Monday, October 18, 2010
Everything Is Relative
As a Gay man living in America my perception of the Gay Rights issue is based on the discrimination and brutality I have encountered over the course of my lifetime up until now.
I had a conversation recently with a new friend I met online. We have talked about the similarities we share despite the years and miles that lie between us. I am of a different generation than he is and he lives on the exact opposite side of the world from me. We find each others tastes in many things familiar.
I have a partner of many, many years and a loving, supportive family and circle of friends. We live a comfortable life surrounding by love and acceptance with our beautiful beagles, cats and birds. My new friend remarked how he envied the life I had with so many wonderful people surrounding me. I told him I envied him because he had a son and I would not have been able to be a father in the traditional sense because I just can't pretend to be straight and make babies with a woman, lol.
This is when my eyes were opened about how good life really is for me and all Gay Americans.
He said that to avoid arrest he must pretend to be straight at all times. He goes with women even though he would prefer to be with men. He told me he did have a boyfriend but they could never be together the way I was together with my partner. In the country where he lives homosexuals are routinely arrested and sent to prison. The fear he must feel each time he has thoughts about a man must be difficult to endure. His life is completely controlled by his government. His freedom is dependent on his ability to fit into the straight world. I can't imagine living in such fear.
The next time I feel that the government is oppressing Gays by not repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell or by not allowing Gay Marriage I will just think about my friend who lives a life that is dictated by a hellish group of religious monsters who force their will on everyone in his country.
He lives in Singapore and if you read one of the earlier posts here on this blog you will get an idea of what is going on there.
Here's to you my friend!
Gideon
I had a conversation recently with a new friend I met online. We have talked about the similarities we share despite the years and miles that lie between us. I am of a different generation than he is and he lives on the exact opposite side of the world from me. We find each others tastes in many things familiar.
I have a partner of many, many years and a loving, supportive family and circle of friends. We live a comfortable life surrounding by love and acceptance with our beautiful beagles, cats and birds. My new friend remarked how he envied the life I had with so many wonderful people surrounding me. I told him I envied him because he had a son and I would not have been able to be a father in the traditional sense because I just can't pretend to be straight and make babies with a woman, lol.
This is when my eyes were opened about how good life really is for me and all Gay Americans.
He said that to avoid arrest he must pretend to be straight at all times. He goes with women even though he would prefer to be with men. He told me he did have a boyfriend but they could never be together the way I was together with my partner. In the country where he lives homosexuals are routinely arrested and sent to prison. The fear he must feel each time he has thoughts about a man must be difficult to endure. His life is completely controlled by his government. His freedom is dependent on his ability to fit into the straight world. I can't imagine living in such fear.
The next time I feel that the government is oppressing Gays by not repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell or by not allowing Gay Marriage I will just think about my friend who lives a life that is dictated by a hellish group of religious monsters who force their will on everyone in his country.
He lives in Singapore and if you read one of the earlier posts here on this blog you will get an idea of what is going on there.
Here's to you my friend!
Gideon
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wish i had the money and a way to move your friend and his partner to the states we we can live they way we choose until the government takes away our right as well
ReplyDeleteThank you hwst4. In a perfect world everyone would be allowed to find their own happiness. We must live in this world and make the best of it by leaning on each other for support. Your support is very much appreciated.
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