Quest

When we were still children, most of us saw the world through very naive and innocent eyes, never imagining the level of cruelty that lurks out in the world. As we grew older, however, we caught little glimpses of reality, of a world in which people can be very mean to others. In young adulthood we quickly realized that the bullies, once only on the playground, continue to harass and belittle in the real world too.

LGBT people have had more than their share of being bullied. Every day, someone is picked on, beaten or even killed simply because of who they are, simply for just being gay or transgendered.

In recent years, the gay community has come so far, in acquiring acceptance and obtaining some basic legal rights, yet hates crimes against LGBTs have risen to their highest level in five years*. And generally speaking, a hate crime is committed every hour in the United States.

It hits close to home too. Earlier this year a friend of mine, and his boyfriend, were holding hands as they walked down the street in South Beach, during Winter Party weekend. On several separate occasions, people (adults) yelled, "faggots" at them. And this was in South Beach, of all places (where gays roam free in their natural habitat). One of the perpetrators was a middle-aged woman!

That story, from my friend, turned my stomach. Some times I feel so removed from situations like this, mostly because I live in Miami and New York City, where peoples' differences are usually embraced and where acceptance, or at least tolerance, is the rule. But this time, it happened right here, and to someone I know.

Then I recently heard, on the news, that despite Broward county's (the next county north of Miami) diverse population and large gay community, it has one of the highest hate crimes rates in the country. I really couldn't believe my ears. Right here in my own backyard. What is wrong with people that they feel so threatened or repulsed by someone different than themselves, that they have to lash out at others, at those just going through life minding their own business?

This is horrible and completely unacceptable, yet it happens everyday, here in my own backyard, and throughout America. But the next story is even more heart breaking and crosses every line that exists in society.

This morning when I woke up, I checked my Youtube account and saw that my young cyberfriend, Quinn, had produced another video. But something unusual caught my eye. The video was entitled, I'm Very, Very Scared.

Just for quick background, Quinn is a nine-year-old gay boy, who produces insightful Youtube videos about his experiences growing up gay. See my earlier posting, How Young is too Young to Know if You're Gay?, for more background.

In young Quinn's latest video, he was awake in the middle of the night, because of a threat he had received through his Youtube vlog. Some pathetic, cyberbully threatened to kill him because of who he is, a young gay kid growing up in California. He was rightfully scared, and confused and couldn't sleep. Remember Quinn is only nine years old. He was brought to tears, as he tried to make sense of it. It brought tears to my eyes, as I watched this young kid worrying about some low-life, emotional terrorist with the goal of scaring Quinn into silence.

As different as we all are, we really are just the same, made of the same cosmic dust, particles and genes. We're all in the game of life together, just trying to survive. Why make it harder for anyone? Pass on the message of "live and let live". And, encourage your Senator to vote in favor of the Matthew Shepard Act.

Have a look at Quinn's video for yourself.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which ultimately began the gay rights movement. Today thousands upon thousands will gather in U.S. cities to celebrate gay pride by attending or marching in gay pride parades.

NYC Pride, 1999. Corner of Christopher & Bleeker. Photo taken by,
my friend, David Posey.

New York City, with one of the largest parades in the nation, will find parade participants marching down Fifth Avenue and then through Greenwich Village via Christopher Street. For many years my friends and I met at the corner of Christopher and Bleeker, in the heart of the Village, to watch the eclectic gays and their supporters go by. Afterwards, thousands reveled in the streets and in the neighborhood bars, for a fun-filled, high energy party running into the wee hours of the night. This, of course, is still true today.

NYC Pride 1999, Stonewall Veterans. Photo taken by my friend,
David Posey.

I haven't been to the annual parade in years. Crowds just aren't my thing anymore, but I have years of great memories to remind me of the camaraderie formed and celebrated on this day.

Young and dorky, Frank and Bill, at NYC Gay Pride 1999.

As much fun as this day is, we shouldn't forget the real meaning behind gay pride: dignity and true equality for all. The gay community has come so far since 1969, especially in the last couple of years; however, LGBTs still have a very long way to go. The most pressing issues we still face include passing ENDA, over-turning DOMA, and reversing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, as well as passing an all inclusive Federal hate crimes bill/Matthew Shepard Act (with protection for the transgendered as well). Now that you've indulged me, have fun and happy gay pride day.

Here are more gay pride photos. These are from New York City Pride Day in 1998. All photos are taken by my friend, David Posey. Enjoy and happy gay pride.

Jason Tucker & Frank. NYC Pride 1998.

Balcony Boys. NYC Pride 1998.

Rainbow Flag. NYC Pride 1998

Carnival Hottie. NYC Pride 1998.

Gogo Boys on Float. NYC Pride 1998.

Small Supporter. NYC Pride 1998

Balloon Rainbow. NYC Pride 1998

How young is too young to know if you're gay? The simple and honest answer is, there's no such thing as being too young to know. In order to understand, one has to realize that homosexuality isn't primarily about sex and one has to accept that homosexuality is an innate trait with which we are born. I was only about four or five years old when I knew I was attracted to males. My attraction wasn't necessarily sexual, but more along the lines of having crushes on boys and men.

My first memory of being attracted to the same gender was when I was very young, probably about three years of age, when I was more than curious about my father's anatomy. Then as I got a little older (about four or five) , I developed crushes on older neighborhood guys. I found myself gushing over my older sister's male friend, Dale; and, I would become very happy and excited when he was near or even when he would just drive by the house.

When I was in first grade, I had a boyfriend named Scotty. He and I would hold hands and hug and tell everyone that we were going to get married. At that age, I constantly had dreams of Scotty and other males, both younger and older. It was never natural for me to be attracted to the opposite sex.

This attraction had nothing to do with sexual desire, and everything to do with who I was and what was natural for me, and still is today. As an adult, of course, we are sexual beings and sexual desire is part of human life. Naturally my sexual desires and attraction involve adults of the same gender, because of who I am.

This brings me to my point today. I received a "friend request" from a nine year old boy named Quinn, on Youtube. At first I was very concerned that a young boy would request friendship from an older man on the Internet, then as I discovered through reading his profile, that Quinn is a young gay kid; and, his parents control his Youtube on-line account. Quinn produces videos which are very honest and educational, giving a close look inside the life of a young gay child, learning to deal with life. Below is one of his videos which gives amazing insight into how a young child could know if he's gay at that tender age. Remember, it's not about sex.

I have to say, that I identified very closely with what Quinn had to say. There are many parallels in my childhood which I share with Quinn. I found myself nodding my head in agreement with so many things he had to say. It really could have been me in this video many years ago. Take a look into the life of Quinn and you'll soon discover the impressive mental maturity of a young gay boy in 2009.

Here's more footage from the anti-Prop 8 rally in New York City, on May 26th, 2009. Once again my friends Gilda and Rafael were briefly shown marching behind one of the banners. I also noticed many familiar faces, in the crowd, including my former massage therapist, Tony Brown, fellow pro-gay rights bloggers and the infamous Michael Musto, from the Village Voice. Next time, I'm there.

NYC Marriage Rally May 26th, 2009

Footage provided by one of my favorite gay-rights bloggers, Joe.My.God.

Both the New Hampshire House and State Senate have passed the bill extending protections to religious organizations in the state from having to recognize gay marriage. The governor then officially signed the same-sex marriage bill along with two other bills which include those religious changes.

On April 13, 2009 I posted an editorial response, via Youtube video, to NOM's anti-gay commercial on same-sex marriage. I put a lot of thought into the editorial and cited facts and history to justify my opinion as opposed to using fear, rhetoric and ignorance. I used passages from the U.S. Constitution, and supreme court rulings as well as examples from the world and U.S. civil rights movements. In other words, I was able to back up my argument with sound reasoning.

On Monday June 1, 2009, President Obama declared the month of June as National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. I don't want to sound ungrateful for the gesture, but I am.

A picture is worth a thousand words! So that's what they say. I think this image of Dick Cheney is proof. I find him to be a vile person, literally evil. No matter what I think of him, however, he is one more ultra-conservative to support same-sex marriage. Yes, one of his daughters is openly gay and living with her long-term life partner. And, so one might ask is this really a big deal?

For me, my opinion of Dick Cheney has not changed. I still can't stand to look at his face or listen to him speak, unlike how my opinion of Ted Olson has evolved (see my earlier post, Conservative Attorney Filed Federal Case Against Prop 8).