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Lyman County, South Dakota's Genealogy

Time to talk about homosexuality

Saturday, 17. April 2004

Just remember, no matter how bad I get, I’m holding back a little! 


     Homosexuality. I've been wanting to talk about homosexuality for some time, so this is the week and it's just like TV, if you don't want to read it, you're in control ... don't.

  I was talking with someone the other day who mentioned in passing that they had just learned that so and so was gay and could I believe it. I was as surprised to hear that they had just "found out" as they were to hear that I had known for years. I wondered how they could have not known since it was so obvious and the conclusion was reached by them that I "knew what to look for."
     I don't know that I know what to look for. Who's looking? I think so often of the heartache, sadness and anger we, as a family, were witness to over the years.
     No one (male or female) in their right mind would willingly be homosexual and set themselves up for all of the animosity and hate that is directed toward them. That is self-destructive. Sometimes we just cannot help who or what we are. To live a lifetime of abuse from others who believe themselves to be above whatever horrors one conjures up in one's mind about the fags, queers, perverts (and the derogatory list goes on) cannot be a very happy life. Would you choose that for yourself! Of course not. So why would they?
     A few weeks ago I wore a purple shirt to work. I guess it was Monday after a big Vikings game. Someone walked up to my desk, saw the shirt and said, "Wow, Vikings fan?" Something in me wanted to say, "No, gay pride," but I didn't. Next time, I just might, we'll have to wait and see. I have no more of a problem with gay people than I do with anyone else.
     In any event, when I mentioned that I have been thinking about doing a column on homosexuality since the shirt incident, my statement was met with an anticipated audible gasp. I don't profess to be all knowing about homosexuality, but I do know that some I have met have proven to be the nicest people, with the exception of one lesbian who seemed to be on a mission to inform the world of her lifestyle by saying the word at least once in every sentence she spoke. She was not nice at all.  She needed a bath and clean clothes. She was an insult to her "sisters." I didn't understand what she was trying to prove and I didn't try to find out. I'm not one and I don't want to be one, and she was probably thinking she wouldn't  trade places with me, so there you are.
     We are a sad lot, aren't we? I'm as guilty as anyone else. I make snap judgments and say terrible things about others without even thinking about what I'm saying. Sometimes when I'm on a roll I find myself suddenly listening to what I'm saying and wonder where on earth it is coming from?
     I have two new friends. They came to see Bill the weekend before he passed away. They were the nicest two men I have had the pleasure of meeting in many moons. They were married about a month before they came to see Bill and he had planned to attend the wedding. I don't understand two men getting married. None of my business. They are professional men; one in the medical field and the other business management. They don't bother anyone, don't ask for anything, don't inflict hurt on others, are respectable citizens in their community, pay their taxes and are buying their own home.
     I just don't know. What determines who is good and who is bad? When we see a male and female together our first thoughts certainly aren't about what they do in their bedroom. Why do we presume to know what homosexuals do and then dwell on it? Leave them alone. Live your own life.
     Why was that young man in Wyoming beat to death then set on fire just because he was homosexual? My God, who is the bad guy here? I don't get it.
     I know the Bible says it is an abomination against man. It also says God forgives. I better not even go there, I'll really get into trouble.
     I know God loved Bill and Bill loved God. I have no problem with where Bill is now. Peace at last for this wild and crazy guy who loved life and probably had as many crazy happy days as bad ones.
     I was talking to my sister-in-law last Saturday and we got into this discussion about life and how we treat each other. She said she has come to the place in her life where she doesn't care what color a person is, what their sexual preference is, whether they are fat, skinny, ugly, slovenly, etc., saying, "Let's all just be good to each other."
     I couldn't agree more.
    Sorry about the diatribe. I tell ya, it was that darned purple shirt that got me started.


 

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