I totally agree with everything you have expressed. I am 46 now and only came last June after almost 18 years of marriage to my wife. I finally felt safe and happy/confident enough to express who I am. I have learned to not care about what others think. Don’t watch the news and I choose to be happy. No one else can force me to think thoughts I don’t want to think. I am proud of myself. I have to set a better example for my 9 year old son. I wish you and everyone else in the LGBTQ+ community the best and send lots of light and love. ❤️
Wow I’m so proud of you for overcoming that! I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been. Life is short, but it’s never too late to accept your truth and live your happiest life! I wish all the best for you and your journey! ❤️😁
Sad but true. I thought that as I grew older things would get better for our community. But no. I still hope that the younger LGBTQIA+ community will pull through this. Keep on fighting! Love your energy.
I do believe that, due to the internet, our generation has such a loud voice. A louder voice than the people trying to trump it. Things will work out for us! :)
There is one political party that is to blame , and Florida is a victim of the same political party. When they went after the largest employer of the state because, they spoke out against all of the injustices of the current government of Florida, it was a huge wake up call. Vote 🗳️ BLUE 2024 , to help combat the problem. I’m sorry you are experiencing all of this, you may have to move, if things get worse. I’m hoping that Floridians have learned from all this insanity, and make drastic changes. ❤ 🤗
Yes, I agree ! I think it’s more a generation, than just the one party. :/ I am planning to move! Partly because of the red views, but also because I’m tired of the Florida heat. I appreciate you commenting!!
Hi, Nate! This is very complex stuff. And the lion's share of the blame, one way or another, lies with the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and with the patriarchal-hierarchical structure of society, which is served by the corresponding religions and cultural traditions. And I am afraid that it will not be possible to get rid of this ballast, these stone crusts of dogmatism, blocking the air of civilization, going against nature. science, progress and common sense at whole, killing the best in us. So, in 21st century it is still the challenge to ba gay person. I used to recall the episodes of love throughout my life as love in time of war. And I hope we can still overcome it, still survive, however harsh it may sound... Have a nice weekend, bro!
I definitely did not want to gay and tbh if I could have a choice I am not sure I would "choose" to be gay. I have found it super hard to find gay people (especially gay men) that I align with personally (or even find those maybe I don't lol). Dating is also so impossible. Friendship was also so hard as I don't fit with most guys while also not really getting invited to all the just girl things (ie "girls nights"). So far I haven't really interacted with the gay community a ton but my few interactions have kind of been very cruel tbh and not positive lol (I really want some great gay men to be friends with lol). It has also been really weird coming from California but being in like one of the reddest parts of the state as they try to do some crazy stuff (don't want to say where I'm from but there is a very funny SNL skit based on my town eeks). I also agree that things are not great right now but I do think after hearing the experience of some older LGBTQ+ folks I am very grateful to be born in this time period as what I've heard from them was way worse than anything I've personally or my friends have experienced even if it has been rocky at times. I would also like to push back a bit and just say that a few of your remarks reminded me a few years ago thinking everything was going to end and really catastrophizing that the world was so bad from what I was seeing on social media. I then did some digging and found that a lot of the things I was really really freaked out about were based on some things that were not super reliable or were still, while they happened really rare, and not worth the anxiety it was causing me to be real. I really think our community just by nature of being a minority group is really tuned into social and political issues but I've noticed it can also be very very heavy in proportion sometimes to the issues. That doesn't mean we should not speak up about issues like the ridiculous ID law but I just really think it is worth mentioning as with my other LGBTQ friends (i am the only gay male) it seems to really mess with their mental health and I think a lot of times really hold them back from living a happy and fulfilling life.
Yes, I agree 100000%. I do tend to focus on specific anti-lgbtq events, and it drives a lot of fear in me. I also believe that because of where I live, I see it. I know people who know people that died in the pulse shooting and I know too many people who could have been there. And so it scares me knowing that I could be one of those chance gay men that are killed. I do NOT let it prevent me from enjoying myself and my gayness! I just do need to get out of here. Which I’m working on lol I am looking to move out of state, once possible, which I’m very excited about. I do greatly appreciate you taking the time to comment so much! I really love your outlook and experience as well. I relate a lot and I’m glad you’re here! ❤️😁
@@NateLawlor Nice :). I went to school in Seattle for 2 years before COVID and it is an awesome area. It can feel a little small coming from big areas like CA but the nature and coffee cannot be beat. I also miss the rain haha. One thing I will say is the Seattle Freeze is a very real thing that I thought was a joke and a good chunk of people are very far left (ie "tankies") haha in my experience which may not be a prob for you but I am more like liberal/moderate and ran into so many bad experiences lol whenever that stuff came up lol (might have just been that we were all in college though lol). You'll love it there. I've been thinking of moving back there myself haha but those 2 things worry me now being out of college haha. I miss the feeling of walking trails that were wet and not dirt rocks and then going to an actually good coffee shop though lol
Yess. I love coffee and nature, so I’m very excited to get out there! I’m definitely more liberal, and see a lot of great viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum. Maybe I’ll see you out there one day!
Your frustration with the legal and political situation in Florida is understandable, but it might help to recognize that part of what's going on right now is actually a **backlash** to the liberalization that's occurred in Western countries over the past half century. And for folks growing up in conservative/religious parts of the country, at least it's now possible, thanks primarily to the internet, to reach out past the narrow-minded communities into which they've been born. If you had been born in 1938 instead of 1998, you would have come of age during a time in which being a homosexual (and especially a homosexual man; the word "gay" didn't exist then except as one of a number of "code words" -- like being "musical" or being "so" or being "a friend of Dorothy" -- for an otherwise unspeakable condition; it wasn't adopted as a political identity until after the Stonewall riots of 1969, when the Gay Activists Alliance and the Gay Liberation Front were organized on the model of the civil rights and antiwar movements of the time) would have made you a de facto criminal. Up until the 1970s in this country, **all** of mainstream society, even ostensibly liberal and well-educated folks (not just Bible Belters) would have been your enemy. The government would have seen you as a national security threat; the police would have seen you as a threat to decency; and the psychiatrists -- well, they were no help at all! Search for "Victim 1961" on UA-cam for a British movie that gives a taste of those times.
Looking back 100 years and seeing people deal with the same issues I’m dealing with, only validates why I need to speak up and out. If we always look to the past to justify today’s hate, then we will never move forward. I appreciate you taking the time to comment! I’ll absolutely watch what you recommended. 👍🏼
I totally agree with everything you have expressed. I am 46 now and only came last June after almost 18 years of marriage to my wife. I finally felt safe and happy/confident enough to express who I am. I have learned to not care about what others think. Don’t watch the news and I choose to be happy. No one else can force me to think thoughts I don’t want to think. I am proud of myself. I have to set a better example for my 9 year old son. I wish you and everyone else in the LGBTQ+ community the best and send lots of light and love. ❤️
Wow I’m so proud of you for overcoming that! I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been. Life is short, but it’s never too late to accept your truth and live your happiest life! I wish all the best for you and your journey! ❤️😁
Sad but true. I thought that as I grew older things would get better for our community. But no. I still hope that the younger LGBTQIA+ community will pull through this. Keep on fighting! Love your energy.
I do believe that, due to the internet, our generation has such a loud voice. A louder voice than the people trying to trump it. Things will work out for us! :)
There is one political party that is to blame , and Florida is a victim of the same political party.
When they went after the largest employer of the state because, they spoke out against all of the injustices of the current government of Florida, it was a huge wake up call.
Vote 🗳️ BLUE 2024 , to help combat the problem.
I’m sorry you are experiencing all of this, you may have to move, if things get worse. I’m hoping that Floridians have learned from all this insanity, and make drastic changes. ❤ 🤗
Yes, I agree ! I think it’s more a generation, than just the one party. :/ I am planning to move! Partly because of the red views, but also because I’m tired of the Florida heat. I appreciate you commenting!!
love you sm Nate. You are so strong and amazing! Thank you for being you and speaking out on this. ❤
Thank you 🥹 I love you too!! Miss you!! 🥹❤️❤️
Hi, Nate! This is very complex stuff. And the lion's share of the blame, one way or another, lies with the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and with the patriarchal-hierarchical structure of society, which is served by the corresponding religions and cultural traditions. And I am afraid that it will not be possible to get rid of this ballast, these stone crusts of dogmatism, blocking the air of civilization, going against nature. science, progress and common sense at whole, killing the best in us.
So, in 21st century it is still the challenge to ba gay person.
I used to recall the episodes of love throughout my life as love in time of war. And I hope we can still overcome it, still survive, however harsh it may sound...
Have a nice weekend, bro!
I’ll triumph and succeed because I believe in myself! People have loud voices, but I have the loudest. :) I appreciate your comment!
I definitely did not want to gay and tbh if I could have a choice I am not sure I would "choose" to be gay. I have found it super hard to find gay people (especially gay men) that I align with personally (or even find those maybe I don't lol). Dating is also so impossible. Friendship was also so hard as I don't fit with most guys while also not really getting invited to all the just girl things (ie "girls nights"). So far I haven't really interacted with the gay community a ton but my few interactions have kind of been very cruel tbh and not positive lol (I really want some great gay men to be friends with lol). It has also been really weird coming from California but being in like one of the reddest parts of the state as they try to do some crazy stuff (don't want to say where I'm from but there is a very funny SNL skit based on my town eeks).
I also agree that things are not great right now but I do think after hearing the experience of some older LGBTQ+ folks I am very grateful to be born in this time period as what I've heard from them was way worse than anything I've personally or my friends have experienced even if it has been rocky at times. I would also like to push back a bit and just say that a few of your remarks reminded me a few years ago thinking everything was going to end and really catastrophizing that the world was so bad from what I was seeing on social media. I then did some digging and found that a lot of the things I was really really freaked out about were based on some things that were not super reliable or were still, while they happened really rare, and not worth the anxiety it was causing me to be real. I really think our community just by nature of being a minority group is really tuned into social and political issues but I've noticed it can also be very very heavy in proportion sometimes to the issues. That doesn't mean we should not speak up about issues like the ridiculous ID law but I just really think it is worth mentioning as with my other LGBTQ friends (i am the only gay male) it seems to really mess with their mental health and I think a lot of times really hold them back from living a happy and fulfilling life.
Yes, I agree 100000%. I do tend to focus on specific anti-lgbtq events, and it drives a lot of fear in me. I also believe that because of where I live, I see it. I know people who know people that died in the pulse shooting and I know too many people who could have been there. And so it scares me knowing that I could be one of those chance gay men that are killed. I do NOT let it prevent me from enjoying myself and my gayness! I just do need to get out of here. Which I’m working on lol I am looking to move out of state, once possible, which I’m very excited about. I do greatly appreciate you taking the time to comment so much! I really love your outlook and experience as well. I relate a lot and I’m glad you’re here! ❤️😁
@@NateLawlor Where are you trying to move to?
Washington state! I’m a big nature guy, and I miss having seasons. I’m from the northeast, but I don’t wanna move back up there.@@DarthAndylus
@@NateLawlor Nice :). I went to school in Seattle for 2 years before COVID and it is an awesome area. It can feel a little small coming from big areas like CA but the nature and coffee cannot be beat. I also miss the rain haha. One thing I will say is the Seattle Freeze is a very real thing that I thought was a joke and a good chunk of people are very far left (ie "tankies") haha in my experience which may not be a prob for you but I am more like liberal/moderate and ran into so many bad experiences lol whenever that stuff came up lol (might have just been that we were all in college though lol). You'll love it there.
I've been thinking of moving back there myself haha but those 2 things worry me now being out of college haha. I miss the feeling of walking trails that were wet and not dirt rocks and then going to an actually good coffee shop though lol
Yess. I love coffee and nature, so I’m very excited to get out there! I’m definitely more liberal, and see a lot of great viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum. Maybe I’ll see you out there one day!
So Nate, no one chooses to be gay, you just are and you have to make the best of it. It's like being lefthanded. You are and that's it.
For real… I’m left handed 😂
JJ ME TOO! haha@@jjtint
I’ll continue to speak out against the issues I face, until they’re resolved. I was born gay and love it :) I’m not afraid
Totally agree
Nate it's like being left handed. You choose to be that way but just make the best of it.
I do my best 👍🏼
Your frustration with the legal and political situation in Florida is understandable, but it might help to recognize that part of what's going on right now is actually a **backlash** to the liberalization that's occurred in Western countries over the past half century. And for folks growing up in conservative/religious parts of the country, at least it's now possible, thanks primarily to the internet, to reach out past the narrow-minded communities into which they've been born.
If you had been born in 1938 instead of 1998, you would have come of age during a time in which being a homosexual (and especially a homosexual man; the word "gay" didn't exist then except as one of a number of "code words" -- like being "musical" or being "so" or being "a friend of Dorothy" -- for an otherwise unspeakable condition; it wasn't adopted as a political identity until after the Stonewall riots of 1969, when the Gay Activists Alliance and the Gay Liberation Front were organized on the model of the civil rights and antiwar movements of the time) would have made you a de facto criminal. Up until the 1970s in this country, **all** of mainstream society, even ostensibly liberal and well-educated folks (not just Bible Belters) would have been your enemy. The government would have seen you as a national security threat; the police would have seen you as a threat to decency; and the psychiatrists -- well, they were no help at all!
Search for "Victim 1961" on UA-cam for a British movie that gives a taste of those times.
Looking back 100 years and seeing people deal with the same issues I’m dealing with, only validates why I need to speak up and out. If we always look to the past to justify today’s hate, then we will never move forward. I appreciate you taking the time to comment! I’ll absolutely watch what you recommended. 👍🏼
Simple solution, move to a blue state. Problem solved.
Trying to!
P r o m o S M 😉