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Am I straight,
Am I straight,
Am I str aight ,

ansgender
tr transgender
transgender

or gay?
or gay?
or gay?

These are some of the important issues of our day and can't be ignored,
especially by the people being affected. If you personally have a bias
against gay or transgender people, maybe now is the time to take a long
look at yourselves first! If you are affected by these issues, know you are
loved, and help is at hand to guide you on your way.

By Terry Owen

The distance between those three words can be just Okay, these are the people who know who they are and
around the corner, or a huge trek. Sexuality is complex. are not having anxiety attacks about identity. There are
Very complex. From those on the outside, it can be thousands in the “don't know” group who are battling
confusing as hell and very often the complexity is dissed coming out and who do have angst-ridden lives because
as “attention seeking” and a whole lot of other things we of that.
won't go into. These comments come mainly from
people who don't understand the issues and what's This can have tragic consequences. I think that most of
more, don't want to understand. Obviously, this applies us know someone, or who have read stories about
to transgender or gay issues. people who have taken their lives because of this. So, to
dismiss someone who has these issues with comments
If you don't know if you're straight, the situation could like “don't be ridiculous” or “pull yourself together”, could
quite easily be as tough. You could be as camp as six have that person unravelling with devastating results.
Boswell Wilkie tents put together, or the butchest man
on earth who, when he or she sits, does the meanest Think twice. Three times or more. Offer help when
“man spread” that you've ever seen. In the first instance, needed. Sexual identity is crucial to the people who
being camp of effeminate doesn't necessarily mean that don't know if they should be turning left or right. If that
you're gay. There's a difference between stereotype and identity is in question, it is essential that person seeks
the truth. professional gay-friendly counselling.
I have known the campest men who are as straight as Very often, there could have been sexual abuse in the
Jason Stratham and would be surprised that you thought past. This is a common thread among those who do
otherwise. On the other hand, some of the people you emerge as gay. However, again, not everyone who has
thought were die-hard straight turn out to fancy the been sexually abused has issues with their sexuality.
same sex. Boy, is this ever complicated! The same Situations and people are unique.
applies to women.
But when abuse enters the equation, the more urgent
No, the chick with the crew cut that props up the pub on the need for counselling. That person must deal with
a raucous night doesn't necessarily have to be gay. guilt and shame on top of a sexual identity crisis. Think
However, if she's wearing a safari suit and has a comb what this can do to someone. Offer kindness and
in the sock, you may want to think twice. Remember the empathy if you're on the outside and are confident of
maxim, though. Stereotypes can be misleading. The your own sexuality. The worst action you can take is to
beautiful, quiet lady in the corner with the Mona Lisa turn your back. Usually, but not always, this happens
smile? Don't make a pass, guys, she's gay. Couldn't be! when the people involved should know better but
Yup. Better believe it. unfortunately prejudice rears its ugly head and overrides
a religious upbringing and knowledge where the
overriding principle has been that of love.

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