DECLARATION OF AN ALLY OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY
Queer. That word stops
folks from my generation
dead in their tracks.
We don’t say that word.
Queer.
Always an insult, the word shouted
by football players before stuffing a
loafer-light boy into a wastebasket.
Queer.
Not right. Wrong.
In Matthew Shepard’s case, dead wrong.
Tied-to-a-bumper wrong.
Queer.
The word my daughter uses
in identifying her orientation.
She dresses boyish but loves women.
Queer.
They’re here. Your accountant, your dentist,
your kid’s teacher (not the one with the
porn on their computer, either).
Queer.
Homophobes use it to describe
boys other than their own sons, who
ship out in the Navy to prove they are “real men.”
Queer.
Mom explained it when I was five.
No graphic descriptions of sex,
just, “Uncle John loves Uncle Tony.”
It’s simple.
People are people.
Half the sexual acts straight couples do
could get them arrested in Mississippi.
Queer.
They’re here. Get over it.
They are committed couples.
They adopt kids straight couples don’t want.
They rehabilitate crack babies.
They are wonderful neighbors.
They shop; they pay taxes.
Some are slobs, some are fashionable.
Some drink wine, some drink beer.
Some go to church, some don’t.
They are human beings who are
capable of love, of compassion,
of snottiness, of loyalty.
They deserve life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.
Just like you.
Just like me.
Just like everybody else.
Amen.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For ABC Wednesday, brought to you by the letter Q.
And no, that is not a picture of me. It’s me in 20 years or so!
Sharp Little Pencil 
Penny
A piece of the fire in your belly Amy. And mine. I will give this to my gay son next week on his 16th birthday with love from his very PROUD Mum. pen x
Sharp Little Pencil
Penny, you are a great mom. When Riley came out, we went for ice cream to celebrate. She says she has the weirdest coming out story – no drama, no tears. Apparently, she’s not alone. Good for you and for your son. Blessings! Amy
Lance
strong and beautiful and excelelntly defiant
I said yesterday that I have to travel to NC Friday and next week for business. Im considering using my car as an underground railroad for same sex couples. But I live in Georgia, we’re not much better.
Bless your deep heart for being so right about equality
Sharp Little Pencil
Lance, so you will be Lance Tubman, smuggling in “illegals” (only in some cracker states). I’m telling you, straight women need to remember we only got the vote because MEN approved it. Also, this whole “marriage for procreation thing” died when we got The Pill. It’s also about the time men stopped using condoms, if they were using them at all… and that was a sad day all around! Thx, buddy, Amy
hypercryptical
Amen indeed Amy!
Anna :o]
Sharp Little Pencil
I AM the “amen corner,” and you’re welcome to join me anytime, honey! Amy
El Guapo
Amen.
always wondered why those offended by a term didn’t redefine it…
Sharp Little Pencil
The gay and lesbian community took hold of that word and recreated it. During the beginning of the HIV epidemic, when men came out TWICE to their folks (I’m gay… and I’m dying), ACT UP (the radical activist group) would cry, “We’re here! We’re queer! Get over it!” Also, I think the series “Queer as Folk” did a lot to change people’s perception on the word… Gracias, Amy
Jae Rose
Amen..and i think we are all a little ‘queer’..god bless for that! Jae x
Sharp Little Pencil
I think so, too, Jae. Easier for women to grasp than men, because we are taught more about our own bodies. We also have more functions in our bodies, what with periods and all… but it comes down to this: You love who you love. You love the person, not their physical attributes (except for the VERY shallow). there’s attraction and love. Love goes the distance, like my sisters-in-law, Sharon and her wife, Linda. Legally married in CA. Love you, Jae! Amy
Joseph Harker
^___^!
(That is a touched and moved happy face.)
Sharp Little Pencil
A wink and a smile to you, young man. Thanks also to my mom, who presented things so naturally and with so little drama that it simply became another fact of life… Love, Amy
Diane Turner
Beautifully said.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Diane! I’m gratified so many folks left nice comments. I didn’t delete anything, either, so I guess I don’t have any “haters” on my subscription list! Amy
kaykuala
Queer is not a bad word. Traditionally it means strange! Now, it has taken a meaning of its own to define rights of individuals who chose a definite path.You’ve a classic verse here to declare for them ‘to each his own’ Great write Amy!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, unfortunately, “That’s so queer” meant “that’s so wrong/socially weird” in my school. Now the kids say “That’s so gay,” and when I hear it, I take them aside to talk about how hurtful that phrase is for some folks. Including me, even though I’m straight, because I have gay family and so so so many friends. Thanks, Amy
Tandy
that placard is amazing!
Sharp Little Pencil
I searched the Web and found it on a newspaper site. I hope when I’m that old, I’ll be marching for something good… and that the to-do over Marriage Equality is old, old news! (Don’t worry, we’ll still have nukes and other stuff… ugh) Coming over to your blog now, AMy
Lindy Lee
We all derive from the same core, wherever or whatever that is. No one any better than another; your poem makes the obvious even more so…
Sharp Little Pencil
Gender… Jesus said a lot about how people would only be perfect when women ceased to be women and men ceased to be men, that we were all as one. I believe this was his stab at gender equality. Of course, it’s in the Coptic Gospel of Peter, and it wasn’t included in the final version of the Bible. Amy
Roger Green
Well, you KNOW where I stand on this: http://www.rogerogreen.com/2012/05/11/sing-if-youre-glad-to-be-gay-2/ For some reason, your comment ended up in my spam folder, but it’s posted now.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, Rog, I know you’re an ally. I ended up in your Spam folder… interesting. I always check that folder and half the time, it’s someone I know from a link I trust! Thanks for rescuing me from the “bin”! Amy
purplepeninportland
Perfect and timely!
Sharp Little Pencil
Can you believe the president? Wow, admitting his opinion has changed, that he has evolved… amazing. Now let’s get rid of DOMA, Clinton’s mea culpa after the Monica Lewinsky affair…! Amy
Inside the Mind of Isadora
right-on – write on, sista ….
Sharp Little Pencil
Check out the other comments. So many people, smart people, who see human beings as simply that, brothers and sisters! Thanks, Izzy. Love, Amer