Here and There

Hi all,

Just to let you know that my new web address is HERE!

I look forward to seeing you all there.

All the very best,

Jonathan xx

Hate’s in the mind

What goes on in the mind of someone who’s so eaten up with hatred for gay people that they resort to killing someone they believe may be homosexual? Yesterday, Mark Malone was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murdering Jeff Akers in Walton-on-Thames, England in February of this year.  More on that story here.

Mr Malone had stabbed Mr Akers so deeply that the entire 8 inches of the knife used in the ferocious assault was embedded in his back, completely severing his eighth rib and puncturing his right lung. He staggered from the toilet where the attack occurred before collapsing.

I cannot comprehend the mindset capable of such savage brutality. It’s completely lost on me. At what point did the programming start which resulted in an act of such barbarous inhumanity, leaving one man dead and another rotting away in an institution not to mention the negative impact on the lives of those left behind who loved Mr Akers, not least his partner of 22 years, Mike Drew.

Was Mr Malone perhaps homosexual himself? They do say that those who have the greatest hatred for homosexuals could very likely be ‘that way’ themselves and are unable to deal with it. So, seeing people out there living the lives they are too cowardly to carve out for themselves, are seen as targets who are ‘flaunting’ their sexualities and therefore fair game to be vilified.

Looking closer at Mr Malone’s criminal past, it seems he had a history of violence against people he perceived to be gay. Where does all this anger come from though? Growing up, I often heard homophobic taunts in the playground from other kids and you’d hear it from teachers who wanted to ‘make a man out of you’ on the playing fields. What has manliness got to do with sexuality anyhow?

There is an assumption that homosexuals aren’t ‘real men’ but what does that mean? It’s like saying that all lesbians are butch, wear hiking boots, possess a toolkit, own every album by the Indigo Girls and strum acoustic guitars at all-women camps. The same kind of drivel surrounds gay men, who are perceived by many as being sissies who dress up as women and hang around public lavatories soliciting other men for anonymous sex.

We need to educate people as to what being gay really means and we need to start early, in schools and through community-based initiatives. We need to show people that being gay is entirely to do with who you find attractive and are able to fall in love with. Love is rarely mentioned in conjuction with the lives of gay men, bisexuals and lesbians. By breaking down the misconceptions and preconceptions, we can foster a society based around acceptance of others and maybe, just maybe, incidences of this nature will stop happening altogether.

A website dedicated to Mr Akers can be seen here.

35!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, here I am.  I’m 35 and so what if I haven’t ticked all the boxes I ’should’ have by now in terms of life, love and all else besides.  I’ve been thinking about myself, my life, the way I dress and a load of different things and when I take out what others think and feel, I’m pretty okay with myself and how life’s panning out.

An old man in a new fleece!

Mum bought me a fleece jacket for my birthday from a department store in town yesterday and I love it.  It’s so cosy and warm it’s unreal.  So what if what I wear can hardly be termed haute couture, who wants to buy into all that superficial shit anyway?  I’m me and I like who I am, thank you very much.  35 isn’t so bad when all is said and done …. yes it is, it’s bloody awful!

Almost but not quite….

It’s now after midnight and it’s the 11th December 2008.  I’m ONE day away from being 35!

35!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Who’d have thought I’d have got here?????  Alright, as compared to being 90 it’s nothing but I’m no longer young young and I hate that.

When I hit 30 (which was horrid) I was saying goodbye to my Twenties but tomorrow I’ll be saying hello to my Forties because that’s the next landmark number.

I don’t like this at all.

By now, I should be settled down with a significant other, in full-time work with a mortgage, a car and perhaps a pet or two between us.  I don’t have any of that.

What I do have is a lack of hair on my head, the remainder of which is rapidly going grey; a shit dress-sense; an encroaching waistline and an interview next week with a fast food company.  Things haven’t exactly panned out as I thought they would.

I’m over-the-hill!

Dem changes….

Howdy all.  I’ve decided to implement some changes.  I’ve opted for the Christmas theme because I’ve always wanted to use something seasonal on a blog but have thus far resisted and now you can see why lol

I received a message yesterday from someone whose music has meant a great deal to me over the years.  I’ve been listening to his music a lot lately and have found myself on more than one occasion, wondering where he is now and what he’s up to because he just did the one solo album and left the music scene altogether.

Anyhow, I did a search for him on a social networking site and there he was.  I sent him a message basically thanking him for his music and what it meant to me and lo and behold, he replied.  I’d been anxious after sending it but I needn’t have worried because when the reply came it was really friendly.  He thanked me for what I’d said and wished me the very best.  Can’t ask for more than that can you?

Misheard….

“Red skin at night, slapper’s delight.
Red skin in the morning, slapper’s warning.”

This is what it should be.  Disappointing or what?

Halfway through…

Growing up, I’d often hear the term “3 score years and ten” bandied about to denote the span of time us humans get here on Earth. It’s odd because we know that most people live far longer but it’s Biblical so unreasonably it’s held on in people’s psyches for far longer than is healthy.

As a small boy, I’d often look at people who probably weren’t much older than 20 years of age but who seemed like ageing giants to me. 20 seemed a long way away and 40 was positively ancient. In a week’s time I’ll be 35 and halfway through going by the archaic prior reference.

I actually feel old. I have some deep lines appearing around my eyes, my skin has taken on a rougher texture, I’m currently sporting a full beard and my nose hair has taken on a life of its own. My right knee aches and several joints click so much it’s like my body’s housing a miniature maracas band!

By the time I’ve got a boyfriend and I’m out there getting ‘a bit of bummage’ as they say I’ll have more hair on my back than on my bloody head and that’s enough to quench even the most fervent ardour isn’t it?  It’s all so depressing. Still, things could be worse, I could be 40. Oh joy, that’s the next milestone isn’t it?

What rainbow are you?

Your rainbow is shaded violet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I’m back!!!!!

Right, well I’m back and what’s happened in my absence but the dashboard here at WordPress has gone all space age.  I must confess to loving it but then after a week of hermit-like living, everything appears exciting in comparison.

I’ve also discovered the answer to one of life’s little quandaries and that’s here.  When I first got my Sony media player, I couldn’t get on with the headphones at all so had to buy some others but they gave up the ghost this week so after trying to use a cheaper set (which are shite) I’ve had to go back to the original set and even though I can see sense in the arrangement, they feel bloody awkward on.  What was wrong with how they were originally is what I want to know?  I never had any difficulties with them.  Did anyone here?

Last weekend, I travelled up to Liverpool to Michael Causer’s memorial service held at the Anglican Cathedral.  It was very moving and the language used was inclusive, there was no talk of sin and people of other faiths and none could take something from it.  Looking across at the photograph of Michael, I couldn’t believe that this young man was no longer with us.

I happened upon a jokey message left by Michael at Facebook and I felt an incredible sadness.  Michael had come out, a battle in and of itself and wound up being murdered by homophobic thugs!  I hope these cowards (because that’s what they are) get a sentence which reflects the severity of this brutal crime.

I met Michael’s family and a more friendly and accepting bunch I’d be hard pushed to find.  They had no problems with Michael’s sexuality at all.  Had he lived, he would have grown in strength and confidence as an out gay man.  They are lovely people.  They even allowed me to stay over due to there being no one at the hostel I’d booked online and that says a LOT about them … they were fortunate to have Michael if only for a short while, he was fortunate to have them xxx

I must mention Vikki whom I met at the cathedral.  She was a male-to-female transsexual.  She had been badly beaten up in a similarly motivated attack, ie one of hate, fear and ignorance.  She stood up during the service and said a few words inspired by Michael.  Her birth name had been Michael so she was in effect saying goodbye to two Michael’s that day!

I’m glad Ulla got her rainbow pride bag.  Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!  You said you’d squuuuueeeeeee mate and indeed you did.  That’s one of Ulla’s words and I love it.  Ulla, I’m honoured to know you and to be able to call you a friend.

I’m glad to be back.  I can get round to see you all now….

Feeling like shit…

Hi y’all.  I’ve been sidelined with an horrendous bout of the flu so that’s why I haven’t posted anything nor been round to anyone’s blogs but I’ll be back … with a vengeance.  I hope you’re all well and happy xxxx