#idk thinking about that last idea i know im treading on hard-fought philosophies

[angstics]

something i read about brokeback mountain shifted how i saw gay issues when i was younger. the dominant reading of brokeback is epitomized when jack twist says to ennis del mar, “we could’ve had a good life together.” the perceived tragedy is that ennis was so traumatized by the world’s homophobia that he couldnt live a gay life, loud and proud, like and with jack (our liberated hero). but jack doesnt accuse ennis of being scared, even when knowing of the lynched men from ennis’s childhood… one of his next lines in that monologue is “but you didn’t want it.” the interpretation i mentioned read that as the true separation btwn jack and ennis: different understandings of “being gay”, separated by urban and rural lifestyles, which CRUCIALLY arent better than the other. the tragedy is a universal take on conflicting desires that cant be compromised. it’s ridiculous to call rural gay men who aren’t necessarily out a lesser sort of gay — or repressed, cowardly, even “tragic”. that being “out” is the only honest and happy way of living. especially when what is honest and happy for someone depends on their circumstances… the warped idea that one lacks value by not being out is all over gay media and gay history and perceptions of gay people