It is over two years since I put this Blog into hibernation.
As I awaken it, bring it back to life, two questions may crop up in the minds of those kind enough to take the time to read it; be you new to my offerings or returners from its last run....and, new or old, I am most grateful to you for joining me as this is pretty pointless without you!
Having drawn my efforts to a close two plus years ago, new and old readers might first wonder what led me to breath life back into the Blog now. Well, while I can hardly claim it is back 'by public demand' it is true to say that it follows one friend and reader, in the USA, saying that associates of his had enquired about my musings and another friend and reader, this one in the UK, asking whether I was going to return to bashing the keys; or, as he put it, was I going to get off my lazy a**e and do some more writing!
The second question that may have surfaced is why the Blog at all. Why a Blog titled 'Gay Issues and Life Experiences' that claims to furnish 'Discussion about gay (LGBT) news and issues and explorations of gay life experiences that will chime with gay readers and afford straight readers an honest insight into gay life"? This necessitates more of an answer, as it takes us to the heart of why my words were committed to page in the first place.
While I am no Stephen Hawking or Alan Turing, in the intellectual sense, no Oscar Wilde or Stephen Fry nor even, as those who know me might interject, Kermit or Big Bird I do enjoy getting my teeth into things I don't understand. I like to explore concepts, lifestyles and cultures that are new to me or of which I have a woefully limited grasp; but admit that the 'big bang' still leaves me with mouth gaping like a fish....there was NOTHING prior to the big bang, nothing, what's that all about (gropes around in the dark for understanding)?!
Well, those life experiences to which I refer in the description of the Blog have led me to believe that I have a foot in each of at least four identifiable groups (which can be painful at times) that I contend have unique characteristics or cultures. Each has played its part in determining, or at least impacting upon who I am and how I have lived my life. I entered one of these groups at age 19, the British Army. First as a part time soldier and then, at 21 years old, full time; though those who served with me may challenge my claim to the title 'soldier'. I went on to serve the Queen (the one in Buckingham Palace!) for 21 years.
The other three group identities or cultures have been part of me from my childhood understanding, those being Welsh, British and gay. In that line you have the reason why I believe I may have something to say in this Blog. I identify as and have been part of a culture, have lived a lifestyle that can be seen as being specifically gay since my earliest sexual awakenings. As a gay man, some of my key life experiences have been different from those of my straight friends and, therefor, hopefully of some interest and my insider's understanding of gay issues also of some interest. Of interest to gay readers as, in my writing, you may see yourselves and, perhaps, pick up some 'wrinkles' that might be of use (urgh, no gay guy actually has wrinkles, of course) and of interest to straight readers if, like me, you enjoy learning about different cultures and lifestyles.
Some of you (both straight and gay) may dispute the suggestion that there are such things as a 'gay culture' or 'gay lifestyle' and, if that's the case, I hope you'll stay with me and see if your perceptions change in the weeks to come; noting that we shall also examine the changes that are occurring in the LGBT community in many European countries, the USA and elsewhere that impact upon sense of community and culture. If you feel that you are already completely accepting of gay men and women, of the LGBT community as a whole, you may still find Blog posts that entertain and even illuminate....many mates of mine have been entirely accepting and hugely supportive of gay friends, such as me, but had never ventured onto a 'gay scene' until asking me to take them on my tour of Soho's gay village, with often hilarious and illuminating results; as I shall relate in future posts!
Way back in the Army of the 1980s, we were taught that to liven up a presentation we should tell a joke or (note - it was the military of the '80s) flash up a slide or two of naked bodies (female, of course). The latter, well, times have moved on and this Blog is about as likely to show naked women as Mr Trump is to complete a coherent, you know what I mean, this is real important folks and he is the guy, people know that and.....?
So, in the indeterminate period we have together, I do hope that my posts will illicit an occasional, "ah, yes", from gay readers, maybe an understanding "oh, really!" from straight readers and/or a "that's complete bo****ks" from either identity. Please post comments in each case. I shall intend to post pieces on a Thursday or Friday each week and, in next week's offering shall return to my contention that there is a specifically gay lifestyle and gay culture and then touch again (for readers of the original Blog - forgive me, but I have had questions asked of me on FB about it) on 'coming out' thereafter....but, before those scheduled offerings, I shall put up an additional 'restart bonus' of a Rio 2016 post (as we live in Brazil) about gays and sports at the start of next week (have you heard the saying in the USA, "As gay as Ikea on Super Bowl Sunday"?). The Blog format and template are fitted for laptops. If you are reading over a smart phone and the post appears less than fabulous (union rules require use of that once in each Blog), please let me know and I'll see what I can do (inveterate Luddite, I fear).
Thanks a MILLION for joining me. Big hugs; where appropriate! I shall cross fingers for you being long suffering and generous, willing to return in future weeks and see if I have bedded in!
(Please Note - photos/videos are taken from public sites and assumed to be open source. I do not hold the copyrights and, if anyone does and wishes the picture removed, just advise me and I shall take the photo down. The use of a photo does not presume anything regarding the sexuality of the subject)
