The Lifting of Jupiter’s Shadow

June 25th, 2011

I join many, many people today to celebrate the passage of a marriage equality law in my home state, New York.

As one (straight) friend put it: ‘we were thinking of you tonight and the lifting of Jupiter’s Shadow.’

I am filled with joy for all of us here today — and hope for the next generation to which we can now leave this wonderful legacy. I do believe this will provide more hope that love is always blessed, more proof that it gets better, and more light to those who feel crushed in the shadows.

Thanks to all the senators who had the bravery and integrity to pass this legislation — including some who risked much politically to do so.

                       
For fun, I post my stuff at www.GregoryGerard.net.

For serious, I post my stuff at www.JupitersShadow.com.

I invite you to visit my stuff.

Gay Catholic Author Says It Gets Better

October 10th, 2010

If you haven’t yet heard news about the “It Gets Better” project, I encourage you to take some time to check it out.

In support of the “It Gets Better” project, I’ve recorded the following video to add my voice. It’s my prayer today that all kids learn to celebrate diversity in all of its forms. I recognize that’s a bit of a utopian ideal, but I do have faith in ultimate goodness.

Also, as of today, the ebook of IN JUPITER’S SHADOW is available as a free download to anyone who struggles with same-gender attraction and their faith. My wish is that this story helps those who struggle with sexuality and religion to feel less alone; to feel less condemned by God, or church, or family, or society — or even themselves.

• For the iPhone or iPad: Download      IN JUPITER’S SHADOW (epub file)
• For the Amazon Kindle: Download      IN JUPITER’S SHADOW (mobi file)
• For reading on your computer: Download      IN JUPITER’S SHADOW (pdf file)

For fun, I post my stuff at www.GregoryGerard.net.
For serious, I post my stuff at www.JupitersShadow.com.
I invite you to visit my stuff.

Next Generation Gay

I’m pleased to know Stephen, a young man who grew up in the same rural

Western New York town as I.

I should start by saying that (way back!) in 1984, during my own high school years, I found it nearly impossible to admit – even to myself – that I had an attraction to other guys. I lived in the shadows, afraid that God, or church, or family, or friends might condemn me for revealing feelings that I worked very hard to keep inside…feelings I knew were “different”…and maybe unacceptable. (For those few on the planet that I HAVEN’T told, this story is chronicled in my memoir mystery, IN JUPITER’S SHADOW).

Flash forward 26 years.

This summer I was happy to attend Stephen’s graduation party (incidentally, on the same day as Rochester’s Pride March 2010) and see him be himself – a high school graduate, enthusiastic, enroute to college, out and proud.

I don’t wish to minimize the coming out struggle. It’s unique for everyone, as unique as sexuality. I think being labeled as “different” in high school, no matter what the difference is, is tough. For kids who identify their sexuality as GLBT during their teen years and are willing to talk openly about it – willing to be themselves – I have heard stories that there can be amount of backlash among their peers for this honesty.

That having been said, I wish to celebrate what I observed at Stephen’s party: straight and gay friends alike gathered in a rural Western New York town, playing kickball, eating BBQ and cake, drinking Coke, celebrating on a warm summer day. Nothing special; everything special.

I think Stephen’s brave and I think his friends are true and I think times are changing.

For fun, I put my stuff on www.GregoryGerard.net.

For serious, I put my stuff on www.JupitersShadow.com.

I invite you to visit my stuff.