6 minute read
People of Galveston
from Culture Clash
CULTURE CLASH (FEATURE) people of GALVESTONRESHAPING A NARRATIVE:
BY: JOSÉ MENDIOLA Coming Out / Letting People In
FOR MANY YEARS NOW, WE HAVE USED THE TERM “COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET” TO DESCRIBE HOW THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY DEALS WITH THE REVEALING OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND/OR GENDER
IDENTITY TO THOSE AROUND THEM. Although I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I do consider myself a strong ally. With that being said I am here to say, I am, obviously, not the person who gets to decide what narrative is definite or what gets to be reshaped.
But recently, in a conversation, I was told that the term “coming out” was retrograde, and it conveyed a certain conspiratorial vibe to it, as if you were caught doing something illicit and now had to confess to a jury of your peers. I was told that the term “letting people in” was now more progressive as it indicates feelings of trusting and acceptance, almost as if you were letting people in this club that only the superb and select few that you loved could join.
Before I continue, I should admit that I feel like I have no business writing this article. Being straight in such a progressive time is the equivalent of being that one kid on a field trip who goes to the ice cream store, and settles for a plain vanilla cone while everyone else is trying new and fun flavors. Furthermore, writing on an issue about LGBTQ+ community is like the vanilla-cone-kid didactically talking about his extremely monotonous vanilla flavor, and his support for interesting flavors such as chocolate mint or bubble-gum, while the other kids with much more interesting flavors sit in confusion, slowly blink, and try their best to listen. I digress. Back to the point of me writing this article: I guess I was just interested. As I pondered the meaning of both the regressive term that I had been using, and the progressive term I had just learned, it made me think of all the experiences that the community must go through. Letting people into your personal life to let them know about your sexual and gender identity almost felt like some sort of ritual in order to become free. An unshackling of oneself from a narrative that a close-minded society had meticulously wrought.
It was then and there that I thought it’d be a good idea to ask some people of their experiences in letting people in. We did this in hopes that these responses may inspire some readers who are hesitant at a very uncertain time. So with that being said, me and my friend gathered four simple questions and interviewed some strangers at Galveston’s LGBTQ+ hotspots. Although not everyone was comfortable giving their full name and photograph, I believe we got some interesting responses.
CC: What gender do you identify with?
Zed: Male. I would consider myself a cisgendered male.
CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?
Zed: Bisexuality
CC: How old were you when you let people you knew into your life?
Zed: I was about seventeen. I’m twentyfour now!
CC: What was the reaction of your family and friends? CC: What gender do you identify as?
Anonymous: I’m non-binary.
CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?
Anonymous: Pansexual.
CC: How old were you when you let people into your life?
Anonymous: Right now I’m eighteen, and I haven’t. Just some people know, I guess. It’s really difficult. I really don’t have much friends, and my family wouldn’t understand. I don’t know. I keep thinking when I go to college everything will change. Just looking for a new start.
Zed: My parents were totally cool with it. They didn’t really care, I thought they were going to be upset or whatever, but they just hoped I was just happy. My friends knew about it, but they didn’t really care. They’ve always been supportive.
CC: What gender do you identify as?
Sab: Female.
CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?
Sab: Pansexual.
CC: How old were you when you let people into your life?
Sab: I was about fourteen or fifteen. I’m twenty-one now.
CC: What was the reaction of your family and friends?
Sab: It went well. Support from everyone. I do come from a pretty liberal background. I was happy to have felt that support.
CC: What gender do you identify as?
Dee: I identify as a woman. Female.
CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?
Dee: Lesbian.
CC: How old were you when you let people into your life?
Dee: Just recently, I’m twenty-three!
CC: What was the reaction of your family and friends?
Dee: My friends knew for sometime, I didn’t care about them knowing, they were always supportive. It took time for me to come out to my parents. My dad was really cool, but low-key a bit shocked. I guess he thought I was straight because I had a Ronaldo poster in my room. My mom was a bit hesitant at first, but she’s okay now. She’s even met my girlfriend and is nothing but nice to her.
RANDY (A very gregarious slurring man with Hawaiian shirt who approached me during the interviews.)
CC: What gender do you identify as?
Randy: I’m a man.
CC: What sexual orientation do identify with?
Randy: I’m straight. Very straight. As an arrow.
CC: Oh, I was going to ask you about if you ever let people into your life.
Randy: Letting people in?
CC: Letting the people you love and care about know about your sexual orientation, letting them closer into your life, to delete the stigma of having to have something hidden.
Randy: Oh, like coming out? You know, here’s the thing. I actually have before. For some reason everyone thought I was gay. So in a way I’ve come out as straight, and, you know, sometimes I get these surprised looks. Who cares? Be who you are. Love who you want. After forty-six years of living, you really stop caring. Anyway, I think George Clooney’s handsome if that counts for anything, but that’s about it. Go Astros!
BRINGING TOGETHER ART, AWARENESS, AND ADVOCACY!
Turtles About Town is a community art project that highlights the City of Galveston and the conservation efforts of Turtle Island Restoration Network to protect endangered sea turtles on the upper Texas coast. Turtle lovers of all ages have the opportunity to see 50 colorful Kemp’s ridley sea turtle statues that have been installed around the island since 2018. Businesses, individuals and organizations graciously sponsor the turtle statues while local artists are commissioned to give each one its own personality and meaning.
Download a FREE map and go on a tour at seaturtles.org/turtles. Be sure to tag Turtle Island Restoration Network in your images (@TIRN-Gulf on Facebook and @TIRN.Gulf on Instagram) and tag #TurtlesAboutTown!
seaturtles.org clapcupstudios.com
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTT!
No, really. Hold onto it.
Cigarette butts can take 25 years to decompose, are 98% plastic, and are toxic to marine life! Please help Galveston Surfrider reduce butt litter on the island, and in the ocean, by disposing of your butts in one of these cans provided by local businesses and individuals. #hotyb
For more info, go to www.Galveston. Surfrider.org To volunteer or sponsor a can, email hotyb@galveston. surfrider.org
