A Surprising Outing
Well, the word is definitely out... but traveling slowly.
Let me tell you about my godparents. They are a married couple who have been friends with my parents since the early 70s. They are like the 4 musketeers. The problem is, my godfather is disgustingly racist. How racist? I have personally witnessed him say the N-word and things like "towel-head" to PEOPLE'S FACES! He's not shy about his bigotries. He will walk right up to a minority and "tell them how he sees it". I love him because he has been a large part of my life. However I have always found myself alone in calling him out on his racism. His wife tends to keep quiet and my parents shy away (I think the fact that he is 400lbs and VERY imposing has something to do with it). The most ironic part? His name is Tom, my racist godfather is my "Uncle Tom".
Well, now that I've painted him as a bad guy, let me explain to you how this is completely not true. My mom told my godmother, my Aunt Denise, that I am gay. My godmother is super easy going. She replied "It's shocking, but it is what it is, I still love em". Her son, who I have been friends with since we were babies said "I knew". Of course he didn't really know, but I do carry myself differently around friends than I do family; I register differently on the gaydar. It's not intentional surprisingly, it just seems to happen.
Anyway, my godfather wasn't around so my godmother and her son, Andrew, left our house. It was Andrew's birthday on Friday and my family went to their house to celebrate. Of course my godmother had told my Uncle Tom, so needless to say, my dad was nervous about his friend's reaction.
Apparantly, when I couldn't see, Uncle Tom took my dad aside and said to him "Listen here pete, Denise told me about your son and all I have to say is... he's my godson, and I love him no matter what. It's not a big deal". My outwardly racist and gruff godfather supports me! Mind you I still take issue with his uncalled-for hatred, but I learned that I matter more to him as a person than as a homosexual.
Once again, as it is becoming a beautiful pattern, my parents were dumbfounded. They in fact are the only two people so far NOT to be outright supportive. I mean they do support me, but they still can't quite accept that I like guys. Even if they themselves are a bit homophobic, I am unbelievably happy/relieved/amused that they (unintentionally) surrounded themselves with "Allies to the community".
The moral of the story is, "I'm here, I'm queer, and pretty much no one cares". As it should be.
Let me tell you about my godparents. They are a married couple who have been friends with my parents since the early 70s. They are like the 4 musketeers. The problem is, my godfather is disgustingly racist. How racist? I have personally witnessed him say the N-word and things like "towel-head" to PEOPLE'S FACES! He's not shy about his bigotries. He will walk right up to a minority and "tell them how he sees it". I love him because he has been a large part of my life. However I have always found myself alone in calling him out on his racism. His wife tends to keep quiet and my parents shy away (I think the fact that he is 400lbs and VERY imposing has something to do with it). The most ironic part? His name is Tom, my racist godfather is my "Uncle Tom".
Well, now that I've painted him as a bad guy, let me explain to you how this is completely not true. My mom told my godmother, my Aunt Denise, that I am gay. My godmother is super easy going. She replied "It's shocking, but it is what it is, I still love em". Her son, who I have been friends with since we were babies said "I knew". Of course he didn't really know, but I do carry myself differently around friends than I do family; I register differently on the gaydar. It's not intentional surprisingly, it just seems to happen.
Anyway, my godfather wasn't around so my godmother and her son, Andrew, left our house. It was Andrew's birthday on Friday and my family went to their house to celebrate. Of course my godmother had told my Uncle Tom, so needless to say, my dad was nervous about his friend's reaction.
Apparantly, when I couldn't see, Uncle Tom took my dad aside and said to him "Listen here pete, Denise told me about your son and all I have to say is... he's my godson, and I love him no matter what. It's not a big deal". My outwardly racist and gruff godfather supports me! Mind you I still take issue with his uncalled-for hatred, but I learned that I matter more to him as a person than as a homosexual.
Once again, as it is becoming a beautiful pattern, my parents were dumbfounded. They in fact are the only two people so far NOT to be outright supportive. I mean they do support me, but they still can't quite accept that I like guys. Even if they themselves are a bit homophobic, I am unbelievably happy/relieved/amused that they (unintentionally) surrounded themselves with "Allies to the community".
The moral of the story is, "I'm here, I'm queer, and pretty much no one cares". As it should be.
Replies
Wow man, good for you, great attitude!