Why Pride? - 1. Why Pride?

An awesome tale for Pride. A true reflection of the hate and name calling that still goes on.

Great little story Wayne! Absolutely spot on portrayal of how different perceptions can be. 

Yeah, liberal cities still has this happening. My ex and I weren't called faggots, but "pretty boys" was the more polite euphemism, while we were grabbing lunch at a Panera. People don't realize the existence of prejudice until they walk a mile in another person's shoes.

Good story

48 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

An awesome tale for Pride. A true reflection of the hate and name calling that still goes on.

Thanks, Chris.

Even in socially liberal places, it's an act of courage to simply hold the hand of my husband. And it shouldn't be. Maybe someday.

47 minutes ago, kbois said:

Great little story Wayne! Absolutely spot on portrayal of how different perceptions can be. 

Thanks, kbois.

And yeah, Myles had no idea, because he'd never had to think about it. Once that changed, he quickly realized how right Jace was. But ... once he did, he also showed himself to be a real ally. 🙂

37 minutes ago, W_L said:

Yeah, liberal cities still has this happening. My ex and I weren't called faggots, but "pretty boys" was the more polite euphemism, while we were grabbing lunch at a Panera. People don't realize the existence of prejudice until they walk a mile in another person's shoes.

Good story

Thanks, W_L.

My husband and I faced similar situations even when vacationing in Ashland, OR. It's a small place, but it's known for art, social enlightenment, etc. If there was anyplace we should be able to hold hands on the west coast, apart from a "gay" neighborhood, that should have been it. But no. No. For our own safety, we had to stop. The attention and comments we got were just too much.

i really enjoyed your piece.  Wish there were more people like Myles in the world.

My husband and i hold hands in public, but there are few that would challenge Michael. He doesn't care what people think or say and he's a big man so people are intimidated. i don't have that same confidence.

Nice short, Wayne.

1 minute ago, Mikiesboy said:

i really enjoyed your piece.  Wish there were more people like Myles in the world.

My husband and i hold hands in public, but there are few that would challenge Michael. He doesn't care what people think or say and he's a big man so people are intimidated. i don't have that same confidence.

Nice short, Wayne.

Thanks, tim.

Maybe if I had another foot of height that'd make a difference. As it is, showing affection to my husband in the open is a gamble - and it's always a calculation we take.

I like Myles. He started as someone who liked Jace, but he couldn't empathize. Not really. As soon as he realized what kind of world Jace had to live in, he changed. A real friend, when presented with the trial of someone they value will help bear it. And that's what Myles did.

What a clever idea for a story - Myles changed a lot in a short amount of time but in a very believable way. Walk five blocks in someone else’s shoes and suddenly you understand things a whole new way. Loved it!

I really enjoyed your story. Myles only had to walk a few blocks in Jace’s shoes. But those few blocks taught him something long lasting. The discomfort and fear we experience - even in places where it feels safe - can last just as long. Well done. 

3 minutes ago, headtransplant said:

What a clever idea for a story - Myles changed a lot in a short amount of time but in a very believable way. Walk five blocks in someone else’s shoes and suddenly you understand things a whole new way. Loved it!

Myles started from a place of ignorance - he simply didn't know. His view of Jace's situation changed from "OMG, dramatic gay boy" to "I gotta make sure Jace doesn't get hurt on the way to Pride". He's a good friend. 🙂

Thanks for the read and comment!

2 minutes ago, Parker Owens said:

I really enjoyed your story. Myles only had to walk a few blocks in Jace’s shoes. But those few blocks taught him something long lasting. The discomfort and fear we experience - even in places where it feels safe - can last just as long. Well done. 

Thank you, Parker.

It really didn't take long for him to "get it." And he sorta had a clue, before they'd even begun. The "Not some hood" comment told the story there. So deep down, he knew things were harder for Jace. Nothing like practical experience to drag that knowledge front and center.

I like this Wayne.  Myles is a good guy. 

My feelings are we should be who we are. I understand that many don't feel safe holding hands with their same-sex spouse or being 'out' as who they are. It's wrong. But that won't save you from broken bones or a bullet. 

In Toronto, people still stare or jaws may drop. The odd one may say something. Being a giant helps. 

It's partly why I don't care what others say. It's partly why I insist we do hold hands, so people can see. The more we do it, if we can, the more 'normal' it will be. 

Do it if you can, but not at the cost of your safety. 

8 minutes ago, MichaelS36 said:

I like this Wayne.  Myles is a good guy. 

My feelings are we should be who we are. I understand that many don't feel safe holding hands with their same-sex spouse or being 'out' as who they are. It's wrong. But that won't save you from broken bones or a bullet. 

In Toronto, people still stare or jaws may drop. The odd one may say something. Being a giant helps. 

It's partly why I don't care what others say. It's partly why I insist we do hold hands, so people can see. The more we do it, if we can, the more 'normal' it will be. 

Do it if you can, but not at the cost of your safety. 

Thank you, Mike. I too feel Myles is a good guy.

I saw something heartening in our little town once about two years ago. Kevin and I walked along "Arts Alive", a monthly event that happened every first Saturday in our city. A big, boisterous group of high-schoolers milled about in front of us ... and we spied this cute pair of girls, pressed together, their clasped hands almost hidden among their friends. But not quite. They got a few looks, and frowns, and then comments from the crowd around them. They dropped hands, and looked upset. Annnnnd that's when their friends, like ten of them, all paired up with same sex friends and held hands. "Here! Look! Ohhhh, two boys holding hands! OMG, what will all these good Christians do?!" And that's how they spent the rest of the evening - like a bulwark around their friends, noisy and unashamed.

I gotta admit ... it made me tear up.

Being a giant helps, I'm sure. And you're right ... the more people see us out and about the better. We are a part of that when we can be, even if it's uncomfortable for us. We just play the game of risks, and decide moment to moment when we can show our love.

20 minutes ago, Wayne Gray said:

Thank you, Mike. I too feel Myles is a good guy.

I saw something heartening in our little town once about two years ago. Kevin and I walked along "Arts Alive", a monthly event that happened every first Saturday in our city. A big, boisterous group of high-schoolers milled about in front of us ... and we spied this cute pair of girls, pressed together, their clasped hands almost hidden among their friends. But not quite. They got a few looks, and frowns, and then comments from the crowd around them. They dropped hands, and looked upset. Annnnnd that's when their friends, like ten of them, all paired up with same sex friends and held hands. "Here! Look! Ohhhh, two boys holding hands! OMG, what will all these good Christians do?!" And that's how they spent the rest of the evening - like a bulwark around their friends, noisy and unashamed.

I gotta admit ... it made me tear up.

Being a giant helps, I'm sure. And you're right ... the more people see us out and about the better. We are a part of that when we can be, even if it's uncomfortable for us. We just play the game of risks, and decide moment to moment when we can show our love.

That is wonderful. To have friends to support you in that way. I think we will see this more and more from the younger folks. They are more accepting. They look at each other and see friends, not black friends, gay friends, or Asian friends, just friends.  It's a beautiful thing. 

Keep writing these positive messages, Wayne. 

Nice! The fact we are still seen as freaks tells me we always will be, at least for this century, but real friends make all the difference. Myles was oblivious, like so many other good people, but he's proved to be a great friend once his eyes were opened. That is where the hope lies for us. Well done, Wayne. I enjoyed this. Cheers!

Just now, Headstall said:

Nice! The fact we are still seen as freaks tells me we always will be, at least for this century, but real friends make all the difference. Myles was oblivious, like so many other good people, but he's proved to be a great friend once his eyes were opened. That is where the hope lies for us. Well done, Wayne. I enjoyed this. Cheers!

You're right about friends. People who will stand up with you when it matters. Myles didn't know - not at first. Once he did, he actively picked a harder path just so he could walk it with Jace.

Thanks for reading, and for the great comment. I appreciate the time spent. 🙂

Now THAT is a friend! My last roommate in grad school and one of my best friends still to date was a straight man who was neutral about gay rights (not unreasonable for Georgia in the late 70's) -- until I came out. Then he became the most awesome Ally that you could imagine, sometimes even standing up against prejudicial/homophobic crap that I had decided to ignore. I could see him doing something like Myles did! He became such a supportive friend that he was the only straight man who was routinely invited to the gay parties. Thanks, Bill, for four decades of friendship and support -- and thanks @Wayne Gray for a delightful tale!

Experiencing prejudice of any kind first hand is the best -- perhaps the only -- way to really understand it. In NYC, there is a campaign going on now that challenges people who think there is no antisemitism to wear a yarmulke for a week and then report back. Don't know of anyone who has done it, but I thought it was a great approach to get people to open their eyes about prejudice.