Shameless Promotion

Do you ever see something in society that just makes your stomach turn?

Today while I was at lunch I browsed through the newspaper. As I paged through the Living section, I came across this article about a gay, HIV-positive fashion designer visiting the city. (Also I haven't watched the video on the webpage, I only read the print article in the paper).

And I don't know why it surprised me. I mean, any New Orleans resident and anyone who watches Bill O'Reilly knows that the Times-Picayune is one of the most liberal papers in the country. And our city is known for it's credo of tolerance and acceptance and "anything goes." Nagin even offered the key to the city for all the gays and lesbians coming down for their annual Southern Decadence festival they hold here.

(Tangent: Three years ago Southern Decadence was scheduled for the week of August 28th. Katrina hit the following day. I'm not going to go into a monologue about it was divine judgment on the city - I believe the rain falls (no pun intended) on the righteous and the wicked, as Jesus said - but it was an interesting coincidence. End tangent).

If you want to read the article, feel free. I'll cover some of the major points here.

This designer guy became famous on Project Runway. While on the show, he revealed that he not only is gay, but is also HIV positive. In the article, he makes a comment about how he is accepting of his homosexuality and tries not be to ashamed of being HIV positive.

I feel like I'm treading on thin ice here so I'm going to try to be as tactful as possible.

Why in the world would the T-P print something like that? OK, the guy is a designer and an AIDS activist. Write about that. Why do you have to begin with his homosexuality and his opinion of a disease that was not only contracted by a sinful lifestyle but will ultimately bring around his death?

And notice the heading: "There's no reason to feel sad" for him.

Well, I do. I do feel sad for him. My heart hurts for this man that I don't even know because of where he is in life and the consequences he's dealing with.

I'm not trying to degrade people with HIV. I think it's a horrible, debilitating, devastating disease and my heart hurts for those who have it. I pray they receive Christ and allow Him to heal their lives.

I've seen more serious, graphic (if you will) articles interviewing a cancer survivor. WHY make HIV sound as though it's not that big of a deal? I understand huge advancements in treatment have been made, but come on!!! We're still talking about an incurable disease!

This hits really hard with me because there are a couple of girls in my youth group who have befriended a couple of gay and bisexual boys in their class (and they're all 15!!!). Hanging around these young men has seared their consciences to where they have actually come to me and wanted to know what was so bad about being a homosexual and why is it anyone's business but the person(s) involved?

I believe it is the media's portrayal an open acceptance of this lifestyle that is doing this to the younger generation.

I am in no way saying that we should persecute those who are gay & lesbian. We're called to love them and pray for them, not alienate and abuse.

Why doesn't this young man in the article discuss how he felt when he first found out he was HIV positive, the treatments he has to go through to maintain his health, the mental and emotional issues that come with dealing with a terminal illness?

Then again, maybe he did, and maybe the T-P cherry-picked what they wanted to put in the article.

Why make it sound as easy as a sinus infection?

How long are we going to let this go on?

I feel like the T-P is promoting, "Look, if you're gay and you get HIV, it's no big deal."

No, it is a big deal. Tell a parent who just found out their child has HIV that it's no big deal.

Back in May we attended my husband's 10 year high school reunion. I was sitting at a table with some of his buddies (whom I've known for years, this wasn't our first meeting). There was a couple out on the floor dirty dancing. I overhead a couple of girls at the table behind me make the comment, "Too bad he's gay." I found it an odd comment considering how suggestive the dancing was, so I leaned over to one of my hubby's friends and whispered, "Is that guy really gay?" He turned on me and practically shouted me down in front of the whole table. "Yes, he is! And what's the big deal? Is it any business of yours? No, it's not! It's no one's business but his own! It doesn't mean he's a bad person. It's no big deal!" He sparked some anger in me and I snapped back, "Did I say he was a bad person? No, all I asked was if he was really gay because based on how he's dancing with that girl, it sure doesn't look like it!" My hubby's friend came back with another retort and I ignored him. But inside I was stung.

The tables, at least in that instance, have turned. In that situation, it was the handsome gay man on the dance floor getting all the praise, and the person who dared to just ask if he was gay or not get persecuted. And I feel this is happening even more and more.

In the DSM-III, the clinicians listed homosexuality as a disorder. They removed it from the DSM-IV. Right now they are working on the DSM-V. I'm worried homophobia will be listed as a disorder when the edition is finalized.

I feel like I've said enough. My heart hurts for our culture and society. I understand homosexuality exists. But what measures will the world take to get me to accept it as appropriate?