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 Context is key. I feel that if Felice Picano left us with one idea it was that "context is key." Understanding the historical context of a group of people is essential to understanding where they are today. When Felice Picano was starting to get active in the gay rights movement, most of the things he did were at that point illegal. By just being an out and open homosexual he had to deal with many hardships including death threats from strangers who wanted him dead just by being who he was. I believe that this is very important to realize and remember, especially as it will hopefully open up opportunities for other minority or marginalized groups in the future.

I think that Felice Picano was a breath of fresh air for the class. It was definitely beneficial to get a frank, straight forward out look on what it was like to be a gay man in the past and present. At some points I felt that he was telling some of his stories (such as being a boy toy & having sex at an early age, etc.) for shock value, but then as I reflected on it, I think that he has just lived a really interesting, exciting life and these stories are what he tells because they are what he knows. It was interesting how he saw himself as revolutionary and pushing boundaries. This is where the historical context comes into play. Yes, historically in the 60s and 70s and even the 80s, he was very ahead of the times. But considering all the other people we've encountered in this class, he doesn't seem more impressive than anyone else we've looked at (which I think he would not like to hear).

I also found it interesting that both Felice and Kate Bornstein agreed that there is still a tremendous amount of problems that women face and still need attention. I really liked this perspective because I think that in the modern world a lot people assume women have gained full equality or almost full equality to men, and that's not the case. Women are still being victimized by many forms of abuse in much larger numbers than men. Also, on the issue of gay marriage, Felice Picano didn't seem too thrilled with the fight like Kate Bornstein. Though he did take a more positive stance on the issue saying "If gay marriage is the issue... then great, cause that's better than nothing. At least it's some issue people are fighting for." I really like his idea of always fighting in some sort of revolution, though it'd be interesting in seeing a well known lgbt(etc.) figure who is in great support of gay marriage, considering most of the people we've gotten to know haven't been avid supporters of that issue.

Lastly, I'd be more interested in seeing where his tri-theory of "sexual fluidity" of social, physical, and psychological levels goes in the future. I think that he's on to something, but hasn't really thought it out well, so it doesn't make a ton of sense as of now.