Gay Bashings in Alberta

I really hate to make this blog too political, but it breaks my heart when I hear news like this.

"Gay Marriage Debate Leads To Bashings"

It really is absurd that the people against same-sex marriage are using fear and violence to convince people while the people supporting gay marriage are using reason and peace.

Religious freedoms are not being bullied and threatened. The only ones being bullied and threatened are gays and lesbians.

Same-Sex Marriage in Spain

"Spain became only the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday"

Congrats Spain!

Proud to be Canadian

Tomorrow is Canada Day. A time to be proud of being Canadian. Unfortunately some feel differently after the recent political events.

I was reading the editorials in the paper today about same-sex marriage. A man stated that he used to be proud to be a Canadian, but after yesterday he is now ashamed to be Canadian.

It is unfortunate that this person feels ashamed when Canada recognizes the rights of minorities. I'm sure this person was also ashamed when segregation was eliminated.

Another opinion stated that they feared for their religious freedom (Despite the fact that religious freedoms will still be protected under the new changes). I don't believe that this is the real motivating factor for their opposition to same-sex marriage.

It is simply because they hate gays and lesbians. Unfortunately that piece of truth would not win them much support. They are only using the argument of religious freedom because it sound LESS absurd.

I don't know about you, but I'm proud to be Canadian.

Watching Wimbledon

I'm not a sports fan. That being said, I found myself watching tennis today. Initially, I was drawn into it because Andy Roddick was playing. I was simply watching because I was attracted to this guy. But as I continued on and saw more of the match, I became fascinated by the game and was actually excited to see how it turned out (I was hoping Roddick would win though!).

After a while, I was more focused on the GAME rather than the guy. Although I still don't think I'll have a desire to watch tennis again unless Andy Roddick is playing :-)

Gay Marriage in Canada

Even though I don't have a boyfriend or see myself being married in the near future, I was extremely happy to see this piece of news yesterday night.

"Canada Commons Passes Gay Marriage Bill"

Hilton Family Bullshit

I was flipping thought the channels tonight and I came across the show "I Want to be a Hilton". It's sort of like the Apprentice but with Kathy Hilton (Paris' mom) as host. A group of people compete for a chance to live the "high life".

The thing that bugged me was that it wasn't enough that this woman was flaunting her wealth and "so-called" knowledge of high society, but that she seemed to enjoy dangling a carrot in front of these contestants. The show made it seem like the only important things in life were dinner parties and fake smiles.

During the "elimination" segment, a contestant commented on another contestant's form of dress, saying she dressed too sexy. Kathy Hilton comments in a condescending tone that this girl needed to watch her sexuality. HELLO!? Has she met her own daughter? Maybe she should save that tone for Paris instead.

Brandon Routh

I just received my copy of EW this week and WOW. The new Superman, Brandon Routh definitely looks the part. Nice biceps!

Oh...the girl who's going to play Lois looks good too :-)

Batman Truly Begins

In an attempt to keep my mind off other matters, I went to see Batman Begins on Wednesday with EL. Finally, a Batman movie that takes it source material seriously.

The original Tim Burton Batman was good, but the director's style was just so overwhelming. This time, with director Christopher Nolan the story is centred on Bruce Wayne. A welcome change from the previous movies focus on the wacky villains.

In this film, characters have motivations that are explored. It's really a psychological film more than an summer action blockbuster (although it does have those thrilling moments).

If you haven't seen it yet, see it soon. I already saw it twice.

After one week...

Well, it's been a week since I tried apologizing to my friend. None of those guys I usually hang out with have called me in the past week. Similarly, as more time passes, I feel less inclined to call them as well. I really don't want our friendship to end this way, but I already offered my olive branch. If they don't want to accept it, then I'm not going to force them.

The thing that occurred to me last night was that if this is the reaction I get from those guys from a misunderstanding of anger, then how will they react when I truly get a little pissed at them in the future?! Friends will inevitably argue because we're all individuals with different opinions, but if their reaction is to simply cut me out of their lives, then I guess it proves that they weren't really good friends in the first place.

Fortunately, I have to give a thanks to EL who I met last Saturday. She's been extremely supportive and a much needed changed from my regular guy friends. EL's an awesome photographer from what I hear. She really has to show me some of her work very soon! ;-)

I've had many supportive emails this past week and I'm truly grateful. I don't know why it took me so long to reach out to the larger queer community in Vancouver. I hope to keep in contact with many of those people who offered me supportive words.

Tolerance vs. Acceptance?

Apparently, one of my good friends told me that I've been acting very irritated recently, probably within the last few months. The only thing that I can think of that might have changed how I interact with my friends is in their reciprocal treatment of me.

They've known that I am gay for a couple years now. Initially, they accepted it but never really acknowledged it beyond little friendly jokes that I enjoyed as well. After all, I felt that at least with jokes, they showed some acknowledgement for me. But lately, I believe that I've become somewhat irritated at my friends. Every time we hang out, they talk about girls and who they would like to go out with...typical straight-guy talk. I'm fine with it and it's to be expected that a bunch of guys would talk about such things.

What gets me mad a little is that they don't want me to talk about who I find attractive and similar issues. I can understand their disinterest, but to silence me simply because I have different preferences is a point that I, up until recently, have begun to hate.

We were at the beach recently, when the friend I got in an argument with in the previous post said right off the bat, "If you see someone you think is hot, keep it to yourself". I laughed it off, but it actually really hurt me.

They "tolerate" me, but they don't really "accept" me. Then they have the nerve to get mad and me for being irritable in the oft occasion. Yep, those are my "friends".

Writing this all out is actually very therapeutic. My thoughts are so much clearer. I have to question why I still consider them my friends. Are they still "friends" in the true sense of the word?

p.s. Today I called the friend I argued with to apologize. I figured, I would just say I'm sorry and put this whole thing behind us. He basically stonewalled me. He kept saying, "is that it?" like he really wanted to get off the phone. Right now, I'm not sure whether he's still mad, or whether it his male bravado trying to hold back any signs of weakness by accepting my apology.

Why do straight males have to be so stubborn when it comes to expressing any sort of emotion besides anger?

I'll keep you posted on further developments.

The Trouble with Friends

Sometimes friends can really piss you off, more so than strangers ever will.

Case in point, I have this friend who I always feel like I'm walking on pins and needles when I'm with him. He's got a "foot up his ass" temper that can go off at any time.

Sometimes he would say something serious, but when he doesn't like our reactions, he says it was just a joke, and is mad that we couldn't tell the difference. Seriously, he can be totally happy, but suddenly be pissed with no obvious reason.

Tonight, he makes a remark-totally serious tone-we react and then he retracts it saying, "Couldn't you tell I was joking?!" All the while, he was pissed off that we could not distinguish it as a joke.... The problem is, NO we can't tell when you're joking! How the hell are we suppose to know when you act like you're fucking bi-polar!

I make a similar remark in the same vein tonight, and he goes and takes it like it's the most serious thing I ever said. I told him it was a joke, but no....he over reacts. Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. You're an adult. I'm just tired of all the bullshit.