mexico -- or rather, about the gay community in general.

Last semester I was involved in trying to start a diversity-related group at the University I attend to... However, it never really took off and we ended up not doing anything in the end. Later, somebody asked me why, if I am so interested in gender equality and the gay community, I am not involved with gay activism in the city? And my answer was pretty simple: I don't really think it works. 

Part of the study I carried out last year about the sense of belonging in the gay bear community proved that quite clearly: One of the items in the questionnaire was whether they felt there is a sense of 'community' among the gay people in the city -most people answered no, but they wish there was-; however, when asked if they were part of any movement or group they also gave a negative answer. I find this quite contradictory, if we want this feeling of community to exist, why aren't we doing something about it? I'm sure there are plenty of excuses like "I have too much work" or "I don't know of any"... But how valid are they?

I have always complained about my idea that the issue with the Mexican mindset is that we tend to wait for 'someone else' to do something - most Mexicans are not really proactive. I, of course, am included in that group.

So, I started considering what I could do about it; I remembered the many places I've been to trying to get involved in movements, but I have usually found that the objectives and/or plans are lacking or, rather, empty. I don't think I have found any place where people really gather to become a group with strong bonds capable of doing something to help the community.

A few months ago, some friends and I were discussing this issue and many ideas came up, including organising lectures (most of us being academic) and discussion groups to raise awareness about current issues... I proposed we needed to strengthen the bonds between us before starting a task like that...

In the past, I have seen that very good projects have failed because the members of the group aren't really working together towards the same goal - everybody seems to be trying to take advantage of their teammates in order to reach a different, personal goal; also, when problems arise between members (which most likely will, considering we are talking about people who spend a lot of time together), they are not managed properly and end up destroying the group from the inside. 

In my opinion, I think the group we were trying to start at the University imploded for that reason; although we didin't really have any conflicts among us, we seemed to all be looking for something different and could not come to a compromise.

I am not a very sociable person and usually keep to myself, which means I don't interact with that many people. I think this year I will try to expand my social circle in hopes of starting something that can make a difference, if not for the entire gay community in my city, at least for those involved in it. 

Do you know or are you involved in any movement or group which helps the members of the gay community have this feeling of  'belonging'?