OUTCASTS

[Grazee]

I've had a long life and I'd say . . . only a few regrets. One thing that does upset me is that for a large part of my life I've been an outcast. Early on Society wanted to punish and transform me but as the years have progressed I guess being gay got a little easier; but I'm still an outcast. As I watch TV I'm confronted with a hetro world that is continually in my face. I get angry when I'm forced to view straight love scenes and sex encounters. I have feelings of love and desire that are wholesome and natural but the straight media simply ignores my needs. I find it further insulting that straight society portrays lesbian encounters and I'm led to believe, get turned on by them. Weird?

But create a scene where two men kiss each other, this is deemed unacceptable.

I believe that the Libs, if they win the election, will conduct a plebiscite on gay marriage. That's ridiculous! If two people of either sex want to make a commitment to each other, they don't need anyone's approval.

My journey is coming to an end and I sincerely hope that younger generations will rebel at being outcasts. We gays are wonderful, caring intelligent and resourceful people who very rarely indulge in violence. We should be welcomed unconditionally into all aspects of life in this wonderful world.

[Gruffudd]

I guess it is a matter of perspective. I have no trouble with the creed. I do have issues when people try to interfere in my relationship with god - that's personal and a matter for my own conscience. The central thing is to love god and other people and to seek justice in the world. I think it is more about asking questions than being told what to think or do. Jesus had nothing to say about my sexuality, he had plenty to say about straight people though (which is more important then the couple of references in the letters or the old testament). Our Bishop here has stated that he values the contribution of gay and lesbian people in the church and that he looks forward to the day when there is equality in marriage. (He upset the conservatives, but they are outnumbered by the people in the parishes who are supportive)

Here the first call has been to the Police with abuse because a crime has been committed, I don't think there is any other option.

So I have this question - if all the GLBTI and sensible people leave, what is left? I want a community that is a bit more diverse than that. So I do worry about the church, but also our country towns like this one. If all our young LGBTI kids leave for Sydney or Melbourne as soon as they can it is such a loss for our whole community. Parents and friends miss them, so do I. I have no intention of living in a ghetto, and celebrate every time a LGBTI person returns to our part of the world.

Rob.

[Grazee]

Hi Rob . . . . I admire your stand in staying put and trying to influence the majority, whether it be where you live and with your church congregation. I suspect it can be a bit lonely at times.

You mentioned love. Have you ever been in love? With a partner I mean. There again I don't know how to define love. I mean, I love my dog and my kids but that's not the same as loving another human being who is not part of your family. Just after I came out I had a partner for 11 years and I think I loved him. Having never experienced a loving family environment the term and feeling of love is unfamiliar; I have no benchmark.

And I'm not talking about lust; just love. If you have, I'd like to now what it feels like. Am getting too personal? If I am . . . . apologies.

[Gruffudd]

Hi Graham,

I will come back and talk more, but just wanted to say that, yes love is a real thing in my life. I think being LGBTI has with it, or at least has had, no models for how to love or be in a relationships, it is not something my parents taught me. There are crossovers, but I wouldn't want to repeat my parents relationship with each other.

Perhaps loving someone is big, and scary, and loads of the unknown. And that is OK because it is better to have the rest that goes with it.

Be nice to talk a bit more about where we find our role models if not our parents, remind me of that.

Rob.