National Coming Out Day, Matthew Shepard And Friday Night Fantasies

Big Sur Coast, California

There are two significant dates/events on tap for this weekend. Coming up first is Saturday Oct 11 which is the annual celebration known as National Coming Out Day. It is a day for those of us who are already out to lend our support in a more vigorous way than normal to those around us struggling with their sexuality. It is a day for those who are struggling with their sexuality to turn to those of us out here for answers to their questions. It is a day to make your neighborhood, your workplace, your place of worship aware of the GLBT persons in their midst. it is much harder to hate us when they know us. That is why visibility is so important. The more people recognize us as just folks, the closer we are to the reality of equality. Tell someone, support someone, contribute to an organization in your community which eases the path for those who are seeking to find their way to the only sane way they can live. You can go here to find other ways to celebrate National Coming Out Day. Whatever you do in celebration on Saturday, be sure to tell someone you love them.

The other significant date coming up this weekend is Sunday Oct 12 which is the 10th Anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard at the hands of two haters in Laramie, Wyoming. I was living in Fort Collins, Colorado at the time (40 miles south of Cheyenne, Wyoming) and I remember how sad and horrified at what had taken place just up the road from me a little ways. The day was a defining moment in many places sparking a fervor for activism that is unabated to this day. Yet there is still work to be done. Wyoming still does not have a hate crimes law covering GLBT persons, nor do we have a Federal hate crime law or fully inclusive ENDA legislation either. Here is part of a letter I received from Judy Shepard, Matt's mom and the Matthew Shepard Foundation:

• "It’s hard to believe that it has been ten years since Matthew’s death. So much has changed yet so much remains the same. I want to thank all of you for your unwavering support for the Foundation. I know that you understand our work is far from over. I don’t mean the work of the Foundation exclusively I mean the work we all need to do at a personal level. We need to continue talking to our friends, families and co-workers. Unless we are honest about who we are and are able to share with those who love us what our lives are like, they will not know how to help us. We need those allies in this struggle to achieve equality across the board to realize all of our civil rights."

In this, Gay History Month, these two dates are historically significant for past events, present triumphs and future goals. In this time of turmoil right before the most historically significant election in the last half century at least, we should take time to remember those who have come before us, those who stand with us today, and extend a hand to those who will stand with us in the future. We should all do our part to make sure history keeps changing for the better for all of us. Tell someone about your gay experience, lend an ear to someone who needs to tell you their story, and remember those who came before so you can vote your conscious on Nov 4 from the top of the ticket to the bottom. Be and ally and a friend.

In addition to everything I have mentioned above, I also have some entertainment for you. Scenic Boys have released part 3 of their Wild West Adventure Tour as they move from Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park by way of Cody, Wyoming:



ScenicBoys: Great American West Expedition - Part 3 from scenicboys on Vimeo.


Finally today we have for you this weeks edition of Friday Night Fantasies to kick start your libido for the weekend (like you guys need any help in that department, horn dogs!) We will catch up with you on Monday as we continue the journey that is Nichevo. Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Friday Night Fantasies