Individuality and being who You Really Are!!!

So, its been a while but I think its time for another post. Individuality. I live in the Gay Mecca of the South and love it some times and hate it some times. On some days in the community its nothing but Gay Guys in shorts, sandals, Old Navy or Abercrombie and Fitch Tees with Sandals and Muscles.

I go out every now and then and tend to gravitate towards the non-conformative crowd. I dont have muscles, a perfect smile, a full head of hair or all the newest and coolest clothes. Im just your ordinary, down to earth, Gay, Redneck, West Virginia raised, Country Boy who goes for the simpler things in life. I believe that Beauty lies within and even though a cut guy with muscles and a cute butt will turn my eye, I like the wholesome, down to earth Country Boys.

So, I was thinking about a friend of mine in West Virginia in Elementary School. Her name, I dont have to say or mention but just her presence. She wore clothes that she liked. It was the 80's, Members Only Jackets, Parachute Pants, Poofy Shoulders for Girls, Guess and Reebok. But my friend wore what she liked and let me just say that she was judged and ridiculed for what she wore and never let it bother her. She was her own person and from what I see, is still her own person. And, I count her as a Sheroe.

I had another person in my life at Greenville College who stood against the odds and never, ever let anyone determine who she was except God. Elva McAllister or Doctor Mac as we called her. She chose to be single and to enjoy every moment of life.

Friends, we all have so many people in our lives who tell us what to be, what to wear and how to live. But, between you and me, at the end of the Day, it only matters what you think. You saw a post on Face Book where I said, in a nutshell, Im at the point where I dont give a Rat's Butt (stated nicely) what people think of me, cause Im just to damned old. Im at the point where Im proud to be an individual with my own thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes, religious beliefs and overall beliefes. Its because of Shannon (I named her) from school in W.Va. and Dr. Mac, two of My Sheroes. They went against what was the Norm and what was popular and chose to be Individuals for themselves and noone else. And, they will always be an encouragement for me to live the life that I want for myself. A life of love and caring to others and a life to where they just didn't give a Sh-t to what others thought, just G_d, who they served through their actions and love.

Who I am!

So, here is my first entry. I admit, Im not perfect. I go out with friends on the weekend. Sometimes during the week. I went out for my birthday and was treated to a great time by my friend Mark (future roomate). We met some interesting indivduals that night but Mark had to leave to get ready for his trip back to Philly to prepare for his move here. I decided to hang out a bit longer and got a little drunk (pissed for my U. K. friends.) I looked in my wallet and found I didnt have enough for a cab, so I decided to hike it (walk home). Its a bit far from my house to the bars in the Gayborhood, but I dediced that I could do it. Secretly I prayed, God protect me.

You see, over the past few years, many gay men have been beat up and killed in our town. I believe in God and the Protection of God and His Angels. So I prayed for protection from harm. Granted I was drunk but my prayer was earnest. So, Im walking and a guy drives up and says, "Sir, do you need a ride?" I said yes. He said get in. Now most of my friends would say, "Dude, what the Hell were you thinking?" I just knew that it was okay.

I talked to the guy. He was kind and caring. I asked him if I could pay him. He said, "Pay it forward." I knew that he was kind and had no fear. Funny thing is, I was asking God for a sign that He still cared. Even in my drunken state, He showed me that He cares and has his "Angels" watching over me. Pretty Awesome! Just a thought, but Y'all in my life are Angels. God is real and Prayers are Answered!!!