The Gifts Of Being Different
Forty years ago this June, the Stonewall Riots happened in New York City. Police raided a bar in New York City\’s Greenwich Village named the Stonewall Inn. Homosexual gathering place raids were common in the 1950\’s and 1960\’s and persecution of homosexuals were a fact of the times.
But there must have been \”something in the air\” the night of June 27, 1969; maybe it was years of pent up frustration; maybe it was anger at being persecuted for so long. Whatever the cause, The Stonewall Riots are generally recognized as the first time gay people stood together and fought back against the tyranny they had been subjected to for so many years. As the patrons were rousted out of the bar and the arrests were being made, soon a crowd of about 2000 gathered. And then it began…Angry words were shouted at the police and chants of \”Gay Power\” came from the crowd. Soon words turned to actions as the crowd began throwing things at the police like bottles and trash cans.
Several people were arrested, some were injured and some police were also hurt. The riots were repeated the next night with even a larger number of people participating in the revolt. The Riot Squad needed to be called in to bring it to an end; the Gay Rights movement had begun.
Over the past 40 years, we LGBT people have come a long way in gaining equal rights and acceptance. Attaining our goal of being accepted by others has not easy. Demonstrating that we are no different than anyone else has taken many years, but our efforts have been rewarded.
Our lives and relationships are portrayed widely in mass media, from TV to movies to news broadcasts. It is almost commonplace to have gay couples in mainstream TV shows and there are feature films about gay relationships. Many companies, municipalities and cities recognize domestic partners. Some states have even legalized same sex marriage or implemented civil union laws. Advertisers now point their marketing directly to our community.
This is not to imply that our fight for acceptance is over. There is still much homophobia in the United States and throughout the world; teenage people still commit suicide because they realize they are gay; people are still beaten and even killed just because they are thought to be gay. Yes, there is still hatred and ignorance to be overcome.
We have made great efforts to be accepted and to show the world that we are no different than anyone else. But the fact is we were Created different from most other people and in our Creation we were given talents and gifts to offer the world. Let us not hide these talents and gifts.
Being gay, we walk between the worlds of typical male or female gender roles. We are more keenly aware of both our masculine and feminine attributes. This awareness allows us to more easily see, and be open to, many aspects of life that others cannot see. Thus, many of us are known as being unifiers; people with the ability to bridge gaps between others and heal relationships of all kinds. Walking between worlds can also make us more receptive to the \”unseen\” things in life and we become healers and shamans.
We are known to be intensely creative and many of us are involved in the arts. We are musicians, dancers, poets, singers, teachers, painters, song writers, actors, and yes, hair stylists and fashion designers! We are also world class athletes and Nobel Prize scientists. There seems to be an innate need in us to \”give back\”, to help others and in general make the world a better place for everyone.
I love the following quote from Marianne Williamson. Even though it is not directly addressed to the gay community, I think it speaks deeply to the gay experience of hiding ourselves and our gifts from the world:
\”Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There\’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won\’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It\’s not just in some of us; it\’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.\”
Every person on this earth is different; no two people are exactly the same. All people, men and women, gay and straight, and no matter what religious background or skin color, have been given unique talents and gifts. Let us all shine together.
Info post formulated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys proposes gay romantic getaways and gay romantic vacations. Catch timely info on a gay romantic vacation at Spirit Journeys website.
categories: gay marriage,civil unions,domestic partners,gay rights,gay pride,civil rights,social issues,spirituality,equality
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