By acting as mirrors, our various communities can help us define who we are by reflecting our selves back to us.
Our varied queer communities enrich our lives in so many ways. Through a magical combination of similarities and differences, we get the opportunity to know ourselves as we are and help us grow into who we want to be. Our similarities attract us to each other, comforting us with familiarity when we see ourselves in them. When we are drawn to those we admire, the same recognition is at work, unconsciously acknowledging that these people possess qualities that we ourselves possess. By acting as mirrors, friends help us define who we are by reflecting our selves back to us.
Through our communities, we can get to know ourselves through our differences. Differences allow us to see other options and make choices about who we want to be. Sometimes we are drawn to those who appear to be our opposites, and we learn to accept the parts of them we love and the parts of them that don't resonate with us, thus allowing us a valuable learning experience. By expanding our understanding to include others' experiences, friends help us accept others. By understanding when someone's life differs from our own, we can learn about ourselves in contrast. There are times when we see in friends what we don't like about ourselves. That mirror reflection may be hard to take, but a good friend helps us find ways we can change and supports us in that choice.
Part of the joy of a commune is the feeling that we are accepted just the way we are, with no need to change. It is a gift given to us, and one we can give back every day. Ultimately, we choose our communities because they make us feel good about ourselves and life. Through tears and difficulties, we can find the laughter. When we find those special people who offer us that perfect combination of comfort and stimulus to grow, we are very fortunate. Community folks, those wonderful companions that walk with us through life, help us define and refine who we are and who we choose to be every day.
I have to say... I am tired of the circuit boys, the drag queens, and the A-Gays representing us in the mainstream media. We could also do a better job of that in our own media. It's not all fashion, art, sex and drinking. I wish it were. But all communities need to represent. Two cents. That all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe things being on hold because of Covid might change things 🤔
Deleteit is very easy to share what you write. But, nevertheless, it must be said and remembered. Honestly, I don't need any community to feel accepted, because I already accept myself on my own and I find it wonderful to be homosexual, because I love male eroticism.
ReplyDeleteObviously, I think I would not make the same statements if I was born and resident in Iran ...
I get what you are saying
DeleteWe are who we are. 🙂 And that's perfectly fine IMO. Of course, as stated above, everyone needs to be visible. 👍🏻
ReplyDelete