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In recognition of June being Gay Pride
month I thought I would post this blog. The two books I have had
published in the past 2 years tell most of my story so I won't get into
that aspect.
I talk for myself and not for any other gay person though I use many as examples.
I
have never wished that I was or wanted to be nongay. I don't see gay as
being anymore, or even being, a burden than all human beings have to
deal with just as I don't see being Jewish or living as a Yankee
'carpetbagger' in Memphis.
I don't, never did, need, any one's acceptance or approval or validation of who I am and how I live(d) my life.
I
firmly believe that the only differences between a gay man and a nongay
man is who they have sex with and how they approach sex and sexuality.
I
admire and respect effeminate men and masculine woman more than I
admire the so called masculine nongay jock who beats his wife and takes
steroids to break records as the former face being bashed and/or killed
each time they step out of their home because of the way they talk,
walk and act.
I would/will/do applaud the
drag queens who are the first to march, the first to rebel starting the
Stonewall revolution, who, without being asked will do and have done
benefits for AIDS from day one or perform to raise money for gays in
trouble than I would admire/respect the nongay so called 'butch' man
who tortures dogs.
I am thankful that my
whole life I have seeked out and found caring, loving friends who are
there for me (as I am for them) whether I need them or not. As nongay
people are choosy who they are friends with, discarding those who are
negative and condemning a whole group of people because of a few.
Though
I am 'straight acting, straight looking'--whatever that means doesn't
maker me any better or worse than than those who aren't gay or nongay.
In
many ways I suppose I fit the stereotype that many, gay and nongay,
people apply to gays--I like (known by one name!) Cher, Bette (both), Barbra, Diana,
Broadway musicals and plays, torch songs, romantic movies not to forget
that I do cry when I am moved and am not ashamed about it.
Like
many gay men, not all, I love the fact that many of us are, as John
Rechy called us, 'Sexual Outlaws'. I believe in promiscuity, orgies,
back rooms, baths and point to the fact that after 60 years of not
following nongay standards I have been practicing safe and safer sex
before it was even spoken of.
Though I
don't believe in the definition of marriage as nongays define it for me
I will fight for those who want that piece of paper to show that they
are as much as a couple as the nongay married couple are.
I
will, and have fought, fight for ALL gays who are put down for being
who they are. The only people I have no tolerance for are 3 guys (no
women!!) who are self loathing gay homophobics who have nothing good at
all to say about gay people and only spend their time putting them
down. They are gay people's worst enemy and, not surprisingly, very
unhappy, unsuccessful people. They try, and fail, to bring others down
to their level not seeing the harm they are doing to future generations.
I have always been an independent person
who has relied on myself to have a roof over my head and food in my
stomach and, consequently, I have been able to help runaway/throwaway
kids who have prostituted themselves on the streets to get a bite to
eat, a place to shower or a bed to rest their head and have become HIV+
or have AIDS. I do not believe you can ever repay those who have paved
the way before me and have to, until my dying day, help those coming
along after me.
I have been called negative
names by people who don't know me and just have to laugh at them for
stooping so low. And I won't stand for gay or nongay people calling any
gay person names or putting them down as that is not supporting those
who may be hurting.
I am a proud and out
gay man who wouldn't choose, even if I could, any other life for me .
And I salute any/all gay people who are proud of themselves, fight for
others and just want the equal rights they deserve and earn and, as
always, fighters get the respect they are honored with.
We
have a diverse group of gay men (and women) here who may be different
than me and want different things than I do but from the young (Matt)
to the approaching middle age (sorry, AJ, Dale, Chris, Tim and
Tom--couldn't think of another term--don't hate me!LOL) to the old men
(Yes, talking about you Alfredo--and me--LOL) they are articulate,
loving and care for human beings!
We don't wear a sing saying, "I am gay" but we will stand up for other gays when they are beinhg put down!
Happy Gay Pride month!!!
By the way, thanks for not adding my name to the oldies. 
