The much hyped snow storm predicted for Norfolk was basically a non-event. I had a few frozen flakes on my car this morning. Even out lying areas received less snow that predicted. The weather forecasters loved to get everyone worked up and then it usually doesn’t snow – just rain and cold. Thankfully, the rain has stopped and it is clear and cold today – the high temperature should be around the freezing mark.
Last night my friend Marty threw a surprise birthday party for his partner, Christopher. In attendance were the usual mix of gays, family, and straight friends with children. The food was great and there were plenty of “adult beverages” to liven up the party. I had a good conversation with one of the straight women – she’s actually a client referred to me by Marty and Christopher. She is Canadian and married to a guy in the Navy. Like most Canadians, being gay is pretty much a non-issue to her and she wants to make sure that her children do not pick up any of the negativity towards others who are different that tends to predominate in too large of a segment of the local populace. In discussing my whole coming out process and experience, she at one point said that maybe I was meant to go through the process to prepare me to speak out and/or help others. Who knows? If such is the case, it would certainly make the pain and torment have been for something worthwhile.
After the party, the roomies and I went to The Wave and danced for a while – I find it is always a good way to sweat off the alcohol and avoid feeling like crap the following day. It was interesting that at one point I was dancing with a straight couple who had been to a wedding and who had not wanted to stop partying after the reception ended. He was in a tux and she was in a long, elegant gown. Definitely not the typical attire one sees at The Wave. Yet, they seemed to have a great time and seemed utterly unfazed by the gay and lesbian couples dancing all around them, not to mention the cute gay boys with their fag hags. The place is truly a melting pot of all types of people, which makes it a fun venue. Would that all of our local society was as accepting of all types of people as one sees at The Wave on a Saturday night.
Tonight I am going to a meeting about the Network of Spiritual Progressives. Apparently, they are looking to found a Norfolk chapter. The organization has numerous chapters around the country, including in Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Lynchburg, the home of Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. Among the goals of the organization is challenging the misuse of religion, God and spiritual matters by the Religious Right. This area of Virginia is surely in need of such an organization what with Pat Robertson’s hate factory located in nearby Virginia Beach. I will bog on my experience and reactions to the meeting.
Last night my friend Marty threw a surprise birthday party for his partner, Christopher. In attendance were the usual mix of gays, family, and straight friends with children. The food was great and there were plenty of “adult beverages” to liven up the party. I had a good conversation with one of the straight women – she’s actually a client referred to me by Marty and Christopher. She is Canadian and married to a guy in the Navy. Like most Canadians, being gay is pretty much a non-issue to her and she wants to make sure that her children do not pick up any of the negativity towards others who are different that tends to predominate in too large of a segment of the local populace. In discussing my whole coming out process and experience, she at one point said that maybe I was meant to go through the process to prepare me to speak out and/or help others. Who knows? If such is the case, it would certainly make the pain and torment have been for something worthwhile.
After the party, the roomies and I went to The Wave and danced for a while – I find it is always a good way to sweat off the alcohol and avoid feeling like crap the following day. It was interesting that at one point I was dancing with a straight couple who had been to a wedding and who had not wanted to stop partying after the reception ended. He was in a tux and she was in a long, elegant gown. Definitely not the typical attire one sees at The Wave. Yet, they seemed to have a great time and seemed utterly unfazed by the gay and lesbian couples dancing all around them, not to mention the cute gay boys with their fag hags. The place is truly a melting pot of all types of people, which makes it a fun venue. Would that all of our local society was as accepting of all types of people as one sees at The Wave on a Saturday night.
Tonight I am going to a meeting about the Network of Spiritual Progressives. Apparently, they are looking to found a Norfolk chapter. The organization has numerous chapters around the country, including in Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Lynchburg, the home of Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. Among the goals of the organization is challenging the misuse of religion, God and spiritual matters by the Religious Right. This area of Virginia is surely in need of such an organization what with Pat Robertson’s hate factory located in nearby Virginia Beach. I will bog on my experience and reactions to the meeting.
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