Why Pride? - 1. Why Pride?

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. 🙂

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!

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.

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. 🙂

A classic tale. Thank you for sharing.

2 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

Sometimes the best way for someone to understand is to experience it firsthand.  This is a good illustration of why Pride should be celebrated and a nice tale of friendship.  I enjoyed this story.  

Thanks for reading and for the comment, Valkyrie.

I think you're right. I think that's what it takes for some to understand; they can't be told; they have to feel, see, and live it.

Myles had little idea what kind of courage it took for Jace to simply be himself. Well, now he knows. And he showed himself unwilling to let Jace walk the path alone. He's a good friend.

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.

7 minutes ago, Dr. John NYC said:

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!

Thanks for the comments!

Ah, I'm so glad you had an ally in Bill. Friends like him are hard to find, and it sounds as if you recognize his value. Wow. Georgia in the late 70s. Noooo thank you! Yet, you survived it, maybe thanks, in part to friends like Bill! Myles definitely stepped up for Jace, and he showed himself a real friend. We can all use those in our lives, regardless of their sexuality.

2 minutes ago, Dr. John NYC said:

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.

I believe you're right on this one. People might have an idea of how it feels, but until they experience it themselves, they just don't know. And good for NYC! It's quite telling, I think, to have no takers in a city of millions for that challenge. People know. Deep down, they know. They may not realize the depth, but the fact that they're not taking on the challenge tells us that on some level, they're aware.

Awesome short story ! 👍

Yes, Myles is indeed a real good friend, especially for what he did the next day : joining Jace to the pride show how he valued their friendship ! ❤️

6 minutes ago, Danilo Syrtis said:

Awesome short story ! 👍

Yes, Myles is indeed a real good friend, especially for what he did the next day : joining Jace to the pride show how he valued their friendship ! ❤️

 

He proved that he would walk the walk. A friend like that is hard to find, and Jace realized just how lucky he was as soon as he saw Myles in the hallway.

Thanks for the comment and for the read, Danilo! 🙂