Philadelphia - 20 Years Later

I was flipping channels on Monday, when I happened upon a great movie with an even greater message. This movie has withstood the test of time, sharing both a message of tolerance and an awareness that HIV does not affect only one segment of society.

You know the movie, dont you? It had a great cast, with Tom Hanks, Mary Steenbergen, Jason Robards, Joanne Woodward, Antonio Banderas and so many others. Yes, folks, you are right. It's Philadelphia.

In 1993, there was still unbelievable intolerance toward gays and lesbians, never mind transgender or other sexually oriented differences. This movie was a powerful game- changer in our attitudes toward non-hetero people.

While this movie was released in 1993, many people did not see it until after it was nominated for Best Picture in early 1994. But since then, millions have viewed this movie with the eye opening attitude for which it was intended.

The disease of HIV/AIDS, sadly, still kills so many people after all these years, but only after it hit the hetero community did funding for a cure and interest in long-term education finally advance to the next level. That is a shame. But at least, the ball started to roll.

In addition, the majority of Americans' views have grown up over the years. We have come to recognize that being a non-hetero is not a disease, but rather, just different, much like being  black, or Catholic, or French, or conservative, or any other trait which defines us as individuals. But, while we have travelled down the road of adversity, we have hit many potholes and swerved away from the roadblocks in our way.

There is still more to do.

Understand that many of us know at least one non-hetero and while we don't live the life, we love our friend or our relative, regardless, because that's who we are. But we need to be as tolerant and forgiving to strangers as much as we are to those we know.

And to GLAAD and other self-appointed representatives of the gay  community, understand that hetero views have changed immensely and continue to do so. The courts have recognized many issues which are important to your cause. But you need to understand that peoples' views are important to them, as well.

This is a process, which thankfully, is not stuck in the dark ages of the 1980s. It will continue to evolve, just like other views for other protective classes have done. And, remember that we are all members of at least one protected class or more. Each of us has our own special interests which need to be addressed equally and equitably.

That is the beauty of our diversity which defines us as Americans. We are a polyglot society and we are as proud of what makes us different as we are of our sameness.

Thankfully, we are enlightened enough to realize and recognize injustice when we see it. And, thankfully as well, that most gays and others recognize that the ball is moving.

Soon, this, too, will be a non-issue. It WILL happen. And we can thank Philadelphia for opening the door.