Wrapping up Gay Pride month, Antelope Valley’s OUTreach center sponsored a local pride event. Yes, I know, Los Angeles’ little patch of Republica allows their local fairgrounds to host something remotely homosexual! The usual suspects were there, and unlike San Francisco, or Long Beach where I was left alone, I was flagged down by a representative at the HRC tent inquiring about my shirt(Rainbow GOP Elephant).
I was dressed in cowboy boots, hat, the whole getup (I used to ride IGRA) and I’m sure they thought I was a dumb hick who didn’t know better. The gentleman who flagged me over asked me why the shirt and I said, “Why not?” I further stated that since they’re searching and fighting for marriage equality why not discuss this topic. Now I’ve beat the topic to death in other writings so let’s not go there. Needless to say I threw down the gauntlets, explained my position in a clear concise manner and when I was done, the look on their faces was one of pure shock and dismay.
When they rebutted with “they’re different pools, ” I knew they hadn’t heard a word I’d said. When they told me, “When you’re in a relationship, you’ll understand… When you’re in a long relationship you’ll get it, ” I corrected them and explained that I AM in a LTR and have been for eight years. At this point, I chose to thank them for their time to make a clean departure, and then one of the associates under the tent commented that I “came over here with my shirt attacking them.” “Pardon me? I do believe this young gentleman called me over and now you regret it, it’s MY fault?! Thank you, have a good day.”
The attention from my shirt would have been awesome had it stopped there, but I also met and had an honest discussion with a candidate vying for the local representatives seat. While in the infancy of our conversation, a fanatic of his chimed in with an opinion. Normally I have no issue with opinions, but when it is said out of spite, or detracts from the topic, it’s pointless. I excused myself and told the “peanut gallery” that ad homonym arguments are pointless and do nothing to further the discussion. If she has a problem with our current representative, she would do well to cite an example to express her displeasure instead of calling him an “asshole”. She recoiled and fumbled over her words, struggling to compose an argument that didn’t involve name-calling. She willingly faded into the background (pacing, twirling her parasol, coming up with responses she should have said) and I was able to continue my conversation with the gentleman vying for public office. Needless to say, we both agreed to disagree and we realized (he more than I) that we’re NOT that different after all in our views.
The only positive response from my shirt came from a little old black woman(I’m talking Rosa Parks Old) sitting alone in the booth setup by her church. She happily flagged for my attention and expressed here approval verbally. I gave thanks and I gleefully bounded with the rest of my day ahead. I laughed with my friends over people’s actions and later returned (sans controversial attire) for the evening’s activities. Once again, if my shirt affected one person positively, and it did, then the entire exercise was worth it.
