Hollibaugh seems to believe that the political civil rights movement that the gay liberation movement created became oversimplified and left behind groups of queer people that then felt as if they were outcasts. She implies that these now outcast groups are not benefiting as much from the advancement of gay rights as stereotypical gay people attempting to assimilate into society. She goes on to say that this is detrimental to the outcast groups and that the original fuel of the gay rights movement has been lost to satisfy a normalcy of gay people when fighting for equality. However, I have to disagree with Hollibaugh. When fighting for the rights of a large group, such as queer people in America, not every minority within the group can be represented. The “tame civil rights challenge” that she claims is so awful is really just a stepping stone for other, less tame, groups to be able to further their own agendas. I even consider Hollibaugh as somewhat of a hypocrite as she voices inclusion of all groups in the gay liberal movement, yet basis the majority of the movement on people’s sexual desire, thus excluding asexual people from the community.
Wilchins believes that gender expression and sexuality are greatly tied together, but American culture attempts to split the two. She states that to gain traction in the gay rights movement, “the New Gay had to look more palatable and more gender-normative” (21). This was dangerous because it made it harder for people who intertwined their gender and sexuality such as butch lesbians, effeminate gays, trans people, or even drag queens to find a place in the community. I myself have dealt with something similar, not from a community but from within. Oftentimes when I wear skirts or more effeminate clothes I feel somewhat separated from my personality and who I truly am. I believe there is a piece of me that has been socially constructed to think that girls who wear skirts and dresses are excessively feminine and that that is not who I am. Despite wanting to wear these clothes, I typically feel somewhat uncomfortable when dressing in them. Hopefully I will eventually be able to understand my gender, sexuality, and gender expression as an intertwined being and become more comfortable with myself.