Popping the Gay Bubble

I don't know when it was formed or the history of its origins, but I am aware now of its existence- the gay bubble. At least I thought I was in it, but I realized I moved just outside of its borders where I feel less insulated. Living in the bubble has its advantages, its long list of pros. The security, the comfort, the community and most importantly the validation. But staying in the comfort of the bubble you loose sight of the outside world where equality for LGBTQ still needs to be fought. You take for granted when you can grab your partners hand when strolling down the sidewalk. I think that this bubble has its major advantages to the newly out folks. But then when you step out of the bubble there's a hardening realization that you were in a bubble! Where instead of having a relaxed conversation on LGBTQ issues, you're having a full on argument which has turned into defending your very being. Where love apparently has its calculated perimeters and you're trying to stretch that meticulously drawn line so you fall within.

And I'm left wondering if people have learned anything from the battles that have been fought through the women's rights movement and the civil rights movement. Have the same arguments not already been made and lost? Have people not realized the fallacy of using God to promote hate? I think that believing that gays and lesbians don't deserve equality is not that different than beliefs of segregation or sexism.
And then there are those that fall in between- the "i don't hate gays, I know someone who is gay". These in between-ers are a little tricky because they think they understand. They don't understand why many are not willing to settle for civil unions. Instead we demand marriage, and they think it's just a lost battle. I don't think separate but equal exists. When you draw a line in a political context there is a distinction that is made and it has to do with power. The ones with power and the ones without. And I'm not going to fight for an empty box (civil unions) just to feel like I gained something.