For the past week or so, I was house boating on Lake Powell--rugged beauty and serenity. There, at Glen Canyon Dam, the waters and tributaries of the Colorado River are backed up 185 miles creating Lake Powell in the bold sandstone canyons.
Our group included some people I hardly knew, so when a few gay slurs erupted here and there I cringed and remained silent. Frankly, it was the last thing I expected since everyone avoided discussing politics or religion. This was all about fun.
I guess they didn't have any sensitivity to gayness.
Right or wrong, in those close quarters, I made a conscious decision to keep silent about my gay children, my commitment to marriage equality and my advocacy for gay issues. I was so defiantly silent, I never even talked about my family at all.
It made me realize again how tough it is for LGBT individuals to come out over and over again. Also, it made me understand that these same people aren't required to announce their sexuality in every situation.
Everyone has personal issues that they protect in specific situations.
At some point, if I socialize with these people again, I'll surely discuss my gay children and my advocacy for marriage equality. But floating around in a big house boat on Lake Powell with them for a week or so, I felt like a protective mother, quiet against the silent canyon walls. Maybe I'm wrong.
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