I am one of the older members of the forum and grew up in a heavily Catholic rural area in the Midwest. At the start of my Junior year I began dating a guy I would date for the next couple years. He was the youngest of a rather large family and I eventually met all his siblings though some were gone from home. The boyfriend was mortified to reveal to me that one of his older brothers was gay. It simply didn't have any affect on how I felt about that brother. I thought he was funny and nice and I enjoyed his company. His being gay wasn't even a blip on my radar. He was just Paul to me.
Fast forward ahead a few years and I went to Chicago to help former boyfriend find a place for him to live after he graduated from college. My Chicago tour guide and companion was Paul, who had lived there for years. I had a great time and some first experiences in what Paul referred to as "Gay Chicago". From bars and clubs to parks and the homes of his friends I had the best time and learned things that my rather sheltered life had kept from me. I was propositioned by a black drag queen, which was something of a rarity for a white girl from the middle of the cornfields.
Former boyfriend would apologize repeatedly for leaving me "in Paul's world". He was still quite uncomfortable. There was never anything for him to apologize for. it was 1979 and I was experiencing a different side of life as I knew it. I have never cared and have really never understood why some people do care about another's sexuality.
I guess I was just born accepting of people for who they are.
It's good to see laws finally being put in place but it's also sad that we have to legislate treating people decently.
Fast forward ahead a few years and I went to Chicago to help former boyfriend find a place for him to live after he graduated from college. My Chicago tour guide and companion was Paul, who had lived there for years. I had a great time and some first experiences in what Paul referred to as "Gay Chicago". From bars and clubs to parks and the homes of his friends I had the best time and learned things that my rather sheltered life had kept from me. I was propositioned by a black drag queen, which was something of a rarity for a white girl from the middle of the cornfields.
Former boyfriend would apologize repeatedly for leaving me "in Paul's world". He was still quite uncomfortable. There was never anything for him to apologize for. it was 1979 and I was experiencing a different side of life as I knew it. I have never cared and have really never understood why some people do care about another's sexuality.
I guess I was just born accepting of people for who they are.
It's good to see laws finally being put in place but it's also sad that we have to legislate treating people decently.
“If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” — Confucius