Was I born Gay? Did I choose to be Gay? Who cares?
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23677)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
June 23, 2019 12:43pm CST
I lived in New York in June 1969 but I am not one of the millions who claim they were at the Stonewall Bar the night it was raided. In those days I was a bit of a ‘bar snob, going only to the ‘better bars’! My partner and I were at the theater that night and didn’t know about it until we got home and heard it on the news. The next day we walked down to the Village and spoke to the many people hanging around. We would fly back to New York—we were now living in Memphis—for the first Gay Pride Parade. And 50 years later I celebrate the event and where it leads to and will continue to celebrate it every year.
Was I born Gay? Maybe and if I was I would love to thank the relative who passed down the gene. Did I choose to be Gay? I don’t know but if I did it was the smartest choice I ever made.
To celebrate I offer the following with the first C&P from Susan on facebook and the second, also copied from facebook, that offers solace to the many still in the closet, to that young person in the Midwest who thinks they are the only Gay person in the world, to those who have been thrown out of their church and/or those thrown out on the street by their parents or those who have to read on the Internet anti-Gay comments made by people who have Gay children, Gay spouses, Gay relatives, Gay friends, etc., and claim they love them yet hurt them with telling them they are ‘less than’. We will never know the percentage of Gay people in your town, city, State, country, family, friends but know that there are millions of us here for you!
12 people like this
12 responses
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Jun 19
One of my greatest pleasures in the past decade was getting to meet you and Mike!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Jun 19
@db20747 Consider it an honor! :O)
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43427)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
27 Jun 19
@GreatMartin I think acouple had a crush on me!!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Jun 19
Those are nice words but it makes a lot of difference to many people.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
26 Jun 19
@RubyHawk Not true--a new report came out today showing that in the past 2 years (cause =s affect?) acceptance of Gay people has dropped especially by young people!
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
26 Jun 19
@GreatMartin I know it does, but more people understand today than years ago. I have faith that in years to come we will all be accepted Gay or Straight.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Jun 19
Been saying it for 71 years! :O)
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43427)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
24 Jun 19
Hi great martin!! My transgendered friends were my very best!! But like I told them, I do not look down on anyone but I must tell u that it's not u God doesnt like!! He calls everyone to be redeemed!! Blessings to U a thousand fold!!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Jun 19
"Let's keep praying for a miracle. " Why put a label on them?? I am sure the would just rather be known as friends--period!
1 person likes this
@iAmCris23 (78)
• Philippines
23 Jun 19
Thank @GreatMartin! You made me happy, I'm Transman and proud!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Jun 19
Just being proud of who you are should make you happy!!
There are a few Gay people here who are still 'afraid' to come out which I find very sad.
From the age of 12 in 1948 up to 8 years ago I was very active so people would be able to come out and I wonder why?
2 people like this
@iAmCris23 (78)
• Philippines
24 Jun 19
I think @GreatMartin this brother and sister of us is being afraid by other criticism, I can't help with that even I had been misjudged by other. This people, homophobes are scary they'll gave you great stress to their spiteful words that spatting on your faces like they are cleanest people in the world that you could not find flaw to them and I hated those kind of people.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
24 Jun 19
Far as I know, medical science has it that there is an imbalance of hormones, that is why male feel more like female, and vice versa. It is a condition that must never be ignored nor deplored.
I have friends who are at the worst of predicaments because of their condition. I perfectly understand them and allow them to be who they are. Who am I to judge?
Thing is, there are also gay people, especially among the new generation who thought being gay is an option. So, they try to be gay even if they are not. That one is not acceptable.
Glad you are honest with your self and who you are. Being true to one's self is all that matters. Care not about what others say. Make peace with your self, and God, too. In the end, your life is your responsibility, never others.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
28 Jun 19
@GreatMartin Please do correct me if I am wrong, and enlighten me with the constitution of the gay. Yes, I do not mean any harm, I only want to understand.
The social problems you mentioned are not as prevalent in our society. Our families do not throw out teems if the children or siblings are gay. Instead, we accept them and do our best to support their endeavors, like enhance their craft or field of expertise. That way, they can move in society as freely as they want. In fact, gay artists are well paid in the entertainment and public relations industries.
I am so sorry for the teens who were lost because of such cruel and senseless stigma. I do feel for those who still couldn't assert their being in society. Wish they could get help soon enough.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Jun 19
@GreatMartin There was a Pride Parade the other night in one Metro Manila locality and I did get caught in a horrific traffic it caused. At the end of the two-kilometer stretch I traversed for 3 hours, I got to witness some 70 thousand young and old standing for equality for the LGBT et al. Watching, I pondered upon your discussion, and I think I am beginning to understand what you mean.
Am with you.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 Jun 19
@eileenleyva Okay I don't know how to say this but it is what I hear/read on mylot from Filipinos--they are okay with FEMININE gay people and that is all they seem to see. Most, the majority, of gay men I have met/known through my life are indistinguishable from other men--men who are gay are fathers, husbands, brothers, uncle, nephews, etc. --unless they come out, say they are gay, you would/will never know.
" we accept them and do our best to support their endeavors" --do search on mylot of gays and read the discussions by Filipinos--it is almost always about feminine gay guys. I never hear a word about gay women like they don't exist on the Island.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40872)
• Wapello, Iowa
24 Jun 19
And you don't even feel guilty about ruining Righty's marriage---Not because you are or even want to be married but simply because you could if you wanted to? GOOD! The main thing is finally gaining rights and equality (But still much too slowly. It's been 200+ years in this country and thousands of years in a lot of others) but I also greatly enjoy the pain you're causing Righty and millions more like him.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Jun 19
Gaining rights? Which ones? To serve in the army and get killed? To get married and then be fired the next day for getting married to a person we love? See me in a 100 years when I might have the same rights you and Righty have!
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Jun 19
Not enough think that way!
2 people like this
@YuleimaVzla (1505)
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
21 Aug 19
Awn that good words of encouragement and encouragement, and especially of reflection towards intolerance
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
23 Jun 19
It's a bit odd, but I don't label people with the tag "Gay". To me they are friends and fellow human beings. I have a lot of friends who come from different walks of life. I don't consider them less than anything. They are wonderful friends who make me laugh and offer wonderful suggestions when it comes to helping with my designing my teddy bears. I don't care about their selection of partners in their lives, it's their choice and not for me to judge. Those who choose to judge are in the wrong as they were NOT placed on this earth to judge others but to be here to help others. As the American Indians say, don't judge another until you've walked a mile in their moccasins.
People who have judged and thrown their Gay children or Gay church members out into the street are much in the wrong. They are judging humans and have treated them like animals...and someday their hideous behavior will come back on them and they will wonder why, and I hope they will realize why. Until then the Gay people that they have thrown out of their lives are welcome in my home any time. My father was a Gay basher and more than once I kicked him to the curb about his behavior and his attitude. He soon learned from me that Gays were people, and humans to be respected and honored as fellow human beings and NOT to be put down for their choices. Besides, it soon became apparent that my father was more than a bit afraid of his daughter's temper when it came to the way he treated fellow human beings.
So, Mr. Great Martin, I send you my Love and respect. Have a wonderful day and a great what's left of the weekend.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Jun 19
There are too many people out there hurting because of who they are and accepting what others say about them!
I know one thing that helped me through my early days was that I NEVER looked for acceptance from anyone. I knew and still know my worth!
Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks for your thoughts!1 person likes this
@yankeesfanin1 (64)
•
26 Jun 19
I have a few family members that are gay and i love them just the way they are. one is even inlisted and loves what he does for a living. I wouldn't trade them for the world
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
27 Jun 19
Ah but if you just said they are like anyone else it would be enough! :O)
1 person likes this
