Marriage Equality

Why Marriage Equality Matters...

It's been a while since I last updated this blog. I kinda got lost in all things called life, job, family, friends, etc

I'm back - and I'm pissed off. I have something to bitch about, because quite frankly - it stinks.

It's what should be a pretty simple issue really, a no brainer in any rationale mind. The issue of marriage equality.

For those of you left wondering what I'm about to start ranting about. Let me spell it out for you. Society, government, and the church, who claim to have the right to tell me who I can, and cannot marry as a homosexual man. Because I am a gay man, in many parts of the world, I do not have the right to marry the man I love, and lead a loving committed relationship with this person, under the banner of marriage, sharing full legal equality and rights with heterosexual couples, all because we happen to be two men who want to get hitched.

I've a pretty simple response: Fuck You!

Who gives them the right to deny me equal rights and the option of leading a married life with the person I love?

There's alot going on around the world right now, in terms of marriage equality, and the fight for true marriage rights in the LGBT community. I cannot believe that in the year 2012 we are still having this argument about who can and cannot marry. It simply confounds my mind.

Why do the notions of bigotry, hatred and inequality still prevail in this modern world today?

It's because deep down, there are people out there who are quite simply scared as fuck. Either they're scared of what they think 'gay marriage' is, or they're ignorant to the reality that two people of the same sex can actually love each other enough to want to make a real commitment to each other, exchange two metal bands and throw one hell of a party to declare their love to the world.

But who the hell has the right to deny me this basic notion of love?

NO ONE. Dare I say it again - NO ONE!

Most recently, the state of North Carolina in America voted on and declared that same sex marriage is now constitutionally illegal. That means, that people of North Carolina, went out, and voted against marriage equality. They felt they had the right to deny thousands of North Carolina same sex couples the right to legally wed the person they love. With a 61% margin voting against same sex marriage, there was a strong and clear message that gays did not have the basic human right to marry the person they love.

It becomes the 30th state in the USA to ban same sex marriage.

That's 30 states people - 30 different places in America that think its ok to say - because you are gay, you do not have the right to marry. You are a 2nd class citizen, and do not have the same basic legal rights as your heterosexual peers.

Pure and utter craziness! Disheartening and saddening for thousands of people affected by one stupid law.

Why do you think marriage equality is an issue? How do you think it really affects people's lives? Or do people even realise that it does in fact affect lives?

The video below, is probably the most emotional, and profound video I have ever watched on Youtube in my 28 years of existence.

It reduced me to tears in a crowded coffee shop. I couldn't care less about people seeing me cry. I was crying because the message and story it told, was heartbreaking. The traumatic story of how marriage INEQUALITY ruins people's lives.

Shane Bitney Crone, the creator of this heart wrenching video tells the story of the man he loves. Tom Bridegroom. Shane and Tom were boyfriends, who shared a business, a house, a dog, and most importantly their lives. They were two regular people, who happened to both me men, who loved each other.

Watch this video, and share it with EVERYONE you know.

This is the reality of how marriage inequality affects real people's lives.

This is the reality of how much heartache and pain, bigotry, fear, discrimination and inequality can cause.

We have to fight for our rights. We have to change the laws, and we have to change the mindsets out there that it's ok to deny same sex couples the right to love and marry.

It is simply and unequivocally UNACCEPTABLE.

Your thoughts, comments and sharing of this article, video are appreciated.

I DESERVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE AND MARRY THE PERSON I LOVE

LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS

PERIOD.



I am in love...

LOVE LOVE LOVE...

Summer perfection

What are your fave tracks?

Lost

LOST

Let me begin by saying that as dramatic as the title of this post & picture looks and sounds - I am ok.

There's a really wonderful quote from my infatuation, aka Mr. Tom Ford that goes something like this - 'A few times in my life I’ve had moments of clarity, where the silence drowns out the noise, and I can feel rather than think.” It is in these moments that you know exactly what you want and where you are meant to be going in life. You feel what is right, and ignore the distracting thoughts that can cloud your journey. I have experienced moments like this in my past, and right now I am in desperate need of another.

Life is difficult, distracting, and unpredictable. One day everything makes sense, and the next it seems to be in turmoil - or is this only in my mad little world? Please say it isnt so. And yes, I am an absolute little drama queen and I fully aknowledge this, but sometimes its just a little too confusing even in my own head.

The bigger problem stems down to a lack of passion. A lack of something in my life that makes me go 'fuck yeah' and leaves me feeling fulfilled, content and of worth. For many years in the past, I have ignored the little voice in my head telling me what I should be doing. The little voice of your soul that gently guides you in your decision making and ultimately tries to deliver you to your happiness. Rationale has overtaken the heart. The mind has conquered the soul, and I have learnt much from these mistakes. I claim them and embrace them.

I have a broad sense of a goal now. I know what I would like to do this year, what will begin to make me feel happier and give me a greater sense of self identity. I am trully grateful for this as in years gone by that has been my biggest challenge.

Now it seems, it is the journey of how I get there that will prove to be the challenge.

I think Mr Ford got it right when he spoke of the noise of life. The hum drum of every day living which is incredibly distracting and ultimately distracting from your overall happiness. You know what I mean - the every day shit that over takes you and overwhelms you lest you be fully aware of it and keep it at bay.

Every day living is unavoidable. The bills have got to be paid, people have got to be seen, and you have got to get on with it.

The question is how do we work towards our happiness whilst completing the 'every day stuff'. How do we keep the fire of passion burning whilst making sure not to lose yourself in your own being.

Overthinking, and under feeling. This has been my biggest mistake of late.

Taking a leap of faith, is I feel soon needed.

Thank you for reading my ramblings - this is healing for the soul.

I wish you much happiness and healing too in your journey!

Leave your comments/thoughts :)



Campy Little Queen...

Campy Little Queen...

Picture it, if you will, 1964, Sicily... No, that's an opening line from another drama, I couldn't never dare attempt to copy. But let's try this again.

A few days back whilst on my lunch, in a lovely cafe, serving super lovely food, by super lovely looking waiters - one to be exact, upon which my eye was focused, I had an interesting thought.

Now let's not immediately let our minds wander directly to the gutter, but rather a rather fascinating place of self discovery - (I did say we would try stay out of the gutter).
After allowing myself a moment of visual dessert and letting my eye appreciate his wonder, I happened on noticing his body language.

One hand on hip, hip slightly cocked, the other hand - wrist flailing, posturing for the 'perfect' camp position, when I thought - Wow, he's a camp little queen. And then it dawned on me. Not in a rapturous, angels singing kinda way, but rather a 'hang on you little hyprocrite' let's be careful with what label's we're throwing about, we never know what may stick' kinda way. It lead me to think - Is this young man merely perpetuating a stereotype, or is it an identity he's been forced to adopt, by societal expectations in order to fit in.

Stereotypes - Self defined, or societally inflicted?

A stereotype, as defined by the Oracle, which is Wikipedia (yeah - we believe everything right?) is:

A popular belief about a group of individuals - Stereotypes are standardised and simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions.

So, if a stereotype is based on thoughts derived from previous assumptions, who is making these previous assumptions, and how is it being manifested or internalised?

We could all probably list a few stereotype examples right off the bat, if asked. Like, oh all white guys can't dance, and all black men are hung like donkeys - (leave the gutter people, leave the gutter)And for those of you, not in the know - A few popular gay stereotypes are exist, things like 'All gays love Kylie (well they should...), gay men are all effeminate, gay men are all promiscuous, gay men are all into beauty products (really, they should be) etc etc. The lists goes on, and in the end, it looks like all gay men listen to Kylie, whilst applying their product, before their 3rd date for the night, matching their glitter with their pearls.

Blah - Wrong.

But, it lead me to start thinking, and as the example of the lovely waiter suggested, that perhaps gay men have some how internalised these stereotypes, and perhaps unknowingly (or knowingly) have purposely started perpetuating them for a greater ease in their lives. Was this young man a campy little queen, or was he merely acting like one because it felt comfortable, and easy in a 'camp surrounding?'

The wheels in my brain just kept on a ticking.... tick tick tick tick tick - pay bill, leave, be late back to work.

Are stereotypes real? - This depends on how we are interpreting 'real' - real as in do they exist? Yes, they do. Are they correct - not necessarily.

As a young gay man, as much as I may not like to admit this - I do fall into some pretty broad gay stereotypical terms

I am: 'into beauty products - gotta pay the bills honey'

A Kylie. Madonna. And Gaga fan - Jesus, the mind fight is still on going, onto who is queen

A lil bit sassy/bitchy when I gotta be - Yes I fully acknowledge this one, dear friends that are reading/laughing/smirking.

Effeminate - when I switch it on, and turn the 'camp dial' from 'Off  - OMG, can you say QUEEEEN'

But as much as I admit to these, the vast majority of strangers fail to recognise my homosexuality immediately (stop laughing friends) - which then leads to start thinking, so I'm 'straight acting'- But why am I 'straight acting' - is it because I don't want to be judged and its easier to 'blend in'?

I do feel like I have a tendency to ask alot of questions? LOL

So as a gay collective, have we internalised stereotypical thinking because it's been put out there by 'straight society' which controls the media etc, or are these stereotypes around because they're true, and we've made them a part of who we are - perhaps a self defence mechanism?

Its a very difficult question to answer - and I'm not sure if I am at a definitive place on this one yet?

Speaking to friends/colleagues/family, the general consensus seems to be that we hate stereotypes, but that they are very easily being perpetuated and continued. This is for a variety of factors - acceptance, acting, misunderstanding, poor choices etc. But on the whole, there seems to be a negative connotation with stereotypical living - but perhaps that in its own right is a stereotypical thought process by a group of people struggling with self identity?

Was it fair to label this young man a campy little queen? Probably not.

Do I still think he is a queen - absolutely.

Is this wrong? - Most definitely.

Does it change my thought process? - No.

Can I answer this broader thought process? Not right now.

What are your thoughts?

What I am however, trying to do is to limit the way I accept stereotypes and to look further and perhaps deeper at an individual to understand who they really are.

Sure as hell, does make people watching fascinating.

Leave me thoughts/comments/etc on this matter.

I'd love to know what you think?

New Stereotype: Craig is pretty damn fabulous, but asks to many questions and has too few answers :)

Equality Pride

EQUALITY - And having the voice to share your pride

A courageous young American gay man is making a ground breaking documentary to highlight the truth about discrimination and inequality which surrounds being gay in the USA, and largely in many countries around the globe.

This is a young man who is courageous enough to use his passion, gifts and skills for something he believes in.

Please have a look at the campaign below for more information and how you can help fund this important cause.

I'm supporting - Will you?

Well Done Ryan!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ryanjamesyezak/second-class-citizens-documentary

Reboot

New Year, New You?

Happy New Year Kids!

Tis moi, the Fabulous Princess (insider joke) back on the blog, much like back on many other things this year.

My apologies that it has been so long since I last blogged. Miss Life kinda got in the way, and a total shit load happened whilst I've been away

So its 2012 - supposed end of the world, if you believe that kinda nonsense. Another year come and gone, with resolutions to make and break. So what are you giving up?

Whilst you ponder on that, I'll provide a quick update of the happenings of Pretty damn fabulous boy - Nov, the most super fabulous holiday to Miami with my gays. Stuff of legends and Rihanna's 'We Found Love' song will forever be the Miami White Party song.
December brought a new job for moi - back to a previous employer - better the devil you know huh?
Christmas, Boxing Day Sales & the horror that is retail all combined to be totally busy and distracting.
Had a super lovely Christmas day with my man, and New Years with our gays. All in all - super Fabulous.

So what's on the horizon for 2012 - Well... We take over the world!!!!!!!!!!!
Just kidding.

I'm looking to continue discovering the fabulous in the world around me. Share the ramblings that go on in my head (and Lord knows there's enough of that shit to go ALL around).
A few highlights include:
- New Job
- Month long holiday to Australia in March - scouting trip for potential moves - G'day Mate
- Ibiza holiday in August
- World Pride in London in July

Summed up - pretty Damn Fabulous.

But on a serious note - I also hope to get more involved in gay social activism and make a difference.
Who wants to join me? Gays gone good - anyone?

I've not yet made any resolutions. 2011 resolutions totally failed. And that made me feel defeated. So less of that, and more of living in the moment.

And definitely - more fun, more madness, and more fabulous!

Please share my page, follow and make me feel like a celebrity? Ok?

Thanks

Errr do it now PLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEAZZE! :)

More regular bloggies coming - I promise.

Still Alive

Gorgeous Kids

I'm still alive and I will be blogging again soon!!!

More madness/ rants/ shit to say coming

Don't leave me yet! :)

C

Love, Don't Hate

Love, Don't Hate

Hatred is a horrible, nasty little thing that festers deep within the soul.

It manifests itself in ugly, dangerous ways, but often hidden behind walls of fake smiles, handshakes and innuendos.

Sometimes its overt, loud, falsely proud and in your face

Case in point - the Rick Perry video doing the rounds online.

For those of you not in the know:
A Texan lawmaker who is running for the American presidency in 2012.
Easy win for him, to spout his hate online, very clearly outlining his disdain of homosexuality hidden behind the veil of advocating religious freedoms.

This is not a message of religious expression.
This is not a message of freedom of speech.

This is Hate.
Pure, dirty, misguided and unnecessary HATE.

Rick Perry - your words influence lives.
They influence young people who are confused, struggling with identity and potentially holding the gun up against their own heads.
Your words spread hate.

Love, Don't Hate!
At the very least, if you can't do that.
Be Quiet.

See below a brilliant video response from a young proud gay American who makes me proud to be a fellow homosexual.

Family

Well howdy doodle kids!

I've been away, on a somewhat super fabulous vacation to the US, where I partied the hours away with my gorgeous husband, and a fabulous group of friends, surrounded by a sea of super hot muscley gays, as the picture above shows. (and yes I was the paparazzi perve taking the photo)

Partying on the beach, in glorious weather, sun shining down, great music playing, and an open bar certainly stacked up for a recipe of glorious fun, fun fun! The event was called 'Muscle Beach' and it certainly was exactly that... I was surrounded by the most muscley gay men I have ever seen in one spot, making it the gayest and possibly hottest event ever...

Think loads of good looking, muscled, bronzed gays partying it up to 'sickening' good grooves, all the while having the gorgeous ocean behind you. It was.... HAWWT!!
Super Hawt!

Whilst I was watching the sea of muscle, groove and grind to the music, and besides perving my little gay eye balls out, I started thinking about how hedonistic gay boys are (myself included - I won't dare to try not wear that badge), how we love a good party, half naked flesh and free booze - did someone say awesomeness?
Well yes, it was awesome - but was there something we were missing...

Gay's are renowned for having good parties and 'banding' together to get their groove on. We can shake it like our momma's made it, and gurl - we do... but I kept thinking -

If only we could come together like we do at parties, on the big issues? Gay Marriage, gay rights, adoption, legislation and equality. And... yes, before you jump on the, 'let's pound Craig' with examples bandwagon, of how there are groups of gays that do band together, I'm looking at this for a much bigger picture.

Gays - let's be honest with ourselves. We could and definitely need to be able to come together and focus on changing our worlds for the better - together.

And let's bloody hell make it a good party kids - We can do anything!!!

After all - WE ARE FAMILY.... ALL MY SISTERS AND ME.... WE ARE FAMILY....

What are your thoughts?

Courage

Courage...

Hello fabulous people

Please watch the below video, made by a very courageous young man. He shares very personal and intimate feelings of what's going on in his life.

Like so many young people out there, he struggles with bullying, acceptance and living in a world where calling someone a fag is run of the mill...

I've been this young man. Maybe you are this young man right now.

This video moved me to tears... but it also made me smile and realise how very courageous this young man is.

I offer a challenge to all those young people out there feeling like Jonah does - be courageous and live!



MiGAYmi & Ft LauderGAYle

Howdy Kids

I need to apologise, I have been an absolute slacker of a blogger the past few weeks.
Important life changes (and no I am not pregnant) have been occuring, and I've just not had any time to write!

I am off to the States for 2 weeks, where I hope to add 2 posts about whatever the hell strikes my fancy whilst I am sunning myself in Florida.

Stay tuned kids - Big gay ol things a coming!
I'm going to the White Party - all gay, all fun, all half naked adonis's

Rainbow Kids

Rainbow Kids

So if you haven't already figured it out - I am a gay man. Gay, gay gay and pretty much write about mostly gay related things/ramblings

It's taken me a while and a whole lotta anguish and confusion to finally be able to say that I am 100% so happy and proud to be gay. I'm 27, turning 28 next week (gay middle aged crisis approaching) and could not be prouder to be an out gay man. Loud and proud honey!

I'm pretty passionate about helping young LGBT teens and kids and think more needs to be done in order to help them realise that they are pretty damn fabulous just the way they are. Parents, schools, mentors, politicians, friends, family all can do more to help these beautiful young people bloom and become comfortable in their own skins

God knows, I know what it was like to be a young gay kid who doesn't understand what the hell is going on in his head, let alone in his heart (or his pants). Its tough thinking you're 'wierd', or 'wrong', and having society reinforce that false message on a daily basis doesn't help your sense of own personal development and confidence.

So I am particularly pleased and motivated when I discover families and special people who are actively trying to make their children's lives even more fabulous and accept them whole heartedly for who they are, regardless of whether or not they're growing up to be a little Mary or butch assed lesbo. They love them for who they are!

I'm following an amazing blog at the moment, out of the big ol US of A of a Mom's chronicles of raising her two boys, one of which is shaping up to be a pretty effeminate young guy who possibly (and probably) is gay.

Now before you jump the gun and start clicking close, since I'm advocating something American, this blog is pretty awesome. CJ and his family's adventures are written by his ( I think pretty fabulous Mom) who shares personal and thought provoking information about the challenges of trying to raise kids, let alone one who may be gay and loves all things pretty, pink and princessy!

I've been there, I was the young fem kid who would prefer to play in his own world of princesses, fairy tales and rainbows. And I know its super important to be in an environment in the real world that is loving, supportive and totally accepting. So well done CJ's Mom and Dad (and Uncle Uncle, and big brother)

The blog is called Raising My Rainbow, and it is beautifully written, both from the heart and from the real perspective of being a Mom.

The link is below - Read it, share it and love it. I do!

Its pretty damn fabulous!!

http://raisingmyrainbow.com/

Futile Prayers

When Prayers are Futile

I close my eyes and I can see myself many years ago, back in a scared vulnerable place. I was 16 years old, it was late at night, and I was alone in bed, my mind disturbed and my heart racing. I lay there in the dark and started to pray, hoping it would be the solution to help me feel better about the turmoil I felt inside. 

I lay there and prayed, prayed to God for one thing, and one thing only. Please God, make me normal - make me like the rest of the boys. Make me like girls, make me what I should be, and let me get a girlfriend. Please let me be normal, make me straight - I do not want to be gay.

Being gay was a sin, being gay was wrong, and I was not supposed to be having these feelings about boys. I was not supposed to be looking at boys at school and secretly feeling lust. I did not want to be a sinner, and disappoint my friends, family and especially my Creator.

I was scared and I thought God could help me. I prayed, and prayed and prayed, until I fell asleep from pure exhaustion. I woke the next day and knew that deep down in my soul, nothing had changed... that my prayers went unanswered.

I grew up in a pretty religious family. We went to church every Sunday, we went to Bible Study classes twice a week, and we always attended all church and religious functions. My Mom was incredibly proud of her children who had found God, and especially of her two boys who were the perfect choir boys. Except that I was praying to God every night and day to make me something I was not.

My prayer to be straight and for God to change me become an obsession. I would find myself praying the same thing over and over at all times of the day.

Fast forward a year and I was still praying the same prayer, with even more fervour, determined that God would one day hear my prayer, and that I would wake up different.

But my prayer continued to go unanswered and the pressure and turmoil of what I was feeling inside continued to grow. I continued to feel alone, abnormal and sinful.

I began to become convinced that what I was, was wrong. These gay feelings I had inside were wrong, and that I was disappointing God, and that was why he continued to ignore my prayers.

I began to think about suicide. Seriously began to think that my life was better off dead, and that ending it all would somehow be seen as the right thing in the eyes of the almighty Father. I felt more and more alone in my own world. My parents had issues of their own, my brother was living in another country, and my sister was on her own mission. My friends did not have a clue and there didn't seem anyone else that I felt could help, or would help.

I started to think about how I could end my life quickly and the least painfully. My mind started to become preoccupied with overdosing on medication/pills. I had easy access to them, I had the time and privacy and least of all, started to lose any hope that things would change.

Ultimately my life was dramatically changed and completely turned around the day I came home to find my Mom lying unconscious on the floor, where she had beaten me to the tablets. My thoughts of suicide dissipated immediately in the very scary aftermath of saving a loved ones live and having to deal with the turmoil and stress that follows an event like that.

I pushed my own issues deep down and repressed any hardship or struggles I was feeling about being gay in order to help my family that needed me now, to deal with another crisis.

In retrospect, I thank God that he did not answer my prayer, and that things turned out how they did. My Mom recovered, my family healed, and I got to the point where I awoke one morning to the beautiful realisation that what I was, was perfectly OK. I was gay, and I accepted that I was perfect in my own right.

My prayers changed dramatically and I prayed to God a prayer of thanksgiving every night since, thanking him for ignoring a silly, futile, and incorrect prayer. I thank him for the fact that I did not try follow through with the crazy thoughts I was having about ending it all. I thank him for the fact that I accepted myself for being perfect just the way I was. And I realise that God made me exactly the way he meant to.

Gay, special, and loved.

To anyone reading this, who may be praying the same futile prayer of God changing them from being gay - God will not answer that prayer, just as he did not answer my prayer. Because there is nothing to change and you are EXACTLY the way He meant you to be.

Life won't get easy immediately - and you will probably still have difficulty in your life. But I promise this. As soon as you learn to love the person you see in the mirror when you look at your reflection, that's when your prayers will change, and you will realise that God loves you exactly for who you are.

My prayer tonight is this - Live your life, find your happiness and may God bless you abundantly.



Homorazzi!

Hey Kids

So a total shameless plug of an article I had published this past weekend on a great Canadian gay news blog - homorazzi.

All about gay identity and our own self loathing. Are you a 'straight acting gay' or a 'femme fatal fag?'

Or like me, can you flip that switch on!

Have a read - I'd love your feedback/comments either here or on Homorazzi

http://www.homorazzi.com/article/gay-acting-straight-acting-too-flamboyant-gay-stereotypes-sexuality-judgement/

Remembering the Fallen

A beautiful and poignant video to remember the lives lost

Please share the message that life is worth living for LGBT youth.

Help save the unknown!

You are Titanium!

Titanium

Dear Young Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender person

I'm writing this letter to you, to let you know the most important thing in this whole world, right now the only thing that you need to know and understand. Regardless of anything negative, scary, or horrible that may be going on in your life right now, there is only one message I want you to know and accept, down to the deepest recesses of your soul:

Life is worth living and that you deserve to LIVE!

You may have some pretty horrible things going on right now in your life. You may be being bullied for who and what you are. People may be calling you names, threatening you, beating you up or worse. But listen to me now, and accept my one simple truth

You are perfect exactly as you are and do not have to change for anyone. 

Bullying and hatred go hand in hand, and unfortunately are all too common these days in our modern lives. People will not understand who you are, or why you are the way you are. But that's ok. They don't have to. The only person who matters is YOU.

You are the most important person in your life, and you deserve to love yourself for who you are implicitly.

I am a young, happy gay man who has been through what you are going through. I have been bullied, threatened, spat at, ridiculed and treated like a piece of dirt because of my sexuality. Despite this, I got through it and continue to get through it. I live on, because I love myself and know that deep down in my soul, I am perfect.

Life may be very hard right now. You may think you do not have any other options besides suicide. You may feel alone, ignored and misunderstood.
Know that you are NOT ALONE. Somewhere out there someone who has written this has gone through exactly what you are going through and has SURVIVED.

You CAN and WILL SURVIVE.

I have a song that I dedicate to you now - it has helped me through some very dark feelings. It inspires me, and makes me want to continue living and loving.

These are the lyrics:

"Titanium"(feat. Sia)

[Sia:]
You shout it out
But I can't hear a word you say
I'm talking loud not saying much
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
You shoot me down, but I get up

[Chorus:]
I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

[Sia:]
Cut me down
But it's you who have further to fall
Ghost town, haunted love
Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones
I'm talking loud not saying much

[Chorus:]
I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
I am titanium
I am titanium

[Sia:]
Stone-hard, machine gun
Firing at the ones who run
Stone-hard, those bulletproof glass

[Chorus:]
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
I am titanium

YOU ARE TITANIUM AND WILL NOT FALL - DO NOT LET YOURSELF FALL!

Life is worth living.
Live your life!

Much Love

Craig

Bad News...

Bad News...

Well kids, the past few weeks have been pretty eventful, particularly with the effect of bad news being attracted to me like a whore to a £20 note. Its had its ups and downs, and hey I'm still here.


I've decided some pretty big things, and decided to make some changes to the 'comfortable' life I lead. How this pans out, is going to be one helluva interesting ride - watch this space.

But I can't help but feel that I have been plagued by bad news/luck of late, and keep asking myself 'its supposed to come in 3's right - then why the hell am I on number 5 already?'

Some of the bad news has been minor, some of it a little more serious, but I'm trying to stay positive here. From having my phone stolen this week, by a somewhat crack dealerish looking individual, to my mortgage being declined by banks that are trying to save their own arses, I've tried to look at all this with one attitude in mind...

Roll with the fucking punches!
Life may be throwing a few punches right now... but damn I'm a tough queen and I'll roll with the fucking punches

That said... any good luck charms, wishes, potions, etc wouldn't hurt...
Just saying!




Role Models

Role Models... Queer leaders!

Having a role model, or someone you can look up to is probably one of the most important aspects to growing up and understanding a bigger sense of this big ol world. It helps to give you a sense of knowing that you can become something, and that your life can truly be amazing.

Growing up as a queer, gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual kid is tough. Its tough to understand what the hell is going on in your own head, let alone in your own body, and its a whole lot tougher when you think you are the only one feeling the way you do. Feeling awkward, scared, like a disappointment, 'wrong' and praying to God every night and day to make you 'normal' makes it freaking tough people.

And having a role model(s) to look up to can so easily help ease that burden.

I grew up as a confused gay boy in a traditional South African family, where religion played a heavy formative role on my life and my parent's conservative attitudes shaped me into the person that I am today. I clearly remember growing up feeling 'different' and knowing that I was not how I was supposed to be, according to my society, in terms of what we considered 'normal'. I would of course come to realise later in life, that what was considered 'normal' was pretty much a very isolated and small world, and that I was indeed actually pretty fucking normal and that I was exactly who I was meant to be.

I did however, grow up without any real gay role models. I did not have anyone specific enough for me to look up to, and understand that it was ok to be a gay man, and that life went on, and it was fabulous. I did in some ways have a family member who was also gay and I would later on in my teens realise would play a role in being a role model, but that experience was also fraught with issues.

As I have grown into an adult gay man, who pretty much leads a pretty fabulous life, filled with much love, happiness, and laughter, I now realise that it is so fundamentally important that young LGBT youth get a message of hope and happiness! It is something that has been consuming my mind, heart and soul and my need to be a role model grows every day.

A while back in the US, a number of young gay teens killed themselves. Bullying, harassment, homophobia and hatred led them to taking their own lives. It was and is a sad indictment on modern society and culture to know that these beautiful young gay men thought it better to put a gun to their heads, a rope around their necks, or a mouthful of pills to end it all.

The It Gets Better campaign www.itgetsbetter.org was created by Dan Savage and Terry Miller following these sad events to help create role models and a message of hope to any confused, scared LGBT youth out there, to know that it would indeed get better. I am intensely passionate and proud of this campaign and will be blogging on it more in the weeks to come.

Other stories and messages out there also inspire me and there are some very special individuals out there whose messages and stories serve as inspiration for all, and who deserve to be called role models.

One such message and individual is from a US politician named Joel Burns.

Please watch the below video which explains his message and story.

I would like to be a voice like this.

I would like to be a role model.

I will save a life! Will you also make a difference?

I want the tragic loss of Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, Justin Aaberg, Seth Walsh and so many others to never happen again. Life is beautiful and worth living. And we need to make that message LOUD and CLEAR.

Risky Uncertainty

Uncertainty...

So let's throw this out there, what's the relationship between uncertainty and risk kids?

Because right now, I am bloody uncertain about a certain part of my life, and really wonder if the risk is worth it? I know, that's so totally mysterious. That's the way I roll.

But on a serious note, there is opportunity for me to do something pretty 'risky' which means my immediate future would be pretty uncertain, but the rewards potentially outweigh all the negatives.

I am however stuck as to what I do next...

Unfortunately I cannot share anymore at the moment, but what are your thoughts on risk and uncertainty?

In other news, I've officially become a British citizen which is super awesome. A queen for a queen I say, and I must apologise for being rather slack with updating this blog. I've been keeping the words (and voices) in my head... overflow imminent!

Speaking about this blog - I am somewhat amazed at how few followers I have here. Clearly I am not as interesting as I thought - ha!

This is now where you click follow, send to friends to do the same, and thus validate my ego and make me feel even more fabulous.

Get clicking bitches!



Music moves the soul. This does mine.

Dance... like no one is watching and there is no tomorrow.