2011 Was a Good Year to Be Gay

If you judge by the media coverage, you’d think being gay in America has to be about the worst thing ever. But reality couldn’t be further from the truth, writes Out editor Aaron Hicklin. In fact, things have gotten so good, the “end of gay culture” Andrew Sullivan famously predicted seems to be upon us. “To young gay men and women today the idea that they will be able to marry and raise kids no longer sounds outlandish or controversial. It sounds axiomatic.” Some of the tragedies that happened in 2011 remind us it’s still pretty bad for some gay kids, especially in conservative areas. But we’re approaching a time when kids can grow up without even having to think about the distinction. “Then we can truly talk about post-gay.”