http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
Once, I had a Russian boyfriend, but we lost touch after he returned home. I mentioned him in a previous post, and recently heard from him again. I was delighted to hear that he is well and happily married to a lesbian. It appears they are very fond of each other, but get on with their respective love lives while paying lip service to the surrounding conventions. It is sad, but as good a means to a happy end as any, I guess, in a country well-known for its anti-gay attitudes.
Since starting the blog, I have heard from other gay couples in much the same position; in India, Pakistan and various African countries, for example. Bigoted governments, and anyone who pays too much attention to what they say, remain in denial of one of the more poignant facts of life; that being gay is down to genetic make-up and not choice. The only choice a gay person has is whether or not he or she finds a way to reconcile their sexuality with getting on with their life, and being happy; if this means paying lip-service to the conventions in a predominantly anti-gay environment, so be it.
Hopefully, one day, gay people worldwide will have the respect and goodwill due to every human being doing his or her best to be true to their sexuality as well the home and wider society in which we all live; family, friends, work colleagues, politicians, clerics...
This poem is a villanelle.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
I will not turn and walk away
where bigots say I should
because I happen to be gay
I will not hide, by night or day
where bigots wish me dead;
I will not turn and walk away
If I must watch what I say,
I will not deny feeling good
because I happen to be gay
Bad laws may have their way
(to humanity, the last word);
I will not turn and walk away
Where faith comes into play,
I shall love, not fear God
because I happen to be gay
Let’s keep homophobia at bay
(see it fall on its own sword);
I will not turn and walk away
because I happen to be gay…
Copyright R. N. Taber, 2015
Once, I had a Russian boyfriend, but we lost touch after he returned home. I mentioned him in a previous post, and recently heard from him again. I was delighted to hear that he is well and happily married to a lesbian. It appears they are very fond of each other, but get on with their respective love lives while paying lip service to the surrounding conventions. It is sad, but as good a means to a happy end as any, I guess, in a country well-known for its anti-gay attitudes.
Since starting the blog, I have heard from other gay couples in much the same position; in India, Pakistan and various African countries, for example. Bigoted governments, and anyone who pays too much attention to what they say, remain in denial of one of the more poignant facts of life; that being gay is down to genetic make-up and not choice. The only choice a gay person has is whether or not he or she finds a way to reconcile their sexuality with getting on with their life, and being happy; if this means paying lip-service to the conventions in a predominantly anti-gay environment, so be it.
Hopefully, one day, gay people worldwide will have the respect and goodwill due to every human being doing his or her best to be true to their sexuality as well the home and wider society in which we all live; family, friends, work colleagues, politicians, clerics...
This poem is a villanelle.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
I will not turn and walk away
where bigots say I should
because I happen to be gay
I will not hide, by night or day
where bigots wish me dead;
I will not turn and walk away
If I must watch what I say,
I will not deny feeling good
because I happen to be gay
Bad laws may have their way
(to humanity, the last word);
I will not turn and walk away
Where faith comes into play,
I shall love, not fear God
because I happen to be gay
Let’s keep homophobia at bay
(see it fall on its own sword);
I will not turn and walk away
because I happen to be gay…
Copyright R. N. Taber, 2015
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