^ Cue the Pulse to Begin
A song by “The Burnside Project”
~~~~~
There are too few things in this world that truly make meproud to identify as “queer.” For every uneducated person out there who thinkspeople “choose” to be gay (any more than they “choose” to be straight), forevery clueless person who thinks loving a same-sex partner is easier than loving an opposite-sexpartner, there are MILLIONS of gay people living a reality that is far, farfrom these misconceived notions.
“Cue the Pulse to Being” by The Burnside Project was editedinto the opening theme for the third through fifth seasons of the Americanversion of “Queer as Folk.” This television show, based on a British series bythe same name, profiles the lives and times of several queer folks in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. Most of the characters aremen; a few are women. They are all endearing and quirky and flawed in their ownways, and by the end of the show I cared a great deal about all of the peopleon the show, both their fictional representations and the actors who portrayedthem (a mix of straight and gay actors).
Unfortunately for such shows, the vast majority of its loyalfans were and are gay. Because while there is a plethora of entertainment outthere for consumption by the Majority – white, straight – there is preciouslittle opportunity for minorities of any description (Latinos, queer, Africanheritage) to see and identify with in TV or film. So the queer community flocks to suchofferings while the straight mainstream ignores and reviles it. Presumablybecause watching it will “make you gay?” Or because the “gay life (it’s not alifeSTYLE, it is a LIFE)” is viewed as so fringe and aberrant it can’t beidentified with by anyone but another gay? All patently ridiculous! This showwas about men and women, trying to find love and humor and equity in a worldthat has far too little love, humor or equity. It’s a wonderful show, one Imiss profoundly, and when I hear this song, this music, I feel a sense of prideand solidarity and humanity that threatens to tear open my chest.
Give it a watch. Give it a listen. See what you missed.
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=V9YYg9u30v4&feature=related
The Queer as Folk Intro
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt0O5c2kEH8
The full Burnside Project video, if you want to hear thewhole song.
And a link to the show's website, via Showtime: