QAF and What This Show Meant To Me

I was reflecting on a show my partner blogged about on March 1st. It was a television series I watched while I was a teenager, and unlike any I had ever seen - I watched it in hiding to say the least.

Queer As Folk was such a beautiful television series that our closest friends probably would have never seen if not for my partner and I, and that truly is very sad. Though our generation has improved and evolved in regards to gay issues than from the past, we are still very much in dire need of an "in your face" honest and real gay television series. Aside from the L word there has not been anything close to what Queer as Folk has brought to the table for gays everywhere. Dante's Cove? Give me a break.

Sure we get our spots and cameos on other shows and if we're very lucky we may even get a main character role like on Brother's and Sisters or Shameless or almost any reality TV show airing, but it's not Queer as Folk. Maybe that's for the better though. Maybe nothing should ever try and take the place of such a unique thing. It broke boundaries and help paved the way for all these gay characters and gay friendly mentality to open up not only on TV but in our society as well.

I remember buying the entire series from a market in Taiwan, I think, on Ebay. I opened the mail after running upstairs to hide in my room and then later at night I'd watch them all on my laptop, under the sheets, with the volume on low, hiding from my parents while getting a glimpse into gay life that I so wanted to go out and enjoy.

Eventually I did and in almost the exact same way as Justin did when he took his first steps down Liberty Avenue. He also came out to his parents, found his true love in an older man and made many gay and accepting friends and family along the way. All of that I've accomplished too, and though I honestly believe that it would have happened eventually, I have no doubt that watching the cast of QAF get through their fictional lives, ultimately helped me get through and on with my very real one.

It's been so great ever since I came out at 19. My God, almost seven years now and yet it truly feels like an eternity ago. This generation younger than me will never know QAF and it really makes me cry. It's up to us "older" gays to never forget the power and impact that one brilliant show had on all of us years ago. Every new generation will have unlimited tools at their disposal to help them with coming out and growing up gay while being happy and knowledgeable, but as we've all seen there are still suicides and there are still gay bashing's across the country. There are still anti-gay policies in the work place, in our schools, in our homes and in our government too. There is still hate. There is no full equality yet. BUT, there is and always will be hope and change and a new, inspirational youth that will never give up until they get the same rights that everybody else already does. They may not all get to experience Queer as Folk, but they're sure living in a world and community that's already been improved because of it.

I still miss it even today, but I will never forget what those wonderful actors, writers, producers and all the people involved help create to entertain but ultimately help me become the proud gay man that I am today. If any of them are reading this now, however unlikely that may be, please know one thing. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.