Eye Contact
November 29, 2012
Many years ago…I was sitting outside of a small café…in Paris…having an Espresso with my Mother….
She noticed a guy staring at me..and asked if I knew him…I said No …but he is gay….
How in the world do you know was her response….
I said Gay men can spot another Gay man almost instantly…this was back in the 80’s ..when gay men dressed differently than straight men….but it is BEYOND clothing…there is an energy that is different….you pick it up in their eye…..and this does NOT mean they necessarily want to bed you…you both just recognize each other….
I was watching Charlie Rose’s interview last night with Award Winning Author Andrew Sullivan…who just wrote “Far From The Tree”…..and I thought JEEZ what a Queen…as first of all the way he was dressed…collar tie bar and all .(and I am not criticizing him..just a different style than me)….his hair….and his eyes totally gave him away to me …but I imagine straight people might not be aware..which makes me think of the TV show “New Normal”…which for me is just TOO gay…as is Glee…I prefer “Modern Family” which is more realistic…
But Charlie brought out some points – as only he can do…the brilliant book is about how sometime a child is born and does NOT turn out like the parents….which creates challenges…that in the end broadens their understanding of life and love….
The book is about all of the neglected “odd” people…from dwarfs to autistic..children raped multiple times …to transgender
Andrew said when he started this book he found “disability frightening”…but found his attitude TOTALLY changed…due to the parents being TOTALLY changed people…loving and supporting their child…..
It is a touching interview…and makes you think….
And the reason this subject came up is that as I was walking back from the gym… I was stopped at a light that was red…
it had been raining…I was wearing my LONG black calf length raincoat….(I never have understood WHY men wear raincoats that fall just below their crotch..as it looks like something is missing…it looks dreadful )
As I was waiting for the light to change….this homeless man came up…talking very LOUDLY …but with a slur…physically impaired….
I usually do not make eye contact…as one never knows if their mind has been destroyed by crystal meth…or the new thing inhaling bath salts…..and could be physically violent…
But for some reason… I DID look directly at this man…probably in his 30’s…some of his teeth were missing ..the rest black…our eyes connected
I was hit …like by a tsunami….as he smiled at me and said with his autistic? disabled slur
“YOU really know how to wear that coat…most men would not…you look GOOD”