I live in a city which has the highest GAY population in th world. Whole gay suburbs exist here.
Ya, and I am from Redneckland, back in Saskatchewan, and I really had to adjust when I arrived in Sydney. Let me tell you! It was a shocker! Now its just an everyday occurance, and when I have company out from Canada, they just cant believe what they see here.
Seeing leather clad blokes in chaps with the bum cut out, having a deep passionate kiss on a corner is the normal here, and did I get my eyes open the first time I observed such activity.
When I was single a few friends and I were chasing some QANTAS air hostesses one night, and went along with these girls to a party in Padington, and it was full of gay guys from the airline. So me being almost legless, fresh of the boat from Canada said to this one guy " you know for being a gay guy you sure got big arms" (and he did). He replied "you would too if you held mens legs back all night long". I never forgot that, and I have never opend my mouth before thinking since.
At one unit I was posted to we had a officer, a Major who was entirley and totally gay in every sence of the word.
During PT one morning I nearly lost it when we saw love bites and hickys on the back of his neck.
At a mess dinner, he introduced my GF and I to his ‘partner‘ Maxwell.
I was also present when he was in the Q Store one time saying "RQ, I hate to be such a pain in the bum, but I need to replace my DPCU pants", then realising what he had said in front of 10 of us, he cupped his hand over his mouth and giggled like a school girl. The look on everyone‘s faces was enough to stop traffic, and I nearly ****ed my pants laughing later.
All his flaunting his sexuality was outragous, with every gay mannerism you could imagine especially if he was tired or been into the grog. Sadly no one really listened to him, but in the admin roll he as great.
Also at another unit smoker, a CPL form outside the unit showed him much disrespect (not as being gay, but being an officer), and I got up and had a go at the CPL, (who was later charged).
The Major, just shrugged it off, and I could not let it go, as insubordination is a key root in circumventing the chain of command, and all it stands for. All this infront of say 175 personnel too, all who were deep in the grog, partying after the end of another long exercise.
Not long after he was posted, he was seriously injured in a prang. He was in hospital for about 3 months, and has recovered.
At the end of the day, he is a fair man, and was/is a good officer, but the men saw him more as a joke than an officer, and a leader, and that because was the way he carried himself within the unit.
I respected the rank he has, and as wierd as it seems, he is an alright bloke. He knew that we knew what he was all about, and the rest is history.
So what am I saying? Frankly if a bloke can do his job, and do it effectivly, I dont care who he/she sleeps with, but just dont flaunt ones homosexuality in my face.
Am I a homophobe? Confessions, confessions, ya I might have been in the past, but at 44 yrs old, I would safely say, I know my sexuality, and I am not afraid of the G Force.
BTW the ADF even has a Gay float in Sydney‘s International Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras held every March.
Have I seen it? Only on the 10.30 news!
Remember, be tolerant. I am (mostly anyway).
Regards,
Wes