"What is Openly Gay?"
Now I cant take the credit for this topic, but I owe this to a group of guys that I see every Monday night at Us Helping Us in Washington DC. This group focuses on different discussion each week that caters to what affects us as black gay men. They are also partially the reason, I am doing what I am doing, and why I created this blog. So let's get right down to the subject! What is Openly Gay? We talked about this tonight, and there were alot of opinions. (keyword:Opinion) Everyone had their own perception of what is gay, or what makes person openly gay, or honestly gay. Well I am honestly, openly gay! (This is my own personal opinion & value what you think about this subject)
We can not make a person be on the level that we are on, but we can encourage or help them along. Not everyone is willing to be on the front lines, and then some of us do not want to be on the back burner either. But it just depends on how quickly we move to the front of the line...I moved quickly, but I was once at the back. I listened to people in the group tonight, and I was inspired, and personally inspired by some who were bold, and in your face, and others that were a little more reserved, and not closeted, but more relax with it. Each of these were great, although I am one of the bold ones, I had to commend the ones that were quiet and reserved. We are all at different places, and that is okay!! I do not know what openly gay is to everyone, but I know that I live my life as openly as I can, and one person said it best. He is actually like a great Role Model to me, but he said "I'm truth" and I have to agree with that. I live to be truthful, and that's all I can do...either you accept it or you don't.
My question to all of my brothers is this...What is Openly Gay to you? Comment, speak, and pass it along!!
Remember "It's not about ME, it's about US!!! I cant wait to see what you all say!!
Much Love,
CP
Great topic, Christian.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I am more reserved, yet open when I feel the need to be. I am not closeted or ashamed of my gender affectation, but I don't feel the need to be out front, on the front line, or in your face. I am perfectly comfortable being as I am. I've always been the reserved one when it comes to life, being in your face and out front in many venues. Unfortunately, what happens is the opposite of usually what I want to happen... "I wind up in visual and lead roles... the story of my life."
I think openly gay is just that... you are open completely and without reservation, anytime and anywhere, a sense of pride and boldness that not many have, and some can afford to have, by virtue of career positions, and etc. There's a need to some to be open, especially when it comes to equality. If Dr. Martin Luther King had been reserved, we would not be enjoying the freedoms we have today, as an ethnic group. SO it is with those who are openly gay. I think there should be a common goal and purpose for being open, and whatever that goal is, you should be true to it, regardless of the opposition and challenges that come with it.
I dnt think their so such thing as openly gay, you are either out to ppl or your not. I dnt see how you can be " openly gay" if ur out your out. I dnt see labeling someone as "openly gay" because to me it invokes a feeling that its something that has to be hidden. It makes me feel like I shouldnt be "open" about myself in public. the phrase itself seems to be a way of being disrespectful. I have heard many heterosexual use it as if they are spitting something out of their mouths as if they have a bad taste in it
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