BesnikHasandjekajProfessor RobertsENG 2014/1/14Coming TogetherThis world is full of different people with different tastes and preferences, and this gives rise to different communities. Some people who find comfort in one community may find discomfort or be treated with prejudice in another community. Throughout history the LGBT community has faced a lot of hatred and prejudice and this has forced them to come together and form a community. It is all based on a common interest, as Porter says “by a common interest communicating through approved channels” (Porter,38). Or in other words, people come together and form a community based on what they share in terms of interests and past experiences, like writers in a discursive community. The way I can interpret this saying is that each individual has their own original thoughts and experiences, but belongs to a community in which they can relate and thrive. A community that is a great example of a community that came together when they were originally alone with their own identity. The problems are gay men of color. Considering the fact that being “straight” or heterosexual is considered the social norm, these men not only face racism, but also face judgment for their homosexual orientation. The world has essentially turned its back on these men, yet they come together to form their own community where they can be powerful and support each other, making them generally happier people. A great way to see this is in the film Paris is Burning by Jenni Livingston. A film that describes this much more clearly is the film Paris is Burning by Jenni Livingston. This film offers a close-up of the black gay community. It was tough... middle of paper... community, so gay minorities fought prejudice and hatred on both sides. People like Cheryl Clarke and Essex Hemphill ensured that the voices of America's gay minorities were heard and made strong (Mercer, 240). Strong enough that gay minorities had the courage to help each other, and strong enough that they had the courage to form their own communities. In conclusion, what I see in the black gay community is a kind of strength. A sort of using pain and transforming it into power to advance in life. The ability to reach out and take another member's hand and form a community where they are "in charge". A place where gay people who belong to the minority group can feel accepted and strong. the way they have come together is simply because they share many of the same or nearly the same past and present experiences of prejudice and hatred.