Denneny’s sixth proposition is: “All gays are born into a straight world and socialized to be straight; consequently, we have internalized the enemy, and all political struggle must be simultaneously a self-criticism and self-invention. Self-criticism does not mean criticism by gays of other gays who are perceived to be different.”
It should come as no surprise that the majority of gays should hold straight culture in such esteem; they are raised to value it. Indeed, they are raised to consider it their very own. When a young man emerges from his straight cradle (as he almost surely must, if only temporarily) and encounters gay culture for the first time, there is inevitably a cultural shock. The “gay lifestyle” is spontaneously created by the actions of the gay people themselves. While it has certainly been shaped by forces from without, gay culture is a manifestation of the will of the gay people alone. Gay culture is what we say it is, what we demonstrate that it is, and it can become whatever we choose it to become if only we will “walk the walk” in addition to “talking the talk.” We invent our culture daily. That it might differ from the surrounding straight culture is inevitable — it is not being re-invented by straight people. Gay culture is at least one thing for which the gay people may take all the credit, but at the same time we must accept all the blame for it. It may seem awkward at times to create one’s own culture but here is a secret for you: everyone creates their own culture...everyone.