Good for the Goose

Isn't is special....

that when I'm/we're getting dumped on, pissed on, shit on,

run over, disregarded, maligned, discarded, stepped on,

betrayed, ostracized, bullied, and so forth...

there's not a single worry or concern, no flag raised from

any quarter or corner by 'upstanding,' 'moral' citizenry that

cares so deeply for the welfare of their fellow man.

But, when I get fed up and become as tough and hardened

as the assholes who are out to destroy me, all of a sudden

my use of the same methods they used to denigrate and offend are

inappropriate, off-limits, distasteful, unacceptable, and cruel?

Thus, the insidiousness of having a second-class division (even

if only in the mentally-recessed minds of those who believe in

a separation between 'them' and 'us') is made crystal clear.

When there's indoctrination as to the idea of lessened worth of certain

others, the actions of discrimination don't take anyone by surprise.

And the need to ignore their double-standards and learn to

defend ourselves from them at all costs is underscored with

great prejudice.

Stand Up

Speak Out.

Demand Your Share.

And to Hell with those who want to shame and bully you into

'proper' actions. "Sitting back and taking it" is no longer on the

menu.

I don't know what leader they think they're following,

feeling justified in attempting to make our lives

harder, but I'll tell you it really is--

"If It Was a Snake, It Would'a Bit Ya!"

Well, actually, I think it's obviously two, great big

GIANT snakes, but the lure of the Mighty Whitey,

some fake-ass smiles, and the almighty dollar have

a little more draw than common sense, these days.

Anyway, it couldn't be more obvious than if

Romney and Ryan put out ads where they

called us 'fags' and 'dykes' and then proceeded

to calmly ask us to 'Vote for them anyway!'

I personally am tired of a country that wants

to minimalize me and my feelings, to sweep

under the rug all the violence and bullying and

inappropriate treatment we receive, and to

expect us to expect second-class citizenry.

Things won't change unless we change them.

Any disappointment you have with Obama's

hesitancy and timetables will be exponentially

exacerbated by the aggressive assault Mitt

Romney and company will put forth against

us on behalf of his misguided 'religious' views.

(For more on the matter, check out:)

Gay Republicans Get Lambasting For Romney Support

"Thanks" to the Log Cabin Republicans

***

Pay It Forward

Remember our history...

remember that we keep nothing without

fighting for it.

Who will you be today?

A pass-over, lay-down, ignore-it-all...

or a Fight-Back, Stand-Up, Speak-Out sort?

The right to live freely is the most fundamental in all

the world, and we cannot believe for one single

moment that we are any less deserving than anyone else

on the planet.

This is our world, our country, our government, too.

We have a right to our lives and freedom.

But always remember that freedom isn't free;

everything carries a price tag.

What is yours?

***

June 28, 1969

The Stonewall Riots

The Day We Chose to Say "No More"

Find out about your history!

***

"Stonewall Uprising" trailer

"Stonewall" the movie (1996)

"Before Stonewall" documentary trailer

"After Stonewall"

****

Unnecessary Torture: We Hold The Key

I have seen so many people struggling with self-acceptance
over the years. The idea of living a complete life while wholly
accepting their sexuality and identity is a foreign concept to
many folks.


It is foolish to think that everyone will become an activist, or
be open about themselves across the world. Too many places
hold tightly to old ways and backwards, repressive notions.


And I don't think most activists do have that idea in their
head; a world where every LGBT person is out for the world
to see. I can't make the oppressiveness and hate change,
but I can try to help people choose to be free and comfy in
their own shoes, whatever their level of 'out-ness' may be.

To be comfortable in their own skins and love themselves.

In small towns, in religious families, in small countries, many
will never know the freedom of living their life completely for
themselves. Being a half-hearted part of a broken whole is
more significant to them than being a complete individual.
It takes time to break from the pack and live for self.


When I watched the movie J. Edgar this weekend, it broke my heart.


I was reminded of all the hurting people I've known over the
years who lived half a life, condemning themselves and turning
away from their feelings, in pointless attempts to please and
appease other people.

Leonardo DiCaprio's performance (pinpointing the truths of
Mr. Black's brilliant script) was phenomenal with the redirected
energies, culminating as they always seem to do, in self-destructive
behavior and extending the repressive hate to others.

There are all kinds of lives, all levels of self-acceptance, every
kind of gay person.


But self-love cannot ever be wrong, no matter how much it
scares other people....(most of whom, quite evidently it would
seem, are scared and angry from not loving themselves.)


Second class citizenship is not acceptable, even if many of us
have been shamed and trained to believe otherwise.

****************************************************