Building Bridges

I have often wondered how to bridge the divide between the straight and gay worlds. When people talk about this subject emotions tend to take over. Curiosity comes later when comfort builds. Then laughter. Surprising to some but natural to others. At my age it may seem odd that I would want to engage people with this topic. To me it is not odd; rather it is logical and natural.

For 20 years I have lived an ‘out’ life. A generation of people who wanted to observe my life (assuming anyone would want to do that!) would see the tiny pieces of ordinariness fill the days and weeks and years. The same interests and needs pertain to gay people as they do for straight. Housing comes to mind. Food and water is perhaps more important than housing but high on the scale of need nonetheless. Of course worthwhile employment is another need. A sense of purpose to one’s life is a very strong need. So is clothing, and identifying personal interests which occupy the mind.

Expressing one’s sexuality is also a need; not a want. It is an inner urging that comes naturally for each of us. But the practices are different. The behavior. The expression.

The differentness between gay and straight begins at this point, I guess. To the extent that the acts/behavior/practices are different from the two, awareness of the differences beg defining what they are, how different they are, the how and the why, and finally the big question: Is this normal?

Well I suppose the answer depends on who is answering. What is normal to one person is not normal to the other and vice versa. DUH! You say? Well, yes. It may be just that simple.

The trick is to proceed down the path. Logically people’s minds need clarity. Finding it comes by way of a process. Uncovering ideas, facts and beliefs emerges over time and exposure to thinking on the subject matter. Ideas, facts and beliefs change over time as the mind sorts things out, becomes comfortable with various elements. Normal shifts in meaning as well as importance. The pylons of the bridge are beginning to take shape.

I don’t wish this blog posting to be an explanation of What is Gay, or What it means to be Gay in 2013. What I do propose is a clearing house or hub of questions and answers that interested people may have on this subject. So, here’s the deal:

1. If you are interested in understanding gay matters, check in with a gay person from time to time; or contact me at this blog
2. Pose the questions you were burning to ask; do so with complete anonymity and safety
3. Answers will be posted by those who feel they know the answer
4. Read those answers and pose questions you feel are needed to clarify the answers
5. Allow discussion and diverse opinions to coexist.

I promise to mediate the discussion and to add my questions and answers as they may be needed. I will pose research questions to research groups and seek proper answers to share with you. I will also invite input from a broad range of people.

Rest assured there will be biblical ‘experts’ who will probably hold forth; you will have to wallow through those pronouncements like I have done for decades. They are survivable. You will have to search through all the material shared here to find the truth, or what makes sense to you at any given time. I assure you that truth will change over time with added information that fits with the ongoing exchanges.

I will assume that no sharing means no interest. If that is so, so be it.

If you feel the same and are curious, please share this blog posting with others so the questions, answers and discussion will spring forth!

July 25, 2013