YOU, BEING STRAIGHT…IS TOO MUCH FOR ME TO HANDLE.

I am so tired of people saying, “he’s too gay” or  “that’s so gay”.  This automatically suggests that there is something wrong or negative about the word or being gay.  I am also tired of people becoming frustrated or complaining that there is too much gay news everywhere.  Yeah right, too much gay news of bullied teens committing suicide or states denying the LGBT community some fundamental basic rights.

I knew I was gay for a long time, as far as I can remember, but I also knew that the time was not right for me to ‘come out’, as a matter-of-fact, I feared that it wasn’t safe for me to come out.  During the time that I lived as a shadow of who I was supposed to be I felt despair, anxiety, depression, anger, hate, confusion and the isolated.  I could relate to the oppression women or how people of colour felt and no-one should be made to feel so unloved or unwanted.

I could understand how activists become aggressive in their fight for equality especially after you have been oppressed and even put to death for fighting for equality.  There was a time when people of colour were not allowed to be in the same spaces as white people  – not very long ago either.  There was a time when women couldn’t vote.  Today, homosexuality is still punishable by death in many countries.  Yet, I am told that I can’t have a gay pride parade because straight people don’t have straight pride. 

I have heard people saying that it is too much for them to handle people ‘gayness’ – like it’s a bad habit such a smoking or drinking too much – I wonder how offended they would get if I told them (with all my GAY PROUDNESS) how offended I am with their straightness?  Well, you would never hear that from me because it is not conducive to creating good energy.

For all those gay people who are struggling with their sexuality and authenticity – I am here to tell you.  ALL WILL BE BETTER, just embrace and love who you are.  You will be surprised of all the allies you will have both straight and gay.  People who only see you as the loving and beautiful person you are.  There is nothing wrong with you because you are a reflection of who created you!

Here are some great and POSITIVE quotes regarding homosexuality from some people you may or may not know…..they will surprise you:

“If a bullet should ever enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.” – Harvey Milk

“The only queer people are those who don’t love anybody.” – Rita Mae Brown

 “We are sick of hearing people say, “That band is so gay,” or “Those guys are fags.”  Gay is not a synonym for shitty.  If you wanna say something’s shitty, say it’s shitty.  Stop being such homophobic assholes.” – Pete Wentz

“Anybody can be unhappy.  We can all be hurt.  You don’t have to be poor to need something or somebody.  Rednecks, hippies, misfits – we’re all the same.  Gay or straight?  So what?  It doesn’t matter to me.  We have to be concerned about other people, regardless.” – Willie Nelson

“Some people think I am gay, which I think is awesome.” – Daniel Radcliffe

“My thoughts on gay marriage are that everyone has the right to love and to be loved, and that’s the position I take.” – Nick Jonas

“The poetry you read has been written for you, each of you – black, white, Hispanic, man, woman, gay, straight.” – Maya Angelou

“From a religious point of view, if God had thought homosexuality is a sin, he would not have created gay people.” – Howard Dean

“Tell me:  When God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?…It is necessary to accompany them with mercy.” – Pope Francis

“I could be wrong, but I think heterosexual marriage is threatened more by heterosexuals.  I don’t know why gay marriage challenges my marriage in any way.” – Elizabeth Edwards

“My life has been immensely enriched by gay mentors, colleagues and friends, any discrimination and persecution of gay people is unacceptable.” – Mikhail Baryshnikov

“By large in this country the issue of gay rights and equality should be past the point of debate.  Really, there should be no debate anymore.” – Scott Fujita

“Just being out you’re doing your part.  It’s like recycling.  You’re doing your part for the environment if you recycle; you’re doing your part for the gay movement if you’re out.” – Martina Navratilova

“It should never be a crime to be gay.” – Hillary Clinton

“Gay people are born everyday.  You will never legislate that away.” – Melissa Etheridge

“I have some good friends of my own who happen to be gay, and when it comes to gay, straight or whatever, I’m for anything life-affirmative.  I’m for gay power, straight power, male power, female power; everybody should feel empowered without oppressing anyone who’s different.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I kind of cheer the presence of any gay characters at all – I think the more we can saturate television with any gay character or lesbian character or transgender character, I think that’s a really great thing.  We’re kind of getting past the fact that they’re the punchline or that they’re the novelty.” – Jesse Tyler Ferguson

“Yeah, I had gay friends.  The first thing I realized was that everybody’s different, and it becomes obvious that all of the gay stereotypes are ridiculous.” – Bruce Springsteen

“Americans know as much about Canada as straight people do about gays.  Americans arrive at the border with skis in July, and straight people think that being gay is just a phase.  A very long phase.” – Scott Thompson

“I’m for all kinds of gay rights.  I’m almost like a gay man myself.” – NeNe Leakes

“Even in high school, I had friends that I didn’t know were gay until years later.  I’d find out on Facebook or something and be like, ‘Oh, that explains some things,’ or ‘Wow, no wonder they were so cool.” – Kellan Lutz

“Gay men in a very real way created my career.” – Marianne Williamson

“I know gay – gay people who aren’t married who are better parents than some, you know, straight people I know who are married.” – Dennis Leary

“I did a woman’s movie, and I’m not a woman.  I did a gay movie, and I’m not gay.  I learned as I went along.” – Ang Lee

“People were saying that David Geffen and I had gotten married and it just blew me away.  Not that they thought I was gay, but that they thought I could land a guy that hot.” – Keanu Reeves

And the most important quote of all (joking)……

“My sexuality doesn’t define who I am as a person – it is the way that I treat others that defines me.” – Robert Pavao

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

WHO WILL BE THE ‘CHOSEN ONES’?

I recently watched the visually stunning movie The Life of Pi directed by Ang Lee based on the book written by Yann Martel.  Yann Martel indicated in an interview with PBS that he wrote the book during a moment in his life when he felt lonely and needed some direction, ” I was sort of looking for a story, not only with a small ‘s’ but sort of with a capital ‘S’ – something that would direct my life.”

Without delving too deeply into the plot so as not to spoil any moments for those who have not watched the film or read the book – I would like to talk briefly about Pi’s curiosity and fascination with religion.  His curiosity allowed him to explore aspects of different religions in order to find his connection with God.  Pi took the best of all the religions he studied and allowed that to direct his life.  This is what I believe to be the key message of all organized religion however, I feel that this message has been lost leaving many people to become disenfranchised in their religious beliefs.

So, what religious denomination is the ‘true’ one?  Who is the true son of God – Jesus, Mohammed, Ganesh or Krishna? Who will be the ‘chosen ones’?  Because I choose not to believe many of the things written in The Bible – I am condemned to Hell for being a non-believer.  As I have said many times – I was born gay, in many religions, that is an abomination according to God – even though it is said that he made man in his own image (except gays).

If religion allows people to act out of kindness, love and compassion – then I do not have a problem with it.  If religions teaches people not to judge or hate but to embrace everyone as their equal – then I do not have a problem with it.  When religion is used to promote hate, fear and violence – then I have a problem. 

I don’t belong to any organized religion however, I do believe that there is a presence that is BIGGER than anyone or any religion.  Is that God?  Maybe – I don’t know.  What force is driving me to write these words and ask these questions?  Are my questions not as important as the beliefs people have about their own religion?  If there is a God – I will answer to Him/Her.  If there is A God – what if He/She is working through me?  I don’t have the answers because I DON’T KNOW and I am okay with not knowing.  What I do know is that I want to live for the moments I have on earth, now.  I want to breathe clean air, I want to enjoy nature, I want clean water, I want others to have the same opportunities that I have, I want to spread love, peace and tolerance – that is my religion, that is my God and that is what I believe in.  People that have different religious beliefs need to understand that their beliefs are no better or more right than those I believe in.

So – who will be the chosen ones?  If you can answer that – let me know and I will join your cause.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one.