WHY DO U HATE ME?

22. October 2009 by admin.

Every morning when I wake up and look in the mirror, I don’t see a gay man. 

I see a man who is getting older, and one not concerned with labels. 

Barely noticed are the wrinkles, additional hair loss and a few extra pounds.  Yeah, right! I am gay after all.   The focus is on the real issues that are important to me.   You know, things like our master bath needs to be cleaned or how refreshing the sun can be coming through the skylights in the morning.  I am joking.  My husband, kids, family, friends and Out are very important to me. 

The mark I leave on the world, not the mark the world leaves on me is very important.

Simply said, I am more than gay.  I love the Steelers, PITT football and the Penguins.  Cage fighting…one word…HOT!   Does this mean I need to turn in my gay card? No, it simply means that I am not imprisoned by the stereotypes society places on us.  One must remain unique and be true to thyself. 

As we grow older, start families and become more accepted by society, we tend to focus less on labels and more on living.  To assume I am not proud of who I am would be a mistake.  Most days, I am delighted with the choses I have made and the ones made for me.   If I was not gay, I would have never met Ed and our three boys.  I also would have never worked for and eventually purchase a leading LGBT newspaper and shared the beautiful relationships that have developed at Out.   My family would be much smaller and not include the love and wisdom that comes with joining families.

I am what I am and have become a survivor and a voice for all people.  I believe in equal rights for all groups including gays, lesbians, African Americans, women, sick, poor, homeless, animals, Latinos, and all minorities in America and around my world.  I even take up straight people causes occasionally.  In all seriousness… ”second class citizen” is not a label that I will accept for myself, my family or for anyone. 

I believe that my responsibility is to inform, to educate and to teach tolerance.  One of my best traits is the desire to root and defend the underdog.  Many of heated discussions have occurred in circles with me representing these people.   I believe one voice can make a difference.

So why do you hate me?  Is it because I am gay?  Or because I own a LGBT newspaper and website that strives to inform and entertain minorities or the thousands of advertisers that depend on it to get their message out?   Perhaps you do not think that Ed and I should be permitted to raise children?  Have you met my kids?  Do you even care about their history when heterosexuals were in charge?  Maybe you don’t like me living in your neighborhood or attending your church?  Everyone knows gayness is contagious and gays attract more gays. I completely understand.  I think straights have taken over the world and I am tired of them ramming heterosexuality down our throats!  They kiss and hold hands in public and now account for 90 percent of the human race.  This must stop!

Hate is hateful.   Lets replace hate with words like love, understanding, tolerance, acceptance and education.

Don’t hate me for who I am, tolerant me for whom I am not.

Keep Reading…

Tony

You can contact me at Out or by e-mail
tony@output.com

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »