Assertion 1: Representative democracy is, inter alia, an attempt to
avoid the power of "faction" (Madison: Federalist Papers). This is
accomplished by allowing any group to organize and push its interests,
but then diluting the power of those interests at the legislative level
via compromise.
Assertion 2: Thus, any interest group, in order to effect change
comporting with its views, must adopt a "radical" position such that the
diluted form is acceptable to its members. (Ex: NRA, NOW, Greenpeace,
etc.)
IMO, the perceived radicality of gay activists (colors, rings, parades,
banners, protests, &c.) is merely a reaction to the system in which it
is required to work. Hell, I can envision an extropian march on
Washington -- or better yet, let's all move to Oceania (pretty damn
extreme, don't you think?)
Extremism (and heresy) is how we change the world.