Wednesday, February 04, 2004
WBZ Radio (CBS) in Boston is a generally conservative station but does give ample room to gay-friendly and even openly gay commentators and talk show hosts (David Brudnoy, for example). One of their major personalities, however, is Gary LaPierre who is given to homophobic statements on air and for his column page on the WBZ website ("makes you nostalgic, doesn't it, for the days when you could open a closet and actually find someone in it.").
Therefore it was a pleasure to hear LaPierre, in his position as the morning news anchor, report that pressure on the Legislature to reject a state constitutional amendment defining marriage in purely heterosexual terms "is becoming overwhelming." LaPierre went on to say that a letter signed by all ten members of the State Congressional Delegation urges legislators to oppose this amendment, stating that should individuals wish to oppose gay marriage, they should find procedures other than an innapropriate amendment to the state constitution to do so.
All this may help let Fritz sleep through the night without being interrupted by "wedding anxiety" attacks. I kidded him this morning that after seven years together (and I am hardly the first man, even the first long term relationship in his eventful, fascinating life) he's acting like a nervous virgin. But he told me yet again that all he is concerned about is that it be a great day, that everyone have a good time, that family and gayboys get along fine, that the Board of Directors of his not-for-profit and his students find something to say to each other, etc. etc. As usual, it all ends with him getting all teary-eyed and saying "I just love you so much. . ."
Honestly, I think my family, who have taken to Fritz delightedly but have had virtually no contact with any aspect of gay life, are going to get along with the boys just fine. Our crowd includes everyone from an architect to an artists' model, several rural-based couples, a gourmet chocolatier, a gourmet chef, a gay priest (or two, depending who the first one is dating at any given time), lawyers and teachers, a totally out career army officer (all the local top brass attended his and his lover's 20th anniversary party--take THAT, "Don't ask, Don't tell"), etc. They're great guys and their social skills are through the roof. I think it's all going to work out just fine.
Therefore it was a pleasure to hear LaPierre, in his position as the morning news anchor, report that pressure on the Legislature to reject a state constitutional amendment defining marriage in purely heterosexual terms "is becoming overwhelming." LaPierre went on to say that a letter signed by all ten members of the State Congressional Delegation urges legislators to oppose this amendment, stating that should individuals wish to oppose gay marriage, they should find procedures other than an innapropriate amendment to the state constitution to do so.
All this may help let Fritz sleep through the night without being interrupted by "wedding anxiety" attacks. I kidded him this morning that after seven years together (and I am hardly the first man, even the first long term relationship in his eventful, fascinating life) he's acting like a nervous virgin. But he told me yet again that all he is concerned about is that it be a great day, that everyone have a good time, that family and gayboys get along fine, that the Board of Directors of his not-for-profit and his students find something to say to each other, etc. etc. As usual, it all ends with him getting all teary-eyed and saying "I just love you so much. . ."
Honestly, I think my family, who have taken to Fritz delightedly but have had virtually no contact with any aspect of gay life, are going to get along with the boys just fine. Our crowd includes everyone from an architect to an artists' model, several rural-based couples, a gourmet chocolatier, a gourmet chef, a gay priest (or two, depending who the first one is dating at any given time), lawyers and teachers, a totally out career army officer (all the local top brass attended his and his lover's 20th anniversary party--take THAT, "Don't ask, Don't tell"), etc. They're great guys and their social skills are through the roof. I think it's all going to work out just fine.
