"Ok, boys...you wanna know how to combat Homophobia?"
They all nodded vigorously as Greg Laidlaw walked up and stood next to Ann and of course they knew each other professionally as well as personally,
"Hey Kid," Ann poked him in the ribs and he grinned.
"Hey back."
"Ain't fair. You already know I assume."
"Yeh, but to hear your take on it may prove useful."
Ann blushed, but grinned back.
"Stick around kid, yah might learn somethin", and she smirked as he whispered into her ear.
"I fully intend to milady," he replied.
"OK, here we go. (and Ann began as they say to 'wing it')...
First of all, as I just said, you are born the way you are and that includes ALL of us, gay straight homophobes and the balance of humanity. Not one living person has any input into what our lot in life is. Not one. We get and we do. Period,
We get what the good Lord gives us and it is up to US to deal with it, make the most of what we have been handed, and in the process try our best to make life a little better for all of us. It is our duty as human beings to try to leave the world we inherit better for our having spent time in it."
She stopped and looked across the faces seated in front of her and then at Greg and then back. It is NOT (and she paused for emphasis) what others think of you but what YOU DO with what you have been given that counts. Your blessings. Your talents and abilities and gifts all play a part in who and what you become and it is who you are and what you have that in time shapes what you become, for yourself and for humanity.
I can tell you from personal experience that living this life with another person is by far while imperfect better overall. But, (and she looked at Kenny). if that doesn't happen so be it. Many great minds have accomplished great things...by themselves. As I keep saying, it is what it is.
She paused again, looked at the duly assembled, and then at Greg.
"Anything you wanna add, hotstuff?"
It was now Greg's turn to blush.
Greg turned to the boys and began...
"Guys, I am 29 years old and have known I was gay for as they say at least 35 of those years," which got him a huge laugh.
"Seems that way some days and I can tell you. I always knew and had the same struggles coming to terms as most of us do. But in the end, in high school, I decided I needed to be true to myself and honest with my family and friends, and so in sophomore year I came out. All the way out. My parents were kewl, some friends were too, and some were not. But I never looked back.
When I decided I wanted to be a cop, I had a moment of sheer panic. But then I remembered we had cops in my family and I went to them. Course they already knew I was gay which helped and the general concensus was so be it. Some other cops would accept me, probably some wouldn't but that is life and it is the society we live in...so I went for it. College and then the police academy and I have been an active duty cop for 6 years now. My partner Luke is also a cop in Kalamazoo, and he is also out so life is good. We are lucky. Our fellow officers all seem to like us (we pay them well...LOL) and we do stuff together and laugh a lot and face danger together and that is that.
GUYS, you do NOT have to let fear control you nor other smaller minds either. Your life is just that...YOUR life and it is up to you and nobody else how you live it. You can take suggestions and accept help and other people's ideas to be sure, but in the end it is YOU who controls YOUR DESTINY."
He stopped and looked at Ann, who leaned in and kissed his cheek. High praise for her.
"Any questions guys?" Ann asked.
Nobody did which gave Ann a chance to add one more thing.
"Guys, listen. Being a couple has its both ups and downs but it to be fair it is the truest and best way to live...and to share what and who you are inside with someone who will do the same in return. At the end of it all, it is NOT what gender you are but that you LOVE. Love is the entire point.
The Bible says that God created humanity out of his love and IN his love. It is our origin. It is at our core WHY everything IS. Gender is SO not the point. LOVE IS.
She stopped and looked at each of them and each of the guys got up and hugged both Ann and Greg. They just hoped they had helped these terrified young kids.
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