What would you do for $5?
When it comes to make your voice heard, no matter which is the chosen broadcasting voice you use (in my case, blogging), there is one thing you should know: advertising is the key.
In the past few years I had a few online businesses and I learned that you can sell anything with the proper marketing campaign. There will be always someone interested in your products.
The main problem of a newbie (like I was) is the… budget. Advertising costs and we are talking about hundreds of dollars spent on a campaign that might or might not return the investment.
It always amazes me when I hear self-righteous people preach that being gay is a "choice". Let's see...who would "choose" a lifestyle that faces extreme prejudice even in free America? Young people are bullied and beaten up every day in schools across our nation just because they are attracted to the same gender. Most main stream religions condemn them to a burning damnation. There are whole organizations within the fundamentalist Christian world whose mission it is to rob homosexual people of what little rights they have. This includes the basic right to marry the consenting adult with whom they fall in love. Who would “choose” to live under such hard condemnation?
Gay USA
America has come a long way in how it has historically treated gay people. According to studies, at least ten percent of any given population is homosexually oriented. Some reports say that the number is probably higher than that. Yet, there are still antiquated sodomy laws that still stand in some states. In the beginning of our nation’s history, being homosexual was a capital crime. In the later “enlightened” decades, it was seen as a grave mental illness that could cause someone to be locked away and tortured in an insane asylum. So, are we to believe that a person would choose this life under such a threat to one’s life and happiness?
Growing up, I always spent more time with my brother than I did with my sisters. We would play with hot wheels, throw toy airplanes, and spent a great deal of time playing with his model train set. Back then, I didn't understand those so called gender binaries. I did not know what gay meant, and I did not know that most girls liked boys. There were no labels, and although I did not quite understand why everyone bought me a Barbie for Christmas when I had asked for a toy truck, I was happy just being me.
Stars
It was not until my first year of middle school that I began to experience what I later learned was homophobia. Until then, I had been content in calling myself a tomboy and most people had agreed. The way I dressed, however, quickly made me the target of pre-teens and young teenagers that had only recently heard the word "gay" themselves. The teasing quickly became constant and progressed as I moved up in grades. By the time I was in eighth grade, I was known as "the lesbian". I hadn't actually ever been with a girl, or even kissed a girl, but everyone felt certain that I had. I knew I was attracted to some girls, but I felt it didn't matter since I had never actually even held another girls hand. The teasing didn't phase me as much as the other girls hoped it had, and I suppose that inadvertently led to more taunting.
Here it is! Getting closer and closer by day, and there's nothing to stop it: the Great Christmas Rush! Oh, yes brother, it's here without a doubt. Starting with the traffic in the city, continuing with the hypermarkets full of people and full of christmasy items, then looking at the neurons buzzing inside our brains with lists, things to do, do-not-forget notes, and you name it. Oh... oh.. and let's not forget about the gifts! Yes, a list of recipients, perhaps with new additions, what colours should the wrapping paper be, what content, etc... And now the big one: where to spend Christmas, or where to spend New Year's night!
Lately, I can hear about how gay some of the gay people can be. I know, apparently what I say sounds odd, but if you read this article you will understand what I mean.
I was having a coffee with a friend these days and we both thought that the she-bartender was a nut case; therefore the coffee was too bitter. Nevertheless, we started a bit of gossiping time, and while we were talking away about a mutual acquaintance, it came out of my mouth, as if by instinct: "he’s too gay!"
Winter is really making its way to our land. Temperatures have dropped below zero, there are only dregs of leaves left around; heavy winter clothes are being taken out of wardrobes. These are the outside signs. With the changes outside, some changes occur within my own soul. I think I've got... the winter blues.
I have known my best friend, D, you could say since I was two months old. That is the difference between us. Since then we’ve been friends and no matter what happened, where life took us, mostly me, being the wanderer, we’ve been connected to the point of me knowing that in five minutes the phone will ring and it will be her at the other end.
Neither of us had siblings and we kind of adopted each other. We’ve shared many things, heavy and sad things that united us in ways many siblings won’t ever be. I thought we had no secrets until recently, when I realized I had one, and that it was a big one. As soon as I became conscious of this I started to hold back from things that were very natural to us before. Hugs, kisses and sleepovers, even a simple holding of the hands became rare.
“Coming out”, that’s a much debated subject among gays and lesbians. For some of us it might be the next best thing to do, for others a top classified secret to keep. I’m a truth loving kind of a guy, one that has a somehow almost pathological addiction to truth. Therefore, my native inclination toward sincerity pushed me to come out a few years ago.
I knew I always had it in me, the gayness, so to speak. I grew up in a well balanced middle class family, the whole picture being complete: a mom, a dad, a younger sister and grandparents. As I grew up, I noticed having a preference for boys, although, at some point, I liked girls too. This emotional turmoil heightened during my teenage years and finally became unbearable.
I wasn't depressed - I was actually posing :)
How many of you ever thought about what your Wikipedia page would look like? "[…] born November 8 1982 is a sweet, beautiful guy, hell of a catch" etc etc. Early Life section would probably be filled with some boring details about how I grew up in a loving family, playing I show you mine you show me yours with some boy neighbour at my grandparent's when we were five or six.I would really love to see the Controversies section which would most likely include something along the lines of: He has been frequently heard saying "everything you say can and will be used against you after a couple 'a drinks".
Read MoreWe are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.
The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.
