The Heart of a Virtual Hunter.

The essay comments on the disappearance of visible social spaces for GLBT people, in light of virtual reality, Internet access, and the growth of an online gay culture. The Internet has made the pick-up process easier for gay and bisexual men who were afraid of face-to-face rejection. The shift to online cruising is a contributing factor in the closing of social spaces such as gay bars and community centers. During the gay rights movement, gay bars have been places where GLBT people could socialize and organize politically. The author is concerned that homophobia in the United States will increase if gay youth do not assert their rights in the real world and if visible gay social spaces are lost.