Thursday, October 21, 2010

October 20: Go Purple

I had originally planned to write this yesterday, but the day did not have enough hours in it!

In college, I met many wonderful and amazing people; one of whom came out to me one night while we were watching a movie in his dorm room. It was so powerful to see the shame and helplesness in someone's face; to have them tell you they know they can never tell their parents who they really are; to have them trust you with a secret so dear and personal. The night my friend told me, I was shocked; he always looked like a ladies man; always flirting at parties and generally good with the girls. He said this was a facade and he was tired of pretending to be something he wasn't. Whether or not I support the GLBTQ community, I supported my friend. Who would ever put themselves through the ridicule and isolation for their entire lives because they wanted to? My friend told me his secret over 5 years ago and I have always kept it for him. This past summer we met for lunch and he told me he finally got the nerve to introduce his boyfriend of 3 years to his parents; they were shocked and mad for a while. After a month of the cold-shoulder from them, they asked to meet with him again. They had done some soul searching and decided their son's happiness was more important to them than what they had always been taught from their parents and from their Church. My friend was stunned; and seeing him this past summer he looked like a different person. The light had returned to his eyes and face; he was genuinely happy. He told his family and friend and most of them accepted him for the way he was; not the way he was supposed to be.

Yesterday, I and many others, wore purple to support him, the millions of other GLBTQ and to show reverence for those who were bullied to death. No matter your personal beliefs, we supposedly live in a free country where we are free to attain 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. The bullying must stop; acceptance must begin. I was taught homosexuality was a sin; and regardless of my thoughts, there is only one judge and when we finally meet Him in the end, I want to know I never judged someone else; I just tried to live the best life I could.

Now, What I Wore!


J Crew Cardigan

Purple suede Tory revas

I hope all of you found it in your heart to wear purple yesterday; even if you don't support their choice, you can support the knowledge bullying must be stopped.

Hope you all have a terrific Thursday and a fun-filled Friday!

xxAmy

1 comment:

  1. Wonderful post. I agree wholeheartedly with your views on keeping our own personal feelings as separate--as we are not the ones who should be judging. Hope you have a great weekend! :)

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