February 1988

Commentary

Silencing The Birds

and the Bees

by Dru Daugherty

...It would be as futile to attempt to define
or describe the attraction between homo-
sexuals as trying to clearly explain hetero-
sexual attraction - “Across the crowded
room,” and all that. When it hits, there is no
denying it. There is the same elation, the
wonder and awe at having somebody else
close to you, so special. There is the same
urge to shout about it, to tell the whole
world how happy you are. And along with
all that comes the same desire to be pri-
vately and physically close to that other
person.

In this day and age, when so many of us
feel isolated and alone, lacking love in our
lives, how dare we deny another human
being the right to touch and feel supremely
close to another?

There is the same urge
toshout about it, to tell
the whole world how
happy you are

.But we do. Out of fear for the loss of their

livelihoods, their homes, the love and re-
spect of friends and family, most gay men
and women live lives of denial. They are
not allowed to openly share what may be
the most joyous part of their existence.
They go about their daily lives fearing,
hiding, perhaps denying even to them-
selves, who and what they really are.

Cowering under the shadow of misin-
formation, blatent hypocrisy and the
double-edged sword of narrow mindedness
from those who are stuck in their own
criteria of right and wrong, these people, in
this so-called enlightened society, are
forced to live a lie.

The horrors of mankind upon mankind
continue. And until we cease to make judg-
ments, cease to attempt to control one
another, /cease our self-righteous con-
demnations, so it shall be.

Reprinted from THE TIMES ARGUS,
Barre-Montpelier,Vt. Thursday, March
26,1987.

there were a pressing need, the Legislature would have acted." Michael
Bernhardt (R-Londonderry) in response to gay civil rights bill

THANK YOU! GOODBYE!

Thanks, Brian
for all your
hard work. if

We'll miss you.

Roger, for the

fine work in
paste up.

 

Partners in Recovery and Growth, Therapist

Erica Marks, B.A.S.A.C.

Substance Abuse, Sexuality, Parenting, Grief; Gestalt, Spirituality,
Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups
Hearthstone Assoc.
182 Main St.
Burlington, VT 05401
Sliding fee scale° Phone: 865-2403

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