What Goes Around

There was a time when 
the denizens of any gay bar
were criminals and perverts — 
mentally ill.

 

For loving another woman
For loving another man.

 

Then the Gender Queers
rose up in rebellion and
Stonewall became a symbol
and started a revolution.

 

Drag Queens.  Drag Kings.
How many were really Trans?

 

Before we had our own words
instead of borrowing yours.

Before we were free to go
beyond just dressing up.

 

Before they changed the law
and the DSM.

 

The lies leveled at all Queers, 
when I was young, are back:
predators, deluded, mentally ill.

And they are aimed at us.

Pinned between the Right’s hatred 
and the Left’s indifference.