PSA FOR PRIDE MONTH
In the year since I came out, I’ve learned some unexpected things about being a gay person in the world. Granted, my perspective as a white, “straight passing,” upper middle class, cis woman is ridiculously privileged compared to gay folks who navigate intersectional issues of race, disability or socio-economic status. Even so, if you are not gay and wonder why much is made of coming out and why people opt to lock their closet door—the World Health Organization estimates a whopping 83% of the worlds gay folks don’t come out—pull up a chair and I’ll tell you what it’s like, at least for me, a California transplant in Don’t Say Gay Florida. In gay-friendlier places, I’ve heard it is NOTHING like this so all you not out gay Oregonians can breath a sigh of relief. 🙂 And to those newly out or anyone still in the closet who might be reading this: I feel so much better in my own skin and will never regret coming out.
Here goes:
- Because of the homophobic water we all swim in—you can’t actually feel it until it is your personal reality—anti-LGBTQ+ legislation flooding state politics, violence against gay people in the news, random dehumanizing comments about gay folks from inside your circle, the world feels dangerous in a way it never did before. I feel pushed out of the safe place I had lived with everyone else. Minority Stress Theory explains the social, psychological, and structural factors that can place marginalized groups at risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes. Stress is a killer. Eighty percent of people go see their doctor for a stress related condition. This past year, I have been in the worst health ever. I imagine it’s because other life stressors must now be managed against the backdrop of homophobia and fear of being ostracized. I recently went back to running, but I no longer hide my car key where I meet my running partner for a long run. I just don’t feel safe anymore.
- The Religious Right believes the gays are going to hell and they are not afraid to tell you straightaway. A letter I received brought to mind my favorite bumper sticker, “Jesus, Save Me From Your Followers.” Here’s a line from a regular reader, the full piece of which I attached at the end here.* “…Not sure how much you have learned about the Christian New Testament but both say the same thing: homosexuality is an abomination to God… Unbiased research will reveal that there are many deep and irreversible profound damages to the homosexual and transgender lifestyle.” First off, that second sentence is begging for a red pen. The manmade condemnation, however, is clear. My heart breaks for all those not-yet-out gay kids raised in the church, undiluted shame funneled into their little ears every Sunday. At best it can cause them to turn on themselves and stay in the closet. At worst, it can kill them. LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The Trevor Project* estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the US. At least one gay kid attempts suicide every 45 seconds. Forty one percent of gay youth have seriously considered suicide in the past year, including HALF of transgender and nonbinary youth. What you say about gay people (especially the kids!!) and how you treat them REALLY MATTERS.
- There is a serious lack of education on this topic and you may be the recipient of an impressive level of ignorance. Folks you’d never expect will cast aspersions, doubt you and say crazy things about you. I was unprepared for ‘my gay friends said you aren’t gay,’ ‘I was gay for three weeks, you’ll get over it,’ ‘you are doing this for attention,’ ‘this is a midlife crisis.’ On the flip side of that were lovely surprises that made all the difference. Like one friend who responded to the news with genuine warmth and enthusiasm for me knowing myself better. Then she offered to connect me with friends in my expanded new community, which is exactly what I needed. Another friend, totally nonplused at the news, has continued to check in ever since. Many have all but disappeared from my life.
- I am now often regarded as The Gay Person by people I’ve known for decades instead of as an individual like they all get to be. I am referred to by that identity a LOT. By my fashion choices, my temperament, even as to the diminished value of having me around. That is the most disconcerting, scary feeling. When I was straight, no one defined me by any one one aspect of my identity and it was certainly not the most significant thing about me. That would be absurd, right? I’m Jewish too, which is a problem in MANY parts of the world especially now, but in very Jewish Miami, I feel relatively safe. Also, I didn’t realize that there was an “angry lesbian” stereotype. Granted, I heard the term in the same conversation where an “angry Black man” was thrown around as well. I pointed out that the man’s frustrated response sounded reasonable for someone who had been inconvenienced the entire day. So who are the precious few who are given license to show emotion without “fitting the stereotype?” Anyone who watched Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing knows the answer to that. Newsflash: we are all entitled to have feelings, not just the straight, cisgender*, white males of the world. Everyone is allowed to be fully human. Please do not abuse the incredible privilege you carry in the world by making life harder for others.
- “We are worried for your kids.” I heard this a lot. In a homophobic world, people can be mean, even to your babies. That’s valid. AND. Hearing this over and over made me feel like I was doing something wrong. It suggests that if I also cared about my children, I wouldn’t be gay or at least I wouldn’t tell anyone. Coming out isn’t the problem. Homophobia is what is actually dangerous to the LGBTQ+ community, not gayness. Drag icon Trixie Mattel said it best. “It’s not hard to be gay. It’s straight people that make it hard.” I think we are collectively confused about what gay even is. Gayness is a state of being. It isn’t something bad that you do to someone else if you are a corrupt person or a terrible mother. My kids are the most important people in my life and their wellbeing is my chief concern. I hope I have prepared them to be themselves regardless of what others would prefer them to be. You can only teach that by example. So, if someone comes out to you, they are telling you the truth about who they are. To express negativity in that moment lands as rejection. Regardless of your good intentions, that is the impact. Yes, the world can be awful to folks who don’t carry privilege, but that is a lot of people you are expecting to lay low. It’s 2024—let’s do better.
- Here is some encouraging news. If you haven’t heard, LOTS of LGBTQ+ folks are extremely capable, resourceful, incredibly talented people. If you don’t have any, get some gay friends, you’ll be so glad you did. I know some pretty badass lesbians who are not accustomed to subverting their personal power in anyone’s presence, regardless of gender. They haven’t bought into gender stereotypes that males are the only ones capable of certain skills. I am thinking of my Aunt, trailblazer Mariah Hanson, an absolute powerhouse of a businesswoman and pioneer in the community, of my childhood friend, comedian Dana Goldberg, activist, and fierce LGBTQ+ advocate, of my friend Laura Steckler, philanthropist and highly skilled financial planner who empowers women to build a secure future. It’s a long list.
- But here’s the best news of all. Now that I understand myself better, I am at peace. Sure, it’s super weird for some people to treat me differently now. But it’s also an excellent litmus test for who actually belongs in my life and who never did.
- Lastly, the past year has educated me in a multitude of ways people handle changes in their orientation at later stages of life. I had never heard of “mixed orientation” marriage or when one partner becoming trans within the context of a straight marriage or Ethical Non-monogamy. The expansive love some couples who experience shifts in identity after building a life together is inspiring. These alternative partnerships aren’t comfortable for everyone. We are all free to choose the kind of relationship that suits us.
- Love is love is love is love is love. It is really the only thing that is real and that matters.
Thank you for reading. When we know each other, see each other and respect each other as the beautiful, unique humans we are, we can love each other better. Happy Pride!
Love,
Elizabeth
* Cisgender describes someone who’s gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
Here’s the full letter I mentioned above. It’s a doozy.
*Dear Elizabeth,
I am saddened to hear of this new path you have started down, but I am hopeful and glad I’m that I know how intelligent you are and how you seek good, right and truth.
I do not believe this declaration of yours will take you to a better life and I write this because I love you in the Greek agape sense and the Hebrew Philadelphia sense and I know God loves you more than anyone on earth. He created you.Truth is the only path I follow when pursuing any subject or decision. Reality reveals Truth. Jesus says He is the Way the Truth and the Life. Creation, history and science reveal this Truth when you study facts. I know that you don’t believe literally in the Hebrew (Jewish) Old Testament and not sure how much you have learned about the Christian New Testament but
both say the same thing: homosexuality is an abomination to God and is wrong. Reality when thoroughly investigated through a timeline of cause and effect and all facts to be known are known will reveal to you the Truth of any issue. Mankind would die out without heterosexual binary sex whether in body or test tube. It doesn’t happen any other way. Unbiased research will reveal that there are many deep and irreversible profound damages to the homosexual and transgender lifestyle.Think about how your parents thought they were doing the right thing by following their own thing and how you still are searching how to get past your upbringing. This new “way” will not get you where you really want to go in your heart. I saw it searching for Truth and righteousness and love. My message is not about religion nor dogma: it is about you finding God and knowing Him as God and not yourself as god. God created us male and female in His image. Don’t get hung on on the male pronouns here. There is no gender neutral in Hebrew so it uses both feminine and masculine terms when speaking of God. God is Spirit and He has appeared on earth as Yeshua/Jesus of Nazareth, incarnate.
The American Indians called Him the Great Spirit. Africans also recognize this good spirit real God and they recognize the bad Evil Spirit lesser god the Bible calls Satan.
You must understand that God has female and male attributes but He created physical mankind as either male or female. Bisexual. No fluidity. That’s reality. You can’t change your DNA. Some men are more feminine and vice versa but they are still males biologically no matter what modern science says or tries to do to change
I hope you don’t think this is preaching. I am only expressing Truth as I know it. You are too good of a lawyer to not know that Truth is external and we must search for it. We don’t get to decide what it is. IT IS. We get to decide our emotions our feelings and our perspectives, and God gives us the freedom to follow our hearts and grow like children in wisdom and knowledge. You will find God if you search with all your heart. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Read His Word and let the Holy Spirit not your spirit reveal truth to you. Man and his philosophies are from mankind. I must also mention their are evil spirits, both old and new testaments speak quite a lot about them. They are very deceiving and can feel or seem as if light or as your friend. Don’t be deceived. You don’t want to go down that path. Lies are bondage. In closing I hope you can hear my words and know they are sincere and true not becauss I said so but God through our ancestors and fathers’ fathers has said so. I hope they can be received by you because they are delivered with great respect but deep concern for this course you are deviating on. I hope and pray you will remain with your loving husband and be a righteous loving wife and mother to your children and continue to likewise impact people for truth in your professional life.
As always your friend,
Heather
*The Trevor Project provides a safe space and crisis services for LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, 365 days a year, as well as advocacy, research, education and public awareness. They are literally saving lives. If you want to donate or find out more, take a look here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/