1208PJCAlvarez

www.ambiente.us DECEMBER | DICIEMBRE 2008

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR
By JC Alvarez

                                                It’s important to note that even though we’re living in the midst of
                                                the most politically charged moment in our history, perhaps
                                                comparable to the Civil Rights Era in the American social structure,
                                                a moment was taken to champion those individuals that have well
                                                represented the Gay & Lesbian community over the last year. The
                                                most colorful representation across the board of individuals
                                                whether gay, straight, activist or artist reflecting all aspects of our
                                                American culture as the heated debate continued to swirl on
                                                whether or not we as a community should be afforded the same
                                                rights as all Americans.

                                                New York City is never at a lack for a good party! It’s a city that
                                                doesn't really need a reason to get it’s groove on and it certainly
                                                doesn't need to sleep – it’s cliché but true and we've heard it all
                                                before, but New York was electric and it vibrated with the energy
                                                of a our unsung heroes who were honored at OUT Magazine’s annual OUT100
event. The event presented by Bristol-Meyers Squibb was hosted at the Gotham Hall in the middle of
Manhattan’s Fashion District – yes…a heart beat away from Parson’s School of Design and Project Runway
(a footnote: cause I know what you’re all thinking)!

Hosted by a cast of “gay-friendly” spokes-persons from comedian Chelsea Handler to Michelle Williams of
Destiny’s Child fame, the evening was flooded with the sad reminder that even though we’d moved forward
in the election of the first African-American President, Proposition 8 which only recognizes the institution of
marriage as that between a man and a woman, and took away the rights of Californian gays & lesbians who
were on the forefront of the legalization of gay marriage, was also voted into effect on the same evening that
the nation celebrated the victory of Barack Obama to the White House. It’s a sad reminder that our battles
had only just begun. Fortunately we appear to be in very good company and not alone in our fight for equality.

Among the evenings honorees, recipients of the prestigiously designed (and uniquely shaped) OUT Award
were artists like Broadway icon and heartthrob Cheyenne Jackson (yes…the guy from Xanadu: The Musical),
pop-singers Katy Perry who “Kissed A Girl” and Sam Sparro (who I would have died to kiss), film-auteur,
director of the upcoming Milk, Gus Van Sant, to political figures like MSNBC journalist Rachel Maddow and
Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson. The list went on and on, but at the core a reminder of how diverse and
brilliantly inspired we are as a community.

In the midst of all that had transpired in New York City, the march on the Mormon Church on Wednesday by
angry protestors (including the support of Whoopi Goldberg) to the rally on Saturday on the steps of City Hall,
and across the continental United States, I was reminded that as a people…as gay people we constantly
contribute on so many levels to the lives, to the people and world around us. Faced with adversity, we
perceiver – we just always have! We’re an undeniable force with an amazingly viable voice and presence. It’
s important that we’re recognized, not just by our gay-piers, but also by the world community – and for the
most part, I’d agree that we are.

We’ve become a very visible presence, not singly recognized by the hedonistic view of the disco era or the
tragedy of the AIDS epidemic of the 80’s, but we’ve emerged a people that has in essence given so much to
the community around us – including the community that extends beyond the boundaries of the gay-ghettos
of New York City’s Chelsea or Los Angeles’ West Hollywood. And as 100 more gay and lesbian champions
are recognized for their efforts and their contributions, let’s be reminded and vigilant that we still need to be
100 more until equality is achieved.

Because we – none of us -- are alone. We have the support of a 100 voices, and really the 50 ignorant ones
that threaten to compromise us are probably no different than the bully we all grew up knowing from the
school play ground – all bark and no bite!

Me…I like to bite!

Copyright © JC Alvarez & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.   Do not reproduce without citing this source.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR | JC ALVAREZ

A native New Yorker fortunate enough to have been nurtured in both
spectrums of the cultural melting pot: born on the isle of Manhattan and
raised in the heart of Little Havana in Miami, JC Alvarez is solidifying his
place on the pop-culture radar as a voice on the Here! Networks pod cast
BENT celebrating everything from entertainment to politics, to the myriad
dimensions of our diverse community! With an approach that is always
accessible and full of a sense of humor, Alvarez has also interviewed such
notable personalities as Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayak, Antonio Banderas
and America Ferrera, and aspires to one day write the next great
Gay-American screen play.

JC Alvarez is a contributing writer for Ambiente.

For more on JC Alvarez check out www.thrillseekerhq.com