A Tribute to Gay Men
Gay men are God's gift to women.
I don't think I could walk through life's journey without the handful of quality friendships I have made with my gay friends.
First things first, there is no agenda in the friendship. Gay men like only men, not women, and that is liberating in itself. One example is in conversations. I think I have the most all-rounded, free-for-all conversations with gay men especially when it comes to relationships. My closest gay friend and the oldest as well has given me the best advice on how to deal with family relationships that have gone sour or how to tackle difficult bosses. And of course, sex is a hot topic. I called Danny one weekend and asked him for directions to an infamous joint which only he would know the way to. Our conversation drifted to what he was doing that night and he said, "Oh I was thinking about how Ken and I have a bath tub in our apartment and that we never use it. Just thought we might fill it with warm water, throw some rose petals and soak in it." Bless his soul for being comfortable with me.
The second aspect about gay men is that they are smack in the middle of the human spectrum--very much a male but also very much a female. By this I mean, girlie in a male way. You can go shopping with them and they will tell you as openly as possible which colour suits your skin tone and which outfit makes you look curvvy. Danny's boyfriend surprised me one night as we chatted for hours on South Beach diets, our waist lines, hottest travel destinations and Versace dinner sets. With heterosexual men, you will have to litter the conversation with where the dollar is headed next or if Gloria Arroyo will narrow the ballooning deficit.
Thirdly, gay men will make you feel like a real woman. Danny bought me gorgeous Russian jewellery for my birthday and opened a bottle of pink champagne as well. Another gay friend of mine sends me heart aching smses. His profile: Chinese male, very young. We met at piano class decades ago and recently, he asked me if I would join the choir he is in. When I agreed, that night he sent me a text message -- "I am so excited to see more of you in the future. Isn't that wonderful! Hugs and kisses." He will also see me off every Tuesday after choir class and make sure that I do find my way to choir as well. I used to tell him that I am older than him and very much an adult, but he doting over me does give me a warm feeling in my heart. That he cares and that too, for just my friendship.
The last thing I want to say about gay men is the support base they form for women. I know of a friend who was going through turbulent times in her marriage and it was her gay friends who took her out and constantly called and checked on her every Sunday night. When she decided to leave the country and start life on a clean slate, it was one gay friend of hers who wrote her an email saying he didn't want her go but would support her in whatever decision she made. In that very email were website links to the country she was moving too. She confessed to me later that she had tears in her eyes and counted her blessings that day.
This is definitely not a piece to bash heterosexual men but one to highlight qualities in homosexual men. Not much has been written about the latter and it's about time someone does. And this is purely a woman's point of view to throw some light on a community that has been around from time immemorial but has gained a visual presence in recent times.
I don't think I could walk through life's journey without the handful of quality friendships I have made with my gay friends.
First things first, there is no agenda in the friendship. Gay men like only men, not women, and that is liberating in itself. One example is in conversations. I think I have the most all-rounded, free-for-all conversations with gay men especially when it comes to relationships. My closest gay friend and the oldest as well has given me the best advice on how to deal with family relationships that have gone sour or how to tackle difficult bosses. And of course, sex is a hot topic. I called Danny one weekend and asked him for directions to an infamous joint which only he would know the way to. Our conversation drifted to what he was doing that night and he said, "Oh I was thinking about how Ken and I have a bath tub in our apartment and that we never use it. Just thought we might fill it with warm water, throw some rose petals and soak in it." Bless his soul for being comfortable with me.
The second aspect about gay men is that they are smack in the middle of the human spectrum--very much a male but also very much a female. By this I mean, girlie in a male way. You can go shopping with them and they will tell you as openly as possible which colour suits your skin tone and which outfit makes you look curvvy. Danny's boyfriend surprised me one night as we chatted for hours on South Beach diets, our waist lines, hottest travel destinations and Versace dinner sets. With heterosexual men, you will have to litter the conversation with where the dollar is headed next or if Gloria Arroyo will narrow the ballooning deficit.
Thirdly, gay men will make you feel like a real woman. Danny bought me gorgeous Russian jewellery for my birthday and opened a bottle of pink champagne as well. Another gay friend of mine sends me heart aching smses. His profile: Chinese male, very young. We met at piano class decades ago and recently, he asked me if I would join the choir he is in. When I agreed, that night he sent me a text message -- "I am so excited to see more of you in the future. Isn't that wonderful! Hugs and kisses." He will also see me off every Tuesday after choir class and make sure that I do find my way to choir as well. I used to tell him that I am older than him and very much an adult, but he doting over me does give me a warm feeling in my heart. That he cares and that too, for just my friendship.
The last thing I want to say about gay men is the support base they form for women. I know of a friend who was going through turbulent times in her marriage and it was her gay friends who took her out and constantly called and checked on her every Sunday night. When she decided to leave the country and start life on a clean slate, it was one gay friend of hers who wrote her an email saying he didn't want her go but would support her in whatever decision she made. In that very email were website links to the country she was moving too. She confessed to me later that she had tears in her eyes and counted her blessings that day.
This is definitely not a piece to bash heterosexual men but one to highlight qualities in homosexual men. Not much has been written about the latter and it's about time someone does. And this is purely a woman's point of view to throw some light on a community that has been around from time immemorial but has gained a visual presence in recent times.