“Homosexuality is destroying the fabric of our society! I don’t hate gays and lesbians; I hate gayism and lesbianism!”
The pastor’s words grabbed my attention as I sat motionless in the large Baptist church in Northwest Indiana eight years ago. I was the guest of honor and was being feted for my recent primary election victory by 10,000 of my steadfast supporters. They all believed in my ability to be the next county commissioner and gave me their blessing. How could they all believe in me when they didn’t even know who I was ... and neither did I?
Turns out I was gay then and I am still gay today. I have showered a lot of times, but it just won’t come off. Actually the more I shower, the gayer I become from buying all the products to use on my hair and skin. I beat myself up for awhile as I struggled with facing the label of being gay for the rest of my life.
The money train for my election campaign back in those days would have kept rolling had I continued to deny that scuttlebutt about being light in my loafers. Lucky for me, the Wizard gave me a brain and a heart, and I knew this wasn’t the right thing to do. Being friends of Dorothy has its advantages! I left behind my promising political future in 2004 and had my “come to
Jesus moment.”
There can be plenty of regret, anger, sadness, or any number of emotions that flood over you when you finally realize that you lived 35 years of your life in denial. I have subsequently chosen instead to take those difficult times and turn them into something positive. I have chosen to get my voice back through the creation of a light-hearted radio show called Small Town Big City Radio.
This radio show is my chance to reconnect with my friends and family that I left behind in small-town Indiana almost a decade ago and to maintain those friendships I have made since moving away to big-city Arizona. It also gives me the chance to have fun with everyday life and everyday events and to embrace all that I am today while entertaining people across the country. It gives me the chance to be proud of ... me.
I am teaming up with the QTalk Arizona Radio network and the QTalk America network and will be podcasting my weekly shows beginning in mid-July. The show’s topics will include current events, sports, movies, politics, and everything in between. I certainly want and need Kansas City’s gay community and allies to help me get my voice back, one small town and one big city at a time.
I sure could use some volunteers, as any grass-roots campaign can, to get my message out about my show through social media or word of mouth. Don’t be bashful about contacting me or learning more about my story at SmallTownBigCityRadio.com. I could use the “likes” and encouragement on my Facebook page, too. Be mindful that Stonewall began as an isolated disturbance in New York City and eventually grew to involve hundreds of gay Pride parades and festivals around the country. It always starts with YOU.
William Wallace once said, “Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” Get out there and start making it happen before it’s too late. Be proud of who you are, and enjoy all that is out there.
Happy Pride, everyone. See you on the radio!
This article is brought to you by that guy seeing clearly now, the rain is gone. That guy is Ron Blake, and you can join him in his bright, bright, sun-shiny day at SmallTownBigCityRadio.com!
