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August 19, 2010 - December 15, 2010
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

What we have won in regards to rights

I had a very interesting experience tonight that made me reflect on where the world has come.  I went out tonight with my two roommates for frozen custard.  Okay now before you get all high and mights the frozen custard is not the great realization I had come to.  Let me give you a little background on our little household configuration.  I am a Hispanic single gay man in my forty's.  My one roommate is a straight white male engaged to be married in his twenties.  The last roommate is an African-American female divorced from a man and a lesbian.   Oh and there are two dogs both 3 years old in they house as well.

Now at first glance the reaction from some would be oh so what no big deal.  But look at where we have come by looking where we have been.  Prior to the 60's and the civil rights movement my male roommate and I riding in a car with an African-American woman would have drawn some less than kind comments.  She would not have been able to order with us and would have been told to use a different  counter.  As a Hispanic man I would have gotten less that great service as well. Our White roommate would have been served and only would have received comments about being with non-white people. 

Prior to the Stonewall riots of New York both my lesbian roommate and I would have been fearful of being arrested or even beaten for our sexual preference.  Because of some brave drag queens at the Stonewall bar in New York do we have the ability to be open about who we are.  Now that is not to say that it is safe to be open about our sexuality.  In some parts of this country there are some who feel it is okay to beat up a gay man or a lesbian woman.  There are places in this world where some feel it is right to keep rights away from men and women because of their sexuality.  June traditionally is the month when communities across the country and around the world celebrate gay pride.  It is not just a time to party, which can be lots of fun, but a time to celebrate the rights we have won thus far.  It is also a time to reflect and see what fights are ahead of all of use. 

We as a society have come a long way in securing rights for human beings in this country and other places.  However, we still have a long ways to go.  I am glad that events in the past have lead to a time I can have the roommates and friends I have of different colors, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual identity.  I am a far richer person and hopefully it helps me make a difference in this great world of ours.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Smoking

Now I will first say at the beginning of the blog that I respect others rights to do things but where is the line.  This passed week I had an experience that made me think.  I was coming up to a traffic light and someone in a car next to me flicks out a cigarette butt that hit my car.  Now it did not do any damage to the car but made me think why is it that some people have no respect for others.

That smoker in the car next to me did not apologize nor did he care.  I have seen smokers in the past complain that they should have a right to smoke wherever.  What about my right to have clean streets and sidewalks?  What about my right for it to be smoke free around me? Granted I don't smoke but I sill feel that everyone needs to be conscious more often of how our behavior effects others.  The more we respect others the more the world will be a better place.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Have a drink

When Life Gives You Lemons. . Grab The Salt And Tequila. . The World Has Enough Lemonade!

A friend  posted this on a page recently.  I know that sometimes life can get us down and can overcome us.  However, we can choose how to deal with life.  We can let it get us down and control our lives and not move on.  We can say oh well and move on and overcome what comes our way.  How we approach it says a lot about who we are.  I know for me I don't want life to get me down because if I let it get me down does no good for me.  Now I don't advocate using alcohol to deal with the problems in life.