"Q is for . . . "
Hey y'all,
We're going to swing a bit off topic here - and I promise to post my original idea for "Love Letters" part "q" - a collection of design quotes - on the blog soon. But, today I've got something kinda weighing on my mind - and it feels appropriate to talk about it here. I'm just gonna start typing - and press 'publish' at some point -
There's been a great deal of press coverage over the last few weeks about gay and lesbian kids who've been committing suicide because of relentless bullying at school. Whenever there is a 'press frenzy' on any particular topic - I always wonder if it IS actually getting worse - or just getting more coverage . . . and I don't really have a specific answer to that question.
Now, every so often (as in 'an almost neurotically everyday' kinda often -lol) I check with google to see how many people read my blog each day. It's an obsession that I'm not particularly proud of - but frankly, it's something I do. And I always wonder who is out there - reading about my love of bed canopies and beach workouts. Or about my trips to New York. Or frustrations about delayed shipments from vendors. I heard someone joke that no one reads design blogs - except other design bloggers - but, those number just don't add up . . . lol. So I know you're out there. Reading.
But, if you're reading this. And you're young. And you're gay. And you're afraid.
I have one thing to say. It gets better.
Q is for . . . .
. . . Queer.
I am rarely, if ever, political on this space. That's not why I started writing this blog 2 years ago. It's not what I want this blog to be about. And telling you that a 46 year old interior designer living in San Francisco is gay can't even come as any kind of shock - lol . . . but, I love the life I've carved out for myself. I have an amazing collection of people surrounding me that I could NEVER have imagined when I was in middle school. Ugh, middle school. Being taunted. Getting beaten up. Being spit on. I've often wanted to go back in time - and tell my younger self - "don't worry. It gets better."
A wonderful project is growing over on Youtube started by Dan Savage. Gay men and women. Telling their stories to a younger generation. You can do a search under "it gets better" and find over 100. And it seems more get added everyday.
If you need to talk to someone - The Trevor Project is an excellent resource.
Cheers,
Scot
Comments
My heart goes out to anyone that has to be tortured mentally, no matter what their beliefs. It is cruel and uncalled for. I AM SORRY if you or anyone has had to go through being abused by someone else. They are the bad guys.
Young men and women will never stop being impressionable at this age, and all of them face abuse each day. I know. I have two children and they are faced with cruel people everyday, and they are not gay. People are JUST cruel.
I am sorry that this happens.
Teresa
While I do agree that people can be very cruel - what keeps me going is that people can also be AMAZING. It's just a matter of being our best selves -
That's what I aim for - with varying degrees of success - each day.
But, what I love about this project - is that it is giving encouragement and some perspective to people that might not have either of those things in their lives.
I truly hope that it helps.
Scot
It is has been a shameful week for all of us...
My proudest characteristic is that I have always
been a "Fag Hag" and damn proud of it!
xxx
xoxo
Scot
nice post, scot.
Thanks Scot.
quite simply, you ROCK.
cheers,
Scot
Tartanscot, thanks for holding yourself up as an example to young people and sharing the struggles you had in middle school. LOOK AT YOU NOW!!!
I am so glad you took the time to reinforce the message.
I am, forever, glad that you are queer and you are here. Wouldn't be the same without you. P
Another lurker here, coming out to comment...
Bravo to you for your beautiful and kind post. Your message of hope is exactly what so many need to hear. I'm proud to be on the "Q" team with folks like you.
xox,
Susan
You are a MAN among men, Scott.
And on one other note: I am NOT a designer, but visit your blog daily and read a jillion others, too. Those of you who write design blogs have taken MANY of us by the hand and schooled us!
I admire you for so many reasons, this is just one more thing that makes you special: your ability to inspire others.
No one should ever have to "come out". "In the closet" should be a thing of the past -antiquated and puzzling.
Here is to the specturm of people that color my world. Without the "Q" it's all shades of grey.
Queenie
I applaud your efforts to "Make it Right."
Ellen Thompson
* M
And I like bed canopies too. :)
There are more important things than good design. It is important to remind ourselves of that at times, and the people around us, and those all over who read about all the pretty stuff we ramble on about most of the time.
The most important message to me was that "it gets better".
Cheers,
Claudia