Chasing Oblivion

I did it. I actually came out to someone who had not previously known that I was gay.

The thing is, I keep imagining "coming out" as this serious, over-dramatic process. I sit the person down, explain that I have something really important to tell them, etc. And that gets me all worked up and nervous and blah, blah, blah.

I was having a drink with a friend I sometimes hang out with, plus one of his friends. I was telling a story about some stupid guys who had come in and tried to hit on me at work. We were all having a good laugh about it. Then Tim (the friend) asks me: "so, what are you going to say to the next guy who does that?"

I shrugged and replied, "I'm gonna tell him I'm a lesbian." We all had a good laugh.

Later on, I was explaining why I couldn't meet them today. There was a Kemetic Orthodox Naming ceremony tonight that I wanted to attend. Of course, this brings about the whole religion discussion, because Tim is the sort who believes there are only two ways to go - Christian or atheist.

I'm not exactly sure how we started talking about LGBT stuff. I think I might have mentioned the Facebook anti-homophobia thing, and that one of the hardest forms of it to battle was religion-based homophobia. Tim commented that he thought I was against homosexuality completely. Well, that's the sort of misconception that needs to be nipped in the bud.

"I'm a lesbian," I blurted out. "How could I be against homosexuality?"

Cue the blank what-did-she-just-say look. "Oh," Tim says. "Okay...well, I won't hold it against ya."

Time will tell, I suppose. But it's one small step towards reclaiming my identity. One small step out of that damn closet.
 

This morning, I came across a link on my Facebook page, leading to this story:

Insurance Company Ignores Lesbian Couple Who Had Home Burned Down In Alleged Arson

For those who don't read the article, the basic idea is this. This couple returned home from celebrating their anniversary to find their house burned to the ground. The word "queers" was spraypainted across the still-standing garage. No arrests have been made, and despite having coverage in case of an event like this, their insurance company is refusing to pay up. On top of this, they were taunted and threatened by a crazed homophobic neighbor, and were apparently told by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation that they had "more important" cases than theirs.

This story stuck with me all day, because it is just so...unbelievable. What would possess a person to do things like this? What would possess a woman to walk up and tell a same-sex couple "what's better than one dead queer? Two dead queers!" and laugh like it's the funniest joke ever? What could possess a person to threaten to burn someone's home down just because they're gay? What would make people to ignore a couple in such desperate need? What possesses people to be so damn cruel?

It shouldn't matter whether you think homosexuality is wrong. Whether you think it's a sin. No one should have to endure this sort of thing. These are living, breathing, hurting people. It's absolutely disgusting.

Carol Ann and Laura Stutte are in my prayers. May truth and justice prevail. 

Also, here's an interview with Carol Ann Stutte