On June 24, 2011 a historic law was passed in New York State.
Many people were elated, over joyed and with good reason. The freedom to marry who they love, who they share a life with, and who they are committed too.
I was elated and sad on this day. Happy for all the wonderful men and woman who can be who they are,and finally have the same rights and freedoms that others have. Oh so hard these people tried and finally in vain to stop. Sad,because my beloved sister was not here to share in the joy. When I say here, I don't mean standing next to me, I mean here on earth. If I know my sister she was doing a Happy Dance up in Heaven, celebrating with her friends and the woman she loved. Happy times in Heaven.
A very long time ago, my sister told me she was a Lesbian, I was in my 20's and it came out of the blue. I sat on my bed and thought about what she said and at that moment I could only think, SO WHAT. It doesn’t change the heart of the person that loved me, who protected me and practically raised me. (as both our parents worked and she was 9 years older than me) Hell No, she was & and always will be my beloved sister whom I miss so much.
The reason I am writing this to honor her and all those who have since passed away. Those beautiful souls who lived and love in the shadows.
Being witness to the struggles, secrets and made up boyfriends (so her employer didn't know that the flowers she got for her Birthday, Valentine's day were from her girlfriend.) Oh so many holidays and special occasions that could not be celebrated out in the open.
We were never taught to look at anything but to look at the heart of a person. Never judge or be in fear of another human being unless the situation warrant it. Don't get me wrong, we knew how to defend ourselves. Dad taught his girls well. He came up the hard way in Greenwich Village in the early 20's. Yet, our brother passed judgment on my sister for more than 40 + years and they never spoke. Oh how I tried to get it right with them, but it never happened. So it was hard to understand how can one of 3 three be so judgmental. Who were we to pass judgment? As you can see that was not how we were brought up. All I can say is that when the Good Lord calls him home, they meet in heaven. I like to believe they will be united once again in the Love of God.
So often my sister and I would have our heart to heart talks and she would tell me how her friends admire the relationship we had. “How they wished their sisters and brothers and parents would accept them like I do” It hurt my heart. These girls and guys were awesome, intelligent and some even powerful members of the community.
To look at them one would never know. Yet they had to socialize in out of the way clubs just to feel “normal”. There no body bothered them except a few who came into the bars to start trouble & harass them. That led me a few years later when in college to do a report and give the speech on the Stonewall Riots. I would cry doing the research part because I saw first hand how it hurt the people I cared for and loved to hide their true so to speak identity.
The times changed and more and more people stood proud and strong. Hey I even marched in parades and fought for the rights to be accepted. Loud and Proud!!
So today I think of the stories my beloved sister told me and As I said this is in her Honor and all who finally won. Sad because it should be a given that everybody has the right to love who they choose. So if they are of the same sex, who cares. People are people and deserve to be treated as equals and with all the same rights.
I have seen some heteros sexual couples that well let's just say leave a lot to be a desired company. That would be another story, but I don't feel it even necessary.
Last but not least, my two cents. I also salute my husband Mr. JW, who loved my sister as if they were biological brother and sister. I sure learned, never get between them when here was peanut butter around. That too, is another story. Oops did I let out a secret?? If you ever meet Mr. JW, hide the peanut butter. LOL
I end by saying that I am so Proud to be a Born & Raised New Yorker and I hope that two sweet and dear people I know invite Mr. JW and myself to their wedding.
You go Girls!!
Congratulations and You did it New York. I pray one day all states will follow suit.
Till next time, smile at a stranger for it may be the only one they see.
Ciao
Many people were elated, over joyed and with good reason. The freedom to marry who they love, who they share a life with, and who they are committed too.
I was elated and sad on this day. Happy for all the wonderful men and woman who can be who they are,and finally have the same rights and freedoms that others have. Oh so hard these people tried and finally in vain to stop. Sad,because my beloved sister was not here to share in the joy. When I say here, I don't mean standing next to me, I mean here on earth. If I know my sister she was doing a Happy Dance up in Heaven, celebrating with her friends and the woman she loved. Happy times in Heaven.
A very long time ago, my sister told me she was a Lesbian, I was in my 20's and it came out of the blue. I sat on my bed and thought about what she said and at that moment I could only think, SO WHAT. It doesn’t change the heart of the person that loved me, who protected me and practically raised me. (as both our parents worked and she was 9 years older than me) Hell No, she was & and always will be my beloved sister whom I miss so much.
The reason I am writing this to honor her and all those who have since passed away. Those beautiful souls who lived and love in the shadows.
Being witness to the struggles, secrets and made up boyfriends (so her employer didn't know that the flowers she got for her Birthday, Valentine's day were from her girlfriend.) Oh so many holidays and special occasions that could not be celebrated out in the open.
We were never taught to look at anything but to look at the heart of a person. Never judge or be in fear of another human being unless the situation warrant it. Don't get me wrong, we knew how to defend ourselves. Dad taught his girls well. He came up the hard way in Greenwich Village in the early 20's. Yet, our brother passed judgment on my sister for more than 40 + years and they never spoke. Oh how I tried to get it right with them, but it never happened. So it was hard to understand how can one of 3 three be so judgmental. Who were we to pass judgment? As you can see that was not how we were brought up. All I can say is that when the Good Lord calls him home, they meet in heaven. I like to believe they will be united once again in the Love of God.
So often my sister and I would have our heart to heart talks and she would tell me how her friends admire the relationship we had. “How they wished their sisters and brothers and parents would accept them like I do” It hurt my heart. These girls and guys were awesome, intelligent and some even powerful members of the community.
To look at them one would never know. Yet they had to socialize in out of the way clubs just to feel “normal”. There no body bothered them except a few who came into the bars to start trouble & harass them. That led me a few years later when in college to do a report and give the speech on the Stonewall Riots. I would cry doing the research part because I saw first hand how it hurt the people I cared for and loved to hide their true so to speak identity.
The times changed and more and more people stood proud and strong. Hey I even marched in parades and fought for the rights to be accepted. Loud and Proud!!
So today I think of the stories my beloved sister told me and As I said this is in her Honor and all who finally won. Sad because it should be a given that everybody has the right to love who they choose. So if they are of the same sex, who cares. People are people and deserve to be treated as equals and with all the same rights.
I have seen some heteros sexual couples that well let's just say leave a lot to be a desired company. That would be another story, but I don't feel it even necessary.
Last but not least, my two cents. I also salute my husband Mr. JW, who loved my sister as if they were biological brother and sister. I sure learned, never get between them when here was peanut butter around. That too, is another story. Oops did I let out a secret?? If you ever meet Mr. JW, hide the peanut butter. LOL
I end by saying that I am so Proud to be a Born & Raised New Yorker and I hope that two sweet and dear people I know invite Mr. JW and myself to their wedding.
You go Girls!!
Congratulations and You did it New York. I pray one day all states will follow suit.
Till next time, smile at a stranger for it may be the only one they see.
Ciao
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