Last weekend, there was a live-streamed radio event called Pride48. It featured a number of GLBTQ podcasters. By "a number of" I mean "only the ones that might be considered safe". Notably absent were shows like Madge Weinstein's Yeast Radio, Cheryl Merkowski's Whorehole, the group show Eat This Hot Show and other shows that are formed around Madge and others. 
Why? Well, the rumour that is going around is that they are simply a bit too dirty and strange to be put out there as representative of a community. Ignore the fact that Yeast is one of the oldest podcasts around and one that pioneered in many ways. But, oh no, it's not safe - you can't point to Yeast and say "Oh, the gay podcasting community is so nice and happy" and you also can't use Yeast as a way to sell iPods or Calvin Kleins or other big brands. And this is despite the fact that Madge has been consistently politically aware, entertaining and human ever since the show started. Behind all the jokes about abortions and prolapses, there's a strong, independent voice.
If you want to hear more of a critical nature about Pride48, listen to this discussion by Zillafag.
There's an important rule for everybody here: play it safe and you just put out weak, pathetic bullshit. If you are running a blog or a podcast, don't be afraid to speak your motherfucking mind! Otherwise, what's the point? So we can all send each other LOLCATS and say "fail" on Twitter a lot. Great. That'll make the Internet just the happiest, child-friendliest place you can imagine. Yay! Kittens! No, cut that bullshit right away. Say your piece. Tell your story. Don't be afraid of pissing people off. Don't let all the idiots who want to label each other "negative" ruin our Internet. If someone tells you that you are "negative" or that you "aren't being positive", or that you "aren't helping the community", tell them to go and drink bleach. Don't not post something because you fear your future employer will find it. If your future employer can't handle the fact that you have opinions (or emotions or a sexual orientation or profound disagreements with others or likes to use a few naughty words), they should not be your future employer. It'll be a fucking misery working there if you aren't allowed to let your freak flag fly. And, well, there are plenty of people out there who would much rather hire someone that's headstrong and posts something of more significance than LOLCATS and stupid memes they found on Facebook.
In short: the Internet is about free speech taken as far as it can go. If you don't agree, get fucked. Go and find people to trade LOLCAT pics with. Don't moderate your opinions to satisfy these idiots.
