Let me very honest. I’m not gay, transgender, gender fluid, lesbian, homosexual or any other label society chooses to put upon people who are classed as ‘different’ from the norm (according to ‘set society’ stands at least).
For who the hell we are we to define ‘normal’ ? And don’t tell me the Bible says so because I might punch you with it.
I am a ‘straight’ woman-(another bloody label) – who has been married to the same man for thirty one years. And I also know that these victories are hard won, that there has been a lot of heartache and angst in the process and that there is still oh so much work to do. Lives have been destroyed, people have destroyed themselves after being tainted with the stigma of being ‘different’ for loving someone of the same sex as them and nothing can change that. But there is wonderful and untiring work being done by so many people around the world to get their voice out there and tell people that they are simply human beings -and that’s all that’s required to be in love or get married and share a life together.
I am not a fan of any sort of persecution. I wrote an anthology of poetry about this in my younger days. Colour, religion, beliefs, sexuality – these are all simply facets of life that contribute to our growth as human beings. Which colour, which religion, which beliefs and which sexuality –these are all irrelevant. Instead we have a person who chooses to live their life in harmony with another person. Isn’t that what life is all about? A phrase I think that has been so overworked that it seems to have lost its meaning unless used in cliché ridden conversations and writings is Live and Let Live.
From research I’ve done, it appears that this proverb is Dutch in origin and is first recorded in Ancient Law Merchant by G. De Malynes, published in 1622. It was later included in a book of English proverbs collected by John Ray in 1678. This is what it is defined as being –
Run your own life the way you want to, and let others do the same; be tolerant of differences.
Remember the Christmas Truce of 1914? Both sides of the opposing armies laid down their arms and formed a truce to come together as a group of people just trying to beat the cold, the hunger, the death, the grief and the need to be with other human beings in peace and in harmony. Their differences were forgotten. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could nurture this in every second of every day? If children didn’t have be taught that being ‘gay’ or loving someone of the same sex and wanting to have sex with them was not a sin, that them being different to others isn’t something that can be surgically removed or psychologically changed or meant they don’t have the same rights as other couples do.
So for me being a member of this LGBTQ community in the way that I am- someone simply believing in the thought that all individuals should have the same rights as others despite their differences – means I care. I support the fight, the drive to take away the imperfections so that life can be the same for all, no matter what their sexual persuasion. And I hope that qualifies me to join this amazingly feisty and passionate band of people and rejoice in their victories.
