via New York Times

via New York Times

Journey

From Mark P Minervini

I handed my parents the letter I had written. It was not how I wanted to tell them, but after being home a week and not being able to get up the courage to come out and say it—after they had tried to bully it out of me more than once—I decided it was the only way it was going to get done. So I gave it to my mother to read with my father, and continued to play Nintendo.

They called me downstairs. My mother looked a little distraught, but fine. My father seemed okay, too. We talked for a little while. I explained why I was in therapy. It wasn’t because I was gay, or had any problems with that. I had problems relating to people, with making friends and keeping them, and with coping with college life, with a whole new experience. (To tell the truth, I think I just needed someone to complain to.) They accepted that, and things were okay.

What I didn’t realize at the time was what that letter represented, what a turning point this was in my life, and what freedoms I had gained for myself. Read the rest of this entry »

Journey From Mark P Minervini I handed my parents the letter I had written. It was not how I wanted to tell them, but after being home a week and not being able to get up the courage to come out and say it—after they had tried to bully it out of me more than [...]

The Strains of DADT on One Couple

Andrew Cirner tells the story of his relationship with a military man, evading “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a blackmailing ex-lover, and the extreme steps his mother took to save the day.

By Andrew Cirner

Andrew Cirner

I met Rocco in April of 1993. He was a Navy master chief serving in San Diego. He was 35, butch, built, and very sexy.  I was 24, good-looking, and a psychiatric nurse working for the state of California. I first laid eyes on him during registration at the Buffalo Bar in Las Vegas. He was wearing shorts, a tight-fitting T-shirt, and construction boots.

After my friend Eric told me a little bit about Rocco, he warned me, “He does have a lover, but they’re in an open relationship.”

“I just want to meet the guy, Eric,” I told him.

I spent the better part of the meet-and-greet staring at Rocco as I mingled with other motorcycle men. Eventually, he introduced himself as I was walking away from the bar. “Hi, I’m Rocco. I understand you want to meet me?” Speechless and feeling awkward, I stammered for words.

Soon I was at ease and laughing at his witty humor. I later met his lover, Christian, who was there with Drill, who was, fittingly, a drill sergeant. He looked like a pit bull on steroids with a penchant for getting drunk and picking fights. I realized that most of the people around me were in the military. Aren’t any of them afraid of being caught? I wondered. Rocco was a master chief, Drill was a drill sergeant, and another guy was a first lieutenant and a pilot.

At 3 a.m., I was exhausted but still sitting in the bar. I had to sponsor the eye-opener cocktail party in three hours and needed to get back to my hotel room.

“Hey, um, we are leaving too. Would you like company?” Rocco asked.

“I am sorry, I don’t do groups,” I said. Rocco laughed, and for a second I felt insulted.

“Did you think I meant all of us?” he asked. I told him I was staying at the MGM Grand. Coincidentally, he was staying right across the hall.

The moment I opened the door, we were on each other, ripping clothes off as if they were on fire. After a night of wild passion, I was falling for him. I knew this was completely crazy — I barely knew him. Read the rest of this entry »

The Strains of DADT on One Couple Andrew Cirner tells the story of his relationship with a military man, evading “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a blackmailing ex-lover, and the extreme steps his mother took to save the day. By Andrew Cirner I met Rocco in April of 1993. He was a Navy master chief serving [...]

Believing in faith above the institution, reconciling religion and sexuality

Amanda Howell Artsci11

I was born and raised Catholic in a small town in central Ontario. I attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools complete with uniforms, multiple daily prayer times, in-school masses, and compulsory religion classes.

People are often surprised to learn that I’m very proud to be a Catholic, because I’m also an out and very proud lesbian.

It’s true many of the doctrines of the Catholic Church are, in my opinion, old fashioned and closed-minded, but I believe in the faith above the institution.

The Catholicism I identify with is the general spirituality offered by God, rather than the fine print details that have been imposed by humankind.

The core message of Catholicism—and Christianity in general—is love and goodwill.

The other primary tenets are found in moral guideline packages such as the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, which encourage behaviour globally accepted as good: do not kill people, do not steal things, be merciful toward others, etc.

Read more at www.queensjournal.ca

Believing in faith above the institution, reconciling religion and sexuality I was born and raised Catholic in a small town in central Ontario. I attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools complete with uniforms, multiple daily prayer times, in-school masses, and compulsory religion classes. People are often surprised to learn that I’m very proud to be a [...]