TOO FUCKING GAY...

Admit it, you've seen some tragic queen bounding down the street, having just drank way too much at [fill in name of your favorite gay bar], screaming and cackling and shouting "hey girl! hey girl!" and you roll your eyes and turn the other way, hoping she doesn't lock onto you.

Maybe you rolled your eyes. Maybe you laughed. Maybe you cheered her on and screamed "go girl" right back. Whatever the case, does it matter how someone acts? Does any one person really represent the gay community? Can someone be -- gasp! -- too gay?

There are times in all of our lives, whether we're the most secure, successful person around or have a few too many doubts about ourselves, where we bow our head in shame at someone acting out of sorts and we get embarrassed. Not necessarily for the person who's being a jackass, but really, we're thinking, "Oh my god, all those people are staring at me! They think that I'm just like that guy!"

Truth of the matter is that yes, some people do think all gay people are alike, but most (hopefully) realize that we're a diverse group. Sure, people whose only interaction with the gay world is the news recap of the local annual Pride parade when all they see are the half-naked go-go boys or the drag queens wearing uber-platforms—those people probably do think we're a bunch of sex-crazed flamers. That's just because the news shows the most, um, colorful bits to the rest of the world.

So, is there a line that someone crosses and they become too gay? Personally, I say no. Bring it on. Be who you are. Let your freak flag fly if you want. That's the beauty of our community—we are diverse. We comprise disparate personalities and interests. But sometimes people do think someone is too gay, that they want them to tone it down. They just need to get over themselves.

I remember an episode of Will & Grace when Will takes Jack to his upscale, professional gym and is embarrassed by Jack, who is just being himself. Jack ends up overhearing Will tell Grace that Jack is "such a fag," and gets hurt. In the end, Will realizes he was projecting and was fearful of others thinking he was too gay instead of just being himself and people accepting—or not accepting—him for whoever or whatever he is.

We have to let our own personal issues go and let people be themselves. At least until they get too drunk, start acting like a fool and knock your drink out of your hand. Then you get to slap them. Just don't call them a fag. Then you'll be crossing a line.