Ignorance

In the uk gay people can now legally marry in a civil service so i guess you could say thats a huge leap in social acceptance, of course there will always be those that are against this but its happened and its progress but for some people its more than being just against gay people getting married its just the fact that there gay and there perceptions are just based on ignorance.

I have a friend whom i have known for many years since we were children and we have children of the same age, during school holidays i look after her children 2 days a week as im home (an advantage of working in a school is it fits perfect with having the holidays off) and in return she has my daughter one day each week during school term when i work late doing after school clubs so its an arrangement that suits us both.

I went to see her on Thursday to let her know that i would not be able to have her children on the upcoming half term as i was going on a course for the school, my children are being looked after my cousin during the day and he kindly offerred to look after hers as well as they all know each other, her initial reaction was a look of horror albeit very fleetingly and she garbled that its ok she would make other arrangements, muttering its unfair to expect him to have hers as well....too late!

I noticed her immediate reaction and me being me asked if there was a problem with him looking after her children her reply was "well he's gay" i should have left well alone at this point but well i couldnt, i wanted to know what she was implying, yes he is gay and has been for many many years pretty much knew he was from a young age and has until recently been in a long term relationship.

He has looked after both of my children on numerous occassions, he has had them both overnight when sometimes i have gone away with Master, i trust him completley the fact he is gay just hasnt been an issue and my children know he is and because they have grown up having him as part of their lives its not an issue for them either, heck even my 15yr old son who is at that horrid judgemental age will go to him for help with school projects especially if its science..so there both comfortable with him.

So i was wound up at her response and even more so when i pushed the matter and she went on to say she didnt think it appropriate for a gay man to be with children especially boys, it took a lot of willpower not to tell her about my dynamic with the bossman and what we do and does that make me not suitable to be with children?  i didnt of course but i was so enraged i had to leave before things were said that couldnt be taken back.

Things are left like that, she hasnt contacted me and i sure as hell am not contacting her, i feel saddenned that someone whom i consider a close friend could have such an ignorant attitute and one i havent picked up on before, i dont know at this time if we can put this behind us, for me i have taken it personally...perhaps i should have just left it but whats done is done.  Its also made me realise that no matter how far we think society has progressed there is still a lot of ignorance out there and more than likely there always will be.