If I’m to interest and embrace all types of readers from diverse backgrounds and with different desires, I must stick my pen out there and write about sensitive subjects that might make some people squirm, wince and even deny that such things exist.
When you’ve had eight produced plays, one even landing on off-off Broadway, you’re exposed to things that might make small-town America blush. I doubt it though — unfortunately. Even TV commercials have stripped all things sexual of its secrecy and sacredness. So please, no attitude, intolerance or ‘oh geez’ when I say that in the arts I’ve met many homosexuals who are so bright, so caring, so funny. I can’t understand how people can be homophobic when a person’s sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with them — the ‘offended.’ Look, I don’t want to know either what goes on behind closed doors, be it homosexuals or heterosexuals. We’ve all seen ourselves naked in the mirror and deep down we all know why the Titanic really sank. Nothing was meant to hold up all that blubber. But because our images can be downright scary, we sort of make allowances for our imperfections. Funny, how it’s so much harder to make exceptions when it comes to others who may be ‘different?’
“But the Bible says deviant sexual behaviors are doomed for eternal damnation,” religious zealots tell me.
“But if you’re born that way, how can you be held responsible?” I ask.
“Born?! God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” they’ll rant. “You’re nothing but a misguided fool.”
This is when I get moderately vicious and defend a segment of society that, for the grace of God, I wasn’t born into. “Recent studies claim that a gland situated close to the pituitary gland determines one’s sexuality,” I quickly point out. “I’m convinced people are born that way; they can change those tendencies about as much as we can change our height or our eye color.”
“But people can change their height with hormone injections and turn their brown eyes into blue with colored contacts,” they’ll argue.
Can you stand it when jackasses challenge your every statement? Nothing short of a lobotomy will ‘kill’ their staunch beliefs — myself included. But I’m always praying that I’m open and compassionate enough to look and try to see down ‘the road less traveled.’ This is when I get all huffy and try to stump them on the heated debate of the homosexual’s sense of morality.
“Tell me, why would anyone intentionally put themselves in a position of being ostracized, ridiculed, and clinging to the fringes of society? Only a moron would, and by the way, there seems to be a correlation between brilliancy and homosexuality.”
“I’d rather be dumb, ugly and ‘straight’ than brilliant, beautiful and gay,” they’ll insist.
“Then you should be very happy with your present state in life,” I’ll smile.
Just read, my faithful following, the biographies of those strongly rumored to be gay, and then try to imagine history without them — Aristotle, DaVinci, Michelangelo, Julius Caesar, Whitman, Melville, Emerson, Virginia Woolf, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Cole Porter and a man assisting me with my trip. We met via e-mail because he’s assisting me with making reservations in Europe. I complimented him on his efficiency and breezy personality. His last e-mail read: “Thanks for your nice words that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside — can’t wait to meet you.” Teasingly I told a male somebody who lives in my home that the e-mail was for him. One day you have the Internet and e-mail, the next day it’s gone.
Karen White-Walker is a Wilson resident. Her column appears every Tuesday.
Columns
Related Photos
WHITE-WALKER: Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve
- Columns
-
-
HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
- No Headline Provided
-
GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
-
BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
-
CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
-
CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
-
GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
-
HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
-
GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
- More Columns Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
