Originally shared by Brent Phillips (Michael)
Warning: Words. This week made me emotional. Here’s the result. Sorry…
———
You send us your prayers
but who cares
when we tell you that our youth are homeless on the street?
You send us your thoughts
while placing locks
on the doors to our equal rights and freedoms.
You say that you’re there
and you bear
the weight of our struggles when its convenient
You applaud my audacity
to be living my identity
my life
is the knife at my throat from your hatred
and fear that maybe your normal just
isn’t
My sexuality is not an issue to be used
when you feel the mood
to get supporters in a frenzy
and try to create envy
on your ways of expressing yourself where we cannot.
I walk on the street and I see
all that you can be
out and free
but what about me?
If my boyfriend and I are out
I’m afraid of the eyes
and the stares from other guys
who don’t want us to “be gay in public”
while I’m bombarded by billboards of others
straight couples in commercials with their affections
reflections
of the implicit ideal that they’re the norm
You don’t want to see my gay
but they
do everything to remind me each day
that I’m different. I’m not you.
So we hide in safe spaces
places
we can go to be ourselves without consequence
without the confidence
to be free in your world.
And when I attempt to come out
to shout
from the rooftops that I am queer
I see all the sneers
and the judgement of others
sisters and brothers
in arms against us just living our lives in peace.
Tragedy rips through these places
blurred images, bullets, faces
you stand complacent to say
we have ALL been attacked, but have you?
really?
Until you can look at me and say
that you have no issue with MY gay
you cannot comprehend the fear we feel.
And when you say you stand with us
you really mean above us
looking down at the issue from your pedestal of power
of privilege you aren’t even aware you own.
I am not second class
and crass
as this may sound you make us feel it
daily.
You sent us your prayers,
But who cares
When it’s just another gay life, right?
My life. Friends lives.
Who cares?
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