In
the present day this issue is still hotly debated..
For
myself I am Out ... all the way Out
*
But
it has been recent that I am Out under ALL conditions , in the past
I found it prudent
to
make a different choice, and I KNOW there will be those who disagree
with me,
but
my reasoning made sense to me at the time.. perhaps they can serve
as a
possible
guide line for yourself if your stuck
for
an answer to this question
*
There
have been many who have Praised my openness about my faith, and I thank
them
but
I haven't always been so far out, that I've never been in the closet..,
although members
of
my family would tell you I am still OUT .. of my mind :)
*
They
think I am weird, but then they have always thought so , but I am the first
person
they
call on to bless a new house too hehehehehe.. :)
*
In
Az. , where I spent half of my adult life,
Out
of the closet was fairly easy,
there
is a very large ,very bold Pagan community
*
Unlike
Calif. where I currently live, Ive been here almost 7 years and have only
meet two
family
members and have never seen a festival or anything else,
advertised
in the paper
*
The
Pagans of AZ. had already fought for the right to be out there, before
I became a part of them,
but
it didn't come easy. The first public ritual they held,was an occasion
for
TV
crews and Protesters with picket signs
*
Now
it barely rates a notation on the society page :)
But...Even
in this very open Community. I was still in the closet
when
it came to my job.. why..? Because I worked for the Catholic diocese is
why.
*
I
would have been black listed entire, all my schooling would
have
been for naught. Not to mention the 200 plus people who wouldn't have gotten
the
training I provided
*
My
immediate supervisor knew and understood,
but
kept it to herself, but the people who
signed
both our paychecks didn't know, and
I
was not about to tell them.
I
didn't mention it to school boards either, as I had no desire to
lose
my kids over it , as had happened to others.. is this right..?
No..!
*
Does
it happen.. ? Unfortunately
yes
it did .. and in some places as I understand,
is
still happening :(
*
There's
been a Pagan bumper sticker on my Car only once, as I have always had the
kids,
mine or the Grands with me, until recently
*
The
very first time I did put one on, some fool tried to run me off the road..
for it..
(
I know because the Cop who saw it all happen and went after and got the
man, told
me
to stop asking for trouble and lose the sticker.. can ya believe it..!
Mind
you this was some 25 years ago ) but off it came,
as
I could not in good faith risk the lives of others,
the
kids in this case, for my beliefs.
*
An
it harm none.. do what thou wilt..
and
for them coming out too public at that time..
would
have been harm
*
Just
as an FYI, the only reason there is not one now,
is
I don't have a car thats mine
hehehehehhe
:)
*
Other
Coven members were openly attacked, in public,
by
some outraged citizen who nearly took
a
coven members head off with a baseball bat.
What
he did to their ritual goods is a crying shame too.
*
For
no other reason than they were holding ritual
in
the same place we customarily
held
such things..but they were alone.. just the two of them..
which
made them an open target
*
Now
that its just me. And some 20 years later.. :)
I
say bring it on Honey.. Whatever ya got..
:)
as
the only hide I'M risking is my own , it's a sad thing to say of our world
that
some would still threaten the lives,livelihoods and children,
of
others for a difference of opinion,
but
it can happen..
has
happened,
and
in some places is STILL happening
*
So
we need both sides, protection, the closet..
While
we build a base that is strong,
and
let others know
WE
ARE BACK ...
AND
THIS TIME ... WE ARE STAYING !
*
So
do choose a place to stand, but do so mindful of the rights
of
those around you who could be affected, meanwhile ...IMHO
*
Those
of us, like me, who have none to be hurt by the slings and arrows
of
outrageous misfortune will Be Bold,
and
Make noise...
*
So
soon, if we are bold enough,
there
will be no need for a closet to be in,
for
any of us..
*
This
is my daily prayer for us all
Blessed
Be
