Today is A Day Without A Gay. If you can't/won't call in gay today (and you can even do that if you are straight), I thought that it might be nice to take a moment and give praise to the gays in our lives (that includes lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered, too). This might seem silly. We don't often get asked to reflect on how the Irish, Kenyans or Newfoundlanders have influenced us, or even the left-handed or hazel-eyed. But, it seems we continue to label gays as "different". So, vive la difference! Let's shine a light.
I'm asking you to share how a LGBT person has positively contributed to your life. Now, this could be as simple (and predictable) as the hairstylist who saved you from bad bangs or as profound as how that friend/lover/teacher/neighbor/doctor/boss/family member helped you when you needed it most. Here's mine:
Well, it's hard to pick just one. My first thought is to my friends. There is my gay husband who took me to my first gay bar back in the day where I had the absolute best time of my life (total belle of the ball moment) and opened my little suburban-raised eyes. My gay boyfriend who repeatedly talks me down from the ledge after long days with crazy blonde bosses (though, that phase is over -- thank God -- and, no, I'm not blonde bashing, it just happens to be a tonal fact). Then there is my gay doppelganger; he and I are sure that DNA tests will prove we are related. He has set me straight more than once (no pun intended). What they (and their friends) have given me is utter acceptance. Unlike other folds who have worried that I am too opinionated or lacking in tact, they wouldn't have me any other way than foot-in-my-mouth, no holds barred, my four-letter-word throwing self. They also don't mind wiping away the mascara streaks when I am deep in the bell jar. That absolute acceptance is something I deeply appreciate.
Whether it is a sweet story, a funny story or one that is life saving or changing, please share your story in the comments section. You can post as Anonymous if you like. My hope is that this opens a few eyes to the fact that we are more similar than we are different. Gay rights equals human rights. Let's bring down the hate and repeal Prop 8.
RUAWAKE...a wake-up call column of questions, answers, celebrations, fascinations and philosophications.
4 comments:
My sophomore year in college my photography teacher asked me what I wanted to do. I said that I wanted to be an artist. He asked me why was I a business major. I told him it was because my parents were paying for school and that was the deal. He said that maybe I should think of paying for school myself if I got to study what I wanted. I changed my major after that. Changed schools too. My parents said I was making a mistake, but I knew he was right. Now I'm a graphic artist and much happier than I would be with a business degree.
I have trouble with coming up with how a LGBT person has had a positive influence in my life because I don't think that way. Many if not all of my friends have had a positive influence on my life in one way or another and I never stopped to think if they were gay or not. Because I don't care if they are gay or not. I don't make that distinction. I don't discriminate. Before commenting here, I had to stop and think about who in my life is gay and it took a while before I remembered that my frickin' roommate is gay - THAT's how much I pay attention to someone's orientation.
Speaking of which, I should call him to see if he's on strike today.
Hope you're having a great day.
Awesome response! That's just how it should be. No labels, no colors, no judgments, no discrimination. Which is why there should be no H8!
Cheers,
Sandra
I went to Mount Holyoke where a lot of students are lesbians, and like Nanny Goats in Panties, I never really took the time to notice if my friends crushed on girls or boys.
I once canvassed for NYPIRG at the Albany Pride where I was asked by a lesbian couple to join in a threesome; I politely declined.
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