Postscript To An Obituary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Update (June 13 2016): The shocking events at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday morning, when 50 people were killed and many others injured by a gunman suspected of being sympathethic to Islamic State, has sent shock waves around the world, not least among its gay communities. Yet, we should not rush to judgement regarding Islam, a religion of peace and love in spite of many latter day rogue elements. It is true that most Muslims I have met and worked with have expressed anti-gay sentiments. At the same time, though, the vast majority respect my right to be as I am just as I respect their right to believe as they do. (Gay Muslims are given a much harder time by other Muslims just as gay people who subscribe to other religions are far too often given a hard time by fellow Believers... as if any God of Love would condone homophobia.

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Readers sometimes complain that I go on about the problems facing gay people in societies worldwide and should focus more on the fact that ‘Gays have never had it so good...

‘Enough doom and gloom please’, someone recently wrote.

Well I hope no one sees this as a doom and loom blog! I try to be positive, encouraging and supportive, especially with readers in mind who are perhaps not having it so good for one reason or another.  According to Blog statistics, G-A-Y in the Subject Field is read around the world, including some countries where gay men and women are still harassed, hounded and even executed.  Even in the West, gay people who are not fortunate enough to be growing up or living/working in a gay-friendly environment can easily feel their self-esteem under threat.

Many of the poems on this blog are also repeated on my general blog if not always at the same time; they address the less enlightened among the heterosexual majority as well as gay readers.

I have to say that most feedback is very positive and many thanks to those readers who take the trouble to get in touch. Don’t forget that if you would like a reply, use my e-mail address (see in the blog heading) rather than hit the Comments button. I never post comments (but I read them all) and few ‘comments’ provide a means for me to contact he person direct. I love to hear from readers so feel free to get in touch about anything any time.

Meanwhile....

Tragically, homophobia is alive and kicking across the world.

While more could be done to educate those who mistake the worst gay stereotypes for the real thing, we can at least be sure that love will always rise above hate, and the love gay people have for each other is no exception.  

Lovers across the world are among the luckiest people alive. Anyone who attacks love on the grounds of sexuality or along the lines of any socio-cultural-religious bigotry is a sad, foolish, misguided person.

  

POSTSCRIPT TO AN OBITUARY

It didn't matter we were gay

or young and starting out,

we loved each other anyway

We'd share kisses every day,

dawn woke us with a shout;

it didn't matter we were gay

Gossips said we'd rue the day,

(no idea what g-a-y's about)

we loved each other anyway

At college, at home or at play,

our love left us in no doubt;

it didn't matter we were gay

Happy to follow nature's way,

(though homophobes about)

we loved each other anyway

You helped make a bully's day

(left you dying in the street)

it didn't matter we were gay,

we loved each other anyway

  

Copyright R. N. Taber 2010