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Wow. I haven't seen so many postings on one subject since the great 'hoosiers' controversy. Not one attempt at humour either. Ivan! What have you done? !!! Reading Ivan's original posting the following passage stood out: > Could the sight of two men holding hands in loving support of each > other , a PWP and his CG, and REPRESENTING us on OPRAH, make the > Parkinson's world recoil in internal turmoil? Would our Parkie style of > propriety, especially in this age of Udall Bill work, discriminate > against us same-gender partners?? It occured to me that this raises another issue. I, for one, cannot remember ever seeing, reading or hearing any media coverage of PD related matters that focused on care givers in any meaningfull way whatsoever. Oh we have lots of tear jerker post pallidotomy reunions, but I have never seen any attemot to show how this disease affects spouses (please read significant other) families, extended families, and the community at large. Before I call down the list wroth upon my head, let me state that I have no objections to emotional post pallidotomy reunions. Indeed I am hoping to experience one myself come April. My point is that carers, of any orientation, are as affected by PD as are PWP. Should anything come of this Oprah thing wouldn't it be wonderfull if the carers could be represented in some way. Speaking for myself I am more concerned that whoever appears on this anticipated show is articulate and able to convey the message that we are all hurting and need to find a way to stop this thing. In the final analysis, should the show actually take place, Harpo productions will select who THEY want, to reinforce whichever angle THEY have decided on. With that in mind, why the hell are we jumping on each others heads. Dennis. ++++++++++++++++++++ Dennis Greene 47/10 [log in to unmask] ++++++++++++++++++++ > WE talk about being VISIBLE, but the heterosexual PWP 's and CG's > are burying the thousands of GAY Parkinsonians. An obvious fact supports > this: > I AM THE ONLY GAY PWP who feels safe enough, so far, to be open about my > sexual orientation. Ask yourselves why this is happening............... > > If I, as a gay, younger (47), blue-eyed blond, bearded PWP, held > on to, or hugged, or gently kissed his very cute, special, 32 year-old > male friend ON THE AIR, and while REPRESENTING OUR PWP COMMUNITY, that > behavior would be perfectly natural for me. But a lot of our > listmembers would probably, I am disheartened to say, find this behavior > to set off red flashing sirens, screaming," out-of-bounds!" Is this > fair??? > > These expressions of love and support, SO acceptable in the hetero > world, would probably be the source of an outcry of "OH NO, DON'T LET > THIS BEHAVIOR REPRESENT US!" > > So, listmembers, what do you feel is acceptable? Please be honest. > I already know from at least one message sent to me after I had said, > like Barb Mallut had also said with an excitement that had me in stitches > with laughter, that I MIGHT enjoy seeing a man wearing a kilt (I didn't > say anything to suggest I would pursue dear Jeremy Browne!), that the > Parkinson's Community has never confronted the homophobia that pervades > and divides us from one another.. > > And unless we are open about our worries, we cannot move towards a > consensus. > > 2. CAREGIVER IMAGE > > If you look through the MAGAZINES AND FOUNDATION REPORTS on > Parkinson's (at least what I've seen), we GAY and LESBIAN Parkinsonians > have NEVER EVER been shown with our CAREGIVING PARTNERS, as role models. > > ....It's no wonder gay and lesbian PWP's and CG's are hiding. WE ARE > STILL EXCLUDED. > ANd that EXCLUSION hurts us. > > So, I must pursue this, because I feel like I am a lone voice for > thousands of creative GAY and LESBIAN PWP's and CG's who are completely > INVISIBLE. > We have so much to give to our whole community, but will you let us do > that for the benefit of all, while meanwhile not pushing us into the > closets of the world?? > > So my question is, WHAT PUBLIC IMAGE OF PWP's AND THEIR > CAREPARTNERS is comfortable for you?? What public image is unacceptable > as a role model of our common battle?? Again, PLEASE be honest. > ............................................................................ .. > ............................................................................ > "The world is like a spider's web---touch it anywhere, and it quivers > everywhere" > > > Ivan Suzman > 47/10 Portland, Maine > land of lighthouses > and, "Proud-to-be-gay!" > ............................................................................ .. > ............................................................................ . >