OOPS!! Sorry

Ok, Jeannie, now I loves ya!

Well....this is one of those subjects that part of me says "go away, go away" but another part says "speak up."

It is so funny how life unfolds for each of us, isn't it. I grew up in a very religious family (Christian Science) and knew nothing of homosexuality or even racial prejudice. I did know about narrow mindedness and judgment as my mother hated democrats and painted Catholics as crazy people.......LOL. (I don't know why I'm laughing but I am!)

Thankfully at a young age (around 24) I discarded my imposed ideas and began to form my own. Eventually I completely rejected my mother's ideas of what was right and wrong, and you can image what conflict followed that declaration!!

Thanks to college, and the blessing of many friends who shared their life experiences with me, I grew to someone *****spects all beliefs as long as they aren't forced on me as THE ONLY WAY! Don't do that to me, or you will have a cat in a bag response! LOL

I have had so many gay friends....and my best friend from when we both had babies at the same time has a son who is homosexual. She was blown away when he "came out"....I was not. I knew it for years. I am just thankful that he has found happiness with a partner and they now have TWINS!! TWIN GIRLS!! They used a cousin as a surrogate and the sperm of one of the partners so that they each have a contribution to these childrens' genes. I have never seen better parents!! They send me pictures all the time of their little darling girls.

When I was in junior college (late bloomer..I was in my early 30's)...one of the people I connected with was an in-the-closet gay young man. He became a wonderful friend and opened my eyes to what goes on INSIDE someone struggling with their sexual identity. I feel blessed to have had him as a best friend during those early college years.

Having grown up in such a prejudiced household I am surprised at how open and accepting I am of any and all loving relationships. I DO NOT CARE what sex is attracted to what sex. If they love each other ...... how wonderful is that!!

We must open our eyes to what the world has become. To label and segregate is no longer acceptable...IMHO. Love is love. To be loved is a gift beyond compare! Take a deep breath and let love happen.....and who cares if it doesn't look like the "traditional" couple.

Aloha nui loa.

Maui Karen

Oh, Karen,

First your post made me laugh out loud and then cry.

Laughter about you laughing about your mom, Catholics, and Democrats and
Heartbreak in my heart for my son who has not found a partner (he is almost 31) and then Hope to hear your friend's son did find a good man and has children to boot. I want my son to be happy. (I would also like grandchildren)

Thanks Karen, again, you are just wonderful!

Cheryl

Cheryl and Julia:

I wish I could find this column for you. Our religion editor wrote a column awhile back about his daughter who is a lesbian, and how she came out, how difficult it was for her at first and then how she found love. It was a beautiful column; he's a very good writer (now semi-retired ... he took a buyout and is considered a "contract" employee, which we're all glad he's still writing for us because he's such a good writer). But boy, in this conservative state, which passed a law against gay marriage, he took some hits. He was very proud of his daughter finding herself, finding love.

There's so little love in this world. Anyone who can find love, regardless of who it's with, should be happy and be able to be married (or at least civil union, if that's what you want to call it, so they can enjoy all the benefits).

I have to tell all of you here that I am so glad that we can talk about this issue. I do notice that many are not chiming in to refute or agree with us on this topic. It is definitely a "button-pusher"..... I never expect people who believe differently to switch over, but I am happy if they just promise to open their hearts a little at a time.

Me too. I am also glad just to get to "hear" what you and the people who have spoken up have to say. We have some smart, kind and pretty funny people in this group.
I think so many would just faint, literally, if they knew just who they had in their family, circle of friends, job, or even at their church that were gay.
I hope that someday people won't faint or be surprised. I hope that someday they won't be anything at all but how they are with everyone....it will make no difference, I hope someday.