As we were walking in Cherry Grove this past weekend we came upon a house that has turned the ' Gay Rainbow' flag into something noteworthy of art. This must have been this persons hobby for the week. We thought it clever and creative. As we continued to walk , my mind began to think about the word, " GAY' and its many definitions. It also made me think of how cruel other individuals can be in this world.
Gay traditionally means "happy" but in Modern English it also means homosexual. This meaning is more common now. The term was originally used to refer to feelings of being 'carefree', 'happy' or bright and showy' As early as 1637 he had connotations of being immoral. The word "gay" describes a person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex instead of the opposite sex. They may also be romantically interested in people of the same sex. This means males who like other males or females who like other females. The word homosexual comes from the Ancient Greek word homos, meaning "same", and sexus, the Latin word for "gender". People usually use the word "gay" instead of "homosexual". The word heterosexual comes from the Greek word heteros, meaning "different", and sexus, the Latin word for "gender". The word "straight" is used more often than "heterosexual" when talking about people who are attracted to the opposite sex. Sometimes an individual might refer to an inanimate object and state " That's so gay" In this usage it does not refer to a homosexual, but instead meaning rubbish or stupid.
Most gay individuals whether male or female can certainly remember days when he/she was called 'other names. Some of these names were not pleasant, nor kind to say the least. To this day, gay harassment still exists. The word ' gay' can also refer to weakness or unmanliness.
On our ride home from Cherry Grove last weekend, two lesbians and two homosexuals were discussing the word SENSITIVE. I grew up with family members/ friends stating " I was sensitive" For example, " He is a sensitive child." What does that mean? My father used to say, " Everything bothers you, you are sensitive just like your mother !"
As we discussed in traffic on the large parking lot, - the Long Island Expressway, we each had our own opinion of ' sensitive' Two Italians in the car, one female and one male thought it could be ' an Italian thing' . I think not. The other two passengers , one German and one Ango Saxon ( from the South) were also called 'sensitive'
So what if I am sensitive . It might mean I care. In all these years I have turned a negative connotation into a positive connotation. Sensitive could mean Happy, Joyous and Free. It could mean for me caring about life.
Unfortunately, some of us have scars, although distant, from the ' name calling'
Here are some examples:
•ARSE BANDIT
•BATTY MAN
•BATTYBOY
•BENDER
•BULLER
•FAGGOT
GENDER BENDER
•HOMO
•MOX
•POOF
POOF TA
•QUEEN
•QUEER
•YAOI
•YURI
There are many teenagers suicide due to the above name calling and bullying. Our son, Gregory wrote the following and posted it on facebook in dedication to young gay youths He stated " I dedicate the above lyrics to LGBTQ youth that have been bullied and/or have committed or have contemplated suicide. Life is too precious to let others choose your fate "
.Beautiful Kids by Gregory Patrick
copyright August 2012
How could you even dare
Think no one would care
If you weren't here
If you disappeared
How could you even try
To dream of the day you die
When you drift away
And loved ones pray
Beautiful boy
Don't pull the trigger
Don't let that thought linger
You have a world in front of you
Beautiful girl
Please don't kick the chair
Please know life isn't fair
But you'll soon see this through
How could they even dare
Push you without a care
As if you weren't real
As if you didn't feel
To laugh as you start to cry
When you fall down
A broken crown
Beautiful boy
Don't pull the trigger
Don't let that thought linger
You have a world in front of you
Beautiful girl
Please don't kick the chair
Please know life isn't fair
But you'll soon see this through
Take a breathe and let it out
Punch the walls, scream and shout
It's okay to cry (It's okay to cry)
Sit back down and shred the note
Kill the pain that you wrote
It's okay to cry (It's okay to cry)
Beautiful boy
Don't pull the trigger
Don't let that thought linger
You have a world in front of you
Beautiful girl
Please don't kick the chair
Please know life isn't fair
But you'll soon see this through
It's okay to cry
It's okay to cry
Until tomorrow...
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