Thursday, July 12, 2012

photo by wm. blake spencer

 (i'm continuing a series of posts on my coming out story and my perspectives of being gay.  many of these stories and thoughts have remained silent during my life.  though my life and my blog have more to do with homosexual identity i feel called to write and record these words.)

"what is the Q?"
this question posed
on the floor of the general assembly
of the presbyterian church (u.s.a.)
as the discussion concerning 
same sex marriage began.

this question voiced 
in the midst of potent opinions,
convictions, and beliefs 
about LGBTQ children of GOD. 

"i have an opinion
but
what is the Q?"

why so many letters
any 
way?
it's all so strange.

queer is a better way of saying it.
it is all so queer.

queer: 
1. deviating from the expected or normal; strange: a queer situation.
2. odd or unconventional, as in behavior; eccentric. see synonyms at strange.
3. of a questionable nature or character; suspicious.

that's it!
deviating from the expected or normal; strange; 
suspicious.

i suppose it comes down to
the ones who feel they have the authority 
to define what normal is
and what deviating from the norm entails. 

this is really what 
all the debate in and out of the church is all about. 

what is the Q? 
well those of us who are identified 
by one of the LGBTQ letters 
aren't the ones who created the words...
we've simply inherited the names.

i didn't chose to have the neighborhood bully 
yell for the whole neighborhood to hear 
"QUEER!"

what is the Q?
the Q is me.  
i'm also the G.
and i've come to know and love those 
who are LB and T.


in my opinion the real story is this...
those who put on the moniker 
LGBTQ 
aren't really all that strange.


bottom line
we're normal folks 
desiring to love and be loved
asking for basic rights to live our love 
in the context of covenant and commitment.  

covenant, commitment, respect, love...
these are very NORMAL needs and desires. 

when folks who feel the need to exclude
finally take time to sit and listen
they will discover for themselves
those of us identified by the LGBTQ 
letters aren't 
so "queer" after
all. 


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