Thankful at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is Thursday – like you didn’t know that.  I have always felt this is the best time of the year.  And not just for the obvious things, like days off from work, massive amounts of fat foods, booze, gifts, football, etc.  Like so many other people, I get a warm feeling at this time of year, feeling more attached to other people and to the communities around me, the communities that I am part of.  One of these communities is the Queer community, and as a gay man, I have a ton to be thankful for this year.

I am thankful for the activism shown by so many of my Queer brothers and sisters throughout this great country and around the world; I am thankful for our efforts around Prop 8, and, in the wake of defeat, for our ongoing commitment to turn a temporary loss into an ultimate victory. 

I am thankful for the ever-growing visibility and courage of Queer Americans, from the light-hearted yet opinion-altering force of Ellen Degeneres and her out and proud show, to the relentless spirit of Father Geoffrey Farrow of Fresno, CA, who accepted abandonment by his church rather than continue to accept a life of lies.

I am thankful for the courage shown by this nation in electing a young, smart and hope-inspiring man – who also happens to be African-American - as President of the United States, and for the fact that Barack Obama, in his acceptance speech before the entire world, directed the world’s attention to the inherent value of gays and lesbians as Americans, through and through.

I am thankful for my friends, my family, my dog Eric.  For the Cubs, for my health (what’s left of it!), for great music and for great times.

Most of all I am thankful for God’s gift to me, given through His divine countenance, which was to make me gay and to teach me to love.

I would love to hear what you are thankful for this year! 

Peace, brothers and sisters!

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

(Photo: Getty Images)

Comments

[gidderguy]

What's with this "queer" term you are using? I'm so fed up with that damn term. (Wikipedia: queer has generally meant "strange," "unusual," or "out of alignment." It might refer to something suspicious or "not quite right," or to a person with mild derangement or who exhibits socially inappropriate behavior.) Why do folks still use that word? It's a SETBACK.

[Boomer]

OMG!!!!!!!!!! GO CUBS GO!!! Good to see other cubs fans. Also, thanks for the link to the sports blog. I hadn't known about that before.

[Dale S]

I am Thankkful for many things especially my health, God's Love, Acceptance, and most importanly for Stephen....and ALL that that entails...

[Erich]

I'm thankful this year for my boyfriend who keeps me on my toes and motivates me through school...even though he spends all my money! lol...and i'm thankful for my ex who still remains my friend even for how our relationship ended. I am thankful for my best friend, she is ALWAYS there for me and will sacrifice her own happiness for me. I am thankful for sasha fierce too.

Low points this year i'm thankful for: for the boy who abandoned me in my car and i got a dui for it, for the drunk guy on the motorcycle who tried to run me off the road and kill me and for the guy who's yard I pulled into to flee and he came out with a gun pointed at me, for the man at the gas station who wanted me to give him a blow for money, for the boy who got me a second dui on halloween night and didnt come and pick me up so i had to walk down one of the biggest streets in columbus ohio at two in the morning wearing drag, and for the cops who took my stilettos from me and made me walk barefoot, for the cocaine that someone naughty left in my back seat, for my family who couldn't keep my secrets, for my best friend who tried to get me fired...and for my boyfiend who luaghed at me when i started bleeding out my mouth when i ran into the a/c...HERE'S TO A HAPPY THANKSGIVING...and a WONDERFUL 2008!!

[Ding]

I am a Filipino. In my country we do not celebrate thanksgiving but it does not stop us from being grateful. I have been lucky to be born into a good family with loving parents. Through the years I have managed to gather a few but very loyal friends and in the process I was able to find someone to love. I am always grateful for all these things and very grateful that I survive the everyday challenges that i face.

[Wyatt1969again]

So what do I really have to be thankful for?

I’m thankful that I’ve made it through a most difficult year.

Looking back I can say the many days spent at the park with my cousins – a squad consisting of troopers aged 4 through 17 – were filled with laughter and the casual insanity which usually accompanies the uninvited fart – in the back of my Jetta.

What can I say? Thank god for electric windows as well as that oh so welcome Christmas tree shaped red air deodorizer – cherry I think – if it’s red!

Children are – for lack of a better definition – the essential bringers of hope. They don’t care who you are or really what you’ve done – as long as you love them.

I wish the world could lean on this example more often. Forgive, move forward, renew, and try again.

I’ve seen the darkest side of humanity. I’ve been the bad guy when thinking I was the good guy - only to discover there is no such thing as black and white – right or wrong.

In the movies the good guys prevail after a dash or sprinkle of reality based pain – the motivation needed to propel the audience forward.

In real life – the good guys prevail after loosing quite a bit – of them selves – and then if they’re lucky – they have children or know someone with children – and after they have finally stopped searching for the unavailable answer to why it is things happen the way they do – if they’re lucky – they put their pain aside – their anger away – and go grab the kids.

Pop the trunk open and throw in the sports equipment – the cooler full of food – the folding chairs – a few blankets – perhaps the inseparable stuffed animal belonging to one audacious 4 year old – and of course a ton of other stuff which must be brought but is seldom ever used.

And so there we are – at the park – running around and laughing at laughter itself. Exhausting ourselves in the sun and stopping only to either catch our breath or grab a bite to eat.

Every time they smile at me I am one step further away from my mistakes. With every virtuous, innocent, selfish, unrehearsed bid for an extra piece of candy – I can only say…Yes.

I am 39 years old and not too long ago I was hit on by an enchanting 25 year old man - handsome, bright, masculine, and unbelievably interested in me - a surprise to say the least. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’d like a car full of him. So what did I do?

Well don’t be silly. After I took the kids home and tucked them away with their parents – I called him.

He doesn’t have a curfew. And I am thankful for that as well.

[Maynard]

2008 was a crazy year. I am thannkful to my family and friends who I love so much and who love me just as much.
I am thankful to God for letting me know he is here watching over me every day.
I am thankful for good health along with a good mind and spirit.
I am thankful that our country elected an african-american to President - a huge first in overcomming race discrimination.
I am thankful for being able to go back to school starting in January with the help of a student loan.
Happy Thanksgiving to All - Gobble Gobble :-)

[Most Thankful]

I am thankful for yet another white President elected into office! Oh, you think he's black? No, go back and look at his mom and her family. He acts, thinks, and carries himself as a white man. Go fellow milato's

[queerplanet]

I am thankful I am a homosexual.

I am thankful I am not a sports fanatic.

I am thankful I never had kids.

I am thankful I do not belong to any religion.

I am thankful I am not in the military.

I am thankful that heterosexism can be cured.

[Me]

I am thankful for prop 8. Without it, we will never know who our true friends are. Now I know the true colors of the south central riffraffs and the east side illegals. They aren't our friends when it counts. The condescending whities and the pretentious asians are annoying at times. But they are there when we need them. Thanks again prop 8 for opening my eyes to the truth!

[Debby]

I am thankful that I wake up everyday and have endless possibilities. Those possibilities shape my life and create my legacy.
www.yourprinting.net

[Michael Gilliland]

Im thankful for the opportunity to love.

Im thankful for being able to be me.

Im most thankful for finally coming out this year, it has been the best and worst so far, but the best since I can finally be who I was meant to be, complete!

[Clark]

Scouting...I am thankful that I have been able to start a boy scout troop for my sons.

[Clay Burton]

I am extremely Thankful for overcoming a nasty case of Pnemonia. I was so sick, weak, aching, couldn't breathe, fever, chills, a horrible non-stop chronic cough and enough of the most awful looking stuff coming out of my body! If you would have shot me I would have not complained!

It went on like that for weeks!

Sounds Gross right?

But this I will say and be quiet.

When I was in that submissive state of pure misery all I wanted was it to end!

And it did finally. today I have a far greater appreciate of my health and the simple act of breathing that I take advantage everyday! Thank God I don't smoke!

I am truly Thankful for feeling well and healthy! I agree with
"Dale S." (I am Thankful for many things especially my health, God's Love and all that it entails...) And Stephen too whomever you are! :)

[Clay Burton]

I am extremely Thankful for overcoming a nasty case of Pnemonia. I was so sick, weak, aching, couldn't breathe, fever, chills, a horrible non-stop chronic cough and enough of the most awful looking stuff coming out of my body! If you would have shot me I would have not complained!

It went on like that for weeks!

Sounds Gross right?

But this I will say and be quiet.

When I was in that submissive state of pure misery all I wanted was it to end!

And it did finally. today I have a far greater appreciate of my health and the simple act of breathing that I take advantage everyday! Thank God I don't smoke!

I am truly Thankful for feeling well and healthy! I agree with
"Dale S." (I am Thankful for many things especially my health, God's Love and all that it entails...) And Stephen too whomever you are! :)

[Anthony]

I am thankful for everyday that I am alive, for all the opportunities and privileges that have been bestowed upon me, and for the endless support of friends.

To the person who thinks the term "Queer" is a setback, you're right that Queer was used as a derogatory term in the past. However, I believe we have slowly reclaimed the word to mean something positive and as a representative "umbrella" term to connect all different type of queer groups together (ie. gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, intersex).

I can elaborate more if you'd like, just let me know.

Happy Turkey Day! may all of us get fat =)

[Lucas]

Hello

So much has changed my year from the wildwst roller coaster ride ever in history. I met a man, i'm, in love with that man. I have a good job and proved to my anti-gay family that gay men can be successful, not to mention i'm the only person in my family to own a car that costs more then 50k, so eat your heart out sailor Family, u thought you could rake me down and I rose above all the challeneges and came a rea; man but this does not come without it's challenges. I was diognosed with cancer a a month agao, I will be strong and once again a challenge threatends me to end up 6 feet under but let me tell you what sister, it's just not an option. I love to live, even when living hurst so much more then sleeping with no alarmclock. My name Is Lucas,and I have never given up on anything. I do however feel it is vitl that i remember the ones that made it posssible for me to get to where I am today, they did not put me here. but there kind words and sincere hearts that they shared with me was some of the push that i neeeded and on rare ocasions a kick in ht wee ass. Micheal Thomas and Shawn Weber, My true friends...friend, what a powerful word, time to see who your friends are.

Loce you all with my heart i will be arounduntill my time has come and only one person can make that call, and it sure is not me.

Love,

Lucas Zachary Tyler

[NH Baritone]

There's an element of "thankfulness" that seems interlaced with religion. Such supernaturalism is not a part of reality.

I prefer to keep gratitude directed only toward luck and the work I share with those I know. Quite frankly, most of it is due to luck, but enough is caused by our efforts, it's good to know that we are having a modicum of influence.

So for most of the benefits in my life, I thank my genes, my luck, those who share my life, and myself.

[Seeking Penance]

I am thankful that I have survived another year. It was rough; grasping a hold onto that last ounce of humility is always a challenge. Anger creeps up on you without notice.

I am thankful for my handfull of dear friends.

I am thankful for my best friend.

[mustach]

I bought a vibrator to spruce up me and my wifes sexlife after I serviced my wife,she started giving me a blowjob,I leaned back to enjoy the blowjob,closed my eyes,my wife raised my leg up and put the vibrator on my anus,I felt like I should protest but I didn't when she seen that I was'nt protesting she turned the vibrator on and slid it in my ass OH MY GOD IT FELT GOOD! now I wonder if I'm gay because in Mens public bathrooms I read the stuff on the walls and I wonder how the real thing in my ass would,I,m not attracted to men just like my ass fucked.

[Wyatt1969again]

I’m thankful that I live in a land where people like “Mustash” are allowed to pollute this blog.

You think I’m kidding? I am not.

While I am probably the least interested in his anal epiphany – I am in fact no worse for wear. I’m not so sure I can say this about him – hopefully he discovered lube.

The truth is – that the “Mustash’s” and “Brittany’s” of this world do have something to say and it is that same privilege they enjoy in espousing their tripe which allows us to speak – free from recrimination.

Oh the double edged sword of freedom. How it cuts thee to the quick.

But illumination is just that - more incandescent than ineffectual. We are the lot of us all the better to know where we stand – why it is we are viewed this way – and what it truly is we are up against.

Discourse is but one road taken to get where you’re going.

There are other ways to shake the tree as it were.

Don’t forget this.

Merry (almost) Christmas!

[Kelsey]

I have been visiting all my comments and completly understand why Wyatt is hated. He may be a killer first off people and the other reason is that he is stupid. He has been making the same comment over and over again to a certain person and making himself look foolish. He is not clever in his knowledge of anything and makes up lies.No one here at gay.com supports him and he is in need of getting a life and staying out of ours. We do not consider you friend you have burnt bridges with us here at gay.com and need to leave us all alone. We do not condone someone of your ignorance supporting us!