There’s a gay pride celebration going on in my town today, and…I’m not taking part in it. It’s not because I’m homophobic (which I’m not), or because I don’t support gay rights (which I do), I just don’t think it’s “my” party. I’m just not…interested.

That is not to say I haven’t experienced “uncomfortable” feelings involving gay/lesbian people in my lifetime. I have. I tried playing in an all women’s Ultimate Frisbee league in the mid 2000s, and – not to sound homophobic – but I didn’t like the pervasive “lesbian” vibe. I remember calling out a woman in a game for touching my ass (yes really), and she retaliated later by deliberately striking my hand with the disc. That f—ed up my hand for an entire month. That was the first and last time I played all women’s Ultimate (co-ed was SO much more fun)!

I know that what she did isn’t representative of every lesbian – let alone every human, but it…didn’t sit well with me. Fast forward a few years, and I’m at a beer festival, where a woman is attempting to “recruit” me for a women’s rugby team (yes really). Being that I’m me, I asked, “What’s the percentage of lesbians on your team?” She said “About 75 percent.” That’s when I said “That’s really high.” I wasn’t REALLY considering taking up rugby, but those are kind of telling statistics!

I’m comfortable being a “mostly” heterosexual female. I’ve kissed women (on the mouth) before, but have never engaged in any serious “bicurious” stuff. If I said my mind never went there I’d be lying! Yup, I’m a straight woman – who gives a flying f— about me, right? What’s so special about me?

 

I’ll be going to a wedding next month, where my husband’s younger male cousin will be marrying another man. Now THAT’s a celebration I’m looking forward to being a part of! And not *just* because it’s going to be at a popular craft brewery! I really am happy for those two! I’ve come to love some folks in my husband’s family as though they were my family. His sister on the other hand? No comment!

I know that people have gotten fired, beaten up, sexually assaulted, arrested, sent to death camps and even straight up murdered just because someone else didn’t happen to like that they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, etc. I’m happy they feel comfortable celebrating who they are on this “Pride Day.” I just don’t feel compelled to be part of the celebration. I’ve never teased or harassed someone for being gay (calling your older brother a “fag” when you were a  kid doesn’t really count). I honestly don’t even CARE if someone is gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual or likes to make love to their livestock. I just don’t need to…hear about it! I’m going to get just as annoyed by a heterosexual couple doing “get a room” stuff in public as I would be seeing two men  – two women – two transsexuals – two bisexuals – or someone trying to get to third base with their goat. Wait…on second thought? Maybe I’d kind of WANT to see that last thing!