thomascwaters.com

This may not be a good title, but wondered if it would provoke some interest. and it relates to have I have felt lately. I am most likely guilty of getting too caught up in my web stats and wondering if I’m being successful enough at getting out to a broad audience. This is an ongoing identity crisis for me- is my blog what I want it to be and if not, what am I going to do about it. But then I read this article about GLBTQ’s reading more blogs than the average straight person, and it got my head turned around again to the significance of every LGBT blog no matter how big it is or how little.

So there are a few really large LGBT blogs, like Joe.My.God, Towleroad, Pam’s House Blend and Bilerico Project. All are good and sometimes have the same links but each has a personality and feel to it, and often cover different news. And there is a long list of smaller blogs, of which I think mine falls into this category. and of course, there is a huge number of blogs that are not necessarily GLTBQ blogs, but of interest to anyone within these communities. According to the article on Box Turtle Bulletin, 51% of gay or lesbian respondents reported reading blogs compared to 36% of their straight counterparts. So why is that?

One reason may be the fact that GLBTQ’s have always been on the cutting edge of many trends, and many of us are really into technology. But I think another reason is there is a thirst for information. And especially now, with so much happening in the political arena, people want to know what is going on. I think there is a third reason as well. Since the earliest days of the modern” gay rights movement, as a diverse and inclusive group of people, we have sought to give voice to everyone within our communities. Sometimes with more success tan others, but even when we have stumbled and failed to be as ideally inclusive as some want, we continue to seek that level of full inclusion and full expression. That we use an alphabet soup of initials to label ourselves (GLBTQ, LGBT, LGBTQ, GL, etc) is just one illustration of the ways “we” strive to better represent the whole of who we are.

So, if you are like me and wonder if what you are doing is meaningful, stop wondering. It is no matter how many readers, or subscribers, or commenters you have on your blog. Someone needs to read what you have put out there, so keep doing it.

Here is just a few of my favorite blogs to visit that each provide a unique perspective:

• Blue Truck, Red State
• Asterisk
• End Bigotry in Venango County
• Mike Tidmus
• Her voice was clear and musical, but deeper than a woman’s wont.

Of course there are a ton of blogs out there. Just a few for you to check out.

LGBT Adults Are More Likely To Read This