Sunday, August 08, 2004
Designerblog: The First Anniversary Edition
If time flies when you're having fun, it also holds big surprises. One year ago today I posted a blog entry for the very first time, after several months reading a variety of blogs in growing interest. I wrote an informative, somewhat cautious statement of who I am and what I hoped to achieve by going onto the web as an out gay man. One of those goals was to make contact with the gay web community whose openness and honesty I had deeply admired. One year later, I have a relatively small (but choice, of course!) readership and the pleasure of corresponding with a group of men (and an occasional, most welcome woman) whose politics, interests, personalities and style of sexual expression span a very wide range.
It's been an astonishing year to be gay in America, and I have had the immense good fortune to be at the epicenter. When I clicked the "Publish Post" button for the first time, none of us of could have dreamed of same sex marriage and the huge push for gay and lesbian civil rights that would result . . . or, sadly, the equally fierce backlash that would see our loving, committed couples classified along with those practicing bestiality, incest, polygamy (like the Mormons), or the abuse of children. Along the way I have met and come to befriend a number of fine men who have broadened my understanding of the depth, richness, fun and sorrows of gay life in America in the 21st century.
Personally, I became a husband on May 23rd, Fritz's and my seventh anniversary, and a nurse on June 6th when he awoke from a quadruple bypass operation two weeks to the hour after we had heard the words "I declare you married!" I don't think I've ever said this before, but in the seven plus years we have been together, there has never passed between us a harsh or angry word. I don't pretend to know how this has come about other than to say I think each of us realizes that the love and respect we have for each other overwhelms any possible thought of ill feeling. I do know that our relationship is a source of strength, laughter, outrageous silliness and profound intimacy.
Thanks to all of you who have come along for the ride; I do hope to meet at least some of you in person before too much longer. Whether you are near or far, you are always welcome here and you enrich this experience for me immeasurably.
If time flies when you're having fun, it also holds big surprises. One year ago today I posted a blog entry for the very first time, after several months reading a variety of blogs in growing interest. I wrote an informative, somewhat cautious statement of who I am and what I hoped to achieve by going onto the web as an out gay man. One of those goals was to make contact with the gay web community whose openness and honesty I had deeply admired. One year later, I have a relatively small (but choice, of course!) readership and the pleasure of corresponding with a group of men (and an occasional, most welcome woman) whose politics, interests, personalities and style of sexual expression span a very wide range.
It's been an astonishing year to be gay in America, and I have had the immense good fortune to be at the epicenter. When I clicked the "Publish Post" button for the first time, none of us of could have dreamed of same sex marriage and the huge push for gay and lesbian civil rights that would result . . . or, sadly, the equally fierce backlash that would see our loving, committed couples classified along with those practicing bestiality, incest, polygamy (like the Mormons), or the abuse of children. Along the way I have met and come to befriend a number of fine men who have broadened my understanding of the depth, richness, fun and sorrows of gay life in America in the 21st century.
Personally, I became a husband on May 23rd, Fritz's and my seventh anniversary, and a nurse on June 6th when he awoke from a quadruple bypass operation two weeks to the hour after we had heard the words "I declare you married!" I don't think I've ever said this before, but in the seven plus years we have been together, there has never passed between us a harsh or angry word. I don't pretend to know how this has come about other than to say I think each of us realizes that the love and respect we have for each other overwhelms any possible thought of ill feeling. I do know that our relationship is a source of strength, laughter, outrageous silliness and profound intimacy.
Thanks to all of you who have come along for the ride; I do hope to meet at least some of you in person before too much longer. Whether you are near or far, you are always welcome here and you enrich this experience for me immeasurably.
