My Readers Respond

Sunset From Hanagshan Mountain, China

As you guys know, Nichevo is an interactive blog, taking input from many of my readers and bringing it to you guys here. Upon occasion Uncle Gerry has been known to be wrong about something and there is usually someone there to point out the error of my ways. This is the case with my post yesterday on Cinco de Mayo. I stated that Cinco de Mayo was a celebration of Mexican Independence Day but such is not the case as I received the following comment:

• Sorry to have to correct you, but Mexican Independence Day is September 16. Cinco de Mayo is the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla and is not widely celebrated in Mexico unless there are a lot of drinking Americans there. Some American cities us it as an opportunity to celebrate their Mexican heritage. San Diego has a big celebration.

I am not one to deny my fallability, so I stand corrected. In my experience, there has always been a massive celebration on Cinco de Mayo, but I do not recall many celebrations of September 16. That may be a Texas thing or a California thing as cities in both of those states in which I have lived have had huge Cinco de Mayo celebrations that starts out the summer party season. I always assumed it was an Independence Day celebration, and unfortunately no one has ever corrected my thinking until now. Thank you to my anonymous commenter for the correction, us old dogs should never be above learning new things or admitting when we are wrong.

Another of my long time loyal readers in an email just this morning postulated a question in relation to several past posts of mine. In the past we have discussed many things here at Nichevo covering a wide range of topics. We have talked about coming out, the price the closet extracts from our lives, if being gay is a choice, depression, the joy of sex, alluring photographs and romance. All worthy topics, however this reader's question cuts to the quick of the is it a choice/can it be cured discussion. I know my feeling on the subject so I would like to present the question to you guys and let you make your replies by comment or email. I must warn you that I will probably use your answers in a future follow up post as a continuation of this discussion. Now the question:

1. If a proven "Cure" exists, would you elect to take it or would you choose to remain yourself and embrace the world you know???

While there have been times in my life when I have mightily wished that I was anyone other than myself and have tried to pray away the gay, in my journey of self discovery I have come to my own conclusions regarding this matter. Long time readers of Nichevo will know that I believe that I was born gay and as the title to my blog suggests there is nothing to be done about it so I must embrace myself and the world which I have created around me. I can be no one other than myself and do not want to be anyone else. For sure there are things about my life or situation I would change, but that is only superficial as things cannot change the core of who I am. I do not believe a "cure" exists as who I am is not an illness or a disease so therefore no "cure" is needed. It is sorta like asking if there is a cure for brown eyes or freckles or other naturally occurring phenomena. I did make a choice about being gay, I chose to accept the fact I was gay, just as God made me; I chose to live my life honestly rather than hide behind a lie; I chose to appreciate the beauty in all men; I chose to stand up for my rights and the rights of others; I chose to be loyal to those who loved me without reservation; I chose to take pride in the person I have become; and I chose to forgive those who could not find it in their hearts to love me as I am. So what say you?

In addition to the philosophical discussion we also have video today! For those of you who have not seen it, the first video is of Kevin proposing to Scotty on Sunday's episode of Brothers and Sisters, then there is the two parts of today's episode of Holly Oaks. To round out the videos I found this amazing little video "A Cello Rondo" performed by a man named Ethan Wiser who spent many, many hours putting this together. The amazing part is Ethan plays all 37 parts to this piece of music on his cello, it is really kewl. The videos of course are followed by today's eye candy selections. So I guess that's it for a Tuesday in my little corner of the world. Until next time as always, Enjoy!


Kevin And Scotty - The Proposal





Today On Holly Oaks Part One





Today On Holly Oaks Part Two




Ethan Winer - A Cello Rondo