Seeing “gay ancestors” on the timeline a lot this morning and like... you know there are gay men in their 50s and 60s and 70s and you can (should) talk to them, right?

Is that what’s meant by “ancestors?” Because to me, “ancestors” implies generations who are long dead. When I chat to my dad on the phone I am not connecting with my ancestors.

Like, what does it even mean to designate people who are still alive, still living queer lives, as “ancestors”? Sorry, you living fossil, you’re not actually part of our community, but we’ll treat you with faux reverence when it’s convenient for some point we’re trying to make.